Tour information: Summary TOURS DESTINATIONS Tokyo - Hakone - Kyoto

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Kristina Lambert
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1 7Days Saiyuki Tour information: Tour ID: EXT-001-EN Theme: Japan Exclusive Tours Season: Round Year Start: Tokyo Finish: Tokyo Group size: 2-6 Travel style: iluxjapantours Summary TOURS DESTINATIONS Tokyo - Hakone - Kyoto TOUR DESCRIPTION One of ILJT s prided luxury tours, Saiyuki is a recreation of the classic concept of a journey from the East to the West, with less of the hustle and more of the bustle. You will start this grand vacation from Tokyo and move westward until you reach Kyoto. From the get go, you will be greeted with an exciting dinner of authentic Kobe beef, and as you get further into the tour, you will be served an array of highest grade traditional Japanese dishes, each of them different from the last. You will also engage in some of the most defining cultural activities in Japan, such as a visit to a great Buddhist temple with its healing incense, or a Zen temple with an abstract but mesmerizing garden. The enjoyment of trying things out firsthand is not lost on us, and thus we have tailored this itinerary to put you at the center, be it a wild experience of rafting along a beautiful river or a lesson in the creation of traditional art. With hassle-free days promised by the companionship of a dedicated guide and private car with driver throughout the trip, this epic Journey to the West might just be your best trip ever in Japan. TOUR HIGHLIGHTS Embark on a grand tour from the East Capital of Tokyo to the West Capital of Kyoto On clear weather, see sights of Mt. Fuji from atop a mountain and on a lake Enjoy quality meals of amazing variety, including famous dishes such as Kobe beef and sushi Visit some of the best man-made wonders in Japan, including a bedazzling gold temple Have a dinner with the elegant and graceful geisha in a traditional teahouse Create your own souvenirs in a brief and exciting pottery lesson from a master Stay at luxurious establishments, including a former retreat of the Imperial Family Feel the rush of adrenaline as you go rafting through a river in Kyoto View the evening skyline of the largest city in the world from a cruise around Tokyo Bay...And many more!

Itinerary Day1: Tokyo Arrival at Narita International Airport transfer to Tokyo hotel check-in free time dinner Your driver and guide will be waiting to greet you at the airport.

2 Itinerary Day1: Tokyo Arrival at Narita International Airport transfer to Tokyo hotel check-in free time dinner Your driver and guide will be waiting to greet you at the airport. You will be transferred to Tokyo using a private car, whereupon you will check into your hotel. You will then be given a briefing and a rundown on your itinerary. After the exhausting flight to Japan, you will have some time to yourselves. Drop your luggage, catch a breather, adapt to the surroundings, maybe call your family and friends at home to share your excitement. In case you have not already done so, the first day is a good opportunity to exchange your currency for yen and rent a mobile/wi-fi router. 18:00-20:00 - Dinner In the evening, you will enjoy a teppanyaki dinner of authentic Kobe beef. You will be dining in a luxurious restaurant with views of nighttime Tokyo. After that, you will return to the hotel to have a good night s rest. Day2: Tokyo Asakusa Tsukiji (lunch) Ginza Marunouchi & Otemachi Tokyo Tower dinner hotel in Tokyo 10:00 - Day start Your driver and guide will be expecting you at the hotel lobby. On this day, you will drive around the defining spots of Tokyo. 10:30-12:00 - Asakusa Your first destination is Asakusa. This is where you can see many iconic landmarks of Tokyo, including Tokyo SkyTree, the tallest building in Japan, and Senso-ji - the oldest and busiest temple in the city, where visitors go to be purified by the sacred smoke from the burning incense. The street leading up to the temple is filled with countless traditional shops selling handmade Japanese souvenirs, among other things. Go wild with your shopping!

3 We will then drive to Tsukiji, the largest fish market in the world. 12:30-14:00 - Tsukiji (lunch) For lunch, you will have sushi, a world-renowned Japanese dish of raw fish eaten with bite-sized balls of vinegared rice. The taste is largely affected by the texture and freshness of the fish, which makes Tsukiji one of the best places to eat high-quality sushi. Professional sushi chefs will serve you finely prepared sushi rice with the freshest fish directly from the market. You can also use the excess time after lunch to check out the market area and shop for seafood products. 14:00-15:00 - Ginza After that, we will drive around Ginza, a prosperous and lively urban center right across from Tsukiji. The area is lined with renowned department stores and luxurious boutiques and restaurants, making it a highly popular shopping district. There are also impressive works of architecture that make for great pictures, such as the Kabuki-za theater. The famous Miitsukoshi and Tokyu Hands department stores are particularly good places for a short shopping spree.

The district of Ginza is located east to the central station of Tokyo. Driving along, we will arrive at the other side of Tokyo station, Marunouchi and Otemachi.

4 The district of Ginza is located east to the central station of Tokyo. Driving along, we will arrive at the other side of Tokyo station, Marunouchi and Otemachi. 15:00-16:00 - Marunouchi & Otemachi Marunouchi is an interesting place to see in due to the contrast in atmosphere around it. On one side you will see Tokyo station, retrofitted on the west side to resemble its antebellum appearance. On the other side you will see the Imperial Palace, residence of the Emperor of Japan. Marunouchi and its neighboring district of Otemachi themselves are highly developed financial centers, with major companies such as MItsubishi having their headquarters there. We will drive around the vast grounds of Tokyo Imperial Palace, and on certain days and certain seasons it will be worth taking a look inside the beautiful East Garden of the Palace itself. 16:15-17:45 - Tokyo Tower Late in the afternoon, we will drive to Tokyo Tower. This red and white structure, which is modeled after the Eiffel Tower, serves as a landmark of the city, a broadcast tower, and an observatory for visitors. The tower stands out among the skyscrapers in the city, both during daytime and when it lights up in the evening. You will experience a bird s eye view of the metropolis from its observation deck at 150 meters above ground. 17:45-19:45 - Dinner You will have dinner at a kaiseki restaurant close to Tokyo Tower. Kaiseki is a Japanese-style haute cuisine, serving a multitude of traditional Japanese dishes with careful emphasis on preparation and presentation. The resulting meal is a delightful combination of wonderful aesthetics and incredible flavor. This particular kaiseki course will put a focus on Japanese tofu.

5 As you enjoy your dinner, you will be able to see Tokyo Tower lighting up and glowing against the evening sky. Coupled with the beautiful gardens of the restaurant, this exquisite view will make it an enjoyable, relaxing dinner for you. 20:00 - Back at the hotel in Tokyo At the end of the day, we will drive back to your hotel in Tokyo. Rest up well, as you will check out of the hotel on the next day for a stay at Hakone. Day3: Hakone Hotel check-out transfer to Hakone lunch Owakudani Lake Ashi Cruise hotel check-in dinner hotel in Hakone 10:00 - Day start Your driver and guide will be pick you up at the hotel lobby. We will be driving up to Hakone, a picturesque lakeside region in Kanagawa Prefecture, where you will spend the night. 12:00 - Arrival at Hakone

6 12:00-13:30 - Lunch As we will arrive at Hakone around noon, the first activity of the day will be lunch. You will have a Japanese course meal at a cozy restaurant, the building of which has been designated as a national treasure of Japan. The meal will focus on the local soba (buckwheat noodles), a celebrated dish in the Hakone region. 14:00-16:00 - Owakudani Our next destination is Owakudani - the valley of geysers. It is a well-known volcanic zone known especially for its astounding natural beauty and its trademark black eggs. The eggs are boiled in the hot springs to produce their distinctive color, and eating one is said to have the effect of enhancing your longevity. Enjoy the scenic view, including that of Mt. Fuji on clear days, and the black-egg-themed snacks and souvenirs which you cannot get anywhere else! 16:00-16:30 - Lake Ashi Cruise We will then drive down to Lake Ashi, a lake created by a phreatic explosion three millenia ago. The lake, which never freezes even in winter, is a popular site due to the impeccable beauty of its nature and the occasional views of Mt. Fuji. You can enjoy the full experience of Hakone in all its glory on the pirate ship, a cruise that takes you from one end of the lake to the other. 17:00 - Check into hotel in Hakone Late in the afternoon, you will check into Gora Kadan, a luxurious ryokan (Japanese-style hotel) which formerly served as the villa of one branch of the Imperial Family - Kan in-no-miya. This calm retreat is located in an area known for its hot springs, which are rich in minerals. Suites have been designed in a minimalist style, and facilities include a swimming pool, an onsen (hot spring bath), and a beauty spa.

Seasonal ingredients are used in order to guarantee the freshest and highest

7 18:00-20:00 - Dinner For dinner, you will be served Gora Kadan s special kaiseki in a classy Japanese tea room. Seasonal ingredients are used in order to guarantee the freshest and highest quality meal. The dining room is lavishly designed so as to give a treat to all your five senses - from the soft swoosh of the paper sliding

doors to the fragrant scent of the flower incense, from the soothing sight of the carefully manicured Japanese garden to the delicate flavors of the kaiseki menu.

8 doors to the fragrant scent of the flower incense, from the soothing sight of the carefully manicured Japanese garden to the delicate flavors of the kaiseki menu. After dinner, you will have the rest of the evening to yourselves. Enjoy your stay at Gora Kadan, and prepare for a transfer to Kyoto on the next day. Day4: Kyoto Hotel check-out transfer to Kyoto lunch Kinkaku-ji Ryoan-ji hotel check-in dinner hotel in Kyoto 10:00 - Day start Your driver and guide will be waiting for you at the lobby. You will check out of the hotel and be transferred to Odawara station, where you will catch a shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto, the country s old capital in West Japan. 12:30 - Arrival at Kyoto You will meet up with your driver in Kyoto. As was with Day 3, you will arrive at your new destination close to noon. We will therefore open the program in Kyoto with a lunch. 12:45-14:15 - Lunch Now that you have left the east for the west, you can try out and discover the difference between Tokyo and Kyoto food. Your first lunch in Kyoto will be a local kaiseki meal. Par for course with the tantalizing food is the cozy atmosphere typical of a quality kaiseki restaurant. 14:30-15:15 - Kinkaku-ji After lunch, you will visit Kinkaku-ji, a temple whose shimmering golden reflection on the water has become symbolic of Kyoto. Originally built as a villa for the 3rd shogun of the Ashikaga government, Kinkaku-ji, now a temple, will bedazzle you with its majestic gold-plated exterior.

despite being mainly composed of gravel and rocks.

9 15:30-16:15 - Ryoan-ji Next is Ryoan-ji - Kyoto's most famous Zen Temple. The main feature of Ryoan-ji is its karesansui (dry landscape) rock garden, which is a popular attraction for tourists worldwide due to its beauty despite being mainly composed of gravel and rocks. The allocation of the boulders in the temple is said to contain some hidden meaning regarding enlightenment. 16:45 - Check into the hotel in Kyoto In the afternoon, we will drive you to your hotel in Kyoto. Check in, drop your luggage, and rest for a while. Your driver and guide will then pick you up for dinner. 17:45-19:45 - Dinner

10 For dinner, you will have tempura, a Japanese dish of deep-fried seafood and vegetables in batter. It results in a delectable combination of crispy, scrumptious coat with the just perfectly cooked main ingredients. You can enjoy the tempura with a light, refreshing sauce mixed with daikon-oroshi (grated radish). 20:00 - Back at the hotel in Kyoto After an intensive day in Kyoto, you will return to the hotel to rest up. Another exciting day in Kyoto is about to ensue! Day5: Kyoto Hozu River Rafting lunch Pottery class Heian Jingu Gion (dinner) hotel in Kyoto 10:00 - Day start Your driver and guide will pick you up at the hotel lobby. You will be transferred to the shore of Hozu River, where you will enjoy rafting down the stream. You will then make preparations for the two-hour adventure along the river. 11:00-13:00 - Hozu River Rafting The swift currents flowing through the canyon make Hozu River a popular spot for rafting. Floating down the stream, you can enjoy the surrounding mountain scenery, which changes depending on the season. The rafting course passes through several exciting landmarks as well, including waterfalls and and impressively shaped rocks. You will also get to interact with passengers on the occasional boats passing by. These little experiences make rafting on Hozu River unique and unforgettable.

11 13:15-14:45 - Lunch You will have shabu-shabu for lunch. This dish focuses on the savory taste of boiled meat. It is served with a delectable combination of healthy vegetables, and best enjoyed with ponzu (citrus-based vinegar sauce) or sesame sauce. The taste is clear and refreshing, with the meat juicy and tender. 15:00-16:15 - Pottery class After lunch, we will go to a Japanese pottery store. Kyoto is well-known as the country s center of pottery, and here, you will enjoy a firsthand cultural experience in Japan. The experienced master will be assisting you in crafting your own souvenir, and you can appreciate the elegant ceramic ware on display. 16:30-17:30 - Heian Jingu Your next destination is Heian Jingu, a Shinto shrine built during the Meiji Period. The shrine is named after the city when it was the capital in the Heian Period. The buildings are said to be modeled after the original Imperial Palace of that era, which makes this shrine an interesting historical study despite its relatively young age. The shrine is also well-known for its garden of weeping cherry trees (shidare-zakura), although the garden is always exceptionally beautiful even if you do not visit in spring.

as you can get. You will dine in a teahouse, enjoying your dinner while being entertained by the geisha.

12 17:45-19:45 - Gion (dinner) In the evening, you will visit Gion, the most famous geisha (professional female entertainer) district in Kyoto. The street is lined up with wooden houses, and with the occasional geisha walking around in and out of establishments, this is as classic Japan as you can get. You will dine in a teahouse, enjoying your dinner while being entertained by the geisha. 20:00 - Back at the hotel in Kyoto After a full day of Japanese activities in Kyoto, you will return to your hotel to rest. You will check out on the next day and leave for Tokyo. Day6: Tokyo

Hotel check-out transfer to Tokyo lunch hotel check-in free time dinner hotel in Tokyo 10:00 - Day start Your driver and guide will be expecting you at the hotel lobby.

13 Hotel check-out transfer to Tokyo lunch hotel check-in free time dinner hotel in Tokyo 10:00 - Day start Your driver and guide will be expecting you at the hotel lobby. You will check out of the hotel and be transferred to Kyoto station, where you will ride a shinkansen back to Tokyo. 12:30 - Arrival at Tokyo You will meet up with your driver in Tokyo. As you will arrive at Tokyo around noon, we will take you to the restaurant immediately for lunch. 12:30-14:00 - Lunch You will have lunch in the only restaurant in Japan where you can have a perfect view of the Imperial Palace. The menu is sukiyaki, a Japanese dish of thinly sliced, sweetly simmered meat dipped in a beaten egg before being eaten. 14:30 - Check into the hotel in Tokyo You will then check into your hotel in Tokyo. As this will be your last night, you will have the rest of the day to yourselves until dinner time. You can relax and chill after the long distance transfer from Kyoto, or go shopping for souvenirs to take home. 19:00-21:00 - Cruise dinner To celebrate the last night, your will go on a dinner cruise. You will be served a full course meal of either regional delicacies from throughout Japan or high quality French cuisine. The two-hour ride on the luxurious yacht will take you around the Tokyo Bay area, where you can enjoy the illusory glow of Tokyo s skyline at night.

21:30 - Back at the hotel in Tokyo Finally, you will once again return to your hotel. Have a good rest, and make sure you are fully prepared for you flight on the next day.

14 21:30 - Back at the hotel in Tokyo Finally, you will once again return to your hotel. Have a good rest, and make sure you are fully prepared for you flight on the next day. Day7: Tokyo Hotel check-out transfer to Narita International Airport It is time to bring your epic east-west journey in Japan into a close. Your driver and guide will pick you up at the hotel lobby, and we will say our goodbyes at Narita International Airport. Have a safe flight home! Pricing 2 pers: 3 pers: 4pers: 5 pers: 6-8 pers: USD 7393 USD 6062 USD 5397 USD 4998 USD 4815 ***Price are subject to change without prior notice. Find out about the best prices from us. Price Includes 5-star hotel with breakfast (days 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6) Traditional inn with onsen, breakfast, and dinner (day 3) Airport transfer on arrival (private car) with a briefing session Airport transfer for departure (private car) Dedicated escort and private car with driver everyday Lunch on days 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 Dinner on days 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 Entrance tickets Two shinkansen rides (Odawara - Kyoto, Kyoto - Tokyo)

15 Price does NOT Include Air tickets to Japan (separate charges based on seasonal ticket price & airline) Insurance in Japan Transportation on free days Any additional meals, transportation, and entrance tickets outside the ones included Personal expenses, such as laundry and phone bills ***Purchase of flight ticket to Japan and visa application is available upon request. Price base on seasonal ticket price & desired airline. Find out about the best prices and get useful tips from us.

7 Days Tokaido Express

7 Days Tokaido Express Tour information: Tour ID: CLT-002-EN Theme: Japan Classic Tours Season: Round Year Start: Tokyo Finish: Osaka Group size: 2-15 Travel style: Youth in Action Summary Tours Destinations