Japan In Style

Japan In Style – Tour Overview

Travel in luxury as you tour ‘Japan In Style’. Explore Tokyo with a local guide from the comfort of your own private transportation before being blessed by a local Shinto Priest. Visit the quaint seaside town of Kamakura then head to your boutique traditional Japanese Inn located in Hakone National Park. Finish this fascinating tour with 3 nights in the cultural capital of Kyoto.

Japan In Style – Day 1 – Arrival in Tokyo (D)

You will be met by your chauffeur upon your arrival at Tokyo Airport, from where you will be transferred by private car to Conrad Tokyo. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Tonight’s dinner consists of Japanese ingredients cooked across 3 different restaurants from the award winning chefs in the hotel. Enjoy interpretations of modern French dining in the Michelin-starred ‘Collage,’ the Cantonese-based Chinese cuisine in another Michelin-starred restaurant, ‘China Blue,’ or the modern kaiseki-style dinner in ‘Kazahana.’ This will be complemented with a unique wine pairing by the hotel’s Master Sommelier, including some little-known sake or Japanese wine.

Overnight in Tokyo

Japan In Style – Day 2 – Tokyo (B)

This morning your guide and chauffer will pick you up at your hotel to take you to a full-day of sightseeing in Tokyo.

One of your stops includes Asakusa, part of Tokyo’sshitamachi (old town). Asakusa is home to Senso–ji, Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple, and is also the city’s oldest Geisha district.

Afterwards, visit Meiji-jingu, Tokyo’s most famous shrine, where you will witness a traditional purification dance and receive a blessing from a Shinto priest.

You will also get to drive past famous Tokyo landmarks including the Ginza area, the Imperial Palace, and the Shibuya ‘scramble’ crossing.

Of course, today’s itinerary is flexible, so if you have any particular sites in Tokyo that you want to visit, please let us know.

Overnight in Tokyo

Japan In Style – Day 3 – Tokyo – Kamakura – Hakone (B,D)

Leave the hustle and bustle of Tokyo behind as you journey by private transport to Kamakura for a morning of sightseeing.

One of Japan’s former capitals, Kamakura is a delightful seaside town home to many ancient temples and theDaibutsu, a giant bronze Buddha.

You will then continue on to the Fuji Hakone National Park, where you will be staying at the Hakone Ginyu ryokan (traditional Japanese-style accommodation).

The Ginyu is built on a mountain, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Your room is complete with tatami flooring and comfortable futon, and each room has an outdoor terrace with a private hot spring bath. The dinner will be a traditional multi-course meal served in your room.

Note: The Giant Buddha will be covered by scaffolding from 13^th January 2016 to 10^th March 2016 due to regular inspection and maintenance.

Overnight in Hakone

Japan In Style – Day 4 – Hakone (B,D)

Today you will have a tour of the surrounding national park with a guide by private transport. However, since Hakone has a variety of public transportation, you will also get a chance to try some of them.

The adventure will begin with a ride on the Guinness World Record-holder rope way, taking you all the way up to Mt. Owakudani, the source of the hot water in Hakone’s hot springs. Stop by for a while and have the opportunity to have a taste of one of Hakone’s specialities, the kuro-tamago, an egg hard boiled in the sulphuric hot springs.  They say that if you do, it will add 7 years to your life!

Get back again on the cable car to go all the way to Togendai. Here, a majestic replica pirate ship will sweep you across Ashinoko, a lake that was formed by a volcanic eruption 3,000 years ago.

After your cruise, your next stop will be the Hakone Open Air Museum, which creates a harmonic balance of nature and art by exhibiting various sculptures on its spacious grounds in combination with beautiful views of the surrounding valleys and mountains. Besides the sculptures, the Hakone Open Air Museum also features various indoor galleries, including a sizeable Picasso Collection that displays some paintings, prints, sculptures, and ceramic creations of the legendary artist.

Throughout the day you will have the chance to get a glimpse of Mt. Fuji, however please keep in mind that she is a notoriously shy mountain and it needs to be a clear day for you to see her splendour.

Note: Mt. Owakudani has been temporarily closed due to volcanic activities.

Overnight in Hakone

Pre-Arranged Luggage Service:

We have pre-arranged a luggage transfer service from Hakone to Kyoto. Please leave your luggage at the bell desk on or before 08:00 on the day of checking out. Your luggage is expected to arrive in your hotel in Kyoto in the evening.

Japan In Style – Day 5 – Hakone – Kyoto (B)

Get ready for your journey to Kyoto, home to around 2,000 shrines and temples, 17 of which are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. A private taxi will come pick you up at your ryokan to take you to Odawara Station, where you will catch the shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto.

Later in the day, your guide and chauffer will pick you up at your hotel for an afternoon of sightseeing around the cultural capital.

Your first stop will be at Heian Shrine, home to one of Japan’s largest torii gates. The highlight of this shrine is definitely its gardens collectively called ‘Shin-en’. Naka Shin-en, one of the four gardens, was featured in the movie ‘Lost in Translation.’ The stone pillars where the actress walked on are called “garyu-kyo,” which serve as a walkway through the serene Soryu Pond.

You will then continue on to Kiyomizu-dera, the temple situated on Mt. Otowa. The most impressive part of the temple is probably the veranda, which stands at 13 meters tall and was built without any nails. The view from the veranda is breath-taking, especially when the sakura(cherry blossoms) are in full bloom or when the leaves change colour in fall.

Note: Kiyomizu Temple is currently undergoing partial renovations.

Overnight in Kyoto

Japan In Style – Day 6 – Kyoto and Nara (B)

Explore the ancient capitals of Kyoto and Nara with your guide, travelling around on a private car.

You will start your day with a visit to Nijo Castle. This ornamental castle, surrounded by stunning gardens, was built by the founder of the Edo Shogunate as his Kyoto residence. The main building was completed in 1603 and is well-known for its Momoyama architecture, decorated sliding doors, and ‘chirping nightingale’ floors.

Continue on to Kinkaku-ji, or the Golden Pavilion, which was originally built as a retirement villa for the Shogun. After his death, it became a Buddhist Temple at his request and is now one of Kyoto’s most famous temples.

Afterwards, travel to Nara, a small town that used to be Japan’s capital for 74 years during the 8^th century. Most of its main tourist spots are located around Nara Park, where you will see a great number of tamed deer.

You can choose to visit Todaiji Temple, the world’s largest wooden building and home to Japan’s largest Buddha, or Kasuga Taisha, Nara’s most celebrated shrine.

Overnight in Kyoto

Japan In Style – Day 7 – Kyoto (B,D)

You have the rest of the morning free at leisure. If you wish, we could arrange a private car to be at your disposal to tour the city (must be booked in advance; supplementary charges apply).

One of the many aspects that are unique to Japan is its Geisha. When one hears the word “Japan,” one of the top three things that quickly come into mind is a lady with an elaborate hairstyle, a white-painted face and bright red lips, and an elegant kimono. With more than 200 years of history and still counting, exploring the world of Geisha can be fascinating.

In Japan, Kyoto is considered as the home of the Geisha, and as a matter-of-fact, a Geisha from Kyoto is actually called a “Geiko.” Today, together with a local guide, you will explore the streets of Gion, known as the Geisha district, and later on have a dinner with a Maiko, an apprentice Geisha dressed in colourful kimono.

Late in the afternoon, your guide will pick you up from your hotel to take you to Gion Districtfor a short walking tour around the area, passing by famous landmarks such as the Minami-za Theatre and Yasaka Shrine (depending on the location of your restaurant, you may need to backtrack or leave Gion).

After your walking tour, your guide will take you to your restaurant where you can enjoy another traditional multi-course meal in the company of a Maiko. You will have the chance to interact with her and know more about her craft and the world of Geisha. During dinner, the Maiko will perform historic dances and even invite you to play some Japanese drinking games.

You will be escorted back to your hotel, where you part ways with your guide.

Overnight in Kyoto

Japan In Style – Day 8 – Departure from Kyoto (B)

The rest of the day is at your leisure until your included private transfer to Kansai International Airport.

ACCOMMODATION:

DELUXE OPTION

Notes:

Most museums are closed on Mondays or Tuesdays (if that day is a national holiday, closed the following day), during year-end holidays (usually between December 29 and January 3), and on other days (i.e. maintenance, change in exhibition, etc.).
Nijo Castle is closed on Tuesdays (or if Tuesday is a national holiday, closed the following day).
A jikata, a geisha who specializes in playing traditional Japanese musical instruments, can be arranged at an additional charge. Please inquire for specific rates.
For safety reasons, Hakone Ropeway, and some other public transport, may stop operating in case of unfavourable weather conditions.
Please inform your travel agent of any special dietary requirements that you may have.

Japan In Style – Our Services Include:

Hotel accommodation in twin room with daily breakfast (for ryokan, minshuku, and other traditional accommodation, rooms are Japanese-style with futon and meals are half board).
Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner).
Meet and greet at the airport and return transfers by private car to the airport.
2-Day Hakone Free Pass from Day 4 to Day 5 (valid from Odawara).
One-way taxi transfer from ryokan to Odawara Station for Day 5.
One-way bullet train ticket from Odawara Station to Kyoto Station for Day 5 (reserved seats, green class).
All transfers by private, air-conditioned vehicles as mentioned in the itinerary for Days 2 to 6.
Return taxi transfers for Day 7.
Luggage transfer from Hakone to Kyoto for Day 5 (one luggage per person; same-day arrival).
English-speaking guides and entrance fees for tours mentioned in the itinerary for Days 2 to 7.
Dinner with a Maiko on Day 7.
Information Pack.

Japan In Style – Our Services Not Include:

International and domestic flights (quoted separately).
Some local transport (e.g. some local city buses, taxi transfers, etc.).
Meals other than mentioned above.
Personal expenses (e.g. drinks, laundry, telephone, and other expenditures of a personal nature).
Travel insurance (please see below).
Other services not clearly indicated in the package inclusions above.