Gôra Kadan
The sublime Gora Kadan is situated in the striking Hakone National Park. The former retreat of the Kanin-no-miya imperial family, the Gor... Read more
Discover the incredible breadth of Japan’s culture and history, from the contemporary flair of Tokyo to the charms of traditional Kyoto, visiting historic temples, overnighting at a sought-after ryokan and sampling culinary treasures.
Journey Highlights
Arrive in Tokyo, Japan’s exciting and modern capital. Transfer to your hotel, located near the Imperial Palace.
Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi
This morning, visit Asakusa Kannon Temple. This colourful pagoda-style temple was completed in 645 and is dedicated to Kannon, the goddess of mercy in several East Asian spiritual traditions. Continue to a family-owned workshop that specialises in Japanese drum making — and try your hand at playing the taiko — on an A&K-exclusive experience. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before exploring the Tokyo National Museum, the oldest national museum in Japan and home to a vast collection of Japanese art and antiquities. Continue to Meiji Shrine, a Shinto complex dedicated to an emperor that was rebuilt after World War II. Tonight, gather for a welcome dinner.
Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi | Meals: BLD
Start your day at a local fish market, a bustling hub of Japanese daily life boasting a dizzying array of seafood. Then, receive a lesson in sushi making, followed by lunch, during a Chef ’s Table experience. This afternoon, enjoy one of these Design Your Day activities.
Return to your hotel for an evening at leisure.
Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi | Meals: BL
Travel to Hakone, among Japan’s most popular hot-spring destinations, and immerse yourself in the stunning beauty of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Board an aerial tram rising above the wooded slopes for inspiring views of Mount Fuji. Enjoy lunch before strolling the grassy hillsides of Hakone’s Open-Air Museum. Admire the impressive contemporary sculptures and artwork on display, including pieces by Henry Moore and Rodin. The museum also features one of the world’s finest Picasso exhibits, with over 100 works by the cubist master. Tonight, experience unparalleled service and traditional Japanese cuisine at Gôra Kadan, a top-rated ryokan (traditional inn), which is also your accommodation for the night.
Gôra Kadan | Meals: BLD
After breakfast at your ryokan, visit the Okada Museum of Art to view its stunning collection of paintings, ceramics, lacquerware and bronzes from Japan, Korea and China. Then, Ride Like a Local by bullet train to Osaka. Historically known as a merchant city, it is today renowned as Japan’s undisputed culinary capital, where diners indulge in everything from octopus dumplings to okonomiyaki, a battered, grilled concoction of chopped cabbage, meat or seafood, and seaweed, topped with mayonnaise. This evening, take in city views, refreshing drink in hand, on a Scenic Sundowner, before you set out on a foodie tour in the popular Dotonbori District, sampling dishes from the brilliantly lighted and gastronomically creative restaurants that line the street.
The St. Regis Osaka | Meals: BL
Travel to Nara, Japan’s first capital, to visit Todai-ji, a temple complex and UNESCO World Heritage Site that contains the largest bronze Buddha statue in Japan. Proceed to Nara Park, home to hundreds of deer, venerated here as divine spirits, which you have the opportunity to feed by hand. Complete your Nara excursion with a visit to celebrated Kasuga Taisha Shrine and experience a Shinto ceremony firsthand. Pause for lunch at a local restaurant before proceeding to the Kehaya-za Sumo Pavilion, where you observe a demonstration of this fabled Japanese sport by two sumo wrestlers. Return to your hotel, where you enjoy dinner.
The St. Regis Osaka | Meals: BLD
Travel into Kyoto early this morning to contemplate the iconic Zen rock garden at Ryoan-ji, the perfect spot for a meditative moment, and discover the glittering Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion) — covered with gold leaf and surrounded by green gardens — casting its delicate reflection in the tranquil pond beside it. After lunch, explore the Arashiyama neighbourhood, including the garden of Tenryu-ji Temple. Later, bask in the magical atmosphere of Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, strolling along a winding path as sunlight filters down through towering bamboo shoots, considered by many a healing experience.
Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto | Meals: BL
Visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple for stunning views of Kyoto. Proceed to a local temple to experience the art of the tea ceremony, noting its refined sense of hospitality and etiquette, which dates to the time of the samurai. Tonight, savour traditional Japanese cuisine, while an attending geiko (as a geisha is known in Kyoto) and maiko (apprentice geisha) dance, sing, pour sake and share stories about life in modern Kyoto.
Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto | Meals: BD
After breakfast, transfer to Kansai International Airport or Itami Airport, both located just outside of Osaka, for your flight home, or begin a post-tour extension to Hiroshima.
Meals: B
This journey includes long walks.
Minimum age is 10 years.
First group event: welcome briefing at 8:00 a.m. on Day 2.
Last group event: farewell dinner at 7:00 p.m. on Day 8.
Departures are guaranteed to operate with a minimum of 2 guests.
Please note: Cherry Blossoms & Red Leaves: Springtime in Japan is glorious, with the iconic sakura (cherry blossoms) on full display. Likewise, autumn’s red maple leaves are inspiring to behold. Choose from select departures for the chance to set eyes on them. Contact A&K for details.
Talk to one of our expert Journey Designers or your travel agent about booking this tour as a private journey for your own small group with family or friends. Or, if you would prefer to travel privately, find out more about creating the perfect bespoke Tailor-Made Journey based on this itinerary.
Contact one of our Journey Designers to start planning your itinerary.
The sublime Gora Kadan is situated in the striking Hakone National Park. The former retreat of the Kanin-no-miya imperial family, the Gor... Read more
Located along the famed street of Midosuji, heralded as the Champs Elysées of Osaka, the St. Regis Osaka is an eloquent expression of com... Read more
Just 15 minutes’ drive from the famous Gion Geisha District, the Four Seasons is perfectly positioned for exploring the historical and cu... Read more
Prices are per person, based on double occupancy
| Nov 22, 2024 - Nov 30, 2024 |
|---|
| Price AU$23,300pp | Single Supplement AU$10,760 | Internal Air (From) AU$0 | Availability Call for Availability | Enquire |
| Nov 29, 2024 - Dec 7, 2024 |
|---|
| Price AU$23,300pp | Single Supplement AU$10,760 | Internal Air (From) AU$0 | Availability Call for Availability | Enquire |
Small Group Journeys
Discover astonishing Angkor Wat and cruise for seven nights on an exclusive charter along the Mekong River to experience its varied cultures in rural ...
Small Group Journeys
Immerse yourself in the historical, cultural and culinary treasures of four countries — Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand — on a single, comprehens...
Small Group Journeys
Explore India’s greatest treasures as you visit the timeless Taj Mahal, seek the graceful Bengal tiger and witness a holy rite beside the sacred Gange...
Cruises
Explore Japan’s coastal cities, mesmerising gardens and spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Private Jet Journeys
Travel on a globe-spanning adventure that brings you up close with the true wonder of the world: its incredibly diverse wildlife, from the placid whal...
Small Group Journeys
Explore two vastly different and evolving national legacies — each steeped in rich heritage and tradition — and each poised on the cutting edge of tom...
Small Group Journeys
Discover the incredible breadth of Japan’s culture and history, from the contemporary flair of Tokyo to the charms of traditional Kyoto, visiting hist...
Tailor-Made Journeys
Japan is highly regarded for its wealth of both traditional and modern arts and crafts and on this journey you’ll experience the full spectrum.
Tailor-Made Journeys
Japan is a destination that is simply enthralling, offering an entrancing mix of ancient tradition and the ultra-modern.
Tailor-Made Journeys
An intriguing blend of modern and ancient, efficient and eclectic, rural and urban, Japan offers unique activities and experiences which can be specia...
Tailor-Made Journeys
Dine on the freshest seafood, sip the warmest whiskeys, and explore 2000 years of Northern Japanese history before taking to the snow-covered mountain...
It looks like you are located in Australia, New Zealand
or South East Asia.
Proceed to A&K Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia Proceed to website
