Imperial Capitals of Japan with Kanazawa

Arrival
Welcome to Tokyo - the ultramodern and the traditional at the same time capital of Japan! Your driver meets you at the arrivals hall and transfer you to your hotel.

Upon arrival at the hotel, you check in and have the rest of the day at leisure to relax after your trip or start exploring the vibrant city on your own.

Highlights of Tokyo
In the morning, after breakfast, you meet your private guide and start your first full-day tour of Tokyo. During the tour, you use the convenient Tokyo public train transportation to travel around the city.

First, you see the incredible Imperial Palace to get a taste of Japanese culture and glance at the precious building. Notably, The Imperial Palace has served as the residential place of the successive Emperors since 1868. It contains the Imperial Residence and the Imperial Palace Complex, where His Majesty the Emperor undertakes official duties. Moreover, various ceremonies and public activities are held there too.
After relishing this marvelous Palace, you will walk through the Nihonbashi district which is a business district that grew up around the bridge of the same name, which has linked two sides of the Nihonbashi River at this site since the 17th century. After enjoying the atmosphere of the Nihonbashi district, you will have lunch.

Then you have a visit to the Tokyo Sky Tree by metro, a television broadcasting tower, and the tallest structure in Japan. Its observation decks offering spectacular views over Tokyo are the highlights of the tower. You visit the deck located at the height of 350 meters (1148 feet), so make sure to have your camera and phone charged!

After that, you will visit Asakusa Temple, the oldest temple in Tokyo, and learn the legend of how this temple was built. The temple is known to bring good luck in almost anything, so make sure to make a wish! Here you can feel the traditional Japanese culture the moment you step onto the temple grounds. A shopping street called Nakamise leads from the outer gate to the temple's second gate; here, you can find a great selection of souvenirs as well as local confectionaries that the locals admire so much.

After the tour, you return to your hotel and have the evening at leisure.

Day trip to Mt. Fuji & Ashi Lake Cruise
Today in the morning a private guide and driver meet you at the hotel lobby and take you on a full-day tour to Ashi Lake and Mt. Fuji. 

Throughout this tour, you will have the opportunity to experience the beauty of Japanese nature and landscapes. Located in Japan's Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, Mount Fuji is the highest mountain in the country. Since Mount Fuji is a sacred mountain, it is surrounded by temples and shrines, even at the crater's edge. The atmosphere of this place is reminiscent of Japanese culture. Finish your splendid tour by admiring Ashi Lake, which was formed by volcanic activity 3,000 years ago.

From Tokyo to Kyoto
​​​​​​​Today in the morning you continue your trip and you travel to Kyoto by a world famous Shinkansen train which is a real Japanese experience.

Arrival in Kyoto
​​​​​​​Upon arrival in Kyoto, a private driver meets you at the train station and takes you to the hotel.

The evening is free for some optional activities or exploring the city on your own.

Kyoto City Tour & Tea Ceremony
In the morning after breakfast you meet your private guide and start your full day exploration of Kyoto.

You start with the Kyoto Imperial Palace, the Imperial Family's residence from 794 until 1868, during the times when Kyoto was the capital of Japan. Here you have a chance to explore the palace buildings (from the outside) and the gardens, which was just recently opened to the public.

Head to Arashiyama, the second-most important sightseeing district in Kyoto that is filled with temples and shrines. The highlight of the district is the famed Bamboo Forest, one of the most photographed sights in Kyoto. Standing in the midst of this sprawling bamboo grove is like being in another world, it has a sense of otherness that is very much unlike that of any other forest. This is an experience that is not to be missed!

Your tour continues with visiting Kinkakuji, one of the top UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the most remarkable Buddhist temples, and a gorgeous golden must-see attraction! So welcome to one of the most luxurious temples in Japan, also known worldwide, reflecting its fame in traditional arts and modern media. Here you will find peace, tranquility, and spiritual renewal.

Conclude your day with a Japanese tea ceremony experience, that provides an engaging induction to the traditional tea ceremony. This activity dates back hundreds of years and is the most idealistic pastime of ancient Japan. In this ceremony you will have an opportunity to wear traditional kimono robes, taste the green matcha tea and eat unique Japanese sweets specifically made to match the tea's flavour.

After the ceremony you return to your hotel and have the evening at leisure.  

Fushimi Inari Shrine & Sanjusangendo Temple
Today you have a half-day tour to explore Fushimi Inari Shrine and Sanjusangendo. You will reach these sights by the convenient system of public trains. 

Fushimi Inari Shrine is an important Shinto shrine in southern Kyoto. It is famous for its thousands of red torii gates, which stand astride a network of trails. The trails lead into the forest of the sacred Mount Inari. Fushimi Inari is the most important of several thousands of shrines dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice. You can take a hike on these trails and learn how the thousands of torrid gates appeared here. 

Then you proceed to the Sanjusangendo Temple, famous for its 1001 human-sized statues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. Once inside, you see a large wooden statue composition of the Kannon, equipped with numerous heads and arms, the goddess of mercy can better witness the suffering of humans and better help them fight the suffering.

After the tour, you return to your hotel in Kyoto and have the evening at leisure.

Departure
Today in the morning, you check out from the hotel, and our private driver takes you to the airport.

Arrival & Exploring Kanazawa
Welcome to the Japanese capital of culture and science! Upon arrival, your private driver takes you to the hotel for check-in. 

Later, your private guide meets you at the hotel lobby and you head for the city tour.

Your exploration begins in the charming Higashi Chaya District, one of the few remaining geisha districts in Japan. Wander through atmospheric streets lined with teahouses and shops selling Kaga crafts, and step inside a preserved geisha house to discover the exquisite beauty and refined culture that define the geisha way of life.

Next, journey back to the era of the samurai in the Nagamachi Samurai District. Here, you'll visit a restored samurai residence, marveling at the architecture and the authentic artifacts that offer a glimpse into the daily lives and values of these legendary warriors. 

After the tour, you have free time.

Trip to Takayama
In the morning after breakfast, take a train to Takayama.

Upon arrival, enjoy a walking guided tour through Takayama with your guide, where you will use taste to distinguish the town. Traditional Japanese sweets, or rakugan, will energize you for the day. A tofu maker will then explain the process and why this food is so important to Takayama. Following a street of wooden shutters, you soon reach a sake brewery, where a variety of tastings helps you distinguish the fine from the everyday. And then it is onwards with sloping roofs greeting you in the village of Shirakawa-go. This village was so isolated and high in the mountains it came up with its own architectural style. Gassho-zukuri means “constructed like hands in prayer” and the steep thatched is ideal for balancing and removing the weight of snow in winter.

Look more closely, and you will see that every single roof has been built without nails or mortar. Several houses are open to the public and can be visited on your private tour of Shirakawa-go, with Wado the grandest and most impressive. 

After your tour, you take a train back to Kanazawa.

Departure
In the morning you have breakfast and check-out from your hotel. Then your private driver takes you to the airport or train station depending on where you travel next.