Ultimate Japan: Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kaga Onsen & More

On arrival at Tokyo's Narita Airport you will be met by Goway's local representative and transferred to your accommodation in the city.

The balance of the day is at leisure to being your explorations of this cosmopolitan city.

Take a day tour of fascinating Tokyo. First up is Asakusa, Tokyo's old town where you can soak in the atmosphere of old Tokyo. Visit Sensoji, Tokyo's oldest temple, and wander down Nakamise, a shopping street that has been providing temple visitors with a variety of traditional, local snacks and tourist souvenirs for centuries. Next, travel down the Sumidagawa River on Tokyo's Water Bus, a unique means of transportation. You'll arrive directly at Hamarikyu garden, an Edo Period Japanese garden surrounded by the Shiodome district's futuristic skyscrapers, a great example of how Japan is the land of contrasts. Enjoy a cup of steaming matcha in a tea house in the garden. Afterwards, visit Meiji Shrine, a shrine dedicated to the deified spirit of Emperor Meiji and a popular place for traditional Japanese weddings

Enjoy the ultimate freedom to explore Tokyo your way with your private guide using public transportation. Your guide can make sightseeing suggestions based on your interests and preferences. 

This evening, take a food walking tour. Japanese cuisine is not only the refined sushi and tempura, but it has a wide range of equally delicious, more casual dishes that the locals love. Discover these delicacies with a local guide.

Today's tour will take you to a famous foodie spot not too far from your hotel. You will be sure to try delicious yakitori, chicken grilled on skewers and served either with salt or "tare", a kind of sweet soy-based sauce. Most yakitori restaurants also serve a selection of other Japanese comfort dishes.

Let your guide know if anything interests you. Depending on where you are, other Japanese delights await you this evening. Sashimi, monjayaki or okonomiyaki, crispy Japanese fried chicken, braised vegetables, and seafood are among the dishes you might try.

Explore part of the Fuji National Park by private car with a guide. Today you will visit the beautiful lakeside town of Kawaguchiko, known for its panoramic views of Mt. Fuji and the mountain's symmetrical reflection in the lake. The first stop will be a visit to the lakeside for a journey up the Kachi Kachi ropeway on Mt. Tenjo, allowing you wonderful views across Lake Kawaguchi and Mt. Fuji, if the weather is fair.

After descending, you'll head to Arakura Sengen Shrine, home to the spectacular Chureito Pagoda, a tall vermillion spire against a backdrop of Mt. Fuji, often used in promotional images for Japan. You'll enjoy lunch afterward before you head to the Kubota Itchiku Art Museum. The man after whom the museum is named is renowned for the revival of Tsujigahana silk-dyeing, thought to be a lost art. Here, you will see many intricate works of art on beautiful silken kimonos.

The final stop on today's tour is a visit to Mt. Fuji's 5th station, where the road runs out on the mountain itself. The views looking down below are quite astounding and you will begin to understand why Japan's tallest mountain is so very revered. Throughout the day you will have the chance to get a glimpse of Mt Fuji, however, please keep in mind that it is a notoriously shy mountain and it needs to be a clear day.

This morning transfer to the Tokyo Bullet Train Station to board the train to Kanazawa, an approximately 3 hour journey. An assistant will meet you at your hotel, escort you to the train station and then help you board the train. 

On arrival in Kanazawa, walk to your hotel located just outside of the train station. Depending on your train timing, you may have some free time before beginning your afternoon tour. 

This afternoon, meet your guide and begin your walking tour using public bus transit. First, visit the Kaga Yuzen Kimono Center to learn about the process of kimono dying and the history of kimono making in Kanazawa. Then, you will have the very special experience of dressing in a kimono! Once dressed, choose to visit either Kenrokuen Garden or the Higashi Chaya district for photo taking. Return to the center afterwards to return your kimono. Your next visit is Gyokusen-en Garden, where you will partake in a traditional matcha green tea ceremony and learn about the tradition and etiquette of drinking green tea in Japan. If time permits, you can discuss with your guide what you would like to see and do next in Kanazawa.

This morning take a city tour of Kanazawa. Your first stop is Kanazawa's star attraction, Kenrokuen garden, which is regarded as one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan. Walk through the garden grounds and enjoy the flora and fauna which changes depending on the season. Also visit the Nagamachi district, where samurai and their families used to reside. While there visit the Nomura Samurai House, a traditional Japanese home with a tea-ceremony room, an interior courtyard garden, and artifacts from the Edo period. 

After the tour take the short train journey from Kanazawa to Kaga Onsen to check in to your ryokan for the next 2 nights. The balance of the day is at leisure. Enjoy the private hot spring baths and the authentic kaiseki cuisine meals prepared with seasonal ingredients.

Day at leisure to enjoy the onsen baths at your ryokan and explore Yamashiro Onsen hot spring town.

Make your own way to Kyoto using your train tickets. Take the Ryokan’s shuttle bus back to Kaga Onsen station and then take the train to Kyoto (approx. 2 hrs). On arrival in Kyoto make your own way to your hotel located next to the train station.

Tonight, we can arrange a special maiko and geisha dining experience. Please ask your Goway destination expert for more information.

Start your full day tour at one of Kyoto’s most celebrated sites, the world-famous Fushimi Inari Shrine. The shrine complex spans over the entire Mt. Inari (233m/765ft) and thousands of bright red torii gates line the mountain trail. You will visit the main shrine hall and the famed vermillion gate tunnel.

Next, travel to central Kyoto to visit Sanjusangendo Temple, the longest wooden structure in Japan. Inside, you will find 1001 statues of Kannon, the Buddhist saint of Mercy.

Then visit another celebrated site, Kiyomizu-dera Temple. This temple is older than Kyoto as the capital of Japan and is famous for its wooden platform stage, the Kiyomizu Butai. The massive stage was constructed out of wood and joints – no nails. At four story’s high, it was once a popular wish-making spot.

In the afternoon visit Kinkakuji Temple, a favorite to millions of visitors each year. You will quickly see why this jewel set into the northern hills is one of the most visited sites in Japan, it is covered in real gold leaf and vibrant at any time of year no matter the weather.

Continue to Kintano-tenmangu, a remarkable shrine to scholarship that was built to appease the spirit of an angry ghost. The shrine’s surrounding entertainment district was first built after a fire in 1444, when a large section of the temple had to be rebuilt, and the remaining timber was used to construct 7 tea houses that became the first ‘flower town’ or Geisha district in Kyoto.

Explore the Kamishichiken district, every bit as charming as its more touristy cousin the Gion district, with the added bonuses of fewer crowds and excellent photo opportunities.

Arashiyama is a district in the western outskirts of Kyoto, the area has been a popular destination since the Heian Period (794-1185), when nobles would enjoy its natural setting.

Visit the Okochi Mountain Villa to see the several beautiful gardens and buildings, including living quarters, tea houses 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 and continue the tour to Nonomiya Shrine and Tenryuji Temple, one of Kyoto's five great Zen temples and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Take an early morning bullet train from Kyoto to Hiroshima, an approximately 2 hour journey. An assistant will meet you at your hotel, escort you to the train station and then help you board the train. 

On arrival in Hiroshima, begin your tour with a visit to Peace Memorial Park. The area where the park now lies was ground zero for the Atomic Bomb on August 6th, 1945. After the bombing, Memorial Park was created and dedicated to those who lost their lives in the attack. Stroll through the park and discover the many memorials, monuments and statues in the park before heading into the Museum itself.

From Hiroshima, a short train and ferry ride will take you to Miyajima Island. A small sacred island located in the Island Sea, it has been a holy place of Shintoism since the earliest times. Here you will find perhaps the most photographed site in Japan - The Floating Torii Gate. Designated as one of Japan's '3 Most Beautiful Views', the shrine dates back to the 6th century with the present structure dating back to the 12th century. You will have time to explore the island and its many shrines and temples and sample local goodies like maple leaf-shaped cakes.

Take an early morning bullet train from Hiroshima to Himeji, an approximately 1 hour journey.  An assistant will meet you at your hotel, escort you to the train station and then help you board the train.

On arrival in Himeji, meet your guide and begin your tour. First visit the iconic Himeji Castle, a UNESCO world heritage site. Nicknamed "Shirasagi-jo" (meaning "Castle of the white heron"), it is arguably Japan's most spectacular castle for its imposing size. The castle was never destroyed by war, earthquake or fire and survives to this day as one of the country's twelve original castles.

Then walk to the nearby Kokoen garden, a beautifully manicured Japanese garden designed in the traditional style with spectacular views of nature throughout the year. Take a relaxing stroll along the garden's many paths while admiring the intricate design.

Then take the train to Tegara station to visit Nadagiku Sake Brewery established in 1910. Get a behind the scenes look at the old Sake cellar and enjoy sake tasting.

After the tour, take the bullet train to Osaka, an approximately 1 hour journey. Your hotel is located adjacent to the Osaka JR station

Enjoy the ultimate freedom to explore Osaka your way with your private guide using public transportation. Your half day guide can make sightseeing suggestions based on your interests and preferences.

Today is free at leisure. Choose to spend more time exploring Osaka or take an excursion to nearby Nara or Mt. Koya.

Following breakfast, transfer to Osaka's Kansai Airport for your onward flights.