Enchanting Japan Tour

Arrive at Osaka airport. Early afternoon // 2 PM: Board our airport transfer bus to Kyoto and check in at the 4-star Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo. Final pick up time TBA. Dinner at the hotel is included

• Local transportation: coach bus and guide. • Travel to Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine “red gates” • Visit and tour at Kizakura sake and beer brewery • Lunch is included at Kizakura (includes sample 2 sake’s (aromatic, clear), and sample 2 beers per guest) • Depart for Gion neighborhood • Informal walking tour with your local guide in Gion area, also opportunity to shop locally • Return to hotel • Dinner in local restaurant is included: Yudofu menu

Visit Kiyomizu Temple, one of the most celebrated temples in Japan. Located in Kyoto, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a prime example of traditional Japanese architecture and culture. • Lunch at Nishiki Market, often referred to as "Kyoto's Kitchen," a historic marketplace located in the heart of the city. • Afternoon: Rickshaw experience in Arashiyama. A unique and traditional way to explore one of Kyoto's most scenic areas. Arashiyama is famous for its iconic Bamboo Grove. • Dinner in local restaurant is included: a Japanese Kaiseki meal. This is a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner that is regarded as the pinnacle of Japanese cuisine. Originating from the Japanese tea ceremony, Kaiseki has evolved into a sophisticated dining experience that emphasizes seasonal ingredients, intricate presentation, and a balance of taste, texture, and appearance.

Local transportation: coach bus and guide. • Today we say goodbye to Kyoto and head to Kanazawa, a city located in the Ishikawa Prefecture on Japan's central Honshu Island. Known for its rich history, well-preserved Edo-era districts, and beautiful traditional gardens, Kanazawa offers a glimpse into Japan's cultural and artistic heritage. • Take Express and Bullet trains for the 2 hour journey, arriving in Kanazawa at midday. • Note: Your main luggage will be sent from Kyoto via courier to arrive in Kanazawa the next day. Plan to pack a carry on bag with a change of clothes and personal items for the first night in Kanazawa. • Lunch in a local restaurant is included. • Afternoon: stroll on Higashi Chaya Street, known for its historic teahouses (called "chaya") where geisha would entertain guests. The area dates back to the Edo period and is characterized by its narrow, cobblestone streets lined with wooden buildings. • Mid-afternoon: enjoy a Japanese tea ceremony, known as "chanoyu" or "sado" (the way of tea). It is a traditional ritual centered around the preparation, serving, and enjoyment of matcha, a powdered green tea. The ceremony is deeply rooted in Japanese culture and considered an art form. • Check in at the 4-star Hotel Nikko Kanazawa • Dinner in a local restaurant is included.

• Before lunch we visit Ninja Temple, a Buddhist temple. Despite its nickname, the temple has no direct historical connection to actual ninjas. Instead, it earned the moniker because of its many deceptive and defensive features that resemble the cunning and stealth associated with ninjas. • Group lunch in a local restaurant • Afternoon tour and tasting at Yachiya Brewery, a historic sake brewery. Established in 1628, it's one of the oldest breweries in the region, known for producing high-quality sake using traditional methods that have been passed down through generations. • Dinner in a local restaurant is included.

Local transportation: coach bus and guide. • Check out of the hotel and head to Niigata via the bullet train from Kanazawa to Niigata. The train is part of Japan's high-speed Shinkansen network. • NOTE: Your main luggage will be sent from Kanazawa via courier to arrive in Niigata the next day. Plan to pack a carry on bag with a change of clothes and personal items for the first night in Niigata. • Arrival in Niigata midmorning. • We will enjoy a Soba Noodle making class at 11:30, followed by a Soba-centric lunch. • In the afternoon we will visit the Takarayama Sake Brewery, tour and tasting. • Check in at 3-star Hotel Oyanagi (Niigata), known for a serene atmosphere and commitment to Japanese hospitality. The hotel offers a quintessential ryokan experience with modern amenities. • NOTE: A “ryokan” hotel is a traditional Japanese inn that offers a unique cultural experience deeply rooted in Japanese history and hospitality. Staying at a ryokan typically includes: o Tatami Rooms: Ryokan rooms are usually furnished with tatami mats (woven straw mats) instead of carpets. Guests sleep on futons, which are laid out on the tatami floors in the evening by the staff. o Onsen (Hot Springs): Ryokans are located near natural hot springs and offer communal baths (onsen) where guests can relax. • Dinner is included at Hotel Oyanagi, where they serve a multi-course traditional Japanese meal that highlights seasonal ingredients and local specialties. Accommodation: Hotel Oyanagi

• Local transportation: coach bus and guide. • Lunch is included at a local restaurant. Washoku Trattoria Kinari. Cuisine in Niigata prefecture, located on Japan's western coast along the Sea of Japan, is known for its rich culinary traditions, particularly its emphasis on high-quality rice and seafood. • Afternoon tour and tasting at Imayotsukasa Sake Brewery • Dinner is included at Hotel Oyanagi, consisting a multi-course traditional Japanese meal, with chef’s menu variations, as we are dining multiple nights. • Accommodation: Hotel Oyanagi

• Check out of Hotel Oyanagi • Local transportation: coach bus and guide. • NOTE: Your main luggage will be sent from Niigata via courier to arrive in Tokyo the next day. Plan to pack a carry on bag with a change of clothes and personal items for the first night in Tokyo. • Morning: Take a walk in Yahiko Park and visit the Yahoo Shrine. The park is a popular destination known for its natural beauty, particularly during the autumn season when the leaves change color. Yahiko Shrine is a prominent Shinto shrine with a rich history. It's dedicated to the deity of agriculture and prosperity, and it's known for its beautiful setting amidst lush nature. • Lunch is included in Yahiko, at Yoshidaya (Wappameshi) • 2:00 PM Niigata station, board train for Tokyo • 5:00 PM Check in at Hotel Metropolitan Edmont, in Tokyo • Dinner at Hana Kagura restaurant in Tokyo • Accommodation: Hotel Metropolitan Edmont, in Tokyo

• Morning: Visit and tour with our local guide at Tsukiji Market, once the largest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world. Known for its bustling atmosphere, it is famous for its fresh seafood, including sushi and sashimi, and its diverse range of other food items. • Lunch at a local restaurant near the market. • Afternoon (2 PM): Visit the Imperial Palace East Garden in Tokyo. Also known as Kokyo Higashi Gyoen, it is a historic and scenic park in the heart of Tokyo. It's part of the grounds of the Imperial Palace but is open to the public, offering an escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. The gardens are situated on the former site of Edo Castle, and we can explore beautifully landscaped gardens, historical ruins, and remnants of the castle's old structures. • Later, take a walk on Kappabashi Kitchen Tools Street, home to a display of realistic-looking plastic food samples, which are used to showcase menu items in restaurants. These food models are often quite detailed and lifelike, making them a popular attraction for visitors interested in Japanese food culture. • Return to hotel • Dinner is included at a local restaurant: Higashiyama Shinjuku Honten • Accommodation: Hotel Metropolitan Edmont, in Tokyo

• Local transportation: coach bus and guide. • Morning: Join your tour director and local guide for a walk through the Asakusa of Tokyo, a vibrant and historic district known for its traditional atmosphere and cultural landmarks. We will visit Nakamise, a lively street lined with traditional shops and stalls selling souvenirs, snacks, and crafts. It’s a great place to experience traditional Japanese shopping and street food. • Midday: Sushi Making Class & Lunch. Learn from expert chefs to prepare sushi using fresh, high-quality ingredients. Hands-on training in crafting sushi, roll techniques, and presentation, culminating in savoring your creations. • Free afternoon with the option of shopping in the Shinjuku area of the city, famous for its vibrant entertainment scene, numerous shopping malls, theaters, and restaurants. It is also home to Shinjuku Station, one of the busiest train stations in the world. • Tonight is dinner on your own to explore the local Tokyo restaurant scene. • Accommodation: Hotel Metropolitan Edmont Tokyo

• Local transportation: coach bus and guide. • Morning: Visit teamLab Planets TOKYO—a mesmerizing fusion of art, technology, and bodily immersion. The boundaries between yourself and the artwork dissolve, making the experience deeply sensorial and participatory. • Lunch on your own in Odaiba. Odaiba is a stunning artificial island in Tokyo Bay known for its futuristic architecture, waterfront views, malls, and attractions. There are many restaurants with exceptional ambiance. • Afternoon: Sumida River Cruise, a popular boat tour that travels along the Sumida River in Tokyo. It offers a scenic way to explore the city from the water, passing by various landmarks and neighborhoods. The cruise typically starts near Asakusa and travels to areas like Odaiba, Tokyo Bay, and the waterfront district. • Farewell Dinner at Gonpachi Nishi-Azabu for dinner, which is a storied local restaurant and a popular izakaya in the Nishi-Azabu district of Tokyo. It's renowned for its authentic Japanese dining experience and traditional atmosphere. The restaurant features a distinctive, rustic decor with wooden interiors and a lively, bustling vibe. Gonpachi Nishi-Azabu is especially famous for inspiring the iconic fight scene in Quentin Tarantino’s film "Kill Bill," which has contributed to its fame and popularity. The menu includes a variety of classic Japanese dishes. • Accommodation: Hotel Metropolitan Edmont Tokyo

• Local transportation: coach bus • Check out of the hotel. • 9:00 AM Transfer to Tokyo Narita airport (NRT) is included. Transfers by bus to Haneda airport are also available nearby.