Introduction to Japan
(6 Days)
Tokyo, Kyoto
A Week in Japan
(7 Days)
Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto
Family Tour of Japan
(10 Days)
Tokyo, Hakone & Mount Fuji, Kyoto & Hiroshima
Highlights of Japan
(11 Days)
Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Kanazawa
Essence of Japan
(12 Days)
Tokyo, Hakone & Kamakura, Kyoto
Culinary Tour of Japan
(15 Days)
Tokyo, Kanazawa, Yamanaka Onsen, Kyoto & Osaka
Contemporary Art & Architecture of Japan
(14 Days)
Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto & Miho Museum, Naoshima, Tokyo
Traditions of Japan
(16 Days)
Tokyo, Nikko, Kyoto, Kanazawa, Takayama
Best of Japan
(17 Days)
Tokyo, Hakone & Kamakura, Kyoto, Yamanaka Onsen, Kanazawa
Cherry Blossoms: Sakura Season in Japan
(9 Days)
Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto
Japan: Culture, Cuisine & Hot Springs
(14 Days)
Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Yamanaka Onsen, Kanazawa
Romantic Japan
(14 Days)
Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto & Osaka, Okinawa, Tokyo
Hiking Tour of Japan: Nakasendo Road & the Japan Alps
(12 Days)
Kyoto, Nakasendo Road, Takayama & Kamikochi, Matsumoto, Tokyo
Historic Hikes of Japan: Kumano Kodo & Nakasendo Road
(12 Days)
Kyoto, Kumano Kodo, Ise-Shima region, Nakasendo Road, Tokyo
Exclusive Japan: Amans, Art & Onsen
(15 Days)
Tokyo, Naoshima, Kyoto, Ise-Shima region
Highlights of Kyushu
(8 Days)
Fukuoka & Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Yufuin & Beppu
Luxuries of Kyushu: Seven Stars Train
(7 Days)
Fukuoka, Seven Stars in Kyushu train
Garden Tour of Japan
(13 Days)
Tokyo, Kurashiki & Okayama, Kyoto, Kanazawa
Traditional Crafts of Japan
(15 Days)
Tokyo, Kurashiki, Kyoto, Yamanaka Onsen, Kanazawa
Best of Hokkaido & Tohoku
(12 Days)
Tokyo, Sapporo & Otaru, Hakodate, Sendai with Matsushima & Yamadera, Nikko, Tokyo
Hokkaido in Winter
(6 Days)
Sapporo & Otaru, Niseko
Discover Hokkaido
(6 Days)
Sapporo & Otaru, Furano & Biei, Noboribetsu, Hakodate
Treasures of Japan: UNESCO World Heritage Sites
(17 Days)
Tokyo, Nikko, Osaka with Hiroshima, Miyajima and Himeji Castle, Koyasan (Mount Koya), Kyoto & Nara, Kanazawa & Shirakawago, Hakone & Kamakura
Classic Japan & the Guntu Cruise
(11 Days)
Tokyo, Seto Inland Sea (Guntu luxury cruise), Kyoto, Hakone
Ryokan (Traditional Inns) of Japan
(12 Days)
Tokyo, Hakone & Kamakura, Kyoto, Yamanaka Onsen & Kanazawa
Winter Tour of Japan: Snow Monkeys, Hot Springs & More
(11 Days)
Tokyo, Yamanouchi, Kanazawa & Shirakawago, Yamanaka Onsen, Kyoto
Japan Old & New
(16 Days)
Tokyo, Takayama & Shirakawago, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Naoshima, Hakone
Sacred Japan: Pilgrimage Sites, Ancient Forests & Cultural Treasures
(15 Days)
Tokyo, Koyasan (Mount Koya), Kyoto & Nara, Ise-Shima region, Osaka, Yakushima, Hakone & Kamakura
Kyoto in Depth
(7 Days)
Kyoto with Nara, Uji, Himeji Castle and/or Hiroshima & Miyajima
Autumn in Japan
(9 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Tokyo, Kanazawa, Yamanaka Onsen, Kyoto & Nara
Luxuries of Japan & Thailand
(14 Days)
Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Bangkok, Chiang Mai
Best of Japan & China
(15 Days)
Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Beijing & Great Wall, Xian, Guilin & Yangshuo, Shanghai
Three Capitals: Beijing, Seoul & Tokyo
(11 days)
Beijing & Great Wall, Seoul, Tokyo
Highlights of South Korea & Japan
(15 Days)
Seoul, Busan & Gyeongju, Kyoto & environs, Hakone, Tokyo
(12 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto
The relaxed pace and in-depth cultural touring of this private Japan tour has made it one of our most popular itineraries in the fascinating country. It features Japan’s top destinations, accommodation at Japan’s best hotels, customized activities and much more.
Begin in Tokyo, the capital of contemporary culture and style in Japan. Stay at one of the city’s best luxury hotels, and enjoy comprehensive city touring with your private guide and driver. Visit Tokyo’s most interesting neighborhoods, such as Ginza, Asakusa, Shibuya, Harajuku, Aoyama, Shinjuku and Roppongi. See striking contemporary architecture, and tour important historical sites such as Meiji Jingu Shrine and Sensoji Temple. Experience the best of Japanese pop culture during visits to trendy districts, specialty shops, quirky cafes and popular sites such as Yoyogi Park. Also visit Tokyo’s best museums and art sites, such as the Mori Art Museum, a teamLab Planets installation, Edo-Tokyo Museum or the Tokyo National Museum according to your interests. Experience Tokyo’s exciting culinary scene during visits to the Tsukiji Outer Market or Toyosu Market, the Kappabashi kitchenware district, and our favorite specialty food shops and department store food halls. Artisans of Leisure can also assist with reservations at the best restaurants in Tokyo, which range from local noodle shops, sushi bars and izakaya (pubs) to some of the most acclaimed restaurants in the world.
Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange additional experiences in Tokyo, such as watching sumo wrestlers practice at a sumo stable, a private sushi-making lesson, specialized shopping, meetings with culinary and sake experts, private martial arts lessons, seeing a Japanese baseball game, attending a kabuki performance and visiting the Ghibli Museum. We can also arrange touring to include Japanese seasonal events such as ohanami (cherry blossom viewing) parties in the spring, fireworks festivals in the summer and viewing koyo (fall foliage) in the autumn.
Next, visit the seaside town of Kamakura, an ancient capital of Japan with dozens of beautiful Zen temples and Shinto shrines along the coast and in the hillside forests and bamboo groves. Tour the highlights of the region including the landmark Great Buddha, a huge bronze statue built in the 13th century. Continue to Hakone, a volcanic national park renowned for hot springs and views of nearby Mount Fuji. Stay at one of Japan’s most luxurious and renowned ryokan (traditional inns), where you can soak in outdoor onsen (hot spring bath) and enjoy a gourmet kaiseki ryori (seasonal tasting menu) dinner. During private touring, explore Hakone’s geothermal areas and historical sites. Also enjoy a boat ride on Lake Ashi for views of Mount Fuji. Perhaps also visit one of Hakone’s best art museums or a studio dedicated to yosegi(inlaid wood), a local craft. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can incorporate hiking or a drive up the base of Mount Fuji.
Next, travel to enchanting Kyoto, the heart of Japanese culture and tradition. Stay at one of Kyoto’s best luxury hotels or ryokan, and enjoy flexible private touring of the best of this elegant city with your private guide and driver. Visit the city’s most important historic attractions and temples and shrines such as Kinkakuji (Temple of the Golden Pavilion), Ryoanji and its famous Zen rock garden, Kiyomizudera Temple, Nijo Castle, Ginkakuji, Saihoji (Moss Temple) and Fushimi Inari, famous for its tunnel of red torii gates. Take a private excursion to Arashiyama, a beautiful mountainside district, to see its enormous bamboo forest, historic gardens and sites, and to have a vegetarian lunch at a Zen temple. Enjoy a private tour of Gion, Kyoto’s traditional geisha district, walk on the Philosopher’s Path, and see traditional architecture in our favorite neighborhoods. Also browse Nishiki Market, antiques districts, specialty museums and historic shops that have been selling traditional goods for centuries. Upon request, we can arrange access to imperial villas and private gardens such as Katsura Rikyu and other less-visited attractions. Artisans of Leisure will also arrange an exclusive private Japanese tea ceremony in a tea villa and reservations at Kyoto’s best restaurants.
One day, enjoy a private excursion from Kyoto. Options include the I.M. Pei-designed Miho Museum; ancient Nara, the eighth-century capital of Japan; Hiroshima for an educational and moving visit to the Peace Park and Museum and nearby Miyajima Island with its iconic torii(Shinto gate) that seems to float on the water; Osaka for food and pop culture touring; Uji to visit tea plantations and Byodoin Temple; and Himeji Castle, the most impressive medieval castle in Japan.
Upon request, other activities that can be arranged around Kyoto include an exclusive private dinner with geisha entertainment, private Zen meditation in a local Buddhist temple, meetings with local craftspeople, private ikebana (flower arranging) lessons, visiting a master swordsmith, meetings with ceramics experts, tea tastings, visits to sake breweries and tofu factories, manga drawing lessons, a visit to a private machiya (traditional merchant house), hiking to temples in the hills, attending local festivals, private Japanese cooking classes, and visiting the best places around Kyoto to view cherry blossoms and fall foliage.
Return to Tokyo for additional touring or shopping customized to your interests.
Itinerary Overview |
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Introduction to Japan
(6 Days)
Tokyo, Kyoto
A Week in Japan
(7 Days)
Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto
Family Tour of Japan
(10 Days)
Tokyo, Hakone & Mount Fuji, Kyoto & Hiroshima
Highlights of Japan
(11 Days)
Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Kanazawa
Essence of Japan
(12 Days)
Tokyo, Hakone & Kamakura, Kyoto
Culinary Tour of Japan
(15 Days)
Tokyo, Kanazawa, Yamanaka Onsen, Kyoto & Osaka
Contemporary Art & Architecture of Japan
(14 Days)
Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto & Miho Museum, Naoshima, Tokyo
Traditions of Japan
(16 Days)
Tokyo, Nikko, Kyoto, Kanazawa, Takayama
Best of Japan
(17 Days)
Tokyo, Hakone & Kamakura, Kyoto, Yamanaka Onsen, Kanazawa
Cherry Blossoms: Sakura Season in Japan
(9 Days)
Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto
Japan: Culture, Cuisine & Hot Springs
(14 Days)
Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Yamanaka Onsen, Kanazawa
Romantic Japan
(14 Days)
Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto & Osaka, Okinawa, Tokyo
Hiking Tour of Japan: Nakasendo Road & the Japan Alps
(12 Days)
Kyoto, Nakasendo Road, Takayama & Kamikochi, Matsumoto, Tokyo
Historic Hikes of Japan: Kumano Kodo & Nakasendo Road
(12 Days)
Kyoto, Kumano Kodo, Ise-Shima region, Nakasendo Road, Tokyo
Exclusive Japan: Amans, Art & Onsen
(15 Days)
Tokyo, Naoshima, Kyoto, Ise-Shima region
Highlights of Kyushu
(8 Days)
Fukuoka & Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Yufuin & Beppu
Luxuries of Kyushu: Seven Stars Train
(7 Days)
Fukuoka, Seven Stars in Kyushu train
Garden Tour of Japan
(13 Days)
Tokyo, Kurashiki & Okayama, Kyoto, Kanazawa
Traditional Crafts of Japan
(15 Days)
Tokyo, Kurashiki, Kyoto, Yamanaka Onsen, Kanazawa
Best of Hokkaido & Tohoku
(12 Days)
Tokyo, Sapporo & Otaru, Hakodate, Sendai with Matsushima & Yamadera, Nikko, Tokyo
Hokkaido in Winter
(6 Days)
Sapporo & Otaru, Niseko
Discover Hokkaido
(6 Days)
Sapporo & Otaru, Furano & Biei, Noboribetsu, Hakodate
Treasures of Japan: UNESCO World Heritage Sites
(17 Days)
Tokyo, Nikko, Osaka with Hiroshima, Miyajima and Himeji Castle, Koyasan (Mount Koya), Kyoto & Nara, Kanazawa & Shirakawago, Hakone & Kamakura
Classic Japan & the Guntu Cruise
(11 Days)
Tokyo, Seto Inland Sea (Guntu luxury cruise), Kyoto, Hakone
Ryokan (Traditional Inns) of Japan
(12 Days)
Tokyo, Hakone & Kamakura, Kyoto, Yamanaka Onsen & Kanazawa
Winter Tour of Japan: Snow Monkeys, Hot Springs & More
(11 Days)
Tokyo, Yamanouchi, Kanazawa & Shirakawago, Yamanaka Onsen, Kyoto
Japan Old & New
(16 Days)
Tokyo, Takayama & Shirakawago, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Naoshima, Hakone
Sacred Japan: Pilgrimage Sites, Ancient Forests & Cultural Treasures
(15 Days)
Tokyo, Koyasan (Mount Koya), Kyoto & Nara, Ise-Shima region, Osaka, Yakushima, Hakone & Kamakura
Kyoto in Depth
(7 Days)
Kyoto with Nara, Uji, Himeji Castle and/or Hiroshima & Miyajima
Autumn in Japan
(9 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Tokyo, Kanazawa, Yamanaka Onsen, Kyoto & Nara
Luxuries of Japan & Thailand
(14 Days)
Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Bangkok, Chiang Mai
Best of Japan & China
(15 Days)
Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Beijing & Great Wall, Xian, Guilin & Yangshuo, Shanghai
Three Capitals: Beijing, Seoul & Tokyo
(11 days)
Beijing & Great Wall, Seoul, Tokyo
Highlights of South Korea & Japan
(15 Days)
Seoul, Busan & Gyeongju, Kyoto & environs, Hakone, Tokyo
Our Japan trip was amazing. Each of our guides were excellent and made the trip most enjoyable while also informative and generally good company to have with us. As always, Artisans of Leisure plans and creates a first-class trip that left us to do nothing but enjoy our time and not have to worry about anything. We can hardly wait to plan our next adventure.
~ N.R., Greenwich, CT
We’re back from Japan and had a wonderful time. We are absolutely spoiled by traveling with Artisans of Leisure!
~ M.M., Santa Barbara, CA
Our Japan trip was a wonderful, memorable, lifetime experience. Our guide was a jewel and the absolute highlight of our trip. We appreciated the first-class handling of everything from the hotels, meals, tours and travel. Artisans has been the best, hands down!
~ W.M., Brownwood, TX
Recommended by:
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The New York Times
Wall Street Journal
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