8 Days Takayama Festival | Hidden Village - 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, your Takayama Festival tour will be devoted to exploring the multi-cultural spots of Tokyo. Our cherry blossom tour begins in Tokyo's Koto-ward to explore visit the inconspicuous Fukagawa Fudo Temple. Unlike other temples in Tokyo, Fukagawa Fudo hosts daily fire-burning rituals which your tour group plans to join. Refresh your mind and spirit while the thunderous sounds of taiko drums and the burning of the goma-taki revitalizes your soul. The temple grounds is also home to a few can't miss attractions, including a massive collection of crystal figures and a mystifying tribute to Shikoku's 88 Temple Pilgrimage. From there, it's off to the Tsukiji Fish Market, former home of the world-famous tuna auction. Browse through the freshest flavors, mouth-watering dishes, and incredible sushi meals at this market that serves over thousands of businesses and local families daily as your cherry blossom Japan tour explores the wonderful sights and attractions of Tokyo!

From there, your tour group will delve into the old town district of Asakusa for some traditional Japanese souvenir and gift shopping at the Nakamise area. Your Japan tour will also travel through the majestic 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 shopping district. Enjoy Japanese arts and traditional snacks with your tour group through this can't miss Tokyo temple. For lunch, we will enjoy a delicious, authentic Teppan-Yaki meal before we head to Harajuku to do some shopping and to admire the unique Japanese scenery. Enjoy shopping in the trendy district home to the world-renowned Harajuku Fashion and Japanese street fashion style. Be sure to visit one of Harajuku's local restaurants and sample Harajuku Crepes or other extra kawaii Tokyo treats in the lively Takeshita Dori. The decadent Omotesando is also nearby, home to incredible Japanese cafes and luxury shopping!

Returning to our hotel, the tour bus will be passing by the famous Shibuya Crosswalk to be part of the thousands who cross daily. This crosswalk gathers as much foot traffic as New York City, and crossing is an experience unlike any other. While here, our Tokyo cherry blossom tour will also visit pay the Hachiko Statue a visit. The statue is based on the internationally-known story of Hachiko, the dog who would come back to the station every day to see his owner. This Tokyo spot is a popular meet-up area for couples and friends when visiting Shibuya Station. Anime fans have probably seen this famous statue and crosswalk in some of their favorite anime & manga works like Persona5 or Tokyo Ghoul. After making our way through the crossing with your tour guide, we will then return to the hotel.
(note: Cherry Blossoms may not be in bloom during your tour)

After our time in Tokyo, our Takayama Festival tour will stop by Lake Kawaguchi for some sight-seeing before making our way to our hotel. We will first head 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. 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.

After lunch, your Takayama Festival tour is off to the imposing Matsumoto Castle nestled in the Northern Alps of Japan. As one of the few remaining original Japanese castles intact since construction, the castle's 5-story, 6-layer tower built int he Bunroku Period (1593-1594) is Japan's oldest existing castle tower and is designated as a national treasure. Remaining unscathed over centuries, Matsumoto Castle, or Karasu-jo (Crow Castle), is one of the best spots for viewing cherry blossoms and enjoying traditional Japaneses arts and architecture. Our Takayama Festival tour will spend some time enjoying the scenery and relaxing with the stunning view of the city from Matsumoto Castle. We then proceed to the hotel.

Our Takayama Festival Tour is off to the city of Takayama with a few interesting tourist stops along the way. First, our tour begins the morning at the Azumino Wasabi Farm to get a better understanding about the famous sushi garnish. Located in the heart of Nagano tucked between the mountains in the Japan Alps, the Azumino Wasabi farm grows fresh Japanese horseradish to accompany delicious cuts of sashimi. Learn about the history and process involved to produce Japan's most famous sushi condiment. While at the farm, Japan Deluxe Tours highly recommends sampling wasabi ice-cream or wasabi juice made fresh at the cafe!

Following our visit to the wasabi farm, our Takayama Festival Tour will travel to the rural village of Shirakawa-go. This UNESCO World Heritage Site features old traditional farm homes made using the Japanese gassho-zukuri method. These charming, thatched-roof houses provides travelers a glimpse of traditional life during Japan's traditional eras. During our Shirakawa-go tour, your Takayama Festival tour will also venture to the Nagase house, a former house-turned-museum in Shirakawa-go filled with traditional Japanese tolls and trinkets commonly used during Shirakawa-go's early days as a farming village. After our adventures in Shirakawa-go, your tour guide will lead you to the sound of drums and flutes as we reach Takayama.

After we check into the hotel, enjoy the lively energy and fun at the Takayama Festival. Following the sound of drums, we will make it just in time to witness the festival in full swing. Considered one of the top festivals in Japan, the Takayama Festival is an energetic celebration filled with loud sounds, amazing foods available at yatai food booths, and lavishly decorated floats paraded through the city. The decorative, huge floats light up the night’s sky with a breathtaking array of colorful paper lanterns. Enjoy the Takayama Festival before returning back to the hotel.

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. During your Takayama Festival Tour, enjoy browsing with your tour guide all the best sights the city has to offer. Among the list, Takayama's Morning Market is considered a must for any traveler making their way through Takayama. 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. During your Takayama festival Japan tour, we will have time to see the Takayama floats during 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.

While exploring Takayama, Japan Deluxe Tours highly recommends 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.

After our time in Takayama, your vacation will continue to the beautiful Kenrokuen Garden in the scenic Kanazawa Prefecture. Considered one of the top three most beautiful landscape gardens in Japan, Kenrokuen is a beautiful zen garden best enjoyed during spring or with a relaxing cup of tea. A stroll along this beautiful garden featuring streams, hills, and everything nature has to offer is sure to calm your soul.

Your 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.

Our Takayama Festival Japan tour begins with a visit to the MIHO Museum to enjoy a morning of contemporary and Japanese art. Designed by world-renowned architect I.M. Pei, the MIHO Museum is a modern architectural treasure located in the quiet forests of Japan. Designed with the intention for the building to blend seamlessly into the surrounding nature, the museum invokes a feeling of serenity, unity, and sustainability. The museum is filled with classic artworks from ancient civilizations to modern day treasures. Enjoy the calming grounds and picturesque atmosphere during your vacation at this wonderful architectural masterpiece.

After our time at the museum, your Takayama Festival tour will head to the can't miss Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. Famed for the endless red tori gates, Fushimi Inari Shrine is an essential stop on any Kyoto tour. The path is perfect for photos or just to calm your mind. While at the shrine, you might see a Geisha or her apprentice strolling through the gates, or other tourists dressed in elegant kimonos posing for photos. After we take our photos of the shrine, our Takayama festival tour will return to the hotel.

Our Takayama Festival Tour begins with a visit to Nara to explore the scenic 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. Following our time in Nara, our Takayama Festival Tour will head to the Kyoto Handicraft Center for some souvenir craft shopping. Find incredible, traditional Kyoto goods at this dedicated center for craft arts.

After our time at the Kyoto Handicraft Center, your small group will head off 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, it's off 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 shopping, we head out to the ancient street of Ninenzaka. This rustic shopping street hasn't changed since the Edo Period, making it a perfect backdrop for photos or to enjoy traditional Japanese architecture. Keeping with the traditional feel, we included a tea-ceremony to help you relax and enjoy Japanese culture. After our tea ceremony, 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, enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience with a Maiko Dinner. Maiko are apprentice to Geisha and the dinner is a great chance to take photos and learn about Kyoto's traditional culture. We then proceed to the hotel.

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)