Spectacular Japan hosted by Andrew De Angelis May 18 - June 01, 2026

May 18, 2026 - Arrival into Tokyo & Welcome Dinner

Welcome to Japan!

After clearing custom and luggage, meet the driver and transfer to the Hotel.

Shinjuku Evening Experience
Departure: 6:00 PM from the hotel

Begin the evening with a quick train ride to Shinjuku, Tokyo’s vibrant entertainment district. Your first stop is a cozy traditional restaurant, where you’ll enjoy a delicious Japanese dinner—savor the flavors of authentic dishes in a warm and welcoming setting.

After dinner, set out on a guided night walk through Shinjuku’s dazzling streets. Witness the famed Shinjuku Giant Cat, a playful 3D billboard bringing digital charm to the skyline. Then stroll toward Hotel Gracery, where the iconic Godzilla Head looms above Kabukicho, roaring to life every hour.

10:00pm Return to the hotel with the guide.

Meals included: Dinner

May 19, 2026 - Half Day Tour with Calligraphy  Workshop 
Guided full-day tour - Private bus (morning) & public transit (afternoon)

10:00 AM – Begin with a private transfer to the peaceful Meiji-Jingu Shrine, Tokyo’s most iconic Shinto site.
Next, explore the colorful Harajuku district and chic Omotesando Avenue, known for cutting-edge fashion and architecture. Continue to Shibuya to witness the famous scramble crossing and see the Hachiko statue.

1:00 PM – Return to the hotel for a short rest.

Afternoon – Dive into Japanese culture with a calligraphy lesson.

Evening – The guide will accompany you to Asakusa, where you’ll enjoy dinner at 7:30 PM 

Return to the hotel by local train.

Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner

May 20, 2026 - Cultural Tokyo Experience: TeamLab Planets, Bonsai Workshop & Sumo Tournament
Guided full-day tour with half-day private bus (9:00 AM – 1:00 PM)

Morning Highlights

• Depart with your English-speaking guide and travel by private bus to the dazzling TeamLab Planets, a one-of-a-kind digital art museum. Enjoy an immersive hour of sensory wonder.
• Next, head to a serene Bonsai Museum for a hands-on bonsai creation workshop—an opportunity to shape your own living art with expert guidance.

Afternoon in Ryogoku – Sumo District

• Arrive in Ryogoku, Tokyo's historic sumo neighborhood.
• 1:30 PM – Savor a traditional Chanko Nabe hot pot lunch, famously enjoyed by sumo wrestlers. (Please note the restaurant closes at 3:00 PM)
• Around 3:30 PM, take a short walk to the sumo arena to attend a live Sumo Tournament. Your ticket includes special mementos to remember the experience.
• Following the event, return to the hotel via public transportation, arriving by 5:30–6:00 PM

Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch

May 21, 2026 -  Full-Day Hakone Excursion with English-Speaking Guide
Guided full-day tour - Private bus (09.00AM - 05.30PM)

The big luggage is sent directly to Kanazawa (1 piece per person). Please prepare a small bag for the night.

Embark on a scenic journey to Hakone, blending tradition, nature, and stunning views.

• 10:00 AM – Visit a historic teahouse in the heart of Hakone, operating for over 400 years and nestled among ancient trees. Enjoy a tranquil break surrounded by timeless beauty.
• Walk through towering cedar-lined paths to reach the famed Hakone Shrine, where the iconic red torii gate rises from the waters of Lake Ashinoko.
• Lunch at the Narukawa Art Museum cafeteria, featuring modern Japanese artworks, panoramic lake views, and—on a clear day—a glimpse of Mount Fuji. Menu includes grilled stuffed sandwiches and coffee.
• Ride the Hakone Ropeway above the dramatic Owakudani Valley, known for its volcanic scenery and steam vents.

Return to Tokyo by private bus, arriving around 5:30 PM.

• Evening – Dinner at a local restaurant in Shibuya, followed by rooftop views from the Shibuya Sky observation deck.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

May 22, 2026 - 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.

Meals included: Breakfast

May 23, 2026 - Full-Day Cultural Immersion in Kanazawa
Private bus & English-speaking guide | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Explore Kanazawa’s refined heritage and timeless beauty in this full-day experience:

• Visit the D.T. Suzuki Museum, a minimalist architectural gem designed by Yoshio Taniguchi, offering a serene space for reflection.
• Discover the Nomura Family House in the Nagamachi samurai district, a beautifully preserved samurai residence showcasing life in Japan’s feudal era.
• Enjoy lunch at leisure at Omicho Market, a lively hub of local seafood and fresh produce. (Approx. 1.5 hours)
• In the afternoon, stroll through the iconic Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan’s most celebrated landscape gardens.

Return to the hotel for a short rest before your evening adventure.

Evening Experience

• 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Transfer to Kaikaro Teahouse for an intimate Geisha Night—a rare chance to enjoy live performance, games, and cultural exchange in an exclusive setting.
• 7:30 PM: Dinner at the hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner

May 24, 2026 Shirakawago to Takayama
English-speaking guide | Private bus |  (09:00AM to 04:00PM)

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. Lunch is served in a local restaurant.

Arrive in Takayama and take a relaxing stroll through its historic streets. Visit the Takayama Float Museum to admire the city’s ornate festival floats.

Check in at your ryokan around 4:00 PM for a traditional stay.

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

Meals included: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner

May 25, 2026 - Takayama to Kyoto: Local Markets, Swordcraft & City Transfer
English-speaking guide | Private bus (09:00AM to 06:00PM)

• Start your day with a Japanese-style breakfast at the ryokan. (Western-style available upon advance request.)
• 9:00 AM – Guided stroll through Takayama’s morning market, followed by a walk through the Old Town and a visit to Takayama Jinya, a historic government house from the Edo era.
• Return to the hotel and depart for Seki by private bus. Stop at a convenience store en route to pick up snacks.
• Visit the Seki Knife Museum, including a private hands-on experience.
• Continue by bus to Kyoto with your guide.
• 6:00 PM – Estimated arrival at the hotel. Luggage will be delivered directly from the bus.
• Dinner at Salvatore Cuomo Kyoto Sanjo, an Italian restaurant.

Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner

May 26, 2026 - Kyoto Full Day Tour
English-speaking guide | Private bus (09:00AM to 05:00PM)

Today, visit two of the most beautiful temples in Kyoto: Kinkakuji and  Ginkakuji. 

Free lunch.

This afternoon we will visit the Fujimi Inari complex. 

Dinner is included tonight at Yakiniku Hiro Sanjo (terrace seats).

Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner

May 27, 2026 -  Kyoto Full Day Walking tour
English-speaking guide | Private bus (09:00AM to 1:00PM)

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.

Before lunch, we will experience a Traditional Tea Ceremony. 

Lunch is served in a local restaurant along the way.

After lunch, we will walk through the Gion district where Geisha and Maiko walk down the alley while the Yasaka Shrine lanterns 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. 

Walk back to the hotel.

Dinner at " Magashi Sushi on the Belt"

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

May 28, 2026 -  Transfer to Hiroshima via Himeji Castle 
English-speaking guide | Private bus (09:00AM to 01:00PM)

• Guide: Accompanying throughout the day.
• Luggage: Big luggage will be sent directly to Hiroshima (1 piece per person).

8:00 AM: Private bus transfer to Himeji with the guide.

10:00 AM: Visit Himeji Castle and Kokoen Garden.

Lunch: at leisure

2:46 PM: Board the Shinkansen from Himeji to Hiroshima with the guide (Nozomi #69, Himeji 14:46 / Hiroshima 15:42).

Arrival in Hiroshima: Walk to the hotel from Hiroshima station.

Dinner: At the hotel restaurant (included).

Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner

May 29, 2026 - Miyajima & Hiroshima Tour
English-speaking guide | Private bus (09:00AM to 05:00PM)

The big luggage is sent directly to Osaka (1 piece per person). Please prepare a small bag for two nights.

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. Ropeway ride from Momijidanito Shishiiwaround trip included.

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.

Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner

30 May 2026: Hiroshima – Osaka – Osaka Tour
English-speaking guide | Private bus (01:00PM to 05:00PM)

Morning:

• Walk to Hiroshima Station and board the Shinkansen to Shin-Osaka

Arrival in Osaka:

• Private transfer to your hotel in Osaka by bus.

Afternoon:

• Half-day Osaka tour by public transportation with an English-speaking guide.
• Explore Osaka, an ancient city with a rich history and diverse architecture. The tour includes:
  • The skyscraper of Umeda Sky Building with its "floating garden."
  • Osaka City Center.
  • Maishimaplant –innovative and colorfuldesign building Architecture tour 

Lunch: At your leisure.

Evening:

• Transfer to the hotel with the guide.
• Dinner at the hotel (included).

Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner

May 31, 2026 -Osaka Half Day tour and Night tour
English-speaking guide | Private bus (08:30AM to 05:00PM)

Morning:

• 8:30 AM: Departure to Mt. Koya by private bus with an English-speaking guide.
• 10:30 AM: Arrive at Mt. Koya, one of the greatest and most imposing Buddhist centers in Japan. This World Heritage site has over 100 temples and a history spanning 1,200 years.

Afternoon:

• Lunch is included in a simple restaurant.
• Experience a Goma prayer at one of the temple lodges.

Evening:

• 4:30 PM: Return to the hotel in Osaka.
• Evening: Use public transportation to visit Namba and explore the nightlife of Osaka.
• Dinner at a typical restaurant (included).

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Private departure transfer to Itami Osaka Airport.

Our Flight: (Included)
01 JUN ANA Departing Itami Osaka at 1405 - Arriving Tokyo Narita at 1530

Westjet flight leaves Narita at 1830

Meals included: Breakfast