A first, unhurried encounter with Japan: the markets and skyline of Tokyo, the hot springs of Hakone, and the temples, gardens and table of Kyoto.
Day by day
Arrival in Tokyo Tokyo Private Arrival Transfer, Narita to Tokyo Meet and greet at Narita and private car transfer to the hotel. Stay Park Hyatt Tokyo Iconic Shinjuku hotel occupying the top floors of the Shinjuku Park Tower, with skyline views toward Mt Fuji. Click for more information
Arrive at Narita, meet your driver and settle into Shinjuku as the city lights come on.
Toyosu Market & Old Tokyo Tokyo 06:30 Toyosu Market Tour & Sushi Breakfast Guided visit to the Toyosu wholesale market followed by a sushi breakfast at a counter nearby. 09:00 Private Guide, Tokyo Licensed English-speaking private guide for a full day in Tokyo. Stay Park Hyatt Tokyo Iconic Shinjuku hotel occupying the top floors of the Shinjuku Park Tower, with skyline views toward Mt Fuji. Meals B Click for more information
An early start at the wholesale market, sushi at the counter for breakfast, then the temples and lanes of Asakusa with your guide.
Tokyo, Your Way Tokyo 09:30 Private Guide, Tokyo Licensed English-speaking private guide for a full day in Tokyo. Stay Park Hyatt Tokyo Iconic Shinjuku hotel occupying the top floors of the Shinjuku Park Tower, with skyline views toward Mt Fuji. Meals B Click for more information
A guided day shaped around your interests - art in Roppongi, craft shops in Ginza or the gardens of the Imperial Palace.
To the Hakone Hills Hakone 09:00 Mt Fuji & Hakone Private Day Tour Private tour around Lake Ashi and the Hakone highlands with views of Mt Fuji, weather permitting. Stay Gora Kadan, Hakone Celebrated onsen ryokan on the former summer estate of an imperial family villa in Hakone. Meals B · D Click for more information
Leave the city for Lake Ashi and the highlands, with Mt Fuji on the horizon on a clear day, and your first onsen evening.
Onsen Morning Hakone Stay Gora Kadan, Hakone Celebrated onsen ryokan on the former summer estate of an imperial family villa in Hakone. Meals B · D Click for more information
A slow morning of baths and gardens at the ryokan before an afternoon among the open-air sculpture of the Hakone hills.
Bullet Train to Kyoto Kyoto 10:00 Shinkansen Green Car, Tokyo to Kyoto Reserved Green Car seats on the Tokaido Shinkansen with luggage forwarded separately. 18:00 Gion Evening Walk with Geiko Performance Evening walk through the historic lanes of Gion followed by a private performance and conversation with a geiko. Stay Hoshinoya Kyoto Riverside ryokan in Arashiyama reached by private boat, blending Meiji-era architecture with contemporary comfort. Meals B Click for more information
The Shinkansen west to Kyoto, arrival by river boat at your ryokan, and an evening walk through Gion with a geiko performance.
Shrines at First Light Kyoto 05:30 Fushimi Inari Sunrise Walk Early-morning walk through the vermilion torii tunnels of Fushimi Inari before the crowds arrive. 15:00 Private Tea Ceremony in Kyoto A seated tea ceremony hosted by a tea master in a private machiya, with an introduction to the way of tea. 05:30 Private Guide, Kyoto Licensed English-speaking private guide for a full day in Kyoto. Stay Hoshinoya Kyoto Riverside ryokan in Arashiyama reached by private boat, blending Meiji-era architecture with contemporary comfort. Meals B Click for more information
Sunrise beneath the torii tunnels of Fushimi Inari, then an afternoon tea ceremony in a private machiya.
Arashiyama Kyoto 08:30 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Tenryu-ji Morning in the bamboo grove and the UNESCO-listed Zen garden of Tenryu-ji temple. Stay Hoshinoya Kyoto Riverside ryokan in Arashiyama reached by private boat, blending Meiji-era architecture with contemporary comfort. Meals B Click for more information
The bamboo grove and the Zen garden of Tenryu-ji, a step from your ryokan on the Hozu river.
Nara Day Trip Nara 09:00 Nara & Todai-ji Day Trip Day trip to Nara: the Great Buddha of Todai-ji, Kasuga Taisha lanterns and the deer park. Stay Hoshinoya Kyoto Riverside ryokan in Arashiyama reached by private boat, blending Meiji-era architecture with contemporary comfort. Meals B Click for more information
A day among the great temples of Japan's first capital: the Buddha of Todai-ji and the lantern paths of Kasuga Taisha.
Kyoto at Leisure Kyoto Stay Hoshinoya Kyoto Riverside ryokan in Arashiyama reached by private boat, blending Meiji-era architecture with contemporary comfort. Meals B Click for more information
A free day: the Philosopher's Path, the Nishiki market or nothing at all.
A Farewell Table Kyoto 09:30 Private Guide, Kyoto Licensed English-speaking private guide for a full day in Kyoto. 19:00 Kaiseki Dinner at Kikunoi Multi-course kaiseki dinner at Kikunoi, one of the great houses of Kyoto haute cuisine. Stay Hoshinoya Kyoto Riverside ryokan in Arashiyama reached by private boat, blending Meiji-era architecture with contemporary comfort. Meals B · D Click for more information
A final guided morning among the craft workshops of Kyoto, and in the evening the kaiseki table of Kikunoi.
Departure Osaka Meals B Click for more information
Private transfer to Kansai International for your flight home.
The route
Included
- Eleven nights in the listed hotels and ryokan
- Private guiding in Tokyo and Kyoto
- All transfers and Green Car rail between cities
- Experiences and meals named in the itinerary
Not included
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Meals not named in the itinerary
Make this journey your own
Every departure is private and built around you — dates, pace and every detail can change.