The ”Land of the Rising Sun”, Japan is a cultural powerhouse with a long and rich history. We will experience the sights and sounds of Japan – historic temples, beautiful shrines, modern cityscapes, and, of course, the food!
Day One
Overnight: Hiroshima
Konnichiwa and welcome to Japan! We will begin this afternoon with an orientation meeting at our hotel in Hiroshima. Following our orientation we will have our first dinner together where you can get to know your fellow travelers.
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Day Two
Overnight: Hiroshima
After breakfast, we will travel to Miyajima and see the beautiful floating tori gates. This afternoon there is a chance to visit the Genbaku (A-Bomb) Dome and the Peace Memorial Park and Museum, which is a sobering but important part of our history. Tonight we will gather to paint fans with Dr. Lucy.
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Day Three
Overnight: Okayama
Today we bid farewell to Hiroshima and take our first Shinkansen (bullet train) of the tour to Okayama. We will take a brief orientation walk to become familiar with our new neighborhood and then participate in a sashiko and denim workshop. Tonight enjoy an evening to explore Okayama and its delicious food offerings.
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Day Four
Overnight: Okayama
This morning we travel by train and ferry to Naoshima. Naoshima is famous for its art installations and museums. Feel free to explore the island on your own, either by rental bicycle or town bus. Some museums require reservations in advance so, have a think about how you want to spend your time on this beautiful island.
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Day Five
Overnight: Kyoto
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Day Six
Overnight: Kyoto
Today you will visit two of Kyoto’s highlights and UNESCO sights – the Kinkakuji Temple, better known as the Golden Pavilion and the glass-covered Nishiki Market. It’s here that you’ll find a range of Kyoto’s regional specialties like pickled vegetables hidden beneath layers of fermented rice, ornate Kyo-wagashi (Kyoto sweets), Uji green teas, as well as souvenirs, and a renowned hand-crafted knife shop. This afternoon we will participate in a kintsugi workshop. Kintsugi is a traditional Japanese art form that repairs broken pottery by mending fractures with lacquer mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum.
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Day Seven
Overnight: Nagoya
Today we are exploring Ghibli Park. Ghibli Park is a park that represents the world of Studio Ghibli, and the five areas are spread out across the massive grounds of Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park (Moricoro Park).
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Day Eight
Overnight: Tokyo
This morning travel via shinkansen to Tokyo, then start off your capital city experience with a visit to Senso-ji in Asakusa, Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple. Nearby you will discover a great shopping street where you can find a quirky Japanese souvenir or sample some traditional snacks. Learn about the Japanese art of calligraphy in a group workshop and practice how to up your writing skills. Tonight join your group again for our farewell dinner.
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Day Nine
Tour is over after breakfast
Our Japan tour ends after breakfast. Your guide will be on hand to help with transfers to the airport or wherever your adventures take you. Thank you and goodbye!
Our founder Sarah is a professional tour guide, travel writer, and artist with over 20 years of experience leading travelers around the globe. After earning a degree in architecture, she traded the drafting board for a life of adventure, guiding tours and sharing her travel expertise through writing, speaking engagements and media appearances.
A former Rick Steves guidebook researcher and co-author of Rick Steves Sicily, Sarah is also known for her popular packing-focused insights and content helping travelers around the world streamline their journeys. Based in Seattle but often found exploring the world, Sarah brings passion, insight, and a love for culture to every tour she leads.
Price: $5395 (International air not included) per person for a double occupancy room. Single Supplement is $579. We welcome singles and if you do not have a travel partner, please sign up for a single spot. In the event that a roommate is found, your booking can be changed to a double before final payment is due.
Click the Book Now button to start the booking process. Remember, you can save yourself the credit card fees (2.9%) by choosing US Checking Account/ACH instead as your payment method on our booking system.
What’s included: 8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners, and 8 nights lodging in a clean, comfortable, and centrally located hotel. All admissions and fees for group activities. Transport within the tour (including a 7 day JR rail pass) and private guides, tips included.
Deposit Policy: A non-refundable deposit of $600 per person is due upon booking. Please review our terms and conditions for more information.
Tour begins in Hiroshima (HIJ) and ends in Tokyo (NRT or HND).
If you have additional questions please email us at: info@adventureswithsarah.net
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