The Golden Triangle of Japan Private Tour with Snow Monkey

Day 1

Arrival at Tokyo Narita or Haneda Airport

Upon arrival, proceed through customs and meet your driver just outside the exit gate, they will be holding an “All Japan Tours” sign for easy visibility. Proceed to your hotel by private car. Upon arrival at the hotel, you will be free for leisure.

Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Marunouchi or similar class

Day 2

Tokyo

Meet your guide in the morning and traverse through Tokyo’s pristine public transportation system. Firstly, you may visit the Edo Tokyo Museum which exhibits life size replicas as well as miniature models of structures as they were during Japan’s Edo period. Afterward, you can visit Asakusa Kannon Temple, an active place of worship where you can see the largest paper lantern in Japan. You can also explore the Nakamise Market, which is located just after the temple's outer gates. This is a traditional-style shopping street with several centuries of history. Then experience panoramic views of the city at 350 meters high at the Tokyo Skytree. These are the highest observation decks in Japan, and the tower is one of the tallest structures in the world. Next, head to the electric city of Akihabara for its establishments dedicated to anime and manga culture.

Breakfast

Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Marunouchi or similar class

Day 3

Tokyo - Yamanouchi

Make your way to Tokyo Station on your own and board the bullet train to Nagano. Upon arrival at Nagano Station, you will be met at the train exit by your guide and transfer to Yamanouchi. Here, you can visit the Snow Monkey Park. This is the famous location where snow monkeys relax in the Onsen hot spring bath. In the evening, you can enjoy the Onsen for yourself as well as a traditional Kaiseki Dinner at your ryokan.

Breakfast / Dinner

Ryokan Biyunoyado or similar class

Note: We will courier your big baggage from Tokyo to your hotel in Kanazawa. Please pack your essentials for 3 nights in a small bag to carry with you to Yamanouchi.

Day 4

Yamanouchi - Matsumoto

Travel to Matsumoto via public transportation with your guide. Upon arrival, visit Matsumoto Castle (Black Crow Castle), one of the twelve remaining original castles of Japan. Then, visit the Japan Ukiyoe Museum which exhibits woodblock prints from Sakai Yoshiaki personal collection which his descendance have maintained. Since Sakai-san began the collection roughly 300 years ago, it has grown to an impressive 100,000 pieces.

Breakfast

Hotel Buena Vista or similar class

Day 5

Matsumoto - Takayama

Make your way to Matsumoto Station on your own and take the highway bus to Takayama – about a 125 minutes ride with tickets included. Upon your arrival to Takayama Station, you can make your way to the hotel nearby. You will be free for leisure for the rest of the day.

Breakfast

Takayama Green Hotel or similar class

Day 6

Takayama - Shirakawago - Kanazawa

You will tour Takayama in the morning with a local guide. You will begin with the Takayama Morning Market, where visitors can taste local farm products and snacks. Then, stroll through the beautifully preserved Old Town which features streets reminiscent of the Edo Period (1600 -1868). In the afternoon, you will visit Shirakawago with your guide via highway bus – the trip is approximately 50 minutes. Travel to the World Heritage site in the rural area of Shirakawa-go. Ogimachi Village is the main attraction where you can walk past thatched roof farm houses and cultivated fields and see unspoiled Edo period wooden buildings. Once there, go to the Shiroyama Viewpoint. You can also visit Gassho-zukuri Minaen, which is an open-air museum of farmhouses and structures relocated to this area. Wada-ke House is the largest farmhouse in the area, which belongs to the village leader, is now open for visitors to have a look inside these buildings. From Shirakawago, continue to Kanazawa via highway bus – the trip will take approximately 135 minutes and your bus ticket is included. Upon arrival at Kanazawa Station, make your way to the hotel on your own.

Breakfast

Nikko Hotel Kanazawa or similar class

Day 7

Kanazawa

Today, you will be fully guided as you traverse Kanazawa via public transit. Begin with a visit to Kenrokuen Garden, regarded as one of the top three gardens of Japan. Stroll along the garden and enjoy the view of trees, stones, bridges and teahouses. At Myoryuji Temple, you will see how it got the nickname “Ninja Temple”. While the temple is not associated with the Ninja, it was built as a disguised military outpost and so has many hidden defenses, secret rooms, traps, and a labyrinth of corridors and staircases. Step back through time in the Nagamachi Samurai District where many old samurai residences remain at the foot of the former Kanazawa Castle. One such house, the Nomura family residence, has been fully restored and filled with artifacts of the time period to reflect the samurai class. Then, visit the Kaga Yuzen Traditional Industry Center. Kaga Yuzen is a type of silk fabric made for Kimono. You can see many Kimono on display here which use this fabric. Additionally, should you choose to add the experience to your itinerary, you can try on one of the traditional garments. Other optional experiences in the area include a Gold Leaf Craft Workshop and a visit to the Kutani Pottery Kilns which are famous for their detailed and intricate designs.

Breakfast

Nikko Hotel Kanazawa or similar class

Note: Depending on the number of additions made to the itinerary, extra days may be added to accommodate your wishes.

Day 8

Kanazawa - Kyoto

Today, you will make your way to Kanazawa Station on your own and board the JR express train to Kyoto – the trip will take approximately 140 minutes. Upon your arrival at Kyoto Station, make your way to your hotel. You will be free for the rest of the day. However, you may choose to add a visit to a traditional wooden townhouse to learn about Kimono, Green Tea Ceremony, Origami, Calligraphy, and the art of Ikebana.

Breakfast

Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo or similar class

Note: We will courier your big baggage from Kanazawa to your hotel in Kyoto. Please pack your essentials for 1 night in a small bag to carry with you to Kyoto.

Day 9

Kyoto

Today, you will be fully guided as you travel through the historic city of Kyoto. First, we will see the Fushimi Inari Shrine, renowned for its trail of thousands of torii gates. Then, visit the Kyoto Imperial Palace. This was the former residence of Japan’s Imperial Family until 1868, during which the capital moved from Kyoto to Tokyo. Tour Kiyomizu-dera, a famous temple in Japan that is best known for its large wooden stage that overlooks a hillside of natural scenery. We will end our day in the Gion Geisha District, where its streets are lined with ochaya (teahouses), exclusive establishments where guests are entertained by Geisha and Maiko. If you choose, you can also add the following optional experiences. Please note, optional experiences may require an additional day. One such experience is to try on the traditional garment of Kimono. Many visitors to Kyoto will wear a Kimono for the day to complete the traditional atmosphere that the city is known for. You can also experience a Rickshaw Ride, Green Tea Ceremony, Zen meditation in a temple with local monks, or a Kaiseki dinner with a Geisha performance.

Breakfast

Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo or similar class

Day 10

Kyoto

Once again, you will be fully guided on this day as you travel Kyoto via public transportation. Continue to explore Kyoto, traveling to Nijo Castle, a designated UNESCO world heritage site and a perfect architectural example of castles from the feudal era of Japan. Next, we will visit the Golden Pavilion covered with 18 carat gold leaf. This three-story structure was originally built by the Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in 1397. Then we will tour Arashiyama. First is a visit to see Tenryuji Temple where you can have a glimpse of traditional rock landscape garden design. Then proceed through a dense bamboo grove, past several small shrines, tea shops and private houses before arriving at the Togetsukyo Bridge over Hozu River. Optional sections for this part of the tour include a Shojin Ryori Vegetarian Lunch, which is a traditional Buddhist lunch, a ride on the Sagano Romantic Train, or a cruise along the Hozugawa River.

Breakfast

Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo or similar class

Day 11

Kyoto - Nara - Kyoto - Atami

Today, we will travel to Nara and visit the Isuien Garden, which is a traditional Japanese Garden with a scenic view structured using “shakkei” or borrowed scenery, fusing the background with the trees within the area. Then, we will visit one of Japan’s most famous temples and a landmark of Nara, Todaiji Temple. Outside the temple, interact with the wild deer of Nara Deer Park. There are special deer crackers available at every corner of the area. You may also want to add a Bamboo Chasen (tea whisk) making experience to this day to further your understanding of traditional Japanese culture and crafts. Your tour will end at Kyoto Station where you will make your way on your own to Atami via bullet train. Upon arrival at Atami Station, make your way to the hotel on foot. Tonight, you will be staying at a Japanese- style hotel, known as a Ryokan. Here, you can experience a traditional Kaiseki dinner and enjoy the Onsen hot spring bath.

Breakfast

Atami Onsen Sakura Ryokan or similar class

Note: We will courier your big baggage from Kyoto to your hotel in Tokyo. Please pack your essentials for 1 nights in a small bag to carry with you to Atami.

Day 12

Atami - Hakone - Tokyo

Travel with your guide to Hakone by way of Japan’s famously efficient transit system. In Hakone, you will have many opportunities to view Mt. Fuji, if the weather is in your favor. Upon arrival, you may board a Lake Ashi Cruise where you can enjoy and appreciate Hakone’s natural scenery. Take a 20-minute ropeway ride from Togendai to Owakudani. Along the ropeway, weather permitting, there will be great views of Mt. Fuji in the distance. While in Owakudani, visitors will have the chance to experience hot springs and sulfurous fumes along the trails of an active volcanic zone. After your tour, continue with your guide back to Tokyo.

Breakfast

Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa or similar class

Day 13

Tokyo

Our first stop upon return to Tokyo will be the Imperial Palace where we can see the beautiful East Garden. This is the current residence of Japan’s Imperial Family and a historic landmark. Next, enjoy the natural atmosphere of the Meiji Shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Stroll through the Takeshita district of Harajuku and surround yourself with fascinating shops and the latest fashion trends. Harajuku is especially known for its more eccentric fashions, but cute and conventional items can be purchased here as well. Not in the mood for shopping? Not to worry – Harajuku also is a great place for people watching! Our final destination of the day will be Shibuya, where visitors can experience the famous Shibuya crossing, take pictures with the Hachiko statue, and enjoy shopping.

Breakfast

Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa or similar class

Day 14

Tour Ends

After breakfast, you will be free for leisure.
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

Breakfast