Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

Welcome to enchanting Japan – a truly timeless place where ancient traditions are fused with modern life as if it were the most natural thing in the world. From the splendor of a Kyoto geisha dance to the spare beauty of a Zen rock garden, Japan has the power to enthrall even the most jaded traveler.

Arrive in Tokyo with its unique vitality springing from intertwining of the new with the time-honoured old. Yoking past & future, Tokyo dazzles with its traditional culture & passion for everything new.

After you exit in the Arrival Hall at Terminal? - Tokyo Narita International Airport, subsequent to Immigration & Customs, you will be welcomed by The Journeys representative who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to the hotel. He / she will provide assistance during Check-in and also discuss the program for the next few days.

*If, for any reason you are unable to make contact with our representative within 30 minutes of waiting, please call the local Emergency telephone # listed on your Contact List. Please follow the advice given by our 24 / 7 Duty Officer.  Please do not exit the Airport & make your own way to the hotel, unless advised. Transfer can be via Train or Airport Limousine Bus (to be advised prior to arrival in Osaka).

Reach the hotel & Check-in.

*Check-in time is 02.00 pm. For earlier arrivals in the morning, we will request the hotel for a complimentary early Check-in but cannot be guaranteed unless reserved & paid for ‘immediate occupancy’.

Balance of the morning & afternoon is at leisure or perhaps opt for one of the many options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

To the uninitiated, Tokyo may seem like a whirlwind of people and traffic. Yet, behind the ordered chaos lie remnants of a very different past.

Infinite Possibilities | Art & Culture| Culinary delight | Glimpse of the Future

More than any one sight, it's the sprawling city itself that enchants visitors.

Always changing, and with a diverse collection of neighbourhoods, no two experiences of the city are ever the same. Some neighbourhoods feel like a vision from the future, with ever taller, sleeker structures popping up each year; others evoke the past with low-slung wooden buildings & glowing lanterns radiating surprising warmth; elsewhere, drab concrete blocks hide art galleries & cocktail bars and every lane hints at possible discoveries.

Centuries-old forms of performing arts still play on stages and sumo tournaments draw crowds; every spring, Tokyoites head outside to appreciate the cherry blossoms – a tradition older than the city itself.

While it is the wellspring of Japanese pop culture, it is also a place where the patri-lineage of its Imperial family is a tightly held institution. It is the city to which Japanese non-conformists flee but where individuality is often linked to an older form of small-group identity. A metropolis where the pressure cooker of traditional societal mores & expectations explodes into cutting-edge art, music & inventions like the ‘boyfriend’s arm pillow’. Even pop culture like manga, as it takes the world by storm, is rooted in the tradition of Edo-period ukiyo-e (wood-block prints from the ‘floating world’). And so, as its modern gears keep turning, the basic machinery of this intriguing city remains true to its origins.

Life in Tokyo moves at a well-oiled clip, with an energy that borders on mania & an obsession with newness that seems to make all ideas quickly obsolete. Fashions begin to fade almost as soon as they are plucked from clothes hangers, and keitai (mobile phones) are traded up for each latest technological advancement. But even while throngs of tech-savvy, smartly styled Tokyoites trot through Subway stations, there is a traditional side to this hyper urban cosmopolis, which may not be immediately evident

In Tokyo you can experience the whole breadth of Japanese arts & culture. You could easily spend a lifetime exploring Tokyo & never run out of places & things to discover. There are Museums covering every era of Japanese art history & also ones that focus on the contemporary – challenging the old distinctions between art with a capital A, pop culture and technology. From "funky" old Ueno & nearby Yanaka with its fine parks, museums & old houses, to the ultra-modern Ginza with its endless department stores ... the sheer energy level of Tokyo will sweep you away.

But there is a playful side to all of this, too: Tokyo is, after all, a city whose public artworks include a scale model of an anime robot. And by night, Tokyo really comes into its own. Mazes of blazing neon fill every available nook & cranny of the city's streets & alleys. Above all, Tokyo is not just a destination, but an experience.

Tokyo's neon-lit streetscapes still look like a sci-fi film set - and that is a vision of the city from the 1980s. Tokyo has been building ever since, pushing the boundaries of what is possible on densely populated, earthquake-prone land, adding ever taller, sleeker structures.

Tokyo may be forever reaching into the future but you can still see traces of the shogun's capital on the kabuki stage, at a sumo tournament or under the cherry blossoms. It is a modern city built on old patterns & in the shadows of skyscrapers you can find anachronistic wooden shanty bars & quiet alleys, raucous traditional festivals & lantern-lit yakitori (grilled chicken) stands.

In older neighbourhoods you can shop for handicrafts made just as they have been for centuries, or wander down cobblestone lanes where geisha once trod.

See the utopian mega-malls, the edgy designer boutiques from Japan's award-winning architects & the world's tallest tower - Tokyo Sky Tree - a twisting spire that draws on ancient building techniques. Stand atop one of Tokyo's skyscrapers & look out over the city at night to see it blinking like the control panel of a starship, stretching all the way to the horizon.

You can eat Your Heart Out! Yes, Japanese cuisine has been added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Yes, Tokyo has more Michelin stars than any other city. But that is not what makes dining in Tokyo such an amazing experience. We are not just talking about the famous restaurants & the celebrity chefs: what Tokyo excels at is consistency across the board. What really counts is the city's long-standing artisan culture. It is not unusual for a top-class sushi restaurant to share the same block as an oil-spattered noodle joint & for both to be equally adored. You can splash out on the best sushi of your life, made by one of the city's legendary chefs using the freshest, seasonal market ingredients or you can  spend ¥800 on a bowl of noodles made with the same care & exacting attention to detail, from a recipe honed through decades of experience.

Tokyo’s Subway map – a tangle of intersecting lines – is often compared to a bowl of noodles. But once you get out there, you will be surprised how easy it is to navigate. That Subway can take you everywhere you want to go; trains are frequent (though sometimes uncomfortably crowded) & almost always on time, and stations are well-signposted in English. That is not to say you won't occasionally find yourself frustratingly disorientated, but the friendly locals are generally eager to help you get back on track.

Evening, we have a relaxing dinner of Okonomiyaki (Japanese Pancakes) at a traditional small restaurant near the hotel.

Walk back to the hotel / ryokan.

Overnight.  D  

Morning, you will be met by the Tour-guide at 07.00 am & proceed for a 6 hour ‘walking’ sightseeing tour, using public transport.

Walk to the Subway & travel to the famous Tsukiji Fish Market. This market is the largest in the world, and it is estimated that 20% of all of the fish caught in the world passes through this market.

The Market is the largest wholesale fish & seafood market in the world, handling more than 2,000 tons of marine products & an estimated that 20 % of all of the fish caught in the world on that day. Although the market wasn’t originally intended to be a major tourist attraction when it opened in 1935, Tsukiji now regularly shows up on visitors’ lists of must-see destinations in Tokyo.

Witnessing the dawn fresh tuna auction before the sun rises is the primary draw. If so, it will be on a first-come, first-serve basis & limited to 120 people, admitted in two shifts of 60. Entry typically opens at 05.00 am for the first 20 minute viewing at 05.25 am & the second at 05:50 am. It is best to arrive at least two hours early, as crowds are large & Lines are known to queue up as early as 01.00 am.

However, if you prefer to do your exploring at a more reasonable hour, be aware that by 9.00 am, business will have already started to wind down. You will still see fishmongers filleting the day's catch, but you won't have to dodge so many trucks & trolleys.

The market is comprised of two areas: the public Outer Market, which features shops, sushi & various market stalls; and the Inner Market, where the famous fresh tuna fish auctions are held. Shops in the wholesale market smells too fishy for you, a less pungent alternative is Tsukiji's outer market, a warren of narrow streets packed with stalls selling fresh seafood & other specialty items, such as real wasabi.

Whether you are a sushi connoisseur or just starting to appreciate this popular cuisine, it is a unique experience to stand amidst freshly caught tuna the size of small children & observe how quickly the pieces are snapped up and carted off to be sliced into nigiri & more.

No visit to Tsukiji is complete without a sushi breakfast. There are plenty of sushi counters here, but to find best ones, you need to wend your way to the restaurant area near the wholesale fruit & vegetable market. You can buy bowls & sashimi knives there too.

Get on to the Subway again to travel to Roppongi Hills, where you will visit the Tokyo City View Observatory. From the Observation Deck on the 53^rd  floor of the Roppongi Hills Building, you will get a bird's eye view of Tokyo while also getting oriented to Tokyo, and a glimpse as to just how large Tokyo really is. On a clear day you might even see Mt. Fuji.

Travel by Subway again to the famous Ginza district, the most expensive real estate in the world where we will first stop for a lunch of Kushiage (fried meat & vegetables on bamboo skewers).

After lunch, you will have some free time to wander through the numerous boutiques and department stores. Or visit the Nissan and BMW showrooms to see the latest automobile technology. Or explore the Sony Building where you will find many of Sony's products on display, some of which aren't on the market yet.

Walk back to the Subway & proceed to the Hinode Pier, to take a relaxing cruise on the Sumida River back to the Asakusa area. Here you will tour the Nakamise-dori, Senso-ji Buddhist Temple & the Asakusa Shrine where you will learn about Buddhist and Shinto Japanese religious practices.

Come back to the hotel / ryokan by afternoon.

Balance of the day at leisure or perhaps opt for one of the options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Overnight.  B L 

Meet the Tour-guide in the Lobby at 08.00 am & proceed for a full day excursion to Nikko where the Tosho-gu Shrine is located.

Proceed to the Tokyo Tobu Asakusa Station to board the Nikko Kunugawa Line train for Nikko.

Arrive in Tobu Nikko Station & commence your sightseeing.

All of Nikko's famous shrines & temples are clustered together in the same area & are within walking distance of the Station.

"Nikko is Nippon" is the slogan spread on posters throughout this small town in the mountains. Nikko, which means "sunlight" in Japanese, was founded in the 8^th century by the Buddhist priest Shodo Shonin as a center of Buddhist religious activity & is an extant showcase of the wealth & power of the Tokugawa clan.

And, true to the slogan, Nikko is a plain-looking little mountain settlement north of Tokyo in which nestles a pay-to-view miracle of cultural achievement. Nikko showcases some of Japan's most splendid - even gaudy - high culture in a serene & evocative mountain wilderness, and offers a unique combination of natural quietude & cultural opulence.

A natural sanctuary that enshrines the glories of the Edo period (1603 - 1868), Nikko is one of Japan's major attractions & a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pristine forests of towering cedars enclose a wealth of Shinto shrines & Buddhist temples that blend harmoniously with the topography of the setting & reflect in their artistic splendour the awesome power of the Tokugawa Shogunate. James Clavell's acclaimed fictional novel Shogun was based on the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate.

Nikko's main sights are Buddhist temples & Shinto shrines, housed often on the same premises. Set in a 424 hectare (1048 acre) domain, these institutions include between them a total of 103 buildings, 9 of which are classified as National Treasures & 94 as Important Cultural Properties and were registered as UNESCO World Heritage site. Nearby Mt. Nantai had already been an object of veneration for generations & big numbers visit the place for its distinctive mystical atmosphere.

Visit the famous Toshogu, one of the most intricately decorated Shinto shrines in Japan established in 1617 as a lavish mausoleum of the Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, the great unifier of Japan & founding ruler of the Tokugawa shogunate. North is the direction from which demons are traditionally said to come, so Ieyasu wished to be enshrined as a god of the nation, protecting it from evil even in death. In accordance with Ieyasu's wishes, a small shrine was built in 1617 by the second Tokugawa Shogun, Hidetada as "a simple shrine," to enshrine Ieyasu Tokugawa. However, Ieyasu's grandson Iemitsu Tokugawa had the shrine rebuilt in 1636 into the opulent masterpiece it is today: a monument not only to Ieyasu, but to the wealth & power of the Tokugawa family. This shogunate was the last feudal military government in Japan & it lasted from 1603 to 1868 and the leaders from Tokugawa clan were all called Shoguns.

454,000 workmen & artisans labored for a year & five months, night & day, to complete Toshogu. Since then, Nikko has owed its fame to this shrine. One of the most elaborate monuments in Japan, no expense was spared in this shrine's construction.

The first structure of note after passing under Toshogu's stone torii archway is the Go-juu-no-toh the 118 feet Five Storey Pagoda on the left. It has a unique earthquake-resistant feature in the form of a 60cm (2 foot) diameter pole hung internally from its fourth floor. The original Tower dated from 1650 but burned down in 1815. The present Tower is a reconstruction from 1818. The twelve Chinese zodiac signs are carved around the Pagoda's first level. The Omote-mon ('Front Gate') is guarded by fearsome 4m (13 foot) high Deva king guardians at the front, a pair of lions on the other side & festooned with golden elephants. The shrine comprises the gilded Yomeimon Gate, the main sanctuary set in a cedar grove & the tomb itself.

Depending on the time, participate in a special Shinto ceremony with a resident Shinto priest or miko (priestess).

When touring the shrine complex, you will be amazed by countless wooden carvings covered in gold leaf decorating the structures. Outside the main shrine area, you may visit the Nikko Toshogu Museum, which holds a collection of swords, armor & other personal effects belonging to the shrine’s founder. Please note that some of the historic buildings are under renovation until 2024.

The Nikko Edomura, or Edo Wonderland, is a historical theme park that recreates life in Japan during the Edo period, the time when the Toshogu Shrine was built. Park staff wear authentic period costumes, & visitors may rent costumes as well.

You can tour the town’s Edo period architecture, visit wax museums, shop for souvenirs in historical markets, play games at the Ninja Trick Maze & House of Illusion, and view live theatrical shows.

In time, walk back to the Station for the return journey to Tokyo.

The Tour-guide will leave you on arrival at Tokyo Tobu Asakusa or Shinjuku Station & you will find your own way to the hotel.

Balance of the evening is at leisure to explore on your own or to relax (we will be happy to offer suggestions).

Overnight.   B L 

Morning at leisure to spend as you wish.

Go shopping for that perfect souvenir, visit the Meiji Shrine dedicated to the Japanese emperor of the 19^th century, or wander through the trendy Shibuya or Harajuku districts where you will more than likely see interesting and far-out fashions.

Later in the afternoon, proceed to Tokyo Shinjuku (supposedly the busiest train station in the world) Station (on your own) to board the Odakyu Limited Express “Romance Car” for the short ride to Hakone-Yumoto Station. Some versions of these trains feature Observation Decks & saloon seats.

*Before leaving Tokyo, you will prepare your luggage to be transferred to Takayama, and will be traveling to Hakone & Takayama with an overnight bag only.

Arrive at Hakone Yumoto Station & proceed to the hotel (on your own) & Check-in.

Balance of the day is at leisure or perhaps opt for one of the many options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Hakone, part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, west of Tokyo, is a mountainous town known for its serene hot spring resorts (onsen), world-class art museums including the Hakone Open Air Museum, traditional inns & spectacular mountain scenery crowned by the iconic volcano Mount Fuji.

When it is not hidden by clouds, Mt. Fuji presents a breathtaking sight on the horizon; the best time to catch a glimpse of the mountain is the winter months of December to February. Weather-permitting, you will get a chance to see it.

Hakone also encompasses Hakone Shrine, a Shinto shrine with a red “torii” gate overlooking Lake Ashi, which can be toured by boat, as well as the boiling sulphur springs of the Owakudani Valley.

Famous for hot springs, natural beauty & the view across Lake Ashinoko of nearby Mount Fuji for centuries, it has been one of the most popular destinations among Japanese & international tourists looking for a break from Tokyo.

Hakone has been one of Japan's most popular hot spring resorts for centuries. Yumoto, at the entrance to the Hakone area near Odawara, is Hakone's most famous hot spring with a particularly long history, high quality water and numerous baths & inns. Nowadays, more than a dozen springs provide hot spring water to the many bath houses & ryokans here.  Many more hot spring facilities are found across the hills & valleys of Hakone and along the shores of Lake Ashi. Visitors can enjoy a hot spring bath in public bath houses or ryokan. Many ryokan open their baths not only to staying guests but also to daytime visitors.

Overnight.   B 

Morning, meet the Tour-guide who will assist you with the Check-out & then proceed for a 4 hour sightseeing tour of Hakone.

Hakone is famous for its natural beauty & the view of nearby Mt. Fuji (weather permitting). In good weather, passengers aboard the sightseeing cruise can get a fine view of Japan's most famous peak, Mount Fuji & enjoy Hakone's rich scenery reflected on the lake's calm surface.

Travel around the Hakone area will be by many different methods including electric train, funicular, gondola, tramway, bus & sightseeing boats on Lake Ashi.

The Hakone Ropeway is a 30 minute, 4 km gondola ride, taking travellers to Togendai from Soun-zan. Along the way, you will be stopping to admire the verdant natural beauty of at the desolate Owaku-dani volcanic valley, a reminder that Japan is a chain of volcanic islands.     

The large windows of the gondola allow visitors to observe the panorama of Hakone's unspoiled natural setting. Owaku-dani offers magnificent views of Mount Fuji in what is still an active volcanic region. Here, you will have free time to explore the thermally-heated pools & boiling mud pots & vents spewing Hydrogen sulphide steam from the yellow ground (the yellow is crystallised sulphur). The 'Great Boiling Valley' was created 3000 years ago when Kami-yama erupted & collapsed, also forming Ashino-ko.

You can buy one of the `black eggs`, hard-boiled in the thermally-heated mineral waters, from the tourist shops beside the ropeway station.  It is said if you eat one of these eggs, it will add 7 years to your life (it is probably a myth driven by the people who sell the eggs).

Takachiho is the site of one of the best known legends of Japanese mythology. Hakone Amano Iwato Jinja Shrine established in the 8^th century, is set in the woods above Ashi-no-ko, but its red torii (shrine gate) is right on the water & very photogenic.

In the story, Amaterasu, the Shinto sun goddess, became so outraged by her brother's cruel pranks that she hid herself in a cave, refusing to come out & depriving the world of her life-giving light. All of the other gods & goddesses gathered to lure her out. They tried everything they could think of to no avail until one goddess performed an outrageously ribald dance that caused the other gods to roar with laughter. Amaterasu left the cave to see what all the fun was about & in doing so she returned her light to the world.

The Shrine was built near the cave where Amaterasu is said to have hid herself away. The Shrine's main buildings are located on the opposite side of the Iwato River from the cave.

The cave is not accessible but there is an observation deck behind the Shrine's main building from where you can gaze across the river.

A short walk down the road from Amano Iwato Shrine is a path that leads down to the river below. After a few minutes on this path, you will see neat little piles of stones stacked along the river by previous visitors to mark their pilgrimage to this "power spot". Farther along, the stacks become more numerous until you are surrounded by literally thousands of them as far as you can see.

Eventually the path leads to a simple Shrine inside a cave known as Amano Yasukawara. This is said to be the cave where the gods & goddesses met to discuss their strategy of luring Amaterasu out of hiding. The natural beauty of the cave & river lined by countless stacks of stones make Amano Yasukawara a place not to miss.

Depending on the time, walk by the Hakone Open-Air Museum occupying a verdant swath of Hakone hillside.

This unmissable art safari lead visitors past a rich array of 19^th & 20^th century sculptures & installations by leading Japanese artists as well as the likes of Henry Moore, Rodin & Miro, harmoniously plonked into the landscape. If it is raining, one can take shelter in the humongous Picasso Pavilion with more than 300 of his works inside, ranging from paintings & glass art to tapestry. End the walk here by soaking your feet in the outdoor footbath.

Another museum to visit is the mammoth Okada Museum of Art which showcases the dazzling Japanese, Chinese & Korean art treasures of industrialist Okada Kazuo. You could easily spend hours marvelling at the beauty of many pieces, including detailed screen paintings & exquisite pottery. Interactive, multilingual interpretive displays enhance the experience.  

If time permits, visit such historic attractions as Hakone Checkpoint or the stone-paved avenues of Kyukaido (old road).

End at Amazake-chaya Teahouse, the likes of which were once common sights along the old Edo-era (1603 - 1868) foot highways that criss-crossed Japan. This one, with a thatched roof, is one of only a few that remain & run by the same family for 13 generations (& nearly 4 centuries). The speciality here is the namesake amazake, a sweet, nonalcoholic, fermented rice milk.

Return to the hotel & after picking up our overnight bags, commence your journey to Takayama driving through a picturesque rural landscape.

Arrive in Takayama by evening & Check-in at the hotel.

Balance of the evening at leisure (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Hida Takayama - a city in the middle of the Japan Alps in the mountainous Gifu Prefecture has one of Japan's most atmospheric townscapes with a pretty riverside setting. The beautifully preserved old town with its traditional Meiji-era inns, shops, hillside shrines & sake breweries has managed to retain its traditional charm like few other Japanese cities.

Takayama gained importance as a source of high quality timber & highly skilled carpenters during the feudal ages. The city was consequently put under direct control of the Shogun & enjoyed quite a bit of prosperity considering its remote mountain location. The narrow streets of its Sanmachi Suji historic district are lined with wooden merchants’ houses dating to the Edo Period, along with many small museums.

The town's present layout dates from the late 17^th century & incorporates a wealth of museums, galleries & temples within its compact size.

It is also home to one of the country's best-loved festivals.  The famed biannual Takayama Festival, goes back to at least the mid-1600s, celebrating spring & fall with parades featuring ornate, gilded floats & puppet shows. And it also ranks as one of the prime candidates among travelers wishing to add a rural element into their itineraries.

Excellent infrastructure & welcoming locals seal the deal. Although its recent rise in popularity can sometimes take the sparkle off what was a little-known hamlet just a decade ago, there is still plenty worth visiting for - a stay during the shoulder seasons will afford a little more tranquillity.

Takayama is easily explored on foot & is the perfect start or end point for sojourns into the Hida region and the northern Japan Alps.

Overnight.   B 

Morning, meet the Tour-guide at 09.00 am & proceed on a 4 hour sightseeing tour.

Begin your walking tour of Takayama, known as 'Little Kyoto', & discover its Edo style streets filled with amazing attractions.

Stroll through the vibrant open-air farmer's market (Asaichi), sampling the numerous options from vegetable stands & stalls selling herbs, pickles, and souvenirs,  before continuing on to Takayama-jinya - a former government outpost which was the governing office of Takayama & the surrounding area since the early 17^th century, in official use until 1969 & now open to the public as a museum.

Explore the Old Town, stopping enroute to sample Japanese sake at an authentic Sake brewery, a cultural insight.

Continue to the Kami-Sannomachi-suji District, consisting of merchant homes dating back to the 16^th century & now home to renowned local artisans. Walk through the narrow streets & admire the ancient Japanese wooden architecture.

After the conclusion of the Tour, stay back or return to the hotel.

Balance of the day is at leisure to independently explore Takayama.

You can visit the many temples, shrines & museums, rummage through antique shops, or relax at one of the sake breweries (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Evening, enjoy a Kaiseki-style dinner of Japanese Hida beef at a local restaurant. Hida beef (Hida-gyu) is the specific name given to beef from a black-haired Japanese cattle breed, it is known as one of the finest quality varieties of beef.

Return to the hotel.

Overnight.  B D 

Morning, Check-out & proceed to JR Takayama Station near the Old Town on the opposite side of Miyagawa River (you will travel to Koya-san with overnight bags only. The rest of the luggage will be delivered to your hotel in Osaka where you will reach the following night).

Board JR Tokaido Shinkansen bound for Osaka.

Reach JR Osaka Station & immediately transfer to regular local Nankai Koya Line for the 90 minute ride to Gokurakubashi Station at the base of Mount Koya. On arrival, transfer directly to the Koyasan Cable Car for the 5 minute ride to the Koyasan Station at the foot of Mount Koya (or Koyasan), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the location of a historic monastic settlement, a popular tourist location & a center of spiritual retreat..

From here, you can walk or take the bus for the short distance to reach the Shukubo (temple stay) you will be staying at.

On arrival, Check-in at one of the Shukubo.

Balance of the day is at leisure to roam around roam on your own and visit one of the 100 + temples in the area, wander through the nearby ghostly cemetery at the famous Okuno-in temple, or just rest in the garden at the Shukubo (we will be happy to offer suggestions).

Did you know that in Japan tourists can spend the night at temples? Shukubo, literally means "sleeping with the monks" & is a must for foreign visitors who want an immersive Japanese cultural experience.

Dotted across Wakayama Prefecture’s Mount Koya, there are currently around 100 temples & 30 of them allow lodging for ordinary tourists.

More & more tourists want to stay in lodgings known as “Shukubo” originally meant to lodge Buddhist monks. The story goes that Shukubo (temple lodging) became available for ordinary pilgrims coming to worship at temples, around 1,200 years ago during the Heian Period. About 400 years ago, during the Edo period, Shukubo became even more popular & became a tourist attraction & gradually lost its authencity. Currently, there are many so called Shukubo facilities which should really be called hotels or guest houses.

Each Shukubo facility has its own unique charm & offer different facilities. Lodgings come with open air baths & so on. A typical & real Shukubo is a temple facility & essentially follows stringent rules. In particular, there are many cases where there is a strict curfew & in order to be prepared for the next morning of prayer study. In particular, one of the unique temple experiences is the early morning devotional exercises.

What you experience differs based on the place but you can typically experience things like copying sutras by hand, sitting in zazen (cross-legged position) & so on. Only vegetarian food is served at Shukubo and meat & fish is strictly forbidden. However, there are many Shukubo facilities that boast a high-quality, varied selection of foods like a Japanese ryokan.

Koya-san as one of three sacred sites in Japan's Kii Mountain Range, is a ‘must visit’ site for spiritual Japanese. It attained global popularity globally subsequent to its designation as a UNESCO Heritage site.

Koya-san is the world headquarters of the Shingon School of Chinese-influenced Esoteric Buddhism. Kobo Daishi, considered by many to be the most influential religious person in Japanese history, established a religious community here in the year 826.

A small, secluded Temple town with a population of about 3,000 people has developed around the Sect's headquarters built on Koyasan's wooded mountaintop. Kobo Daishi began construction on the original Garan temple complex after wandering the country for years in search of a suitable place to center his religion. Since then over one hundred temples have sprung up along the streets of Koyasan. The most important among them are Kongobuji, the head temple of Shingon Buddhism & Okuno-in, the site of Kobo Daishi's mausoleum. Ancient cedar forests share space with historic pagodas, paved roads, restaurants, schools, cafes & souvenir shops.

Koya-san is also one of the best places to experience an overnight stay at one of the over 30 Temples offering a temple lodging to both pilgrims & visitors, where you can get a taste of a monk's lifestyle, eating vegetarian monk's cuisine (shojin ryori) &  attending the morning prayers.

Your dinner of shojin-ryori (traditional Buddhist vegetarian cuisine - no meat, fish, onions or garlic) will be served by the Buddhist Monks from the temple.

After dinner, one of the Monks from the temple will give instructions on meditation. Meditation is an important part of Buddhism & the path to enlightenment. The lesson will concentrate on the proper breathing techniques which will allow you to relax & free your mind.

Come back to your room.

 Overnight.   B D 

Get up at dawn to attend o-inori (Buddhist prayer services).

Come back for a shojin-ryori breakfast and immediately after, we wander through the huge cemetery leading up to the Okuno-in temple. Kobo Daishi is buried at this temple, and many Japanese still believe that Kobo Daishi is not dead, but merely in a very advanced state of meditation, waiting to awaken at the appropriate time.

We will stop for a shojin-ryori lunch before we tour the Danjo Garan Temple complex, one of the first built by Kobo Daishi in Koya-san. Vast, quiet, soothing, it is filled with temples, a magnificent Pagoda.

Kobo Daishi (774 - 835) established his community &laid the foundations of a "sacred complex" that should remain with the Kongobuji, one of the principal religious sites in the city.

The complex has about 20 temples & buildings, including the Konpon Daito, "Great pagoda" rebuilt in the late 1930s & all freshly painted in vermilion. A symbolic construction, it would appear at the center of the lotus flower mandala formed by 8 mountains around Koyasan. Between legend & cult, Konpon Daito houses the Dainichi Nyorai, cosmic Buddha, surrounded by 4 other Buddha to assist him.

Kondo, the main pavilion which hosts major religious ceremonies, was built in 1819 & was also rebuilt for the last time in the 1930s. A statue of Yakushi Nyorai, the doctor Buddha is revealed when the pavilion is open.

Among other wonders, the Miedo, "temple of portraits" once reserved exclusively for meditation of Kobo Daishi, often keeps its doors closed. Kukai - a portrait of the ‘sleeping’ founder monk is hidden amidst 10 other works of his disciples. However, every March 21^st during the Kyusho Mieku festival, Kukai can be contemplated & admired.

A little away from the other sites of Koya-san, slightly raised, as if to impose respect, the Tokugawa Mausoleum was built in 1643 at the request of the shogun Tokugawa Iemisu (1604-1651) in honor of his grandfather Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543-1616) & his father Tokugawa Hidetada (1579-1632). These 2 most illustrious members of the family that ruled during the Edo era (1603-1868) are not buried here, but in Nikko, in an Iemisu temple built at the same time.

Two identical buildings, one on the right for Ieyasu & on the left for Hidetada, with finely detailed gilding, which is specific to the style of the early Edo period, ornaments the beautiful, varnished wood buildings, in harmony with the richness of the interiors.

South of Danjo Garan is the Reihokan Museum built in 1921, hides thousands of treasures of the daily religious life of the city.

In time, transfer to the Gokurakubashi Station at the base of Mount Koya to board the train for Osaka.

Arrive at JR Osaka Station & proceed to the hotel (on your own) & Check-in.

Balance of the evening is at leisure for independent exploration or perhaps opt for one of the optional activities available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

You can visit the Dotombori-dori, the nearby nightlife and restaurant district.

If Kyoto was the city of the courtly nobility & Tokyo the city of the samurai, then Osaka was the city of the merchant class. A port city & commercial center on the Japanese island of Honshu known for its modern architecture, nightlife & hearty street food.

The best way to get under its skin is by chowing down on local cuisine & enjoying a drink at an izakaya (pub restaurant) alongside good-humoured locals. The city's unofficial slogan is kuidaore ('eat until you drop') & it seems that everyone is always out for a good meal & a good time.

Osakans take pride in shedding the conservatism found elsewhere in Japan, and this spirited city - Japan's 3^rd largest - is a place where people are a bit brasher & interactions are peppered with playful jabs. It has been the economic powerhouse of the Kansai Region for many centuries.

It is not a pretty city in the conventional sense - though it does have a lovely river cutting through the centre - but it packs more colour than most; its acres of concrete are cloaked in dazzling neon billboards.

In the 16^th century, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the son of a farmer who unified Japan after a 100 year civil war, chose Osaka as the location for his Castle & the city may have become Japan's political capital if Tokugawa Ieyasu had not terminated the Toyotomi lineage after Hideyoshi's death & moved his government to distant Edo (Tokyo).

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Morning, Check-out and proceed with the Tour-guide for a short tour (before leaving in the morning you will need to prepare your main luggage for transfer to Kyoto. You would be travelling with overnight bags only. Your luggage will be delivered to your hotel in Kyoto where you will reach after 2 days).

Get on the Subway to shogunate Osaka Castle, one of Japan's most famous & largest castles which played a major role in the unification of Japan. It has undergone several restorations & is the city’s main historical landmark.

The construction of the Castle started in 1583 on the former site of the Ishiyama Honganji Temple, which had been destroyed by Oda Nobunaga 13 years earlier. Toyotomi Hideyoshi intended the Castle to become the center of a new, unified Japan under Toyotomi rule.

However, a few years after Hideyoshi's death, Tokugawa troops attacked & destroyed the castle and terminated the Toyotomi lineage in 1615. Osaka Castle was rebuilt by Tokugawa Hidetada in the 1620s.

Its main tower was struck by lightning in 1665 & burnt down and it was not until 1931 that the present ferro-concrete reconstruction of the Castle tower was undertaken. During the war it miraculously survived the city wide air raids. Major repair works gave the Castle new glamor in 1997. The Tower is now entirely modern on the inside & even features an elevator for easier accessibility. It houses an informative Museum about the castle's history & Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

The entire Osaka Castle Park covers about two square kilometers with lots of green space, sport facilities, a multi-purpose arena (Osakajo Hall) & a shrine dedicated to Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

The Tower is surrounded by secondary citadels, gates, turrets, impressive stone walls & moats. The Nishinomaru Garden, encompassing the former "western citadel", is a lawn garden with 600 cherry-blossom & plum & peach trees, a tea house, the former Osaka Guest House & nice views of the castle tower from below. Unlike most of the rest of the grounds, the Garden requires an admission fee. The Garden is one of Osaka's most popular hanami spots during the cherry blossom season, which usually takes place in early April.

Depending on the time, you may also visit Sumiyoshi Taisha, one of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines.

Founded in the 3^rd century before the introduction of Buddhism, it displays a unique style of shrine architecture, called Sumiyoshi-zukuri, that is free of influence from the Asian mainland. Only 2 other shrine architecture styles are also considered purely Japanese: Shinmei-zukuri as seen at the Ise Shrines & Taisha-zukuri as seen at Izumo Taisha.

Sumiyoshi-zukuri is characterized by straight roofs (as opposed to the curved roofs commonly built in later centuries) which are decorated by 2 sets of forked finials (chigi) & 5 horizontal billets (katsuogi). Furthermore, buildings constructed in Sumiyoshi-zukuri style have their entrance under the gable & are surrounded by a fence.

Sumiyoshi Taisha is the main & most famous of over two thousand Sumiyoshi shrines found across Japan. Sumiyoshi shrines enshrine the kami (Shinto gods) who protect travelers, fishermen & sailors at sea. The shrines are therefore usually found close to harbors.

During hatsumode (first visit to a shrine on New Year), Sumiyoshi Taisha is one of the most visited shrines in the country.

Leading to the entrance of the main shrine grounds is the beautiful Sorihashi Bridge, which creates a uniquely high arch over a pond. There are 4 main halls at Osaka's Sumiyoshi Taisha. Interestingly, the first 3 are positioned in a straight line facing west, while the fourth stands just beside the third. This arrangement of shrine buildings is rarely seen in Japan, as shrines built during and after the Nara Period (710-794) mostly face south, pertaining to Chinese geomancy.

Come back to the Ryokan for lunch.

Immediately after, transfer to Shin-Osaka Station (on your own) to board the futuristic Nozomi Shinkansen (Bullet train) for the 2 hour ride to Hiroshima. Marvel at the incredible velocity.

On arrival at Hiroshima Station, hop aboard a local train (or bus) & continue the journey to Miyajimaguchi, harbor, the starting point to board the ferries to one of Japan's most visited tourist spots, the UNESCO World Heritage listed majestic island of Miyajima, a landmass hailed as one of Japan’s most beautiful landscapes.

Board the ferry for the 10 minute ride & after arriving at the ferry terminal, disembark, walk to the hotel / ryokan & Check-in.

Balance of the day is at leisure to independently enjoy the solitude & ambience of the island after all of the day-trippers head back to the mainland (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).  

The small island of Miyajima just outside the city of Hiroshima, has a long history as a holy site of Shinto & is one of the most scenic spots in Japan. It has long been regarded as an Island of Gods on the beautiful Seto Inland Sea. The island's highest peak, Mount Misen, was worshiped by local people as early as the 6^th century. In 1168, Taira no Kiyomori, the most powerful man in Japan during the end of the Heian Period, selected the island as the site of his clan's family shrine & built Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site located along with the Virgin Forest of Mt. Misen amidst numerous other preserved shrines, temples & historical monuments.

While officially named Itsukushima, the island is more commonly referred to as Miyajima, Japanese for "shrine island" The centuries-old Itsukushima Shrine (Itsukushima Jinja) is the source of both the island's fame & its name.

Its star attraction is the internationally acclaimed & oft-photographed vermilion iconic giant Torii Gate (shrine gate) of Itsukushima-jinja, built over water & which seems to float on the waves at high tide - a scene that has traditionally been ranked as one of the 3 best views in Japan. It is also at its evocative best at sunset, or when lit up after dark.

Like the Torii Gate, the shrine's main buildings are built over water. Seemingly floating in the sea during high tide.

The beautiful Shinden-zukuri style structure (architecture representative of a nobles' residence in the Heian period) is located in a small inlet, while the torii gate is set out in the Seto Inland Sea. Paths lead around the inlet & visitors enjoy walking along them while looking out onto the sea.

The complex consists of multiple buildings, including a prayer hall, a main hall and a noh theater stage, which are connected by boardwalks & supported by pillars above the sea. The contrast of the green of Mount Misen behind the lacquered shrine pavilion & the blue of the Seto Sea is beautiful & evocative of the underwater palace of Ryugujo.

Because the experience of Itsukushima Shrine involves the water over which it is built, it is good to be aware of the timings of the tides during one's visit. At high tide, the shrine & its gate appear to float above the water, and this is certainly the time at which they are most picturesque. At low tide, the water drains out of the bay. This is when visitors can take the opportunity to walk out & see the gate from up close.

Discover the cultural treasures of the island as you walk to the famous Itsukushima Shrine - one of Japan's finest. Then revitalize with a delicious lunch in a local eatery (own expense).  

Miyajima is a romantic place, best enjoyed by staying overnight at one of the island's Ryokan. There are also cheeky wild deer on the island that have become accustomed to people. In the day the deer wander around the same sites as the tourists & in the evening they sleep along the walking paths.

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Full day at leisure to enjoy and relax in the beauty of Miyajima Island.

Ride the cable car to the top of the mountain on Miyajima Island where you can visit with the local monkeys, or visit the Itsukushima-jinja shrine which was built in its present form in 1168. Or just stroll around the island while enjoying grilled oysters, the island's specialty. 

Kaiseki dinner at the Ryokan.

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Morning, we take the ferry back to Hiroshima & embark on a surreal ‘spiritual’ journey.

Disembark & hop on to a bus to proceed to Peace Memorial Museum & Park to reflect on the heartbreaking history of the region, both sobering testaments to the dropping of the A-bomb on August 6, 1945.

To most people, Hiroshima means just one thing. The city's name will forever evoke thoughts of 6 August 1945 - at 8:15 am,  when Hiroshima became the target of the world's first & upto now only atomic-bomb attack, by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF), during final stages of World War II. The second BOMB was dropped on Nagasaki 3 days later, on 9^th August1945.

Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park is a constant reminder of that day, and it attracts visitors from all over the world with its moving message of peace. And leafy Hiroshima, with its wide boulevards & laid-back friendliness, is far from a depressing place. Present-day Hiroshima is home to an ever-thriving cosmopolitan community at its vibrant best.

Peace Memorial Park is one of the most prominent features of the city. Even visitors not looking for it will likely stumble upon the large park of over 120,000 square meters. Its trees, lawns & walking paths are in stark contrast to the surrounding downtown area. Before the bomb, the area of what is now the Peace Park was the political & commercial heart of the city. For this reason, it was chosen as the pilot's target. Four years to the day after the bomb was dropped, it was decided that the area would not be redeveloped but instead devoted to peace memorial facilities.

This large-scale Park was established in 1949 after the Pacific War ended & is visited by countless visitors as a symbol of peace. The Park's main facility is the Peace Memorial Museum, dedicated to documenting the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in World War II. It is an important Cultural Property of Japan, built to remind future generations of the terror wrought by atomic bombs.

At 8:15 am - August 6, 1945, the world’s first atomic bomb was dropped on the city of Hiroshima. The fierce blast wind & heat rays completely or partially destroyed or burnt down 90% of the city’s 76,000 buildings. The Museum lies within the Peace Memorial Park close to the hypocenter of the bomb.

According to the introduction in the Museum's English guide: "The Peace Memorial Museum collects & displays belongings left by the victims, photos & other materials that convey the horror of that event, supplemented by exhibits that describe Hiroshima before & after the bombings and others that present the current status of the nuclear age.

Each of the items displayed embodies the grief, anger, or pain of real people. Having now recovered from the A-bomb calamity, Hiroshima's deepest wish is the elimination of all nuclear weapons & the realization of a genuinely peaceful international community". 

The primary objective & mission of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum are the same as those of the Museum in the city of Hiroshima: the abolition of nuclear weapons & the realization of genuine & lasting world peace.’

Consisting of two buildings, the museum surveys the history of Hiroshima & the advent of the nuclear bomb. Its main focus though is on the events of August 6: the dropping of the bomb & its outcome in human suffering. The personal details displayed are quite upsetting & serve to remind that we should not take peace for granted.

The East Building explains the history of Hiroshima City before the bomb, development & decision to drop the bomb, the lives of Hiroshima citizens during World War II, after the bombing, and ends with information about the nuclear age & efforts for international peace. Included in this section is a model showing the damage done to the city. It also displays some important letters exchanged between scientists & top leaders of that era talking about atomic development & the predicted result of its use.

The West Wing, which was part of the old Museum, concentrates on the damage of the bomb. See intriguing exhibitions that articulate the carnal destruction the bomb caused & marvel at the city’s regenerative recovery. Sections include Material Witness, which shows articles left by the victims, a-bomb-exposed materials, clothing, watches, hair, photographs & other personal effects of the victims. Damage by the Heat Rays, is a curated  section that looks at what happened to wood, stone, metal, glass & flesh from the heat; Damage by the Blast, focuses on the destruction caused by the after-shocks of the blast. Damage by the Radiation which goes into details about the health effects suffered by humans.

From here, board a bus to go to the Atomic Bomb Dome (Genbaku Dome) - a skeletal structure that miraculously survived the 1945 attack.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the A-Bomb Dome, also known as the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, is what remains of the former Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall. A tangible link to Hiroshima's unique past, the building served as a location to promote Hiroshima's industries. When the bomb exploded, it was one of the few buildings to remain standing & remains so today.

The A-Bomb Dome is a symbol of the disastrous atomic bombing during WWII, the first atomic bombs used in human history, and has been preserved as it was to promote peace & elimination of atomic weapons around the world.

Between the Museum & the A-Bomb Dome is the Cenotaph for the A-Bomb Victims. - an arched tomb for those who died because of the bomb, either because of the initial blast or exposure to radiation. Below the arch is a stone chest holding a register of these names, of which there are over 220,000.

Every year on the anniversary of the bomb, a ceremony is held at the park. Speeches are made, wreathes are laid at the Cenotaph, and a moment of silence is observed at 8:15 am, the precise moment of detonation

In time, reach Hiroshima Station & set for Kyoto via Tokaido or Sanyo Shinkansen.

Arrive at Kyoto Station which boasts of Japan's 2^nd largest station building & is one of the country's largest buildings, incorporating a shopping mall, hotel, movie theater, Isetan department store & several local government facilities under one 15 story roof.

Walk to the hotel & Check-in. & take a cab to the hotel (on your own, direct payment).

Balance of the day is at leisure for independent exploration or perhaps opt for one of the optional activities available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Kyoto is old Japan writ large: atmospheric temples, sublime gardens, traditional teahouses & geisha scurrying to secret liaisons.

Japan's Spiritual Heart | Tastebuds | City of Artisans | Cultural Buzz

Kyoto is a city of some 2000 temples & shrines: a city of true masterpieces of religious architecture, such as the retina-burning splendour of Kinkaku-ji (the famed Golden Pavilion) & the cavernous expanse of Higashi Hongan-ji. It is where robed monks shuffle between temple buildings, prayer chants resonate through stunning Zen gardens & the faithful meditate on tatami-mat floors. Even as the modern city buzzes & shifts all around, a waft of burning incense, or the sight of a bright vermillion torii gate marking a shrine entrance, are regular reminders that Kyoto remains the spiritual heart of Japan.

While the rest of Japan has adopted modernity with abandon, the old ways are still clinging on in Kyoto. With its roots as the cultural capital of the country, it is no surprise that many traditional arts & crafts are kept alive by artisans from generation to generation.

Wander the streets downtown, through historic Gion & past machiya (traditional Japanese townhouses) in the Nishijin textile district to find ancient speciality shops from tofu sellers, washi (Japanese handmade paper) & tea merchants, to exquisite lacquerware, handcrafted copper chazutsu (tea canisters) & indigo-dyed noren (hanging curtains).

If you don't know your matcha (powdered green tea) from your manga (Japanese comic), have never slept on a futon or had a bath with naked strangers, then it doesn't matter as this is the place to immerse yourself in the intricacies of Japanese culture. Whether you watch matcha being whisked in a traditional tea ceremony, spend the night in a ryokan, get your gear off & soak in an onsen, join a raucous hanami (cherry-blossom viewing) party or discover the art of Japanese cooking - you will come away one step closer to understanding the unique Japanese way of life.

Few cities of this size pack such a punch when it comes to their culinary cred & at its heart is Nishiki Market ('Kyoto's kitchen'). Kyoto is crammed with everything from Michelin-starred restaurants, chic cocktail bars, cool cafes & sushi spots to food halls, izakaya (Japanese pub-eateries), craft-beer bars & old-school noodle joints. Splurge on the impossibly refined cuisine known as kaiseki while gazing over your private garden, taste the most delicate tempura in a traditional building, slurp down steaming bowls of ramen elbow-to-elbow with locals, then slip into a sugar coma from a towering matcha sundae.

Overnight.  B 

Morning, meet the Tour-guide at 09.00 am & proceed for a 6 hour sightseeing tour.

Start at Ryoan-ji. To many, the temple's name is synonymous with the temple's famous karesansui (dry landscape) rock garden, thought to have been built in the late 1400s. Perhaps the most famous garden in Japan, the garden's designer is unknown and left no explanation of the meaning of the garden. The dry-style garden consists of three groupings of 15 rocks surrounded by raked sand. From the viewing point on the veranda, only 14 rocks can be seen at one time. Move slightly & another rock appears at the same time that one of the original 14 rocks disappears. In Buddhism, the number 15 denotes completeness. You must have a total view of the garden to make a meaningful experience. And yet, as in the conditions of the real world, that is not possible.

Next visit Kinkaku-ji. Kinkaku-ji, also known as the Golden Pavilion, is one of Kyoto's, as well as Japan's, most recognizable attractions. The gleaming building covered in gold leaf seems to float on the aptly named Mirror Pond, especially on a sunny day.

Visit Nijo Castle. Built in 1603, it was the Kyoto home of Tokugawa Ieayasu, the first Tokugawa Shogun. The ostentatious style of construction was intended as a demonstration of Ieyasu's prestige, and to signal the demise of the emperor's power. The finest artists of the day filled the castle with delicate transom woodcarvings and paintings by the Kano School on sliding doors. One of the castle's most intriguing features is the so-called "nightingale" floors. To protect the Shogun from real or imagined enemies, these floorboards creak when stepped on.

After lunch, tour the Nishiki-koji Open Air Market.

Also known as Kyoto's Kitchen, the Nishiki-koji covered shopping arcade was established 400 years ago. This is where many restaurants and ryokans come to buy that day's meals. We will finish the day at the famous Gion Geisha District. Here, you will see where the Geisha live and work while you learn about this mysterious world. You may even see one on their way to one of their appointments.

Return to the hotel.

Balance of the evening is at leisure for independent exploration (we will be happy to offer suggestions).

Overnight.  B L 

Today embark on an excursion to Nara, the original capital of Japan in the 8^th century before it was moved to Kyoto.

Morning, proceed to Kintetsu Kyoto Station to board the Kintetsu Line direct express train for the 50 minute ride.

Arrive at the centrally located Nara Kintetsu Station which offers better access to the main sightseeing locations.

Japan's first permanent capital, Nara is one of the country's most rewarding destinations with 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, second only to Kyoto as a repository of Japan's cultural legacy. Nara has the largest number of buildings designated National Treasures in Japan.

The small town flourished under the influence of Buddhism, leading to the creation of an enormous number of cultural assets, buildings & books, many of which are preserved today. Historically important temples & shrines house treasures of Buddhist art, and more can be found in the excellent Nara National Museum.

The centrepiece is the Daibutsu (Great Buddha), a towering effigy first cast in the 8^th century, which rivals Mt Fuji & Kyoto's Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji) as Japan's single most impressive sight. The Great Buddha is housed in Tōdai-ji, which is the largest wooden building in the world and houses the world's largest bronze statue of Buddha. Along the way, you can stroll in Nara-koen Park, where you can feed the famous Nara deer which have been in this area since the 7^th century & roam freely protected by Buddhist traditions.

You can visit one or more of the temples on the city's outskirts (less crowded but no less rewarding), stroll through the old merchant district of Naramachi & really immerse yourself in early Japanese history, art and architecture, for which Nara is famous.

Stop for lunch before proceeding to the Station to head back to Kyoto.

Evening, participate in an authentic tea ceremony in Kyoto. The tea ceremony is held at the tea master's home, where you will get to see a Japanese residence. The tea master also dyes silk for kimonos using the "Yuzen" dyeing process, which is hundreds of years old. She will demonstrate how she dyes the silk and then uses the silk to make kimonos. Afterwards, they will have kimonos and hakama (men's kimonos) available for anyone who wishes to experience wearing traditional Japanese clothing.

Return to the hotel.

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Today, we have not envisaged any services to enable you to spend the day as you wish -  independently exploring & discovering ‘behind the scene’ places. Of course, if you want us to suggest & / or arrange any Optional activities, we will be happy to.

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Finally, the experience comes to an end & it is time to say "sayonara" (goodbye) to the Land of the Rising Sun. But, we are sure you may want to visit this enchanting destination again & discover some more.

Check-out of the hotel by 12:00 noon (if the departure time is later in the evening, we will request the hotel to allow the use of the hotel facilities & leave the luggage at the Bell Desk if you have the time to walk out). 

In time, you will be met by a Journeys Rep, who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to Kyoto train station.

From there, you will take the Express Train on your own to Terminal? - Kansai International Airport, just outside Osaka or return to Tokyo Narita Airport by on your own for your onward journey.  B

*our services end with Departure Transfer to Kyoto Station.

***        End of Services      ***