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Imperial Cities Tokyo to Kyoto

Japan Cultural Walking Tour

7 DaysStarting at $9,795
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Overview

Tales of Samurai and Shoguns. Gleaming bullet trains and tranquil country ryokans. Boisterous Karaoke and the mystical twang of the shamisen. Japan is a land where ancient tradition and modernity blend and blur into an unforgettable and utterly unique cultural experience. Our itinerary begins in the clamor of Tokyo, slips into the serene forest of Hakone in the shadow of Mount Fuji, and culminates in sophisticated, historic Kyoto. Exceptional local guides decode the culture and provide insight into rituals that define life today as they have for a thousand years or more. Along the way, you’ll meet practitioners of the tea ceremony, a sushi master who teaches you his craft, wood artisans, sake brewers and others. We’ll also arrange dining experiences that will treat you to the spectrum of styles for which Japan is known. Our hotels, from 5-star city properties to a mountainside inn overlooking a volcanic lake, are among the very finest Japan has to offer.

Classic Journeys provides unbeatable access to experiences around the globe.”
Travel + Leisure

Highlights

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  • Begin your all-access dive into Japanese culture in bustling Tokyo, finding yourself side-by-side with a chef to learn the craft of sushi-making. 
  • Take a guided walk in the old town of Asakusa before feeling the heart-pounding reverberations of the Taiko drum in your private lesson.
  • Escape to the hills of Hakone, a nature reserve, and hot springs area close to Tokyo. 
  • Follow your guide on a stroll to Hakone Shrine, hidden in the woods. 
  • Ride the ropeway tram for high mountain views, and enjoy a surprising visit to the Hakone Open Air Art Museum. 
  • Take the famed bullet train to Kyoto, the hub of traditional culture and home to 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the spectacular Golden Pavilion  
  • End your week with a rare chance to experience the hospitality and entertainment of the geisha
Download Full Daily Itinerary

Map

  • Starting Point:

    Tokyo – 10:00 am – Lobby of Tokyo Hotel

  • Ending Point:

    Kyoto – 10:00 am – Airport
Itinerary Map

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Walking Level

  • Daily Mileage Options: 2-8 miles

  • Route Notes:

    The terrain on this trip includes a mix of paved and cobblestone streets in Tokyo and Kyoto; as well as well-maintained countryside, nature preserve, tea farm, hot springs and riverside trails of compressed dirt and stone. The footpaths offer a selection of level, rolling and hilly terrain with some elevation gain and loss.
To See Mileage Daily, Download Full Itinerary

Dates & Prices

The earlier you book, the more choice you’ll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won’t be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. Talk with one of our travel experts at 800-200-3887.

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Family Departure

Select our “Family Departure” to travel with other families.

Why Choose Classic Journeys

Travel + Leisure has awarded Classic Journeys the #1 World’s Best Tour Operator multiple times and says, "Classic Journeys provides unbeatable access to experiences around the globe." Here’s what that access means for you.

  • Experience the world on foot and at eye level. Each day, join your guide on the most cinematic footpaths in the region.
  • Exceptional full-time local guides who become your well-connected friend. Our amazing guides are with you throughout each day of the tour, share their lifelong connections as well as engaging anecdotes about the history and culture of the region.
  • Small groups that provide you unrivaled access. An average of fewer than 10 guests per departure means we can offer you special access to sites like Stonehenge so you experience the stone circle when it’s closed to the general public, a guided visit to Zion Narrows that other companies cannot arrange because of larger group sizes, and vineyard walks with a count and countess in Tuscany.
  • Award-winning hotels are waiting for you at the end of every day. Luxuriate in the finest and most distinctive accommodations in the region you’re exploring, including rainforest lodges, 16th century villas, and award-winning properties that show up on World’s Best and Gold lists.
  • Eat like (and with) the locals. Food is a foolproof way into the hearts, homes and history of the places you visit with us. From gourmet picnics to coveted local restaurants, our meals offer you opportunities to explore native food traditions and fine dining.
  • Handcrafted itineraries with all activities included. With our long-term friendships, we know our walking tour regions more personally than anyone else. So you get thoughtfully curated itineraries that combine explorations of the villages, organic farms, archeological sites and the people who know them best.
  • Sustainable travel that supports the places you’re visiting. We put our local currency into the pockets of the people who live where we travel. It’s your guarantee that you’ll have authentic, up-close experiences on your trip. Best of all, our person-to-person approach helps sustain their ways of life.

 

Accommodations

We spend years cultivating personal relationships with our hoteliers to provide you thoughtfully selected accommodations that reveal the true character of the region. Here is a sampling of our favorite hotels on this tour. 

Hakone Kowakien Ten-Yu

This recently opened sanctuary is everything you want in a ryokan—a sense of remoteness, tatami-matted floors, and a private open-air onsen bath. Situated in the mountains, there are lovely views all around of the mountains and forest.

Conrad_Tokyo_Bay View Room King

Conrad Tokyo

Located near the Ginza, heart of the city, this glamorous contemporary hotel overlooks magnificent views of Tokyo’s skyline. The luxurious guest rooms are decorated in minimalist Japanese design. The property has a variety of fine restaurants and a spa.

The Thousand Kyoto

A luxury hotel in the Shimogyo Ward district, it’s amazing location puts you close to top attractions. Relax in the modern, spacious guestrooms. Stroll the serene garden, dine at the hotels two on-site restaurants or try a therapeutic spa treatment.

What’s Included

  • Award-winning boutique hotels that provide you unlimited access to the people and places, culture and history you came to experience
  • All breakfasts, 3 lunches and 4 dinners
  • Full-time experienced guide(s) who are with you throughout the trip, handle behind-the-scenes logistics 
  • Admissions to sites and other scheduled events as noted in the detailed daily itinerary
  • Gratuities for hotels, meals and baggage
  • All land transportation during the trip

Above & Beyond Benefits

Privileged Access Events

  • One-of-a-kind access to remarkable people, places and activities arranged just for you.

Invisible Check-In

  • When your group arrives, we whisk you and your bags to your room immediately. No waiting – no tipping.
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