Tailor Made Japan: Shrines & Skyscrapers – 8 Days

Tailor Made Japan: Shrines & Skyscrapers

8 days from $11,995 per person

Special Offer: Private Tour, You can pick the date freely and we will arrange for you based on it.

Travel with your private party on this Luxury Tailor Made Journey, departing when you choose and with expert local guides leading the way; you can even customize the itinerary to your interests.

Experience the best of Japan, exploring vibrant Tokyo from its glittering skyscrapers to its fascinating temples, and tradition-steeped Hakone, where you stay at an exclusive ryokan (traditional inn); and then, travel by bullet train to discover the delicate beauty of timeless Kyoto.

Advantages

  • Private Tour, You can pick the date freely and we will arrange for you based on it.
  • PRIVATE TOUR
  • Explore the many sides of Japan, from Tokyo’s soaring high-rises to Kyoto’s traditional temples
  • Enjoy a night in one of the country’s most exclusive ryokans in Hakone
  • Cruise on Lake Ashi, taking in spectacular views of Mount Fuji
  • Travel like a local between Hakone and Kyoto on one of Japan’s famed bullet trains
  • Wander through two of Tokyo’s famed, vibrant districts, Harajuku and Omotesando
  • Marvel at Kyoto’s Kinkaku-ji Temple, the Golden Pavilion, completely covered in gold leaf

Itinerary

Day 1: ARRIVE TOKYO, JAPAN

Arrive in Tokyo, Japan’s exciting capital. Transfer to your hotel, and enjoy the expansive views over the city.

The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo or similar.

Day 2: TOKYO | Imperial History

Begin your day with a photo stop at the Imperial Palace Plaza. Continue to the Tokyo National Museum, the oldest national museum in Japan and home to a vast collection of Japanese art and antiques. Visit Asakusa Kannon Temple, pausing in the tiny shops of Nakamise-dori. The colorful pagoda-style temple was completed in 645 and is dedicated to Kannon, the goddess of mercy in several East Asian spiritual traditions.

The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo or similar.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 3: TOKYO | Vibrant Neighborhoods

This morning, see the Meiji Shrine, which is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken. After passing under its large cypress torii gates, enjoy the peaceful, park-like atmosphere of its expansive 175-acre grounds. Continue Tokyo’s vibrant Harajuku district, where the city’s youth gather to see and be seen sporting colorful, eclectic fashions. Next, stroll Omotesando Street, another fashion hub of the local youth culture. Return to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure.

The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo or similar.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 4: HAKONE | STAY AT A TRADITIONAL RYOKAN

Travel to Hakone, among Japan’s most popular hot-spring resorts, and view the forested slopes of Hakone National Park, an area encompassing coastlines, mountains, lakes and more than 1,000 volcanic islands. Embark on a scenic cruise of Lake Ashi, gliding past the wooded mountain slopes that enclose it. Next, board an aerial tram for stunning views of Mount Fuji. Stroll the grassy hillsides of Hakone’s Open Air Museum, taking in sculptures and artwork from the likes of Picasso and Henry Moore. Tonight, enjoy unparalleled service and traditional Japanese cuisine at Gôra Kadan, a top-rated ryokan.

Gôra Kadan or similar.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5: KYOTO | BULLET TRAIN RIDE & Tea Ceremony

This morning after breakfast, ride like a local by bullet train to Kyoto, moving at speeds approaching 175 miles per hour. Upon arrival in Kyoto, proceed to a local temple, where you experience the art of the tea ceremony, noting its refined sense of hospitality and etiquette, which date to the time of the samurai. Then, wander through centuries-old Nishiki Market, strolling its five-block-long stretch of shops and restaurants frequented by locals and visitors alike.

The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto or similar.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 6: NARA | JAPAN’S SPIRITUAL HERITAGE

Begin your day with a visit to Nara, where Japan’s first permanent capital was established in 710. Tour Todaiji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most historically significant Buddhist temples in Japan. Enter its spacious main hall to behold the Daibutsu — the largest bronze Buddha statue in the world. Stroll the grounds of Nara Park, which surround the temple, watching for the deer that roam free there. Next, visit Kasuga Shrine, a renowned Shinto shrine noted for its architecture and the distinctive style of its hanging lamps. Tour a sake brewery and sample the elixir brewed using the clean, soft water drawn up from underground springs.

The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto or similar.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 7: KYOTO | THE GOLDEN PAVILION & BAMBOO GROVE

Today, discover the glittering Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), covered with gold leaf, surrounded by finely manicured green gardens, and set on a lovely, tranquil pond. Later, explore the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, a lush oasis home to monkeys and towering stalks of bamboo. Bask in the magical atmosphere here, peacefully walking a winding path, as sunlight filters down through bamboo gently swaying in the breeze. Later, visit Togetsu Bridge, a picturesque span in keeping with the Japanese aesthetic.

The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto or similar.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 8: DEPART OSAKA

After breakfast, transfer to Kansai International Airport or Itami Airport, both located just outside of Osaka, for your flight home.

Meals: Breakfast

Included with Every Luxury Tailor Made Journey
  • One-of-a-Kind Itinerary Designed for You
  • Hand-Selected Luxury Accommodations
  • Exclusive Insider-Access Opportunities and Inspiring Sightseeing
  • English-Speaking Local Guides
  • Airport Meet and Greet with Private Transfers
  • Full Breakfast Daily
  • Entrance Fees and Taxes
  • 24/7 On-Call Support

Accommodation Plan:

  • The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo
  • Gôra Kadan
  • The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto
price per person in DBL or TRPL room11995$