Welcome to Japan! Upon landing in Tokyo, you will be greeted by an English-speaking assistant at the airport. Look for a sign with your name on it, as this representative will guide you to your private vehicle for a pleasant transfer to your hotel.

Today's itinerary includes exploring some of Tokyo's traditional areas. We will start at the Meiji Shrine, which is famous in Tokyo. This shrine is dedicated to the late Emperor Meiji and surrounded by a park with 120,000 trees of 365 different species. It is a popular location for Japanese weddings, so we might see a bride and groom in traditional Shinto wedding attire.

Next, we will head to the Imperial Palace. It is located on the former site of Edo Castle and is surrounded by moats and massive stone walls. The Imperial Palace is the residence of Japan's Imperial Family, but unfortunately, it is not open to the public. However, from Kokyo Gaien, the large plaza in front of the palace, we can see the Nijubashi, which are two bridges forming an entrance to the inner palace grounds.

In the afternoon, we will have the opportunity to participate in an authentic tea ceremony. There is a Japanese-style tearoom nearby where we can sample freshly made green tea. The tea masters there are always happy to teach newcomers about the finer points of enjoying tea.

Later on, we will explore Tokyo's downtown area, known as shitamachi. Our visit will include Yanaka, which miraculously escaped the damage caused by Allied bombing in World War II. As a result, Yanaka still has buildings that preserve the nostalgic atmosphere of old Tokyo. We will also visit a small museum dedicated to the area, housed in a traditional Japanese building. Additionally, we will have the chance to see old temples, shrines, and one of Tokyo's oldest Buddhist cemeteries. Traditional shops selling Japanese paper and sweets will complete the experience, giving us a glimpse into the pre-war Tokyo atmosphere.

In a private vehicle, with your guide, head to Omiya in Saitama prefecture to visit the Bonsai Museum, the world's first museum for this art. The museum features a large collection of bonsai trees, along with a garden showcasing selected specimens in harmony with the surroundings. You will learn about the meticulous care bonsai masters give to their living artworks. After lunch, you will walk to Seikoen Bonsai School for a 60- to 90-minute bonsai lesson. Due to quarantine rules, you cannot take your creation home, but you will receive a pot and tools to start your own bonsai at home. Finally, your guide will drive you back to your hotel in Tokyo.

Your private vehicle will be waiting to take you to the train station for a transfer.

Catch a direct train from Tokyo to Kanazawa, which takes about 3 hours.

Your hotel is conveniently located near the JR Kanazawa Station. It's a short and easy walk from the train to your hotel. An assistant will meet you at the station and guide you to the hotel entrance for your convenience.

Kanazawa is a charming city known for its beautiful art, architecture, and exquisite cuisine. It is also famous for its traditional crafts, considered some of the finest in Japan. Today, you will have the opportunity to try two of these crafts. First, you can decorate a small lacquer plate or a pair of chopsticks with gold leaf, which is synonymous with Kanazawa. Then, you will experience the art of "Kagayuzen," a special form of kimono cloth dyeing. You will decorate a handkerchief using this traditional technique. You can keep your creations as souvenirs of this memorable day. The tour will end in central Kanazawa.

Please note that this tour includes a private guide, but instead of using a private vehicle, you will be using Kanazawa's efficient local transit system.

During the Edo Period, Kanazawa was the seat of the Maeda Clan, the second most powerful feudal clan. It grew to become a town with great cultural achievements, rivaling Kyoto and Edo. Despite being Japan's second largest city to escape destruction by air raids during World War Two, parts of the old castle town, such as the Nagamachi samurai district and chaya entertainment districts, have survived. Today, Kanazawa boasts many historical attractions, including restored residences and districts, as well as modern museums. You will have a full day to explore Kanazawa with a local guide. The highlight of your visit will be the Kenroku-en garden, ranked one of the top three in Japan for its breathtaking beauty in any season. You will also visit the imposing Kanazawa castle, located next to the garden. Nearby, at Kagayuzen Kaikan, you can witness demonstrations of the centuries-old Yuzen silk painting technique. Next, head to the Nagamachi Samurai district, where you can enter the Nomura Samurai House, a traditional Japanese home with a tea-ceremony room, an interior courtyard garden, and artifacts from the Edo period. The Higashi Chaya District is the largest and most interesting of Kanazawa's Geisha Districts. Many of the buildings along the central street now house cafes and shops. One of the shops, Hakuza, specializes in gold leaf products, which are a specialty of Kanazawa. They also have a kura warehouse-style room completely covered in gold leaf. You will have the opportunity to visit the Shima teahouse, which is still an operating tea house that opens its doors to the public. You can enjoy a cup of green tea here to finish the day. At the end of the tour, you will be transferred back to the hotel.

Conveniently located near JR Kanazawa Station, your hotel provides easy access to train departures. In the hotel lobby, an assistant will meet you and guide you to the appropriate platform.

Take a direct train from Kanazawa to Kyoto, with a journey time of around 2 hours.

For your train station transfer, a private vehicle will be waiting to transport you.

Today's half-day tour will take you to Arashiyama, a picturesque area on the western outskirts of Kyoto famous for the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and the Nonomiya Shrine. Accompanied by a private guide, you will travel to and from the sites by taxi. Experience the peaceful and enchanting atmosphere of the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, a forest that feels like a different world. Afterward, visit the Nonomiya Shrine, where imperial princesses once stayed to purify themselves before assuming royal duties. Next, explore Tenryuji Temple, one of Kyoto's five great Zen temples and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admire the temple buildings, gardens, and walking paths. Enjoy a vegetarian "shojin-ryori" lunch, featuring yuba, tofu, and seasonal vegetables, while overlooking the beautifully landscaped gardens. At the end of the tour, you will be driven back to your hotel.

Experience the beauty of Kyoto's top gardens with a private guide. Ryoanji, a renowned rock zen garden, was constructed during the Heian period on the Fujiwara clan's villa grounds. Kinkaku-ji, also known as Rokuon-ji, is a must-visit temple in Japan with a stunning Japanese strolling garden from the Muromachi period. The Ninomaru gardens at Nijo Castle were designed by Kobori Enshu, featuring cherry and plum trees that bloom in March and April. This garden showcases a significant pond with three islands symbolizing Horai-San and the crane and Turtle Mountains of Taoist mythology. Lastly, explore the Outside Imperial Palace Gardens, styled after Heian shinden-zukuri, showcasing expansive gravel courtyards and a small pond garden (please note that entry into the Imperial Palace itself is not included).

Experience the famous crafts of Kyoto on a one day tour by private transportation. Start by visiting a pottery district in the eastern part of Kyoto, where you can make your own pot. The pottery laboratory will then bake it and send it to your home. Next, try your hand at Yuzen dying at a Yuzen Gallery and keep your work as a souvenir. Enjoy a traditional “bento box” lunch before visiting Nijo Castle, a 17th century ornamental castle and UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore the Nishiki Food Market, filled with stands of traditional Japanese food ingredients. End the day in Gion, the geisha district, where you may see geisha hurrying to their appointments. The tour concludes with a drop off at your hotel.

In the morning, take a 150 minute train journey with your guide to Okayama. Upon arrival, a car will be waiting to take you to Uno port. From there, you will board a ferry to Naoshima.

Spend the day exploring the island. Honmura, a small port town on Naoshima's eastern coast, is home to the Art House Project. This project involves the conversion of abandoned houses, workshops, a temple, and a shrine into art installations and venues for contemporary art. Artists and architects from Japan and abroad have contributed to this project, creating a unique blend of traditional and modern art. The art houses are scattered throughout Honmura, seamlessly blending into the surrounding Japanese neighborhood. Each house's interior has been transformed by artists to reflect their artistic vision.

One of the highlights on Naoshima is the Chichu Art Museum. This modern art museum is built into a hillside overlooking the southern coast of the island. Designed by Ando Tadao, the museum itself is a work of art. It is mostly located underground and uses natural light to illuminate the artwork, creating a unique viewing experience influenced by the surrounding environment. Your guide can also show you other smaller art installations and museums located near Chichu Art Museum.

For dinner tonight, indulge in the renowned French cuisine offered at Benesse House.

In the morning, you can further explore the island area with your guide. Later, you will be accompanied by ferry to Uno and then driven to Okayama, where you will be left at the train station.

Catch a direct train from Okayama to Shin-Osaka, which takes about 45 minutes.

Upon reaching the train station, your guide will meet you and arrange for a transfer in a private vehicle.

Start your day by taking a 30-minute trip on the Shinkansen bullet train to Himeji, accompanied by a local guide. The guide will meet you at your hotel in Osaka and take a taxi with you to Shin Osaka station. Upon reaching Himeji, a private driver will join you for the rest of the day. Begin your tour by exploring the iconic Himeji Castle, known as "Shirasagi-jo" or the "Castle of the white heron." This castle, which has recently undergone renovations, is considered one of Japan's most impressive due to its grand size. It is a UNESCO world heritage site and is one of the few castles in the country that has never been destroyed by war, earthquake, or fire. Afterward, make your way to the nearby Kokoen garden, a traditional Japanese garden meticulously designed to showcase the beauty of nature year-round. Take a leisurely walk along the garden's many paths and appreciate the exquisite yet natural layout of the garden.

Arrive at the airport and be greeted by your personal driver, who will escort you to your private vehicle for a seamless transfer.