Elusive Japan, May 2009
Wednesday 6th to Tuesday May 19th
14 day tour to experience Japan's most spectacular locations
Detailed itinerary description
| Day | Schedule |
|---|---|
Wednesday 6th May Arrival in Japan |
You'll be met on arrival in Japan and assisted with your transfer to Kyoto and then on to your hotel |
Thursday 7th May Kyoto |
On our first morning in Kyoto, we explore two of the city's most impressive monuments. We first visit the vast Nijo Castle, which was completed in 1626 as the Kyoto residence of the Tokugawa Shoguns. No expense was spared in the building, and the castle is famous for its "Nightingale Floors" which squeak when walked on - a very early version of a burglar alarm! From there we will visit the Heian Shrine, which was built to commemorate Kyoto's 1,000 anniversary over a century ago, and boasts one of the largest torii gates in Japan. In the afternoon we split up into two groups, to allow first timers to Japan to visit the unmissable Golden Pavilion and the Zen Garden at Ryoanji Temple. Those who have already seen these sights (or are very keen on Japanese cuisine) will have the option of attending an authentic Japanese cooking class. |
Friday 8th May Kyoto |
Byodoin, our first stop this morning, is the most recognisable of Kyoto's sights - not because it is the most visited, but because it is pictured on the 10 yen coin. The temple itself dates from 998 , though of the earliest building only the Phoenix Hall still stands. The nearby Fushimi Inari Shrine is our next stop. Famous for its "tunnel" of thousands of vermillion torii gates it was featured in the opening and closing scenes of Memoirs of a Geisha. The Fushimi Inari Shrine is dedicated to the god of rice and harvest - the numerous fox statues represent the god's messenger. A vigorous but peaceful walk takes us to the top of the hill and the inner shrine. In the afternoon you can choose to explore Kiyomizu Temple and Gion, Kyoto's best-loved temple and the geisha quarter of the old capital, or to learn the basics of traditional Kyoto art of yuzen fabric dyeing. |
Saturday 9th May Mount Koya |
Today we leave the old capital behind us, moving on to the Buddhist mountain of Koya-san via the vibrant modern city of Osaka. Approaching the mountain by train and cable car make the experience all the more mysterious and remote-seeming. Once on the mountain, we'll visit, Kongobuji, the head temple of the powerful Shingon sect of Buddhism, which is famous for its painted sliding doors. We'll also explore the Okunoin cemetery - a mix of the peaceful and bizarre. In the evening we will try zazen meditation, and learn about Shingon Buddhism. Dinner will be traditional temple foods - a delicate and delicious vegetarian meal of many carefully prepared dishes. |
Sunday 10th May Takayama |
After an early morning where we have the chance to join the monks at prayers, and a traditional breakfast at the temple, we move on, again by train, to the mountain town of Takayama. After checking in at our hotel, we'll take an evening tour of the old town - full of museums, stores full of exquisite woodwork, and sake breweries. |
Monday 11th May Shirakawago |
Today we start early for a day trip to Shirakawago - one of the most picturesque areas of all Japan. The area is known for its gasshozukuri houses, which are so steeply thatched that they are named for the shape of hands pressed together in prayer. We'll have ample chance to explore the village, with many of its old buildings turned into museums, and stroll through the truly rural streets. Today we'll also have the opportunity to learn the art of making traditional buckwheat noodles, a specialty of the region, despite their popularity throughout Japan. |
Tuesday 12th May Tsumago |
Takayama is famous for its daily morning market, which caters to both townsfolk and tourists, selling everything from fresh farm produce to souvenirs, and today we make an early start which will allow us to explore the market before moving on by scenic mountain railway to Tsumago , heart of the old Nakasendo Road , and one of the best-preserved areas of Edo Period Japan. |
Wednesday 13th May Tsumago |
Staying at a traditional minshuku in Tsumago is one of the finest ways to experience the old Japan - though the interior and plumbing have been updated since the Edo Period! After a traditional Japanese breakfast, we'll set off on foot, following the old cobbled highway through the town and into the fields and trees beyond. This section of the old cobbled road has changed little in the last few centuries, and we'll take a leisurely ramble over the pass and on to the town of Magome, where we'll have a chance to explore the town before returning to Tsumago for another country dinner and a restful night in traditional tatami rooms at our minshuku. |
Thursday 14th May Izu |
Today we move on by a combination of bullet train and local trains to the Izu Peninsula, a lovely costal area of rugged mountains, fishing villages, and farming communities, dotted with resorts taking advantage of the local hot springs and stunning views. On clear days our hotel has superb views of the sacred mountain, and we'll spend a relaxing afternoon enjoying the scenery and the onsen baths at our hotel. |
Friday 15th May Nikko |
Today we take the bullet train again, heading to the north of Tokyo. If we're lucky, the wild cherries will still be flowering in the hills when we arrive. We'll visit the gorgeous Toshogu Shrine - the resting place of the Tokugawa Shoguns - before moving into the National Park, where our superb lakeside ryokan is located. In the evening we'll experience the fine dining experience of a luxury kaiseki meal - a kind of Japanese haute cuisine tasting menu - at our ryokan. |
Saturday 16th May Nikko |
We spend today exploring the natural side of Japan in the Nikko National Park near our ryokan. Our ramble will take us up into the hills around the lake, as well as giving us a chance to explore the shrines around the lake. A final evening in our ryokan gives us a wonderful chance to experience the best of Japanese hospitality. |
Sunday 17th May Tokyo |
Today starts with the excitement of a Japanese festival, held at the Toshogu Shrine in Nikko. We'll have a chance to enjoy the celebrations before moving on to Tokyo, where we'll be able to watch an exciting sumo tournament - the matches are brief, exciting, and simple enough to understand, even if you know nothing of the sport. In the evening you'll be free to explore Tokyo as you please, join us for dinner, or simply relax at our hotel - one of the most luxurious in the country. |
Monday 18th May Tokyo |
This morning you'll have the choice of an early start, for anyone who hasn't previously visited the Tsukiji Fish Markets, this is a must-see. From there, we'll visit the peaceful Hamarikyu Gardens and take a boat up the Sumida River to the oldest temple in Tokyo, surrounded by one of the best preserved shitamachi or old downtown areas in the metropolis. For those who have already visited Tsukiji, we'll make a later start from Asakusa, taking the boat to the super-modern Odaiba area, from where we'll move on by monorail to explore the Ginza - a famous shopping district known for expensive produce. You'll have the afternoon free to shop or sightsee as you please. |
Tuesday 19th May Return to US |
After breakfast at the hotel, we escort you to Narita Airport and assist with check-in for the flight back to the States. |