Sample Itinerary for the Beyond Tokyo Tour

Note regarding meals: For an additional $300 you may elect to include three lunches and four dinners, giving an excellent exposure to Japanese cuisine. These meals are identified below as "[optional]."

Day 0
Departure from US (or other originating point), usually scheduled for midday.

Day 1
Arrive Narita Airport, usually late in the afternoon; met by Steve or one of our associates as you exit Customs.  Train ride into Tokyo; check in to Hotel; included light Welcome Dinner.

Day 2
A train takes us to ancient Kamakura where we see the Great Buddha, plus Hase-dera, with its unique nooks and crannies, and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.  It’s not too far to Yokohama to visit Chinatown and the Moto-machi District.  Back in Tokyo we will enjoy Dinner [optional] “Under the Tracks.”

Day 3
The day starts with riding the Bullet Train (Shinkansen) north to historic Nikko, nestled in the mountains. We will see the mausoleum where Ieyasu Tokugawa, the most famous Shogun, is buried. Also included are many other noteworthy sights – colorful temples untypical for Japan, the “sleeping cat,” and “hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil.”  Lunch [optional] in Nikko will be Yuba, once reserved exclusively for the Imperial Family.

Day 4
Leaving Tokyo, we head to Hakone near Mt. Fuji.  Various forms of transportation will carry us through this area famous for hot springs and steaming vents.  After a boat ride across Lake Ashi we will take trains, including the Bullet Train, to Nagoya and then up into the mountains to quaint Takayama.  We will check into our traditional Japanese Inn in time to savor their exquisite included Dinner served in our rooms.

Day 5
Breakfast in our Ryokan will be a treat, preparing us for a day of sightseeing in this beautiful mountain village.  Included Dinner at our Inn will again be memorable.

Day 6
Descending from the mountains we will head to Nara, the ancient home of the Imperial Family.  Todai-ji Temple is the world’s largest wooden structure, housing the largest bronze Buddha in Japan.  Other sights will give us insight into the roots of Japanese culture.  After Lunch [optional] a train will carry us to Kyoto, home to some of Japan’s greatest treasures.

Day 7
Our day of sightseeing will include the Golden Pavilion, Kiyomizu Temple on the mountainside, and several other important sights before we pass through Gion and Pontocho on our way to a fabulous Kaiseki Dinner [optional].

Day 8
By late morning we will be in Hiroshima via the Shinkansen.  After dropping our luggage at our hotel we will catch Lunch [optional] (Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki) before taking a ferry to Miyajima, passing the famous Floating Torii Gate on the way.  There is much to see; the literal high point of our visit will be atop Mt. Misen, reached by cable car.  Then back in town we will walk through the Peace Park on our way to Dinner [optional] (Shabu Shabu).

Day 9
The Peace Museum offers much to consider.  Then the Shinkansen and other trains will take us to the Island of Shikoku.  It’s not too far from our Matsuyama hotel to Dogo Onsen (hot spring).  We should sleep well!

Day 10
Our day will begin at Matsuyama Castle, a national treasure.  Then each person will decide to either a) enjoy a free day or b) join a day trip to an interesting city about eighty minutes away by train.

Day 11
We will head east by train to explore the remote and peaceful Iya Valley.  Our final night on Shikoku will be in Tokushima, where we will enjoy a sumptuous Dinner [optional].

Day 12
The open-air market, Nakasu Ichiba, is a great place to explore local food specialties, especially seafood.  A train will carry us back to the main island, Honshu.  Kurashiki will be our first stop, allowing us a chance to explore rice storage warehouses from the feudal era, now housing museums.  Then we head to Okayama to spend the night.

Day 13
Koraku-en is considered one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan.  Once we finish exploring its charms it is time to turn back to Tokyo for our final night.  After settling back into our Tokyo hotel we will go out for a lovely included Farewell Dinner (Tempura).

Day 14
Free morning; return to Narita Airport to catch late afternoon flights back home.