Good evening and welcome to 'the land of the rising sun', we've just landed at the KIX airport, the international airport of the Kansai region, built on an artificial island within Osaka bay. 
We'll met our designated Japanese driver who will take us to Kyoto, whre we will stay the first three nights. 

Today we'll get to know Kyoto in depth, a city with countless attractions, famous temples, castles, gardens, hidden gems etc. 
We'll visit many interesting and colorful sites and enjoy the autumn 'festival' that engulfs the city together with the locals. 
We'll go down to the roots of Japanese culture, while touring the historic Higashiyama district, seeing ancient temples and walking the old streets. There we'll also get to experience a traditional tea ceremony, and hear about the importance of 'the way of the tea' in Japanese culture. 
At lunchtime we'll go to explore the plentiful food market Nishiki Ichiba, visiting the various food stalls, browsing and tasting the unique and colorful wares presented for sale.
Then, we'll go explore the city center of Kyoto, where you could go around and enjoy the bustling streets and interesting shops. 

Today will begin by traveling to the west side of town to Arashiyama, which was once a rural area where the nobility of Kyoto used to go lounge. We'll take a walk along the streets filled with small wooden houses up to a magnificent bamboo grove, and visit the bridge that goes across the river. 
From here we'll continue to one of the most iconic temples in Japan, the golden pavilion, a zen temple surrounded by a large and well-kept garden.  
Next we'll go to Nijo castle, where the shogun resided while visiting Kyoto. From there he would have governed the city and entertained guests. 
As evening comes we'll take a stroll in the streets of the traditional Gion district, where the Geisha are active to this very day. 

This morning we'll start our day in Nara - the old capital of Japan. There we'll visit an ancient temple, which is the largest wood structure in the world that houses the largest bronze Buddha statue in Japan. 
We'll also walk around the deer park, where deer who are 'the messengers of the gods' roam freely, as they've been doing for more than a thousand years. 
Then, we'll go to the famous Fushimi Inari, a temple known for the thousands of orange tori gates that are placed all along the steep mountain, and climb up one of the most famous trails in Japan. 
After coming back to the city center we'll tour around Kyoto station, eat dinner in the area and say goodbye to Kyoto.
Then we'll go aboard the bullet train for our next destination, Okayama, where we'll sleep tonight.  

Today we'll begin at the amazingly beautiful Korakuen garden, one of the three most beautiful landscape gardens in Japan.
From there we'll continue southwards to Uno port, and set sail to the art island Naoshima, that holds many unique attractions. 
We'll visit a village where old houses, some abandoned, have been converted to outstanding art pieces. Then, we'll go to the south of the island where we could find many special museums, including the new Chichu art museum and the Benesse museum that's located inside a spectacular venue near the ocean. 
We'll spend the night on the island at the luxurious Benesse hotel. 

Today we'll leave Okayama for Kobe, where we'll go to the visitor center of Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, the longest spanning suspension bridge in the world. The bridge is one of three bridges that connect the main island of Honshu to Shikoku Island, and one of the most wondrous engineering achievements of Japan. 
We'll drive along the shore and arrive at Osaka, the 3rd largest city in Japan and the economic and commercial center of Kansai and the west of Japan. 
Together we'll get to know and explore the busy and colorful city, visit an observatory and stroll along the bustling markets. 
We'll end our day at Dotonburi Street and its surroundings, brimming with markets, people, merchandise, shops and restaurants of all kind.  

Today we'll leave Osaka for Miho Museum, which lies within the forested hills of Shiga prefecture, and designed to perfectly merge with the nature around it. 
From there we'll continue towards Hikone castle, one of the only 12 castles that survived in their original form to this day. 
In the early evening we'll arrive at the flower garden of Nabana-no-Sato to see one of the largest and most famous illumination shows in Japan. With the help of thousands of LED lights the garden turns into a spectacular show of animation and light. 
We'll eat our dinner nearby and finally arrive at Nagoya, the 4th largest city in Japan. 

Today we'll start at the town of Seki, a town that for hundreds of years kept the tradition of metalsmithing and creating samurai swords, the best swords in the world that are made in the traditional method to this day and are highly collectable. Today the tradition also continues with the production of high quality knives. We'll also get to see a live demonstration of how a real samurai sword is forged by a local swordsmith. 
For lunch we'll participate in a soba making workshop that will teach us the secrets of Japan's beloved buckwheat noodles. 
Afterwards we'll arrive at our hot spring hotel in Takayama, and go explore the surrounding historically preserved streets.   

Good morning Takayama, a wondrous town on the foot of the Japanese Alps, famous for its characteristic local craft and spectacular festivals.
Early in the morning we'll go tour the morning market where we could see (and buy) the produce of local farmers and artists, with souvenirs exclusive to this area. From there we'll continue walking in the streets of the old town area that kept its historical appearance, all the way to the festival floats exhibition hall showcasing the floats used in the local autumn and spring festivals.
From there we'll arrive at Gokayama, a mountain range in which villages with unique style of houses were preserved. 
There we'll participate in a workshop where we'll learn about the production process of traditional Japanese paper, and make a small souvenir to take with us. 
We'll continue to tour a picturesque village in the mountains, and see up close the unique traditional houses with the slanted straw roofs. If the weather allows, we'll climb on a mountain trail for a beautiful view over the entire village and valley.
Afterwards We'll get to visit the home of one of the locals and hear from the owner about the history of the house and the local atmosphere, and finish with a performance of folk dance and music unique to the area where we could try out the traditional musical instruments. 
​Finally, we'll arrive at Kanazawa where we'll stay the night. 

Good morning to Kanazawa, a magical city that was the capital of the second most important prefecture in the Edo period. It has kept its characteristics as an historic center for culture and art to this day. 
We'll visit a neighborhood with typical samurai homes that were preserved, and go into one to learn about the lifestyle of the samurai from the period where they ruled Japan. 
Next we'll visit Yuzen hall, where we'll learn about the beautiful art of kimono dying. 
Then, we'll continue towards the colorful Omicho market, full of plenty of interesting fish, sea food, vegetables, fruits, flowers and more.
Afterwards we'll go to Kenrokuen garden, which was originally the private castle garden of the local lord. This garden is considered to be one of the top 3 most beautiful gardens in Japan, and is especially striking in autumn. 
We'll end our day at Higashi-chaya, the tea house district that kept its historic look. There, we'll also visit a place that specializes in gold leaf art, which is especially typical to the area. 

Leaving Kanazawa behind, we'll set out to our next destination, Toyama city. There, in the town center, we'll visit a unique building designed by Japan's national architect that is used as a culture center, library and glass museum. 
Next we'll visit a museum dedicated to the renowned woodblock printing artists Hokusai, that lived in the town later in life. 'The great wave off Kanagawa' is one of most known Japanese artworks in the world.
Going along the valley, we'll pay a visit to the Japanese macaque monkeys that bathe and keep warm at the hot springs of Jigokudani- 'Hell valley'.
After parting from the macaques we'll go to the hot spring town of Shibu, tour the main street and get a taste of the atmosphere and architecture that are characteristic of traditional hot spring towns.
In the evening we'll enjoy a special ryokan experience- a traditional Japanese hotel. We'll be served a luxurious traditional Japanese dinner, and could later go soak in the hot springs. Finally we'll spend our night in a tatami floored room and sleep on fluffy futons. 

Today we'll drive through gorgeous scenery towards Mount Fuji, one of Japan's famous symbols. 
Our first stop on the way would be at a wasabi farm, where we'll go into the wasabi 'fields' and learn about their fascinating growing method.
Next we'll arrive at Matsumoto castle, also known as 'Crow Castle' for its dark exterior. It is one of the only 12 castles that survived in their original form to this day. 
Afterwards we'll continue our drive south through the mountain views to the largest of the 5 lakes surrounding Mount Fuji, Kawaguchiko Lake. We'll go down near the water and if visibility allows, we might be able to see Mount Fuji in all its glory. 
We'll end our day at a luxurious hot spring hotel, and enjoy a gourmet dinner with a view to Mount Fuji. 

Today we'll go into the garden and exhibition hall of kimono coloring artisan Kubota Ichiku, whose works astound people worldwide. We'll learn about his unique coloring method which was forgotten to time and revived by Kubota. 
Afterwards we'll go south-east towards Hakone. The plan for today- breathtaking views, museums, art, history and hot springs. 
First, we'll ride the funicular to Owakudani, a young volcano from which we could see a wonderful view of Mount Fuji. 
Then we'll visit an amazing open air museum, with statues from renowned artists from all around the globe that integrate into the surrounding garden and the mountainous view. 
We'll end our day with a drive to Tokyo, the capital of Japan. 

Today we'll start at Nikko, a picturesque town with opulent temples located just outside a mountainous natural reserve. 
We'll visit Toshogu shrine, a mausoleum for the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate lineage characterized by its unique design and colors. 
Next we'll continue to a walking trail in the wild nature of the area and enjoy the mountains, forest and waterfall views. 
Afterwards we'll make our way towards Tokyo, one of the most outstanding metropolitan areas in the world. 

Good morning Tokyo!
To start our day we'll visit the Tsukiji outer fish market, which was once the largest fish market in the world. Nowadays it's a thriving and lively local market, where you can find plenty of fish, food and houseware. 
Up next we'll visit Fukagawa, Tokyo's temple neighborhood, where we will go to the Buddhist temple of Fudo-do famous for its fire rituals accompanied by huge Taiko drums. 
From there we'll take a driverless train to the artificial island Odaiba. Arriving at Tokyo bay, we could observe the modern Japanese urban architecture. Going down to the harbor we'll then be able to see one of the most impressive urban views in the world. 
Then, we'll experience the interactive Team Planets digital museum, a project of limitless movement and creations. 

We'll start our day by going up Shibuya sky, A 360° open-air observation deck located on the roof of a skyscraper, that will allow us to enjoy a sky view of Tokyo from above.
From there we'll go on to the traditional district Asakusa, visiting the colorful Sensoji temple which is the most important Buddhist temple in Tokyo, surrounded by bustling streets. 
Next we'll continue to Akihabara, which was known for its electrical and collector goods stores but in recent years evolved to be a global center to the anime and manga industry, the Japanese comics and animation. 
From there we'll go to Ginza, the luxurious business and pleasure district, characterized by its interesting buildings and grand stores. 
Then we'll end our day with a truly unique ferry ride on a ship with a traditional Japanese design and tatami flooring. 

Our last day in Tokyo will begin in the famous Shinjuku district, which has the largest and busiest train station in its center. Around it you can find Tokyo's famous leisure, commerce and business areas. 
From there we'll continue to the young and vibrant Harajuku district, we'll continue through Takeshita dori, a street which is considered to be the 'Mecca' of street fashion for the Japanese youth. From there we'll go through the designer avenue Omotesando, where we could see many luxurious stores and buildings designed by some of the vest architects in the world. Then we'll visit the Nezu museum holding beautiful gardens inside, designed by the Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. 
As evening comes, we'll go out to Shibuya, a bright and colorful district dedicated to fashion and leisure, which is popular among Tokyo's youth. It's also known for Shibuya crossing, which is famous for being the busiest crossing in the world! 

Today is our last day in Japan; we'll go home with the many experiences we gathered and with a taste for more.