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 two retired professional wrestlers grapple with each other. Revel in the competitive spirit of the game, cheering on with the others in the audience and even try out yourself to push them out of the ring. You will have access to seats close to the sumo ring for optimum viewing. During the bout, 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)

Explore the natural wonderland of Hakone, with the Hakone Free Pass by Odakyu Railway. It provides unlimited use across the Odakyu-affiliated public transport system for two consecutive days. You are also offered discounts on tickets to museums, galleries and onsens, and at restaurants with this pass. Begin at the Hakone Open-Air Museum. It features more than 1,000 sculptures and works of art by Japanese and international artists, including the Picasso Exhibit and Symphonic Sculpture. Then, from Gora Station, proceed to Sounzan 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, cruise on Lake Ashi aboard a Pirate Ship. Journey from Togendai Port to Hakonemachi-ko, while taking in the area’s natural beauty. Disembark and walk to Hakone Checkpoint, a National Historic Site. Here, in the Hakone Sekisho Museum, watch a video of the barrier’s restoration and browse through exhibits of passports, ancient documents and weapons. Walk along the stone-paved Old Hakone Highway to the historic Amazake Tea House. Sample their amazake and Chikara Mochi, before making your way to an onsen. Rejuvenate your body in the thermal spa to conclude your trip to Hakone. (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)

Here are our recommendations on what to do in Kyoto: Set out to see the top attractions of Kyoto, Japan’s cultural capital. Your first stop is the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. While walking inside this dense forest, take a short detour to visit the Tenryu-ji Temple. It is a UNESCO-listed Zen temple complex with historic buildings. Next up, is the Fushimi Inari-taisha, a mountainside Shinto shrine that features a pathway with numerous traditional red gates and fox statues. Then, amble through the ancient Higashiyama quarter, a maze of narrow alleyways, replete with traditional pottery shops and tea houses. Reach the centuries-old Buddhist temple, Kiyomizu-dera, also known as the ‘Temple of the Pure Water Spring’. It is home to the Three Story Pagoda and Otowa Waterfall, a cascade with three streams. While passing through Teramachi Street, shop for antiques, green tea, clothing and items of home décor. At Nishiki Market, sample local specialties like octopus-on-the-skewer and fried meat with pickled vegetables. Later, head to the Gion neighborhood, where you’re likely to come across a Geisha or Maiko, strolling on the wooden Tatsumi Bridge. (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)

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).

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)

Accompanied by a local guide, board a train to Nara, a city replete with several historic treasures that include some of Japan’s oldest temples. Visit the expansive Buddhist temple complex of Todai-ji, the world’s largest wooden building that houses a giant Buddha statue. Nearby, exploring Kasuga Taisha, Nara’s most celebrated shrine punctuated with hundreds of bronze and stone lanterns. Next up, stroll across the adjoining Nara Park, a central green space fringed by various tourist attractions. Here, expect to bump into herds of Nara’s tamed sika deer and feed them special crackers. Finally, head to Fushimi Inari Shrine, most famous for its rows of miniature vermilion torii gates that line the wooded mountain trails around. (Duration: 8 hrs; Time: 0900; Private Activity & Public Transfer; Pick up: Hotel & Drop off: Hotel; Fitness level: Moderate)

Immerse yourself in the art of the Japanese Tea ceremony. Make your own way to the Machiya House, a wooden town house, where the ceremony will be held. Note the ancient Japanese aesthetics and the interior design of the house. Get dressed in a beautiful kimono and sit down on tatami mats before you meet your host, who will demonstrate the ceremonial preparation and serving of the tea. Learn about the various types of tea and the tools used to prepare them. The ceremony is not just about drinking tea but also a spiritual practice that has been influenced by Zen Buddhism. Learn the rituals involved and discover how every movement has a meaning. In the process, you will come to understand what the act of serving tea to guests means in Japan. (Duration: 1.5 hr; Time: 1000/1330 hours; Shared activity; Group size: max 6 ppl; No transfers; Meals included: tea ceremony; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Fitness level: easy; All entrance fees are included; Min age: 5)

Explore the lesser-known alleys of Kyoto by bicycle. At the scheduled time, set off with your guide along the narrow streets of Miyagawacho and Gion, two of the geisha districts of the city. As you pedal down the stone paved paths, you may spot a maiko or a geiko walking past. Continue pedaling along the Shirakawa canal, lined with weeping willow trees, and past traditional Kyoto-style tea houses. Ride all the way to the stately Imperial Palace that is surrounded by beautiful gardens. Cycle along the popular waterfront promenade by the Kamogawa River. In springtime, you will see the picturesque cherry blossoms in bloom. During summer, you can see people dining on the balconies of riverfront restaurants. After zipping around for a little more than a couple of hours, wind up your cycling session at Kyoto Station. (Duration: 3 hrs; Time: 0900/1300 hrs; Private activity; No transfers; Group size: max 6 ppl (larger groups can be split into two); Fitness level: moderate, please note that people with physical limitations can participate as long as they have someone to provide assistance; Min age: 10; Minimum height requirement for children is 39 in; E-bikes available at an additional charge; Based on weather conditions it may be possible to substitute cycling with walking)

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)

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)