Explore Japan hosted by Andrew De Angelis May 14 - 28, 2023

May 14, 2023 - Arrival at Tokyo

Arrive at Tokyo Narita airport. After entry procedures, we meet your English speaking guide and transfer by private bus to the hotel.

Our welcome dinner for the group starts with an evening walking Tokyo Food Culture tour in Shibuya. We will use public transportation to make our way to Shibuya where we will spend a couple of hours visiting the neighborhood and dining on local street food purchased at tiny shops along the way, or dining in an izakaya (typical restaurant), depending on time. Andrew will lead the way.

May 15, 2023 - Tokyo Full Day Visit

Today will be a full-day tour of Tokyo led by Andrew and our local guide.

The first stop is the artificial island of Odaiba and the Miraikan Museum, the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation.

Then we board a modern Tokyo cruise and reach the Ryogoku district, home to traditional sumo. We will enjoy a Chanko Nabe lunch, the typical protein-rich Japanese hotpot commonly eaten by sumo wrestlers as part of a weight-gain diet.

After lunch, an exciting Sumo tournament match awaits us.

At night, we get a taste of Tokyo's nightlife culture and acquaint ourselves with the drinking habits of the Japanese people through a bar-hopping walking tour. We will have a drink in a couple of local bars and mingle with new friends in town.

May 16, 2023 - Full Day Hakone and Night Walk in Tokyo

Today we will make our way by private bus to the unique mountain town of Hakone, known for its hot springs resorts and breath-taking views of the iconic volcano Mount Fuji.

We stop in a delightful tea house in Hakone that has been in operation for over 400 years, surrounded by centuries-old nature. Passing through the fantastic cedar trees of the park, we reach the famous Shrine of Hakone, with the red Torii gates emerging from the waters of Lake Ashinoko.

Our next stop is the Narukawa Art Museum, with amazing masterpieces of Japanese modern art, fantastic views of the lake, and - when it peeps out - of Mount Fuji.

We proceed to Mishima where we cross Japan's longest suspension bridge overlooking Mount Fuji before returning to Tokyo.

In the evening, we enjoy another walking Tokyo Food Culture tour – this time in Shinjuku. This lively, inclusive district hosts many colorful areas to explore. We stroll through Omoide Yokocho, a tiny alley of red lanterns and restaurants; Golden Gai, a network of small bars with post-war charm; and Kabukicho, the famous red-light district of Tokyo.

May 17, 2023 - Half-Day Tour with Sushi Workshop and Evening Walk

In the morning, we board our private bus and Andrew and our guide take us to visit Japan’s most famous Shinto shrine, the Meiji-Jingu. This historic landmark is nestled in an oasis amid the bustle of Tokyo’s busy city center.

Located right next to Meiji Shrine, the Harajuku district is famous for its youth fashion culture, and is centered around the colorful Takeshita Street.

A short walk from Harajuku is the Omotesando district, an avenue famed for its high-end fashion stores and stunning architecture.

Later, we return to the Shibuya district to experience the famous Shibuya scramble crossing, arguably the most iconic intersection in the world, and see the well-known Hachiko statue, a symbol of love and loyalty.

This afternoon, we will try our hands at crafting the perfect piece of sushi during a special sushi-making workshop.

In the evening, we enjoy our final walking Tokyo Food Culture tour in Asakusa. We stroll through the narrow streets sampling the traditional flavors of the shitamachi district. The izakaya and yakitori restaurants on both sides of the road spread out in the evening with tables and chairs, creating a lively and pleasant atmosphere.

May 18, 2023 - Tokyo - Nagano - Shibu Onsen

Today we leave Tokyo via rail for a 1.5 hour journey to Nagano. 

Upon arrival in Nagano, a private bus will drive us to Zenkoji Temple, one of the most famous pilgrimage sites in Japan.  Dating back to the seventh century, it gives its visitors the experience of healing incense coming out of a cauldron located in the Temple's courtyard. Worshippers direct the incense to parts of the body in need of healing.

Descending into the sanctum of the Temple, you metaphorically reach the Gate of Paradise by blindly feeling your way through a dark cave and finding the lock on the wall.

Afterwards,  we will continue on to Shibu Onsen, a lovely village near the Snow Monkey Park with hot springs, historic buildings, and a traditional atmosphere.

May 19, 2023 - Shibu Onsen - Snow Monkey Park - Obuse -  Shibu Onsen

This day begins with a visit to the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park where we will see dozens of wild Japanese macaques (snow monkeys) bathing in the hot springs.

Next, we will make our way to Obuse. This delightful historic town's main specialties are chestnut cakes, sake, and miso breweries.  Another attraction is the Hokusai Museum. It is a small museum exposing, in rotation, the countless works of the most famous artist of Japan, Katsushika Hokusai.

We will return to the hotel around 2 pm and in the afternoon, we can stroll through Shibu Onsen's 9 public baths to receive good luck! 

May 20, 2023 -  Shibu Onsen to Kanazawa

Today we will return to the Nagano train station and take the train to Kanazawa.

Upon arrival in Kanazawa, we meet with our guide to go to the Buddhist Temple Ninjadera, famous for its complicated layout including a middle floor and middle-middle floor, 23 rooms, and 29 staircases. 

Late afternoon is dedicated to an incredible experience: a private performance with a real Geisha in the largest "chaya" (teahouse) of Kanazawa. The English-speaking geisha will dance, sing, and entertain the group while savouring a special refined dinner prepared with seasonal ingredients.

*Performance time: from 60 to 90 minutes.

May 21, 2023 - Full Day Visit to Shirakawago and Takayama

In the morning, Andrew and our guide will take us to Shirakawa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and fairy-tale-like village. The main feature of this unique village is its 250-year-old thatched houses. Constructed to look like hands in prayer, these remarkable monuments are made without nails, and are built to withstand heavy snowfall and provide space in their attics for cultivating silkworms.

We continue to Takayama, a traditional mountain town with a strong link with its cultural heritage. Due to its location, Takayama has retained many of its ancient customs, such as carpentry, sake brewing, lacquerware, pottery, and furniture making.

We enjoy a walk through the ancient streets filled with the charms of old Japan.

May 22, 2023 - Kanazawa to Kyoto

This morning, we will make our way to Nomura Family House, a restored former samurai residence in the Nagamachi' samurai district that offers a fascinating window into the lifestyle of Japan's feudal past.

Later, we visit the wonderful Kenrokuen garden - Kanazawa's famed Japanese garden, ranked as one of Japan's three most beautiful landscape gardens.

We enjoy a bento lunch while traveling to Kyoto by train.

Upon arrival in Kyoto, a fantastic experience awaits us. Our guide will take us to a local Kyoto temple where we will perform an ablution, then the entire group will receive a special blessing from the monks officiating a public rite.  This is a genuinely traditional experience for everyone which includes a ceremony and temple memorabilia.

After the blessing, check-in at the hotel.

May 23, 2023 - Kyoto Full Day Visit

This morning Andrew and our guide take us to visit two of the most beautiful temples in Kyoto: Kinkakuji and Ryonaji, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Also known in English as the Temple of the Golden Pavilion, Kinkakuji is perhaps the most visually striking temple in Kyoto. Located close to Kinkakuji, Ryoanji offers a fantastic contrast due to its relative simplicity. The temple is home to Japan’s most famous Zen rock garden.

Lunch in a local restaurant is included.

In the afternoon, we move to Higashiyama district, where Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka are located. These ancient streets are widely regarded as the most atmospheric in Kyoto. They are lined with beautiful traditional buildings and lead up to the famous Kiyomizudera Temple, whose stunning view can be admired while walking the streets.

We end the day in Gion, Kyoto’s historic district filled with traditional restaurants, machiya (traditional wooden houses), and ochaya (traditional tea houses).

May 24, 2023 -  Kyoto - Shrine of Fujimi Inari - Gion District

Together with Andrew and our guide, we use our last day of Japan Rail pass to visit one of the most famous shrines in Japan, the Fushimi Inari Taisha. Just outside Kyoto, the shrine is easily recognizable because of its thousands of vermillion torii gates running to the top of Mount Inari.

We will return to Kyoto for a leisurely afternoon. Then at sunset, the guide will be with us once more to explore the Gion district and the fascinating atmosphere of the old Kyoto.

Geisha and maiko walk down the alleys of Gion District while the Yasaka Shrine turns on its lantern. Meanwhile, the bustling traditional Izakaya of Pontocho alley becomes full of salarymen. A chance to discover a different face of Kyoto.

May 25, 2023 -  Kyoto to Koyasan

This morning we will drive to the sacred Koya-san, one of the greatest and most imposing Buddhist centers in Japan. This World Heritage site has over 100 temples scattered throughout the grounds and claims some 1200 years of history.

After visiting the most important sites of the area, including the remarkable Okunoin, we experience a night of quiet retreat in our selected shukubo (temple lodging).

May 26, 2023 - Koyasan -  Osaka

The early risers may join the monks in their morning prayers before tasting the typical breakfast on the shukubo's premises.

We will continue our drive  to Osaka.

Osaka is an ancient city with a rich history highlighted by several beautiful and exciting places. The city's architecture consists of a diverse combination of old structures and new buildings that are truly worth seeing.

We take an architectural tour showcasing the most exciting buildings in Osaka.

May 27, 2023 - Day in Nara and Farewell Japan in Dotombori

In the morning, we drive to Nara, famous for being the original capital of Japan. The city of Nara has preserved many of its ancient monuments, several of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

The tour starts with a visit of Nara’s most famous temple - the impressive Todaiji, which houses Japan’s largest Daibutsu, a 15 meter–tall statue of Buddha. Located right next to the temple is Nara Park where we will take a walk to see Nara’s famous shika deer.

We end the day with a farewell dinner in Dotombori, Osaka's most famous district, glittering with colorful neon signs and extravagant restaurant decorations. 

May 28, 2023 - Departure to Kansai Airport

Day at leisure on our last day in Japan before departing for the airport.

According to the flight departure time, a private bus will drive us to Kansai airport.