Locations visited: Tokyo / Lake Kawaguchi / Osaka / Kyoto
Arrive into the Gateway of Japan, the Modern Metropolis of Tokyo City. From Tokyo take a private vehicle at your own pace to visit the shores of Lake Kawaguchi and other naturally photogenic locations. Compare the largest and second largest Cities of Tokyo and Osaka. Also visit the cultural capitol of Japan, Kyoto City.
Day One – Arrive into Tokyo
(Narita or Haneda Airport)
A City of a Thousand Personalities
Lined up with New York, London and Paris, you will arrive into Tokyo, one of the largest Cities in the World. Spend your first 4 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. To have 4 Nights in Tokyo will let you view the night lights at a relaxed pace and get some fabulous photos.
tokyo accommodation (t.B.A) 4 – 5 star property
No meals included
Day Two – Tokyo Sightseeing
Full Day Tokyo Sightseeing
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. You lunch can be at a conveyor belt Sushi Restaurant
(Pay on the spot).
Continue on to Tokyo’s oldest Temple, the Asakusa Temple along with all the shops that line the main path to the Temple. Also visit 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.
To capture a more traditional side of Tokyo, make your last stop of the day at the Tokyo Imperial Palace grounds. See the double arched bridge and the willow trees that line the moat.
tokyo accommodation (t.B.A) 4 – 5 star property
Breakfast included / Lunch and Dinner not included
Day Three – Free at Leisure
Energy, Movement, Constant Pulse
Today can be a day free at leisure to explore Tokyo’s mighty skyline by yourselves. (The Guide from yesterday will advise directions).
It may be great to start the day with a walk around the Tokyo Imperial Palace Gardens.
Also be overwhelmed with a visit to the younger generation areas such as Harajuku and Takeshita Street. This is where trends are created. Next to the Harajuku Station is also the entrance to the important and most visit shrine in Tokyo, the Meiji Shrine. An incredibly beautiful garden awaits.
Consider visiting Shibuya for the famous scrambled crossing which has 2000 people crossing it each time the lights change. You can take a photo from the Starbucks store above the crossing. See Hachiko the Dog statue and also spend time in the largest ******** store Japan for stationary and other day to day lifestyle items.
In the early evening,
meet with a Photo Guide that will take you to those night spots, for a photo tour. Some of those locations could be, Tokyo
Tower Observation main and Top Deck, Kitte Garden roof floor of Tokyo Station and the surrounding mid town area of Tokyo Station, Mon Takanawa, Toyosu Gururi Park.
tokyo accommodation (t.B.A) 4 – 5 star property
Breakfast included / Lunch and Dinner not included
Day four – Free at Leisure
Always Evolving, Never Still
Today can be another day free at leisure to explore the forwever evloving and never still Tokyo City. (The Guide from yesterday will advise directions).
Take a stroll through theShinjuku Gyoen National Gardens, something similar to Central Park with the high rise buildings in the background and lots of greenery in front of your eyes. It will be extra good if it is the weekend where
you see Japanese families having fun.
Enter one on the most famous artists of Japan’s Tokyo Museum, the Kusama Yayoi Museum. After Kusama Yayoi Contemporary art, head to the shopping districts, Aoyama area and Daikanyama area to cater for those shopping needs.
Aoyama and Daikanyama areas are a mature and more sophisticated area of Tokyo.
Ginza area will be a great chance for that shopping you may like to try. The Mitsukoshi and Matsuya Department stores, along with Ginza six are all there. Also, if you are after that special gift, the Head Shop for Mikimoto Pearls
is in Ginza and at a fraction of the price you would pay in other countries.
tokyo accommodation (t.B.A) 4 – 5 star property
Breakfast included / Lunch and Dinner not included
Day five – drive to LAKE KAWAGUCHI BY PRIVATE VEHICLE
See the lakes of Mt Fuji at your own pace
Check-out from your accommodation. Meet with your English Speaking guide at your HOTEL LOBBY and Transfer to Lake Kawaguchi by Private Vehicle. This is your own private vehicle and you can move around at your own pace,
staying more time in locations that you like.
Stop at one of the 5 lakes that are located around Mt Fuji, Lake Yamanaka. Also known as the Swan Lake. Some beautiful angles of mt Fuji await. Continue to the popular Arakurayama Sengen Park and Temple. This may be the most
famous pagoda in all of Japan as you can take a photo of the pagoda, with majestic Mt Fuji in the background. Lunch on your expense around Kawaguchiko Lake or similar area. Continuing with nature as the theme of today, drive
to the Shiraito Waterfalls, one of the THREE MOST BEAUTIFUL Waterfalls in all of Japan. Very close are the Ototome Waterfalls also, with the name meaning “The Waterfall that stops all noise”. Return to Lake Kawaguchi and check in
at your Ryokan Style Luxury accommodation.
lake kawaguchi Accommodation (T.B.A) Luxury Ryokan Resort
Breakfast and Traditional Kaiseki Dinner is included / Lunch not included
Day 6 – LAKE KAWAGUCHI to osaka city
From Nature to a Large City
Check-out from your accommodation and meet your Japanese Speaking Driver Transfer to the Mishima Train Station by your Private Vehicle. Once at the station, board your Shinkansen (Bullet Train) bound for SHIN OSAKA STATION. Upon arrival an English Speaking Guide will be at the Shinkansen (Bullet) Train platform and take you to your Osaka Accommodation. To let you see as much of Osaka as possible, walk to the Umekita Sky Building also know as the floating garden in the sky. A great location to show you how large Osaka City is, and the building also is proud of it’s unique architecture. With the Guide also walk the mass underground shopping area of Osaka Station. Even the local Japanese get lost here.
osaka accommodation (t.B.A) 4 – 5 star property
Breakfast included / Lunch and Dinner not included
Day seven – osaka Sightseeing
Japan’s Kitchen with Personality
Meet with your English Speaking Guide at the HOTEL LOBBY and commence full day Osaka sightseeing by Public Transportation. In the evening you will participate in a Deep Osaka Food Tour taking you to areas that the
normal traveler and normal Food Tour will not take you. However, before your eventful Osaka Food Tour, you can visit the major sights of Osaka. This will include the Osaka Castle and grounds. See all the gold that was used
to express the power of the times, gold never erodes and therefore the War Lord’s power will continue forever.
Dotonbori Canal area is a canal area of south Osaka and the most visited area in Osaka by travelers. With so much local soul food and so much laughter, it is easy to understand why Osaka is known as lively, humorous and food-loving.
Also visit the Shin- Sekai (New World) area which is a very deep part of Osaka and has not really changed since the end of Word War 2.The icon of Osaka, Tsutenkaku Tower is also near by and is now over 70 years old.
In the evening, enjoy your Osaka Food Tour.
osaka accommodation (t.B.A) 4 – 5 star property
Breakfast included / Lunch and Dinner not included (Dinner will be the Food Tour of Osaka)
day eight – osaka to kyoto
Ancient, Elegant, Spiritual
With your English Speaking Guide , transfer on the local Trains to Kyoto, the Cultural Capitol of Japan. Kyoto is only 35 – 50 minutes away from Kyoto, depending on the train line used. After arrival into Kyoto, and to make the most of your time, you can visit the most visited Shrine in all of Japan, the Fushimi Inari Shrine. Fushimi Inari Shrine is the headquartes for over 30000 Inari Shrines in all of Japan. This Shrine has the power to give you long lasting health and wealth. You also may like to take approx. 40 minutes to walk up to the lookout with views of Kyoto City. Return to central Kyoto, and visit what may be the best introduction to Kyoto, at the Sanjusangendo Temple, a temple that holds 1001 Buddha Statues and is a WOW! location to see. The Hall is approx. 400 ft long and along with every single buddha Statue the hall is also a Japanese National Treasure. Before you arrive at your accommodation walk the Nishiki Market area to see the markets that have sustained the Kyoto people for over 400 years.
kyoto accommodation (t.B.A) 4 – 5 star property
Breakfast included / Lunch and Dinner not included
day nine – kyoto sightseeing
Serene, Refined and Deeply Historic
Today your English Speaking Guide will take you to the popular area of Arashiyama. With the Katsura River flowing through Arashiyama, visit the famous picturesque Bamboo grove and learn how incredible bamboo
is. Also take a casual walk through a traditional residential area to another Bamboo Forest that is only known to people who live here, to avoid the crowds. You will be able to take some photos that are a totally different face to
the Japan you have seen up until this point of your tour.
Walk over the Togetsukyo (Bridge to the Moon) as well as going to a Zen Temple with a Stone garden. This was made famous by Queen Elizabeth in 1975. You can also see the Golden Pavilion which is one of the 17 World Heritage Unesco
locations in Kyoto. From the Guide hear why the Golden Pavilion is a World Heritage, but not a Japanese National Treasure. In the evening, enjoy a Sushi Meal while sitting at the counter of a high end restaurant. The restaurant
is located in the Gion area, which is where the Geiko and Maiko (Geisha) still work today.
kyoto accommodation (t.B.A) 4 – 5 star property
Breakfast and Dinner included / Lunch not included
day ten – kyoto sightseeing
This is the Kind of Moment you don’t Forget
Today will be special and the kind of arrangement that will not be forgotten anytime soon. Meet your English Speaking Guide and start the day by traveling to the Uji area of Kyoto. Uji is famous for being the first location to create Japanese tea in Japan, and there is no better place to learn about, and experience an authentic Japanese Tea Ceremony. You can enjoy an exclusive Tea Ceremony at one of the oldest family operated Tea Companies in Japan.
Uji also holds one of the most beautiful Temples of Japan, Byodoin Temple, which actually represents the Pure World. The Phoenix Hall is a National Treasure, The garden is simple but spectacular and a National Treasure. It is also
the design of the 10 Yen coin.
Return to central Kyoto, and enjoy an exclusive behind the scene tour at a very famous Temple in Kyoto which is the most affiliated with the Imperial Family. You will see many areas of the Temple that are not usually opened to the public. Listen to the Monk as he tells you about the Temple and it’s history as well as the daily lifestyle of a Monk. The day will also will include a meditation session. To end the day, there is also a special ceremony for you which you will remember for many years to come.
kyoto accommodation (t.B.A) 4 – 5 star property
Breakfast included / Lunch and Dinner not included
Day eleven – From Kyoto to Tokyo and on to the Airport
Until Next Time
Check out of your Kyoto Hotel and proceed to the Kyoto Station by your own. You can board a 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 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.
No Accommodation
Breakfast included / Lunch and Dinner not included