The Golden Route

Tokyo is a city of contrasts. This front-line capital famous for its pioneering modernity, iconic landscapes of neon and soaring skyscrapers is dotted with peaceful parklands, shrines, temples and adored gardens. Despite its mania for anime pop culture, fashion, digital trends and discernable consumption, the city embraces an ancient heritage evident in the temples and shrines scattered amongst the vast skyrises. The Imperial Palace provides a palpable link to the city’s incredible heritage even with the explosion of commercial emporia. Free from the shopping and entertainment districts, historic wooden house, private bonsai gardens and the calming Zen atmosphere of the Hamarikyu Gardens thrive to allow visitors an escape from the hyperactivity of the lively streets. Even with the city’s costly reputation visitors can take advantage of the inexpensive izakaya bars and neighbourhood cafes serving delectable noodle and rice dishes. In fact, many of Tokyo’s charms can be enjoyed free of charge; stroll through Asakusa and the Buddhist temple Sensoji, the fashion Mecca of Harajuku, the world’s largest fish market at Tsukiji, or the neon-imbued atmosphere of Shinjuku and be enveloped by Japan’s largest city.

On your arrival at Narita Airport, you will be met by an assistant at the arrival lobby for your shared transfer for your hotel in Tokyo. The rest of the day is at your leisure after check-in.

*Optional upgrade to a private airport transfer is available at a supplement

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Take a day tour of this fascinating city with a local guide. First up is Asakusa, Tokyo’s old town where you can soak in the atmosphere of the Tokyo of old. Visit Sensoji, Tokyo’s oldest temple and wander down Nakamise, a shopping street that has been providing temple visitors with a variety of traditional, local snacks and tourist souvenirs for centuries. Next, travel down the Sumidagawa River on Tokyo's Water Bus, a unique means of transportation. You will arrive directly at Hamarikyu garden, an Edo Period Japanese garden surrounded by the Shiodome district’s futuristic skyscrapers, a great example of how Japan is the land of contrasts, where you will stop for a cup of steaming matcha and Japanese sweets in a tea house on a small island in the park’s lake.

After lunch, enjoy a visit to Meiji Shrine, a shrine dedicated to the deified spirit of Emperor Meiji and a popular place for traditional Japanese weddings. Finally, as the sunlight dims, take a walk down the sparkly Omotesando shopping street, a broad tree lined avenue home to the flagship stores of the world’s top fashion brands and some fantastic modern architecture.

*Optional tour upgrade for tour by private caris available at a supplement

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Today, you will enjoy a fantastic private cooking lesson. Make your own way to the meeting point, which is the iconic Tsukiji Honganji Temple.

The world’s largest fish market, Tsukiji Market, handled about 2,888 tons of marine products a day worth about 2.8 billion yen (US$20million) before half of it moved to its new location in Toyosu. Some 450 kinds of fish were received – from penny-per-piece sardines to golden brown dried sea slug caviar, a bargain at US$473 a pound. Some of the giant tuna sold for well over 1,000,000JPY each (US$8000). While the inner market has moved to its new location, the outer market remains standing and you can take time to wander through, exploring both the vegetable and fruit areas plus the impressive seafood section. You will stroll around the market with a guide and will be able to try some tasty samples as you explore.

You will then hop on a local bus to visit a nearby Japanese chef. He will answer all your questions about sushi and Japanese food culture and will help you to make a selection of delicious fresh sushi. You will then get to enjoy your home-made sushi for lunch.

Please note that this tour focuses on the outer market open to the public at Tsukiji and not the new inner market located at Toyosu.

Note: Due to closures at the market, this tour is not available on Sunday's or Wednesday's. An alternative cooking class or tour can be suggested on these dates.

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Hakone is a natural nature wonderland and is famous for its hot springs, outdoor pursuits and the view of the nearby Mount Fuji. It is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and is less than 100-km from Tokyo, thereby providing a popular weekend destination for city residents keen to escape the frenzy of the capital. Beautiful Hakone has about everything a vacationer could wish for. Besides the towering mountains, lakes and views of Mount Fuji, it is also blessed with interesting historical sites. You can tour Hakone as a day trip if you leave early enough in the morning and limit your sightseeing to a few key attractions, but adding an overnight stay, including a soak in a hot-spring tub, is definitely recommended.

Take Japan’s world-famous Shinkansen bullet train to Hakone (2hr) using your JR Pass. Armed with your Hakone Free Pass, take advantage of the extensive local transport network to explore this stunning region (unguided). From switchback trains to cable cars, ropeways to buses and even a pirate ship that will sweep you across the volcanic Lake Ashi with views of Mt Fuji.

Tonight, you will stay in a Japanese traditional ryokan, sleeping on futons laid out on tatami mats with delicious included meals and piping hot onsen (hot spring) baths.

*Optional station transfer upgrade available at a supplement (especially for those with heavy luggage)

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Today, make your own way back to Odawara Station using the Hakone Free Pass and use the Japan Rail Pass to board the bullet train to Kyoto. The journey time is just over 2 hours.

This is a must-see destination in Japan. Kyoto is the nation’s former capital and was the residence of the emperor from 794 until 1868. It is Japan’s seventh largest metropolis with a population of around 1.4 million and a city of culture that offers a plethora of temples, shrines and other historically priceless structures that still survive today. With 2,000 religious buildings, including 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines, as well as palaces, gardens and associated architecture, it is one of the best-preserved cities in Japan and has 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Kyoto represents the “Japan of old” and beyond the high-rise skyscrapers built as a monument to progress, the real monument to Japan’s historical and cultural past can be found in the city’s narrow alleyways where tea houses abound and kimono-clad geisha hurry from elegant function to function. This is a place to go back in time to Japan’s mysterious past where echoes of the court nobility resonate at the Imperial Palace and the search for contemplation can be found in Ryoanji’s Zen rock gardens.

In the afternoon, you will visit the home of an instructor of one of Japan’s traditional arts. One of our assistants will meet you at your hotel and escort you to the instructor’s house. You may choose from Tea Ceremony, Flower Arrangement, Calligraphy or Origami. Enjoy learning these hands-on traditional arts with the support/advice from the professional instructor and interpretation from our assistant. Please note the entire group must choose the same activity.

*Optional station transfer availabile at a supplement

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Today you explore the former imperial capital with a knowledgeable local guide, utilizing Kyoto’s comprehensive bus system to visit some of Kyoto’s World Heritage Sites. You will start your day with a visit to Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion), which was originally built as a retirement villa for the Shogun. After his death, it became a Buddhist Temple at his request, and is now one of Kyoto’s most famous temples. Nijo Castle is an ornamental castle built by the founder of the Edo Shogunate as his Kyoto residence and is surrounded by stunning surrounding gardens. The main building was completed in 1603, and is famous for its architecture, decorated sliding doors and ‘chirping’ nightingale floors.

Take a walk down Nishiki Market, a narrow, five block long shopping street lined by more than one hundred shops and restaurants. Known as "Kyoto's Kitchen", this lively retail market specializes in all things food related, like fresh seafood, produce, knives and cookware, and is a great place to find seasonal foods and Kyoto specialties, such as Japanese sweets, pickles, dried seafood and sushi.

To end the day, you can decide what to visit. You may want to go to Kiyomizu (Pure Water) Temple. From the 13m high veranda jutting out from the Main Hall you can enjoy amazing views of the whole of Kyoto, whilst pondering the fact that both the Main Hall and Veranda were built without the use of nails or any kind of joiners; however, it is a steep walk uphill, and the temple is now under repair work, although it is still enjoyable and a Kyoto landmark.

You may decide, instead, to visit Sanjusangendo, a temple which is Japan's longest wooden structure (120m). It is famous for its 1001 statues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. In the center of the main hall sits a large, wooden statue of a 1000-armed Kannon that is flanked on each side by 500 statues of human sized 1000-armed Kannon standing in ten rows. Together they make for an awesome sight.

*Optional tour upgrade for tour by private car is available at a supplement

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Take a full day tour to Nara today, a city with a history predating that of Kyoto.

For 74 years during the 8th century, Nara was Japan's capital and many important religious and traditional sites still remain. First, you will visit the beautiful Isuien Garden, divided into two distinct parts that were built two centuries apart. The garden is a striking example of Japanese horticulture, borrowing the water from Yoshikigawa River and the mountain backdrop of Mt. Wakakusayama to create its striking look. (Note that the garden is closed on Tuesdays, in which case you will visit Yoshikien Garden instead)

Next, take a wander through Nara Park, called Deer park by locals due to the large population of more then 1000 tame deer living there. Within Nara Park is Todaiji temple, the world's largest wooden building and home to Japan's largest Buddha.

Next stop is Nara's most celebrated shrine, Kasuga Taisha, established in 768 AD and famous for its hundreds of bronze and stone lanterns which have been donated by worshippers.

To contrast the many temples and shrines you have enjoyed today, you will end the day with a stroll around Naramachi, a charming historic merchant district showcasing some exceptionally well-preserved "machiya" Japanese town houses. If you have some time to spare, a few of these beautiful houses offer free entry to give you a chance to peek inside and get a feel for traditional Japanese home architecture.

Your guide will take you back to your hotel at the end of the day.

Please note: Due to congestion on buses in Nara during the peak season, for high season dates, you will use taxis to make hops between attractions in town.

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Today, you will make the return trip to Tokyo (2.5 hours) from Kyoto by shinkansen bullet train. Once you arrive in Tokyo, you will have the rest of the day to spend at your leisure.

*Optional station private car transfer upgrades are available at a supplement

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Your day is free until your shared transfer to Narita Airport in time for your departure flight home.

*Optional upgrade to private airport transfers are available at a supplement

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