Walking Natural and Traditional Japan / 10 Nights – 11 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’s mighty skyline by yourselves. (The Guide from yesterday will advise directions).  It may be great to have you visit 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. This area should really be seen by anyone who comes to Tokyo. Also visit Shibuya for the famous scrambled crossing which has 2000 people crossing it each time the lights change. Also maybe visit Akihabara area for the electronics as well as anime / and sometimes weird sub cultural areas. You also may like to see the sophisticated Aoyama area and the high class shopping district of Ginza.

Meet your Hiking Guide at the Hotel Lobby and take a private vehicle or Taxi to Mt Nasu. Today you use the ropeway or hike one of the several Hiking courses depending on your experience and energy. You may well be the only Overseas People at the popular Mt Nasu. A great way to forget the hustle and bustle of the Cities and be down to earth with the fauna and flora of this alpine location. Take a picnic lunch with you, and before you return to your accommodation you may like to make a stop at the “hot” hot springs of Shika-no-yu.

Transfer from Tokyo Station to Kyoto on the Shinkansen (Bullet Train). After arrival, meet your English Speaking Guide and make the most of your time and enjoy an introduction to Kyoto by visiting THE most visited Shrine in all of Japan, The Fushimi Inari Shrine. Be taken back by all the thousands of bright red Torii gates, which also is the headquarters for all 30000 Inari Shrines of Japan. The foxes are the messengers of this Shrine. Close by is a chance to experience Japanese Sake. Explore the historic Fushimi Sake District for a tour and sake tasting at a renowned brewery. Before your arrival at your hotel, see the Nishiki Markets which have been the Kitchen for Kyoto people for over 400 years.

Today with your English Speaking Guide , visit the Uji area, which was the first location in Japan to grow and produce Japanese tea. Everything and anything can be found in Matcha Tea style here. Experience and authentic Tea Ceremony which will allow to understand the etiquette and importance. This is with a Family that were asked to make Uji Tea a brand in 1592. Uji also holds one of the most beautiful Temples of Japan, Byodoin Temple, which represents the Pure World. The garden is simple but spectacular. Return to Central Kyoto and in the afternoon experience and hands on experience of a Traditional Kyoto Japanese Craft. You can consider one of the following which all are authentic and only taught by professional artists based in Kyoto (other options are available also).

1. Kintsugi Repair -using Japanese lacquer and Gold flakes to repair cracks and broken areas of ceramics.  
2. Woodblock Print – make postcards or book covers using the traditional woodblock print designs 
3. Mizuhiki Paper craft – this may be extremely inspiring and something not known of before.

Check out of your Kyoto Hotel and proceed to the Kyoto Station with an English Speaking Assistant . You can board a mid morning 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 flights.   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.