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Splendors of Japan - Celebrate Takayama Festival
Splendors Of Japan – Celebrate Takayama Festival
Celebrate the changing seasons as the jangle of bells and boom-boom-bang of drums accompany a captivating parade of festival floats on the streets of hillside Takayama. The Activity Level of this tour is Dynamic, meaning this journey features 4+ miles of walking on some days and may involve steep hills.
Dining Summary
- 8 Breakfast (B)
- 3 Lunch (L)
- 4 Dinner (D)
Be My Guest
- Kyoto: Meet Nakamura Family for a kaiseki lunch at a traditional Japanese Restaurant near Kyoto and learn about local customs.
Dive into Culture
- Ginza: With the guidance of your professional sushi chef, make your own selection of sushi specialties. Afterwards enjoy the fruits of your labor with a delicious lunch.
- Takayama: Join the locals at the Takayama Festival.
Iconic Experience
- Tokyo: Visit Tokyo’s renowned landmarks and gain insight into how this modern city preserves its ancient roots.
- Tokyo: Visit the Tokyo National Museum to browse collections of Japanese art and archaeological objects.
- Mt Fuji: Start your day by visiting the small rural village of Oshino Hakkai which is home to eight natural spring water ponds. Next on your travels is a 2,300-meter winding road to Mt. Fuji 5th Station. To end your day, you will ride up to Mt. Tenjo by ropeway and bask in the breath-taking views.
- Kanazawa: Learn about the delicacy of the 16th-century craft gold leaf painting with your Local Specialist.
- Gokayama: Take some time to admire the peaceful mountain village of Gokayama. Discover their unique homes that have been built without the use of nails and their sloped thatched roofs.
- Kanazawa: Enjoy a stroll through Omicho market before making your way to the beautiful Gardens of Kenrokuen which have been shaped over the past one hundred years.
- Kyoto: Admire the beautiful golden pavilion of Kinkakuji Temple.
- Kyoto: Your city tour takes you to the orange gates of the Fushimi Inari Shrine. Admire this sacred site before visiting Sanjeusangen-do-Hall, where you can view the 1,001 “thousand-handed” goddesses of mercy statues. Continue your exploration of Kyoto with a walking tour through the Gion district.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
- Gokayama: Help support a local business with a visit to a washi paper workshop. You’ll watch the family at work and test your paper-making skills for yourself. Your experience directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Must-see Highlights
- Explore Tokyo and Kyoto
- Visit the Sensoji Temple, the Skytree Observation Tower, the Edo Tokyo Museum in Tokyo, Mt. Fuji 5th Station, the Kinkakuji Temple and Fushimi Inari Shrine and Sanjusangen-do Hall in Kyoto
- See the traditional Gassho-zukuri houses in Gokayama and the beautiful gardens of Kenrokuen in Kanazawa
Whats Included
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- Optional Experiences and free time
- On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.
| Day 1 |
Shopping, historic temples, lush green spaces and exceptional dining are all part of Tokyo, the capital of Japan. This spectacular, highly populated metropolis holds unlimited options for tourists.
History and modernity are displayed in equal measure in Tokyo. Temples and communications towers both dot the city, while nightlife and restaurants beckon visitors in places like the Ginza District. Tokyo displays some of its best qualities in March and April, when cherry blossom trees are in bloom. Between September and November, travelers will find scenic foliage and mild temperatures. |
| Day 2 |
Shopping, historic temples, lush green spaces and exceptional dining are all part of Tokyo, the capital of Japan. This spectacular, highly populated metropolis holds unlimited options for tourists.
History and modernity are displayed in equal measure in Tokyo. Temples and communications towers both dot the city, while nightlife and restaurants beckon visitors in places like the Ginza District. Tokyo displays some of its best qualities in March and April, when cherry blossom trees are in bloom. Between September and November, travelers will find scenic foliage and mild temperatures. |
| Day 3 |
Shopping, historic temples, lush green spaces and exceptional dining are all part of Tokyo, the capital of Japan. This spectacular, highly populated metropolis holds unlimited options for tourists.
History and modernity are displayed in equal measure in Tokyo. Temples and communications towers both dot the city, while nightlife and restaurants beckon visitors in places like the Ginza District. Tokyo displays some of its best qualities in March and April, when cherry blossom trees are in bloom. Between September and November, travelers will find scenic foliage and mild temperatures. |
| Day 4 |
Takayama is a gentle mountain castle town that has retained much of it's traditional history. It is known for it's timber, carpenters and local craftspeople. Discover traditional mountian farming at Hida Folk Village, an open-air museum. Explore the temple town and former castle site of Higashiyama. Revel in local arts and culture while enjoying a step off the beaten track in this ancient city. Recommended is the Takayama festival, held in spring and fall, and known as one of the three most beautiful festivals of Japan. |
| Day 5 |
Takayama is a gentle mountain castle town that has retained much of it's traditional history. It is known for it's timber, carpenters and local craftspeople. Discover traditional mountian farming at Hida Folk Village, an open-air museum. Explore the temple town and former castle site of Higashiyama. Revel in local arts and culture while enjoying a step off the beaten track in this ancient city. Recommended is the Takayama festival, held in spring and fall, and known as one of the three most beautiful festivals of Japan. |
| Day 6 |
Takayama is a gentle mountain castle town that has retained much of it's traditional history. It is known for it's timber, carpenters and local craftspeople. Discover traditional mountian farming at Hida Folk Village, an open-air museum. Explore the temple town and former castle site of Higashiyama. Revel in local arts and culture while enjoying a step off the beaten track in this ancient city. Recommended is the Takayama festival, held in spring and fall, and known as one of the three most beautiful festivals of Japan. |
| Day 7 |
Kanazawa, Japan, is a captivating city that offers a unique blend of historical charm and cultural richness. Known for its well-preserved Edo-period districts, Kanazawa is a treasure trove of traditional Japanese experiences. The Kenroku-en Garden, one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens, is a must-visit for any traveler. This beautiful landscape garden features serene ponds, lush greenery, and seasonal flowers, embodying classic Japanese aesthetics. Another gem in Kanazawa is the Kanazawa Castle, which, though rebuilt, retains the grandeur of its original structure. The castle's impressive stone walls and historical exhibits provide a glimpse into the feudal past of the region. Explore the castle grounds and discover the rich history of the Maeda clan, the ruling samurai family of Kanazawa. For those interested in traditional crafts, Kanazawa is renowned for its gold leaf production, which dates back to the 16th century. The city is home to several workshops where visitors can see artisans at work and even try their hand at creating their own gold leaf art. The Kanazawa Gold Leaf Museum offers a fascinating insight into this craft. Fun Fact: Kanazawa is also known for its vibrant 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, which stands out for its innovative architecture and diverse exhibitions. The museum's round shape and transparent walls make it an architectural marvel in its own right. |
| Day 8 |
Travel through enchanting Kyoto to discover a cultural and spiritual haven in Japan. Once the country’s imperial capital, Kyoto is now home to magnificent shrines, lush botanical gardens and nature parks, and exceptional culinary delights. Temples abound in this beautiful city. From golden Kinkakuji Temple overlooking Kyoko-chi Pond and verdant bonsai trees, to Kiyomizu-dera Temple, whose vibrant red arches tower over Japanese maples, revel in the serenity of Kyoto’s Buddhist worship houses. The city’s Shinto shrines take the spotlight and are an absolute must see, including the iconic Fushimi Inari Shrine. Make the winding trek to Fushimi Inari and you’ll find thousands of bright orange torii, traditional Shinto gates, enveloping the path. Kyoto’s nature parks and botanical gardens are guaranteed to astound you. The Philosopher’s Walk, brimming with beautiful cherry trees, bursts with hues of light pink in the springtime. Find even more cherry trees at Kyoto’s Botanical Garden, as well as thousands of blooming tulips in shades of red, yellow, and pink. Discover the austere aesthetics of Zen gardens at Ryōan-ji Temple, whose Zen rock garden has been meticulously raked and arranged to highlight nature’s simplicity. For a more thrilling adventure, venture across the Katsura River to Monkey Park Iwatayama, located at the summit of Mt. Arashiyama. Here, you’ll hike among clever macaque monkeys, who often interact with humans in hopes of finding a tasty treat. Explore Kyoto’s Gion neighborhood for the city’s most famous cultural and gastronomic experiences! Indulge in a traditional tea ceremony at one of the area’s many tea houses, called ochaya, where geisha frequently perform in customary kimonos. Gion boasts the city’s best Kabuki shows; head to Minamiza Theater and immerse yourself in these vibrant and dramatic stage plays. Stroll through nearby Nishiki Market to sample from Kyoto’s amazing culinary scene. The market comprises dozens of unique stalls and restauarants that offer a variety of delectable eats, including matcha tea, fresh sushi, octopus, nigiri, pickled veggies, and sesame ice cream. Kyoto, Japan awaits! |
| Day 9 |
Travel through enchanting Kyoto to discover a cultural and spiritual haven in Japan. Once the country’s imperial capital, Kyoto is now home to magnificent shrines, lush botanical gardens and nature parks, and exceptional culinary delights. Temples abound in this beautiful city. From golden Kinkakuji Temple overlooking Kyoko-chi Pond and verdant bonsai trees, to Kiyomizu-dera Temple, whose vibrant red arches tower over Japanese maples, revel in the serenity of Kyoto’s Buddhist worship houses. The city’s Shinto shrines take the spotlight and are an absolute must see, including the iconic Fushimi Inari Shrine. Make the winding trek to Fushimi Inari and you’ll find thousands of bright orange torii, traditional Shinto gates, enveloping the path. Kyoto’s nature parks and botanical gardens are guaranteed to astound you. The Philosopher’s Walk, brimming with beautiful cherry trees, bursts with hues of light pink in the springtime. Find even more cherry trees at Kyoto’s Botanical Garden, as well as thousands of blooming tulips in shades of red, yellow, and pink. Discover the austere aesthetics of Zen gardens at Ryōan-ji Temple, whose Zen rock garden has been meticulously raked and arranged to highlight nature’s simplicity. For a more thrilling adventure, venture across the Katsura River to Monkey Park Iwatayama, located at the summit of Mt. Arashiyama. Here, you’ll hike among clever macaque monkeys, who often interact with humans in hopes of finding a tasty treat. Explore Kyoto’s Gion neighborhood for the city’s most famous cultural and gastronomic experiences! Indulge in a traditional tea ceremony at one of the area’s many tea houses, called ochaya, where geisha frequently perform in customary kimonos. Gion boasts the city’s best Kabuki shows; head to Minamiza Theater and immerse yourself in these vibrant and dramatic stage plays. Stroll through nearby Nishiki Market to sample from Kyoto’s amazing culinary scene. The market comprises dozens of unique stalls and restauarants that offer a variety of delectable eats, including matcha tea, fresh sushi, octopus, nigiri, pickled veggies, and sesame ice cream. Kyoto, Japan awaits! |
| Travel Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
10/06/26 - 10/14/26 |
Starting At $4,925 |
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Trip prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and reflect applicable discounts. Trip prices and discounts are subject to change.
Airfare is additional. Tour prices, dates and itineraries are correct at the time of the website going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. Other restrictions may apply.
