Japan Escape with Osaka

Konnichiwa, Japan! Welcome to Tokyo, Japan’s capital city. Hotel check-in is available mid-afternoon.

Monumental Metropolis Start with a visit to Meiji Shrine, a magnificent 20th-century Shinto monument set in a man-made forest, then partake in a [LOCAL FAVORITE] tea ceremony. Last stop is the Asakusa Kannon Temple and Nakamise shopping arcade. Tonight, join your travel companions at a welcome dinner hosted by your Tour Director. (B,L,D) LOCAL FAVORITE PLANNED TO A TEA Participate in a tea ceremony, the ancient tradition and carefully choreographed ritual of preparing and serving Japanese green tea.

Tokyo to Go Enjoy a full day at your leisure to explore the city. (B) ENHANCED FREE TIME EXPLORE MORE Tokyo has something for everyone so visit one of the city’s unique neighborhoods like Ginza or Shibuya districts, dine at the street food markets, or take a full day excursion to the Five Lakes region and spectacular Mt Fuji.

Graceful Hiroshima Board one of Japan’s famous shinkansen (bullet train) bound for historic Hiroshima. Join your Local Guide for a visit to the 400-year-old Shukkei-en Garden, where natural landscapes are represented in miniature form. (B,D) TOUR HIGHLIGHT SPEEDING BULLET Board a shinkansen (bullet train) en route to Hiroshima for a comfortable ride through space and time in the tradition of the fastest way to travel in Japan.

Reveries & Remembrances Explore the highlights of Hiroshima with your Local Guide. Start your guided at Peace Memorial Park, then travel by ferry to Miyajima Island to visit Itsukushima Shrine. Enjoy your evening at your leisure. (B,L) TOUR HIGHLIGHT MONUMENTS & MEMORIALS Peace Memorial Park is home to the Peace Memorial, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has been preserved just as it was on August 6, 1945, immediately after the bombing. You will also visit the Memorial Museum and Memorial Hall, which commemorate the lives lost that day. On Miyajima Island, visit Itsukushima Shrine, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its floating Torii Gate.

Storied Castle Keep Drive north to Kurashiki and enjoy free time in the Bikan Historical Quarter, once the political and commercial center of the city. The canal-lined, white-washed, stone streets reflect the Edo period (1603-1867) and are quintessentially Japanese. Stop in Himeji to visit Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue to Kyoto. (B,L) TOUR HIGHLIGHT HISTORIC SPOT Himeji Castle stands guard on its lofty hilltop perch as the finest surviving example of early 17th-century Japanese castle architecture that combines function with elegance in its white, 6-story fortress keep. Its 600-year history as a strategic defense point to the west of Kyoto began in the 1400s to become the white castle complex completed in 1609 under daimyo Lord Ikeda Terumasa. Marvel at more than 80 buildings connected by a series of labyrinth-like winding paths.

Sushi, Shrines & Temples This morning, you’ll visit two of the city’s most important sites: Fushimi Inari Shrine and Kiyomizu Temple. Next, visit Yuzen Handmade Corner to learn about the Yuzen dyeing technique used to decorate kimonos by painting dye directly on the cloth. Make your own souvenir using this traditional method. Then, participate in a [LOCAL FAVORITE] Japanese cooking class for lunch. (B,L) LOCAL FAVORITE CULTURAL TREASURES Japan is known for its cuisine, which is deeply ingrained into the culture. What better way to gain insights into the local way of life than through your generations of traditional dishes? Participate in a special cooking class under the instruction of a local chef to learn how to make miso soup, teriyaki chicken, and makizushi, more commonly known as a sushi roll. TOUR HIGHLIGHT SENSATIONAL SHRINES While in Kyoto one must take a step back in time to explore this historic former capital and its important wooden shrines and temples. Explore Fushimi Inari Shrine, renowned for the thousands of brightly hued Torii Gates. Afterward, continue to the Higashiyama District to visit Kiyomizu Temple, the “Pure Water Temple,” with stunning views over Kyoto. Along the way, walk through the busy streets, where shops and restaurants have been catering to pilgrims for centuries.

Larger than Life Travel to nearby Nara to visit Kasuga Shrine and Todaiji Temple, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Tonight, your Tour Director hosts a farewell dinner to celebrate your discovery of Japan. (B,D) TOUR HIGHLIGHT NARA GIANTS Travel to Nara Park, one of the largest in Japan, and famous for its free-roaming deer amid its shrines and temples. Kasuga Shrine, the most celebrated in Nara, is a Shinto shrine with some 3,000 stone and bronze lanterns. On the opposite end of the park is Todaiji Temple, one of Japan’s most significant temples. Originally built in 752 AD and again after a fire in 1692, the temple is only two-thirds its original size yet remains one of the world’s largest wooden buildings. The Daibutsu (Giant Buddha) inside the main hall is made of copper and bronze, weighs 250 tons and is 49 feet tall.

Big City, Bright Lights Board one of Japan’s famous shinkansen (bullet train) bound for Osaka, known for its food and nightlife with some history mixed in. Start sightseeing with your Local Guide at Osaka Castle and the surrounding park. Visit Minami, the city’s most famous entertainment district. (B,L) TOUR HIGHLIGHT LOCAL PLEASURES Explore Osaka’s popular Minami district encompassing the districts of Shinsaibashi and Namba and the famed Dontonbori Street. Start with lunch featuring okonomiyaki, a delicious pancake dish famous in Osaka. Then, explore this exciting area on foot with your guide. From museums and shopping to theater and dining, this is where the locals come for fun.

Osaka on Your Time Enjoy a full day at your leisure. (B) ENHANCED FREE TIME EXPLORE MORE Return to Minami for further exploration or perhaps visit the Open-Air Museum of Japanese Farmhouses.

Say it Ain’t Sayonara Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. (B)