A Trip to Immerse into the Ancient Japan
Tokyo - Kanazawa - Yamanaka - Kyoto - Koyasan - Osaka
A Journey to Experience Zen and Mindfulness
Introduction
An extraordinary trip around Japan's wonderful ancient cities;
where you will get to know Japan more deeply through the various iconic sceneries
and excursions that can only be encountered on this trip.
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Wagashi -
Kyoto -
Samurai Sword Fighting -
Aman Kyoto -
Geiko -
Sado
Itinerary
日程表のご案内
Day
01
Tokyo
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Meiji shrine
Start the tour from village tutelary shrine which has 100 years history
Meiji shrine dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken. The adjacent Yoyogi park make up a large forested area within the densely built-up city.
The spacious shrine grounds offer walking paths that are great for a relaxing stroll.
Meiji shrine -
The Imperial Palace
The oasis in Tokyo city
The Imperial Palace East Gardens are a part of the inner palace area and are open to the public. They are the former site of Edo Castle's innermost circles of defense, the honmaru ("main circle") and ninomaru ("secondary circle").
None of the main buildings remain today, but the moats, walls, entrance gates and several guardhouses still exist.
THE IMPERIAL PALACE -
Exclusive Experiences
Private cooking class of Roll Sushi and Wagashi
Japanese cuisine, washoku, offers an abundance of gastronomical delights with a boundless variety of regional and seasonal dishes as well as international cuisine.
You will learn how to cook Roll Sushi and Wagashi.
Wagashi
Day
02
Tokyo
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Hamarikyu garden
Walk through a Japanese garden that represents the Edo period
You can find Hamarikyu garden where you can take a public boat to Asakusa. It is a large, attractive landscape garden in central Tokyo.
Located alongside Tokyo Bay, Hamarikyu features seawater ponds which change level with the tides, and a teahouse on an island where visitors can rest and enjoy the scenery.
Hamarikyu garden -
Asakusa Kannon Temple
Tokyo's absolute monumental site
Asakusa Kannon Temple is definitely its most impressive.
The main hall was first built in 645 to house a tiny golden statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, which two brothers had repeatedly hauled up in their net while fishing in the Sumida River.
Asakusa Kannon Temple -
Exclusive Experiences
Samurai Sword Fighting Lessons
from Kill Bill’s head choreographerWho doesn't know this legendary movie.
Learn some fighting techniques privately taught by the one and only Kill Bill coreographer, who also made an appeaarane in the movie.
Samurai Sword Fighting
Day
03
Kanazawa
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Hokuriku Shinkansen
A Hokuriku shinkansen ride, "the future of Japan"
Take the "Kagayaki" Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Kanazawa, where Gran Class seats are guaranteed.
Enjoy a high quality journey where you can feel the incorporating beauty of Japan.
Kagayaki -
Kenrokuen
Relax in the town's outstanding greenery spot
Kenrokuen is one of the most treasured gardens in the country, and that is why it is included in the "three most beautiful landscape gardens" of Japan. Offering different views in each season, Kenrokuen is undoubtedly enjoyable in all four seasons.
Feel the tranquility in this garden regardless of its season.
Kenrokuen -
Higashichaya
Feel the excitement of this iconic street in Kanazawa
a district packed with tea houses where geisha performs, was established around 200 years ago.
Although some of the buildings has been refurnished into newer restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops, they are preserving the traditional wooden exterior, which makes this area picturesque and will let you time-travel to the ancient Japan.
Higashichaya -
Bukeyashiki
A glimpse of Japan's past from samurai's point of view
Bukeyashiki is the authentic site of former samurai neighborhood where they used to reside. You will be in awe by how the feelings and atmosphere from the past still linger here, making it easy to imagine how it looked like to live during samurai golden age and what kind of daily life existed.
BUKEYASHIKI
Day
04
Yamanaka Onsen
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EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCES
Kijishi artisan
A visit to Kijishi (a wood turner) artisan, where the production of carved wooden Japanese tablewares is.
Each piece is made carefully--feel the Japanese thoughtfulness through this site.
Kijishi artisan -
EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCES
Makie
Makie is a unique Japanese lacquerware decoration technique. In addition to the painting on the lacquer's surface, sprinkling gold powder is necessary within the steps. Witness how the Makie master creates their very own specialty craft with your own eyes!
Makie -
EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCES
Washi
Declared as a UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Object in 2014, Washi, or the high quality Japanese paper, is well known for its durability and aesthetics.
In this program, you will be able to see how the Japanese papermakings look like.
Washi
Day
05
Kyoto
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Kinkakuji
Indulge your eyes with this remarkable view of Kyoto
Kinkakuji, or as known as Golden Pavilion, is a historical Zen temple registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Just as its name, this temple's upper part is covered by gold leaf, resulting an extravagant beauty.
The temple's reflection can also be seen from the surrounding mirror pond, and it is a must-see.
Kinkakuji -
Ryoanji
Rejuvenate in this mysterious Zen garden
Also a UNESCO World Heritage site, Ryoanji prides its Zen rock garden whose designer still remains a mystery up until this day. It is believed to portray the ocean with islands being dispersed.
There is this interesting fact about the garden's design, saying that all the fifteen rocks cannot be seen at once from any given vantage point--one of them will always be hidden from the viewer's sight. Another mystery is the garden's meaning. It is not explicitly symbolized, so that the interpretation is up to each visitor.
Ryoanji -
EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCES
Private reserved tour in a temple
We will also provide you a private reserved tour to a temple at dusk after it closes, guided by the Buddhist monk of this temple.
Private Sermon
Day
06
Kyoto
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EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCES
Zazen at a private temple
Zazen is a basic Buddhist practice of "Zen", a sitting meditation style which unifies the spirit. It is an action to correct the posture and release the mind with deep breathing. Get rid of your anxiety and prepare your autonomic nerves by slowly facing yourself and looking back at yourself, away from your busy daily life.
"Zen" is a general feeling that eliminates the boundaries between oneself and others and recognizes all things in nature. By controlling yourself with zazen and keeping quiet in your heart, you can approach the "Zen" state.
Zazen -
EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCES
Kimono and Sado
While in Japan, why not adding the Kimono (traditional clothes) to your itinerary too? Especially in the city of Kyoto, where Japanese traditions are preserved well.
Also get ready to actually experience the philosophical tea ceremony ritual, taught by the experts.
Sado
Day
07
Kyoto
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Arashiyama
Start the day by visiting Arashiyama
The walking paths that cut through the bamboo groves make for a nice walk or bicycle ride. The groves are particularly attractive when there is a light wind and the tall bamboo sways gently.
Arashiyama -
Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple
Wander in this fascinating temple of rakan statues
Witness this unique site called Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple. This temple is famous for its 1200 stone statues of rakan, where each statue makes a different facial expression.
Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple -
EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE
Dinner with Maiko
Though Geiko and Maiko are still symbols of Japan, but they are a rare sight these days. However, in this tour you can have Geiko and Maiko show you Japanese dances and play traditional musical instruments in their traditional costume. They will sit together with you, serve drinks in the Japanese way, play games and take some photos with you.
Geiko Dinner
Day
08
Koyasan
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Kongobuji temple
Unwind and experience Zen
Kongobuji was originally constructed in 1593 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi to commemorate the death of his mother.
Later it was merged with a neighboring temple and reorganized into the head temple of Shingon Buudhism, the sect introduced to Japan by Kobo Daishi 805 and headquartered on Mt. Koya.
Kongobuji temple -
Daimon
A divine gate to welcome your journey
Daimon is the main gate to Koyasan, guarded by two fierce-looking statues besides it. Its height reaches 21.5 meters, making your entrance to the town to be a majestic moment. Walk through this sacred gate for an incredible Japan experience.
Daimon
Day
09
Koyasan
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EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE
Morning Ceremony
In the early morning, you may join a Morning ceremony.
Morning ceremony: The morning Ceremony is one of the Buddhist service you can attend freely when you stay overnight at Shukubo.
Koyasan -
Karukayado
Get deeply moved by the stories from the past
In the traditional Sekkyo-bushi recitation, the Joruri drama, and Noh’s Yokyoku song, there is a story called The Karukaya.
Once upon a time a little boy named Ishidomaru came to Koyasan from a faraway province in order to meet his father, who had renounced the world, and on his way, by chance he met a priest seeking truth.
Karukayado -
Okunoin temple
Sense the magical and otherworldly vibe
Okunoin is the site of the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi (also known as Kukai), the founder of Shingon Buddhism and one of the most revered persons in the religious history of Japan. Following the path deeper into the forest, you could sense the spirituality of Mt. Koya.
Okunoin temple -
Kobodaishi’s Mausoleum
A site for eternal meditation
Visitors come from all over to pray to Kobo Daishi, and it is not uncommon to see pilgrims chanting sutras here.
Kobodaish’s Mausoleum -
The Fudozaka-guchi Nyonindo
Finish your spiritual journey here
The Fudozaka-guchi Nyonindo is the only surviving of a total of seven Nyonindo built around Koyasan's perimeter. The halls used to cater to female visitors who were banned from entering the temple town before 1872. A trail, called the Women Pilgrims Course, leads around the perimeter of Koyasan from the Fudozaka-guchi Nyonindo past the ruins of the other Nyonindo to the entrance of Okunoin.
Nyonindo
Accommodation
滞在ホテルのご案内
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Aman Tokyo
Day1-2:Tokyo
Located at the top of Otemachi Tower, Aman Tokyo has that harmony of both cutting-edge technology and the delicate Japanese culture, making it a finest urban hideaway.
Enjoy the warm hospitality above the hustle and bustle, as well as the pleasant Tokyo skyline view from the guest rooms.
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Beniya Mukayu
Day3-4:Kanazawa
Beniya Mukayu is a top-class ryokan quietly nestled in Kaga hills and Yamashiro Onsen. All the elegant 16 rooms are equipped with a private open-air hot spring bath directly facing the garden of mountain side. Clear your mind in this luxurious stay, surrounded in rich nature.
See More
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Aman Kyoto
Day5-7:Kyoto
Finally opened their Kyoto resort in November 2019, Aman Kyoto is an excellent hideaway resort located at the foot of Takagamine Sanzan. With the sound of flowing rivers and the birds chirping, this tranquil lush garden away from the hustle and bustle will allow you to see another world.
Immerse yourself in the deeper charm of Kyoto with a scenery of modern Japanese architecture in this dignified garden.
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Souji-in
Day8:Koyasan
Feel the solemn Souji-in, the best temple stay for Koyasan along with the pleasant scent of woods. The Japanese garden, where you can admire the beauty of four seasons, is perfect to refresh your body and soul. You can also taste a traditional Koyasan dish called "Shojin-ryori"--a seasonal vegetarian dish based on the teachings not to kill other living beings.
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Imperial Hotel Osaka
Day9-10:Osaka
Imperial Hotel Osaka welcomes you with fascinating cityscape and Okawa river view, which is delightful during the sakura season. Not to mention that in the summer, firework festival is being held around the area as well, making your stay even more special.
Experience the spirit of omotenashi in this long-established first class hotel.