Classical Japan Tour

Tokyo

Upon arrival you will be met at Narita Airport or Haneda Airport and escorted by one of Rediscover Tours team members to your hotel in Tokyo by public transportation. (we can also arrange a private or shared shuttle). While at the airport they will validate your JR Rail Passes, make seat reservations, and answer any of your questions.

Tokyo

Today your private guide will meet you in the lobby of your hotel and will show you Tokyo. You may wish to visit Harajuku for current kids, Ginza for upscale Tokyo, Akihabara for the latest electronics or Asakusa to see traditional Tokyo.

Tokyo

Today we offer you some free time to explore Tokyo by yourself. Beneath this surface 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. Tokyo is a vibrant metropolis overflowing with many fascinating sights, sounds, and experiences for you to enjoy. During your trip you may wish to visit some of the different neighborhoods like Akihabara, Shinjuku, Ginza, Harajuku, Shibuya and the like.

Yudanaka

Nagano Prefecture is famous for mountains, snow and skiing. It is also known for Jigokudani Monkey Park where visitors will not only enjoy hot spring baths but also get a chance to see monkey families warming themselves during the cold winter months. You will stay at a hot spring ryokan inn where you will be served a full course traditional dinner. The train from Tokyo Station to Yudanaka Station takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Kanazawa

Today you will explore the old town of Kanazawa. This city is most famous for Kenrokuen Garden, regarded as one of Japan’s best. You will also have a chance to wander around the old samurai and geisha districts.

Shirakawa-go

After breakfast in Kanazawa, you will take a bus through the Hida mountains to 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.

Takayama

In the morning you will have time to explore the Shirakawa-go village before large groups of tourists arrive and then head to Takayama. During the Edo Period, Takayama thrived thanks to timber resources which attracted artisans and craftsmen. Many of the merchants’ homes survived and are now open to the public as museums and galleries.

Takayama or Gero Onsen

Today you can take a day trip to Hida Furukawa and possibly take a cycling tour of rural Japan or head to Gero Onsen to enjoy a hot spring bath and traditional meals at a hot spring ryokan.

Kyoto

Formerly the imperial capital of Japan, it is in this city that the traditional Japanese ‘high arts’ flourished. For those interested in tea ceremony, calligraphy, poetry, philosophy and 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 not just about the high arts, however, the city is also famous for its crafts: textile, kimono, and pottery.

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.

Osaka

Today you can take a day trip to Osaka. The people of Osaka are widely known for their outgoing spirit and friendliness and the local dialect has been adapted as the standard for stand-up comedians and actors. Osaka’s regional cuisine is thought to be the best in Japan. Dishes include okonomiyaki (a pancake-based dish containing vegetables, meat, and/or seafood), takoyaki (octopus dumplings) and udon noodles. You can also visit one of Japan’s best aquariums known as Kaiyukan. The train from Kyoto Station to Osaka Station takes approximately 30 minutes.

Nara

Nara is located in the central west of Honshu. 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.

Tokyo

Today you will depart Kyoto and head back to Tokyo by Shinkansen Bullet train. The train from Kyoto Station to Tokyo Station will take approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes.

Today will be your last day in Japan and your last chance for sightseeing and shopping. Please make sure you arrive at Narita Airport or Haneda Airport at least 2 hours before your scheduled flight.