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.

In the morning, have free time to explore or relax at your hotel. In the evening, meet our local ramen-expert at the hotel and embark on a night of discovering and appreciating this seemingly ordinary meal. Our guide, who was born and raised in Tokyo, will take you to two highly recommended ramen shops where you can savor four mini-bowls of hot ramen. They will share their passion for noodles and explain why these restaurants are considered among the best in town, highlighting different cooking and serving styles, as well as varied ambiences and techniques. Each ramen shop has its own specialty, whether it's the rich flavor of the broth or the texture of the noodles.

Please inform your Destination Expert of any dietary restrictions or if you are vegetarian. Accommodations can be made if possible. The tour covers the cost of your first round of drinks, but additional drinks or snacks should be paid for on the spot.

Take a train from Tokyo to explore Yokohama's popular attractions and discover its rich history. Begin at Yamashita Park, a waterfront park that stretches along Yokohama's coastline. In the park, you will notice a large historic ocean liner called the Hikawamaru, which was in service from 1930 on the Yokohama-Vancouver/Seattle route. The ship had luxurious first-class cabins that were frequented by the imperial family and Charlie Chaplin for their Trans-Pacific journeys. Then, visit the Japanese Overseas Migrant Museum to learn about Yokohama's past. Since the 1860s, over 25 million Japanese have migrated overseas, and the museum showcases the history of migration through literature, photos, and videos. After the museum, have lunch in the city center.

Next, explore Motomachi shopping street, which runs parallel to the Nakamura River. This street catered to the needs of the first foreign residents of Yokohama and introduced many new products to Japan. Although it resembles other shopping streets now, it still exudes a European atmosphere. You will find numerous high-end fashion shops, as well as cafes and restaurants. After Motomachi, the tour takes you to the Yamate area, which has many sites related to the history of Westerners in Yokohama. Today, Yamate is primarily a hilly residential area with charming parks scattered throughout. The largest park is Minato no Mieru Oka Park, offering a panoramic view of the bustling harbor and the impressive Yokohama Bay Bridge. Within the park, you can also explore preserved Western buildings, mostly former residences, open to the public and showcasing original style furnishings. Lastly, reach Minato Mirai, where you can ascend to the top of the Landmark Tower, Yokohama's tallest building, for a breathtaking view of the city and its surroundings.

Today, you will travel from Tokyo to Kiso-Fukushima in Nagano Prefecture. First, board a Shinkansen train to Nagano and then switch to a limited express train to Kiso-Fukushima. The total travel time is three hours and 30 minutes.

The Kiso Valley, located in Nagano Prefecture, was an important trade route called the Kisoji. During the Edo Period, it became part of the Nakasendo, a major transportation route between Edo and Kyoto. Travelers had to walk due to shogunate restrictions, and post towns were established along the valley for rest and accommodation. Magome, Tsumago, and Narai are preserved post towns that offer a glimpse into the past.

Before going to your ryokan in Kiso Valley, explore the town of Kiso-Fukushima on your own.

Upon arrival at Kiso-Fukushima, visit the Kiso-ontake tourism office for an orientation about the area, train/bus schedules, and tomorrow's guided tour meeting point. You can also leave your luggage there.

Using the provided entry ticket, visit three sights in Kiso-Fukushima. Start with the Yamamura Residence, a museum showcasing the upper class life in Kiso-Fukushima. Then, visit the Kozenji Temple with its beautiful dry rock garden. Lastly, explore the Fukushima Sekisho-Ato, a 270-year-old immigration office.

Afterward, a hotel shuttle bus will pick you up at Kiso-Fukushima station between 4-5 pm, or you can go to the hotel on your own.

Start your day by going to Kiso-Fukushima station in the morning at around 8:45 am. Meet your guide there and take a short train ride to Nakatsugwa. From there, catch a bus to Magome, a town that has reconstructed buildings in a traditional style. Take some time to explore the town and then head to the main event - the Nakasendo Way.

With your guide, hike the 5 mile stretch from Magome to Tsumago. The trail starts off a little steep, but quickly evens out and gently slopes towards Tsumago. Rest stops are available along the way. As you walk through the forest, enjoy the sights of waterfalls and beautiful mountain views.

Once you finish the hike, you will reach the picturesque town of Tsumago. Unlike Magome, the houses here are over 200 years old and still inhabited. Explore this charming settlement with your guide and experience a step back in time.

At 4 pm, a private transfer will be ready to take you back to Kiso-Fukushima. The journey back takes just under an hour. Your guide will leave you at your hotel.

It is with sadness that we say goodbye to the beautiful mountains of the Kiso Valley. The journey ahead involves taking a limited express train from Kiso Fukushima to Nagoya, followed by the Shinkansen from Nagoya to Kyoto. The total duration of the trip is approximately three hours.

For the train station transfer, a private vehicle will be arranged to meet you and your guide.

Today, you will be transferred from your hotel to Fushimi with the assistance of a local guide and a taxi. Fushimi, which is technically a part of Kyoto, has a fascinating history dating back to the 8th century and is known for its charm. One of the highlights is the presence of over 10,000 red tori gates that create a picturesque pathway up the mountain behind the temple. The views from the top are truly breathtaking. Once the tour is complete, you will be taken back to your hotel.

During this exciting day tour in Kyoto, you will have the chance to explore the renowned traditional crafts that have made Kyoto famous. Firstly, you will venture to the eastern part of Kyoto, known for its pottery district. Here, you will engage in crafting your very own pot, which will be fired and delivered straight to your home by the pottery laboratory. Following this, you will visit a Yuzen Gallery, where you can partake in the art of dying Kimono using the Yuzen technique. You will even be able to keep your masterpiece as a souvenir. After enjoying a traditional "bento box" lunch, you will proceed to Nijo Castle, a magnificent ornamental castle constructed in the 17th century for a shogun. This site is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. To conclude the day, you will take a leisurely stroll through the Nishiki Food Market, which showcases a plethora of stands offering authentic Japanese cuisine. Finally, you will have the opportunity to visit Gion, the renowned geisha district. If luck is on your side, you may catch a glimpse of a Geisha rushing to her first appointment of the evening. At the conclusion of the tour, you will be conveniently dropped off at your hotel.

Join a full day tour to Nara today, a city with a history older than Kyoto. Start by visiting Isuien Garden, divided into two parts built centuries apart. This garden exemplifies Japanese horticulture, using water from the Yoshikigawa River and surrounded by Mt. Wakakusayama. Then, explore Nara Park, known as 'deer park' due to its population of tame deer. Inside the park, find Todaiji temple, the world's largest wooden building and home to Japan's largest Buddha. Next, visit Kasuga Taisha, Nara's famous shrine with hundreds of bronze and stone lanterns donated by worshipers. To end the day, wander through Naramachi, an old merchant district showcasing well-preserved 'machiya' town houses. Some houses offer free entry for visitors to experience traditional Japanese home architecture. Your guide will return you to your hotel.

Start your journey from Kyoto to Hiroshima by train, including a day trip to the impressive Himeji Castle. This historic castle, also known as "Shirasagi-jo" or "Castle of the white heron," is renowned for its grand size and is considered one of Japan's most magnificent castles. It has withstood the test of time, surviving wars, earthquakes, and fires, and is one of twelve original buildings of its kind in the country. After exploring the castle, visit the nearby Kokoen garden, a beautifully designed Japanese garden that offers breathtaking views of nature all year round. Take a leisurely walk along its paths and admire the intricate yet natural design. Next, take a train to Tegara station and visit the Nadagiku Sake brewery, established in 1910. Explore the old Sake cellar and learn about the Sake distillation process before enjoying a sample. Finally, continue your journey from Himeji to Hiroshima by boarding your train.

Conveniently located opposite the Japan Rail train station, the Sheraton Hiroshima is just a short and easy walk from the train. Upon arrival at the station, an assistant will be there to greet you and guide you to the hotel entrance, ensuring a seamless and effortless experience.

Your guide will meet you at your hotel to begin your tour of Hiroshima and Miyajima. The tour will involve traveling by street car, train, and ferry. The first stop of the day is the Peace Memorial Park, which is located in the area that was ground zero for the Atomic Bomb. The park was created as a memorial to those who lost their lives in the attack. Take a leisurely stroll through the park and explore the various memorials, monuments, and statues. Afterward, visit the Museum to learn more about the history of the bombing.

After your time in Hiroshima, you will take a short ferry ride to Miyajima Island. This small sacred island has been a holy site of Shintoism for centuries. The highlight of the island is the Floating Torii Gate, which is one of Japan's '3 Most Beautiful Views'. The gate belongs to a shrine that dates back to the 6th century, with the current structure dating back to the 12th century. The buildings on the island are beautifully arranged and showcase incredible artistic and technical skill. They have been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's interesting to note that historically, only certain individuals were allowed to set foot on the island. Even today, giving birth or dying on the island is forbidden.

During your time on Miyajima Island, you will have the opportunity to explore the various shrines and temples. Don't forget to try some of the local treats, such as maple leaf shaped cakes. Afterward, you will return to your hotel using Hiroshima's efficient local transit system. Please keep in mind that although you will have a private guide, private transportation is not included in this tour.

Take a bullet train with a private guide to Kurashiki, located in Okayama Prefecture. Kurashiki's Bikan District showcases a blend of Japanese and western flavors, giving you a taste of life in the past. In the Edo period, Kurashiki prospered as "Tenryo", a domain directly governed by the shogunate. Local wares were shipped to this vibrant town through a network of rivers, and whitewashed merchant homes and storehouses lined the river at the town's center. Today, they house galleries and coffee shops. In the afternoon, visit the Ohara Museum of Art or Ohashi House. The Museum has the oldest private collection of Western Art in the country, while Ohashi House is an example of Japanese merchant housing. After your experience in Kurashiki, you will be accompanied back to your accommodation in Hiroshima.

Discover your heritage with an Ancestry Genealogist by exploring the sites of your ancestors as determined in your Research Report. Spend the day visiting your ancestral village, such as Setoda in Hiroshima-ken. Immerse yourself in the historical culture of the village and district by exploring a local temple and history museum. This experience allows you to connect with your relatives' lives before their Trans-Pacific journey. Please keep in mind that the specific location of the excursion will be tailored to your heritage needs. Enjoy the convenience of a private guide and vehicle for up to 8 hours today.

The Sheraton Hiroshima is conveniently situated across from the Japan Rail train station, making it easy to depart by train. Upon arrival, a hotel assistant will meet you in the lobby and guide you to the correct platform.

To reach Kansai International Airport from Hiroshima, you can take a train with a transfer in central Osaka.