Timeless Japan

Enjoy a private car ride to the airport. Fly to Tokyo where you’ll meet your Group Guru and fellow travellers. It’s a long way, but don’t worry, in-flight entertainment helps time fly by! Upon your arrival, our luxury coach brings you to your hotel. Settle in, take a nice long shower, and raise a welcome cocktail to your fellow travellers. Overnight in Tokyo. (D)

After breakfast at the hotel, kick off your adventure with a full-day sightseeing tour of Tokyo. Begin at the ancient Asakusa Kannon Temple, one of the city’s oldest Buddhist temples. Explore the vibrancy of Nakamise Shopping Street, where incense, grilled foods, and scents of traditional bakeries drift through the air. Nearby, ascend the Tokyo Sky Tree to the Tembo Deck to feel completely small as you witness breathtaking 360-degree views of the megalopolis. After lunch, enjoy a scenic Sumida River Cruise and glide by 12 distinctive bridges, each built with its own unique design. Overnight in Tokyo. (B,L,D) View image gallery

Join a morning tour of the city, tracing the massive stone walls of the Imperial Palace Plaza, feeling the weight of centuries of Japanese imperial history beneath your fingertips. Then window shop at the avant-garde flagship stores of global luxury brands in the upscale Ginza District. Enjoy the afternoon at your leisure and explore Tokyo’s endless attractions, followed by dinner this evening at a local restaurant. Overnight in Tokyo. (B,L,D) View image gallery

Today, prepare to experience Japan’s engineering prowess! Board the Shinkansen bullet train, watching coastal and mountain scenery blur past your window as you journey toward Hiroshima. Then, transfer to Miyajima by ferry. Here, gaze upon the iconic Itsukushima Shrine and explore the charming Omotesando Shopping Street, notable for its distinct architectural style that emerged from its post-war reconstruction. Overnight in Hiroshima. (B,L,D) View image gallery

Discover Hiroshima, a city that rose from tragedy to become a powerful symbol of peace and resilience. Begin the day with a moving visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and A-Bomb Dome, followed by the Peace Memorial Museum. Visit the tranquil Shukkei-en Garden where you can admire the meticulously sculpted paths before exploring Hiroshima at your own pace. Overnight in Hiroshima. (B,L,D) View image gallery

Depart for Himeji to visit its magnificent castle, exploring its brilliant white keeps and defensive secrets that have endured since feudal times. After lunch, continue to Osaka for a sightseeing boat tour through Dotonbori, where neon lights reveal Osaka at its most vibrant. End the day by rolling up your sleeves at a hands-on sushi-making class. Overnight in Osaka. (B,L,D) View image gallery

Onwards to sacred Koyasan, one of Japan’s most important spiritual centres. Begin with visits to Kongobu-ji Temple, Danjo Garan, and the vibrantly red Konpon Daito Pagoda, where centuries of Buddhist tradition sit in a deeply atmospheric setting. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to the hauntingly beautiful Okuno-in Temple, home to Japan’s largest cemetery and a site of profound historical and religious significance. Overnight in Osaka. (B,L,D) View image gallery

Start the day with a visit to Namba Yasaka Shrine, where the enormous lion-head sanctuary greets you. Continue to Shitennoji Temple, Japan’s oldest Buddhist temple. After lunch, continue to Nara for a visit to Todai-ji Temple, home to the Great Buddha. Surround yourself with hundreds of free-roaming deer at Nara Deer Park, where they move freely across open lawns, paths, and temple-adjacent green space. In the evening, continue to Kyoto. Overnight in Kyoto. (B,L,D) View image gallery

After breakfast, embark on a full-day tour to explore Kyoto’s most beloved sites by coach. Start with an enchanting bamboo grove, meandering through paths surrounded by towering bamboo stalks filtering the soft sunlight. Visit the magnificent Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion). After lunch, participate in a traditional tea ceremony. Overnight in Kyoto. (B,L,D) View image gallery

Enjoy a halfday tour to the serene Kiyomizu Temple and the atmospheric Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka slopes, before enjoying lunch at a local restaurant. Continue to the iconic vermillion torii gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine, where you’ll weave through paths winding up Mount Inari. Take the train to Kanazawa, where you’ll have dinner and settle into your hotel. (B,L,D) View image gallery

Immerse yourself in Kanazawa’s living history, beginning with Kenrokuen Garden—a masterpiece of Japanese landscape design and one of the country’s most celebrated gardens. Meticulously cultivated over centuries, the grounds reveal the art of Japanese gardening through its carefully pruned trees and serene water features. After, wander through the historic Higashi-chaya District where traditional wooden teahouses reveal the intimate world of geisha culture. Listen for the delicate sounds of shamisen music and catch glimpses of geisha moving gracefully between meticulously preserved wooden structures. After lunch, venture into the Nagamachi Samurai District, where the Nomura Family House stands as a testament to the refined lifestyle of the samurai elite. End the day with some time to explore at your own pace. Overnight in Kanazawa. (B,L,D) View image gallery

Journey to Shirakawago, a UNESCO World Heritage site nestled in misty mountains. Here, explore the extraordinary gassho-zukuri farmhouses— architectural marvels with steep, dramatically angled roofs that seem to lift their hands in prayer. Step inside the preserved Nagase House to experience the intimate spaces where generations of mountain families created their lives, before continuing to Takayama. Overnight in Takayama. (B,L,D) View image gallery

Explore the Yatai Kaikan (Festival Float Museum) and marvel at intricately carved and gilded festival floats—each a testament to local craftsmen’s skill and cultural pride. Immerse yourself in the rhythms of the Miyagawa Morning Market, where local life pulses with energy and fresh produce. After lunch, delve into Takayama’s rich brewing tradition and sample sake at the Funasaka Sake Brewery. Afterwards, step back in time at the historic Takayama Jinya (Government Office) and walk through centuries-old administrative rooms that once echoed with samurai governance. Overnight in Takayama. (B,L,D) View image gallery

Take the coach to Matsumoto to visit its striking feudal castle, one of Japan’s most complete historic fortresses. Climb the original wooden stairs through its six-floor tower and observe how samurai and lords once wielded their power during the Edo Period. After lunch, visit the Daio Wasabi Farm, where you’ll stroll past vivid rows of wasabi grown in pristine spring water. Wind down the day at a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) for a truly authentic dining experience, sampling the local flavours. Overnight in a ryokan in Isawa. (B,L,D) View image gallery

After breakfast at the hotel, set out for a full-day excursion to the Kawaguchiko region, where the landscape opens to serene lake views and ever-changing glimpses of Mount Fuji. Enjoy a boat ride across the calm water, followed by a scenic ropeway ascent that lifts you above the shoreline for sweeping views of the lake, surrounding hills, and, weather permitting, the iconic mountain beyond. Pause for lunch at a local restaurant before returning to Tokyo. This evening, gather for a farewell dinner, and toast to the memories made along the way. Overnight in Tokyo. (B,L,D) View image gallery

Enjoy the morning at your leisure. Still in awe, say goodbye to your fellow travellers who opted out of our included group flights and make your way to the airport to embark on your return flights to Canada. Your driver will meet you at the airport to help you with your luggage and drive you home. What a truly amazing experience! (B,L)