9 Days Takayama & Villages | Hidden Trail - Cherry Blossom Seasonal Tour

Day 1 Tokyo | Arrive in Japan & Check-in Hotel

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)

Day 2 Tokyo | Discover Harajuku Fashion & Kawaii Desserts

Today, we’ll start our morning exploring the Tsukiji Fish Market, former home of the world-famous tuna auction. Browse through the numerous vendors lining the walkways and pick up a couple of mouth-watering snacks made from the freshest ingredients while you are there. The tour then takes you the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, the busiest pedestrian crosswalk in the world. Be a part of the almost 2500 people crossing and pay a visit to the Hachiko Statue.

Next, we’ll dive into the center of Japanese street fashion in Harajuku. Shop through the trendy district while snacking on the famous Harajuku crepes and other kawaii treats from Takeshita Dori. For lunch, enjoy a delicious, authentic Teppan-yaki meal before we take a short walk over to the anime mecca of the world, Akihabara, or as locals call it, Akiba. Spend your time enjoying shopping at some of the most popular otaku stores, including Animate. Animate carries all kinds of character goods, mangas/animes, and popular video games.

You will have 3 options to choose from (on the day of) on how you would like to continue your day:

1. Spend more time in Akihabara to shop and explore. We recommend stopping by Super Potato for vintage games, the SEGA arcade, or a Maid Cafe for starters. Within this, you can either do the following:
   1. Explore and shop until the bus returns to pick up those who would like to return to the hotel.
   2. Spend the rest of the day in the area and return to the hotel on your own. Your tour guide will provide instructions on how to get back to the hotel via train.


2. After your time in Akihabara, the tour will head to the old town district of Asakusa where you can purchase traditional Japanese souvenirs at the Nakamise area. Take time to explore the neighboring Senso-ji Temple as well, one of Tokyo’s most popular temples. Return to the hotel afterwards.


3. If you wish to continue the day, your tour will take you the Tokyo Skytree where you will get to shop at the ever so popular Pokemon Center, a must-go for all Pokemon fans. Purchase exclusive goods and interact with other Pokemon fans via the battling/trading room. For Shounen Jump fans, there will also be a JUMP Store where you can get merchandise from your favorite Jump animes. Return to the hotel.

Day 3 Hakone & Nagano | Cherry Blossoms along Traditional Japanese Art

Our Japan tour will start the day by heading to the renown Hakone area. The first stop of the day will make our way up to the Mt. Fuji’s 5th Station where you will find breathtaking views of the mountain up close as well as the surrounding scenery. Be sure to take photos of the unique perspective of Mt. Fuji and the Fuji Five Lakes you won’t see anywhere else.

After our time at Mt. Fuji, we will stop for Hoto, a Japanese noodle dish and considered a local specialty of the region.

Before heading to the hotel, your group will be visiting Matsumoto Castle, also named the Crow Castle due to the unique black color of the building. Considered one of the three premier castles in Japan, the castle has never been destroyed with its initial buildings still intact since construction. The castle tower is Japan’s oldest existing castle tower and is a designated national treasure.

Day 4 Matsumoto & Takayama | Scenic Hiking through Traditional Japan

Today, our Takayama tour will have several stops before arriving in the city of Takayama, the first being Narai-Juku. This preserved district was the thirty-fourth of the sixty-nine stations of the Nakasendo Trail and is recognized as a Cultural Property of Japan. The district maintains the same facade as it did during the Edo Period, allowing visitors to experience what it was like walking through town during that time period. Visit the many attractions with your tour guide, including the immaculately preserved Nakamura Residence or the stunning Kisho Ohashi bridge.

From there, we’ll follow the Nakasendo Trail and enjoy a brief hike between Tsumago and Magome, the forty-second and forty-third stations of the trail respectively. Similar to Narai Juku, the two towns are well-preserved and even go as far as making sure that electrical wires, TV antennas, and telephone poles do not show to recreate the atmosphere of the Edo Period. Enjoy some wagashi Japanese sweets and relax with a cup of tea before we head to the hotel.

Day 5 Takayama & Kanazawa | Exploring Little Kyoto

We’ll begin our day in Takayama with a visit to the morning market, one of the many areas in the city with buildings and shops more than 300 years old. Enjoy exploring the area by visiting the numerous vendors and important sightseeing spots. We recommend trying Hida Nikuman (beef buns) or Gohei-Mochi while at the market.

While at the market, we also recommend visiting the Takayama Jinya, a building which served as the local government office from 1692 up until 1969. Now a public museum, you can learn about the history of the building as well as old government documents and city plans of the area. The tour will also take a stroll through Takayama’s old town district which is filled with many well-preserved buildings from the Edo Period back when the city thrived as a wealthy merchant town.

Your group will then make its way to the small, rural farming village of Shirakawa-go, famous for its thatched-roof houses made using the gassho-zukuri method. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, you will get a glimpse into the traditional Japanese farming life in the early eras. A visit to the Nagase House, will provide insight on the various tools and trinkets used in the farming village back in the day.

We will end the day by spending time exploring Kanazawa’s Higashi Chaya tea-house district. Featuring tea houses preserved from the Edo Period, the traditional shopping street is lined with stores and cafes where you can purchase souvenirs and enjoy a cup of tea.

Day 6 Kanazawa | Craft Workshop Studio Hidden in Japanese Nature

We will spend the morning taking in the beautiful landscape of Kenrokuen Garden. Considered one of the top three most beautiful landscape gardens in Japan, Kenrokuen contains everything nature has to offer including streams, hills, and seasonal flowers which are sure to calm the soul.

Afterwards, our tour will head to the Koke no Sato Wisdom Forest. The Forest of Wisdom is one of the best places to see various Japanese moss with the Wisdom House, located in the forest, meant to encourage guests to share experiences or engage in workshops before getting lost in nature.

Our last stop of the day will take you to the city of Komatsu where the group will explore the Yunokuni no Mori traditional Japanese handicraft village. The scenic village offers a variety of workshops including washi (Japanese paper), gold leaf works, Kutani ceramic pottery, Kaga Yuzen (printed silk), glass work, scent bag crafts, and soba making just to name a few. Your tour will include your choice of craft experience.

End your day with a long relaxing soak in the onsen, hot spring, before enjoying a kaiseki dinner (traditional Japanese food). You can also enjoy an exhilarating Taiko Show at the hotel if you wish.

Day 7 Shiga & Nara | Museum designed by the Legendary I.M. Pei

We begin our day with a visit to the Miho Museum to enjoy a morning filled with 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 the Shiga prefecture and is meant to blend seamlessly into the surrounding nature. Take in the calm and picturesque grounds while enjoying the works of art on display ranging from classic modern-day artworks to treasures from ancient civilizations.

The tour will then head to Nara to explore Todaiji Temple and the Deer Park. Todaiji Temple is considered one of the largest wooden buildings in the world and holds the largest Buddha statue in Japan, a truly impressive sight to behold. A short walk over and you will stand among the deer of the Nara Deer Park. Considered divine, the deer are adored by people all over the world.

Day 8 Kyoto | Walk the Rustic Street of Kyoto's Ninenzaka

Our day in Kyoto will start off with a spirited rickshaw ride through the serene Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. Experience what it was like to get around the city back in the day as you enjoy the relaxing scenery.

Next, the group will make its way to the Golden Pavilion, or Kinkakuji Temple, an absolute must-see attraction where the upper two floors are covered with gold leaf. Another short ride away and you will be at Fushimi Inari Shrine, home of the famed thousand torii gates. Explore the area by either making your way through the torii gates to the Omokaru Stone or watch the local priests performing prayers every so often.

The rest of the day will be spent taking part in activities that are quintessential to Japanese culture. First up will be a hands-on lesson on the tea ceremony. Learn about the history and meaning behind the ceremony as you watch it being performed before your eyes. Lastly, we will end the evening with a kaiseki dinner accompanied by a maiko performance. Afterwards, your group will get to interact with the maiko, ask questions, and play some classic party games to end the day.

Day 9 Osaka | Tour Disbands & Depart from Japan

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)