Hidden Gems of Japan
13 Days/12 Nights
Overview
This luxury tour will introduce you to some of Japan’s most amazing travel destinations you’ve never heard of. Journey across the country to discover these hidden gems, and let yourself be pampered at beautiful resorts that offer exceptional service infused with Japan’s spirit of selfless hospitality, omotenashi.
Tour at a Glance
Day 1: Tokyo
Arrival in Tokyo. Private transfer to your hotel and free time to relax.
Day 2: Tokyo
Full-day guided tour exploring Tokyo’s top sights, including shrines, historic districts, and vibrant neighborhoods.
Day 3: Tokyo to Tobira Onsen
Private transfer to Tobira Onsen, a peaceful retreat in the Japanese Alps.
Day 4: Tobira Onsen
Enjoy a day at leisure soaking in the serene onsen environment and scenic surroundings.
Day 5: Tobira Onsen to Yamashiro Onsen
Travel to Yamashiro Onsen, a town known for its cultural heritage and hot springs.
Day 6: Yamashiro Onsen
Free day to relax or explore the area. Optional cultural experiences and visits to nearby towns.
Day 7: Yamashiro Onsen to Kyoto
Travel to Kyoto, the cultural heart of Japan. Evening at leisure.
Day 8: Kyoto
Free day in Kyoto for sightseeing or optional guided cultural experiences.
Day 9: Kyoto to Sakurai
Visit historic Nara before continuing to Sakurai for a fine dining and lodging experience.
Day 10: Sakurai to Ise-Shima
Travel to Ise-Shima, known for its natural beauty and spiritual significance.
Day 11: Ise-Shima
Day at leisure. Optional visits to pearl farms, seafood lunch with Ama divers, or the Ise Grand Shrine.
Day 12: Ise-Shima to Tokyo
Return to Tokyo by train and Shinkansen. Evening free in the city.
Day 13: Depart Tokyo
Private transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Tokyo
Tokyo is a city of contrasts. This front-line capital famous for its pioneering modernity, iconic landscapes of neon and soaring skyscrapers is dotted with peaceful parklands, shrines, temples, and adored gardens. Despite its mania for anime pop culture, fashion, digital trends and discernible consumption, the city embraces an ancient heritage evident in the temples and shrines scattered amongst the vast skyrises. The Imperial Palace provides a palpable link to the city’s incredible heritage even with the explosion of commercial emporia. Free from the shopping and entertainment districts, historic wooden house, private bonsai gardens and the calming Zen atmosphere of the Hamarikyu Gardens thrive to allow visitors an escape from the hyperactivity of the lively streets. Even with the city’s costly reputation visitors can take advantage of the inexpensive izakaya bars and neighbourhood cafes serving delectable noodle and rice dishes. In fact, many of Tokyo’s charms can be enjoyed free of charge; stroll through Asakusa and the Buddhist temple Sensoji, the fashion Mecca of Harajuku, the world’s largest fish market at Tsukiji, or the neon-imbued atmosphere of Shinjuku and be enveloped by Japan’s largest city.
On your arrival at Narita Airport, you will be met at the arrival lobby for your private transfer to your hotel in Tokyo. The following two nights will be spent at the chic urban hotel, Aman Tokyo. Enjoy the modern room with notable elements of Japanese aesthetics evident in the interior design.
You will have the rest of the day to spend at your leisure after check-in.
Option: Mobile Internet SIM card
Stay connected while in Japan with a SIM card to use on your unlocked smartphone or tablet! The SIM will allow you to connect your device to mobile internet with up to 3GB data traffic. Please let us know your device brand and model at the time of booking. 4,500 JPY Per Sim Card
Meals included: None
Guiding: Meet and greet only
Accommodation: Aman Tokyo – Deluxe Room
Day 2: Tokyo
Today your guide will meet you at your hotel for a day exploring some of Tokyo's most glamorous highlights. The tour will be conducted by private car for your comfort.
First up is the beautiful Koishikawa Korakuen. Despite being one of Tokyo's most loved Japanese gardens by locals, this is still hidden from the eye of international travellers. It is famed for its beautiful seasonal flowers. Whatever time of year you visit, you are sure to be witness to the magnificence of Japan's changing seasons.
After strolling through the gardens, your car will whisk you away to the ritzy Omotesando district. Often called the Champs D'Elysees of Japan, this fashionable avenue is home to the flagship store of many high-end brands. There will be time to do a little shopping here and lunch will be served at the popular teppanyaki restaurant, Ukai Tei Omotesando.
After lunch, you'll be driven to Shinjuku Gyoen Garden. Unlike Koishakawa Korakuen this is less of a traditional space and more of an urban green space. This is where the locals come to relax on days off and weekends. You'll see people practicing instruments, playing sports and games with family and friends, or just laid out in the sunshine enjoying their free time.
The final stop on today's tour is the fabulous Park Hyatt Hotel. This hotel is internationally renowned as being the setting of Sofia Coppola's hit film ""Lost in Translation"". You will ascend to the New York Bar and will be able to enjoy watching the sun set over Tokyo as you enjoy one drink on us (please note that the New York Bar has a dress code-- visitors are asked to refrain from wearing shorts, sandals, sportswear, or sleeveless garments).
At the end of the evening, your guide and driver will drop you back at your hotel. If you need any recommendations for dinner, feel free to ask your guide or hotel concierge when you arrive back.
Note: New York Bar has a dress code-- visitors are asked to refrain from wearing shorts, sandals, sportswear, or sleeveless garments
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, One drink at New York Bar
Guiding: 8 hours
Accommodation: Aman Tokyo – Deluxe Room
Day 3: Tokyo to Tobira Onsen
Located 3 hours from Tokyo, Matsumoto has flourished as a castle town since the 16th century. In addition to its historical and cultural heritage, Matsumoto is surrounded by mountains and is acclaimed for its beautiful views. Hiking and climbing locations in the mountains are easily accessible by public transportation. To the west the Japan Alps rise to heights of 3,000 meters, and are known as "The Roof of Japan".
Today, you will be met at your hotel by your driver for your private transfer to Shinjuku station in the morning. From Shinjuku station, you will take the limited express train to Matsumoto in Nagano Prefecture. Traveling through the mountainous Japanese Alps region, you will pass through alpine sceneries on a beautiful train ride taking just under 3 hours.
Upon arriving at Matsumoto station, you will exit the station and meet your driver waiting for you just outside of the station for your private transfer to your ryokan, Myojinkan, tucked away in the mountains next to the serene Suzuki River. After checking in, you will have the rest of the day free to relax in the outdoor hot springs of the ryokan. In the evening, a delicious Japanese-style dinner made with local ingredients will be served.
Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner
Guiding: None
Accommodation: Myojinkan – Moderate Room Otaka Type (King sized Hollywood twin beds). For 3 pax Iyashi Type Room with Japanese futon mattress.
Day 4: Tobira Onsen
You will spend the day at your leisure. We recommend spending the day sightseeing in Matsumoto visiting places like Matsumoto Castle and the Nakamachi area, a former merchant district of the city with many traditional buildings and old-style warehouses.
Please let us know if you would like assistance in arranging a private guided tour (additional charges will apply).
Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner
Guiding: None
Accommodation: Myojinkan – Moderate Room Otaka Type (King sized Hollywood twin beds). For 3 pax Iyashi Type Room with Japanese futon mattress.
Day 5: Tobira Onsen to Yamashiro Onsen
During the Edo Period, Kanazawa served as the seat of the Maeda Clan, the second most powerful feudal clan after the Tokugawa in terms of rice production and fief size. Accordingly, Kanazawa grew to become a town of great cultural achievements, rivalling Kyoto and Edo (Tokyo). During World War II, Kanazawa was Japan's second largest city (after Kyoto) to escape destruction by air raids. Consequently, parts of the old castle town, such as the Nagamachi samurai district and chaya entertainment districts, have survived in good condition. Today, Kanazawa remains an important city in its region and serves as the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture. The city boasts many historical attractions such as restored residences and districts, as well as modern museums. But Kanazawa's unchallenged main attraction is Kenrokuen, one of Japan's "three best landscape gardens".
You will be making the journey from Tobira Onsen to Yamashiro Onsen in Ishikawa prefecture today.
This morning, meet your driver at your ryokan for your private transfer to Matsumoto station. From here, catch the limited express train to Nagano station (roughly 1 hour) and transfer onto the world-famous Shinkansen bullet train, alighting at Kanazawa station. The journey from Nagano to Kanazawa will take approximately 1 hour.
On your arrival, you will be met for your private transfer to your luxury ryokan, Beniya Mukayu, in Yamashiro Onsen for a relaxing stay in this rustic hot springs town. The small village of Yamashiro Onsen has been famous for its mineral-rich hot springs since the late Heian period over 700 years ago. Take the time to enjoy the hot springs here purported to have healing effects and enjoy the delicious Japanese meal served tonight.
Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner
Guiding: None
Accommodation: Beniya Mukayu – Japanese Premier Tatami Garden View Room (Japanese futon mattress)
Day 6: Yamashiro Onsen
Today is free for you to spend at your leisure. We recommend visiting Kanazawa for a cultural experience in the historic city. You may also consider taking a stroll around town to see the public bath houses of Soyu and Ko-Soyu as well as the Kutaniyaki Exhibition Hall which features Kutaniyaki pottery famous in the area.
If you are considering exploring with a private guide today, please let us know (additional charges apply).
Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner
Guiding: None
Accommodation: Beniya Mukayu – Japanese Premier Tatami Garden View Room (Japanese futon mattress)
Day 7: Yamashiro Onsen to Kyoto
The preservation of Japan`s history blossoms in Japan`s cultural capital, Kyoto. Home to 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Kyoto is a must-see destination in Japan. With a population of 1.4 million it is Japan’s seventh largest metropolis offering a surfeit of temples, shrines, and other historically invaluable structures, with over 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines, as well as palaces, gardens and exquisite architecture. Despite the skyscrapers built as a testament to progress, ancient Japan comes alive in the narrow alleyways abundant in tea houses and kimono-robed geishas, while murmurs of nobility echo at the Imperial Palace and contemplation thrives in the Ryoanji’s Zen rock gardens. Be welcomed by the prosperous past of Japan and the friendly residents of Kyoto, voted the “Best City in Asia” in the Conde Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Awards 2011 and the second “Best City in the World” in the 2016 polling, losing only to Tokyo.
After another delicious breakfast at your ryokan, check out and catch the ryokan shuttle to Kaga Onsen station for your included ride aboard the limited express train to the ancient capital of Kyoto.
Upon your arrival at Kyoto station, you will be met by your guide for your afternoon tour of the Arashiyama area by private car. Arashiyama is a pleasant district in the western outskirts of Kyoto. The area has been a popular destination since the Heian Period (794-1185), when nobles would enjoy its natural setting. Okochi Mountain Villa is the former villa of the popular samurai film star Okochi Denjiro (1896-1962), and consists of several beautiful gardens and buildings, including living quarters, tea houses and a zen meditation hall. Here you will enjoy some matcha green tea with a snack. Next, take a walk through Arashiyama’s famous bamboo groves, which are particularly attractive when there is a light wind and the tall bamboo stalks sway gently back and forth. The bamboo has been used to manufacture various products, such as baskets, cups, boxes, and mats at local workshops for centuries.
Nonomiya Shrine is a Shinto shrine where in ancient times, unmarried imperial princesses stayed for a year or more to purify themselves. Ranked among Kyoto's five great Zen temples, Tenryuji is the largest and most impressive temple in Arashiyama. Founded in 1339 at the beginning of the Muromachi Period (1338-1573), the temple is one of Kyoto's UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In addition to its temple buildings, there are attractive gardens with walking paths.
After your tour ends, you will be dropped off at tonight’s accommodation, Hoshinoya Kyoto, a stunning luxury resort nestled in the timeless setting of the Arashiyama district.
Meals included: Breakfast, and Dinner
Guiding: 4 hours
Accommodation: Hoshinoya Kyoto – Hashizuki Double (1 pax), Tanigasumi Twin (2 / 4 pax) or Yamanoha Tatami (3 pax)
Day 8: Kyoto
Today is free for you to spend at your leisure. We recommend participating in a cultural experience in the historic city. If you are considering exploring with a private guide today, please let us know (additional charges apply).
Meals included: Breakfast
Guiding: None
Accommodation: Hoshinoya Kyoto – Hashizuki Double (1 pax), Tanigasumi Twin (2 / 4 pax) or Yamanoha Tatami (3 pax)
Day 9: Kyoto to Sakurai
Nara was Japan’s first permanent capital and established in the year 710 at Heijo, the city that is now known as Nara. As the influence and political ambitions of the city’s powerful Buddhist monasteries became a serious threat to the government, the capital was moved to Nagaoka in 784. Nara’s status as the nation’s former capital has left a historical legacy, including some of Japan’s oldest and largest temples. Nara flourished in an era when Japan imported various aspects of culture ranging from religion to art and architecture from China. The original town planners even modelled Nara in a rectangular grid pattern based on Chinese city design. It is a city that still connects with its distinguished past as many of Nara’s historic buildings and temples remain intact and several of these stand in the peaceful confines of a large parkland area, that has the added attraction of free-roaming sacred deer.
Today you will be picked up from your hotel by your driver who will take you by private car from Kyoto to your next accommodation in Sakurai in Nara prefecture. Tonight, you will be staying at the culinary gem of L’Auberge de Plaisance Sakurai. Keeping true to the concept of an auberge, this gourmet restaurant featuring French cuisine with fresh, local ingredients also offers lodging in their classic rooms.
After a fantastic evening of fine dining, head back to your room for a great night of rest in a comfortable bed.
Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner
Guiding: None
Accommodation: L’Auberge de Plaisances Sakurai – Western-style Room (1 / 2 / 4 pax) or Executive Suite (3 pax)
Day 10: Sakurai to Ise-Shima
The Ise-Shima area is located in the Ise-Shima National Park and covers the entire Shima Peninsula. In addition to possessing beautiful seascape views, it is also home to arguably the most famous Shinto shrine: Ise Grand Shrine. Here in Ise-Shima, you can also visit the Mikimoto Pearl Island, a museum about pearl cultivation and the legacy of the famous jewelry maker, Mikimoto.
You will be picked up this morning after breakfast for your private transfer from the Auberge to nearby Yamato-yagi station for your included train ride to the Ise-Shima area in the neighbouring Mie prefecture.
After arriving at Kashikojima station, you will be picked up by your resort’s shuttle and transferred to your hotel for the next two nights, Amanemu. Situated on the coast of Ago Bay, famous for its wealth of pearls and pearl diving experts, Amanemu is a deluxe resort that easily makes the list of top-ranked resorts in the country. Enjoy your spacious suite room and relax in your calming in-room bath filled with natural hot springs water at this beautiful resort.
Meals included: Breakfast
Guiding: None
Accommodation: Amanemu – Mori Suite
Day 11: Ise-Shima
Today, spend a relaxing day at your leisure. If you are interested in venturing outside of the area, your accommodation will be happy to assist with arranging an excursion.
We recommend paying a visit to one of local pearl farmers to learn how they breed pearls and having a BBQ style seafood lunch with local women divers at a traditional house called Ama Hut restaurant. You might also consider traveling north to Ise city to pay a visit to what is arguably the most famous shrine in the country, Ise Grand Shrine. Ise Grand Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto religion’s most venerated deity, the Sun Goddess Amaterasu. With its magnificent arched wooden bridges and forested surroundings, a visit here will certainly turn into a spiritual and enchanting experience.
Meals included: Breakfast
Guiding: None
Accommodation: Amanemu – Mori Suite
Day 12: Ise-Shima to Tokyo
This morning, you will catch your resort shuttle to the nearby Kashikojima station for your train ride to Kintetsu Nagoya station. Journey time is just over 2 hours.
At Kintetsu-Nagoya station, an assistant will be waiting to meet you and take you through to JR Nagoya Station, located in a separate building. They will ensure that you safely board the Shinkansen bullet train heading for Tokyo. The journey time to Tokyo is around 1hr 30mins.
Upon your arrival at Tokyo station, you will be met for your private transfer to your hotel this evening, the Park Hyatt Tokyo, for a luxury stay at this enchanting hotel located among the bright lights of Shinjuku and made famous by the classic film, Lost in Translation.
Meals included: Breakfast
Guiding: None
Accommodation: Park Hyatt Tokyo – Park Deluxe King / Twin
Day 13: Depart Tokyo
Sadly, the time has come for you to leave Japan. Your day is free until your scheduled private transfer to Narita Airport in time for your return flight.
Meals included: Breakfast
Guiding: None
Accommodation: None
PRICE: The price is subject to your travel dates and the number of people traveling. The itinerary can be customized according to your preferences. Contact us for detailed quotation!
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