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Essential Japan
Japan 11 days Kyoto to Tokyo
This is essential Japan at its very best! Our journey uncovers the highlights of this profoundly fascinating country commencing in the cultural
heart of Kyoto, with its exquisite ancient temples, shrines, gardens and the romantic geisha district. Staying at comfortable, family-run inns
we experience traditional hospitality and the world class cuisine that Japan is renowned for. We visit the former capital of Nara to marvel at
the UNESCO world heritage listed site of Todaiji, an extraordinary Buddhist temple and the largest wooden structure in the world. Escaping
to the picturesque natural surrounds of Koya-san, we immerse ourselves in Japan's religious life with a unique overnight stay at a beautiful
monastery. Here we gain a rare insight into Japanese history from a different angle, as we venture into a 1200 year old cemetery for a night
time discovery walk. Our final destination is Tokyo with its teeming energy and ultra modern urban landscape. From Tokyo we take a day trip
to view the magnificent Mount Fuji one of the world's iconic mountains. Upon our return to Tokyo, we take our time to explore the back alleys
and national treasures of this unique city.
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Itinerary
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Trip Details
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Day 1 Arrive Kyoto
The main international gateway to the Kansai area (where Kyoto is located) is Kansai International Airport,
situated on an island of reclaimed land some 20km’s south of Osaka. On arrival you will transfer to your hotel
according to detailed instructions to be issued with your final documents. The tour will begin formally at 2 pm
in the lobby of the hotel. We will drive straight into the essence of the city, but the pace will be humane and
there will be time for snacks and drinks to help overcome jetlag. We will return to the hotel in time for
freshening up before meeting in the lobby once again at 7pm. We will then sample our first Japanese meal.
For participants arriving at the hotel later at night: please check yourselves in and note instructions about
tomorrow’s meeting. (no meals)
Day 2 Kyoto
We start off the day visiting two of the best seasonal temples and shrines in this ancient capital. With over
2,000 temples and shrines and a mind boggling 17 UNESCO world heritage sites there’s plenty to see and
do as we learn more about the varied history of this fascinating city. First established as the capital (then
called Heian-kyo) in 794 to avoid the political meddling of Buddhist monks in the previous capital Nara, it
served as the capital during a flowering in Japanese culture and arts that accompanied the Heian period of
Japanese history (794-1185). Following the establishment of the first Shogun’s government, the military
power was mainly elsewhere but Kyoto remained the residence of the emperor until 1868 and has always
been the cultural and spiritual centre of Japan. (B,D)
Day 3 Kyoto
The majority of today is free time for exploration. There are plenty of fascinating optional activities-take a walk
up teacup slope on your way to Kiyomizu dera, a Buddhist temple who’s founding predates the founding of
the city then walk back toward Gion through meandering backstreets of traditional wooden houses. Hike the
endless tori gates of Fushimi Inari shrine to the south of the city, where people and companies pay for tori
gates to be erected in honour of the Shinto god of agriculture, fertility and success in industry who is often
portrayed in the guise of a fox. Explore the bamboo forests of Arashiyama and take a lazy boat cruise down a
picturesque river after visiting a Zen temple on the grounds of what was an imperial villa in the 14th century.
What ever your personal interests your guide will help you decide and organise your time. This evening we
take a walk through the geisha district of Gion where these elusive and often misunderstood women live,
study and work. A geisha is employed for her mastery of traditional arts such as dance, shamisen or other
musical instruments. Her main duty at any party was to entertain, encourage conversation and ensure that
clients were having a good time. (B)
Day 4 Nara
We will travel by train to another historic capital, the city of Nara which was the first true capital of Japan
between 710 and 784. Prior to this the capital was moved after the death of every emperor. This practice was
discontinued under the growing influence of Buddhism in which death is less of an issue (due to
reincarnation) than the in the native Shinto religion. OtherChinese influenced cultural aspects became a part
of the Japanese cultural identity, making Nara the perfect place to learn about the classical art and poetry of
the time. (B,D)
Day 5 Nara
Today we wander through Nara Park and say hello to the resident wild deer on our way to Nara’s number 1
attraction, Todai-ji. One of Nara’s 8 UNESCO world heritage sites, the world’s largest wooden building
shelters one of the world’s largest bronze Buddha statues. Incredibly, both the building and the statue are
smaller than their original size. We explore the remaining key sites around Nara Park on foot, taking our time
to learn more about this fascinating period of Japanese history. (B,D)
Day 6 Koya San
We take a local train up into the mists of Koya San, an ancient Buddhist retreat high in the mountains of the
Kii Peninsula. Established in 816 by the founder of the Shingon sect of Buddhism, Koya san remains an
important pilgrimage point for believers from all over Japan to come and worship and we have the chance to
stay in one of the many working monasteries which open their doors to travelers. We take this unique
opportunity to experience the life of a monk, eating pure vegetarian food designed to nuture the soul as well
as fill the stomach and take part in the evening meditation and morning prayers. (B,D)
Day 7 Koya San
After morning prayers and breakfast we explore the incredible cemetery of Okuno-in. From the entrance of the
cemetery to the resting point of Kobo Daishi, the founder of the Shingon sect of Buddhism, there is a 2km
path lined on either side by around 500,000 graves. The practice of being buried here, close to Kobo Daishi’s
final resting place, began after his passing into eternal meditation in 835 and remains popular even today.
We walk through the oldest part of the cemetery where warlords and actors are buried alongside common
people and even Christians, then through the new section where company graves ensure lifetime
employment is rewarded appropriately. (B,L,D)
Day 8 Tokyo
We leave the peace and serenity of the Buddhist mountain for the hustle and bustle of the world’s most
populous metropolis. Established as the capital of Japan in 1601 by first shogun of the Edo era, Tokyo
quickly became one of the world’s largest cities at the time. Frequent fires, The Great Kanto Earthquake of
1923 and aerial bombing at the end of the Second World War have done nothing to dampen the energy of
this metropolis and its plucky citizens have rebuilt their city every time. Corners of the old city remain in the
Shitamachi districts where the lower class citizens once lived and people take great pride in their Edo-ko
(child of Edo, as Tokyo was once named) heritage. (B)
Day 9 Fuji National Park Day Trip
We take a day trip to the Fuji Hakone National Park and try to catch a glimpse of the elusive mountain. Please
note that the order of these days may be altered in order to have the best weather to try to see Mt Fuji. While in
the area there is also the option to walk along the lake front area, visit one of the many local art galleries or
take a bus half way up the mountain to the 5th station where most climbers start their ascent. Alternatively
you can take a wander through some of the surrounding countryside and enjoy various views of the majestic
peak (B)
Day 10 Tokyo
An incredible 10% of Japan’s population call the Tokyo-Yokohama metropolitan area home, though even in
this populous city there are pockets of greenery amongst the high-rise buildings. We visit Hama Rikyu
garden which was once the private garden of the Shogun who ruled Japan from his base in Tokyo. Now
converted to a public park it is a reminder of the wealth and power that was based here during the longest
period of peace that Japan has ever experienced. The nearby Sumida River served as a transport route in the
ancient capital and a relaxing cruise along it takes us to Asakusa, home to Tokyo’s oldest and most
important Buddhist temple. (B)
Day 11 Tokyo, Trip Concludes
The trip concludes this morning after breakfast. As travelers will be leaving at different times throughout the
day there are no included activities planned today. Your guide can advise you on how to enjoy Tokyo if staying
on or help you organise tickets to the airport for your departure. (B)
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Departure dates
Selected dates, see here for
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