Japan's Hidden Gems hosted by Andrew De Angelis May 18 - June 1, 2024 SOLD OUT

May 18, 2024 - Arrival into Tokyo & Welcome Dinner

Arrive at Tokyo Narita airport. where we meet by our English speaking guide and transferred  to the hotel.

Our adventure starts with an early evening walk in Shinjuku. This lively inclusive district hosts many colorful areas to explore:  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.  Our Welcome Dinner will be at an upbeat local restaurant. 

Welcome to Japan!

May 19, 2024 - Half Day Tour with Sushi Workshop

In the morning we will have a glimpse at the  bustle of Tokyo’s busy city center.  We will visit the Meiji-Jingu, the Harajuku District is famous for its youth fashion culture, 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.

Back to the hotel to relax prior to  our private Sushi-Making Workshop.   Our chance to try crafting the perfect piece of sushi which will be our dinner.   

May 20, 2024 - Full Day Tour Hakone 

Today we will drive 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 at the ancient tea house and the Shrine of Hakone with its picturesque red Torii gates emerging from the waters of Lake Ashinoko.

Break for lunch at the cafeteria of the Narukawa Art Museum, featuring amazing masterpieces of Japanese modern art.  Check out the fantastic views of the lake, if we are lucky possibly Mount Fuji.

Back to Tokyo, where we will dine at the Skybar -- enjoying the spectacular view!

May 21, 2024 -  Bonsai Workshop & Sumo Tournament

We begin our day at a Bonsai Museum for a private workshop on creating a Bonsai.

Next, we head to TeamLab Planets for a unique "Body Immersive" art museum experience.

We will have a hot pot lunch in the sumo-wrestling district of Ryogoku.  

Later in the afternoon, we will walk to the Sumo Stadium  to watch the SUMO tournament.  Our guide will share his passion of Sumo wrestling  and enthusiastically explain all the fine details.

May 22, 2024 - Morning at Leisure & Transfer to Kanazawa

This morning your free time to wander in Tokyo.

This afternoon we will take the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Kanazawa. 

Our hotel is located immediately in front of the train station. 

The rest of the afternoon is our to explore together or independently.

May 23, 2024 - Full Day Explorations  in Kanazawa

This morning we will visit the Buddhist Temple of Ninjadera,  Nomura Family House, a restored former samurai residence that offers a fascinating window into the lifestyle of Japan's feudal past and Kenrokuen Garden, ranked as one of Japan's three most beautiful landscape gardens.

After lunch of your own choice at the Omicho Market, we will return to our hotel for a short rest before the next adventure.

This evening is dedicated to an incredible experience: a private performance with real Geisha in  a "chaya" (tea house). Two geisha will dance and sing for us while the hostess entertains the us. 

After the show, dinner will be in a local restaurant.

May 24, 2024 Shirakawago to Takayama

Morning visit to Shirakawa, an 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.  We continue to Takayama, a traditional mountain town with a strong link with its cultural heritage and traditional craftmanship:  carpentry, sake brewing, lacquerware, pottery, and furniture making.

Here we can explore the ancient streets to get a feel of the charms of old Japan.

Later, we will settle into our Ryokan where we will stay tonight.

This evening we will experience a traditional Japanese dinner, wearing a Yukata (summer kimono)  and geta (raised sandals).

May 25, 2024 - Takayama Tour, Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology & Transfer to Kyoto

Stroll with our private guide through Takayama’ s morning market for an engaging look at everyday life in Japan and walk in the city’s Old Town to see the streets and buildings from Japan’s prosperous Edo period.

We will drive to Nagoya to visit the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology. 

We will arrive in Kyoto  early evening and check into our hotel, where we will spend the next 4 nights.

We will gather in the lobby and walk together for our dinner at a local restaurant. 

May 26, 2024 - Kyoto Full Day Tour

Begin our day with a visit to Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, a mesmerizing grove of thousands of tall bamboo plants. A paved walkway runs through the middle of both sections, forming the famous “Bamboo Alley."  

This afternoon, visit two of the most beautiful temples in Kyoto: Kinkakuji and Ryonaji, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Ryonaji temple is home to Japan’s most famous Zen Rock Garden.

May 27, 2024 -  Temple Blessing, Tea Ceremony & Evening Walk

This morning offers a very special experience. In a local Kyoto temple we will receive a blessing from the monks officiating a public rite. A genuinely traditional ritual for everyone, including a ceremony and temple memorabilia.  (Note: respectful dress  required). 

Return to the hotel and enjoy free time.

This afternoon, experience a Tea Ceremony and visit the Silver Pavilion (Ginkakuji Temple).

After our dinner together, we will go exploring to see where Geisha and Maiko walk down the alley of Gion District while the Yasaka Shrine lantern are lit up. In the meanwhile the bustling traditional Izakaya of Pontocho alley becomes full of salarymen. A chance to discover a different face of Kyoto.

May 28, 2024 - Kyoto Full Day Tour

Today we will visit:  Kiyomizudera Temple, a Buddhist temple famous for its impressive viewing platform, 3-storey Koyasu pagoda and the medicinal pure waters of the Otowa Spring;  Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka,  ancient streets lined with beautiful traditional buildings and lead us to the famous Kiyomizudera Temple.

Today's finale is Japan's most famous shrines,  the Fushimi Inari Taisha with  its thousands of vermillion torii gates running up Mount Inari.

Dinner at a local restaurant in Pontocho Alley.

May 29, 2024 -  Transfer to Koyasan

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).

Buddhist vegetarian dinner will be served to us early evening.

After dinner, we will visit the cemetery, a sacred pilgrimage site with over 200,000 gravestones and monuments.

May 30, 2024 - Nara Tour & Transfer to Hiroshima

The early risers may join the monks in their morning prayers at sunrise.

After breakfast,  drive to Nara , the original capital of Japan.  Here we will visit the impressive Todaiji, which houses Japan’s largest Daibutsu, a 15 meter–tall statue of Buddha; and go for a walk in Nara Park to see the shika deer.

After break for lunch, we will move to Shin-Osaka station where we will board the Shinkansen to Hiroshima.

Upon our arrival, our hotel is within walking distance from Hiroshima train station.

 Tonight's dinner will be at a local restaurant.

May 31, 2024 - Miyajima & Hiroshima Tour

After breakfast, we drive to Miyajima, a small island home to Itsukushima Shrine and its iconic ‘Floating Torii Gate’, which are built on the water. The shrine is designed in a pier-like structure and dates back to the 6th century. Its huge vermillion o-torii gate seems to be floating in the water during high tide.

This afternoon we will visit the Peace Memorial Park, where also stands the 'A Bomb Dome', one of the few buildings to remain standing after the bomb explosion. Later, visit of the Peace Memorial Museum.

Tonight, our Farewell Dinner, a fun evening celebrating our adventures in Japan!   

June 1, 2024 - Hiroshima to Narita airport (Tokyo)

Bid farewell to our guide and new Japanese friends.  We will fly Hiroshima to Tokyo, transfer to Narita airport to catch our international flights home or onward.

Sayonara Japan!