Tokyo boasts the most Michelin starred restaurants, even beating out Paris! Spend the morning learning how to make one of Japan’s most famous dishes, sushi and enjoy eating what you make!

Take a private vehicle to Asakusa and make a brief stop at the Asakusa Culture and Tourism Center. Designed by Kengo Kuma, the tourist center breaks up the traditional layered form of tall buildings into interesting, asymmetric floors.

After a brief tour of the building, venture toward the “Asakusa Kannon” temple. Sensoji, as it is also known, has been in continuous existence for nearly 1,400 years. Dedicated to the Bodhisattva Kannon, this temple has been a popular site for worship since its inception.

On the way into the temple, stroll through Nakamise Street, where various vendors peddle various foods, omiyage (the Japanese word for souvenir), and other trinkets.

The Tokyo Skytree is tallest structure in Japan at 634 meters. Earthquake-proofing the structure created some interesting design problems for the tower forcing the Japanese to come up with innovative answers. From the top observation deck, visitors can enjoy a truly magnificent view of the immense sprawl of Tokyo. But more than just a broadcasting tower, the Skytree sits atop a large shopping complex that includes a planetarium and even an aquarium!

• Accommodations: ANA InterContinental Hotel Tokyo
• Meals Included: (B,L)

Enjoy a full day out in Tokyo, among its many interesting and varied buildings. Begin with the ancient Meiji Shrine. Dedicated to a former emperor who helped to modernize Japan and accelerate her into the 20th century, this shrine is a beautiful example of Japan’s deep connection with nature and history.

After the Meiji Shrine, walk south to Yoyogi park and the 1964 summer Olympics, Yoyogi National Gymnasium, which is slated to be used in the upcoming 2020 Olympics. Originally designed for swimming and diving events, the area is now used for ice hockey and basketball. Among the unique design elements included by designer Kenzo Tange is offset semi-circle roof structure of both the main building and the secondary structure.

From here, take a walk down the Omote Sando, Tokyo’s Champs de Elysees. Along the way, stop and admire Toyo Ito’s Tod’s Omote Sando Building and Jun Aoki’s Louis Vuitton Omote Sando.

From the end of the Omote Sando, visit the Nezu Museum, recently redesigned by Kengo Kuma. The museum itself houses an interesting collection of ancient art from pre-modern Japan. From the museum, head to one final destination at the 21_21 Design Site, an art space designed by the ubiquitous Tadao Ando.

• Accommodations: ANA InterContinental Hotel Tokyo
• Meals Included: (B,L)

In the morning, head to Ueno Park. The park used to be the grounds of a temple, which later became the site of a major battle during the Boshin civil war in the 1860’s. On one side of the fighting were forces loyal to the Shogun, and the other side, those loyal to the Emperor. In the end the Imperial forces won the day and afterward turned the ruins of the temple into a park.

Within the park lies the Tokyo National Museum. In addition to holding many great artifacts, the museum’s buildings exemplify the transitional architecture of the Meiji Period, when Japan began its rapid modernization.

After visiting the museum, transfer to Tokyo station, another transitional structure, and step aboard the Shinkansen. Not only are these machines some of the fastest trains in the world, traveling up to 285 kilometers per hour, but they are also some of the most frequent—in some cases leaving the station once every three minutes!

Transfer about 2.5 hours to Kyoto. As the former seat of the Japanese Imperial Court, Kyoto was the capital of Japan for over a thousand years. It was from here that many Japanese customs and traditions emerged. Though Kyoto has changed and adapted to modern times the old ways persist as well.

Disembark from the station and step aboard a private vehicle and transfer to one of Japan’s most ancient shrines. Dedicated to the Shinto deity of agriculture and business, Fushimi Inari is famous for its “Senbontorii,” thousands of torii gates that line its mountain path. An individual, or sometimes an entire company will donate these gates to secure good fortune in business.

Check into the hotel this evening and enjoy dinner at one of the lovely restaurants in the hotel.

• Accommodations: Kyoto Tokyu Hotel 
• Meals Included: (B,L,D)

Take a stroll through Kyoto’s most famous and popular district, Higashiyama. Here the old ways of Kyoto are still strong and many of her most beautiful temples can be seen. Geiko and Maiko (Geishas) are sometimes seen roaming the streets of the Gion district, moving from one appointment to another as they have for hundreds of years. Meanwhile monks and priests still live and work among the many mountainside temples.

Meet in the lobby and walk to Higashi–Honganji temple. This massive structure is part of a larger complex of temples and is head of the Jodo-shin sect of Japanese Buddhism.

Afterwards, head to central Kyoto to visit the Nijo castle, a former residence of the Tokugawa Shoguns, who ruled Japan for nearly three hundred years. Unlike other castles, Nijo’s residence has some unique design elements originally imagined by the early Tokugawa shoguns.

Next is the Yasaka Shrine, located in Maruyama Park, just north of Gion. Then take lunch before walking south through avenues of preserved machiya at Ninenzaka and Sanenzaka. There’s plenty to see here with shops of every kind selling souvenirs and snacks. At the end of this district, find Kiyomizudera. Translated as “Temple of the Pure Water,” so named for the Otawa spring in its center. It is thought that water here can offer special benefits to those who imbibe it such as: long life, success in love, or good grades in school.

Afterward transfer to the temple of Ginkakuji, otherwise known as the Silver Pavilion. This temple is widely known for its beautiful garden and relaxing atmosphere.

• Accommodations: Kyoto Tokyu Hotel
• Meals Included: (B,L)

Take a private bus about an hour away to the Miho Museum. This museum showcases the legacy of Mihoko Koyama and her private collection of both Asian and Western antiquities. Created by Chinese Architect I.M. Pei, enjoy walking through this unique structural design.

Stop by the suburb of Uji, which sits in between Nara and Kyoto. Step into the temple of Byodoin, an incredible relic of the Jodo Sect of Japanese Buddhism. On the same grounds as the temple lies the Byoudoin Honkan, designed by Akira Kuryu, a museum filled with relics from the Temple’s past on display.

This afternoon return to Kyoto to visit an interesting local project known as Hariyamachi-no-Ie. Designed by local Kyoto architects, this interesting concrete home carries a minimalist design, standing out among its neighbors.

• Accommodations: Kyoto Tokyu Hotel
• Meals Included: (B,L)

Transfer by private coach to the ancient city of Nara. Though Nara’s tenure as capital was short-lived, it was nonetheless influential in shaping Japan’s history. It was here that Buddhism not only gained a foothold in the country, but also grew in power to rival even that of the Emperor. Nara also has something else to set it apart from most other cities in its thriving population of deer. Considered sacred here, the deer are protected. The animals are quite calm and relaxed around people and can be hand fed special deer crackers sold on the streets. Be careful though, as some animals are not so polite when eating, and they may not only be interested in crackers (so keep all food sealed and out of sight!).

Our visit begins with a very special temple, Todaiji. Built in 752, Todaiji once served as the head temple of Buddhism in Japan. So influential was the temple, that the Imperial court relocated from Nara to Nagaoka to reduce the temple’s influence. Among the many treasures at Todaiji is the Daibutsuen “Big Buddha Hall.” The Daibutsuen is the largest wooden structure in the world, and the Buddha around which it was built stands at a whopping 15 meters.

Later visit an important Shinto shrine at Kasuga Taisha. Lanterns are to Kasuga Taisha what torii gates are to Fushimi-Inari. That is to say, there are thousands of them donated by devotees to the shrine. The shrine was founded at the same time Nara became Japan’s first permanent capital, and has existed ever since. 

Finish the day with Horyuji. Founded in 607, Horyuji Temple has the distinction of containing the world’s oldest wooden structures: it’s main hall, a five-story pagoda, and its main gate are around 1,300 years old. Strangely enough, within the temple is the distinctly Indian style depictions of the Buddha on the pagoda’s wall. The temple also hosts rare artifacts from the Heian period and has an interesting display of Buddhist relics and artwork.

• Accommodations: Kyoto Tokyu Hotel
• Meals Included: (B,L)

Before leaving Kyoto, take part in a traditional tea ceremony as served by a master of tea. Tea ceremonies are a performance and much like a dance, the moves are slow, subtle, precise, and carefully scripted. Enjoy a traditional Japanese sweet while the tea master prepares a cup of “matcha”, powdered green tea.

Then head to Kyoto station and board a train for Kurashiki. Once a trading hub of the Edo period, Kurashiki used to be known for its rice granaries. Many wealthy merchants once called this place home and many of their homes still stand today. Since rice storage is no longer a major contributor to the Kurashiki economy, many of its homes and buildings have been converted into museums.  As an old trading hub, Kurashiki used canals and waterways to ship many goods to market. Some of the old canals still exist and along them, many of the old storehouses and merchant homes have been restored.

Among them is the Ohashi House, the former residence of a wealthy merchant from Kurashiki. The house itself is rare for a merchant’s home, as it was built in the samurai style. 

At the opposite end of the canal, find Japan’s oldest museum dedicated to Western Art, the Ohara Museum. Inside visitors can find works from Picasso, Gauguin, and many others. There are also some Japanese works of art, as well as a building dedicated to Kojima Torajiro, who fused Japanese spirit with his Western style of painting.

Check in to the hotel in the later afternoon and then enjoy the evening at leisure among Kurashiki’s cafes and shops.

• Accommodations: Kurashiki Royal Art Hotel
• Meals Included: (B,L)

Enjoy a leisurely morning before meeting up in the hotel lobby and disembarking for Okayama city. Much like Kurashiki, Okayama city became influential due to trade.

Among Okayama’s treasures, is its rare garden at Korakuen, considered to be one of the top three landscape gardens in Japan. Though once used only for important state visitors by the local lord, the garden eventually made its way into public hands. This particular property has unique, open areas that one might expect to find a Western garden.

Time permits, we may also visit Okayama Castle, located just beside the park. Unlike many castles that stand today, Okayama castle has a black painted exterior, which earned it the nickname, Crow Castle.

From the gardens transfer southward to Uno and board a ferry for Naoshima, an island dedicated to modern art and architecture, heavily featuring Ando Tadao.

• Accommodations: Benesse House 
• Meals Included: (B,L,D)

Spend the day on Naoshima visiting various art projects and museums that the island offers by bicycle. Begin with the Chichu Art Museum. Designed by famed Japanese architect Ando Tadao (like many of the other installations here), this museum uses only natural lighting to illuminate the displays. Thus the experience of visiting can vary drastically from minute to minute and hour to hour!

Next visit the Lee Ufan Museum, which a relatively new building dedicated to Korean artist Lee Ufan and designed by the preeminent Ando Tadao. Further on, visit a museum dedicated to the island’s main architect himself, the aptly named Ando Museum. Around Honmura port, there is also the Art House Project, which is a collection of homes that have been turned into works of art by various Japanese artists.

• Accommodations: Benesse House 
• Meals Included: Meals on own 

This morning, transfer by motor coach for Himeji city. As the second largest city in Hyogo prefecture after Kobe, Himeji claims its fame through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Himeji Castle. As one of the few original castles from the feudal age of Japan, Himeji is a remarkable sight. Nicknamed Shirasagijo (White Heron Castle) for its brilliant white exterior, the castle is immensely popular with Japanese and foreign tourists alike.

From Himeji, transfer to Osaka. Founded more than 1400 years ago, Osaka has continuously served in its role as Japan’s most active trading hub. More than just a place of business, Osaka is a center of culture that can only be described as “Kansai.”

In Osaka, visit the Bengoshi Kaikan, a modern office building with unique designs. Later stroll along Nakanoshima, a former wharf that has been reimagined as waterfront. Filled with buildings of varying designs it’s the perfect place for a pleasant afternoon walk.

Check in to the hotel. Then head back out to Umeda by public transit and get a look at JR West’s Osaka Station. This massive hub combines transit, shopping, and business. Underneath it is a vast series of underground walkways linking nearly all the buildings in the immediate area.

Only a short walk from Osaka station is the Umeda Sky Building. The building is actually two towers connected by an observatory at the top, yielding spectacular views of downtown Osaka. From the top it’s possible to see an interesting landmark of Osaka, the Gate Tower building, which has a highway ramp that passes directly through its center.

Enjoy a farewell dinner in Umeda and then return to the hotel.

• Accommodations: ANA Crowne Plaza Osaka
• Meals Included: (B,L,D)

After breakfast, transfer to Kansai international airport by private vehicle for your flight home. Arrive in the USA on the same day. (B, Meals aloft)

Start your first morning with a trip to the Meiji Jingu Shrine, a Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken, the great-grandparents of the present emperor. The lovely grounds spread over 700,000 square meters covered by a forest of 120,000 trees donated by people from all over Japan. For many Japanese, the shrine is both a spiritual home and an oasis in Tokyo.

Walk the fashionable Omotesando and Aoyama Streets to soak in modern Japanese culture.

Experience being a Samurai worrier at Samurai lesson. The time of the Samurai has long passed and the once great warriors of old Japan have vanished. Yet the way of the Samurai lives on. Over one hour’s lesson, learn about the code of the Sumarai: manners and etiquette. Then practice some of the basic movements in Japanese style sword play, which culminates in a sword fight! Before leaving, don’t forget to take a few photographs in your Samurai robes.

Visit Akihabara Electric City (also called Akiba), the fashionable district known for its many electronic shops, as well as anime and manga. Explore the festive Ameyoko street with colorful vendors selling various products such as clothes, bags, cosmetics, fresh fish, dried food and spices. The name “Ameyoko” is a short form for “Ameya Yokocho” (candy store alley), as candies were traditionally sold there.

This evening is at your leisure. 

• Accommodations: Hotel New Otani 
• Meals included: B,L

In the morning visit the old site of the Tsukiji Fish Market. About 100 vendors voted to stay in the lively traditional market when the new market was transferred to a new site at the end of 2016. As the biggest wholesale seafood market in the world, more than 400 varieties of seafood from around the globe are being sold in the markets each morning.

Enjoy exploring the Mitsukoshi Depachika. In Japanese, department stores are called depato, and basements are called chika. Combine the two and you have depachika. Founded as the Echigoya dry goods store in 1673, Mitsukoshi’s Ginza branch has one of the city’s best depachika where the highest quality of culinary delights are artistically crafted and displayed

Stroll through Ginza, Tokyo’s most famous upmarket shopping, dining and entertainment district, featuring numerous department stores, boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, night clubs and cafes. 

After lunch, tour the Edo Museum to discover Japan’s rich history and culture through numerous displays of dioramas, scale models and historical items.

This evening, enjoy a welcome banquet featuring traditional Japanese cuisine.

• Accommodations: Hotel New Otani 
• Meals included: B,D

Transfer to Hakone by coach (approximately 2 hours), the famous hot spring town at the foot of the Mountain Fuji. Visit the Hakone Open Air Museum with over 100 pieces of master sculptures in the open air in addition to a special rotating Picasso exhibit. (The Museum has a collection of over 300 works by Picasso!)  Enjoy the splendor of art in nature. Lunch is at the museum cafe.

Take a leisurely walk to Hakone Gora Park and Hakone Museum of Art to enjoy beautiful Japanese garden.

Check in at the hotel by the Ashi Lake and enjoy a hot spring bath before dinner. A traditional Kaiseki dinner will be served tonight with multiple courses of small dishes served in delicate China.

• Accommodations: The Prince Hakone Lake Ashinoko
• Meals included: B,L,D

This morning, meet your guide and transfer by private coach to Mt. Fuji 5^th station (approximately 1.5 hours). Upon arrival, eat a quick picnic lunch on your own at the 5th station. Start hiking to the 7th station, about 2.5 hours hike. Return to the 5th station (approximately 1.5 hours)

**If the weather condition is not favorable, you will hike around Mt. Fuji Five Lakes area with Ice Cave, Music Forest, Oshino Hakkai, Kawaguchiko Lake, etc.

Spend a relaxing evening at the hotel. 

• Accommodations: The Prince Hakone Lake Ashinoko
• Meals included: B

This morning, meet your guide in the hotel lobby and transfer by private coach to the Odawara Station and board the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) bound for Kyoto (approximately 2 hours). Not only are these machines some of the fastest trains in the world, traveling at a maximum of 285km, but they are also the most frequent—in some cases leaving the station once every two minutes.

Upon arrival, meet your Kyoto guide who will walk with you to Porta street where you can find a variety of restaurants to choose from for lunch. After lunch, transfer by private coach to visit the exquisite Kodaiji Temple and enjoy traditional tea ceremony in the temple.

Matcha tea is created from the finest tea leaves of nearby Uji. Attending a simple tea ceremony (the elaborate one lasts for hours) is a good way to experience the essence of the Japanese way of life: focus on the moment; attention to each movement; appreciation of the color and taste of the powered tea; admiration of the texture of the tea bowl (an expensive art piece passed on in the families for generations).

Walk the lively Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka traditional alleys with boutiques shops and tea houses on the hillside.

This evening is at your leisure. You may explore the lively restaurants and bars in Ponto-cho Street along the Kamo Gawa River. Few streets in Asia rival this narrow pedestrian-only walkway for atmosphere. The place comes alive by night with colorful lanterns, traditional wooden exteriors, and delicate entryways disappearing into the doorways of fine dining and bars 

• Accommodations: Hyatt Regency Kyoto 
• Meals included: B

In the morning, tour Kinkakuji Temple, the Golden Pavilion. This exquisite pavilion surrounded by a beautiful pond was once burnt down by a monk so obsessed with its beauty that he wanted to prevent others from viewing its golden form.

Tour the famous Nishiki Market followed by Japanese cooking class with local cooking class instructors. With over 100 shops and restaurants, this five-block shopping street is known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen”. Buy local ingredients with which you cook your own lunch with the instructors.

Explore the expansive Nijo Castle built for the first shogun in 1603 in the heart of the city. In 1939, the Imperial Family donated it to the city of Kyoto. The famous movie “the Last Samurai” was shot here.

If time permits, wander Gion, the beautiful Geisha district, in the heart of Kyoto. The area is dotted with old style Japanese Machiya houses. If you are lucky you may spot a Geishas or Maikos (apprentice geishas) with elaborate makeup and hair, walkinf swiftly in gorgeous kimono outfits to the evening appointments.

Return to Kyoto in early evening and have dinner on your own.

• Accommodations: Hyatt Regency Kyoto 
• Meals included: B,L

Take a short coach ride to Nara, the ancient capital laid out after China’s Changan (now known as Xi’an). In 710 AD the first Japanese capital was founded here and lasted for 74 years. During this short but significant era, Japan witnessed the birth of nation’s arts, crafts, and literature. Nara imported everything from religion to art and architecture from China. It was during the Nara period that the first historical account, first mythological chronicle, and first poetry anthology were written. Buddhism flourished together with temples, shrines, pagodas and palaces. Much has remained intact surrounded by the gardens and spacious parks where deer roam freely among the grounds.

Todaiji Temple is the largest wooden structure in the world, even at two thirds of its original size. This UNESCO World Heritage Site houses Japan’s second largest bronze Buddha. The temple structure, an exact copy after a grand temple in China’s ancient capital Changan, is a celebrated architectural feat.

Kasuga Taisha Shrine is a striking Shinto shrine of vermilion-colored pillars and astounding 3000 stone and bronze lanterns. It contains a botanical garden, Shin-en, famous for its wisteria and 300 varieties of native Japanese plants.

On the way back to Kyoto, stop at the Fushimi Inari Shrine, one of Kyoto’s oldest (founded in 711 AD) and most revered Shinto shrines. Fushimi Inari serves as the headquarters for all the 40,000 shrines dedicated to Inari across Japan. Originally the god of rice, Inari now governs the modern equivalent: success and prosperity in business. The Shrine draws thousands of businessmen and tradespeople seeking blessings for their enterprises, especially at the first prayers of the New Year. Fushimi Inari is noted for its remarkable sight of some 10,000 small torii (shrine gates) that arch over a long path up the hill behind the shrine.

This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at Sodoh Higashiyama with an enchanting Japanese garden. The restaurant is famous for Japanese and Italian fusion cuisine.

• Accommodations: Hyatt Regency Kyoto
• Meals included: B,L,D

Make your own way to Itami airport, Kansai International airport or to your next destination. 

• Meals included: B