Day 1: Tokyo

Welcome to Japan!

For your added comfort, you will be welcomed by an English speaking assistant who will assist you upon arrival at the airport. Your assistant will be waiting for you with a sign with your name on it.

Meet your driver for an enjoyable airport transfer with a private vehicle.

The New Otani is surrounded by one of Tokyo’s noted Japanese-style gardens that features a waterfall within its grounds. The garden boasts over 400 years of history, has been painstakingly maintained and exhibits different but equally enjoyable scenery each season. The hotel is continuously being praised by customers for its environmental friendliness through its ‘Hybrid Hotel Project’, aiming to bring about a higher level of service through the ideology that ‘creating environmentally friendly amenities is inherent to the genuine comfort of guests’. By way of a major restoration, the hotel has upgraded its earthquake safety, installed an improved climate control system, and amongst other distinctions has cut its CO2 emissions to offer an eco-friendly level of service. In addition it has many green features like a roof garden, a water recycling plant, a composting plant, and local organic produce.

Day 2: Tokyo

This afternoon explore Tokyo’s shitamachi (downtown). Our image of Tokyo is usually that of a super-modern metropolis but suburbs like Yanaka, which was miraculously spared the carnage of the Allied bombings in World War II, still preserve a nostalgic atmosphere. Part of its charm today lies in this sense of being hidden. Visit old temples and shrines, one of Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist cemeteries as well as traditional shops selling Japanese paper and sweets, and soak in the atmosphere of pre-war Tokyo. Take a look at what life in this area used to be like in the Shitamachi Museum, located in Ueno Park. One of the most popular parks for hanami (cherry blossom parties) in Tokyo, Ueno Park was originally part of Kaneiji Temple, which used to be one of the city's largest and wealthiest temples and a family temple of the ruling Tokugawa clan during the Edo Period. Your guide will take you on a stroll to show you the many attractions that enrich this large park. Last stop for the day is Ueno’s Ameyoko-cho, a busy market street underneath the train lines. Originally the site of a black market after World War Two, this bustling market is the last of its kind in Tokyo, and is filled with shops and stalls selling various products such as fresh fish, dried food and spices. At one of the many open air restaurants under the train tracks, you can stop for a cold drink and a yakitori (grilled chicken skewer). At the end of the tour, you will be dropped off at your hotel.

Please note that with this tour you will have a private guide, but rather than travelling by private vehicle, you will make use of Tokyo’s efficient local transit system.

Day 3: Tokyo

Modern Tokyo is the most populous metropolitan area in the world, but nearby Kamakura once held that title. Kamakura was the former de facto capital of Japan was the seat of the Shogunate during the Kamakura period, from 1185 – 1333, but today is a small, sleepy seaside town renowned for its numerous temples, shrines and other historical attractions. Travel with your local guide for approximately an hour outside of Tokyo by public transportation to discover this historical and spiritual side of Japan.

Start with a visit to Kotokuin Temple, home to the Daibutsu, a giant sitting bronze Buddha towering 43-feet high. Next, explore Hasedera Temple, belonging to the Jodo sect and famous for its 30-foot tall gilded wooden statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. The statue depicts Kannon with eleven heads, each representing a characteristic of the goddess, and it is one of the largest wooden sculptures in Japan. Delve into the spiritual heart of Kamakura at the 12^th century Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, one of the city’s most popular attractions. The shrine was originally founded by Minamoto Yoriyoshi in 1063, then enlarged and moved to its present site by Minamoto Yoritomo, the first shogun of the Kamakura government, in 1180. The shrine was dedicated to Hachiman, the Shinto god of war and patron of the Minamoto family. End the day at a leisurely pace browsing for local souvenirs and delicacies on Komachi Street.

Please note that with this tour you will have a private guide, but rather than traveling by private vehicle, you will make use of Tokyo’s efficient local transit system.

Day 4: Tokyo - Kyoto

Meet your guide for a train station transfer with a private vehicle.

Board a train from Tokyo with direct service to Kyoto. The train ride is approximately 2.5 hours.

The Hotel Granvia Kyoto is located directly above the Japan Rail Kyoto Station. The walk from the train to your hotel is quite short and simple, but for your added comfort, an assistant will greet you at the station and help you find the entrance to the hotel.

When using the Shinkansen bullet train: Exit via the Shinkansen Main Exit, turn right and walk straight through Nanboku-Jiyu-Tsuro (North-to-South main corridor) until you reach the escalator to the hotel entrance on your right.

When using the Haruka Express from Kansai International Airport: Exit via the JR Chuo Main Exit and take the escalator on your right to the Lobby on the 2nd floor of the hotel.

Kyoto is home to an impressive 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and two of the most memorable ones are Kinkakuji Temple and Nijo Castle. Meet your local guide in your hotel lobby for a half day tour of Kyoto, traveling by taxi.  Start with a visit to Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion), which was originally built as a retirement villa for the Shogun. After his death in 1408, it became a Buddhist Temple as per the Shogun’s final wishes and is now one of Kyoto’s most famous temples.

Next is Nijo Castle, an ornamental castle that was built by the founder of the Edo Shogunate as his Kyoto residence and is surrounded by stunning surrounding gardens. The main building was completed in 1603 and is famous for its architecture, decorated sliding doors and ‘chirping’ nightingale floors. The castle served as an imperial palace briefly during the 19^th century. Next, take a walk through Nishiki Market, a narrow, five block long shopping street lined by more than one hundred shops and restaurants. Known as "Kyoto's Kitchen", this lively retail market specializes in all things food related, like fresh seafood, produce, knives and cookware, and is a great place to find seasonal foods and Kyoto specialties, such as Japanese sweets, pickles, dried seafood, and sushi. You may wish to stop for lunch in this area (not included). At the end of the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Hotel Granvia Kyoto is an integral part of the JR Kyoto Station Building, the visually striking architectural masterpiece which also includes a department store, museum, musical theater, and a vast underground shopping mall. From this convenient location, hotel guests have direct and easy access to and from Kansai International Airport and major metropolitan destinations across Japan. With its elegant accommodations, including beautifully appointed guestrooms, there is simply no better place to stay in Kyoto. The Hotel Granvia Kyoto features 12 restaurants and bars, and key fitness facilities that deem this hotel a premier destination for international travelers.

Day 5: Kyoto

This morning experience the quintessential Japanese enlightenment experience – Zazen (Zen meditation). Your guide will meet you in the morning and take you to a Zen temple, where you can learn the basics of the same sitting meditation that led the Buddha to Enlightenment: folded legs, erect posture, half-closed eyes and a focus on measured breathing that leads to awareness of the way the mind works. After Zazen, head to Chion-in temple. Chion-in is the head temple of the Jodo (Pure Land) sect of Japanese Buddhism, which has millions of followers and is one the most popular Buddhist sects in Japan. The Sanmon Gate, Chionin's main entrance gate, stands 24 meters tall and 50 meters wide, making it the largest wooden gate in Japan and dates back to the early 1600s. From Chion-in walk through Maruyama Park and Yasaka Shrine, one of Kyoto’s most popular Shinto Shrines. Your spiritual day finishes with a Tea Ceremony in a Gion tea house. Your Tea Master will give you a full explanation of Japanese tea as well as the tea ceremony itself, its long history and relationship with Zen Buddhism. The Master will also tell you the meaning behind each movement involved in the making and serving of the tea, as well as the equipment involved. At the end of the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Day 6: Kyoto - Osaka - Mount Koya

Mt. Koya and its surroundings are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Home to over 100 temples, Mt. Koya has been the center of Buddhism Shingon, an important Buddhist sect, for over 1200 years. The journey to the mountaintop religious center of Mount Koya (Mt. Koya) is one of the highlights of the visit. Your guide will meet you at your Kyoto hotel and take you by private car to Nanba station in central Osaka, where you will board together one of the most scenic trains in Japan, winding your way up through the mountains.

After disembarking, take a short cable car ride up to the top of the 2950-foot Mt. Koya. Your English-speaking guide will show you around Mt. Koya’s sights, sharing insight into Japanese Buddhism.

Visit Kongobunji Temple, the head monastery of Shingon Buddhism, and home to Japan’s largest rock garden, as well as the Garan temple complex. Okunoin is Japan’s largest cemetery and holds the mausoleum of the founder of Shingon Buddhism, Kobo Daishi. The 1.25 mile walk to the mausoleum takes you past 200,000 tombstones, belonging to feudal lords, prominent monks and well known Japanese companies.

Tonight you will be staying at a shukubo – a Buddhist temple lodging. These rooms are comfortable, but quite simple and not a luxurious experience. However, this is the best way to immerse yourself in the authentic, spiritual atmosphere of Mt. Koya.

Dinner tonight is shojin ryori, a traditional Buddhist cuisine. This vegetarian meal is not only healthy but delicious

You will be staying at an authentic Buddhist temple lodging known as Shukubo. Temple lodgings offer an excellent chance to get a taste of the simple, traditional lifestyle of Buddhist monks. Koya-san is one of the best places in Japan to experience a night at a temple, with more than 50 temples in town serving as shukubo. Temple lodgings typically offer private, traditional Japanese rooms with tatami floors, sliding doors (fusuma) and shared toilets and sinks. Bedding is provided in the form of futons that are spread on the tatami floor during the night.

Some shukubos offer private facilities as well, however rooms with ensuite bath and toilet are extremely rare on Mt. Koya. Most temples don’t have them, and the ones that do often only have one room with ensuite facilities. As such, we are unable to guarantee them until we send our booking confirmation. If not available, we will provide a room without ensuite facilities. Please note the shukubo are not hotels, they are religious facilities, and this simple accommodation is the most authentic way to enjoy the solemn atmosphere of this Buddhist holy place.

Day 7: Mount Koya - Osaka

In the early morning, you will have the opportunity to watch the monks chant their morning prayers, followed by a shojin ryori breakfast. The rest of the day is free to further explore Mt. Koya before departure.

There is no guiding today. A reserved seat is included for your train back to Nanba station in central Osaka, before proceeding to your next destination.

Meet your guide for a train station transfer with a private vehicle.

Sheraton Miyako Hotel, Osaka is perfectly situated away from the bustle of the city, while still in downtown Osaka. Close to local attractions, the old city, and shopping centers, the hotel offers a convenient location. The Uemachi Plateau, the hotel neighborhood, is filled with temples, shrines, and historical sites dating back to the 7th century. The magnificent Osaka Castle, is just a brief walk from the hotel. Every 20 to 30 minutes, door-to-door limousine bus service connects the hotel with Kansai International Airport and Itami domestic airport. Elegant guest rooms offer the guests city views and a wide range of amenities. The hotel's nine restaurants offer a variety of dining choices, from international buffet to the local specialty, Okonomiyaki. The guests can also relax at hotel's Bar ‘eu’ or at the top floor lounge. There are the Indoor Heated Pool, Fitness Facility and Massage Treatments in the hotel territory.

Day 8: Osaka

Meet your driver for an airport transfer with a private vehicle.

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.