The Golden Triangle of Japan Private Tour

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 Century Southern Tower 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 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 Century Southern Tower or similar class

Day 3

Tokyo

Our first stop today 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

Hotel Century Southern Tower or similar class

Day 4

Tokyo - Hakone - Atami

Travel with your guide from Tokyo Shinjuku station to Hakone by way of Japan’s famously efficient transit system. You will travel on the Romancecar Limited Express. 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. In the evening, you will transfer to Atami with your guide to your Japanese-style hotel, known as a Ryokan. Here, you can experience a traditional Kaiseki dinner and enjoy the Onsen hot spring bath.

Breakfast / Dinner

Atami Onsen Sakura Ryokan or similar class

Note: We will ship your large luggage from Tokyo to your hotel in Kanazawa. Please pack your essentials for 2 nights in a small bag to carry with you to Hakone.

Day 5

Atami - Takayama

This morning, you will make your way to Atami Station on foot and board the bullet train to Nagoya. From Nagoya, transfer to Takayama via JR express train (tickets included). Upon arrival at Takayama Station, make your way to the hotel on your own. 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. After strolling through streets that are reminiscent of the Edo Period (1600 -1868), you will then tour Takayama Jinya. This building served as the local government office headed by the officials dispatched from Edo and was in official use until 1969. 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, and also 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 and the train tickets are included. 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 large luggage 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

You will visit the ancient city of Nara with your guide via public transportation. The main feature of this city is the large park which includes a number of important and interesting sites. The first site on your list will be the Nara National Museum which primarily displays Japanese Buddhist art. You can then 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.

Breakfast

Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo or similar class

Day 12

Tour Ends

After breakfast, you will be free for leisure. You may make your own way to Osaka Kansai Airport via Haruka Express Train – train tickets included.

Breakfast

Note: If you would like the private airport transfer to be included, please contact us for the arrangements.