Japan Escape

Konnichiwa, Japan! Welcome to Tokyo, Japan’s capital city. Hotel check-in is available mid-afternoon.

Monumental Metropolis Start with a visit to Meiji Shrine, a magnificent 20th-century Shinto monument set in a man-made forest, then partake in a traditional [LOCAL FAVORITE] tea ceremony. Last stop is the Asakusa Kannon Temple and Nakamise shopping arcade. Tonight, join your travel companions at a welcome dinner hosted by your Tour Director. (B,L,D) LOCAL FAVORITE PLANNED TO A TEA Participate in an authentic Japanese tea ceremony, the ancient tradition and carefully choreographed ritual of preparing and gracefully serving Japanese green tea.

Tokyo to Go Enjoy a full day at your leisure to explore the city. (B) ENHANCED FREE TIME EXPLORE MORE Tokyo has something for everyone, so visit one of the city’s unique neighborhoods like Ginza or Shibuya districts, dine at the street food markets, or take a full-day excursion to the Five Lakes region and spectacular Mt. Fuji.

Golden Gift Board one of Japan’s famous shinkansen (bullet train) bound for Kyoto. Upon arrival, visit stunning Kinkakuji, the Temple of the Gold Pavilion. (B,D) TOUR HIGHLIGHT SPEEDING BULLET Board a shinkansen en route to Kyoto for a comfortable ride through space and time in the tradition of Japan’s fastest way to travel.

Sushi, Shrines & Temples Start your day at Sanjusangen-do Temple, famous for its 1,001 statues of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy. Flanking the main statue are 1,000 more life-sized statues, covered in gold leaf, with 40 arms believed to have the power to save 25 worlds! Next, visit Yuzen Handmade Corner to learn about the Yuzen dyeing technique used to decorate kimonos by painting dye directly on the cloth. Make your own souvenir using this traditional method. Then, participate in a [LOCAL FAVORITE] Japanese cooking class for lunch. (B,L) LOCAL FAVORITE CULTURAL TREASURES Japan is known for its cuisine, which is deeply ingrained into the culture. What better way to gain insights into the local way of life than through your generations of traditional dishes? Participate in a special cooking class under the instruction of a local chef to learn how to make miso soup, teriyaki chicken, and makizushi, more commonly known as a sushi roll.

Larger than Life Travel to nearby Nara to visit Kasuga Shrine and Todaiji Temple, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure. (B,D) TOUR HIGHLIGHT NARA GIANTS Travel to Nara Park, one of the largest in Japan, and famous for its free-roaming deer wandering amid its shrines and temples. Kasuga Shrine, the most celebrated in Nara, is a Shinto shrine with some 3,000 stone and bronze lanterns. On the opposite end of the park is Todaiji Temple, one of Japan’s most significant temples. Originally built in 752 AD and again after a fire in 1692, the temple is only two-thirds its original size yet remains one of the world’s largest wooden buildings. The Daibutsu (Giant Buddha) inside the main hall is made of copper and bronze, weighing 250 tons and measuring 49 feet tall.

Storied Castle Keep Drive south to Himeji to visit Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stop in Kurashiki and enjoy free time in the Bikan Historical Quarter, once the political and commercial center of the city. The canal-lined, white-washed, stone streets reflect the Edo period (1603-1867) and are quintessentially Japanese. Continue to Hiroshima. (B,L) TOUR HIGHLIGHT HISTORIC SPOT Himeji Castle stands guard on its lofty hilltop perch as the finest surviving example of early 17th-century Japanese castle architecture that combines function with elegance in its white, six-story fortress keep. Its 600-year history as a strategic defense point to the west of Kyoto began in the 1400s to become the white castle complex completed in 1609 under daimyo Lord Ikeda Terumasa. Marvel at more than 80 buildings connected by a series of labyrinth-like winding paths.

Reveries & Remembrances Explore the highlights of Hiroshima with your Local Guide. Start your guided tour at Peace Memorial Park, then travel by ferry to Miyajima Island to visit Itsukushima Shrine. Tonight, your Tour Director hosts a farewell dinner to celebrate your discovery of Japan. (B,L,D) TOUR HIGHLIGHT MONUMENTS & MEMORIALS Peace Memorial Park is home to the Peace Memorial, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has been preserved just as it was on August 6, 1945, immediately after the bombing. You will also visit the Memorial Museum and Memorial Hall, which commemorate the lives lost that day. On Miyajima Island, visit Itsukushima Shrine, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its floating Torii Gate.

Say it Ain’t Sayonara! Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. (B)