Asia Japan

Land of the Rising Sun

Welcome to Japan! A land of intriguing contradictions. The nation is an archipelago made up of more than 14,000 islands with three quarters of the land being either forest or mountains, leaving little for residential, industrial, or farming areas. Yet it is densely populated for its size. Its leaders have ranged from the samurai to the shogun to the emperor. Its highest point – Mt. Fuji – is beautiful and sacred, as are its many temples and shrines. Its capital city – Tokyo – is a bustling metropolis containing anything one might desire, from food to entertainment to art and culture. Kyoto, a modern city with an ancient past, is filled with serene religious buildings, glorious gardens, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Japan awaits with open arms!

April 8-21, 2026 (flight arrives in the US April 22)

Package Includes

• Small groups of maximum 22 travelers guaranteed
• Flights Los Angeles-Tokyo, Hiroshima-Los Angeles
  Other departure cities available.
• 12 nights accommodations (or similar)
  • 4 nights Tokyo  Groove Shinjuku
  • 1 night Kanazawa Hyatt Centric Kanazawa
  • 1 night Takayama Associa Takayama Resort
  • 4 nights Kyoto Kyoto Century Hotel
  • 2 nights Hiroshima  ANA Crowne Plaza Hiroshima
• Hotel taxes, fees & service charges
• Hotel porterage
• All transfers included only with airfare purchase on package arrival & departure dates†
• High-Speed Bullet Train: Tokyo-Kanazawa, Kyoto-Hiroshima
• 23 meals: 12 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners
• Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned vehicles
• Services of local English-speaking tour manager throughout
• Comprehensive, guided sightseeing and entrance fees per itinerary
• Active itinerary with unique cultural features
• Comfortable wireless earphones for enhanced touring

Tour Highlights

Thanks to our small group size, we can get to the heart of our destination, visit places that other tours miss, and get to know the locals.

• Tour dazzling Tokyo, a city of ancient traditions coupled with state-of-the-art technology
• Visit the serene grounds and incredible architecture of the Meiji Shrine
• Attend a culinary demonstration led by a professional chef to learn the art of creating sushi and sashimi
• Board the famous shinkansen, or “bullet train,” taking you south toward the Noto Peninsula to Kanazawa
• Travel to the UNESCO site in the mountains, known for its village of gassho-zukuri farmhouses
• A walking tour of Takayama’s historic district reveals traditions dating back to the 16th century
• Discover enchanting Kyoto, founded in the 8th century, one of the early capitals of Japan
• Visit Kyoto’s Nijo Castle, residence of the Tokugawa shoguns
• Experience the cultural heritage of Kyoto at a traditional tea ceremony
• Travel to the Imperial capital of Nara, with eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites
• Dinner and traditional Maiko (Geisha) dance performance reflects the core of Japanese culture
• Explore the compelling exhibits at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
• Marvel at the stunning Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its iconic floating torii gate

DAY 1, Wednesday – Depart for Japan
Depart for Japan

DAY 2, Thursday – Arrive in Tokyo
Arrive in dynamic Tokyo in the “Land of the Rising Sun,” and transfer to your hotel. This evening, attend an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 6:30 PM, followed by dinner. We recommend you select flights that arrive no later than 4 PM
Overnight: Tokyo
Meals: Dinner

DAY 3, Friday – Tokyo National Museum, Asakusa Kannon Temple, Calligraphy Experience
This morning, visit the Tokyo National Museum, housing one of the largest collections of art and archaeological artifacts in Japan. Afterward, travel to the imposing Asakusa Kannon Temple (Sensoji), enshrining a golden image of Kannon, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy; its entrance is dominated by a massive iconic paper lantern painted in vivid red and black tones. Later, learn the basics of Japanese calligraphy during a lesson with an artist. Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant
Overnight: Tokyo
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 4, Saturday – Meiji Shrine, Sushi Demonstration, Tsukiji Fish Market, Imperial Palace
On today’s tour of Tokyo, witness the stark contrasts of this dazzling city of ancient traditions coupled with state-of-the-art technology. Start your day with a visit to the serene Meiji Jingu Shrine, nestled in a forested area honoring the first Emperor of modern Japan and his Empress. Afterward, enjoy a culinary demonstration led by a professional sushi chef. Learn the art of creating sushi, or sashimi and have them for lunch. Later, walk the lanes of the bustling Tsukiji Fish Market. This afternoon, visit the Imperial Palace East Garden*, a jewel of nature within the city center
*If the Imperial Palace East Garden is closed, the Outer Garden with the Nijubashi Bridge will be visited instead.
Overnight: Tokyo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 5, Sunday – Itchiku Kubota Art Museum, Hakone National Park with Views of Mt. Fuji
A full day of breathtaking scenery as you travel south to Hakone, the most famous National Park in Japan. En route, visit the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum, situated in the wooded hills along the coast of Lake Kawaguchi. View exhibits of the textile artist Kubota Itchiku’s kimono creations, depicting themes of nature and the seasons. Continue along the scenic roads of rural Japan to Hakone, where a gondola takes you on the Hakone Ropeway to the Owakudani Valley’s extraordinary volcanic zone. On a clear day you will be rewarded with panoramic views of Mt. Fuji*. Here, embrace the beautiful nature around the crater of Mount Hakone, which was created by an eruption. Take a relaxing cruise around placid Lake Ashi before returning to Tokyo. Tonight, be adventurous and explore Tokyo’s incredible variety of cuisine
*Weather conditions around Mt. Fuji are challenging to predict, sometimes clouds will restrict views of the mountain & terrain. Poor weather conditions can prevent the operation of the cable car or boat ride in Hakone at times.
Overnight: Tokyo
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 6, Monday – Bullet Train to Kanazawa, Kenroku-en Garden
Board the famous Shinkansen, or “bullet train,” taking you south toward the Noto Peninsula to Kanazawa, known for its winding streets, Samurai residences, lavish gardens, and rich tradition of crafts. Stroll through Kenroku-en Garden, famous for its elaborate designs. Check into your hotel and spend time at leisure
Overnight: Kanazawa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 7, Tuesday – Thatched Farmhouses, Takayama’s Old Town
Travel to a remote mountainous region, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its villages of thatched gassho-zukuri (praying hands) farmhouses. Visit the historic village of Ogimachi. Enter a typical family house and view the castle ruins, dating back to medieval times. Lunch is at a local restaurant. Next, continue to 16th century Takayama, with its meticulously preserved Old Town. Take a tour of a sake brewery and taste the different types of sake. Later, arrive at a scenic mountain resort for dinner and overnight
Overnight: Takayama
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8, Wednesday – Takayama’s Historic District, Morning Farmer’s Market, Kyoto
Today, visit the Yatai Kaikan Hall, housing intricately designed wooden floats brought out only for major festivals. Tour the morning market along the Miya River with farmers and craftsmen selling everything from vegetables to clothing and hand carvings. The delightful town of Takayama, home to a wealth of museums, galleries, and temples, is often called “Little Kyoto.” A walking tour includes the remarkably preserved Edo-period merchants’ shops and houses in the San-machi Historic District. Across the river lies the Sanmachi-Suji (district) of sake breweries, cafes, and immaculately preserved old private houses. After time for lunch, travel to enchanting and historic Kyoto, founded in the 8th century, one of the early capitals of Japan
Overnight: Kyoto
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 9, Thursday – Nijo Castle,Tea Ceremony & Zen Meditation, Kyoto’s Cultural Heritage
Begin your exploration of Kyoto with a tour of Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1603. Its ornate interior is handcrafted out of Japanese cypress. Next, familiarize yourself with Zen meditation, a calming practice deeply rooted in Japanese culture. Enjoy a traditional tea ceremony and participate in the ritualized art of preparing and serving tea, savoring the hospitality of the host in an atmosphere distinctly different from the fast pace of everyday life. After lunch, attend a traditional koto (Japanese harp) show. Continue to Nishiki Market, lined with more than one hundred shops and restaurants. Here, you will find Kyoto specialties, such as Japanese sweets, pickles, and dried seafood, as well as fresh produce and seasonal foods. Spend the rest of the day at leisure
Overnight: Kyoto
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 10, Friday – Tenryuji Temple, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Kinkaku-ji Temple, Kimono Dressing
Discover the cultural heritage of Kyoto that has spanned the centuries. Head outside the city to Arashiyama bamboo forest. Begin with a visit to Tenryuji Temple’s sprawling Zen garden, one of the finest gardens in Kyoto. Then, take a stroll through the stunning bamboo grove, followed by a ride on a traditional Japanese rickshaw, a unique experience. Visit the celebrated Kinkaku-ji Temple, “the Golden Pavilion,” and understand why this gold leaf covered temple was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before lunch at a local restaurant. Afterward, dress in an authentic kimono during a visit to a Kyoto-style home. This evening, walk in Pontocho, an old entertainment district in Kyoto and home to Geisha tea houses, with traditional restaurants and bars. End with an opportunity to explore on your own in Gion, Kyoto’s most famous Geisha district
Overnight: Kyoto
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 11, Saturday – Imperial Nara, Todai-ji Temple, Deer Park, Kasuga Grand Shrine, Maiko Dance Performance
After breakfast, travel to the 8th century Imperial capital of Nara, repository of Japan’s cultural heritage. With eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, this ancient city is a wealth of historic treasures, including some of Japan’s oldest Buddhist temples. Arrive at the exquisite wooden Todai-ji Temple, home of the impressive Daibutsu (Great Buddha) bronze statue, rising over 50 feet high. Continue to Nara (Deer) Park to see the over 1,000 tame deer roaming freely in the peaceful park. Proceed to the famous Kasuga Grand Shrine, displaying over 3,000 stone and bronze lanterns. On the way back to Kyoto, stop at the Fushimi Inari Shrine with its ten thousand vermilion torii gates. In the evening, enjoy a dinner featuring a traditional Maiko (Geisha) dance performance that reflects the core of Japanese culture
Overnight: Kyoto
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 12, Sunday – Bullet Train to Hiroshima, Hiroshima Castle
This morning, transfer to the train station and board the bullet train to Hiroshima. Upon arrival, have lunch before continuing to the Shukkeien garden, known as the “shrunken-scenery garden,” with valleys, mountains, and forests represented in miniature in the garden’s landscapes. Stop at Hiroshima Castle* , also called the Carp Castle, beautifully reconstructed after the original castle was destroyed by the atomic bombing. The castle features an impressive moat and an outside balcony at the top of the keep, offering panoramic views of the city and surrounding area. Inside, view exhibits portraying the history of Hiroshima and the castle. Later, check into your hotel
*From the Mar 13, 2026, departure onward, the visit to Hiroshima Castle will not be possible due to restoration; it can only be viewed from the outside.
Overnight: Hiroshima
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 13, Monday – Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, Atomic Bomb Dome, Enchanting Miyajima Island, Itsukushima Shrine
Begin the day with a visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, containing an extensive collection of artifacts from the time of the bombing. The compelling exhibitions, chronicle the history of Hiroshima before and after the bombing in pictures movies and displays. Proceed to the iconic Atomic Bomb Dome (Genbaku Dome), a structure that miraculously survived the August 6, 1945 attack. Take a moment to reflect on the heartbreaking history of the region. Afterward, head to the ferry port for your journey to Miyajima. Board a ferry to the idyllic Miyajima Island, an area known as one of Japan’s most beautiful landscapes. Disembark and begin the exploration of the island. Learn the rich history of the stunning Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its iconic floating torii gate. Mountains and lush forests back the island’s shrines while gorgeous views of the Seto Inland Sea enchant you. Stoll along Omotesando Street, the main shopping area with a plethora of restaurants and snack stands. Try the local specialty Momiji Manju, a sweet red bean paste pastry, shaped like a Japanese maple leaf. Return to Hiroshima by ferry. Bid goodbye to your Tour Manager at dinner
Overnight: Hiroshima
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 14, Tuesday – Depart Japan
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast

Call 516 248 3496 or email wisewomentravelellen@gmail.com for more info.

Deposit of $1000 for the tour, and full payment for the airfare required within 5 days of booking. Travel insurance optional and recommended $256 per person.