Small groups lead to big experiences on this Small Group Discovery tour of Japan. From its heaven-piercing skyscrapers to its heavenly gardens down below, Japan is a feast for mind, body, and soul. From the lush man-made forest surrounding the magnificent Shinto monuments to vibrant nightlife, vintage teahouses, and venerable temples, Tokyo comes to life with spring’s first cherry blossoms and the first catch of the day in its sushi houses. Be whisked away by shinkansen (bullet train) to Nagoya for more adventure, including a traditional sake tasting. Continue to captivating Kyoto where thousands of brightly hued Torii Gates welcome you to the Fushimi Inari Shrine. Step into ancient bliss of the Temple of the Golden Pavilion and (“Zen” some!) with a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Glide into tranquility on the serene waters lapping the shores of Amanohashidate sandbar and ponder the power of nature in Koraku-en Garden. Nature abounds again in Matsue, nicknamed the “City of Water,” where you’ll discover the beauty of the Adachi Museum’s world-renowned gardens and art. Your tour of Japan takes you to the hallowed grounds of Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park and Memorial, preserved just as it was on August 6, 1945. So much history, mystery, and magnificent beauty awaits you on this fascinating Small Group Discovery tour of Japan.
Special features included in this tour:
- Guided tour of Tokyo by subway with visits to Meiji Shrine and Asakusa Temple
- Visit to Nagoya Castle and sake tasting
- Cruise on the Amanohashidate Bay
- Guided sightseeing in Kyoto with visits to Fushimi Inari Shrine and the Golden Pavilion
- Traditional tea ceremony
- Visit to Himeji Castle
- Hands-on pottery experience in Bizen
- Visits to Koraku-en Garden and Bikan Historical Quarter
- Visits to Matsue Castle and Adachi Museum of Art
- Guided sightseeing in Hiroshima with visits to Shukkei-en Garden and Peace Memorial Park
- Ferry to Miyajima Island with visit to Itsukushima Shrine and cable-car ride on Mount Misen
- Japanese cooking class featuring sushi and miso soup
- Lunch featuring Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki
Itinerary
Arrive in Tokyo, Japan
Your Small Group Discovery tour begins!
Welcome to Tokyo, Japan’s capital city. Hotel check-in is available mid-afternoon.
Tokyo
Monumental Metropolis
Hop on Tokyo’s subway system to explore this fascinating city with guided sightseeing, featuring the Meiji Shrine, Asakusa Kannon Temple, and Nakamise shopping arcade. Tonight, join your travel companions at a welcome dinner hosted by your Tour Director.
Enhanced free time
EXPLORE MORE Tokyo has something for everyone so visit one of the city’s unique neighborhoods like Ginza or Shibuya districts, dine at the street food markets, or catch a game at the Tokyo Dome.
Tour highlight
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Exploring Tokyo on the metro starts with a visit to Meiji Shrine, a magnificent 20th-century Shinto monument set in a man-made forest. Then, visit Asakusa Kannon Temple and Nakamise shopping arcade, the oldest of their kind in Tokyo.
breakfast, lunch, dinner
Tokyo - Nagoya - Kyoto
Fourth with a Bullet
Today, travel by shinkansen (bullet train) to Nagoya, Japan’s fourth-largest city. Visit Nagoya Castle, a proud symbol of the city, then enjoy a Globus Local Favorite sake tasting. Later, continue to Kyoto by motorcoach.
Local favorite
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Celebrate with your small group with a sake tasting in Nagoya’s yokocho, traditional Japanese alleyways, today hosting many small restaurants, pubs, and shops.
breakfast
Kyoto - Excursion to Amanohashidate
Cruise by Sand & Sea
Travel outside the city to the stunning coastal region of Amanohashidate. Cruise on the tranquil waters surrounding this picturesque pine-covered sandbar, home to one of Japan’s three most scenic views. Return to Kyoto where your evening is at your leisure.
Enhanced free time
EXPLORE MORE Join your Tour Director for a walking tour through Gion this evening or venture out to savor delectable noodles at one of Kyoto’s many ramen houses.
breakfast
Kyoto
A Golden Gift
This morning, visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine, renowned for the thousands of brightly hued Torii Gates, and stunning Kinkakuji, the Temple of the Golden Pavilion. Later, partake in a Globus Local Favorite tea ceremony.
Local favorite
PLANNED TO A TEA Participate in a tea ceremony, the ancient tradition and carefully choreographed ritual of preparing and serving Japanese green tea.
breakfast, lunch
Kyoto – Himeji – Bizen – Okayama
Palace Aisles & Pottery Styles
Travel to Himeji to visit Himeji Castle, then drive south to Bizen, where you’ll visit a traditional pottery workshop to learn more about Bizen-yaki, one of Japan’s six ancient pottery styles dating back over 1,000 years. Continue to Okayama.
Tour highlight
HISTORIC SIGHTS Known as White Heron Castle, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Himeji Castle is a marvel in white, standing as it did centuries ago as a strategic fortification consisting of over 80 stunning structures connected by a series of gates and winding pathways. Explore this finest surviving example of early 17th-century Japanese castle architecture—a national treasure of Japan.
breakfast
Okayama. Excursion To Kurashiki
Garden Sights & City Whites
This morning, visit Koraku-en Garden. Journey to Kurashiki, to visit the Ohara Museum and Bikan Historical Quarter, once the political and commercial center of the city. The canal-lined, white-washed, stone streets reflect the Edo period (1603-1867) and are quintessentially Japanese.
Tour highlight
THE POWER OF TRANQUILITY The 30-acre Koraku-en Garden features ponds, plum groves, and tea fields, earning its place as one of the “Three Great Gardens of Japan.” The wide lawns, believed to uplift the spirit and promote open mindedness, are unique to Koraku-en and not a traditional feature of Japanese gardens.
breakfast, dinner
Okayama – Matsue – Yonago
Picturing Japan
Drive northwest to Matsue and visit Matsue Castle on the shores of Lake Shinji. After lunch, continue to the Adachi Museum of Art to view the renowned work of artist, Yokoyama Taikan. Your hotel tonight is in the city of Yonago on the coast of the Sea of Japan.
Tour highlight
ART & ARTISTRY Revel in the Japanese-style gardens of the Adachi Museum of Art and admire the revolutionary style of painter Yokoyama Taikan. Considered one of Japan’s greatest painters, this major figure in pre-WWII Japanese painting helped create the stunning technique of Nihonga—ink and mineral pigments on silk or paper canvas.
breakfast, lunch
Yonago – Hiroshima
Serenity & Solemnity
Drive south to Hiroshima this morning. Upon arrival, visit the 400-year-old Shukkei-en Garden, where natural landscapes are represented in miniature form. Also visit the moving Peace Memorial Park.
Tour highlight
MONUMENTS & MEMORIALS Peace Memorial Park is home to the Peace Memorial, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has been preserved just as it was on August 6, 1945, immediately after the devastating bombing. You will also visit the Memorial Museum and Memorial Hall, which commemorate the lives lost that day.
breakfast
Hiroshima
Travel by ferry to Miyajima Island. Visit Itsukushima Shrine and take cable-car ride to the top of Mount Misen for panoramic views of the Seto Island Sea, and on a clear day, Hiroshima city. Participate in a Globus Local Favorite Japanese cooking class for lunch. Return to Hiroshima for some time on your own. Tonight, your Tour Director hosts a farewell dinner to celebrate your discovery of Japan.
Local favorite
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Learn how to make Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, delicious savory pancake layered with ingredients as you choose. This legendary dish of Japan comes from the words okonomi (as you like it)and yaki (to grill).
breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiroshima
Say it Ain’t Sayonara
Your tour ends with breakfast this morning.
breakfast
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