JAPAN

ITINERARY
 

DAY 1: Friday, March 27 – DEPART FOR JAPAN

Take flight into a land where the ancient coexists with the avant-garde. Your adventure begins today as you depart for Japan, where cherry blossoms whisper through temple courtyards and centuries-old art forms dance with the modern. Prepare for a journey that promises rich discovery, visual splendor, and unforgettable moments.

 

DAY 2: Saturday, March 28 – ARRIVAL IN TOKYO: WHERE THE FUTURE GREETS THE PAST

Arrive in Tokyo, where sacred shrines nestle amid neon brilliance. A private transfer escorts you to your elegant accommodations, offering you a first glimpse of a metropolis that marries tradition with innovation. As the city’s skyline unfurls, you'll begin to feel Japan’s palpable energy. This evening, gather for a welcome dinner infused with local flavor—a curated culinary experience highlighting seasonal specialties and the refined artistry of Japanese presentation.

 

DAY 3: Sunday, March 29 – TOKYO: EMPERORS, ARTIFACTS & BLOSSOMS IN BLOOM

Step into Tokyo's cultural kaleidoscope. Your full-day exploration begins at the Meiji Jingu Shrine, a reverent oasis wrapped in forest, where crisp air and birdsong accompany solemn torii gates and historic rituals. At Shibuya Scramble Square, witness Tokyo's electrifying energy in motion—a symphony of movement, light, and rhythm that captures the soul of modern Japan. Continue to the Tokyo National Museum, a sanctuary of centuries-old treasures, from delicate lacquerware and ancient textiles to samurai armor and ethereal scrolls. As your day concludes, stroll beneath the blushing canopy of Ueno Park, where locals gather for hanami, picnicking under petals, embodying joy in fleeting beauty. (Please note: Cherry blossoms follow their own schedule, guided by nature's hand.)

 

DAY 4: Monday, March 30 – TOKYO: SACRED STREETS & VIBRANT MARKETS

Immerse in Tokyo's living traditions on a half-day cultural voyage. Explore Tsukiji Market, where the art of sushi begins with a reverence for freshness and flavor. Watch knife masters prepare pristine seafood, taste matcha treats and tamagoyaki (rolled omelet), and absorb the buzz of merchants calling out their daily specials. In Asakusa, pass beneath the red lantern of Kaminarimon Gate and enter the vibrant world of Sensoji Temple. Burn incense, draw omikuji fortunes, and admire the bold architecture. Saunter down Nakamise Street, a corridor of wares and wonder, where local artisans sell handcrafted fans, sweet rice crackers, and vintage-style yukata. The remainder of the day is yours to explore Tokyo's boutiques, parks, or pop culture corners.

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DAY 5: Tuesday, March 31 – MASHIKO: A CERAMIC SYMPHONY

Venture to Mashiko, a tranquil countryside town where pottery is more than craft—it is identity. At the Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art, gaze upon centuries of earthenware that reflect simplicity, imperfection, and warmth—hallmarks of the mingei (folk art) movement. Step into artisan workshops where potters mold, glaze, and fire clay using age-old methods. Smell the wood-burning kilns. Listen as creators explain their lineage and process. Feel the textures that once shaped tea ceremonies, family dinners, and spiritual rituals. (Studio visits subject to confirmation.)

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DAY 6: Wednesday, April 1 – MT. FUJI & HAKONE: NATURE'S BRUSHSTROKES

Today is a canvas of majestic scenery. Journey to Mt. Fuji, the snow-crowned icon of Japan, where at its 5th Station you’ll stand between earth and sky, breathing in crisp mountain air and folklore. Cruise across Lake Ashi, framed by forested slopes and shrouded in mist—a moment of serene reflection. At Owakudani Valley, marvel at bubbling vents and sulfurous steam, remnants of Hakone’s volcanic birth. Finally, arrive at a traditional onsen ryokan, where the hospitality of old Japan awaits. Soak in mineral-rich baths as cherry blossoms flutter above, don your yukata robe, and enjoy a multi-course kaiseki dinner, a seasonal poem served in edible form.

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DAY 7: Thursday, April 2 – KANAZAWA: THE GARDENS OF LEGENDS

Speed along the rails in the Shinkansen, Japan’s engineering marvel, to the historical city of Kanazawa. Tour the famed Kenrokuen Garden, where every stone, stream, and blossom is placed with aesthetic philosophy in mind. Witness seasonal transitions come alive as delicate petals line winding paths and koi glide through mirrored ponds. In Nagamachi, walk past samurai homes with wooden gates and narrow alleys once tread by warriors. Visit preserved residences that reveal feudal life, complete with antique armor and ancestral shrines.

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DAY 8: Friday, April 3 – SHIRAKAWAGO & TAKAYAMA: PRESERVING THE PAST

Drive into the heart of the Japanese Alps to Shirakawago, where gassho-zukuri homes—steep, thatched A-frames designed to withstand snow—tell stories of self-sufficient villages. Step inside a farmhouse museum to glimpse spinning wheels, earthen stoves, and rustic charm. In Takayama, be dazzled by the Yatai Kaikan, housing majestic festival floats adorned with gilded carvings and intricate puppetry. Roam the Old Town, where sake breweries with cedar ball signs invite tastings and antique merchants offer treasures behind wooden facades.

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DAY 9: Saturday, April 4 – TAKAYAMA TO KYOTO: FROM MOUNTAIN MARKETS TO IMPERIAL SPLENDOR

Awaken with the sun at the Takayama Morning Market, alive with fresh-cut flowers, regional pickles, handmade chopsticks, and artisan crafts. Then travel by train through valleys and cityscapes toward Kyoto, cradle of Japan’s imperial culture. As you check into your Kyoto accommodation, feel the shift in rhythm—from rural quietude to the refined heartbeat of tradition.

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DAY 10: Sunday, April 5 – KYOTO: ZEN, GOLD & A THOUSAND GATES

Start at Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, shimmering against a tranquil pond like a vision from a Noh dream. At Ryoanji, meditate beside an enigmatic rock garden whose design invites interpretation and introspection. In Toji Temple, admire towering pagodas and sacred statues sheltered in temple halls echoing with incense. Conclude your day with a pilgrimage through Fushimi Inari Shrine, as vermillion torii gates frame your path like brushstrokes of divine intention.

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DAY 11: Monday, April 6 – HIROSHIMA: A PILGRIMAGE FOR PEACE

Board the Shinkansen to Hiroshima, where tragedy gave way to peace. At the Peace Memorial Park, stand before the Atomic Bomb Dome, now a haunting shell and a UNESCO site of reflection. Walk the museum's halls filled with silent artifacts and hear stories that cannot be forgotten. If available, participate in a survivor's lecture—a rare chance to witness living memory and the enduring call for compassion. Return to Kyoto carrying not sorrow, but strength.

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DAY 12: Tuesday, April 7 – KYOTO: SILVER TEMPLES & GEISHA TRADITIONS

Enter the peaceful embrace of Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion), a villa turned Zen temple where raked sand gardens and shaded groves compose a hymn to simplicity. At Kiyomizu-dera, stand on a wooden veranda extending over a sea of maple and cherry trees, the city skyline stretching beneath you. Visit Senryuji Temple, a spiritual retreat far from the crowds. Then, stroll the atmospheric Gion District, where geisha silently glide through lantern-lit lanes and the perfume of centuries past lingers in the air.

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DAY 13: Wednesday, April 8 – DEPART JAPAN

Transfer to Kansai or Itami Airport. Depart with not only souvenirs, but a soul stirred by beauty, a mind enriched by culture, and a heart forever tethered to Japan. The memories of blossoms, brushstrokes, and timeless places will bloom long after the journey ends.

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Don’t miss your chance to witness Japan at its most transcendent—when cherry blossoms frame temples, art tells stories across centuries, and each day is a masterpiece in motion.

Limited space available. Reserve your journey of a lifetime today.