Gardens & Traditions of Japan

Day 1 : Tokyo

On arrival at Tokyo’s Narita Airport, you will be welcomed by your English speaking assistant. They will transfer you to your hotel by Narita Express rail service and local taxi.

Day 2 : Tokyo

Today you have a full day tour with your guide using public transport and local taxi. Enjoy a bonsai making experience for 1 hour (shared with other guests), followed by a visit to The Sumida Hokusai Museum, dedicated to ukiyo-e woodblock print artist Katsushika Hokusai. In the afternoon, visit Asakusa to see the temple and stroll the atmospheric Nakamise shopping street. Finish the day with a visit to Kappabashi Kitchenware Street, where local chefs buy everything from knives and ceramics to the ultra-realistic plastic models of food seen in restaurant windows.

Day 3 : Tokyo > Kinosaki Onsen

Today you can prepare a smaller overnight bag for your stay in Kinosaki Onsen, and your main luggage will be sent by overnight transfer to your Tamatsukuri Onsen ryokan. This morning you will be transferred by local taxi to Tokyo Station. Travel by bullet train to Kyoto, where you will be met and assisted as you transfer to your onward train to Kinosaki Onsen. On arrival, transfer by shuttle service to your ryokan. The rest of your day is free at leisure to enjoy soaking in the hot spring waters and strolling the streets of this charming classic onsen town. Later, enjoy an elaborate Kaiseki dinner at your ryokan.

Day 4 : Kinosaki Onsen

Today is at your leisure to enjoy this historic hot spring resort and immerse yourself in Japanese onsen culture. There are seven public baths in the town, and foot baths can also be found in many locations. Dinner is included at your ryokan tonight.

Day 5 : Kinosaki Onsen > Tamatsukuri Onsen

Today transfer to the station by your ryokan’s shuttle, and then travel by train to Tottori. After a break to allow time for you to sample a local lunch, continue by train to Izumoshi. On arrival, you will be welcomed on the platform by your guide, and taken by private vehicle to Izumo Taisha, one of Japan’s most ancient and important shrines. It is home to the country’s largest shimenawa, a sacred rope made of straw, and the god Okuninushi is said to reside here. Afterwards, you will be taken to your ryokan in time for your included dinner.

Day 6 : Tamatsukuri Onsen > Matsue > Tamatsukuri Onsen

Start today’s full day tour by private vehicle with a drive to nearby Matsue. Enjoy an indigo dyeing experience at the historic Amano Kouya studio, established in 1870. Cotton, hemp and silk are still dyed indigo here using traditional techniques. Your next stop is at the Adachi Museum of Art and its celebrated garden. Founder Adachi Zenko hoped that visitors would be inspired by the museum’s magnificent Japanese style garden to view the many paintings by Yokoyama Taikan with a renewed sense of appreciation. The museum also houses a large collection of 20th century paintings and artworks which are rotated seasonally.

Continue to the Yuushien Japanese garden, located in the centre of Daikonshima Island. Created by Kadowaki Sakae it features a variety of seasonal flowers as well as several traditional landscape garden elements. The garden is most famous for its collection of 250 types of Japanese peony flowers, planted with carefully planned timing to allow visitors to see the flowers year-round in dedicated indoor and outdoor displays. Return to your ryokan for another included dinner.

Day 7 : Tamatsukuri Onsen > Matsue > Okayama

Today you can prepare a smaller overnight bag for your stay in Okayama, and your main luggage will be sent by overnight transfer to your Kyoto hotel. Your day begins with a half day tour of Matsue with your guide using private vehicle. See Matsue Castle, a National Treasure and the region’s only intact and original castle. Next, enjoy a 50 minute Horikawa sightseeing boat ride and learn about the city’s history and culture as you navigate the moats around the castle.

Afterwards, stroll through Shiomi Nawate Street, which runs alongside the northern moat of the castle. The highest-ranked samurai lived across the moat within the large castle grounds – time permitting, you may visit one of the samurai residences. Your tour ends at the train station in Matsue in time for your onward train to Okayama. On arrival, make your own way to your hotel.

Day 8 : Okayama > Kyoto

Your morning is free at leisure to independently visit the acclaimed Korakuen Garden, widely known as one of Japan’s best three landscape gardens. Constructed in 1687 by an order of the local feudal lord, this beautiful strolling garden features a large pond, impressive lawns, cherry trees, plum trees, rice paddies and tea rooms. Korakuen also demonstrates the concept of “borrowed scenery”, with nearby Okayama Castle playing a major role in the garden’s background scenery. Afterwards, head to the station and travel to Kyoto by bullet train. On arrival you will be met and transferred by local taxi to your hotel.

Day 9 : Kyoto

Today you have full day tour with your guide using private vehicle. Start at Saihoji, also known as Kokedera or Moss Temple. Constructed during the Nara period by Gyoki, this UNESCO World Heritage site has strongly influenced subsequent Japanese garden design. The two-tiered garden resembles a beautiful green carpet with many subtle shades, and it is estimated to have over 120 varieties of moss.

Next, walk through the Arashiyama area with your guide, visiting Okochi Sanso Villa, the famous bamboo grove, and Tenryuji Temple. After enjoying a Shojin Ryori lunch (traditional Japanese Buddhist vegetarian cuisine), you will have a private ikebana lesson at a machiya (traditional townhouse). Ikebana is also known as kado, or “the way of the flowers”. After learning about the traditional art of flower arranging, you will be returned to your hotel for an evening at leisure.

Day 10 : Kyoto

Enjoy a full day at leisure in Kyoto, known for its Buddhist temples, beautiful gardens and colourful shrines.

Day 11 : Kyoto > Kansai Airport

Today make your own way to Kyoto Station and transfer to the airport by Limited Express train Haruka in time for your onward flight.