Escorted Essence of Japan (Japan in 10 Days • 8 Nights in Destination

Prepare for an unforgettable journey across Japan, exploring its natural wonders and ancient traditions! Arrive at your departure airport, ready for a flight* to Tokyo. Night on board.

* If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

Arrive in Tokyo, the dazzling capital city of Japan, rich in history, tradition and culture. You will be met at the airport by our representative who will talk you through your itinerary, provide helpful information and recommendations for your free time and assist you with your self-transfer or upgrade to private transfers to the hotel*. Once settled at the hotel, the rest of the day is at your leisure for you to start discovering the beauty of this metropolis and all it has to offer. We recommend heading to one of the many food markets where you can sample an array of different dishes at bargain prices! Overnight stay in Tokyo.

**Private transfer upgrade: You will be able to add a private transfer upgrade in the next step of the booking process. For connections in Tokyo you will have to choose between Narita or Haneda airport transfers. Please check first your flight details before choosing.

Breakfast at the hotel. Unearth Tokyo by embarking on a full day guided city tour by public transportation allowing you to acquaint yourself with the most emblematic sites of the city. Famous locations you will get to see include the historic Meiji Shrine, located in the heart of one of Tokyo’s biggest green areas and the fashion-forward and glitzy Harajuku district. You can also expect to visit the Imperial Palace Outer Gardens before discovering the charming Asakusa area where you will marvel at the Sensoji temple and stroll around the Kaminarimon Gate and the Nakamise Shopping Avenue. Overnight stay in Tokyo.

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day for you to spend as you see fit. Why not take this time to escape the city for some fresh air to the quiet seaside town of Kamakura or perhaps even take part in our optional day trip to Mt Fuji & Hakone*? Overnight stay in Tokyo.

*Optional day trip to Mt. Fuji & Hakone: Famous for its stunning lakeside views of Mt. Fuji, you will begin your excursion via private car by visiting Oishi Park and walk around its lush gardens as you gaze at Japan’s tallest peak. From here, you will drive off to Lake Ashi where you will embark on the Pirate Boat Cruise for a brief boat trip around the scenic lake. The last stop in this excursion is to climb the Hakone Ropeway to visit Owakudani Valley, home of active volcanic activity, thermal springs and sulfurous fumes.

**Warning: Due to unpredictable weather, clear visibility of Mt. Fuji cannot be guaranteed. For this reason, activity day or schedule will not be rearranged to accommodate weather conditions

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy another day at your leisure; spend the day exploring Tokyo’s stunning city-scape. Why not visit Odaiba Island’s high-tech entertainment hub or stroll around Shibuya and Shinjuku districts, soaking up the culture and sampling the cuisine. Alternatively, you can try your hand at the fascinating art of sushi-making by participating in a unique sushi master class* where you will learn the history and techniques behind the Japanese dish. Another option would be to take part in a tour of Ginza and the Tsukiji Outer Market to truly get a taste of succulent Japanese cuisine. Overnight stay in Tokyo.

*Optional Sushi-Making Master Class: Enjoy this one-of-a-kind master class where you will learn about the history and etiquette behind the famed Japanese dish before preparing your own sushi meal and enjoying it with a soft drink included.

**Optional tour of Ginza and the Tsukiji Outer Market: The Tsukiji Outer Market guided tour is your chance to fully immerse yourself in Japanese cuisine. Visit the impressive amount of street food stalls where you’ll get to wonder at the array of exotic delicacies and fresh fish delivered from Toyosu market, known as the world’s biggest fish market.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Tokyo station accompanied by your guide using public transport. You will ride the Nozomi bullet train to your next destination: Kyoto, Japan’s cultural center. Meet and greet with your guide who will accompany you during your time in Kyoto. From here, take part in a half day guided excursion to the city of Nara which you will get to by train. Nara is known for its magnificent temples and artwork that date back to the 8th century which you will get to see by visiting Todaiji temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site containing a colossal statue of a sitting Buddha inside, and Kasuga Shrine, famous for its many lanterns gifted by worshippers, before strolling through Nara Park where you'll be able to interact with wild deer close enough to take pictures with them. Return back to Kyoto and check-in to your hotel. Overnight stay in Kyoto.

Breakfast at the hotel. Set about a full day guided city tour of Kyoto via public transport where you’ll get to marvel at the city’s top sites. You can expect to visit Kiyomizu temple most known for its tall wooden balcony that offers an immaculate view over the city and park below which boasts colorful cherry blossoms in the spring and red maples trees in late fall. You’ll stop by Gion, the neighborhood where the Kiyomizu temple, Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka streets are located. Take this opportunity to check out the many souvenir shops to get your hands on Japanese made products. Finally, you will make your way to Sanjusangendo temple, famous for its 1001 statues of Kannon, revered in Buddhism for its association with mercy and compassion. Overnight stay in Kyoto.

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy this day at your leisure. We recommend visiting the Arashiyama neighborhood where the Arashiyama bamboo forest is located, a truly atmospheric site by the river that is not to be missed. Alternatively, why not take part in an authentic Tea Ceremony & Kimono Wearing experience for you to truly inhabit Japanese culture*? Overnight stay in Kyoto.

*Optional Tea Ceremony and Kimono Wearing Experience: Appreciate Japanese culture and heritage in this unique experience where you will not only learn the traditional way of making tea but the etiquette surrounding it as well. Do so all the while indulging in Japanese sweets and wearing a Kimono which you can keep on for the rest of the day, returning it in the evening.

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy your last full day in Japan at your own leisure. Take this time to stop by the gold leaf covered Kinkakuji temple, which reflects into the kyoko-chi, or Mirror pond—a true feast for the eyes! Alternatively, why not visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings? Overnight stay in Kyoto.

Sadly it's time to say goodbye to the Land of the Rising Sun. At the indicated time, self-transfer or upgrade to private transfer to Osaka airport for a flight* back to the US. Night on board.

* If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

**Private transfer upgrade: You will be able to add a private transfer upgrade in the next step of the booking process. For connections in Tokyo you will have to choose between Narita or Haneda airport transfers. Please check first your flight details before choosing.