Japan: from Tokyo to Osaka

Upon arrival at Narita or Haneda airports, we will meet an English-speaking assistant in the arrivals hall. A shared transfer will take us to our hotel. The welcome briefing session will take place the next morning.

Utilizzando l'efficiente trasporto pubblico di Tokyo, trascorreremo la giornata alla scoperta delle attrazioni principali della città. Visiteremo uno dei quartieri più vivaci di Tokyo, Asakusa, e scopriremo il colorato Tempio di Sensoji. Prenderemo una barca per una crociera sul fiume Sumida passando davanti alle sedi di alcune famose aziende giapponesi. Passeggeremo attraverso il Giardino di Hamarikyu e degusteremo il matcha (tè verde) accompagnato da un dolce giapponese nel Padiglione del Giardino Galleggiante.

We will take a train for a short trip to Omiya Bonsai Village, home to numerous bonsai nurseries and gardens. We will learn the art of bonsai and see ancient bonsai trees at the Bonsai Art Museum. Dedicated to the Shinto god of the sea and storms, we will visit the Hikawa Shrine, which is said to be over 2,000 years old. We will return to visit Tokyo's most famous Shinto shrine, Meiji Jingu, before wandering down the tree-lined avenue of Omotesando.

We will travel by train to Kanazawa. During the journey, we will enjoy a bento box lunch. We will visit the Tersahima Kurando House, the residence of a middle-ranking samurai during the Edo period. We will walk through the Kenrokuen Garden, the city's most famous landscape garden. We will visit the DT Suzuki Museum with its buildings and gardens based on Zen philosophy. We will return for a free evening.

We will enjoy a day off to further explore Kanazawa. Alternatively, we could choose to join a full-day tour to Shirakawago with its unique 'gassho'-style buildings, and to the quiet streets and old-time atmosphere of Takayama.

We will take the train to Kyoto. In the afternoon, we will visit the mountain complex of the Fushimi Inari Shrine. We will walk through thousands of vermilion torii gates that line up for kilometers along the mountain paths.

We will discover the main attractions of Kyoto on a walking tour. We will start from the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto, Kenninji Temple, then move on to the Yasaka Shrine, one of the most famous in Kyoto. We will enjoy a traditional tea ceremony and learn about the philosophy and art of serving tea. We will wander through the shops of Ninenzaka before visiting the Kodaiji Temple with its lavish buildings and magnificent gardens.

In the morning, we will visit the lesser-known Zen temples and gardens of Kyoto within the Daitokuji Temple complex. We will see the atmospheric Koto-in known for its maple trees, Ryogen-in with the smallest Zen garden in the world, and the austere landscapes of Zuiho-in. Free afternoon to explore the city.

We will take the train to Okayama. We will visit Korakuen, one of the finest landscape gardens in Japan, with its streams, paths, and vast lawns that are a unique feature. Located across the river from the gardens, we will continue to the six-story Okayama Castle or 'Crow Castle' for its black exterior. The rest of the day will be free.

We will visit Kurashiki, a preserved canal city. We will enjoy a walk along the historic tree-lined streets or spend time in the numerous art museums. We may choose to take an optional boat tour along the canals before returning to Okayama for a free evening.

From Okayama, we will travel by train to Osaka and enjoy some free time upon arrival. In the afternoon, we will visit Osaka Castle to learn about its turbulent history. We will board the Aqualiner and cruise along the Okawa river to see the city from a unique perspective. We will enjoy a free evening.

We will enjoy a day off in Osaka. We will visit the fascinating Osaka Museum of Housing and Living or perhaps we will see the city from above at the 173 meters tall Umeda Sky Building. We will enjoy a farewell group dinner in the Dotonbori area.

Our journey in Japan has come to an end, after breakfast at the hotel we will make our own way to the airport to return to our respective hometowns!