JAPAN 2026

September 28-October 8, 2026

ESCORTED BY SHELLEY

Forget everything your mother taught you about table manners. In Japan, it’s perfectly acceptable to slurp! Get ready to joyously drink in traditional hot sake, green tea, big brothy noodle bowls and the delicious views from neon-lit Tokyo to historic Kyoto. Peaks, palaces, pavilions, and pagodas provide picture-perfect backdrops for your photos, but don’t expect to stand still for very long on this enthralling tour of Japan. A hands-on calligraphy class, a special kimono fitting, an interactive cooking demonstration, and a gold-leaf design class—where you’ll make your own keepsake bento box—are all part of the fun. Browse the produce at a Takayama farmer’s market, stroll through Kanazawa’s famous Kenroku-en gardens and experience the thrill of a ride on the famous bullet train. Prepare to be floored in more ways than one!

Itinerary

Welcome to Japan!

Konnichiwa, Japan!

Welcome to Tokyo, Japan’s capital city. Hotel check-in is available mid-afternoon.

Tokyo

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Tokyo - Mount Fuji Excursion

From a drive to Kamakura to dizzying views of Mount Fuji to a cruise on Lake Ashi, your day is a feast for the eyes. Drive south along the coast to Kamakura to see the 750-year-old Great Buddha. Continue to Hakone where you’ll take a cable-car ride for panoramic views of spectacular Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest mountain (weather dependent). After lunch, cruise on Lake Ashi for more views of this beautiful area.

Conclude the day with a thrilling shinkansen (bullet train) ride back to Tokyo!

Inclusions today: Breakfast, Lunch

Lake Ashi

Kamakura Buddha

Bullet train

Lake Ashi

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Tokyo

Start with a visit to Meiji Shrine, a magnificent 20th-century Shinto monument set in a man-made forest. At an artist’s studio, learn to write like a local during a calligraphy lesson with a master calligrapher, have the opportunity to try on a traditional kimono, and partake in a tea ceremony - the ancient tradition and carefully choreographed ritual of preparing and serving Japanese green tea.

After lunch, visit the Tokyo Skytree, the world’s tallest tower. At Tokyo Skytree, ascend to Sorakara Point. On floor 450, at some 450 meters or 1500 feet, it is the highest point visitors can explore. Here you’ll have stunning panoramic views over the city and, on a clear day, Mount Fuji. Last stop is the Asakusa Kannon Temple and Nakamise shopping arcade.

Tonight, join your travel companions at a welcome dinner hosted by your Tour Director.

Inclusions today: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Asakusa Kannon

Meiji Shrine

Tokyo Skytree

Asakusa Kannon

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Tokyo - Matsumoto - Takayama

Journey to Matsumoto, gateway to the ruggedly beautiful Japanese Alps. Visit a local wasabi farm to learn about how it’s grown and the importance of wasabi in Japanese culture and cuisine. Eat lunch at the farm and sample wasabi ice cream. Next, visit Matsumoto Castle, a National Treasure of Japan dating back to the 16th Century. Tonight, enjoy a wonderful Japanese-style dinner at your hotel.

Inclusions today: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Matsumoto Castle

Wasabi Farm

Matsumoto Castle

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Takayama - Shirakawa - Kanazawa

This morning, enjoy a drive through the mountainous Shokawa Valley to Shirakawa; a remote region of Japan home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Here explore the unique Gassho-Zukuri style (joined hands) thatched houses that can be found only here.

Continue to the scenic town of Kanazawa, situated between the mountains and the Sea of Japan. Explore Kenroku-en Garden, one of Japan’s three great gardens and dated from the 1670s. Translated to English the name means “Garden of Six Qualities,” referring to the six essential attributes that make up a perfect garden: spaciousness, tranquility, artifice, antiquity, water, and magnificent views. One of the garden’s most stunning attractions is Kasumigaike pond with its island called Horai, which is meant to symbolize long life and eternal prosperity

Finish today by taking part in a gold leaf class, where you’ll learn about this ancient craft and make your own bento box.

Inclusions today: Breakfast, Lunch

Shirakawa

Shokawa Valley

Kenrokuen Garden

Shirakawa

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Takayama

Today begins at the morning market, where farmers display locally grown fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Visit Takayama Jinya, a former government office during the Edo Period from 1692-1868. This well-preserved building is a national historic site and the only remaining building of its kind in Japan. End with a fun sake tasting in the San-Machi Suji historic district—famous for lacquerware shops and sake breweries, and identified by the “sugidama,” balls made of cedar branches that adorn the entrances.

After included sightseeing, the balance of the day is at leisure, providing you with time to explore the narrow streets where merchants buy and sell as they have for 300 years. Transfers between town and your resort will run every two hours.

This evening, you have the option to stay in a traditional Japanese ryokan (Additional fee and pre-booking required. Space is limited.) Your ryokan features traditional touches like tatami mat floors, a thin sleeping mattress, and the chance to experience a Japanese-style bath – as well as the modern convenience of a private bathroom. Traditional Japanese dinner and breakfast are included in your stay.

Inclusions today: Breakfast

Sanmachi Suji

Takayama

Ryokan

Sanmachi Suji

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Kanazawa - Kyoto

This morning, drive south to Kyoto. On arrival, participate in a Japanese cooking class for lunch under the instruction of a local chef. Learn how to make miso soup, teriyaki chicken, and makizushi, more commonly known as a sushi roll.. Japan is known for its cuisine, which is deeply engrained into the culture. What better way to gain insights into the local way of life than through generations of traditional dishes?

While in Kyoto one must take a step back in time to explore this historic former capital and its important wooden shrines and temples.

Then, you’ll visit two of the city’s most important sites: Fushimi Inari Shrine and Kiyomizu Temple. Explore Fushimi Inari Shrine, renowned for the thousands of brightly hued Torii Gates. Afterward, continue to the Higashiyama District to visit Kiyomizu Temple, the “Pure Water Temple,” with stunning views over Kyoto. Along the way, walk through the busy streets, where shops and restaurants have been catering to pilgrims for centuries.

Inclusions today: Breakfast, Lunch

Kiyomizu Temple

Fushimi Inari Shrine

Cooking Class

Kiyomizu Temple

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Kyoto

This morning starts with a visit to stunning Kinkakuji, the Temple of the Gold Pavilion. Next, visit Yuzen Handmade Corner to learn about the Yuzen dyeing technique used to decorate kimonos by painting dye directly on the cloth. Make your own souvenir using this traditional method. End the day at Sanjusangendo Temple, famous for its 1,001 statues of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy. Flanking the main statue are 1,000 more life-sized statues, covered in gold leaf, with 40 arms believed to have the power to save 25 worlds!

Inclusions today: Breakfast

Kinkakuji

Sanjusangendo

Kinkakuji

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Kyoto - Nara Excursion

Travel to nearby Nara. Visit Nara Park, one of the largest in Japan, and famous for its free-roaming deer amid its shrines and temples. Visit Kasuga Shrine and Todaiji Temple, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Kasuga Shrine, the most celebrated in Nara, is a Shinto shrine with some 3,000 stone and bronze lanterns. On the opposite end of the park is Todaiji Temple, one of Japan’s most significant temples. Originally built in 752 AD and again after a fire in 1692, the temple is only two-thirds its original size yet remains one of the world’s largest wooden buildings. The Daibutsu (Giant Buddha) inside the main hall is made of copper and bronze, weighs 250 tons and is 49 feet tall.

Tonight, your Tour Director hosts a farewell dinner to celebrate your discovery of Japan.

Inclusions today: Breakfast, Dinner

Todaiji Temple

Kasuga Shrine

Nara Park

Todaiji Temple

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Booking Information

Pricing

Land only: $7869.00 per person (double occupancy)

Single occupancy (limited): add $1688.00

Flights and transfers are not included and will be purchased early 2026.

Travel insurance is not included and strongly advised.

Group Information

This is a mixed group tour!

The maximum group size for this tour is 24 people.

Payment Terms

Non-refundable deposit of $250.00 per person, plus booking fee of $100.00+gst is required to hold your spot.

Final payment will be due June 29, 2026

Optional Add-on

Please contact Shelley for possible post-tour extensions.

Interested? Let's Chat!

JAPAN 2026

September 28-October 8, 2026

ESCORTED BY SHELLEY

Itinerary

Welcome to Japan!

Konnichiwa, Japan!

Booking Information

​Pricing

Group Information

Payment Terms

Optional Add-on

Pricing