Ancient Japan & Shodoshima Tour

Tokyo

Your tour will start in Tokyo. Our representative will meet you at the airport (assuming your flight arrives after 8:00am and before 21:30) and taken to your hotel in Tokyo by public transportation. They will assist you check-in into your hotel, give you recommendations for a good restaurant,…  Of course, 2 weeks before your trip we will send you a personalized tour organizer with detailed directions, itinerary,… The train from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station in Tokyo will take approximately 1 hour.

Tokyo (Edo during the time of the Samurai), in the Kanto Region of Japan, was the center of power for the Shogun’s government during the Edo Period. Despite Tokyo’s non-stop, super-modern feel, its traditions can still be seen tucked away between the skyscrapers and among the people. The Tokyo and Beyond Tour will show you not only the modern capital of Japan, but the parts of it that represent old Japan and Edo culture.

Tokyo

Beneath this surface of Tokyo lies a city of contradictions: ancient temples and shrines beside high-tech department stores; traditional festivals held in modern neighborhoods; peaceful Japanese gardens below intelligent skyscrapers. For its size and sprawl, Tokyo is an incredibly safe, efficient city with a low crime rate, the trains running on time, and stores and restaurants providing everything you could possibly need. Tokyo is overwhelming at first but if you take your time and explore the city you will find a vibrant metropolis overflowing with many fascinating sights, and experiences.

Tokyo

One of the most densely populated places in the world, Tokyo counts about 11 million inhabitants. Although most of the city was destroyed during the great earthquake in 1923 and WWII, it managed to restore itself rapidly and is now the largest city in Japan, speaking to the imagination of people all over the world.

Tokyo is divided into a number of large-scale downtown areas, each offering a number of interesting things to see and do. Shinjuku is widely known for its neon lights and high-rise buildings and Harajuku as a cultural haven for Tokyo’s youth. There is Ginza where shops of all the famous international brands stand side by side and Akihabara, where electronic gadget aficionados can find all the latest products on the market. For a glimpse of Tokyo’s past, head down to Asakusa, the site for many traditional events and the famous Sensoji Temple, attracting a constant flow of worshipers and visitors.

Whatever you are into, Tokyo’s many sights, events, shops, and museums will make a visit to this city interesting for each traveler. If you are looking for a special meal, then let your Japan travel expert know and they will make a reservation for you.

Kamakura

Kamakura is a short train ride from Tokyo and well worth visiting. There are 65 Buddhist temples and 19 Shinto shrines in the area, and most were built hundreds of years ago. Kamakura was established as the location of a shogunate government in 1192, and the area was selected because it was surrounded by wooded hills and the sea and easy to defend against attack. Kamakura is a busy seaside resort today, and its old wooden homes, temples, and shrines make it a wonderful place to visit. Near Kamakura lies the sacred island of Enoshima. Here visitors can take in the various sights of the island and escape from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. You will use your JR Rail pass for transportation to and from Kamakura but other transportation and entry fees are not included. The train from Tokyo Station to Kamakura Station take approximately 55 minutes.

Kanazawa

The most famous sight in Kanazawa is Kenrokuen Garden which used to be the private garden of the local daimyo (warlord). Today the garden is considered one of the very best in Japan and well worth a few hours of exploration. We also recommend visiting the old old samurai neighborhood and geisha districts feeling history all around you. If time allows then you should add Ninjadera (ninja temple) to learn about ninja and how they protected themselves from capture. The bullet train from Tokyo Station to Kanazawa Station will take about 2 hours and 15 minutes

Shirakawa-go & Takayama

After breakfast in Kanazawa, you will take a bus through the Hida mountains to Takayama via Shirakawa-go in northwest Gifu Prefecture. This quiet village, surrounded by mountains and rice-fields is best known for its gassho-zukuri farmhouses. Gassho-zukuri is a traditional building style featuring steep thatched roofs designed to withstand heavy snow. In order to preserve these houses, the whole village of Shirakawa-go was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. The bus ride from Kanazawa Station to Shirakawa-go will take approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes. The bus ride from Shirakawa-go to Takayama will take about 1 hour.

Takayama

Takayama which is often referred to as Little Kyoto as many of its temple and shrines were built by Takayama carpenters. Here you will explore the old Sannomachi Street and the neighborhood. Many of the old houses are museums so you can see how merchants lived in remote Japan.

Gero Onsen

Just a short train ride from Takayama is Gero Hot Spring. In the poetry of Razan Hayashi, a Confusion master, Gero Hot Spring is mentioned as one of Japan’s best three hot spring areas along with Arima and Kusatsu. It is located in the Masudagawa River valley and there are a few hot spring baths along the river that you can enjoy. The train from Takayama to Gero Station will take approximately 45 minutes.

Kyoto

Today you will head to Kyoto, the former imperial capital of Japan. Today, it is in this city that the traditional Japanese ‘high arts’ flourished. Tea ceremony, calligraphy, poetry, philosophy or religion, Kyoto is the number one place to visit. Numerous temples and shrines are located throughout the city and walking along canals, next to traditional wooden houses and through the small streets really gives you an idea of the ancient Japanese imperial culture. Kyoto is also famous for its crafts: textile, kimono and pottery. Although there is very much to see and do in Kyoto, even a short-time visitor can soon get an appreciation of what this ancient capital has to offer. The train from Takayama Station to Kyoto Station will take approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes.

Kyoto

Your private local guide will meet you at your hotel and will show you the ancient imperial capital of Kyoto. Your guide will not work from a predetermined itinerary and will show you sights that are interesting to you. They are also very flexible and can make on the fly changes to fit your style, mood, weather and crowds. Possible sights in Kyoto include Higashiyama, Kiyomizudera, Gion, Nishiki Market, Kimono Museum, National Museum, Manga Museum, and many other possible temples, gardens, museums and so on. Only the best local guides can offer this kind of flexibility. Due to the flexible nature of your sightseeing, we do not include transportation, entry fees or meals while you are with your guide. If you have any specific sights you want to visit with your guide please let us know.

Nara

Nara is located in the central west of Honshu, the Japanese main island. Formerly known as Heijo-kyo, this city occupies an important position in the history of Japan as the first capital from 710 until 784. During this period, a large number of shrines and temples were erected under the protection of the imperial family and aristocrats. However, when the monks in the surrounding hills started gaining too much influence and eventually tried to seize power, it was decided to move the capital to Heian-kyo, nowadays known as Kyoto. Many of the temples built at the height of Heijo-kyo, like the Todai-ji and Horyuji temples, are currently registered as World Heritage Sites. Both Japanese and foreign tourists visit the city to see these temples, to walk among the free-roaming deer of Nara park, or to visit some of the beautiful scenic mountains surrounding the city. The train from Kyoto Station to Nara Station will take about 45 minutes.

Shodoshima

Located in the Seto Inland Sea this consider one of the first islands based on Japanese mythology. The name literally means “small bean island” and today it is known for soy bean and olive production. The island one of the venues for the Setouchi Triennale Art Festival so there are modern art displays all over and is a popular setting for movies and TV dramas. Shodoshima is also known for Kankaei Gorge and the monkey park. The train, bus and ferry from Kyoto Station to Shodoshima take about 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Hiroshima

Hiroshima was the first city to ever experience an atomic bomb which physically destroyed it. The people of Hiroshima, however, rebuilt the city, filling it with charm and history. Hiroshima is also famous for its food, specifically Okonomiyaki which you must try. While in Hiroshima you can visit the Peace Museum and Park, Shukkeien Garden, or the Hondori Shopping Arcade. The ferry and train from Shodoshima to Hiroshima Station will take approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes.

Hiroshima

Today you will have some free time to explore Hiroshima at your own pace. A day trip to Miyajima can also be arranged.

Tokyo

Today you will head back to Tokyo for your final night in Japan.

Today will be your last day on this journey. We hope you enjoyed every second of your tour.