Japan Past and Present 11 days from $6,850
Immerse yourself in the captivating culture of Japan as you encounter vestiges of its imperial past and the dynamism of contemporary life on a journey to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hakone.
HIGHLIGHTS �
T ake a private tour of Tokyo’s historic Asakusa district, and sample Japanese delicacies on a foodie tour in Kyoto.
� Travel by Japan’s world-renowned bullet train, using your own rail pass during free time.
Step into Kyoto’s geisha district with a private guide to learn about this revered tradition. �
Enjoy an onsen hot springs experience at a ryokan in Hakone. �
The itinerary below is a sample of what’s possible. Your Smithsonian Tailor-Made Journey will be handcrafted just for you. Days 1–3 – Tokyo, Japan Arrive in Tokyo and enjoy time at leisure. The next day, head out on a guided tour of the historic Asakusa neighborhood and the Buddhist temple of Senso-ji. Stroll the Hama Rikyu gardens, then join a private guide for a tasting tour of local cuisine in the vibrant district of Ebisu. During a free day, consider taking the train to the coastal town of Kamakura, replete with Buddhist and Shinto temples and shrines. Days 4–7 – Kyoto Zoom to Kyoto on the high-speed bullet train and set out to explore the surrounding Higashiyama district on your own. Tonight, join a guide for a fascinating tour of Kyoto’s food scene, sampling local specialties
and admiring the artistry of local cuisine. During an unscheduled morning, discover the temples and imperial sites of this culturally rich city, whose entire ancient city has been named a World Heritage site. Later, meet a local expert for a private tour of Gion, the geisha district. As you stroll the cobblestone streets, learn about the life of a geisha, and their role in Japanese culture. In the nearby Shiga prefecture, set on the shores of Lake Biwa, you’re invited into a family home for a cooking lesson and a sukiyaki hot pot lunch. Back in Kyoto late this afternoon, attend a memorable kabuki theater performance. Then take advantage of a free day to discover nearby sites such as Nara or the Fushimi Inari Taisha temple. Days 8 & 9 – Hakone Travel by bullet train to Hakone, set beneath the conical peak of Mount Fuji. Settle into your contemporary ryokan and opt for an onsen hot springs experience. Spend the next day exploring Hakone and its national park from many perspectives. Get an aerial view of this beautiful area from the gondolas of the Hakone Ropeway, and meander among the sculptures of the Hakone Open-air Museum. Take a picturesque train ride into the mountains to the village of Góra, or ride the ferry across the lake. Days 10 & 11 – Tokyo Return to Tokyo by private line train this morning and enjoy free time to soak up the ambiance of Japan’s effervescent capital city before your flight home the next day.
WHERE TO STAY Park Hotel Tokyo A modern hotel infused with Japanese art that begins at the 25th floor of the Shiodome Media Tower. Celestine Gion A tranquil sanctuary of Japanese minimalism set in the heart of the bustling Higashiyama temple area of Kyoto. KAI Hakone A modern ryokan on the banks of the Sugumo River in Sugumogawa Valley, offering both western-style and traditional Japanese rooms and suites, some with their own balconies and openair baths.
33
