13 Days Takayama Festival | Grand Tour - Cherry Blossom Seasonal Tour

Welcome to Japan! We will have transportation services to take you to your hotel. Please refer to your tour handbook for more information.
Rest at the hotel and be ready to start your exciting tour tomorrow.

**INFORMATION**
From Narita Airport to downtown hotel in Tokyo - about 90 mins(Bus)
From Haneda Airport to downtown hotel in Tokyo - about 30 mins(Bus)

Today will be devoted to exploring the multi-cultural spots of Tokyo. Our tour will first start in Tokyo's Tsukiji Fish Market for a sushi breakfast. Enjoy the freshest flavors at this market that serves over thousands of businesses and local families daily before we explore the sights on Tokyo! From there, it's off to the Fukagawa Edo Museum where you can get acquainted with the history of Tokyo. This charming museum is designed to replicate what life looked like during the old days of Edo. Walk through the city and enjoy walking into houses that recreate life during the period.

We will then delve in the old town district of Asakusa for some gift shopping at the Nakamise area. We will also be visiting the Sensoji Temple, one of Tokyo's most popular temples. This is the perfect place to appreciate Japanese culture and take some spectacular shots of the famous Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate). For lunch, we will enjoy authentic Teppan-Yaki before we head to Harajuku to do some shopping and to admire the scenery. Enjoy shopping in the trendy districts, or be sure to sample Harajuku Crepes, a local specialty!

Returning to our hotel, the tour bus will be passing by the famous Shibuya Crosswalk to be part of the thousands who cross daily, and to see the Hachiko Statue close to the station. The statue is based on the story of Hachiko, the dog who would come back to the station every day to see his owner.
(note: Cherry Blossoms may not be in bloom during your tour)

After our time in Tokyo, we will stop by Lake Kawaguchi for some sight-seeing before making our way to our hotel. We will first head to the Iyashi no Sato, a traditional craft open-air museum reconstructed from the village's thatched roofed houses. Each house features a different exhibit, workshop, or cafe, including some cooking lessons.

Before making our way to the next destination, we will stop for Hoto, a Japanese noodle dish native to the Yamanashi area. A hybrid of miso soup and flat udon noodles, this dish is truly a local Japanese specialty.

Then, we're off to enjoy the fine works of art at the Kubota Art Museum. Itchiku Kubota was a textile artist who devoted his life to recreating the forgotten 15th century Tsujigahana fabric dyeing technique. Many of his work is on display at this museum.

While many people want to climb Mt. Fuji, unfortunately the climb is only accessable three months out of the year. However, to visit Japan and not see Mt. Fuji is a real shame, so we make sure to take you to one of the best spots to enjoy Mt. Fuji's beauty. Be sure to take a picture with the mountain for a great memento of your trip! After our photo-op, it's off to the Suntory Hakushu Distillery to learn more about one of Japan's top whiksys. The Distillery is home to the Hakushu 18-years-old single malt, the winner of the 2006 International Spirits Challenge. We then proceed to the hotel.

This Japan tour would not be complete without a long relaxing soak in the onsen, hot spring, to rejuvenate you for tomorrow’s adventure. Yukata, a Japanese robe, will be provided for you. The onsen is located in our own ryokan, a Japanese style hotel, which includes a traditional Japanese food.

Today we will head to Takayama with a couple of interesting stops along the way. First, we will visit Matsumoto Castle, one of the very few original castles that were kept intact and never destroyed since construction. The castle's tower, a 5-story, 6-layer tower built in the Bunroku Period (1593-1594) is Japan's oldest existing castle tower and is designated as a national treasure. Thanks to the unique black color of the castle, it has been dubbed Karasu-jo, the Crow Castle.

We will then venture to the Azumino Wasabi Farm to get a better understanding about the famous sushi garnish. The Japanese horseradish grown here is used for the popular sushi condiment, as well as other dishes. We recommend trying some wasabi ice-cream or juice while you visit the farm.

Following our visit to the wasabi farm, we reach Takayama. After checking into the hotel, we will have time to explore the city. We recommend visiting the Takayama Jinya, which served as the local government office of the old town. Open to the public as a museum, visitors can enjoy browsing through the various rooms for administrative purposes, offices, kitchens, toilets, bath rooms, residential space, a court room and storehouses. We will also visit Takayama's old town. This district is filled with many well-preserved buildings and houses from the Edo Period (1600-1868), back when the city thrived as a wealthy town of merchants. Following the sound of drums, we will make it just in time to witness the festival in full swing. Takayama Festival is considered to be one of the best festivals in Japan. Their huge floats will light up the night’s sky with many arrays of color paper lanterns.

Takayama, or as some people call it “little Kyoto,” has many areas where homes and shops are more than 300 years old and well preserved. The morning market is one of these areas we will explore. Enjoy some time to to roam around to buy souvenirs, take pictures, or visit other important sight see spots through this market filled with vendors and activities.

We will have time to see the Takayama floats in the day time to see a puppet performance from the floats. The portable shrines are also stages to mechanical puppets that people control inside the floats called karakuri.

After our time in Takayama, we reach the small farming community of Shirakawago. This UNESCO World Heritage Site features old traditional farm homes made using the Japanese gassho-zukuri method. These thatched-roof houses provide a glimpse of what life looked like during another era. We will also be visiting the Nagase house, a former house-turned-museum filled with tools and trinkets.

We will leave Shirakawago and continue to the beautiful Kenrokuen Garden, known as one of the three most beautiful landscape gardens of Japan. A stroll along this beautiful garden featuring streams, hills, and everything nature has to offer is sure to calm your soul. We will then proceed to the Japanese style hotel where a hot-spring bath and traditional Japanese meal awaits.

We begin our morning with a visit to the Koke no Sato Wisdom Forest. The Forest of Wisdom is one of the best places to see various Japanese moss, and the Wisdom House in the forest is meant to encourage guests to share experiences with others or engage in a workshop before getting lost in nature. Keeping with the traditional feel, we included a tea-ceremony to help you relax and enjoy Japanese Culture.

Then, we move to Nara to see Todaiji Temple. Todaiji Temple holds the World Guinness Record as the largest wooden building. Inside the temple, you will behold the largest Buddha statue in Japan. Just outside the temple is the Nara Deer Park, where you will be greeted by numerous deer that roam around freely. The deer here at the park are known to be friendly and may even bow at you for a little treat. After playing with the deer, it's off to the hotel to rest.

Our day begins with a visit to Arashiyama to walk through the Bamboo Groove Forest. The morning's sunlight passing through the bamboo makes for a perfect morning sight. We will also enjoy a spirited rickshaw ride through Arashiyama. Guests can enjoy seeing many of the traditional-style shops and temples during the ride. Following our time in Arashiyama, we will head to the Golden Pavilion, or Kinkakuji Temple, a Japan’s must see attraction where the two upper floors are covered in gold leaf. The reflection of the golden temple on the lake adds to the stunning sight.

After our time at the pavilion, enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience with a Maiko lunch. Maiko are apprentice to Geisha and the lunch is a great chance to take photos and learn about Kyoto's traditional culture. After lunch, we will head to Fushimi Inari Shrine, one of Kyoto's many can't miss destinations that features hundreds of red tori gates. The path is perfect for photos or just to calm your mind.

After we take our photos, we head out to the ancient streets of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka. These two streets are filled with shops and souvenir stands as well as a great place for photos and to see what Japan looked like many years ago.

Our Japan tour will begin with a bullet train ride to Hiroshima. One of the main highlights here in Hiroshima is the A-Bomb Dome, the only surviving building from the aftermath, and the Peace Park Memorial where you can see and read about the relic of the war. The A-Bomb Dome has been preserved to be a reminder of the tragedy for future generations and to symbolize its wishes for everlasting peace.

We will also see the Peace Park Memorial. Stroll along the park to see famous attractions like that of Sadako’s statue and the freedom bell. Here you can see and read about the relic of the war.

After our visit, we will take a small boat to Itsukushima, a small island off the main shore famously known as Miyajima. It is the home of the floating torii, which at high tide seems to float on water. Along the torii, the Itsukushima Shrine complex is also built over water and is ranked one of Japan’s three best scenery's.

Our day begins in Nagasaki where we have much to cover. We will head to Glover Garden which exhibits Western style mansions. After viewing these gorgeous mansions, we will continue with our foreign influences to the Oura Catholic Church. The Oura Catholic Church is Japan’s oldest standing Catholic church.

We then make our way over to Kumamoto to visit the Johsaien. Johsaien is a shopping arcade by Kumamoto Caslte filled with over 20 shops and the Wakuwaku-za museum featuring the history and culture of Kumamoto. We then proceed to the hotel.

Our day begins in Kumamoto to see Kumamoto Castle. Kumamoto Castle is considered one of the three premier castles in Japan, along with Himeji Castle and Matsumoto Castle. Thirteen structures in the castle complex are designated Important Cultural Property. Several ancillary wooden buildings remain of the original castle. While we won't be going inside the castle due to reconstruction, enjoy the many views and scenery of this famous Japanese castle.

Then we proceed to Takachiho. Legend states, when Susanoo, god of storm, terrorized Amaterasu, his sister and sun goddess, she hid in a cave plunging the world into darkness. The cave is called Ama-no-Iwato, the heavenly rock cave, exists in Takachiho.

Our morning begins in the hot spring town of Beppu, where we are going for an exciting Tour of Hell. From the eight famous spots, we will visit three: the Sea Hell made up of bright cobalt blue hot water, the Blood Pond Hell where hot water containing red melted clay gushes out, and the Tornado Hell, a fiery geyser that erupts every 20 minutes. After lunch, we will take a boat ride to Matsuyama, a castle city.

Following the pattern of hot springs, we will visit one of the oldest hot springs in the world, Dogo Onsen, which is said to have over 3,000 years of history. The onsen is also widely known for welcoming the imperial family as guests and has a room called Yushinden on reserve exclusively for their use. Dogo Onsen's impressive wooden structure served as a model for the famous film Spirited Away. Enjoy an optional Rickshaw ride through the city grounds (additional fee's may apply).

Our day will begin heading towards Osaka. Traveling East, we will visit one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan that overlooks Mt. Shiun, Ritsurin Garden. Michelin Green Guide graded the garden three stars and is a great place to take photos, especially from the highest point that overlooks the entire garden.

While making our way through Tokushima, we will stop at the Awa-odori Museum, a museum dedicated to the prefectural dance of Tokushima. During the annual Awa-Odori festival, thousands of spectators flock to Japan to watch the traditional dance. Enjoy learning some steps and history of Awa-odori at this great museum.

Our last stop before hitting Osaka is Naruto, a small town off the coast. Here in Naruto, many hope to observe the large Naruto whirlpools that can be seen under very ideal conditions. (*The whirlpool can only be seen at certain times of the day and thus we cannot guarantee seeing the whirlpool in action.)

Your pleasant and memorable Japan tour ends today. The tour will disband after breakfast. Fly home with cherished memories or enjoy your extended stay in Japan.

**INFORMATION**
From downtown hotel in Osaka to KIX Airport - about 70 mins (Bus)
From downtown hotel in Osaka to ITM Airport - about 30 mins (Bus)