Japan From Alps to Zen

Sophisticated Japan amazes like no other. From the shimmering, glimmering lights of Tokyo to subtleties of Kyoto's elegant gardens and temples, Japan never ceases to transfix its guests. Travel to Takayama in the beautiful alpine district of Honshu and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Shirakawago Village where the traditional houses are more than 250 years old!


  • Day 1: Depart USA En Route

    Depart USA on your flight to Tokyo crossing the International Date Line.

  • Day 2: Arrive Tokyo Capitol Hotel Tokyu

    Arrive to Tokyo, one of the world's most cutting-edge capitals and a city of contrasts with its towering skyscrapers and peaceful shrines, temples and gardens. You are met on arrival and transferred to your hotel.

  • Day 3: Tokyo Capitol Hotel Tokyu

    Enjoy a full day tour of this fascinating city with your guide, making use of Tokyo's comprehensive and user friendly public transport system. Begin at Tsukiji Fish Market, best known as the world's largest fish market, where you can opt for breakfast at one of the sushi counters. Stroll through Hamarikyu Teien, a former private garden of an Edo Period lord, with a stop in a teahouse on a small island on the park's lake for a hot cup of steaming macha and to witness a short tea ceremony. From the park's pier, take a boat cruise along the Sumida River, discovering a very different side of the city, to Asakusa, part of Tokyo's Shitamachi, or old town. Asakusa is home to Sensoji Temple, Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple, and is also the city's oldest Geisha district. The streets around Sensoji have many traditional shops selling Japanese crafts and souvenirs and are a delight to wander through. In the afternoon take the subway across town to Meiji Shrine, a shrine dedicated to the deified spirit of Emperor Meiji and a popular place for traditional Japanese weddings. If time permits, you can take a walk down Omotesando shopping street, a broad tree lined avenue home to the flagship stores of the world's top fashion brands. (B)

  • Day 4: Tokyo Capitol Hotel Tokyu

    This morning head to the Ryogoku, the center of Japan's sumo world and home to most of Tokyo's sumo heyas. All rikishi (wrestlers) belong to heyas, or sumo stables, where they live, train and eat. Visit one of the heyas to get up close and personal with these giant men and watch their asa geiko (morning training). After training, it is time to eat like sumo at a local restaurant specializing in chunko nabe, a Japanese stew with chicken, fish, tofu and vegetables. Continue to the Bonsai Museum to take a lesson in either Ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement) or Japanese Calligraphy. Visit the fascinating Edo Tokyo Museum that charts the rise of Tokyo from a small fishing village called Edo through to the thriving metropolis that we see today. The remainder of the day is free for independent exploration. (B,L)

  • Day 5: Tokyo / Matsumoto Tobira Onsen Myojinkan

    Take the morning train to the 16th century castle town of Matsumoto, known for its beautiful views of the Japan Alps, home to abundant onsen, and famous for its production of wasabi and delicate soba. Enjoy free time to visit Matsumoto castle and explore the surrounding town, including Nakamachi, a former merchant district full of preserved warehouses turned into restaurants, cafés and shops. The Japan Ukiyoe Museum is home to over 100,000 of these famous Japanese woodblock prints, making it one of the world's largest private art collections. Check in to the divine Myojinkan where you can indulge in its hot spring onsen baths and enjoy the calm and serenity of the mountains. (B,D)

  • Day 6: Matsumoto Tobira Onsen Myojinkan

    Overday excursion to nearby Nagano to visit the historic 1,400 year old Zenkoji temple which houses what many believe to be the first Buddhist statue ever brought to Japan. Continue to Jigokudani (‘hell's valley') Park to see the resident Snow Monkeys that enjoy bathing in the steam and baths of boiling water bubbling out of the ground. Alternatively, you may wish to stay behind in Matsumoto for the day for further exploration by bicycle or nearby hiking. (B)

  • Day 7: Matsumoto / Takayama Koto No Yume Ryokan

    Take a beautiful, scenic coach journey to the mountain town of Takayama, often referred to as “Little Kyoto” with its plethora of temples, shrines, festivals, rivers and bridges. Many unique traditions have evolved here, and due to the town's previously inaccessible location high in the Hida alpine region, a remarkable number of them have been preserved. The district called Sanmachi Suji, the traditional home of Takayama merchants and sake brewer s, has been preserved in almost exactly the same state as 200 or 300 years ago. Here are delightful inns, shops and taverns, which trace their history back many generations. The Takayama Festival, which takes place in spring and autumn, is considered to be one of the three most impressive festivals in Japan. Spend the afternoon visiting the Takayama Festival Floats museum, displaying floats from the famous Takayama festival, or simply wandering through the beautifully preserved old town. Be sure to visit one of the town's many sake breweries for a taste of the local drop, its high quality due to the area's clean water sources. Tonight you will stay in Japanese style ryokan accommodation with hot spring onsen bath. (B,D)

  • Day 8: Takayama Koto No Yume Ryokan

    Stroll the Miyagawa morning market with stalls selling local crafts and produce, a great opportunity to try some of the region's delicious fruit and vegetables. Visit the Hida No Sato Folk Village, an open-air museum exhibiting over 30 typical farmhouses and other traditional buildings from the Hida region with a workshop in the village illustrating how many of Japan's famous handicrafts are made, including wood carving, tie-dying, weaving, and lacquering. Take an afternoon excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Shirakawago village, famous for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some of which are more than 250 years old. Gassho-zukkuri translates as ‘Praying Hands', as the farmhouses' steep thatched roofs resemble the hands of Buddhist monks pressed together in prayer, and are designed to withstand the heavy snows which fall in the region. (B)

  • Day 9: Takayama / Kyoto Ritz-Carlton Kyoto

    Back on the train as you head to Kyoto (with glimpses of Mt. Fuji en route if weather permits!). Kyoto is one of the best-preserved cities in Japan and home to 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites. It represents the “Japan of old”, and beyond the high rise skyscrapers built as a monument to progress, the real monument to Japan's historical and cultural past can be found in the city's narrow alleyways where tea houses abound and kimono-clad geisha hurry from elegant function to function. This afternoon visit the home of an instructor of one of Japan's Traditional Arts and get dressed in a Japanese festive kimono. Learn about the different kinds of kimono and which should be worn on each different occasion. Take a hands-on lesson in one of the traditional arts of Tea Ceremony, Flower Arrangement, Calligraphy or Origami. (B)

  • Day 10: Kyoto Ritz-Carlton Kyoto

    Explore the former imperial capital of Kyoto on bicycles today, cycling through the Miyagawacho and Gion geisha districts, hoping to see a geisha or maiko (apprentice geisha) as they dash between appointments. Continue along the Shirakawa canal lined with weeping willow trees, past traditional Kyoto style tea houses stopping at the Imperial Palace Par k with it's beautiful gardens. Stop for a simple yet delicious kobe beef lunch at a beautiful restaurant with views of Kyoto's canals. Cycle back to Kyoto station along the Kamogawa river, whose riverbanks are popular with locals for strolling. Cherry blossoms bloom along the banks of the river in spring, and in summer restaurants open balconies looking out to the river. Abandon your bicycles and finish off the day with a stroll through the atmospheric Higashiyama district, whose busy lanes lead up to Kiyomizu and are filled with quaint shops selling souvenir s including Kiyomizu-yaki pottery, sweets and pickles. Here you will find Kiyomizu (Pure Water) temple from where you can enjoy amazing views of the whole of Kyoto whilst pondering the fact that both the Main Hall and Veranda were built without the use of nails or any kind of joiners. (B,L)

  • Day 11: Kyoto / Koya-San Shukubo (Buddhist Monastery)

    Depart Kyoto for a very special overnight excursion to the mountaintop religious center of Mount Koya (Koya-san), the center of Shingon Buddhism where hundreds of temples have sprung up since the 9th century. You will take several local trains, with the last train being one of the most scenic in Japan, winding its way up through the mountains. After disembar king you will take a shor t cable car up to the top of the 2,950 ft. Koya-san. Your expert guide will give you an insight into Japanese Buddhism as you visit Kongobunji Temple, the head monastery of Shingon Buddhism, and home to Japan's largest rock garden, as well as the Garan temple complex. At dusk take an atmospheric stroll by lantern light through Okunoin, Japan's largest cemetery that holds the mausoleum of the founder of Shingon Bud-dhism, Kobo Daishi. The mile walk to the mausoleum takes you past 200,000 tombstones, belonging to feudal lords, prominent monks, and well-known Japanese companies – a hauntingly beautiful experience indeed and certainly a highlight of your visit! Tonight you will be staying at a shukubo, Buddhist temple lodging, where dinner is shojin ryori, traditional Buddhist cuisine – a vegetarian meal that is not only healthy but delicious! (B,D)

  • Day 12: Koya-San / Kyoto Ritz-Carlton Kyoto

    An early start today as you will be able to watch the monks chant their morning prayers, followed by a shojin ryori breakfast. We highly recommend returning to Okunoin in daylight to stroll along the serene path up to the mausoleum under magnificent, towering cedar trees, akin to the California Redwoods. Make the return journey to Kyoto and head directly to the spectacular Fushimi Inari Shrine, dedicated to the Shinto god of rice. It is home to over 10,000 vermillion tori gates, which form a path up the mountain behind the temple, and recently featured in the movie “Memoirs of a Geisha”. The remainder of the day is free for independent exploration and final shopping in the delightful alleyways of Kyoto! (B)

  • Day 13: Kyoto / Depart Japan En Route

    Take the train to Tokyo Narita or Osaka airports to depart on your return flight(s) home. (B)