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Discover Japan’s most beautiful parks and gardens on a 14-day luxury private tour, starting in Osaka and going through Nara, Koyasan, Himeji, Yasugi, Matsue, Takamatsu, and Awaji Island, finishing the tour with five days touring the traditional gardens of Kyoto. And to round out your tour itinerary, we have included a select range of culturally immersive activities, where you can experience a more authentic Japan. Although, as with all our private tours, the suggested itinerary below is ... View More
Discover Japan’s most beautiful parks and gardens on a
14-day luxury private tour, starting in Osaka and going
through Nara, Koyasan, Himeji, Yasugi, Matsue,
Takamatsu, and Awaji Island, finishing the tour with five
days touring the traditional gardens of Kyoto. And to
round out your tour itinerary, we have included a select
range of culturally immersive activities, where you can
experience a more authentic Japan. Although, as with
all our private tours, the suggested itinerary below is
fully customizable to suit the needs of your group.
Upon arrival in Osaka, depart for the Buddhist temple
complex of Koyasan, stopping for a day and a night
along the way in the ancient city of Nara to admire
important cultural heritage sites – Todaiji Temple
surrounded by wild deer, Kofukuji’s Five-storied Pagoda,
and Gangoji’s Zen Hall. When you reach Koyasan,
explore the center of Shingon Buddhism, which includes
a private tour of Okunoin – Japan’s largest cemetery.
Live one night like a Buddhist monk, and stay overnight
in a temple lodging and enjoy vegetarian “shojin ryori”
cuisine. Then head back through Osaka, stopping for an
in-depth lesson in calligraphy, tea ceremony, and
ikebana – three arts of traditional Japanese refinement.
Admire magnificent Himeji Castle and nearby Kokoen
Garden, then appreciate artwork near a spectacular
landscape garden at the Adachi Museum of Art. In
Matsue, relax among the colorful peonies in Yushien
Garden, take a leisurely cruise around the moat of
Matsue Castle, and browse the old Samurai District.
From there, cross over the Great Seto Bridge to
Takamatsu, to study the art of Japanese Bonsai and
stroll breathtaking Ritsurin Koen Garden. Then, at Awaji
Island, enjoy the sights and smells of Miracle Planet
Botanical Museum and the 100-Stepped Garden of
Yumebutai.
The tour wraps up with a 5-day tour of Kyoto, former
imperial capital and cultural heartland for almost 2,000
years. Among the Japanese cultural elements that
Kyoto is famous for (temples, shrines, kimono, tea
ceremony, and more), the gardens of Kyoto are
considered by many to be its loveliest feature. Many of
its temples, in accordance with Buddhist traditions,
maintain gardens of various kinds, including landscape
gardens, water gardens, moss gardens, even rock
gardens! Especial must-sees include the ancient
landscape garden of Tenryuji Temple, Ryoanji Temple’s
rock garden, Saihoji Temple’s Moss Garden, Ginkakuji’s
“Sand Garden”, and the Western-inspired landscape
garden at Murinan. You will also see two private
gardens, guided by a professional Kyoto garden
designer, offering a more in-depth study of Japanese
horticulture.
Explore the finest gardens of Japan on a 14-day luxury
private tour, with a fully customizable itinerary.
Transportation is facilitated by our sleek and
comfortable private coaches, and you will be
accompanied by one of our friendly, professional
English-speaking guides. Please browse the itinerary
below for more information.
