Introduction: This model plan, consisting of 6 nights in Kyoto, 2 nights in Takayama, 2 nights in Hakone, and 6 nights in Tokyo, for a total of 16 nights, is the first idea to create a unique plan for you. We will create a one-of-a-kind travel plan based on your preferences and wishes, such as hotels, sightseeing spots, food, cultural workshops and optional tours.
You can also change both the number of days of your trip as well as the destinations. Please inform us if there is something you do not understand.
 We will do our best to meet your requests and to create an unforgettable, once-of-a-lifetime trip to Japan!

DATE	ITINERARY  *all transfer are provided by private car	CULTURAL EXPERIENCES	SIGHTSEEING SPOTS	OPTIONAL TOUR	BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER
First Day	Arrival in Japan, the Land of the Rising Sun Upon your arrival at Itami or Kansai International Airport, you will meet your guide at the arrival lobby and then you will head to Kyoto. Once arrived at the Hotel, your guide will assist you with the check-in procedures and throughout your stay.				Dinner: Restaurant at the Hotel or in your private room
Second Day	Tondaya (Kyoto) Tondaya is a valuable wooden townhouse built more than 130 years ago, which is still in use for living. It is located in Nishijin area, Kyotos famous weaving district. Throughout the year, the proprietress continues to protect Japanese traditions and events held throughout the year such as Oshogatsu (New Year’s Day), Setsubun (literally “seasonal division”, the day before the beginning of spring in the old calendar in Japan) in February, and Hinamatsuri (Girls day or Doll`s day) in March and so on till December. Here you will spend a fun-filled day feeling like a person from Kyoto and the owner will introduce to you various cultural experiences such as ikebana (flower arrangement), tea ceremony, calligraphy, origami, kimono, Japanese-style wedding, private maiko and geisha cultural entertainment and dining (evening only).	Sushi-Making Experience	– Tondaya Wooden Townhouse – Sightseeing spots in Kyoto western area: 2 OPTIONS		Breakfast: Hotel Lunch: Tondaya or at a near restaurant Dinner: Tondaya

Third Day

Arashiyama and Sagano (Western outskirts of Kyoto) Explore the western outskirts of Kyoto! Discover the timeless beauty of Arashiyama and explore Sagano District on a traditional rickshaw while immersing yourself in the emerald green bamboo forest! Sagano is mentioned in a section of “The Tales of Genji”, the first world’s novel written by Murasaki Shikibu, a lady in the Heian Court of Japan. Both Arashiyama and Sagano have been a popular destination since the Heian Period (794-1185), a period featuring lavish culture and graceful poetry, a period when nobles came to their villas to escape from the hustle and bustle of Kyoto in order to enjoy their beautiful natural surroundings during the spring and the fall season. Enjoy also Yakatabune, a Japanese-style cruise on the river Hozugawa while tasting wagashi confectionery and tea as nobles in the Heian Period did.

– Yakatabune experience –Arashiyama Ukai Cormorant Fishing experience

– Sagano – Arashiyama –Sightseeing spots in Arashiyama: 2 OPTIONS

Lunch: Shigetsu: Tenryu-ji’s Zen Vegetarian Restaurant Break: Fukuda Art Museum café (Arashiyama) Dinner: Tempura Endo Yasaka-Gion (Kyoto)

Fourth Day

Kyoto (Eastern Area) Experience the traditional and authentic atmosphere of the “Old Kyoto” in Gion, which is Kyoto’s most famous geisha district and renowned for the summer festival Gion Matsuri.  Then, enjoy a peaceful stroll along Kamogawa River during the sunset. Higashiyama is a ward located on the East of Kyoto, renowned for being the best preserved historic districts of the city. This picturesque area is rich in breathtaking temples and shrines such as Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Fushimi-Inari Shrine, beautiful gardens, machiya traditional townhouses, vintage-style streets lined up with many shops and cafes.

Kyoto Eastern Area

Breakfast: Hotel Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant in Higashiyama Area Break: Salon de Royal Dinner: Shabu-Shabu at Mishima Hontei (10-min walk from Salon De Royal)

Fifth Day

Uji (Kyoto) and Nara Discover the historical cities of Uji and Nara, Kansai’s most popular locations! Uji, famous for its high-quality tea, is located in southern Kyoto, and if you go just a little further south, there is Nara, the first capital of Japan from 710 to 794. Admire the breathtaking Byōdō-in Temple and have a walk over Uji Bridge, one of the most romantic spots in Kyoto since mentioned in the “Tale of Genji”. See firsthand Horyu-ji Temple, worlds’ oldest wooden building, and experience a unique encounter with cute “messengers of Gods”, the polite bowing deers at Nara Park.

Uji Tea Experience

– Uji – Nara

Breakfast: Hotel Lunch: Steak House Nagomi Restaurant (Nara) Dinner: Okonomiyaki (Japanese Savory Pankake) at Gion Tanto (Kyoto)

Sixth Day	Upon your preferences, you can choose between spending a relaxing day at your leisure or participate in our workshop or in our cultural experiences.	– Uchikake Kimono Wearing Experience – Gold Leaf Decoration Experience – Mochi Pounding Experience – Japanese-Style Book Making Experience – Samurai Armor Wearing Experience – Zazen Meditation Experience – Geisha Entertainment Experience – Kyo-Yaki, Kyoto Pottery Making Experience		Please click here for more information about the optional plans
Seventh Day	Gujo 1) Enjoy a one-day trip to Gujo from Kyoto, famous for its unique “Gujo Odori”, one of the largest summer dance festival in Japan dating back over 400 years ago. Best known for Gujo Castle also called “the Castle in the sky” and for being the leading producer of food replicas in the country, this town has a lot to offer. It features two nicknames, the first one is  “Little Kyoto” of Gifu since it is rich in history, shrines and temples; the second one is “Water City”, thanks to its clear historical waterways and fountains.	Food Replica Experience	Gujo		Breakfast: Hotel Lunch: Local Restaurant Dinner: Kaiseki Ryori at Ryokan (a multi-course dinner at a traditional Japanese Inn)
	Mino and Seki Learn and experience Seki blades, the city of cutlery and Mino, the city of washi Japanese paper and udatsu!	– Seki Sword-Making Experience – Mino Washi Papermaking Experience	– Seki – Mino		Breakfast: Hotel Lunch: Local Restaurant Dinner:

Eighth Day

Takayama and Shirakawa-go Village Come to Takayama City and Shirakawa-Go Village, and travel back in time and explore the rural Japan! Takayama, which literally means “High Mountain”, is a little mountain village located in Gifu Prefecture. It is nicknamed “Little Kyoto in the Alps” and it is the perfect place if you want to experience the Japanese rural lifestyle while enjoying the beautiful nature around. Thanks to its isolated position, Takayama preserved its timeless atmosphere, giving you the feeling of a travel back to the Era of Samurai. Moreover, it is only one hour far from the picturesque Shirakawa-go Village, famous for its gassho-tsukuri farmhouses and for its untouched magical atmosphere and environments.

Sake Brewery Tour and Tasting

Takayama and Shirakawa-Go Village

Breakfast: Ryokan Lunch: Takayama Ramen Dinner: Hida Beef at “Shuntei” Restaurant

Ninth Day

Hakone (Glass-no-Mori Venetian Glass Museum) [Are you ready for taking the skies and admiring the breathtaking view of the Japanese Alps and Mt. Fuji from above? ] A helicopter will take you till Hakone, an area blessed with hot spring thanks to its geological activity located in the western Kanagawa Prefecture. How about experiencing a bit of Italy in Japan? If you like the romantic atmosphere of Venice, then you will enjoy Hakone “Glass-no-mori Venetian Glass Museum”, located in Sengokuhara, a famous district in Hakone in the northern part of the Hakone Caldera. In this amazing complex you can taste luxury dinings while listening to live canzone (Italian songs). Sengokuhara is famous for its museums, pampas grass field, which one of the most popular attractions during autumn in Japan and for giving you one of the best views of Fuji in all of Japan.

Hakone Glass-no-mori Venetian Glass Museum

Please click here for more information about the optional plan

Breakfast: Ryokan Lunch: Italian food at Hakone Glass no Mori Venetian Glass Museum (Sengokuhara) Dinner: Hotel

Tenth Day

Hakone (Ropeway ride and Pirate Boat Sightseeing Cruise) Nowadays Hakone is famous for its natural beauty, volcanic activity and hot springs but did you know that, during the Edo Period (1603-1868), the Tokugawa Shogunate imposed travel regulation on Japanese people and Hakone sekisho (facility for inspection) was one of the four biggest and the strictest checkpoint on the Tokaido highway connecting Tokyo to Kyoto. Nowadays Hakone is famous for its natural beauty and hot springs. Choose one of the proposed ropeway sightseeing rides, each one offering two different kind of amazing landscapes: Hakone ropeway, from where you can admire Hakone Volcanic Crater, Sagami Bay and Gora City or Komagatake ropeway, which panorama features Mt. Fuji, the Pacific Ocean and Tokyo City! Moreover, enjoy also Hakone Shrine and its unique floating red torii gate from a pirate boat while cruising the crystalline waters of Lake Ashi.

Hakone

Breakfast: Hotel Lunch: Local restaurant Dinner: Hotel or local restaurant in Komagatake area

Eleventh Day	Morning at leisure and departure to Tokyo
Twelfth Day	Tokyo (eastern area) Explore the eastern part of Tokyo, an area that is proud of its well-preserved traditions! Here you can feel the nostalgic atmosphere of the Edo Period when Asakusa District and its imposing Senso-ji Temple represented Tokyo’s main entertainment district. With the new Skytree Tower, you can experience the influx of youthful energy and enjoy a soaring into the sky and in the evening you can admire the beautiful colors of the sunset reflecting on the waves of Sumida River while cruising it on a limousine boat, which will lead you to Ginza located in the western part of the city where you can enjoy shopping and the mesmerizing atmosphere of the art aquarium museum in Tokyo’s Mitsukoshi Ginza	Sumo experience	Tokyo eastern area	Please click here about the optional plan regarding the choice between the cultural experience and the visit at a sightseeing spot	Experience: Sumida River limousine boat cruise from Asakusa to Shibaura Breakfast: Hotel Lunch: 2 options 1) Soba noodles 2) Unagi (eel dish). Japanese unagi eel is very sweet and tender that it melts in your mouth Dinner: Edomae Sushi

Thirteenth Day

Tokyo fashion districts Be amazed by Harajuku and Shibuya, the most colourful and youth’s fashionable districts of Tokyo! Moreover, the thousands people crossing at the same time the Shibuya Scramble, which is the world’s busiest intersection, will leave you completely mesmerized. How about going shopping while strolling along Omotesando？Omotesando is a glamorous boulevard that runs between Harajuku and Aoyama featuring, as well as Ginza District, stylish streets and luxury brands.

Tokyo Fashion Districts

Please click here regarding the optional plans

Breakfast: Hotel Lunch: Parlour Shiseido (Harajuku) Dinner: 2 Options 1) Tonkatsu (a breaded, deep-fried pork cutlet) at Tonki Restaurant 2) Yakiniku (Japanese barbecue) at Jojoen Tokyo Opera City while enjoying the panorama of Tokyo`s skyscraper buildings.

Fourteenth Day

Tokyo (central area) Explore the center of the city represented by Chiyoda, Chuo and Minato wards! You will sightseeing two stunning palaces, the first one is the ImperialPalace and its East Gardens and the second one is the State Guest House Akasaka Palace, a Neo-Baroque style Western building. Let your visuals senses and taste buds being stimulated by Tsukiji Outer Market, one of the busiest fish market in the world and then move north to Ueno District for a pleasant stroll through Ueno Zoo.

Tokyo Central Area

Breakfast: Hotel Lunch: Sushi Zanmai, one of the most famous franchised Sushi restaurant in Japan Dinner: 2 Options 1) Tonkatsu (a breaded, deep-fried pork cutlet) at Tonki Restaurant 2) Yakiniku (Japanese barbecue) at Jojoen Tokyo Opera City while enjoying the panorama of Tokyo`s skyscraper buildings. 4)Yakitori (grilled chicken served on a bamboo skewer)

Fifteenth Day	Tokyo Upon your preferences, you can choose if you prefer to spend the days at your leisure or join our optional tour.			Please click here for more information about the optional tour
Sixteenth Day	Tokyo Upon your preferences, you can choose if you prefer to spend the days at your leisure or join our workshop.	– Wazuma Japanese magic Appreciation Experience – Edo Wood Block Prints Appreciation Experience
Seventeenth Day	Departure for the U.S.A Have a safe trip the U.S.A. and bring with you once-in-a-lifetime blissful memories during your stay in Japan.