Edo-Tokyo Museum - Asakusa Kannon Temple - Yanaka Old Town - Akihabara

Tokyo is Japan’s vibrant capital, where modern skyscrapers and cutting-edge technology meet traditional temples and serene gardens. Don’t miss iconic sites such as the Edo-Tokyo Museum, a museum recreating life in old Edo and modern Tokyon, the Asakusa Kannon Temple (also known as Sensoji) and Nakamise Shopping Street, Tokyo’s popular district where the atmosphere of past decades survives, Yanaka Old Town, a walk in a lively Japanese neighborhood learning about typical life of a Tokyoite and Akihabara, home to many of Tokyo’s subcultures

Experiencing cherry blossom season in Tokyo is a magical event that captures the essence of Japan's natural beauty and cultural celebration. The city transforms into a sea of pink and white as sakura bloom. During this season, Tokyo hosts various festivals and events, including traditional performances, tea ceremonies, and night-time illuminations, enhancing the enchanting atmosphere.

Discover Yasukuni Shrine, an interesting shrine with impressive cherry blossoms lined in and around the precincts and Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, to experience Hanami, picnicking while viewing the cherry blossoms.

In many ways, the culinary scene in Tokyo is that of any large metropolitan area around the world. However, if one knows where to look, they can still find the remnants of old Tokyo, and discover its food and flavors. Take to the streets with your guide, sampling from local eateries, street food vendors, and small restaurants, and be introduced to the wonderful world and eats of nighttime Tokyo.

Hakone, a serene town in Japan’s Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, is renowned for its hot springs, stunning natural beauty, and close-up views of Mount Fuji. The city offers a perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo.

Relax in traditional onsen baths, explore the picturesque Ashinoko Lake with its iconic red torii gate, and take in panoramic views from the Hakone Ropeway. The area is also home to the Hakone Open-Air Museum, showcasing impressive sculptures in a beautiful outdoor setting.

Kyoto, the cultural heart of Japan, is renowned for its well-preserved historical sites, including over a thousand temples and shrines such as the iconic Fushimi Inari Shrine with its thousands of torii gates, and the serene Kinkaku-ji. The city exudes traditional charm with its picturesque tea houses, geisha districts like Gion, and beautiful zen gardens.

Visit Nijo Castle, the Shogun’s castle, a window into the culture and history of Kyoto, the Golden Pavilion, the Ryoanji Temple famed for its unique Zen garden, Hirano Shrine and its grounds famous for the cherry blossoms, Nishiki Market, the historic food market of Kyoto with traditional, typical and modern flavors to try and Gion, the famed geisha district to learn about this tradition which is kept alive in Kyoto.

Movies and books strive to capture the essence of geisha, yet only by speaking with one can one understand the dedication, the talent, the people that make up all that is beautiful about Japan’s geisha.

Over dinner at a casual shabu-shabu or a formal Michelin starred kaiseki restaurant, be treated to a performance that has been refined through years of schooling and apprenticeship.

A personally-selected geisha and guides make this private evening even more memorable as they remove communication and cultural barriers, inviting participation in a few of the geisha games of old, and encouraging conversation about the geisha lifestyle and culture.

The Japanese tea ceremony, known in Japan as chadō, meaning the way of tea, is a tradition steeped in history, where a bowl of matcha or powdered green tea is served by experts trained in the dignified art of the elegant hand movements required for this ceremony, the gestures aid in the appreciation of this healing brew and the typically beautiful bowls it is served in.

Learn to appreciate the subtle depth of a tea ceremony, often considered a gateway to Japanese culture. While sipping the rich flavor of matcha green tea, a master of the tea ceremony will give you an insider look into the small details that make the ceremony the serene moment of pure contemplation and togetherness that it is. Learn about the ceremony’s connections to Zen and Buddhism, and how so many elements of Japanese culture permeate through every step and motion.

One-hour drive from Kyoto, Nara, one of Japan’s ancient capitals, is renowned for its historic significance and cultural treasures.

Visit Kasuga Shrine known for its beautiful stone and bronze lanterns, the Deer Park inhabited by deer believed to be messengers of the gods, Nigatsudo & Sangatsudo Halls with unique traditional architecture, Todaiji Temple one of the largest wooden structures in the world and Isui-en Garden a typical Japanese garden incorporating the nearby hills as its backdrop.

A sprawling area in western Kyoto centered around the Katsura River and surrounding mountains, Arashiyama is extremely popular.

Discover Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple a gorgeous hidden temple with many Rakkan sculptures; walk down Saga Toriimoto Preserved Street, a picturesque road, and along the way visit Giouji Temple with a silken moss garden; discover Okochi sanso garden an intricate stroll garden, Sagano Bamboo Grove the famed path lined with bamboo on both sides, Tenryuji Temple with its renowned garden and Togetsukyo Bridge, arching over the local river.

Spending a day in an onsen in the countryside of Kyoto is a rejuvenating and serene experience that immerses you in traditional Japanese culture. Begin your day by arriving at a picturesque ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn, nestled amidst lush greenery and scenic landscapes.

The hot springs, fed by natural geothermal waters, offer a soothing escape as you soak in the warm baths surrounded by nature.

Kanazawa is very know for its stunning gardens, art and craftsmanship.

Discover Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan’s three most beautiful gardens; the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, famous for its innovative architecture; Nomura House and Kanazawa’s samurai quarter, a samurai district well-preserved from the Edo Era (1603-1868); the Omicho Market, a bustling, local food market with fresh seafood; Higashi Chaya, Kanazawa’s scenic, historic geisha district now with shops specializing in gold leaf and local trinkets and end with Gold Leaf Sakuda Factory, one of the great producers of Kanazawa’s famed gold leaf.