Best of Japan in 22 Days

After clearing customs and immigration, you will be met at Tokyo’s Narita Airport by a Samurai Tours meeting staff member. They will then purchase a limousine bus ticket for you and help you board the bus to the hotel. After checking in, the evening is free. No meals are included.

Travel: 1-1/2 Hours; Walking: Light

After breakfast, you will start the day with a Welcome/Orientation meeting. Next, the licensed, English-speaking guide will escort you to the Tokyo Skytree for a birds-eye view of Tokyo. Next we will travel to the nearby Asakusa area. Here we will tour the Nakamise-dori, Senso-ji Buddhist Temple and the Asakusa Shrine where you will learn about Buddhist and Shinto Japanese religious practices. Afterwards, we will travel to the famous Ginza district. The Ginza is recognized by many as one of the most luxurious shopping districts in the world, attracting visitors and regulars alike from across the globe. We will return to the accommodations, where we will go through the train tickets for the rest of the tour. Breakfast at the accommodations and lunch at a local restaurant included.

Before leaving for the morning, you will prepare your luggage to be transferred to Takayama and will be traveling to Hakone and Takayama with an overnight bag only. You should prepare your overnight bag with enough items for 2 days and 1 night. You will travel to Hakone Yumoto Onsen, where we will stay overnight. Here you can enjoy the thermally-heated mineral baths at the ryokan. In the afternoon, you will tour Hakone. we will tour Hakone. Hakone is famous for its natural beauty and the view of nearby Mt. Fuji (weather permitting). We will be taking many different forms of transportation (electric train, funicular, gondola and bus) around Hakone including the Hakone Sightseeing Boats on Lake Ashi. In good weather, a fine view of Mount Fuji, and enjoy Hakone’s rich scenery reflected on the lake’s calm surface. Breakfast and dinner at the hotel included.

(PLEASE NOTE: High winds and/or heavy rain can, and will often cause cessation of services on the Sightseeing Boat cruise. Should this occur, we will not be able to operate the itinerary as listed above, and will replace it with the best possible alternative given the weather conditions. Also, in the case of bad weather, even if the boats are still operating, we may alter the itinerary for your comfort and safety as Mt. Fuji will not be visible anyway.)

Travel: 1 1/2 Hours; Walking: Heavy

After checking out of the ryokan, we will travel to Takayama. Takayama, in the middle of the Japan Alps, with its traditional inns, shops, and sake breweries, has managed to retain its traditional charm. Breakfast at the ryokan included.

Travel: 5 Hours; Walking: Light

This morning we stroll through the farmer’s market, sampling the numerous options from vegetable stands and stalls selling herbs, pickles, and souvenirs. After that, we tour the Takayama-jinya, the governing office of Takayama and the surrounding area since the early 17th century. After lunch, the guide will escort you to the San-machi-suji district, consisting of merchant homes dating back to the 16th century. From here the rest of the day is free to roam and explore Takayama including the San-machi-suji. Visit the many temples, shrines and museums, rummage through antique shops, or relax at one of the sake breweries. The evening is free to enjoy one of the many nearby Hida Beef restaurants. (Hida Beef is the same thing as the more famous Kobe Beef.) Breakfast at the ryokan and lunch at a local restaurant is included.

Travel: N/A; Walking: Medium

Before leaving Takayama, you will prepare your luggage to be transferred to Kyoto, and will be traveling with an overnight bag only. You should prepare your overnight bag with enough items for 2 days and 1 night. In the morning, we will travel by express train and Shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto. For many, just the name of Kyoto conjures up the classic images of Japan: streets of traditional wooden houses, the click-clack of geta (wooden sandals) on the paving stones, geisha in a flourish of brightly colored silks, and a tea master deliberately warming water and making tea. Steeped in history and tradition, Kyoto has in many ways been the cradle of Japanese culture. A stroll through Kyoto today is a walk through 11 centuries of Japanese history. After lunch we will visit Nijo Castle. Built in 1603, it was the Kyoto home of Tokugawa Ieayasu, the first Tokugawa Shogun. The ostentatious style of construction was intended as a demonstration of Ieyasu’s prestige, and to signal the demise of the emperor’s power. The finest artists of the day filled the castle with delicate transom woodcarvings and paintings by the Kano School on sliding doors. One of the castle’s most intriguing features is the so-called “nightingale” floors. To protect the Shogun from real or imagined enemies, these floorboards creak when stepped on. Finally, we will visit Kinkaku-ji. Kinkaku-ji, also known as the Golden Pavilion, is one of Kyoto’s, as well as Japan’s, most recognizable attractions. The gleaming building covered in gold leaf seems to float on the aptly named Mirror Pond, especially on a sunny day. Breakfast at the ryokan and lunch at a local restaurant is included.

Travel: 3 1/2 Hours; Walking: Medium

After breakfast, we are off by train to the nearby city of Fushimi, one of the largest sake producing regions of Japan. Here we will visit the Fushimi Inari shrine. This Shinto Shrine, established in the 8th century, is famous for the long tunnels of vermilion torii gates straddling a network of trails leading to the top of the heavily forested Mt. Inari. We will then travel to the Higashiyama District. This area of narrow, cobblestone alleys with its temples, shrines, numerous shops and restaurants is truly enjoyable and relaxing. We will stop for lunch in the Higashiyama District. We will then visit the Yasaka Shrine, also known as the Gion Shrine. This shrine, built over 1350 years ago, is one of the most famous shrines in Kyoto. Next, we will walk to the famous Gion Geisha District. Here, you will see where the Geiko (in Kyoto they call themselves Geiko, not Geisha) and Maiko live and work. We will have the opportunity to meet a Maiko (a Maiko is a Geiko in training), and eat dinner at a local restaurant. Breakfast at the ryokan and lunch and dinner at a local Japanese restaurant are included.

Travel: 1 1/2 Hours; Walking: Heavy

Before leaving Kyoto, you will prepare your luggage to be transferred to Takamatsu, and will be traveling with an overnight bag only. You should prepare your overnight bag with enough items for 2 days and 1 night. We will board an express train to Osaka, and then continue to Koya-san by train and funicular. Koya-san, the world headquarters of the Shingon School of Esoteric Buddhism, was established in the year 816 by Kobo Daishi, considered by many to be the most influential religious person in Japanese history. After dropping off the luggage at the temple, we will enjoy a vegetarian lunch. After lunch, we will wander through the huge cemetery leading up to the Okuno-in temple. Kobo Daishi is buried at this temple, and many Japanese still believe that he is not dead, but merely in a very advanced state of meditation, waiting to awaken at the appropriate time. After touring the Garan Temple complex and checking into our shukubo (Buddhist temple lodging), you are free to roam and visit one of the 110 temples in the area or just rest in the garden at the shukubo. Your dinner of shojin-ryori (traditional Buddhist vegetarian cuisine – no meat, fish, onions or garlic) will be served by the Buddhist Monks from the temple. Breakfast at the ryokan, Shojin-ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine) lunch at a local restaurant and Shojin-ryori dinner at the temple is included.

Travel: 3 Hours; Walking: Heavy

Early in the morning, we will attend a Buddhist prayer service held at the temple. After a vegetarian breakfast, we will travel back to Osaka, and continue by Shinkansen to Himeji where we will tour Himeji Castle. Built about 400 years ago, it is only one of four castles in Japan that has been designated as a national treasure and has also been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After touring the castle, we will continue to Takamatsu by Shinkansen and express train. The sprawling city of Takamatsu is located on the northern shore of Shikoku, the smallest, islands of Japan. Despite a relaxed atmosphere, Takamatsu hums with an urban energy. Walking down the city’s wide, sunlit boulevards or numerous covered shopping arcades you will find funky shops, artsy cafes and exciting nightlife. Shojin-ryori breakfast at the temple, lunch and dinner at local restaurants are included.

Travel: 4 Hours; Walking: Medium

Before leaving for the day you will prepare your luggage to be transferred to Matsuyama, and will be traveling with an overnight bag only. You should prepare your overnight bag with enough items for 2 days and 1 night. We will start the day at Ritsurin Garden, thought by many to be one of best gardens in Japan. This garden was designed by the local feudal lord family and took over 100 years to create. The more than 1,400 twisted and contorted pines set this garden apart from other gardens. We will also stop for tea and sweets in a tea house overlooking a beautiful koi-filled pond. Next we travel by street car to the nearby city of Kotohira, where we will visit Kompira Shrine. Kompira Shrine is the main shrine of multiple Kompira shrines found around Japan that are dedicated to sailors and seafaring. Located on the wooded slope of Mount Zozu in Kotohira, the approach to Kompirasan is an arduous series of 785 stone steps. Before returning to Takamatsu, we will tour the Kanamaruza Kabuki Theater. Built in 1835, the Kanamaruza Theater is Japan’s oldest surviving, complete kabuki theater. Breakfast at the hotel and lunch at a local restaurant included.

Travel: 1 Hour; Walking: Heavy

In the morning, we will travel by express train to the city of Matsuyama. We will start the afternoon at Matsuyama Castle. Matsuyama Castle is one of Japan’s most beautiful original castles. It is located on Mt. Katsu, a steep hill in the city center providing visitors to the castle with a bird’s eye view of Matsuyama and the Seto Inland Sea. The castle was constructed between 1602 and 1628. The current three storied castle tower was constructed in 1820 after the original five storied one was destroyed by lightning. In the evening, you will visit the famous Dogo Onsen. It is thought this was the first onsen in Japan, and the history of the onsen goes back 1,000 years. The current main onsen building was built in 1894, and includes a bath reserved exclusively for visiting Emperors. Breakfast at the hotel is included.

Travel: 3 Hours; Walking: Medium

Before leaving the hotel in the morning, we will transfer the luggage to Nagasaki. You will need enough items for three days/two nights. In the morning, we will tour the nearby temple of Ishiteji. This temple is one of the 88 temples (#51) on the Shikoku Pilgrimage. Ishiteji is known for its Niomon Gate, a designated national treasure. The main hall and pagoda are also designated important cultural properties, and all of the structures exhibit the typical architecture style of the Kamakura Period (1192-1333). In the afternoon, we will travel by high-speed ferries to Miyajima Island. The Japanese proclaim Miyajima Island to be one of the top three scenic sights in Japan. The evening is free to enjoy the solitude and ambiance of the island after all of the day-trippers head back to the mainland. Breakfast at the hotel and Kaiseki-style dinner at the ryokan is included.

Travel: 3 1/2 Hours; Walking: Medium

The entire day is free to enjoy and relax in the beauty and ambiance of Miyajima Island: ride the cable car to the top of the mountain on Miyajima Island, or visit the Itsukushima-jinja shrine which was built in its present form in 1168. Or just stroll around the island while enjoying grilled oysters and momiji manju (a popular Japanese confection), the island’s specialty. Breakfast and kaiseki dinner at the ryokan included.

Travel: TBD; Walking: TBD

We will travel by ferry and train to the city of Hiroshima. Here we will visit the Hiroshima Peace Park and Museum, both sobering monuments to the tragic event on August 6, 1945. Late in the afternoon, we will travel to Nagasaki on the island of Kyushu. Breakfast at the ryokan included.

Travel: 6 1/2 Hours; Walking: Heavy

We will start the day by visiting Dejima. Dejima was a man-made island in the port of Nagasaki constructed in 1636. A few years later, the Dutch trading factory was moved to Dejima. The Dutch workers, the only remaining Westerners allowed in the country, were restricted to Dejima during Japan’s two centuries of isolation. Today, Dejima is no longer an island, as the surrounding area has been reclaimed during the 20th century. However, a number of Dejima’s historical structures have been reconstructed, including various residences, warehouses, walls and gates. There are many displays in these buildings documenting the daily life of the Dutch residents. Next, we will tour Glover Garden. Glover Garden is an open air museum, exhibiting mansions of former western residents of Nagasaki. It is located on the hill where western merchants settled down after the end of Japan’s era of seclusion in the second half of the 19th century. You can also enjoy a panorama of the city from the garden. The rest of the day will be free. Breakfast at the ryokan and lunch at a local restaurant included.

Travel: 1 Hours; Walking: TBD

Before leaving Nagasaki we will transfer our luggage to Hakodate. You will need enough items for three days/two nights. The entire day is a travel day. We will be traveling by air to Sapporo, Hokkaido’s largest city and host of the 1972 Winter Olympics. In the evening, we will enjoy dinner at the Sapporo Beer Garden, located in the original Sapporo Beer Brewery, where you can try the local specialty of grilled lamb, cooked yourself at the table. Breakfast at the hotel and dinner at a local restaurant included.

Travel: 8 Hours; Walking: Light

After breakfast, we will travel to Shiraoi wehere we will visit the nearby Upopoy National Ainu Museum where we will learn more about and experience Ainu culture. In the afternoon we will travel to Noboribetsu Onsen, one of the most popular and famous hot spring resorts in Japan. Breakfast at the hotel and dinner at the ryokan included.

Travel: 1 1/2 Hours; Walking: Heavy

The morning is free to explore Noboribetsu Onsen, including the Jigoku-dani (Hell Valley) and the other geothermal activity in the area. In the afternoon, we will travel to the city of Hakodate. Hakodate was one of the first cities open to the west after the Meiji Restoration. Breakfast at the ryokan is included.

Travel: 3 Hours; Walking: Light

Before leaving, we will transfer our luggage to Tokyo. (You will need enough items for three days/two nights.) Early in the morning, we will visit the Hakodate Morning Market, where the sellers can prepare the specialties of Hakodate (crab, sea urchin and squid) fresh from their stalls for breakfast. In the afternoon, we will travel to Sendai. Breakfast at the hotel is included.

Travel: 4 Hours; Walking: Medium

Today we will tour Matsushima. Matsushima, near Sendai, is known as one of Japan’s three most scenic areas, and has been visited by numerous dignitaries over the years including the famous haiku poet Basho who wrote a very famous poem about Matsuhsima published in the late 17th century. First, we will take a sightseeing boat that will navigate between the 260 small islands sculpted by the waves and covered with pine trees. During the cruise, you will see how Matsushima got its name (Matsu means pine and shima means island). After the cruise, we will visit the Entsuin Temple and the temple’s beautiful gardens. This temple was built in 1646 to house the mausoleum of Date Mitsumune. Of the two gardens that are near the main hall, the first is a Japanese style moss and maple garden with a heart shaped pond, while the second is a Western-style rose garden that was influenced by painting from inside the mausoleum. After completing a tour of Entsuin Temple and gardens we will continue on with a visit to Zuiganji Temple. Originally founded by the Tendai Buddhism sect in 828, the current buildings were built by the Date feudal lord family in 1606. Here, along the entrance to the temple, we will find the numerous Buddha statues carved by hand into the rocky-cliff face by buddhist monks to show their dedication. Breakfast at the hotel and lunch at a local restaurant are included.

Travel: 1 1/2 Hours; Walking: Medium

We board a Shinkansen (bullet train) and local train to Nikko, where the Tosho-gu Shrine is located. This shrine, built by Tokugawa Iemitsu, is a dedication to his grandfather, Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. (James Clavell’s fictional Shogun in his novel Shogun was based on this person.) One of the most elaborate monuments in Japan, no expense was spared in this shrine’s construction. After touring Nikko, we will travel by local train and Shinkansen to Tokyo. In the evening, we will enjoy our Sayonara dinner. Breakfast at the hotel and lunch and dinner at a local restaurant is included.

Travel: 5 Hours; Walking: Heavy

You will travel to the airport by express train to catch your flight home. Breakfast at the hotel is included.

Travel: 1 1/2 Hours; Walking: Light