Classic Japan

Here are our recommendations on what to do in Tokyo: Explore Japan’s ultramodern capital by starting with a stroll through Hamarikyu Gardens. It features a seawater pond, a 300-year-old pine tree and flower fields. Proceed to Meiji Jingu, a Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken. You may even see a traditional Japanese wedding here, if you’re lucky. Walk around the streets of Harajuku, the city’s epicenter for street art and quirky clothing stores. While savoring a conical crepe filled with cream, fruit and matcha cheesecake, you’ll notice youngsters dressed in trendy princess-style clothing. Make your way to Tokyo Imperial Palace, the emperor’s residence, surrounded by expansive gardens and a moat. At Shibuya station, go past the bronze statue of Hachiko, the Akita dog, to arrive at Shibuya crossing, known as the world’s busiest crosswalk. Then, amble along elevated walkways and navigate your way to Ginza for some retail therapy. For a true Japanese shopping experience, head to Wako, Matsuya or Mitsukoshi department stores. Also, visit the five-story Hakuhinkan Toy Park before wrapping up for the day. (Duration: Half Day or Full Day; Self-explore activity; No guide; No transfers; Entrance fees & meals are not included; Fitness level: easy; Please wear comfortable shoes)

Explore some of Tokyo’s iconic sites on this private outing. At the scheduled time, meet your guide at the hotel and travel by public transport to different locations across the city. Begin your curated experience with a visit to Nezu Shrine, built in the Shinto style of architecture, with its vermilion torii gates and lush, moss-covered grounds. Enjoy a stroll along the tree-lined pathways at this centuries old shrine. Next, head to the nearby district of Yanaka, a quaint and laidback neighborhood, for a glimpse of the Japanese way of life. Walk down the narrow streets lined with well-preserved wooden houses, traditional shops and cozy cafes. With no skyscrapers around, the locality makes for a refreshing contrast to the urban sprawl of central Tokyo. The final stop on your itinerary is the historic Asakusa district that exudes old town vibes. See the ancient Senso-ji temple, Japan’s oldest Buddhist shrine. Later, soak in the vibrant ambiance of Nakamise Street, leading up to the temple, with its many stalls of traditional snacks, souvenirs and handicrafts. After your excursion ends, return to your hotel or continue to explore the city on your own. (Duration: 4 hrs; Time: 0900/1400 hrs; Private activity; Transfers by public transport; Fitness level: easy; Entrance fees and public transport fees included)

If you have the time and the weather allows it, we recommend visiting one or more of these attractions in Tokyo. In the morning, set off for the observation deck at Skytree, a television broadcasting tower that is also the tallest structure in Japan. From a height of about 2,080 feet, take in splendid views of the sprawling city below. On a clear day, you may be able to see as far as Mount Fuji. Next, visit the grounds of the Imperial Palace, the residence of the royal family. Enjoy a stroll around the sprawling property with its beautiful gardens and a moat. You could then make your way to Shibuya Station in the trendy Shibuya locality, a hub of youth culture and fashion. Get a look at the statue of Hachiko, the Akita dog, famous for his unwavering loyalty to his deceased owner. Next, head to the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, a pedestrian crossing that has been featured in numerous movies and TV shows. Finally, return to your accommodation. (Duration: half/full day; This is an unguided, independent activity; Entrance fees, transfers and meals are not included; Fitness level: easy; Please note that some sections require walking; Please wear comfortable shoes; Advance booking recommended for Skytree; Depending on your personal itinerary, weather conditions, and time available to you, it may not be possible to do all recommended activities)

Watch a Sumo training session in Tokyo. Head to the sumo stable in Ryogoku district, the center of Japan’s sumo world, in the morning. Meet your guide and collect your earphones before entering the stable, known as heya in Japanese. Take your seat to watch the different training activities, starting with a warm-up followed by technique practice. Since silence is paramount during the session, your guide will explain the various rituals and customs and provide insightful commentary solely over your earphones. Notice the lower-ranked rikishi doing household chores, such as cleaning and cooking, while higher-ranked wrestlers prepare for their next match, The highlight of the training session is a game of ‘King of the Castle’, in which two wrestlers spar until one is finally defeated. After the session is over, enjoy a photo session with some of the rikishi. Finally, return to your accommodation with unforgettable memories of this important Japanese tradition. (Duration: 1 hr; Time: 0930 & 1040 hrs; Shared activity; No transfers; Meals are not included; Fitness level: easy; Please be at the meeting point 10 minutes before the starting of the tour; Please note that once inside the sumo stable, you must remain seated in your chair and avoid speaking and eating, though drinking is allowed; Please carry a portable fan if you are visiting in the hottest months; Please note that sumo stable trainings follow an irregular schedule, so in rare cases there may be a last-minute schedule change or cancellation; Not available on Sundays)

We are organizing tickets for you to visit Tokyo’s teamLab Planets, which is a unique museum with mind bending art installations, massive spaces and gardens. Walk barefoot into the water area and experience artwork in myriad unusual ways. For instance, walk into a drawing of hundreds of colorful koi fish swimming on the water surface, which seems to stretch into infinity. As you wade through the water and collide with the koi, they change direction and turn into flowers. Similarly, venture into an interactive space with a limitless crystal universe. It is a singular experience all together. Space, time and your sense of being all collapse as you pass through the falling universe of flowers and other three-dimensional spaces. The floating flower garden is also an infinite, three-dimensional space filled with masses of flowers all around you, including the space above. The moss garden contains solidified masses of colored light, stretched out to the horizon, which change hues depending on the time of day. There are plenty of immersive artworks and exhibition spaces here to keep you engaged for hours. (Duration: half day; Time: 1100 hrs; Self-explore activity; No guide; No transfers; Tickets only; Fitness level: easy; No shoes allowed; Depending on your personal itinerary, weather conditions, and time available to you, it may not be possible to do all recommended activities)

Sample flavorful ramen at various restaurants across Tokyo on this curated experience. At the scheduled time, meet your local guide and travel to interesting and vibrant neighborhoods. Along the way, gain insight into the history and cultural significance of ramen noodles. Explore each locality on foot and stop at a total of three different eateries to try distinctive varieties of ramen such as smoky Hokkaido ramen, creamy tonkotsu ramen and savory curry ramen. At each food spot, tuck into two mini bowls of ramen from the compact yet customizable menus that ensure that there is something to suit every palate. After the tour ends, you could continue to explore on your own for a while, before making your way back to the hotel. (Duration: 3 hrs; Time: 1400/1530/1700/1830 hrs; Shared activity; No transfers; Meals included: two mini bowls of ramen each at three restaurants, one drink; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; This activity is not recommended for vegetarians; Fitness level: easy; Please note that the total walking distance is approx. 2 mi.; The itinerary is subject to change due to closures, seasonal availability, dietary accommodations or other unforeseen circumstances; Min age: 10)

Experience Japanese culture and traditions by participating in a tea ceremony and learning the art of origami. At the scheduled time, make your way to the machiya, a traditional wooden house, for the immersive experience. Enjoy a tour of the house and learn about its architecture and history. After, change into a kimono, the full length traditional Japanese garment. Meet with a tea master and participate in the elaborate tea ceremony. Watch and learn as the master brews and serves tea using slow, deliberate movements steeped in spirituality and ritual. Try a cup of the tea paired with local sweet treats. Later, under the guidance of an artist, take part in an introductory course in origami, the Japanese art of paper folding. Pick up tips and techniques to create beautiful decorations with simple pieces of paper. Once the experience ends, return to your hotel with a better understanding of Japanese culture. Alternatively, continue to explore more of the city on your own. (Duration: 2 hrs; Time: 0930/1230/1500 hrs; Shared activity; Group size: max 10 ppl; No transfers; Fitness level: easy; Entry fees included; Please provide details such as height and gender to ensure a properly fitting kimono can be arranged)

Immerse yourself in Kyoto’s geisha world during this guided walk. In the evening, make your way to the designated point and meet your guide. Together, step into the lantern-lit lanes of an enchanting geisha district. First, see the wooden teahouses where the traditional entertainers welcome their clients. Along the way, your guide will offer insights into their history and customs. If you are lucky, you might see an elegantly dressed geisha or a maiko, a geisha-in-training, glide by. From there, make your way to the Higashiyama district to see the grounds of a grand Buddhist temple. Next, visit a Shinto shrine where locals perform an interesting ritual. Following this, take in views of the nearby Yasaka Pagoda, an architectural gem that dates back to the 15th century. Make a final stop in North Gion, where the Tatsumibashi Bridge arches over the tranquil Shirakawa River. Here, your guide will point out former homes and schools of young maiko, and share the story of a real-life apprentice whose life inspired the film ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’. After, continue to sightsee on your own or walk to Gion-Shijo Station to catch a train back to your hotel. (Duration: 2 hrs; Time: 1730 hrs; Private activity; No transfers; Meals are not included; Fitness level: easy; Please wear comfortable walking shoes; The route may be adapted or shortened for guests with mobility issues; Seeing a geisha or maiko is not guaranteed; The tour may be cancelled in case of extreme weather; This tour is not available on Sundays, Mondays, Obon festival day & New Year’s day)

Spend a day exploring historic Nara City, Japan’s 8th-century capital. Meet your guide at your Kyoto hotel in the morning before traveling to Nara City by public transport. On your arrival, head to Isui Garden, one of Nara’s most beautiful gardens. Soak in the view of Mt. Wakakusayama in the background as you explore the garden. Stop for a cup of tea and sweets at a teahouse before walking to Todaiji Temple. Cross the temple compound and enter the Daibutsu-den building, said to be the largest wooden building in the world. Inside, you will find a 15-metre tall Buddha image. Continue on to Nara Park, where you can spot grazing deer, and from there into the backstreets. Pass shops and houses on your way to Kasuga Taisha, Nara’s most sacred Shinto shrine. Admire the shrine’s famous bronze and stone lanterns that hang from the roof. Then, walk through the Naramachi district, which is full of restaurants, cafes, boutiques and traditional inns. Along the way, your guide will point out the many shopfronts that are built in the machiya style, which gives the district its unique aesthetic. Afterwards, return to Kyoto by train. (Duration: full day; Time: 0900 hrs; Private activity; Shared transfers by public transport; Travel time to activity: 1 hr; All entry fees are included; Meals included: yes; Please inform us of any allergies in advance; Fitness level: easy; Please note that on Tuesdays Isui garden is closed, and you will visit Yoshikien garden instead)

Explore Kyoto’s cultural heart on this intimate excursion. Your guide will meet you at your hotel. Together, board a train and travel to Sanjusangendo Temple. Once you reach, step inside to see a display of 1001 life-sized, golden Buddhist statues, each with a uniquely carved face. Then, take a cab ride to Kiyomizudera Temple. Stroll down a charming street dotted with traditional shops and tea houses. Once you reach, admire the beautifully painted pagoda. From the iconic wooden stage, which juts out over the hillside, take in sweeping views of Kyoto below. Continue to Kenninji, an ancient Zen Temple to view delicate ink paintings of serene landscapes. Look up to find a dragon mural spanning the entire ceiling of the main hall. Then, step outside to explore the Zen rock garden. If you have the time, wander through Gion, the historic geisha district. Finally, part ways with your guide and continue discovering the city at your own pace. (Duration: 4 hrs; Time: 0900/1300 hrs; Private activity; Shared transfers by public transport; Entry fees included; Meals are not included; Fitness level: easy; Please wear comfortable walking shoes)

If you have the time and the weather allows it, we recommend exploring one or more of these attractions in Kyoto. Start your day with a visit to Sagaogurayama Tabuchiyamacho bamboo grove. Enjoy a stroll down the path that is bordered by towering bamboo stalks. You could even hear the bamboo ‘sing’. Next, head to northern Higashiyama where you will find the Philosopher’s Path, also known as Tetsugaku-no-michi. Running alongside a cherry tree-lined canal, this scenic path is about 1.2 miles and is a popular spot for viewing cherry blossoms during the season. The area is also home to quite a few small temples such as Honen-in, as well as cafes and eateries. You could then head to the historic Gion district, the hub of geisha culture in the city. Stroll down the lantern-decked streets of Hanamikoji and Shimbashi-dori to see the well-preserved traditional machiya wooden townhouses. At the 400-year-old Nishiki Market, known as ‘Kyoto’s Kitchen’, you could sample local specialties such as yuba, tofu skin, and fresh seafood. There is also Okochi Sanso Garden, with its matcha tea houses, and the sprawling Kyoto Gyoen National Garden in the midst of the Imperial Palace. (Duration: half/full day; This is an unguided, independent activity; Entrance fees, transfers and meals are not included; Most places are easily accessible from city center hotels, in case your hotel is away from city center you might need to self-organize a taxi for transfers; Depending on your personal itinerary, weather conditions and time available to you, it may not be possible to do all recommended activities)

Here are our recommendations on what to do in Osaka: Discover the wonders of Osaka, a port city on Honshu Island. Begin exploring at the 40-story twin towers of Umeda Sky Building. Atop this skyscraper is the 360-degree circular roof, known as the Floating Garden Observatory. Then, stroll across the Sendannokbashi Bridge to Nakanoshima, which is peppered with water bodies and green landscapes. This area is home to art museums and the Osaka City Central Public Hall, a Renaissance Revival-style edifice. Opposite, is The Museum of Oriental Ceramics. It boasts one of the world’s finest collections of East Asian ceramics including porcelain from ancient China and Korea. Continue onward and walk through the Nakanoshima Rose Garden, which features pathways lined with about 3,700 rose bushes. Your next stop is Osaka Castle, which is a reconstruction of the original castle tower that was built by Toyotomi Hideyori in 1597. Round off your day, with a walk amid the neon-lit splendor of the Minami neighborhood, the city’s trendy enclave for shopping and dining. Relish local delicacies, while appreciating the unusual plastic food models that adorn the restaurants. End the day during a visit of Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan offers you a chance to marvel at the spectacular marine life of the Pacific Rim, from the Great Barrier Reef to the Arctic. Home to 30,000 creatures and 620 species in all, each of the aquarium’s colossal viewing tanks re-creates one of the Pacific Ocean’s astonishingly diverse habitats and ecosystems. (Duration: Half day or Full day; This is an independent, unguided activity; Transfers, entrance fees & meals are not included; Fitness level: easy; Choose from our recommendations what suits your interests & pace. Please note that you may not be able to do all our recommended activities)

Treat your tastebuds on this food tour in Osaka. Meet your expert food guide at the appointed place in the evening. Set out together for a restaurant that serves either tempura or kushi katsu, fried skewers of meat and vegetables. Your guide will explain the big role fried food plays in Osakan cuisine and why it makes for the perfect start to your evening. From there, head to a restaurant that specializes in wagyu beef, widely admired for its quality and taste. Pair your meal with a refreshing cocktail. Then, follow your guide down the backstreets to a small teppanyaki restaurant. Sample some of their delicious gyozas, dumplings filled with meat and vegetables, and try Osaka-style okonomiyaki pancakes cooked on a metal plate right in front of you. Afterwards, explore the neighborhood on your own or return to your hotel. (Duration: 3 hrs; Time: 1700 hrs; Shared activity; Group size: 2-8 ppl; No transfers; Meals included: snacks & drinks; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Please note that alternative options in case of food allergies may not be available at some traditional izakayas, so this tour is not recommended for those with a serious or severe food allergy; Please note that venues and menu items are subject to change due to closures, seasonal availability, dietary accommodations, or other unforeseen circumstances; Fitness level: easy; Please note that in Japan, you are still allowed to smoke in some small restaurants and bars, and many traditional izakayas do not have properly separated non-smoking rooms; Please note that the tour may be cancelled in case of extreme weather; This tour is not available on Tues; Min age: 13)

Explore Osaka’s main attractions on this half-day tour. Your guide will meet you at your hotel and take you by public transport to Osaka Castle, the site of the 1615 Siege of Osaka Castle, a pivotal battle in Japan’s history. While the original wooden castle no longer exists, you will explore the modern reconstruction. Wander the wide courtyards where samurai battled, and browse the historic artefacts in the in-house museum. The topmost floor of the castle offers panoramic views of the city. After, take a short subway ride to the Shinsekai district to see the Tsutenkaku tower, a reconstruction project that revitalized the district. Follow your guide down the narrow streets and maybe try some street food. Proceed to the 12th-century Isshinji Temple, which features a thousand golden statues and six large ‘Bone Buddhas’ made from the ashes of devotees. Take a short walk through a nearby historic garden to Abe no Harukas, Japan’s tallest building. Head up to the viewing platform, located 300 m above Osaka, for stunning views. Finally, return to your hotel or continue to explore the city on your own. (Duration: 4 hrs; Time: 0900 or 1400 hrs; Private activity; Shared transfers by public transport; Meals are not included; Fitness level: easy)

Discover the Japanese art of kintsugi. The practice involves repairing broken pottery with lacquer and precious metals. However, since lacquer usually takes months to fully set and dry, you will use fast-drying resin instead. Make your own way to the workshop, which is about a 10-min walk from Osaka’s Kyobashi Station. Meet your kintsugi instructor and the assistant who will translate the instructions into English for you. After a short lesson on the history and meaning of kintsugi, you will begin the process. Browse the selection of broken bowls and plates and pick one that appeals to you. Then, reassemble the ceramic and glue the pieces into place with resin. Once the resin has dried, it is time to file it down to a smooth surface. This is slow work, but also meditative for those with an eye for detail. Finally, highlight the repaired crack with a thin line of gold paint. Your instructor will then carefully pack the finished piece for you to take home before you head back to the station. (Duration: 2.5 hrs; Time: 1500 hrs; Available on Thurs, Fri & Sat; Private activity; No transfers; Meals are not included; Fitness level: easy; Please note that this activity may not be available on some specific dates due to the instructor having prior commitments)