The Many Colors of Japan

| October 26 – November 9 2024

This exceptional trip takes us to Japan during the beautiful fall foliage season, where we get to see  different colors in stunning landscapes. But we will also explore the many colors of Japan itself: from the country’s rich history of samurai and shoguns to the modern-day super hi-tec, from zen spirituality to the kawaii pop and manga cultures, and from refined tea ceremonies and private dinners with Geishas in Gion in Kyoto to the pop art of Yayoi Kusama, we will get a true taste of the many layers of this unique county, punctuated with iconic landscapes and gourmet food.
 
We start with a few days in Tokyo and the Mount. Fuji region, then onto the historic village of Tsumago on the Edo-era Nakasendo trail. From there, after a stop at the picturesque village of Shirakawa-Go, a UNESCO World Heritage site, we continue to Kanazawa and a ryokan experience. From there the journey continues to the stunning Kyoto with its many temples, gardens, imperial palaces, and Geisha districts. Next, a day in Nara on the way to a night in Osaka, before proceeding to the last stop in Hiroshima, with a detour to Himeji castle. 

Price Options

Payment & Terms

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Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 October 26Arrival in Tokyo. Transfer and checkin at the Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo Premier Grand.
Day 2 October 27
Tokyo: Begin the Tokyo experience in Asakusa with a walk in Nakamise street leading up to Sensoji temple. Then, a visit to the Samurai Museum, followed by lunch in Akihabra, the gadgets neighbourhood. We continue with a tour of the highlights of the Tokyo National Museum and a visit to the iconic Yayoi Kusama Museum. We return to Shinjuku for a walk in Omide Yokocho, the famous alleyway filled with tiny restaurants and bars for a snack and drink.

Day 3 October 28Tokyo: Start with a walk and tastings around the Tsukuji fish market, then a visit to Zozoji Temple. Next is a walk and lunch in Ginza, before a cultural stop at the Kabuki theatre to watch a portion of this classical theatrical performance. We then switch to the other extreme with a visit to the teamBorderless digital museum, followed by an evening drive around Tokyo and dinner.
Day 4 October 29Tokyo: Begin with a visit to the beautiful Meiji Jingu Gardens and Shrine, then onto Harakuju and the pop culture of Takeshita Street, followed by a walk, some shopping, and lunch in Omotesando. We take a peak into the Nezu Museum and the day ends around 4 PM with a visit to the infamous Shibuya Crosssing. The rest of the day is free for personal shopping and visits, before meeting for dinner.
Day 5 October 30Day trip to the Mt. Fuji area: We will visit several locations offering different views of the iconic mountain: Arakurayama Sengen Park, Lake Kawagushi , Ohishi Park and the Momiji Tunnel, and Yamanakako Lake; The day also includes a trip in a cablecar on the Kachikachi ropeway and will be wrapped up with a visit the Ide Japanese Sake Brewery for a demo and tasting. Return to Tokyo by around 7 PM and free evening.
Day 6 October 31Tokyo: We begin our last day in Tokyo by visiting the fashionable Akasaca Sakas, Tokyo Midtown, and Rappongi Hills and the Mori Art Museum. Lunch in Rappongi before moving to the cool Daikanyama neighborhood to explore the coffee shops and trendy boutiques. We will end the day at around 4 PM to allow for some personal time of exploration.
Day 7 November 1We depart Tokyo in a private bus towards Tsumago-Juku, a picturesque postal village from the Edo era. Checkin at the Fukinomori Onsen Hotel, before a walk on the historical Nakasendo trail exploring the villages of Tsumago and Magome. In the evening, enjoy the onsen at the hotel.
Day 8 November 2We continue the drive towards Kanazawa, with a lunch stop to visit the Wold Heritage village of Shirakawa-Go. Checkin at the beautiful Matsusaki Ryokan to enjoy an authentic experience of sleeping, bathing, and kaiseki dinner.
Day 9 November 3Kanazawa: The Ninjya Temple (Myoryuji Temple); Nagamachi Samurai Family Resident District and the Nomura Samurai house; Kaiseki lunch at Gyokusen-Tei; Kenrokuen Garden; and finish at the Higashi Chaya Geisha House District before taking the shinkansen to Kyoto. Checkin at The Thousand Hotel in Kyoto.
Day 10 November 4Kyoto: The first day of visiting this charming city includes Nijo castle, then moving to Arashiyama where we see the iconic Togetsukyo Bridge, the garden at Tenryuji temple, and the famous bamboo grove. Lunch by the river then Kinkakuji (Golden Temple), the rock garden at Ryoanji Temple, and end by a private Zazen meditation practice with a monk at a Zen monastery.
Day 11 November 5Kyoto: The second day starts at Nishiki Market, then guided walks in Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka towards Gion, the famous historical Geisha district. We will enjoy a private tea ceremony, followed by visits to the Rainbow Moss, Sanjusanendo, and Fushima Inari temples. After some rest at the hotel, enjoy a private dinner with two Geishas at a teahouse in Gion.
Day 12 November 6Nara: Depart Kyoto by private bus and drive towards Nara. Visit the deer park and the various UNESCO World Heritage temples there, including Kasugataisha Shrine and the great Buddha at Todaiji temple. Lunch in Nara before continuing the drive towards Osaka. Checkin at the Candeo Hotel Osaka Namba. Stroll around Osaka by night and a wagyu beef dinner.
Day 13 November 7Take the Shinkansen to Hiroshima. Along the way, stop for a visit of Himeji castle and lunch in the old town. Checkin at the Hilton Hiroshima.
Day 14 November 8Hiroshima: The Peace Memorial Park and Museum, followed by a visit to Miyajima island and Itsukushima Temple. Lunch (oysters?) on the island before returning to the city.
Day 15 November 9Take the shinkansen back to Tokyo airport and departure.

Price Options

USD 8580 on a double occupancy basis.

USD 10580 on a single occupancy basis.

Price Includes:

  • Accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis in the following hotels:

Keio Paza Hotel Tokyo Premier Grand

Hotel Fukinomori – Nagiso

Matsusaki  Ryokan & Onsen – Kanazawa

The Thousand Kyoto

Candeo Hotel Osaka Namba

Hilton Hiroshima

  • All private guided visits
  • All entrance fees to museums, temples, gardens
  • Private bus charters in Tokyo, Tsumago, Kanazawa, Kyoto, and Hiroshima
  • All public transportation (except taxis when needed)
  • A private tea ceremony in Kyoto
  • A private dinner with Geishas in Kyoto
  • A private Zazen practice with a Buddhist monk
  • Japan Rail Pass for shinkansen trains

Price Does Not Include:

  • Lunches and Dinners. See note about meals below
  • Taxis when needed. See note on transportation below
  • International air tickets
  • Visa procurement and costs
  • Travel insurance
  • Any expenses of a personal nature
  • Tipping

Meals:

Due to the big variety in meals and their prices, the varying preferences of guests, and to maximize flexibility, the cost of lunches and dinners has been excluded.  During the day tours, there will always be a reserved restaurant for lunch that can be settled on the spot, and there will also always be recommendations and reservations for dinners. However, these are optional to allow guests to skip dinners or go to a place of their own choosing.

However, 3 special dinner are included: the dinners are the Fukinomori Onsen Hotel, the Matsusaki Ryokan, and the special dinner with Geishas in Kyoto.

Transportation:

All transportation during the tours is included. This is going to be mainly in private chartered buses, except for two days in Tokyo where public transportation will be used as it will be more convenient  to the itinerary of those two days. Private chartered buses and shinkansen trains will be used for travel between cities. All other transportation particularly in the evenings for optional dinners and personal activities will be by taxi, and is not included in the price.

Payment and Terms

Trip Status: Open for Reservations

Group Size: Minimum 10   Maximum 14  Guests

Payment Options

All guests:

1- Cash payment in USD, or

2- Bank transfers to a bank outside Lebanon (please enquire about bank details)

Terms

To book, a downpayment of $2500 is requested.

A second payment of $2500 is requested by June 15.

A third payment of $2500 is requested by August 15.

A final balance payment is requested by Sept 30.

The downpayment is fully refundable as long as the minimum group size (10) has not been reached. After that:

A $500 penalty is the cancellation is before August 15.

A 30% penalty if the cancellation is between August 16 and September 15.

A 50% penalty if the cancellation is between September 16 and October 15.

A 75% for cancellations after October 15.

As always, every effort will be made to find replacement guests and/or reduce penalties.

For All Enquiries:

Email Us: findmygoat@findthegoattravel.com

Phone/ WhatsApp: +9613094054

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For All Enquiries:

Email Us: findmygoat@findthegoattravel.com

Phone/ WhatsApp: +9613094054

Newsletter Signup

Like Us on Facebook

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