Colors of Japan + Kanazawa & Gokayama

Day 1: Wednesday – Tokyo Arrival

Depending on your flight arrival time at Tokyo airport, you will be welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel by private vehicle. (Depending on arrival schedules, the transfer may be shared with other passengers.) The rest of the day at leisure (lunch not included). Dinner at leisure & overnight in Tokyo.

Day 2: Thursday – Tokyo : Traditions & Iconic Districts (B/L)

After breakfast, the morning begins in the Asakusa district with a visit to Senso-ji Temple, the oldest and one of the most revered in the city. Access is via the famous Nakamise-dori shopping street, lined with traditional stalls offering local crafts and specialties. The visit continues with Asakusa-jinja Shrine, a more discreet yet historically rich shinto shrine, offering a peaceful atmosphere just steps from the temple. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit Meiji-jingu Shrine, set within a vast forest in the heart of Tokyo. Dedicated to Emperor Meiji, it offers a serene and spiritual retreat. Then stroll through nearby Harajuku, famous for Takeshita-dori, a lively and colorful street showcasing the creativity of Japanese youth. Overnight in Tokyo.

Day 3: Friday Tokyo Shizuoka Kyoto (B/L)

After breakfast, departure by train for the Shizuoka region, known for its lush landscapes and the quality of its agricultural products. Discover a traditional wasabi farm, an emblematic plant of Japanese cuisine. Along the pools fed by pure spring water, the producers share their expertise and explain the unique conditions necessary for growing this rare condiment. The visit concludes with a tasting, offering the chance to savor the refined flavor of freshly grated authentic wasabi. Lunch featuring regional specialties such as sakura ebi shrimp, Shizuoka oden (black broth), eel, gyozas (dumplings), and huro hanpen (fish paste), accompanied by a delicious green tea. After lunch, departure for Nihondaira Park. Once there, board the cable car to reach the summit. From this viewpoint, enjoy an unbeatable view of Mount Fuji, the Enshu Bay, and the surrounding hills, weather permitting. The discovery continues in this peaceful natural setting with a leisurely walk through the park. In the late afternoon, transfer to Shizuoka Station and then depart by Shinkansen to Kyoto. Arrival and hotel check-in. Dinner at leisure & overnight in Kyoto. Note: Possibility to visit Kunozan Toshogu Shrine, dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, if time permits.

Day 4: Saturday Kyoto Cultural Treasures (B/L)

After breakfast, depart for a full day exploration of Kyoto, the former imperial capital of Japan and the true cultural heart of the country. The visit starts with the renowned Kinkaku-ji, or Golden Pavilion, whose gold-leaf-covered structure reflects gracefully upon a carefully landscaped pond. This emblematic site perfectly embodies the harmony between architecture and nature, set within a meticulously designed garden. Lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, head towards the famous Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, known for its thousands of vermilion torii gates forming a spectacular path along the mountainside. The day continues in the Arashiyama district with a visit to Tenryu-ji Temple, followed by a walk through the famous Sagano Bamboo Grove. Overnight in Kyoto.

Day 5: Sunday Kyoto Free Day (B)

After breakfast, enjoy a free day in Kyoto (lunch not included). Or choose from 4 optional excursions (with supplement and lunch included).

Day 6: Monday Kyoto Tokyo : Return To The Capital (B/L)

After breakfast, transfer by Shinkansen high-speed train to Tokyo. Lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, discover Akihabara, a true hub of Japanese pop culture and electronics. Once known for its electronic shops, the district has become the heart of otaku culture, where stores dedicated to figurines, video games, manga, and tech gadgets coexist. Stroll through Akihabara’s lively streets, lined with neon signs and specialty shops. Opportunity to explore large manga and anime stores, as well as famous arcades filled with the sounds of video games. Visitors can also discover themed cafés and immersive worlds inspired by animation and gaming that define the district’s unique atmosphere. Dinner at leisure & overnight in Tokyo. Note: Hotel room are available from 2 PM.

Day 7: Tuesday Free Day In Tokyo (B)

After breakfast, enjoy a free day in Tokyo (lunch not included). Or choose from 3 optional excursions (with an additional cost and lunch included) Dinner at leisure & overnight in Tokyo. Note: In case of evening or night departure on Day 7, the room remains available until the airport transfer.

Day 8: Wednesday – Tokyo – Kanazawa (B.)

After breakfast, depart by train to Kanazawa, a city renowned for its rich historical heritage and landscapes reminiscent of the samurai era. A former prosperous city during the feudal period, Kanazawa has preserved many traditional districts, refined gardens, and historic residences that still reflect the culture and aesthetics of old Japan today. After lunch, explore the Nagamachi district, the former samurai quarter. Its narrow streets lined with earthen walls and traditional residences immerse visitors in the atmosphere of feudal Japan. Some houses still retain their original interior gardens and architectural features. The visit continues to Kenroku-en Garden, considered one of the three most beautiful landscape gardens in Japan. Designed according to traditional aesthetic principles, it offers a harmonious balance of ponds, hills, pavilions, and meticulously maintained vegetation. At the end of the day, stroll through the Kazue-machi Chaya district, a former teahouse area. This charming network of narrow streets lined with wooden buildings evokes the refined atmosphere of Japan’s past. Dinner at leisure & overnight in Kanazawa.

Day 9: Thursday Excursion From Kanazawa: Shirakawa Go & Gokayama (B.)

After breakfast, depart for the mountainous region of Gokayama, known for its traditional villages listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Discover the village of Ainokura, one of the best-preserved in the region. Nestled in a peaceful valley, it is home to remarkable thatched-roof houses built in the gassho-zukuri style, whose distinctive architecture resembles hands joined in prayer. A stroll through the village offers a glimpse into these historic homes and the rural life of old Japan. Continue to the famous village of Shirakawa-go. Visit the Wada House, one of the largest and best-preserved in the village, providing a fascinating insight into the lives of traditional farming families. After lunch, walk through the village of Ogimachi, the historic heart of Shirakawa-go, where numerous gassho-zukuri houses stand amidst rice fields and mountain scenery. The visit continues to Myozen-ji Temple, notable for its thatched roof typical of the region. Finally, stop at the Ogimachi Castle Ruins Observatory, offering a spectacular panoramic view over the entire village and its distinctive thatched rooftops. Return to Kanazawa at the end of the day. Dinner at leisure & overnight in Kanazawa.

Day 10: Friday Kanazawa Tokyo: Return To Tokyo (B.)

After breakfast, transfer by Shinkansen high-speed train to Tokyo. The rest of the day and lunch at leisure. Dinner at leisure & overnight in Tokyo. Note: In case of evening or night departure on Day 10, the room remains available until the airport transfer.

Day 11: Saturday Tokyo: Departure (B.)

After breakfast, depending on your flight schedule, transfer to Tokyo airport by private vehicle (without guide). End of our services.