Explore Ancient Japan

Konichiwa and welcome to Tokyo, Japan's bustling metropolis. Upon arrival, you'll be met and transferred to the hotel. Later in the evening, meet your guide and proceed on foot to a nearby restaurant for a welcome dinner. (D)

Explore Tokyo with a private guide on a half-day tour, inclusive of one-day transport passes and 2000 JPY per person for entrance fees. Customise your itinerary or follow the suggested highlights: Meiji Shrine, Shibuya for youth culture, and the Imperial Palace's East Gardens, offering serene views and historical insights. (B)

Enjoy this day at your leisure or enhance your experience with optional paid tours. Please contact us for numerous options of private or join-in tours in Tokyo. (B)

Today, depart Tokyo by boarding the Limited Express Train at Shinjuku Station bound for Matsumoto Station, the second-largest city in Nagano Prefecture. (B)

Meet your guide at the hotel for a full-day tour of Matsumoto. Begin at Narai-juku, a well-preserved Edo period post town listed among Japan’s Nationally Designated Architectural Preservation Sites. Explore Nakamura House, offering insights into Edo-period living. Afterwards, stroll through Narai-juku, discovering local restaurants and shops. Return to Matsumoto by train to visit the iconic Matsumoto Castle, renowned as the Black Crow Castle - one of Japan's twelve original castles. Marvel at its turret structure, distinctive black wainscoting, and wooden interior, providing an authentic glimpse into feudal Japan. (B)

After breakfast, explore Nagano, famed for hosting the 1998 Winter Olympics. Board a bus to Jigokudani, home to the Snow Monkey Park. A 30-minute walk through a paved forest trail reveals monkeys freely roaming and bathing in hot springs, a spectacle prominent in autumn and winter. Descend to Nakamise Street for lunch before visiting the iconic Zenkoji Temple. This nearly 1400-year-old temple, a National Treasure, stands as Nagano's prominent landmark.Conclude the day by returning to your Matsumoto hotel for a well-deserved rest.(B)

Begin your day in the well-preserved Higashi Chaya District from the Edo Period, visiting a tea house turned museum and exploring a gold leaf shop. Proceed to Kenrokuen Garden, acknowledged as one of Japan's top three gardens, known for its harmonious aesthetics. Continue to the Nagamachi Samurai District, with its winding lanes and former samurai residences, including the captivating Nomura Samurai House with its ornamental garden. End the day in Owaricho's merchant district at the renowned Omicho Market, Kanazawa's largest market since the Edo period, offering a variety of goods including seafood, local produce, flowers, clothing, and kitchen tools. (B)

Explore Takayama's morning markets, Asaichi, offering local crafts and farm products. Near the old town, enjoy strolling, sampling food, and admiring architecture. The tour also includes Takayama Jinya, the last main building of an old provincial magistrate office in Japan, and a local sake brewery where you can savour jisake, produced in one of Takayama's breweries. (B)

Today, take the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) from Takayama to Kyoto. Transfer at Nagoya Station, and you may explore the surrounding area before proceeding to Kyoto, known as the cultural capital of Japan. (B)

Explore Kyoto, the former imperial capital of Japan, with a knowledgeable local guide, using the city's bus system to visit renowned World Heritage Sites. Start at Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion), originally a Shogun's retirement villa turned Buddhist Temple. Move on to Nijo Castle, known for its ornamental design, stunning gardens, and unique architecture. Visit Heian Shrine, constructed for Kyoto's 1100th anniversary, dedicated to the city's first and last emperors. Conclude at Kiyomizu Temple for panoramic views from the 13-meter-high veranda. Learn about the history, emphasizing the construction without nails or joiners in both the Main Hall and Veranda. (B)

Enjoy this day at your leisure or enhance your experience with optional paid tours. Please contact us for numerous options of private or join-in tours in Tokyo. (B)

This morning marks your departure from the "ancient Japan" atmosphere and its scenic surroundings, as yo board the Shinkansen back to Tokyo. Once in Tokyo, you'll have free time to explore or make last-minute souvenir purchases. (B)

Make the most of your last morning before proceeding to the airport for your flight. (B)