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Japan: Timeless Traditions, Alpine Serenity & Modern Tokyo
Kyoto’s temples and Zen gardens, Osaka’s energy, Kanazawa’s geisha and samurai districts, hot springs in the Japanese Alps, and modern Tokyo
From $6,400 per person, double occupancy
Kyoto (Nara, Uji & Osaka) → Kanazawa → Shirakawa-go → Lake Suwa → Tokyo (Hakone day trip)
Start in Kyoto with bamboo groves, Zen gardens, and a day that takes you from making matcha in Uji to dinner in Osaka. Then slow down for two nights at a traditional hot spring inn near Lake Suwa. We finish in Tokyo with neighborhood walks, time for shopping, a day trip to Hakone, and a full day to spend however you like.
Trip at a Glance
- DestinationJapan
- Travel datesApril 19–May 2, 2027
- Land itineraryApril 20–May 2 · 13 days / 12 hotel nights
- Group Size12–16 travelers
- Travel StyleCulture, Cuisine, Hot Springs
- Activity LevelModerate, with city walking, some stairs, and a few full sightseeing days
- AccommodationCentrally located city hotels and a traditional hot spring inn
- Overnight staysKyoto (4 nights) → Kanazawa (1 night) → Lake Suwa (2 nights) → Tokyo (5 nights)
Your overnight stays
- Kyoto4 nights · Nara, Uji & Osaka
- Kanazawa1 night · Continue via Shirakawa-go
- Lake Suwa2 nights · Traditional hot spring inn
- Tokyo5 nights · Hakone day trip
Highlights
- Kyoto, Nara, Uji & Osaka: Walk through Arashiyama’s bamboo grove and visit the rock garden at Ryoan-ji. See Nara’s Great Buddha, make matcha in Uji, taste sake in Fushimi, and take an evening cruise through Osaka’s Dotonbori district.
- Kanazawa & the Japanese Alps: Walk through Kanazawa’s samurai district and Kenrokuen Garden, then see the steep thatched roofs of Shirakawa-go. Spend two nights at a traditional ryokan near Lake Suwa, with time for a lakeside walk, a hot spring soak, and seasonal Japanese dinners.
- Tokyo & Hakone: Go from the wooded grounds of Meiji Jingu to Shibuya Crossing and Shinjuku after dark. In Hakone, ride the ropeway over a volcanic valley and cruise Lake Ashi, with a chance to see Mount Fuji on a clear day.
Day by Day
Depart the U.S. on April 19. The land itinerary runs April 20–May 2: 13 days / 12 hotel nights.
Take your overnight flight to Japan.
Arrive in Japan and continue to Kyoto. Plan to reach the hotel by about 9 p.m. The evening is yours to settle in, have dinner, or take a short walk.
Walk through Arashiyama, visit Kinkaku-ji and the rock garden at Ryoan-ji, and spend time in Kyoto’s historic streets. An optional geisha dinner is available in the evening.
See the deer in Nara Park and the Great Buddha at Todai-ji. Learn to make matcha in Uji, with time for lunch and tea shops. Continue to Osaka for dinner and a Dotonbori canal cruise, then return to Kyoto by train.
Visit Kiyomizu-dera and walk down the historic lanes of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka. In Fushimi, visit a sake brewery for a tasting. The evening is free.
Take the morning train to Kanazawa. Visit Omicho Market, the Nagamachi samurai district, Kenrokuen Garden, and the wooden teahouses of Higashi Chaya.
See the thatched farmhouses of Shirakawa-go, then drive through the mountains to our ryokan near Lake Suwa. Settle in for hot spring time and a traditional Japanese dinner.
Take a lakeside walk, visit a café, or spend more time at the onsen. A visit to Suwa Taisha or a local sake brewery is optional. Gather for another traditional dinner at the inn.
Travel to Tokyo and visit Marunouchi, the Imperial Palace Plaza, and Ginza before checking into our hotel.
Ride the Hakone Ropeway to Owakudani, cruise Lake Ashi, and visit Hakone Shrine before returning to Tokyo. The ropeway and cruise depend on operating conditions, and Mount Fuji views depend on the weather.
Start at Meiji Jingu, then spend time in Harajuku, the boutiques of Omotesando, and around Shibuya Crossing. Evening activity to be confirmed.
Visit Senso-ji and the shops along Nakamise, then browse Japanese knives, ceramics, and cookware in Kappabashi. See Shinjuku after dark and get together for our farewell dinner.
Revisit a favorite neighborhood, shop in Ginza, visit a museum, or book an optional cooking class or tea ceremony.
Check out, head to the airport, and fly home.
What's Included
- 12 hotel nights and daily breakfast
- Scheduled group transportation during the land program, including the train from Kyoto to Kanazawa
- Group sightseeing and planned activities, including matcha making in Uji, sake tasting in Fushimi, the Dotonbori canal cruise, and the Hakone ropeway and Lake Ashi cruise
- The itinerary also plans for two ryokan dinners and a welcome dinner in Osaka or Kyoto and a farewell dinner in Tokyo. The final package will confirm which additional meals are included.
What's Not Included
- International airfare and any airport transfers outside the final package
- Optional experiences and meals outside the final package
- Travel insurance, gratuities, and personal expenses
Important Info
- PricingThe starting price is per person sharing a double room. The final price depends on group size.
- Ryokan bathsPrivate open-air hot spring baths are a priority for the ryokan stay, subject to hotel and room confirmation.
- Walking & itinerary changesThe itinerary includes walking on stairs, slopes, and uneven surfaces. Some activities may shift with weather or operating schedules.
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