Group Trips to Japan: Land of the Rising Sun 14-Day Tour

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival Tokyo and welcome dinner

Gather at the tour hotel in the heart of Tokyo in the evening to meet your guide and the other group participants. Afterwards, you will be able to enjoy a Welcome Dinner at a nearby eatery.

✓ Dinner

Day 2: Tokyo Walking Tour

On our inaugural day in Japan, we embark on a walking tour of Tokyo. Our first stop is the picturesque Hama-Rikyu gardens, located close to the mouth of the Sumida-gawa River, providing a striking contrast to the modern Shiodome business district. Afterwards, we head to Nihonbashi (the ‘Japan Bridge’), the zero marker point for all Japan’s main roads since the Edo era. Then, we proceed to the chic Ginza shopping district, followed by a visit to the Grand Meiji Shrine close to Harajuku, renowned for its modern fashion and architecture.

✓ Breakfast

Day 3: Obuse and Yudanaka Onsen Hot Spring village

This morning, we are heading to Obuse, which is in Nagano Prefecture, north-west of Tokyo. It is a charming town where the renowned artist Hokusai spent his final years. We will be visiting the Hokusai-kan museum, which showcases many of his works. Afterwards, we will make a short trip to Yudanaka Onsen, a hot spring village that is popular for its snow monkeys. These Japanese macaques usually come to soak in the outdoor hot spring bath during the winter, but now they visit all year round.

✓ Breakfast and Dinner

Day 4: Matsumoto Castle and Narai Post Town

First, we will venture to Matsumoto to witness the magnificent 16th century castle. Afterwards, we will head to the Kiso Valley and the quaint town of Narai, a remnant of the historic Nakasendo way between Kyoto and Tokyo. Here, you will find many preserved houses and former inns that remain.

✓ Breakfast and Dinner

Day 5: Narai, Tsumago, and Magome

After breakfast, you’ll have time to explore the historic town of Narai, known for its lacquerware and woodcrafts. Then, take a short journey by train or bus to reach Tsumago, a post-town along the former Nakasendo trail that has been preserved as a living museum. Stroll the streets, try some gohei-mochi (a sweet paste of miso, sesame, and walnuts on skewered balls of pounded sticky rice) and visit the folk museum. From there, the trail winds for 8 kilometres/ 5 miles over the Magome Pass to Magome, passing through forests, countryside, farms, rice fields, traditional homes, and gardens. You can take the local bus to reach your destination or choose to walk the entire trail. Upon arrival, you’ll check into a traditional Minshuku inn, a family-run guesthouse.

✓ Breakfast and Dinner

Day 6: Travel to Takayama and hot-spring bath

After having breakfast, we take a leisurely walk through Magome and then make our way to Takayama. This area is renowned for its traditional architecture, as well as its crafts, such as yew-wood carving, Shunkei lacquerware, pottery, and furniture. After checking into the inn, we can take some time to explore the nearby areas and then indulge in a hot-spring bath before dinner. In the evening, we make sure to taste the delectable Hida beef and perhaps sample some locally brewed saké.

✓ Breakfast and Dinner

Day 7: Full day exploring Takayama

Today, we’re spending the day exploring the charming city of Takayama! We’ll start our journey by visiting the morning market, which offers an array of vegetables, crafts, pickles, and souvenirs. We’ll then take a look at the exquisite Yoshijima Heritage House, with its beautiful wooden structure and intricate interior design. Following that, we’ll meander through the San-machi area, home to many traditional merchant houses, some of which are open as museums. After lunch, you’ll have free time to explore and find any special treasures to take home!

✓ Breakfast

Day 8: Takayama Festival Floats and Ogimachi village

Start your day off by exploring the Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall, one of the three most beautiful festivals of Japan. Here you will find huge, elaborate floats which are sure to amaze. Then, head to Ogimachi village in the Shirakawa-go area north-west of Takayama. This village is home to many gassho-zukuri houses which were recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995. The term gassho-zukuri refers to the shape of the steep thatched roofs, designed to protect against heavy snowfall.

✓ Breakfast and Dinner.

Day 9: Travel to Kyoto

Today, we are departing from the mountains and heading to Kanazawa by bus, before taking a train to Kyoto and our hotel in the city centre. Later, we will be strolling through Gion, renowned for its exclusive ryotei restaurants and geiko or maiko. Additionally, we plan to visit Sanjo-ohashi Bridge, the beginning of the Nakasendo Trail.

✓ Breakfast

Day 10: Half-day Kyoto walking tour

This morning, we are embarking on a half-day walking tour. Our first stop is Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, which was built by the Ashikaga Shogun in the 14th century. Afterward, we will be heading to Ryoan-ji, home to a renowned rock garden with fifteen moss-covered boulders. In the afternoon, you will have free time to explore the area further or go shopping for souvenirs.

✓ Breakfast

Day 11: Day tour of Nara

Heading south of Kyoto by train, we will find ourselves in the ancient city of Nara. Our first stop will be Todai-ji temple, home to a bronze statue of Buddha and said to be the largest wooden structure in the world. Alternatively, we could take the back road from Todai-ji to Kasuga Taisha Shrine. After that, we could explore the old merchant district of Nara-machi with its narrow streets, shops, cafes, and restaurants. We will then return to Kyoto in the evening.

✓ Breakfast

Day 12: Nankai Railway to Mount Koya and temple stay

We start our journey by taking a local train to Osaka, and then continue on the breathtaking Nankai Railway Line to Mount Koya. This bowl-shaped valley is home to an abundance of cedars and is situated on the Kii Peninsula. Mount Koya has been a place of worship and ritual since the 9th century and now possesses over 100 monasteries, some of which offer Shukubo (Pilgrim’s lodging). During our stay we will be accommodated in one of the exquisite temples and enjoy a delicious shojin-ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine). We will also take a walk through the colossal Okuno-in cemetery, containing thousands of graves and memorials to feudal lords and other great figures of history.

✓ Breakfast and Dinner

Day 13: Buddhist service, Bullet Train, and Farewell Dinner

This morning is your chance to rise early (6am!) and participate in a Buddhist service at the temple. After breakfast, we will make our way back to Tokyo, taking the shinkansen Bullet Train from Osaka. To cap off the day, there will be a Farewell Dinner in the evening in Tokyo.

✓ Breakfast and Dinner

Day 14: End of tour and departure

Today marks the end of the tour, and your guide is available to help you with airport travel if you are flying home, or with any other travel plans in Japan if you are continuing your visit. Breakfast will be the last activity before saying goodbye.

✓ Breakfast

Japan small group tours offer a magical way to travel through this spectacular part of the world. To discover more of our group trips to Japan, browse our website or contact us on +01473356000 or enquiry@asiara-holidays.com