Echoes of Kyoto: A Journey through Japan

$7550/18 days/17 nights

This extraordinary Japanese adventure is designed for travelers who want to experience Japan in all its contrasts—from the electric pulse of Tokyo and the timeless streets of Kyoto to the snow-capped Japanese Alps, tranquil onsen, historic castles, and the wild landscapes of Hokkaido.

Spanning some of Japan's most remarkable destinations, this immersive journey combines luxury, culture, history, adventure, and discovery, with carefully selected accommodations and experiences that reveal a different side of the country at every turn. Guests will move effortlessly between futuristic cities, centuries-old temples, mountain villages, sacred shrines, and spectacular natural landscapes, while enjoying a thoughtfully balanced mix of guided experiences and free time to explore at their own pace.

Transportation, admission fees, accommodations, and specially curated experiences are included throughout the journey, allowing guests to focus on experiencing Japan rather than navigating the logistics.

TOKYO

The journey begins in Tokyo, a city where ancient traditions and cutting-edge innovation exist side by side.

Explore the historic atmosphere of Asakusa, wandering along Nakamise Street toward the magnificent Sensoji Temple, before discovering the quieter beauty of Chidorigafuchi. Then experience the unmistakable energy of modern Tokyo at Shibuya Crossing and Shibuya Station, where towering screens, bustling streets, and thousands of pedestrians create one of the world's most iconic urban scenes.

Food becomes part of the adventure with a specially curated Shibuya Ramen Tour, introducing guests to the depth and diversity of one of Japan's most beloved culinary traditions. For an entirely different perspective on the city, take to the streets on an exhilarating StreetKarts experience through Shibuya.

And because Japan is a place where the unexpected is always around the corner, guests will spend a night at a robot hotel—a wonderfully futuristic and distinctly Japanese experience that is as memorable as it is unconventional.

A day at Tokyo Disneyland adds another dimension to the Tokyo experience, offering a chance to step away from the city and into a world of imagination, entertainment, and nostalgia.

THE JAPANESE ALPS

Leaving Tokyo behind, the journey travels into the mountains and the spectacular landscapes of central Japan.

In Matsumoto, discover the elegant black-and-white architecture of Matsumoto Castle, one of Japan's most celebrated historic castles, before unwinding at the Onyado Nono Matsumoto Natural Hot Spring.

From here, the journey ventures deeper into the Japanese Alps and along the spectacular Alpine Route, where dramatic mountain scenery changes with the seasons. Snow walls, alpine peaks, waterfalls, forests, and remote valleys create an experience that feels worlds away from Tokyo.

Time at Omachi Onsen provides an opportunity to experience one of Japan's most cherished traditions: soaking in naturally heated mineral waters while surrounded by mountain scenery. An overnight stay at CoCoekan Cottages or a similar alpine retreat adds an intimate, more rustic element to the journey, allowing guests to experience the quiet beauty of the Japanese countryside.

A visit to see Japan's famous snow monkeys brings an unforgettable wildlife encounter, particularly in winter when the Japanese macaques gather around the steaming natural hot springs.

The journey through central Japan also includes Takato Castle Ruins Park and Akagi Senbonzakura in Takasaki, two locations that showcase the extraordinary beauty of Japan's seasonal landscapes, particularly during cherry blossom season.

MOUNT FUJI

Few sights represent Japan more completely than Mount Fuji.

Travel into the Five Lakes region, where the mountain rises dramatically above tranquil lakes, forests, and traditional countryside. Here, the pace slows and the scenery takes center stage.

Depending on the season and weather, the experience can include scenic viewpoints, lakeside exploration, cultural experiences, or time on the water—allowing guests to experience Fuji not simply as a photograph, but as part of the landscape that surrounds it.

HIROSHIMA

The journey continues to Hiroshima, where the atmosphere changes.

A visit to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome offers an opportunity to reflect on one of the defining events of the twentieth century. With thoughtful local interpretation, guests can better understand Hiroshima's history, the human impact of the atomic bombing, and the city's transformation in the decades that followed.

The experience is intentionally unhurried, creating space for reflection before continuing to the traditions and hospitality of Japan's historic heartland.

KYOTO

From Hiroshima, travel onward to Kyoto, where centuries of Japanese culture unfold around every corner.

Guests will stay at Ryokan Tori or a carefully selected traditional ryokan, exchanging the conventions of a modern luxury hotel for the intimacy and character of traditional Japanese hospitality.

Explore the atmospheric Higashiyama district, following the historic streets between Kiyomizudera and Yasaka Shrine. Discover traditional wooden houses, tea shops, temples, and quiet lanes that seem to transport visitors into another era.

In Gion, explore one of Kyoto's most famous historic districts and learn about the traditions of geiko and maiko and the performing arts that have shaped the neighborhood for generations.

At Fushimi Inari Shrine, thousands of brilliant vermilion torii gates wind their way into the forest, creating one of Japan's most unforgettable walks.

Then venture to Arashiyama, where towering bamboo groves, temples, gardens, and the surrounding mountains create one of Kyoto's most atmospheric landscapes.

ANCIENT JAPAN

A journey to nearby Nara offers another glimpse into Japan's ancient past.

Explore its historic temples and enormous Buddha at Todai-ji, wander through Nara Park, and encounter the city's famously free-roaming deer.

For those with an interest in wildlife, an optional visit to see red pandas can be incorporated if time and seasonal schedules allow.

NAGOYA

The journey takes another unexpected turn in Nagoya, where history gives way to imagination.

Guests can spend time at LEGOLAND Japan, followed by an immersive visit to Ghibli Park, stepping into the fantastical worlds created by Studio Ghibli.

These experiences provide a lighter, more playful interlude in the journey and are particularly well suited to a group with different ages and interests.

HOKKAIDO

The final chapter carries the journey north to Hokkaido, where Japan reveals an entirely different personality.

Here, the landscape expands into mountains, forests, lakes, volcanic terrain, and wide-open countryside. The emphasis shifts toward nature, regional cuisine, relaxation, and the restorative pleasures of Japanese onsen culture.

If time permits, a boat excursion on Lake Toya provides a spectacular finale, with volcanic mountains and pristine waters forming a dramatic backdrop.

Tentative Dates: March 31, 2028-April 17, 2028