Ancient Zen Legends of Japan

Discover some of the prominent attractions of Japan’s capital city. In the morning, your guide will meet you at your hotel and take you to Meiji Jingu shrine via public transport. Once you reach, pass through the impressive torii gates leading to an inner forest of over 100,000 trees. A popular venue for traditional weddings, the shrine is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken. Next, head to Harajuku, a bustling area known for its quirky fashion stores and colorful street art. Explore the streets lined with avant-garde boutiques and shops that cater to various subcultures. Also on the itinerary is the upscale Omotesando Avenue, often called the Champs-Elysees of Tokyo. This tree-lined street is a luxury shopping destination filled with premier designer brands and numerous dining venues. After lunch, head to the beautiful Korakuen Garden, an excellent example of Japanese garden design. The last stop of the day is the historic Asakusa district, which offers a glimpse into the traditional side of the metropolis. See Senso-ji, Japan’s oldest Buddhist temple, with its five pagodas and massive gates. Enjoy a stroll along the lively Nakamise Street, with stalls selling local snacks, souvenirs and handicrafts, leading to the temple. After the tour concludes, your guide will take you back to your hotel. Or, you can continue discovering the city on your own. (Duration: 8 hrs; Time: 0900; Private activity; Shared transfers by public transport; Travel time to activity: 1 hr; Meals included: yes; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Fitness level: easy; Entrance fees included)

Discover the essence of Japanese cuisine at the Tsukiji Morning Market in Tokyo. Meet your expert food guide outside the market in the morning. Start your culinary exploration with some fresh seafood. Try crab and freshwater eel. You may get the opportunity to grate fresh wasabi root to go with your tuna sashimi. Your guide will also give you tips on how to select the best seafood. Learn about the essential ingredients of Japanese cuisine, such as sesame, nori seaweed and dried katsuo fish flakes, and how to use them in cooking. Enjoy the lively atmosphere and observe chefs and locals perusing the market for their daily produce. Stop to watch chefs prepare tamagoyaki, the classic fluffy Japanese omelet. Then, help yourself to a hot one straight off the grill. Sample the various seasonal fruits on offer and wash them down with a glass of traditional green tea. End your experience on a sweet note with a tasty dessert. Afterwards, say goodbye to your guide and continue to explore the market on your own or head to your next destination. (Duration: 2.5 hrs; Time: 0800/0900 hrs; Private activity; No transfers; Meals included: snacks; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Please note that the overall menu may vary based on seasonal availability and fresh ingredients; Please note that this tour is not suitable for people with a serious or severe food allergy; Please note that if you have mild or moderate food allergies, the restaurants will be informed in advance but there could still be a potential risk of cross contamination, and you will need to sign a waiver in advance; Fitness level: easy; Please note that this tour may be cancelled in case of bad weather; This tour is not available on Wed, Sun & public holidays)

Explore Tokyo’s diverse neighborhoods by bike and get a look at some of the city’s prominent landmarks on this guided outing. At the scheduled time, make your way to Sasazuka to meet your guide. Head to the cycling studio for a bicycle and helmet fitting. Along the way, your guide will tell you about the city’s cycling etiquette and discuss the day’s itinerary. Once you have all your gear, hop on your bike and begin pedaling at a comfortable pace. Leave Sasazuka behind and zip past some fine examples of Tokyo’s urban design. In spring, you are likely to see plum and cherry blossoms bloom, while autumn is the perfect time to view the surrounding trees and foliage in a blaze of color. Stop along the way to take photos of landmarks while your guide tells you about their history. Cycle down the back alleys and local shotengai, or small commercial streets, in trendy localities such as Shimo-Kitazawa. Your route goes past little-known parks and your guide’s favorite hotspots. Take a break from pedaling and pop into a charming cafe, before you travel back to Sasazuka and turn in your cycle. (Duration: 3 hrs; Time: 0900/1400 hrs; Shared activity; Group size: max 4 ppl; No transfers; Starting point: Sasazuka train station; Meals included: snacks and drinks; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Fitness level: moderate, please note that people with physical limitations can participate as long as they have someone to provide assistance; This tour is suitable for all and involves mostly cycling, a bit of walking and light sightseeing; Entry fees, accident insurance, bicycle and cycling equipment such as helmet and gloves included; Total distance covered is about 6.2 mi; The route and itinerary may vary depending on season and interests of the participants; In case of bad weather, the tour may be substituted with a walking tour; Not available on blackout dates in Jan, Feb, Jul & Aug; Min age: 18)

Delve into the world of sumo wrestling during this immersive experience. At the appointed time, make your way to the venue, located in the traditional neighborhood of Asakusa. Once you settle in, an English-speaking former professional wrestler will tell you about sumo wrestling rules and traditions. Gain insight into the sport and its rituals, as well as the daily regimen of the sumo wrestlers. Up next, watch an action-packed sumo match. As the wrestlers spar, munch on Japanese snacks and sample Chanko Nabe, a classic hot-pot meal, a staple in the diet of sumo wrestlers. After, you could even step into the ring and engage in a friendly bout with one of the wrestlers, if you like. Once the experience is over, head back to your accommodation with a better understanding of a significant part of Japanese culture. (Duration: 2 hrs; Time: 1200 hrs, 1500 hrs & 1800 hrs; Shared activity; Guide not required; No transfers; Entry fee is included; Meals included: lunch/dinner & one drink; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Vegetarian option available if requested at the time of booking; Fitness level: easy)

If you have the time and the weather allows it, we recommend exploring the hot springs resort town of Hakone with the 3-day Hakone Free Pass. Issued by Odakyu Railway, this pass can be used across the Odakyu-affiliated public transport system for three consecutive days. It also offers discounts on tickets to museums, galleries and onsens. You could also use the pass to avail discounts at some of the local restaurants. Once you reach Hakone, you could first visit the Open-Air Museum. Browse the collection of more than 1,000 sculptures and works of art by Japanese and international artists. Then, from Gora Station, proceed to Sounzan station by cable car. Continue by ropeway to Owakudani, a volcanic valley with active sulfur vents and hot springs. The next day, you could visit Hakone Shrine, a Japanese Shinto sanctuary from the Heian period, on the shores of Lake Ashi. After, sail on Lake Ashi aboard a pirate ship. As you cruise from Togendai Port to Hakonemachi-ko, take in scenic views. Once you reach, disembark and walk to Hakone Checkpoint, a National Historic Site. In the Hakone Sekisho Museum, watch a video of the barrier’s restoration and browse exhibits of passports, ancient documents and weapons. Later, walk along the stone-paved Old Hakone Highway to the historic Amazake Tea House. Sample their amazake and Chikara Mochi. On your final day, you could make your way to an onsen. Here, rejuvenate your body and mind with a thermal spa session and end your time in Hakone on a relaxing note. (Duration: half/full day; Shared transfers by public transport; This is an unguided, independent activity; Entrance fees and meals are not included; Hakone Free Pass with 3-day validity included; Pass offers unlimited usage of the Hakone Tozan Railway (Odawara-Gora), the Souzan cable car and Hakone Ropeway between Gora to Togendai, the Hakone sightseeing boats on Lake Ashinoko, Hakone Tozan buses and Odakyu buses within the free area, for train station to hotel transfers or vice versa, and Numazu Tozan Tokai buses between Mishima and Moto-Hakone; Shinkansen from Odawara station or Romancecar from Shinjuku at additional cost; Fitness level: easy; Depending on your personal itinerary, weather conditions, and time available to you, it may not be possible to do all recommended activities)

Discover feudal Japan’s best preserved city during this immersive tour. Meet your guide and travel to the many UNESCO World Heritage sites dotting Kyoto. Begin at Kinkakuji Temple, originally built as a villa for the Shogun. It was converted into a Buddhist Temple after his death. Next, discover the magnificent 15th-century Nijo Castle with its beautiful medieval gardens from Japan’s Edo period. Admire the architectural features of the monument, before walking down to the bustling Nishiki Market. Here, treat yourself to delicious local foods and explore the many restaurants and traditional eating houses that line the streets. Sample delicacies such as pickles, dried fish and sushi. Finally, visit the beautiful Arashiyama bamboo grove before wrapping up for the day. (Duration: 8 hrs; Private activity & transfers; Please wear comfortable walking shoes)

Immerse yourself in the intricate art that is a Japanese sado, or tea ceremony. Your taxi will collect you from your accommodation and take you to the tea master’s home. Learn about the roots of the practice and its connections to Zen Buddhism. Discover how the master studied for many years to perfect his artistry. Then, begin the ceremony. Follow the master’s actions as he demonstrates each step in the brewing process. The master will also explain the meaning of each movement so you understand its significance and connection to the whole. Once your tea is ready, turn your attention to the serving ritual, which is steeped in meaning as well. Before you sip your tea, eat some confectionaries to sweeten the tongue. This makes the matcha tea taste milder. After your tea, return to your accommodation with a deeper understanding of this important aspect of Japanese culture. (Duration: 2.5 hrs; Time: 0930, 1100, 1300 & 1530 hrs; Private activity & transfers; Meals included: tea; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Fitness level: easy; Please note that groups of more than 5 ppl will be split into smaller groups)

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)

Immerse yourself in the spirituality of Shingon Buddhism on this journey into the mountains of Wakayama Prefecture. Your guide will pick you up from your hotel in Kyoto or Osaka. Take the express train into the mountains, passing through river valleys and forests. Alight from the train and switch to Japan’s steepest cable car, followed by a bus to Koyasan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a 1,200-year history. The town contains over 100 Shingon Buddhist temples and serves as a reminder of a time when religion governed Japan’s politics and daily life. Your guide will show you the Danjo Garan complex, a collection of temple buildings in the heart of the town. See the majestic altar flanked by huge statues set in the brightly painted Konpon Daito Pagoda. Explore Kondo Hall, a large wooden structure where the priests gather for services. Take a break for a casual lunch before visiting Kongobuji, the sect’s main temple. Admire the temple’s intricately decorated rooms and see the wooden kitchen where meals are still prepared on special occasions. In the mid-afternoon, your guide will escort you to your shukubo, overnight temple lodgings. You can relax in your room, wander the town on your own, or check if the temple offers afternoon meditation sessions or other optional activities. Later in the evening, enjoy a traditional shojin ryori Buddhist vegetarian dinner. After your meal, make your way to TAIRA, a café located directly across from Eko-in Temple on the town’s main street. Check in for your evening group tour of Okunoin Cemetery, Japan’s most storied graveyard. A priest will take you around the cemetery that is the final resting place for priests and samurai and share stories and legends about the place. If you are lucky, you might spot wildlife such as flying squirrels, owls, and fireflies as well. Follow the path to the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi, the founder of Koyasan. The priest will explain Kobo Daishi’s impact on Japanese history and culture and chant a solemn prayer. Following the tour, you can walk back to your temple lodging or take a bus at no additional charge. The next morning you can choose to participate in prayer service at the temple before sitting down to a vegetarian breakfast. Then, explore the town on your own. Browse Reihokan Museum to see its collection of religious artifacts. See the wooden Sanmon Gate, the official entrance to Koyasan that overlooks the river valley below. Visit the golden Tokugawa Mausoleum, the resting place of two early shogun of the Edo Period. Finally, take the bus to the cable car station and descend to the train station for your onward journey. (Duration: 2 Days/1 Night; Private activity on day 1; Self-explore activity on day 2; Private transfers; Travel time to activity: 2.5hrs from Kyoto/1.5hrs from Osaka; Meals included: yes; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; All entry fees are included; Fitness level: moderate, please note people with physical limitations can participate as long as they have someone to provide assistance; Please note that some sightseeing locations may be changed due to religious services and closures; Please note that the evening cemetery tour will operate in light rain, but may be cancelled due to other weather conditions; Please note that for safety reasons, some public transport may stop operating in case of unfavorable weather conditions)

Savor the many culinary delights housed within Tenjinbashi Shotengai, Japan’s longest shopping arcade. Meet your expert food guide outside the McDonald’s in front of Temma Station in the morning. Proceed to explore the arcade, which stretches for 1.55 miles. Start at the wholesale market, where shops sell fruit, vegetables, fish and other specialties. Observe the popularity of Korean food, which plays an important role in Osaka’s modern culinary culture. Head to the main shopping street, where you can sample a variety of snacks. Try Korean sushi, takoyaki octopus dumplings, mochi cakes or tofu pudding. After, enjoy a sit-down lunch at a local restaurant. You will usually have a choice of sukiyaki, shabu-shabu, ramen, tonkatsu or grilled fish. Your guide will also fill you in on the history and evolution of these dishes. Round out your experience with a coffee or green tea latte at a local roaster near Osaka Tenmangu Shrine. Finally, continue to explore the city on your own or return to your hotel. (Duration: 3.5 hrs; Time: 1030 hrs; Shared activity; Group size: 2-8 ppl; No transfers; Starting point: McDonald’s in front of Temma station; Meals included: lunch & snacks; 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; Fitness level: easy; Please wear comfortable walking shoes; Please note that venues and menu items are subject to change due to closures, seasonal availability, dietary accommodations, or other unforeseen circumstances; Please note that the tour may be cancelled in case of extreme weather; This tour is not available on Tues)

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)