Path of the Samurai

Arrival at Tokyo Airport (Narita NRT or Haneda HND).

Welcome to Japan! Yokoso 日本へようこそ！

Meet our airport assistant at the customs exit, who will provide you with all your travel documents and your Pocket WiFi.

Unaccompanied transfer from the airport to Tokyo.

This transfer is via a shared shuttle with other guests heading to the same hotel or a hotel near yours. These shuttles depart between 1.5 and 3 hours after your flight’s scheduled arrival, and stops may be made before reaching your hotel.

If you would like a private transfer, with no stops and immediately after your flight lands, please select the "Private Taxi from the Airport" option.

For your first day in Tokyo, we recommend exploring:

• Harajuku, the trendy neighborhood for young people
• Meiji Jingu, the grand imperial shrine
• Takeshita-dori, Tokyo’s must-see street
• Omotesando, Tokyo’s “Champs-Élysées”
• Shibuyaand its famous intersection

For your second day of sightseeing, we suggest visiting:

• Ginza, the upscale district
• Tsukiji, the food market
• Hama-rikyu, a Japanese garden nestled among the skyscrapers
• Asakusa, the capital’s traditional district
• Senso-ji Buddhist Temple
• Tokyo Skytree, the observation tower

To make the most of your stay in Tokyo, we suggest ending your trip with a wide range of exciting optional activities:

• Looking to have some fun?The Harry Potter Studio,Disneyland, or Hello Kitty Park are waiting for you
• Prefer themed experiences?Choose between an architectural tour, a stroll through a Japanese garden, a home cooking class, or even tickets to a Noh theater performance
• Looking for thrills?Take a scenic helicopter tour or attend a sumo tournament(seasonal)!
• Fancy a day trip?Just a 45-minute train ride away is Kamakura, a charming coastal town steeped in history.

In the morning, send your luggage to your hotel inMatsumoto(details in your travel journal) so you can travel light for your night inKawaguchiko.

Upon arrival, you can drop off your luggage at your hotel, conveniently located near the station. Then, it’s finally time to discover the wonders of the Five Lakes region!

• Gaze uponMount Fujithrough the iconicChureito Pagodaand prepare for a rewarding climb—the view is well worth it;
• Cruise across the crystal-clear waters ofLake Kawaguchiko, reflecting the majesticMount Fuji. A true paradise for photographers;
• Take theKachi Kachi Ropewayto enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the lake on one side and Mount Fuji on the other.

Why notrent a bikefor a half-day adventure around picturesque Lake Kawaguchiko and enjoy breathtaking views of Mount Fuji along the way?

Start by having breakfast at the hotel, then spend the morning admiring the beauty of Kawaguchikoand its surroundings.

Then, in the afternoon, embark on a scenic train ride that will take you to Matsumoto, a city nestled in the heart of the majestic Japanese Alps.

Upon arrival, check into your hotel, ideally located in the city center between the train station and the castle.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Steeped in history, Matsumoto has preserved many traces of its prosperity during the feudal era. However, the city’s true treasure is its imposing castle, nicknamed the “Raven” due to its striking black exterior. This magnificent structure,the oldest in Japan, offers breathtaking panoramic views year-round.

Beyond its historic charm, Matsumoto has flourished as an industrial and commercial hub. Even today, the Nakamichi district retains a unique collection of workshops that have been in operation since the Meiji era, offering a glimpse into the city’s vibrant past.

Discover the secrets of Matsumoto with a half-day private tour and explore the city’s rich history, including its iconic feudal castle and charming historic districts. This experience allows you to delve deeper into the past and perhaps even step into the shoes of a samurai for a morning with our expert guide.

Breakfast at the hotel.

In the morning, take the bus fromMatsumototoTakayama. Enjoy the town’s charm at your own pace, with its century-old houses, temples, and museums.

We recommend visiting:

• Thetraditional Kusakabe and Yoshijima houses
• TheYatai Kaikan exhibition hall, where old floats from religious festivals are on display
• Thepicturesque Shôwa-kan, a museum covering the years 1940 to 1970
• The old shopping district ofSannomachi
• TheFuji Folk Art Museum

About a 15-minute train ride from Takayama lies the rustic and authentic village ofHida-Furukawa. Surrounding Hida-Furukawa is theJapanese countryside, where time seems to have stood still.

Overnight stay at aryokaninTakayama; breakfast only is included.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departing fromTakayama, we offer a day trip to a typical village in the Japanese Alps:Shirakawago.

Hop on a bus toShirakawago and immerse yourself in this charming village nestled in theJapanese Alps. Stroll through the village, aUNESCO World Heritage Site, and admire the traditional gassho-style farmhouses with their iconic thatched roofs.

Be sure to step inside aminka, a traditional Japanese house, to get a glimpse of the local way of life. For those seeking spiritual serenity, a visit toMyôzen-ji Temple, the village’s Zen temple, is a must.

In the mid-afternoon, head toKanazawaby bus.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Set out to explore Kanazawa, nestled between the Sea of Japan and the Japanese Alps.

• Kenroku-en, Kanazawa’s magnificent Japanese garden;
• The Museum of Contemporary Art and its outdoor gallery;
• Omicho, the fish market on the Sea of Japan;
• The Nomura House, asamurai residence, and its picturesque old quarter.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Heading to Osaka, about 2 hours from Kanazawa.

We recommend starting your visit to Osaka gently, with the northern and eastern districts:

• Osaka Castle, a medieval fortress famous for its many plum and cherry trees;
• Downtown Osaka and Nakanoshima Island, famous for its rose garden nestled among the skyscrapers;
• Utsubo Park, a true oasis of coolness in the heart of the business district;
• A visit to Umeda, the mecca of Japanese shopping;
• Finish with the Umeda Sky Building at sunset for a 360° view of the Kansai region (including Kyoto on a clear day!).

One of our many experienced English-speaking guides can also accompany you throughout the day

For this second day of your visit to Osaka, we recommend the following itinerary:

• The Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium, the world’s largest aquarium by volume
• The Tennoji district and its Shitenno-ji Buddhist temple, one of the oldest in Japan
• Spa World, Japan’s largest hot spring resort
• Shinsekai and its retro charm
• DenDen Town, the tech village
• Finish up in Dotonbori, the liveliest district

For lunch, we recommend takoyaki, one of the city’s specialties!

In the morning, take a local train to Kyoto.

Start your afternoon with:

• Kiyomizu-Dera, the Great Water Temple;
• The historic alleys of Sannen-zaka & Ninnen-zaka;
• Kôdai-ji, Kyoto’s temple of maple trees and bamboo
• The Gion district.

End your day by meeting your guide in the early evening to begin your nighttime stroll through Gion,Kyoto’s historic district

For your second day in Kyoto, we recommend the following itinerary:

• The Zen garden at Ryôan-ji;
• Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion);
• Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)
• The enchantingPhilosopher’s Path;
• Nanzen-ji Temple.

One of our many experienced English-speaking guides can accompany you on a tour of these iconic sites (available as an optional extra, from 9 AM to 5 PM).

Continue your tour of Kyoto by heading west:

• Nishiki, Kyoto’s food market
• Nijo Castle, former residence of the shogun
• Arashiyama, with its bamboo grove and Monkey Mountain

For your last day in Kyoto, why not make the most of our selection of activities and experiences?

• In the mood for nature? Take a bike ride along the Kamo River or go hiking in the magnificent Takao Gorge.
• Interested in Japanese arts and traditions? Treat yourself to a tea ceremony, a Zen meditation session, or explore secret gardens—true havens of serenity.
• For a deep dive into the Japanese countryside, explore the charming village ofOhara, nestled in the mountains north of Kyoto.

So many experiences to round out your stay in Kyoto in style.

Direct transfer viashared shuttle to Kansai International Airport(KIX).

If you prefer a private transfer, directly to the airport with no stops along the way, select the "Private Taxi to the Airport" option.

Return flight to your home country, but feel free to extend your stay by a few days, in Kansai or elsewhere... we’d be happy to help!