Inspired Artistically and Active – 20 Nights / 21 Days

Lined up with New York, London and Paris, you will arrive into Tokyo, one of the largest Cities in the World. Spend your first 3 nights in one of the leading technological locations of the World.  Have an   English Speaking Assistant meet you at the airport and escort you to your accommodation using the public transportation. Arrive at your accommodation and use the rest of the day to walk the local area.

Today can be a day free at leisure to explore Tokyo by yourselves. (Sounds daunting, but the Guide from yesterday will advise directions).    If you want to slightly away from the crowds, you may like to walk the Ueno Park area and Ameyoko streets. Tokyo National Museum and the Western Art Gallery as well as the Ueno Zoo are in the large park area. Two minutes walk from Ueno Station is Ameyoko street which first acted as markets after World War 2 finished. Amazingly it was started by Ameican Soliders handing out and selling Ame (Sugar candy) which was in low supply. Maybe walkk to the Yanaka area. This areas has a real “Retro” feeling to it, and you can feel yourself slip back in time. Yanaka’s trade mark are the “Cats”. There are many cats roaming the streets and it all seems so cute. Many foreigners like to see the Cemetery here. Many famous people buried here and the location is so quiet. If you prefer to see the more visited sightseeing areas, we would suggest being overwhelmed with a visit to the younger generation areas such as Harajuku and Takeshita Street. This is where trends are created, and it will definitely open any sleepy eyes. Next to the Harajuku Station is also the entrance to the important and most visit shrine in Tokyo, the Meiji Shrine. Consider visiting Shibuya for the famous scrambled crossing which has 2000 people crossing it each time the lights change. You may like to book a time at the TeamLab art experience of finish the day in Akihabara. Akihabara is Japan’s electric town and also the epicenter of Otaku Culture, Anime and offbeats cafes like the maid cafes and animal cafes.

A day to explore at a casual pace. You can use the local buses or even rent a bike and see what Matsumoto has to offer. This will be the perfect chance to see Kusama Yayaoi’s permanent exhibition at the Matsumoto City Art Museum. Ms Kusama was born in Matsumoto, and at anytime of the year, you can see her contemporary art work. During the day, you can also visit the Former Kaichi School which was the first school in Japan. Right behind the Matsumoto Castle is Matsumoto Shrine. Walk the Nakamachi Streets, the old traditional streets and buildings and maybe have a coffee break in one of the retro coffee houses. In central Matsumoto, you can see the Nawate Streets with a market stlye atmosphere. The most famous shrine in Matsumoto is the Yohashira Shrine and the 4 pillars that stand for the 4 Gods, which is very unusual to have 4 Gods in one location.  

The two and a half to three hour walk from Magome to Tsumago reveals shrines, waterfalls, bamboo groves, terraced rice paddies, a teahouse rest stop and a forest path with large, rough stones laid in the early 1600s.The trail between Magome and tsumago is well maintained and is the exact same route that ran along the Kiso Valley, when people during the Edo period walked from Edo (Tokyo) to Kyoto. The total distance you will walk today will be approx. 8km (5 miles). Leave Magome and arrive into Tsumago. 
Magome means (horse basket) as travelers once had to leave their horses at inns before their steep path walk. 
Tsumago was actually one of the first locations in Japan to start the “town preservation” movement in 1967. One of the old trades that is still seen in tsumago is the Hinoki or Cedar wood. Many of the Hinoki hot baths you experience through out your Japan travels originated here in Tsumago, were some of the first Hinoki wood baths were made.  Arrive into Tsumago and check in your Japanese Style Guest house which is not exclusive but may have other people staying also.  

Today you will be introduced to two locations. The Okayama City and the close by Kurashiki City. Meet your  English Speaking Guide at the Hotel Lobby and using the Public Transportation  enjoy a full day of sightseeing. Your first stop can be the Korakuen Gardens, one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan. Walk the vast grounds of the gardens and take in a deep breath of thanks, that you came here. Next to the Korakuen gardens is the Okayama Castle, also a black castle similar to Matsumoto and called the Crow Castle. Transfer to Kurashiki city and visit the Bikan Historical Quarters, the well-preserved historical merchant area of Kurashiki. Lined with willow trees, the Bikan Chiku area makes you relax and walk slowly to your heart’s content. You forget time in Kurashiki, which is an important goal in any Overseas travel. Kurashiki is a historical merchant town and in feudal years, it thrived as a port for the shipping of rice. Several old rice granaries still remain here. Enter the Ohara Museum, the first western museum of art in Japan, as well as taste some of the local Sake. 
If you prefer to just see Okayama City and then take a 35 minutes train ride to the Kojima area, you may like to see the famous Okayama or Kojima jeans. Walk Kojima Jeans Street and see and learn about the denim industry here in Japan. Jeans, as well as uniforms were first made here in Japan, in the 1960’s. 

Check out of your Naoshima Island accommodation and retrace your steps from yesterday. Take the Hotel courtesy bust to Miyanoura Port and board the ferry bound for Uno Port. From Uno Port take the train to Okayama Station and then proceed to the Shinkansen (Bullet) Train platforms. Your Shinkansen Train will take you to Japan’s second largest City, Osaka. Arrive into the Shin-Osaka Station and with your English Speaking Assistant transfer to your Osaka Accommodation. Osaka is the gateway to Mt Koya, which is your destination for tomorrow. After you check in at the Osaka Hotel, walk the local area and see what Osaka has to offer. You may like to walk the highly built up Osaka Station area, and even venture to the vibrant and never sleeping Dotonbori Canal area. 

Free at Leisure to walk the local streets and perhaps see the Okunoin once more. You area also welcome to participate in some of the Monastery rituals and chores. It is highly recommended to participate in one of the morning Zazen meditating ceremonies/sessions that often start at 6am and run for approximately 40-50 minutes. This will be a once in a lifetime and life changing experience. 
Today will be a chance to relax in one of the most spiritual places in all of Japan. Relax and soothe your mind and soul before your Japan Travels continue. 

Today, with an English Speaking Guide and by Public Transportation  visit the Arashiyama district. However, enjoy an very novel way to reach Arashiyama. Transfer to Kameoka City in the outskirts of Kyoto Prefecture by train and then take a traditional merchant boat ride down the gentle rapids of the Hozu River for approx. 90 minutes. See some incredible natural sights while you enjoy the boat ride, and then disembark at Arashiyama. You can visit the very famous Bamboo Grove. Also walk over the Togetsukyo Bridge (Bridge to the Moon) as well as go to a Zen Temple with a Stone garden. This Zen garden was made famous by Queen Elizabeth in 1975 and it plays tricks on your eyes and mind. You can see the Golden Pavilion which is one of the 17 World Heritage Unesco Registered locations in Kyoto. The Golden Pavilion is a World Heritage but not a Japanese National Treasure. Listen to the reason why, and also see what the Golden Age of Japan created. This is Japan’s version of Camp David and was built by one of the most famous Shoguns of Japan.

Meet with your English Speaking Guide  at the Hotel Lobby and commence Full Day sightseeing in the rural parts of Kyoto Prefecture. By private Vehicle transportation, drive to the preserved village of Miyama, approximately 1.5 hours from central Kyoto. Walk the quaint village and look at all the Traditional Thatched Roof Houses which are still lived in by the locals. Learn about the dying trade of fixing the roof.  Immerse yourself in another are of Japanese nature. 
Return to Kyoto, but on the way stop at a World Heritage Temple in the mountain areas that surround Kyoto. This is where the first Tea Field in Japan was planted, and also happens to be the first location where Animation was drawn by the Monks. Depending on the time, you may have a World Heritage location all to yourselves. 

Check out for your Kyoto Hotel and transfer to Kyoto Station by yourself.
Transfer from Kyoto to Hakone (Odawara Station) by the  Shinkansen (Bullet) Train and meet your English Speaking Guide upon arrival at Odawara Station. Enjoy Hakone Sightseeing including the geo-thermal area of Owakudani, Lake Ashi and use the Ropeway and Pirate Ship cruise to get there. From many angles see Mt Fuji and finish the day with the powerful Hakone Shrine. If you have an interest in art, the Open Air Museum close to the Gora Park must be visited. Arrive at your accommodation which will have a private hot springs bath in your room and dinner will be included as a Kaiseki Traditional meal. Enjoy a final night of wellness at one of the most popular Hot Springs areas of Japan.

Check out of your Tokyo Hotel and proceed to the Tokyo Station with your   English Speaking Assistant. You will be escorted to Narita (NRT) or Haneda (HND) Airport depending on your departure flight. Arrive at Narita (NRT) or Haneda (HND) Airport and taking your many hundreds of new memories and hundreds of photos, proceed to the Check in counter to prepare for your homebound flight.