Bespoke Japan Land and Sea

• Day 1:

  Kyoto is the nation’s former capital and was the residence of the emperor from 794 until 1868. It is Japan’s seventh largest metropolis with a population of around 1.4 million and a city of culture that offers a plethora of temples, shrines and other historically priceless structures that still survive today. With 2,000 religious buildings, including 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines, as well as palaces, gardens and associated architecture, it is one of the best-preserved cities in Japan and has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. Kyoto represents the “Japan of old” and beyond the high-rise skyscrapers built as a monument to progress, the real monument to Japan’s historical and cultural past can be found in the city’s narrow alleyways where tea houses abound and kimono-clad geisha hurry from elegant function to function. This is a place to go back in time to Japan’s mysterious past where echoes of the court nobility resonate at the Imperial Palace and the search for contemplation can be found in Ryoanji’s Zen rock gardens.

  On arrival at Kansai Airport (Osaka), you will be met in the arrival hall by your private driver who will bring you to your hotel.

  The remainder of your day is at leisure.

   

• Day 2:

  Full Day Kyoto Highlights Tour (9:00 – 17:00)

  Today you explore the former imperial capital with a knowledgeable local guide by private vehicle to visit some of Kyoto’s World Heritage Sites. You will start your day with a visit to Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion), which was originally built as a retirement villa for the Shogun. After his death it became a Buddhist Temple at his request and is now one of Kyoto’s most famous temples.  Nijo Castle is an ornamental castle built by the founder of the Edo Shogunate as his Kyoto residence and is surrounded by stunning surrounding gardens. The main building was completed in 1603, and is famous for its architecture, decorated sliding doors and ‘chirping’ nightingale floors.

  Take a walk down Nishiki Market, a narrow, five block long shopping street lined by more than one hundred shops and restaurants. Known as "Kyoto's Kitchen", this lively retail market specializes in all things food related, like fresh seafood, produce, knives and cookware, and is a great place to find seasonal foods and Kyoto specialties, such as Japanese sweets, pickles, dried seafood and sushi.

  To end the day, you will visit Kiyomizu (Pure Water) Temple. From the 13m high veranda jutting out from the Main Hall you can enjoy amazing views of the whole of Kyoto, whilst pondering the fact that both the Main Hall and Veranda were built without the use of nails or any kind of joiners; however, it is a steep walk uphill, and the temple is now under repair work, although it is still enjoyable and a Kyoto landmark.

  Meals included:        Breakfast

  Guiding:                     8 Hours

• Day 3:

  Today you will travel to Kanazawa.

  You will be transferred from your hotel to Kyoto station.

  From Kyoto station, you will take the included Limited Express Train (Reserved Seats, Standard Class) to Kanazawa station. Upon arrival at Kanazawa station, you will be transferred to your hotel.

  The remainder of your day is at leisure.

     

• Day 4:

  Full Day Kanazawa Highlights Tour (9:00 – 17:00)

  A full day to explore Kanazawa with a local guide by private vehicle. The highlight of any visit to Kanazawa is Kenroku-en garden.  Ranked one of the top three in Japan, its breathtaking beauty shines through in any season.  You will also be visiting the imposing Kanazawa castle, located next to the garden. Nearby Kagayuzen Kaikan offers demonstrations of the centuries-old Yuzen silk painting technique.

  Head to visit the Nagamachi Samurai district, where you can enter the Nomura Samurai House, a traditional Japanese home with tea-ceremony room, an interior courtyard garden and artifacts from the Edo period.  The Higashi Chaya District is the largest and by far the most interesting of Kanazawa’s Geisha Districts. Many of the buildings along the central street now house cafes and shops. One of the shops, Hakuza, sells gold leaf products, a specialty of Kanazawa, and displays a kura warehouse style room which is completely covered in gold leaf; you will also have a chance to visit the Shima teahouse, which is still an operating tea house, but opens its doors to the public. You can enjoy a cup of green tea here to finish the day.

   

• Day 5:

  Today you will travel to Tokyo.

  You will be transferred from your hotel to Kanazawa station.

  From here, you will ride the included bullet train (Reserved Seats, Standard Class) to Tokyo station.

  Upon arrival at Tokyo station, you will be transferred to your hotel.

  The remainder of the day is at your leisure

• Day 6:

  Full Day Tokyo Highlights Tour (9:00 – 17:00)

  Take a day tour of this fascinating city with a local guide. The day begins with a visit to Meiji Shrine, a shrine dedicated to the deified spirit of Emperor Meiji and a popular place for traditional Japanese weddings. Take a walk down Omotesando shopping street, a broad tree lined avenue home to the flagship stores of the world’s top fashion brands.

  Head across town to Asakusa, where you can soak in the atmosphere of the Tokyo of old. Visit Sensoji, Tokyo’s oldest temple and wander down Nakamise, a shopping street that has been providing temple visitors with a variety of traditional, local snacks and tourist souvenirs for centuries.

  End your day in Hamarikyu garden, an Edo Period Japanese garden surrounded by the Shiodome district’s futuristic skyscrapers, a great example of how Japan is the land of contrasts, where you will stop for a cup of steaming matcha and Japanese sweets in a tea house on a small island in the park’s lake.

• Day 7:

  Full Day Hakone Mt Fuji National Park Excursion from Tokyo (8:00 – 18:00)

  Private transport: Today leave Tokyo behind as you make the car journey to Hakone, the gateway to Mt Fuji and surrounding national park, with your local guide.

  To explore the National Park, you can take advantage of the numerous forms of transport on offer, seamlessly integrated with your private car. Ride the world’s second longest cable car up Mt Owakudani, passing over sulfurous fumes, hot springs and hot rivers in this volcanic area, where you can eat an egg hard boiled in the sulfuric hot springs which make Hakone famous. If you do, it will add seven years to your life!   A majestic replica pirate ship will sweep you across the Lake Ashinoko, a lake formed by volcanic eruption 3,000 years ago, and as you drive through the mountains, you will take in amazing views of the surrounding valleys. 

  Throughout the day you will have the chance to get a glimpse of Mt Fuji, however please keep in mind that she is a notoriously shy mountain and it needs to be a clear day

• Day 8:

  Tokyo (Yokohama), Japan 

• Day 9:

  At Sea 

• Day 10:

  To have the opportunity to explore Kushiro, Japan from 7AM to 5PM. Some optional excursions include Lake Akan, Hokuto Observatory, Crane Reserve , Washo Fish Market and many more (prices vary).

• Day 11:

  At Sea 

• Day 12:

  Today explore Korsakov, Russia. Optional tours available for additional costs include: Sakhalin Regional Museum, Bear Museum , Church of St. Nicholas, Square of Glory  and many more. 

• Day 13:

  Today explore Otaru, Japan.  Optional tours available for additional costs include: Former Aoyama Villa, Otaru Canal, Ishihara Yujiro Museum, Yoichi Nikka Whisky Distillery and many more. 

• Day 14:

  Today explore Hakodate, Japan. Optional tours available for additional costs include: Mt.Hakodate,  Sumo Museum, Goryokaku Pentagonal Fort, Onuma Quasi-National Park and many more. 

• Day 15:

  At Sea 

• Day 16:

  Today, you will be transferred from Yokohama Port to the airport for your onward flight. 

Accommodation as per the itinerary; Meals as per the itinerary; Ground transfers as per the itinerary; Scheduled Tours as per the itinerary; Parks Fees as per the itinerary.

Any services not mentioned above; Any items of personal expense, i.e. drinks, telephone calls, laundry etc.; Gratuities for guides/drivers; Visa fees if applicable.