12 Day Japan Cherry Blossom Private Group Tour

Upon arrival, proceed through customs and meet your guide just outside the exit gate, they will be holding an “All Japan Tours” sign for easy visibility. Proceed to your hotel by private coach. Upon arrival at the hotel, you will be free for leisure.

Hotel Mandarin Oriental Tokyo or similar class

In the early morning, you will be picked up at your hotel for your tour of fish markets. Tour the famous Tuna Auction, enjoy an exclusive talk with an insider in the Tuna industry, and access the wholesale area of the Toyosu Fish Market area that many travelers are not able to experience. You can also experience the filleting of these premium fish. Next, learn how to create your own sushi with a professional sushi chef. Whatever you make, you will get to eat for lunch! Then, enjoy the natural atmosphere of the Meiji Shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. While at the shrine, you can participate in a Shinto ceremony with a priest or miko (priestess). Stroll through the Takeshita district of Harajuku and surround yourself with fascinating shops and the latest fashion trends. Harajuku is especially known for its more eccentric fashions, but cute and conventional items can be purchased here as well. Not in the mood for shopping? Not to worry – Harajuku also is a great place for people watching! At the Nezu Museum, you can enjoy a collection of pre- modern Japanese and East Asian art that Nezu Kaichiro put together. After bombing in World War II destroyed some of the collection, Nezu Kaichiro’s son continued to add to it to ensure that his father’s collection remained impressive.

Breakfast / Sushi Lunch

Hotel Mandarin Oriental Tokyo or similar class

NOTE: For Sushi Making Experience, if you are vegetarian, on a gluten-free diet, have a seafood allergy, or don’t eat raw fish, please contact us for other ingredient options.

After breakfast, we will go to the Imperial Palace and see the beautiful East Garden. This is the current residence of Japan’s Imperial Family and a historic landmark. Surrounding the palace is Chidorigafuchi Moat which is popular for cherry blossom viewing. Here, you can see a vast number of cherry trees weeping and flowing towards the moat below, making for a beautiful sight. We will also visit the Edo Tokyo Museum, which exhibits life size replicas as well as miniature models of structures during the Edo period in Japan. You will then be taken to Asakusa Kannon Temple, an active place of worship where you can see the largest paper lantern in Japan. You will also be able to explore the Nakamise Market, which is located right after the temple's outer gates. This is a traditional-style shopping street with several centuries of history. For dinner, you will be joined by a Sumo wrestler at a Chanko Nabe Restaurant. Chanko Nabe is a dish made famous for being commonly eaten by Sumo wrestlers.

Breakfast / Interact and have Dinner with a Sumo Wrestler at a Chankonabe Restaurant

Hotel Mandarin Oriental Tokyo or similar class

Travel to the land at the base of Mt. Fuji where, if the weather is in our favor, we will travel to Mt. Fuji’s 5th station. This is the most popular and convenient spot to enjoy views of the iconic mountain. Afterwards we will tour the Kubota Itchiku Art Museum and view the Tsujigahana silk dyed artworks, regarded heavily as one of the lost arts of Japan. You will the transfer to Hakone for the night. Tonight, relax in the onsen hot spring and enjoy a traditional kaiseki dinner at your hotel.

Breakfast / Dinner at Ryokan

Gora Kadan or similar class

In the morning, you will board a Lake Ashi Cruise where you can enjoy and appreciate Hakone’s natural scenery. We will take a 20- minute ropeway ride from Togendai to Owakudani. Along the ropeway, weather permitting, there will be great views of Mt. Fuji in the distance. While in Owakudani, visitors will have the chance to see hot springs and sulfurous fumes along the trails of an active volcanic zone. Next, we will visit the Hakone Open Air Museum which successfully attempts to create a harmonic balance of nature and art by exhibiting various sculptures on its grounds in combination with views of the surrounding valley and mountains. Once again, you will be able to enjoy the onsen and a kaiseki meal for dinner tonight.

Breakfast / Dinner at Ryokan

Gora Kadan or similar class

After breakfast, you will transfer to Odawara Station and board the first-class bullet train to Osaka. We will travel to Nara and visit one of Japan’s most famous temples and a landmark of Nara, Todaiji Temple. Outside the temple, interact with the wild deer of Nara Deer Park. There are special deer crackers available at every corner of the area. Back in Osaka, we will visit Osaka Castle – built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in aims for it to be the center of a new, unified Japan. This is also a popular spot for Cherry Blossom viewing as the trees like beautiful against the white walls and green roof of the castle.

Breakfast / Lunch

The Ritz-Carlton Osaka or similar class

NOTE: We will shop your large luggage to your hotel in Osaka. Please pack your essentials for 1 night in a small bag to carry with you.

The area around Yoshino mountain in Nara prefecture is said to have been the most famous spot for cherry blossom viewing in all of Japan for centuries. The trees were first planted 1300 years ago and now number around 30,000. In the spring, they turn the mountain- side lovely shades from pink to white. Kinpusenji is the main temple here and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The main hall, Zao-do Hall, claims to be the second largest wooden temple in all of Japan. Nearby, you can visit Yoshimizu Shrine. In addition to being an extremely historically significant shrine, hosting Toyotomi Hideyoshi and even serving as an imperial palace for a short time, the shrine is also one of the best places to get an unobstructed view of the trees along the mountain. In this area, you can try a variation of the Japanese kaiseki meal, with more focus on natural flavor. This form of cooking is referred to as Shojin Ryori, or Monk’s Food. As is tradition among practicing Buddhists, your meal will be vegetarian.

Breakfast / Vegetarian Lunch

The Ritz-Carlton Osaka or similar class

After breakfast, you will transfer to Shin-Osaka Station and board the first-class bullet train to Hiroshima. Our first destination of the day is the Peace Memorial Park. The Peace Park consists of the Peace Memorial Museum, the A-Bomb Dome, and the Cenotaph for the A-Bomb Victims. The Peace Park is one of the most significant features of the city, devoted to the events that occurred on August 6, 1945. Afterwards, we will travel to Miyajima, where we will see Itsukushima Shrine. It is famous for being uniquely built over water, and its large torii gate that appears to “float” over the sea during high tide.

Breakfast / Lunch

The Ritz-Carlton Osaka or similar class

This morning, we will tour the lovely Arashiyama district. First is a visit to see Tenryuji Temple where you can view the traditional landscape garden design. Then proceed through a dense bamboo grove, past several small shrines, tea shops, and private houses before arriving at the Togetsukyo Bridge over Hozu River. Visit Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, so known because it is covered with 18-karat gold leaf. This three-story structure was originally built by the Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in 1397. Continue to explore Kyoto, traveling to Nijo Castle, a designated UNESCO world heritage site and a perfect architectural example of castles from the feudal era of Japan.

Breakfast / Dinner

Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto or similar class

Begin today’s tour of the historic city of Kyoto at the scenic and historic Fushimi district to see the stunning vermilion-colored Fushimi Inari Shrine. This architectural wonder boasts an approximately 2.5-mile (4-km) tunnel of torii gates, showcased during a critical scene of the hit film 'Memoirs of a Geisha'. From there, head to the Fushimi Sake District – known for its clear waters and home to over 40 traditional sake breweries. Along with a local sake expert, you will tour the breweries of the area to learn more about the unique flavor profiles of a wide variety of Sake. We will then visit a traditional home to learn some of the iconic traditional arts of Japan – Calligraphy, Ikebana, and the art of wearing a Kimono.

Breakfast / Lunch

Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto or similar class

Today, you may enjoy a stroll along the Philosopher’s Path, which runs along a water canal lined with hundreds of cherry blossom trees. While at Nanzenji Temple, a famous Zen temple converted from the retirement villa belonging to Emperor Kameyama, we can enjoy the views and unique architectural traits of ancient Japan. Then, visit the lovely Murin-an garden. This is a rare example of a Japanese garden which also exhibits western architecture. Master gardener Ogawa Jihee designed a garden where one can enjoy tea on the veranda while soaking in the beauty of the garden. Through both Nanzenji and Murin-an’s gardens, you will be accompanied by a professional garden designer who will be able to share a unique perspective on the creation and maintenance of these famous works of art. Tour Kiyomizu-dera, a famous temple in Japan that is best known for its large wooden stage that overlooks a hillside of natural scenery. Many of the trees along Kiyomizu’s hillside are cherry trees, making for an absolutely stunning view. Then, we will travel to Kodaiji Temple, which is a lavish temple built in the memory of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Here, we can experience Zen meditation. Next, you will enjoy a relaxing Green Tea Ceremony. This activity was once only available for the social elite. We will end our day in the Gion Geisha District, where its streets are lined with ochaya (teahouses), exclusive establishments where guests are entertained by Geisha and Maiko. Here, we will enjoy traditional Kyoto Cuisine in the company of a beautiful Maiko – a geisha in training.

Breakfast / Dinner - Kyoto Kaiseki Dinner with Maiko

Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto or similar class

After breakfast, you will be free for leisure in the morning until your departure to the airport via private coach.

Breakfast