16 Days Takayama Festival & Anime | Grand Tour

Welcome to Japan! Japan Deluxe Tours has arranged transportation services to meet you at your airport's arrival lobby and will take you to your hotel. Keep an eye out for a sign with your name on it to find your driver.
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)

Kicking things off with our anime tour, we head to the stunning Tokyo Skytree to explore the Pokemon Mega Center, a must-go for all Pokemon lovers. Besides all the Pokemon goods they sell, they also have a battling and trading room for customers to interact with other Pokemon fans. There are also other great souvenir shops and anime stores to check out while at SkyTree's Solamachi shopping area. Browse the JUMP store or explore a few recommended stores like: Tokyo Banana (Japan's top souvenir) & Ameshin (Beautiful Japanese Candy Art).

After our time at Skytree, we will head to Akihabara, the town of anime. While there, enjoy shopping at some of the most popular otaku destinations, including Animate. Animate carries all kinds of character goods, electronics, and games from current and popular anime/manga series. There's plenty of free time in Akihabara, so Japan Deluxe Tours recommends exploring Super Potato for vintage games, SEGA arcade, visit a Maid Cafe, or just explore the city during your Anime Tour.

After shopping through the Electronic Town of Akihabara, we will take a brief walk to the anime-famous Kanda Shrine. Famously featured in anime such as Love Live! and collaborating with hit anime & manga like My Hero Academia, Kanda Shrine is the only shrine to offer good luck charms for electronics and anime characters. After a brief time relaxing at the Anime shrine, it's off to the Robot Restaurant for dinner and a show. Enjoy thunderous music and crazy colors at a show unlike any other. Be sure to have your camera ready for the giant robots and dancing performers. We then return to the hotel.

We will begin our morning with a trip to Tokyo Tower, Japan’s iconic tower. Tokyo Tower has been taken over by One Piece, resulting in Tokyo One Piece Tower. Known as Tongari Island, this event is filled with attractions. After our time at the tower, we will swing by the famous Ni-Tele Big Clock, or the Ghibli Clock as some call it. This massive clock was designed by Hayao Miyzaki and is sure to delight any Ghibli fan with it's charming show.

Following our time at the clock, our anime tour will head to the lively Tokyo Character Street in Tokyo Central Station. The area is lined with various anime-themed shops, including a Jump Store, Pokemon Center, Hello Kitty shop, Ghibli store, and more. There's also Tokyo Ramen Street, Okashi Land, and Gachapon Street, perfect for someone who wants some lunch and to do a little more gift shopping for friends or for themselves. We recommend trying Tokyo Ramen Street for lunch, or explore the station and try great choices like Ikinari Steak, McDonalds, or other familiar options. After our adventures at Character Street, we will visit the anime specialized shopping complex: Nakano Broadway. Explore the many stores dedicated to anime and otaku goods or try the eight-layer ice-cream they serve downstairs.

Once we finish up at Nakano Broadway, we head east to visit the famed Ghibli Museum. This animation and art museum exhibits works of Miyazaki Hayao, creator of world famous films such as My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, and Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea.

Today, your vacation will be devoted to exploring the multi-cultural spots of Tokyo. Our tour will first start in Tokyo's Tsukiji Fish Market, the 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 before we explore the sights in Tokyo. From there, your tour is off to the Fukagawa Edo Museum to get acquainted with the history of Tokyo. This charming museum is designed to replicate what life looked like during Japan's traditional days of Edo. Travel back in time and walk through the old city of Tokyo made to recreate life during Japan's Edo period.

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 tour will also visit the popular Hachiko Statue close to the station. 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 head to a depachika to explore a variety of Japanese foods and snacks. These department store food floors are packed with an impressive collection of cuisine to choose from before we return to the hotel.

After our time in Tokyo, our vacation 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. Browse through the decadent collection of Kimono decorated in this traditional Japanese art.

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 local Japanese specialty is a must for any tourist in Mt. Fuji.

After lunch, it's off to Lake Shirakaba to enjoy the stunning fall foliage. During your Autumn Takayama Festival Japan tour, your group tour will venture to Mt. Tateshina to enjoy the crisp hue's of red, orange and yellow leaves. While Spring is Japan's Cherry Blossom season, Autumn is easily the Fall Foliage season in Japan. Mt. Tateshina is a popular nature spot for photographers and hikers alike. Thanks to the mild Fall climate, the hiking paths of Mt. Tateshina are excellent to connect with Japan's season and nature. Take plenty of photographs along the lake while thousands of red and yellow leaves are reflected along the water. Enjoy the scenery or relax in your hotel.

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.

For lunch, your vacation will enjoy delectable Japanese Hida Beef. Although many are aware of Kobe Beef from the Hyogo Prefecture, Gifu Prefecture's Hida Beef is another high-quality variant known for it's rich marbling of fat. Enjoy your gourmet lunch before we make our way to your Japan tour's next destination.

Following our lunch, 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.

From there, our Japan tour will reach Takayama. After checking into the hotel, we will follow the sound of drums to 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, our tour will 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.

Before returning to the hotel, our Japan tour will also stop by 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.

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. There's also an optional taiko show performance after dinner.

Our Japan tour begins with a visit to the MIHO Museum to enjoy the exhibits. The museum was designed by world-renowned architect I.M. Pei and features architectural designs blended seamlessly into the surrounding nature. The museum is filled with works from ancient civilizations to modern day artworks.

After our time at the museum, we will head 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 for a rickshaw ride through the Bamboo Groove Forest. The morning's sunlight passing through the bamboo makes for a perfect morning sight. 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, your vacation will venture 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 of the shrine, we head out to the ancient shopping street Ninenzaka. This rustic street is filled with shops and souvenir stands, and is a great place for photos and to see what Japan looked like many years ago.

While here, enjoy an authentic green tea ceremony Japanese experience during your tour. Keeping with the traditional Japanese experiences, your tour includes a once-in-a-lifetime dinner with a Maiko. Maiko are apprentice to Geisha and the dinner is a great chance to take photos and learn about Kyoto's traditional culture. We then return to the hotel.

Our vacation begins navigating the railways of Japan from Kyoto to Adachi. Our first bullet train ride has us rapidly traveling between Kyoto to Kobe, a popular port town and home of the world famous Japanese Kobe Beef. We will enjoy another brisk ride along the shinkansen to Okayama. Enjoy the scenery of Japan from the comfort and speedy bullet train cabin.

From there, our Takayama Festival tour will travel west to the Shimane Prefecture to explore the Adachi Museum of Art. The art museum is known for its great collection of artwork and amazing Japanese gardens. The museum's art collection includes fine works from illustrious talented Japanese artists including Yokoyama Taikan, Takeuchi Seiho, Hashimoto Kansetsu, and Sakakibara Shiho. While the art is impressive, the true gem is the museum's impressive array of Japanese gardens. Split into six smaller gardens, each garden provides a distinct feel and atmosphere. Enjoy the relaxing scenery with your tour guide and gaze upon the stunning Japanese flowers. The art museum's impressive Japanese gardens have been named the Best Garden in Japan annually since 2003 by the Journal of Japanese Gardening and received the top rating of three stars by the Michelin Green Guide Japan. Enjoy this scenic area before we make our way to enjoy a Shabu-Shabu dinner.

We will spend today exploring the city of Hiroshima. Our tour begins with a visit to the A-Bomb Dome, the only surviving building from the aftermath of the Atomic Bombing in Hiroshima. The A-Bomb Dome is located on the Peace Park Memorial park grounds, the site where the atomic bomb struck Hiroshima. Stroll along the park to see famous attractions like that of Sadako’s statue and the freedom bell. 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. While at the Peace Park, enjoy the exhibits at the world-famous Hiroshima Peace Park Museum. This museum collects the history and artifacts from the bombing and is a reminder of the city of Hiroshima's wish for world peace.

In the afternoon our Japan Tour will head to Miyajima, an island south of Hiroshima known for its Itsukushima Shrine, or floating torii gate. During high tide, the torii gate looks as though it is floating in water, creating a unique sight, considered one of Japan’s three most beautiful sights. Miyajima is also known for its momiji manju (maple leaf shaped cake with red beans) and oysters which you can enjoy during your time on the island. Before our day ends, we will enjoy a delicious Hiroshima Okonomiyaki dinner, a beloved specialty Japanese cuisine in the region. We then will take a bullet train to Hakata after dinner.

Our day begins in Nagasaki where we have much to cover. We begin with a visit to Dejima in Nagasaki, one of the few ports that traded with outside influences during the Edo Period. Dejima featuers preserved artifacts from another era when the Dutch and Japanese would trade on the man-made island.

From there, our vacation 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 will then take a bullet train to Kumamoto and 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. Note, during our vacation we won't be able enter the castle grounds due to renovations, but we will be able to see the castle and explore Johsaien, a shopping arcade by Kumamoto Caslte filled with over 20 shops and the Wakuwaku-za museum featuring the history and culture of Kumamoto & the 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. We will explore the cave near Awano Iwato Shrine in Takachiho.

Our morning begins in the hot spring town of Beppu, where we are going for an exciting Tour of Hell. Each of the pools at the Tour of Hell showcase a unique property thanks to the unique collection of volcanic Japanese hot-springs waters of Beppue. After our tour in Beppu, we will take a boat ride to Matsuyama, a castle city to explore Matsuyama Castle. As one of only 12 original Japanese Castles, this magnificent testament to Japanese architecture has stood in Ehime since 1628, and offers tourists and visitors a nifty museum on the history of the area.

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..

Our day will begin heading towards Osaka. Traveling East, our vacation brings us to an interesting Udon Making workshop to learn how to carefully prepare Udon noodles. While ramen is enjoyed around Japan, Udon is a popular thick noodled dish famous in the Southern regions of Japan. Learn first hand the ways to prepare this delicious Japanese cuisine during your Takayama tour.

After our Udon making workshop, we will visit one of the most beautiful Japanese gardens overlooking 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. We then proceed to Osaka.

Your pleasant and memorable Japan tour ends today. The Takayama Festival tour will disband after breakfast.
Japan Deluxe Tours has arranged transportation services to take you to your designated airport. 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)