Japan: Traditions, Onsens and Mount Fuji

For a day well spent, visit some of Tokyo’s best known landmarks with your local expert! Begin with a trip to the Asakusa locality, well-known for its “shitamachi” or old-world vibe. You can visit the Sensoji temple, a Buddhist temple believed to be Tokyo’s oldest. Adjacent to the temple you will find the Nakamise “dori” or street, where you can taste some traditional snacks if you like. Travel across town to Omotesando and after exploring the ritzy flagship stores and spectacular architecture on the main boulevard. Next, make your last stop at the famous Meiji shrine, dedicated to the spirit of Emperor Meiji. Surrounded by a forested area with 365 species of trees, the shrine is also a popular wedding venue, so don’t be surprised if you come across a bride and groom all dressed up for their big day! (Duration: 5 hrs; Time of the day: 0900 or 1300 hrs; Private Activity; Pick up: Hotel & Drop off: Meiji Jingu; Transfers by public transport; Fitness Level: Moderate)

If you have the time and the weather allows it, we recommend exploring Tokyo’s exciting and eclectic restaurants and cafes. Casual dining options abound around the train stations, entertainment districts and the restaurant floors of department stores. Known as izakaya, these eateries are an excellent place to try local specialties such as yakitori and sashimi paired with beer. Omoide Yokocho, a network of alleys packed with cozy eateries near Shinjuku Station, is one such location. The lively underground restaurant district near Yurakucho Station has plenty of yakitori restaurants as well as international pubs. For fine dining options, head to the upscale Ginza district or the redeveloped Shiodome neighborhood. You will find cosplay-themed maid, butler and pet cafes in the Akihabara and Ikebukuro areas. If you would like fresh sushi for breakfast, check out Tsukiji Outer Market and Toyosu Market. (Duration: half/full day; This is an unguided, independent activity; Entrance fees, transfers and meals are not included; Depending on your personal itinerary, weather conditions and time available to you, it may not be possible to do all recommended activities)

Watch a bout of sumo wrestling, a sport that originated in Japan hundreds of years ago and remains synonymous with the country even today! Visit a restaurant, and feel the tension and anticipation in the air as professional wrestlers grapple with each other. Revel in the competitive spirit of the game, cheering on with the others in the audience. You will have access to seats close to the sumo ring for optimum viewing. Once the bout is over, enjoy a meal of Chanko-nabe hot pot, a protein-rich broth containing plenty of vegetables, chicken and other meat. Some call it the “sumo-stew” as it is the staple food of sumo wrestlers! (Duration: 2 hrs; Afternoon Activity; Self-organized Transfers; Meal included: Lunch; vegetarian option is available if requested in advance; please note that this activity may be subject to last minute changes and cancellations).

Immerse yourself in everything ramen on this food tour in Tokyo. Your expert guide will meet you at your hotel. If you are staying in Shinjuku, most of the ramen shops will be walking distance from your accommodation. If not, travel by public transport to the ramen shops. Your guide will introduce you to two of their favorite ramen shops. As ramen is a working class food, these shops will be fast food places that are known for their food, not their décor. Enjoy a total of four mini-bowls of steaming hot ramen. Learn about ramen’s place in Japanese food culture and why these particular restaurants are among the best in town. You will also discover that each ramen shop has its own specialty, be it the flavor of their broth or the texture of their noodles. Following your tour, your guide will take you back to your hotel. (Duration: 2 hrs; Time: dinner time; Private activity; Shared transfers by public transport; All entry fees are included; Meals included: yes; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Dietary restrictions cannot be accommodated on this tour but a vegan / vegetarian alternative tour exists; Fitness level: moderate, please note that people with physical limitations can participate as long as they have someone to provide assistance)

If you have the time and weather allows it, we recommend visiting Hakone, the original setting of the iconic imagery of Mt Fuji that most of us are familiar with. After breakfast at your ryokan, book a boat ride around the volcanic Lake Ashi. Admire views of the surrounding landscape of mountains, forests and hot springs, dominated by the singular Fujiyama peak. Drop by Hakone Shrine, the Japanese Shinto temple that stands on the lakeshore. See the famous red ‘torii’ gate, Hakone-jinja, that rises from the waters and perfectly frames Mt Fuji in the distance. Then, take the Hakone Ropeway over the volcanic crater of Ōwakudani and visit the hot sulfur springs of Owakudani Valley. Enjoy a lunch of juicy teppanyaki chicken or Japanese beef, over rice, with a bottle of Hakone craft beer at an eatery in town. Later, take a leisurely hike along the hillsides to explore the many museums and galleries. Stop at the Hakone Open-Air Museum with its display of sculptures and art installations by leading Japanese artists as well as masters like Rodin and Henry Moore. Don’t miss the massive Picasso Pavilion. Squeeze in a visit to the Okada Museum of Art, which showcases the art collection of industrialist Okada Kazuo. Admire the intricate Japanese screen paintings, Korean and Chinese pottery on display. Later in the evening, take a walk through the adjoining woodlands and gardens, ending the day with a pot of matcha tea and refreshments at a traditional wooden tea house. (Duration: Half day or Full day; This is an unguided, independent activity; Entrance fees, transfers and meals are not included; 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)

Travel along the Hakone ‘Loop’ to explore the mountain town. In the morning, meet your guide and make your way to Hakone via public transport. On reaching the town, located within Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, take the ropeway from the Gora area to the Owakudani volcano crater. During the gondola ride, enjoy bird’s- eye views of the volcanic landscape comprising active, sulfuric hot springs and the characteristic black soil. In Owakudani, you could sample eggs cooked in the hot springs and believed to have healing properties. Next, hop into an elegant boat to enjoy a leisurely cruise on Lake Ashi, a caldera lake. On a clear day, you may be able to take in beautiful views of Mount Fuji. (Duration: 6 hrs; Time: 1030 hrs; Private activity; Shared transfers (public transport); Pick up: Hotel & Drop off: Hotel; Fitness level: moderate, please note that people with physical limitations can participate as long as they have someone to provide assistance; Entrance fees included; The order of the itinerary may vary; Please note that the visibility of Mount Fuji is weather dependent and the best chances of viewing it are from November to March)

Explore the famous shrines of Kyoto, some of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites. At the scheduled time, meet your guide and travel by public transport to the attractions on your itinerary. Begin with a visit to Kinkakuji Temple, a Zen shrine known for its stunning gold leaf-covered façade. Overlooking a large pond and surrounded by lush vegetation, this temple makes for a picturesque sight. Next, stop by Ryoanji Temple, which is home to one of the most famous Zen rock gardens in the country. There is a pond, a network of walking trails, and a restaurant on the grounds. You will then visit Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, built to appease a vengeful spirit. Located in the Kamishichiken district, the oldest geisha neighborhood of the city, this temple is popular with students. (Duration: 4 hrs; Time: 0900 or 1300 hrs; Private activity; Pick up: Hotel & Drop off: City centre; Shared transfers (public transport); Fitness level: moderate, please note that people with physical limitations can participate as long as they have someone to provide assistance; Please wear comfortable walking shoes)

Start early on this leisurely hike to one of the most famous shrines in Japan, immortalized in Memoirs of a Geisha. Walk along the ten thousand vermilion-colored gates known as Senbon Torii that line the road leading to the main shrine. Leave the crowds behind as you continue your hike to the top of Mount Inari. Savor glimpses of the many sub-shrines that line the trail with their smaller torii gates and statues of foxes. Capture stunning images of the landscape from vantage points as you walk up. Keep an eye out for wild animals such as snakes, boars, and monkeys as you hike along. (Duration: Half day or Full day; Self-explore activity; Transfers, entrance fees and meals are not included; Fitness Level: Moderate. Do wear clothing and footwear suitable for hiking. Do not attempt to touch or feed any wildlife along the way.)

Japanese cuisine has been declared a UNESCO Intangible World Heritage for good reason, cooked as it is with the freshest ingredients and masterful techniques. Get an overall idea about Japanese cooking styles from your chef in this cooking class designed for a small, intimate group. Learn how to prepare Bento style boxed meals under the expert guidance of your host chef. Cook Kyoto’s signature Shokado bento, a delicious spread that includes delectable bites of tempura, miso soup, egg roll, chicken teriyaki, sesame spinach salad and sushi. The greatest treat awaits you at the end of the class, when you get to taste your own Bento box! (Duration: 3 hrs; Shared Activity & No Transfers; Meal included: Lunch; Fitness Level: Easy; Please inform about any dietary restrictions in advance).

Learn the way of the sword! This is your opportunity to come face to face with the history and lifestyle of the feared samurai warriors of ancient Japan. Study the Bushido code they lived by, learn about the strict requirements of etiquette and honor they survived under and take up your katana, the famous samurai sword, to learn the basics of Kenbu, the highly stylized sword dance that samurai used in practice as a concentration tool, under the watchful eyes of a proficient Kenbu master. (Duration: 2.5 hrs; Time: 1445 or 1615 hrs; Shared Activity; Transfers not included; Fitness level: Easy)

Here are our recommendations on what to do in Nara on your own: Take in the sights and sounds of Japan’s first permanent capital at your own pace. You could begin the day with a leisurely stroll around the historic Nara Park that is home to iconic landmarks. Visit Todaiji Temple, which houses the country’s largest bronze statues of the Buddha. Walk around Daibutsuden Hall and see the numerous smaller Buddha idols. Stop at the museum on the premises and browse the collection of religious art. Nearby is the Kasuga Taisha shrine, distinguished by its sloping roof and famed for the hundreds of bronze and stone lanterns donated by worshippers. Later, check out Kofukuji Temple, with its five-storied pagoda, and the exquisite collection of Buddhist art at the National Treasure Museum. Then, make your way to the Nara National Museum to see more displays of Buddhist scrolls, paintings and ceremonial objects. The sprawling Nara Park is also home to over 1,000 free-roaming deer that are considered sacred. You could make time to feed them special crackers that are available for sale around the park. The city’s erstwhile merchant district of Naramachi and the Yoshikien Garden, with its three uniquely themed Japanese gardens, are also worth visiting. (Duration: Half day or Full day; This is an unguided, independent activity; Transfers, entrance fees, and meals are not included; Fitness level: easy; Choose from our recommendations what best suits your interests and pace; Please note that you may not be able 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. (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)

Discover the gastronomy of the vibrant port city of Osaka, also known as the food capital of Japan. In the early evening, set off to meet your guide at one of the city’s lively food districts. Walk down pedestrian-only streets lined with vibrant eateries and bars. From ramen bars to restaurants, visit the spots most frequented by locals and sample an array of regional snacks. Takoyaki or fried octopus, okonomiyaki, a type of savory pancake, and kushikatsu or skewered meats and vegetables are some of the popular delicacies found here. You could also check out a traditional izakaya bar before it is time to head back. (Duration: 3 hrs; Time: 1700 hrs; Shared activity; Group size: max 8 ppl; No transfers; Meals included: light meal and drink; Entrance fees included; The legal drinking age in Japan is 20; Please note that this being a street food tour, it is not recommended for people with dietary requirements; This tour is not available on Tuesdays; Min age: 13)