Learn from Japan’s History

Today you will be introduced to Tokyo the largest City in Japan with an English Speaking Guide   and using the Public Transportation  for a Full Day. Start the day with a walk in the Outer Markets of Tsukiji, the largest Fish Market in the World. A chance to nibble on some of the freshest seafood possible. Continue on to Tokyo’s oldest Temple, the Asakusa Temple along with all the shops that line the main path to the Temple. You can arrive into the Asakusa area by a short cruise which will let you see Tokyo from the waterways. Close by is the Tokyo Sky Tree and be treated to panorama views from the Tembo Galleria and Tembo Deck. On a fine day, Mt Fuji can be seen extremely clearly. You may like to finish the day with a walk through Ueno Park which is home to several great museums and galleries. 

Meet an English Speaking Assistant    at the Hotel Lobby and transfer to Tokyo Station. Board the Shinkansen (Bullet) Train  bound for Hiroshima City. Hiroshima is approx. 4 hours and 560 miles (890 km) from Tokyo. Arrive at Hiroshima Station and walk to your Hotel which can be in walking distance. If you feel you would like to see as much as Hiroshima as possible, you may like to walk the local streets. With a 20 minute span, you can walk to the Hiroshima Castle and also the popular and beautiful Shukkeien Gardens which have flowers blooming all year round. Tonight also may be the night you walk central Hiroshima and stumble upon (or are told by your travel specialist) a certain building that is very local and every floor is full of Okonomiyaki Pizza Style stores. 

Check out for your Hotel and transfer to Hiroshima Station by own. Your ultimate destination for today will be  Osaka City, Japan’s second largest Metropolis. However, while in Japan, stop of at the most famous Castle in all Japan, the Himeji Castle.   Board the Shinkansen (Bullet) Train bound for Himeji City, and with in 1 hour, you will arrive at Himeji City and meet your English Speaking Guide at the Shinkansen (Bullet) Train platform. Himeji Castle is also known as the White Heron Castle and is both a Japanese National Treasure and a World Heritage site. Its status as one of Japan’s 12 remaining original castles makes this fortress a must for anyone interested the history of Japan. The first fortifications built on the site were completed in the 1400s, and were gradually enlarged over the centuries by the various clans who ruled over the region. The castle complex as it survives today was completed in 1609. It has never been destroyed by War, Fire or earthquakes making it not only an icon of Himeji, but also for Japan. A true masterpiece of architecture and the Castle’s elegance can be experienced in any season. Next to Himeji Castle, are the Kokoen Gardens a great complement to Himeji castle. Return to Himeji Castle, and board the  Shinkansen (Bullet) Train bound for Osaka City with your Guide. Arrive at Osaka Station and transfer to your Hotel.   

Meet with your English Speaking Guide at the Hotel Lobby and transfer to Kyoto by the Local Trains. (Kyoto is only 35 minutes by the JR Local Train from Osaka). Upon arrival into Kyoto, enjoy some of what Kyoto has to offer. Visit the oldest Temple and gateway to Kyoto. It has been in the same location for over 1200 years. This temple is an art form in itself with the largest 5 storied pagoda in all of Japan. The Buddha statues you see in the 2 halls also date back some 1200 years. Listen to the Guide’s interesting stories of this temple which have cultivated Kyoto over the years. Continue on to the east side of Kyoto and visit the World Heritage Registered Site of Kiyomizu-dera or Temple.   The Kiyomizu Temple is a must see and if architecture is of interest, this Temple has to be seen as it is on the built on the side of a hill and uses not one single nail in it’s creation. The Kiyomizu Temple will take you through the traditional alleys of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka and on to the Gion area which is where the Geiko and Maiko still walk to and from tea houses today.

Meet your English Speaking Guide  at your Hotel Lobby  and today will become one of the highlights of your Japan travels. A little sightseeing, and a lot of exclusive experiences are on the list for today. Start the day by visiting another of the “Wow” Temples that make up Kyoto’s history. With in the longest wooden structure in Japan (under 400 ft / 120 m) some 1032 Buddha Statues are housed. The Temple Hall and every single Statue inside is a National Treasure of Japan. Continue on to your first hands on experiences, which will be a Tea Ceremony. Learn the reasons and methods of making Matcha to serve for your guests. A Tea Ceremony is a place of equality. Walk through the Yasaka Shrine grounds and on to your accommodation for a little time to freshen up before your exclusive dinner arrangement. Enjoy an exclusive Giesha Experience including Dinner. This is an exclusive experience just for you and can only be arranged if you have a connection with one of the 5 Geisha assemblies in Kyoto. (In Kyoto the Geisha are called Geiko or Maiko) This will be an evening you will remember for a life time and you can take as many photos as you want, along with asking as many questions about the mystic Geisha industry of Kyoto.   

Check out of your Kyoto Hotel and proceed to the Kyoto Station with an English Speaking Assistant  . You can board a mid morning Shinkansen (Bullet) Train bound for Tokyo. After arriving in Tokyo meet with your   English Speaking Assistant who will take you to Narita (NRT) or Haneda (HND) Airport depending on your departing 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.