Japan: Culture & Customs, 11 Days Tokyo Return with A&K

Day 1

Arrive Tokyo

Welcome to Japan, the Land of the Rising Sun. Put yourself on Tokyo time and soak up this ultra-modern city from your hotel which is just steps from the Ginza, Tokyo’s exclusive shopping and entertainment area. You’ll be dazzled by the views over Tokyo Bay and the historic Hamarikyu Gardens.
Accommodation: Conrad Tokyo (City View Room)

Day 2

Tokyo

This morning meet your host for a briefing on the adventure ahead before heading out to explore this surprising city. First up Asakusa is one of the city’s oldest geisha districts and home to the 7th century Sensoji Temple. The streets around the temple are full of traditional shops selling Japanese crafts and souvenirs and are a delight to explore. Private sushi making and lunch. This afternoon’s touring includes Meiji Jingu, Tokyo’s most famous shrine, dedicated to the spirit of the late Emperor Meiji. The shrine is a popular site for Japanese Weddings; if we are lucky we may see a bride and groom dressed in traditional Shinto wedding attire.

From old to new, we wander from Meiji Jingu shrine down Omotesando, commonly referred to as Tokyo’s Champs-Elysées. This broad, tree lined avenue in Harajuku features a multitude of fashion flagship stores designed by internationally renowned architects, upmarket shopping complexes, elegant restaurants and fashionable coffee shops.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 
Accommodation: Conrad Tokyo (City View Room)

Day 3

Tokyo

Start the day with a stroll through the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. Carved out of the original castle compound, these lovely gardens allow close-up views of the massive stones used to build the castle walls. The Ninomaru Grove is a woodland area and one of the prettiest parts of the garden, with a pond and elegant teahouse. Today, increase your understanding of Japan’s past and present, starting at the Samurai Museum, where you learn about the customs of this elite-warrior class and get an up-close look at an authentic collection of their exotic armour and weaponry. After lunch a kabuki performance in the Ginza district rounds out our day of discovery. Kabuki is a form of traditional Japanese drama with highly stylised song, mime and dance.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Conrad Tokyo (City View Room)

Day 4

Tokyo – Kanazawa

Travel by high-speed train north to Kanazawa where we tour the 21st century Museum of Contemporary Art, designed by Pritzker Architecture Prize laureates, Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa. The museum is known for its modern architecture and progressive exhibits, including Leandro Erlich’s “Swimming Pool,” which gives an illusion of being under or above the pool’s water. We’ll have lunch at the museum restaurant before we continue our focus on the Japanese arts when we visit the studio of a local pottery master who practices the ancient art of Kutani-yaki. Learn about Kutani ware from a master.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel (Superior Twin Room)

Day 5

Kanazawa

Start today with a visit to the Seisonkaku Villa, one of the most elegant 19th century samurai villas still remaining. Afterwards take in the stunning Kenroku-en gardens, ranked in the top three in Japan. Breathtaking in any season, wander past stone lanterns, ponds, lakes and over traditional wooden bridges admiring the seasonal floral attractions. This afternoon visit the former samurai house in Nagamachi, now an interesting museum, and stroll around the old district of Higashi-Chayamachi, known for its tea houses and geisha culture.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel (Superior Twin Room)

Day 6

Kanazawa – Shirakawago – Kanazawa

Today we head into the mountains to Shirakawago, a UNESCO World Heritage Listed collection of traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some of which are more than 250 years old. Gassho-zukkuri translates as ‘Praying Hands’, as the farmhouses’ steep thatched roofs resemble the hands of Buddhist monks pressed together in prayer, and are designed to withstand the heavy snows which fall in the region. You will visit Minkaen which comprises nine of these houses.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel (Superior Twin Room)

Day 7

Kanazawa – Kyoto

Travel by high-speed bullet train to Kyoto where our next three nights are spent at the lavish and superbly located Four Seasons Kyoto in Higashiyama. Time to relax before an early evening to the picture perfect Kodaiji Temple and its extraordinary garden which combines 20th century design with traditional Japanese elements. Tonight, we will be immersed in Kyoto tradition at a special performance by beautiful and elegant maiko (apprentice geisha) dining in true Kyoto culinary style with kaiseki ryori, a meticulously prepared, multi-course meal.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Four Seasons Kyoto (Premier Room)

Day 8

Kyoto

One of the most photogenic sites in Japan, Fushimi Inari, is our first stop this morning. This 8th century shrine complex has dazzling arcades of red torii gates which spread across thickly wooded slopes. The walk uphill through a series of atmospheric smaller shrines is highly recommended. Afterwards we visit the Gekkeikan Okura sake museum and brewery, where we’ll have a chance to try the local drop. After lunch tour the Ginkakuji, a Zen temple in Kyoto’s eastern mountains. The complex comprises the Silver Pavilion, half a dozen other temple buildings, a beautiful moss garden and a unique dry sand garden. We will walk the circular route around its grounds, from which the gardens and buildings can be viewed, and along the two-kilometre Philosopher’s Path, which ends in the neighbourhood of Nanzenji. Conclude the sightseeing with a Japanese tea ceremony at a temple that is called chanoyu or sado in Japanese and the bitter tea served is called matcha. It is basically a choreographic ritual of preparing and serving tea together with some sweets. Each movement is predefined. The whole process is not about drinking tea, it is about aesthetics.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Four Seasons Kyoto (Premier Room)

Day 9

Kyoto

We’ll explore another of Kyoto’s most famous landmarks this morning – the Golden Pavilion. Built as a retirement villa for the shogun, it became a Buddhist temple after his death and is today one of the city’s most famous temples. Next we are transported by rickshaw to Nonomiya Shrine in Arashiyama district with time to wander through the bamboo forest to the 14th century World Heritage listed Tenryuji Temple. This sprawling Zen temple boasts one of the finest gardens in Kyoto with wonderful mountain views. After lunch at the temple, a stirring taiko (traditional Japanese drum) performance is scheduled before returning to the hotel.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Four Seasons Kyoto (Premier Room)

Day 10

Kyoto – Tokyo

Return to Tokyo today by bullet train and to your hotel with time to get ready for tonight’s farewell dinner at the hotel.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Conrad Tokyo (City View Room)

Day 11

Depart Tokyo

Today you are transferred to the airport for your departure flight.
Meals Included: Breakfast.

Journey Details