Unexpected Japan Multi City Vacation

Upon arrival at Narita Airport, you will be met at the arrival lobby for your private transfer to your hotel in Tokyo. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Today, your private guide will meet you at your hotel for a day spent exploring some of Tokyo's most glamorous highlights. First up is the beautiful Koishikawa Korakuen. Despite being one of Tokyo's most loved Japanese gardens by locals, this is still hidden from the eye of international travelers. After strolling through the gardens, your private car will whisk you away to the ritzy Omotesando district, often called the Champs D'Elysees of Japan. This fashionable avenue is home to the flagship store of many high-end brands and you will have time to do a little shopping here before lunch, served at a popular teppanyaki restaurant, Ukai Tei Omotesando. After lunch, you'll be driven to Shinjuku Gyoen Garden. Unlike Koishakawa Korakuen, this is less of a traditional space and more of an urban green space where locals come to relax on their days off. The final stop on today's tour is the fabulous Park Hyatt Hotel. This hotel is internationally renowned as being the setting of Sofia Coppola's hit film “Lost in Translation.” You will ascend to the New York Bar where you will enjoy watching the sun set over Tokyo as you enjoy a drink. At the end of the evening, your driver/guide will drop you back at your hotel for dinner at your leisure. (B,L)

Today, you will be met at your hotel by your driver/guide for your private transfer to Shinjuku station in the morning. From Shinjuku station, you will take the limited express train to Matsumoto in Nagano Prefecture (ticket included). Traveling through the mountainous Japanese Alps region, you will pass through alpine sceneries on a beautiful train ride taking just under 3 hours. Upon arriving at Matsumoto station, you will exit the station and meet your driver/guide waiting for you just outside for your private transfer to your ryokan, Myojinkan, tucked away in the mountains next to the serene Suzuki River. After checking in, you will have the rest of the day free to relax in the outdoor hot springs of the ryokan. In the evening, a delicious Japanese-style dinner made with local ingredients will be served. (B,D)

You will spend the day at your leisure. We recommend spending the day sightseeing in Matsumoto, visiting places like Matsumoto Castle and the Nakamachi area, a former merchant district of the city with many traditional buildings and old-style warehouses. Dinner will be at your ryokan this evening. (B,D)

You will be making the journey from Tobira Onsen to Yamashiro Onsen in the Ishikawa Prefecture today.This morning, meet your driver/guide at your ryokan for your private transfer to Matsumoto station. From here, catch the limited express train to Nagano station (roughly 1 hour) and transfer to the world-famous Shinkansen bullet train, alighting at Kanazawa station (tickets included). On your arrival, you will be met for your private transfer to your luxury ryokan, Beniya Mukayu, in Yamashiro Onsen, for a relaxing stay in this rustic hot springs town. The small village of Yamashiro Onsen has been famous for its mineral-rich hot springs since the late Heian period over 700 years ago. Take the time to enjoy the hot springs here, purported to have healing properties, and enjoy the delicious Japanese meal served tonight. (B,D)

Today is free for you to spend at your leisure. We recommend visiting Kanazawa for a cultural experience in the historic city. You may also consider taking a stroll around town to see the public bathhouses of Soyu and Ko-Soyu as well as the Kutaniyaki Exhibition Hall, featuring Kutaniyaki pottery, which is famous in the area. Dinner this evening will be served at your ryokan. (B,D)

After another delicious breakfast at your ryokan, check-out and catch the ryokan shuttle to Kaga Onsen station to board the limited express train to the ancient capital of Kyoto (ticket included). Upon your arrival at Kyoto station, you will be met by your driver/guide for your afternoon tour of the Arashiyama area by private car. Arashiyama is a pleasant district in the western outskirts of Kyoto and has been a popular destination since the Heian Period (794-1185), when nobles would enjoy its natural setting. In addition to its temple buildings, there are attractive gardens with walking paths. A meal is included for lunch and you will enjoy delicious tofu, the signature specialty of the Arashiyama region. After lunch, visit the Okochi Mountain Villa former villa of the popular samurai film star Okochi Denjiro, which consists of several beautiful gardens and buildings, including living quarters, teahouses and a Zen meditation hall. Here you will enjoy some matcha green tea with a snack. Next, take a walk through Arashiyama’s famous bamboo groves,which are particularly attractive when there is a light wind and the tall bamboo stalks sway gently back and forth. Next, visit Nonomiya Shrine, a Shinto shrine where, in ancient times, unmarried imperial princesses stayed for a year or more to purify themselves.  After your tour ends, you will be dropped off at tonight’s accommodation, Hoshinoya Kyoto, a stunning luxury resort nestled in the timeless setting of the Arashiyama district. Your dinner this evening will be at your hotel. (B,L,D)

Today you will be picked up from your hotel by your driver/guide who will take you by private car from Kyoto to your next accommodation in Sakurai, located in the Nara Prefecture. Tonight, you will be staying at the culinary gem of L’Auberge de Plaisance Sakurai. Keeping true to the concept of an auberge, this gourmet restaurant featuring French cuisine with fresh, local ingredients also offers lodging in their classic rooms. After a fantastic evening of fine dining, head back to your room for a great night of rest in a comfortable bed. (B,D)

The Ise-Shima area is located in Ise-Shima National Park and covers the entire Shima Peninsula. In addition to possessing beautiful seascape views, it is also home to arguably the most famous Shinto shrine, Ise Grand Shrine. Here in Ise-Shima, you can also visit the Mikimoto Pearl Island, a museum about pearl cultivation and the legacy of the famous jewelry maker, Mikimoto. You will be picked up this morning after breakfast for your private transfer from the Auberge to nearby Yamato-yagi station for your included train ride to the Ise-Shima area in the neighboring Mie Prefecture. After arriving at Kashikojima station, you will be picked up by your resort’s shuttle (shared) and transferred to your hotel for the next two nights, Amanemu. Enjoy your spacious suite and relax in your calming in-room bath, filled with natural hot springs water. (B)

Today, spend a relaxing day at your leisure. We recommend paying a visit to Mikimoto Pearl Island, a museum where you can learn about the history of Japanese pearl harvesting and the famous pearl divers of Japan. You might also consider traveling north to Ise city to pay a visit to what is arguably the most famous shrine in the country, Ise Grand Shrine. Ise Grand Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto religion’s most venerated deity, the Sun Goddess Amaterasu. With its magnificent arched wooden bridges and forested surroundings, a visit here will certainly turn into a spiritual and enchanting experience. (B)

This morning, you will catch your resort shuttle (shared) to the nearby Kashikojima station for your trains ride to Kintetsu Nagoya station (ticket included). At Kintetsu-Nagoya station, an assistant will be waiting to meet you and take you through to JR Nagoya Station, located in a separate building. They will ensure that you safely board the Shinkansen bullet train heading for Tokyo (ticket included). Upon arrival at Tokyo station, you will be met for your private transfer to your hotel located among the bright lights of Shinjuku and made famous by the classic film, Lost in Translation. (B)

This morning, take your private transfer to Narito Airport for your flight to continue on to your next destination. (B)