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DAY 1: TOKYO Upon arrival at Narita Airport, you will be met and transferred by private sedan with an English speaking guide to the historic Imperial Hotel, the oldest hotel in Tokyo, for a two-night stay. The balance of today is at your leisure. DAY 2: TOKYO This morning's private sightseeing first visits the comprehensive National Museum in Ueno Park, continuing to the traditional Shitamachi district to visit Tokyo's oldest temple--Asakusa Kannon Temple, with its bustling Nakamise shopping street. Next visit the Meiji-shrine, set in a beautiful forest near Harajuku. This afternoon is at leisure. You may want to remain in Harajuku to explore the upscale boutiques and galleries, or return to Ginza to visit the bustling food halls and superb house wares floors at major department stores such as Mitsukoshi. (B) DAY 3: TOKYO - KAMAKURA - HAKONE Depart this morning with your private driver and guide for the ancient capital of Kamakura. Visit the important temples and shrines before continuing to the Hakone region near Mt. Fuji. Arrive at the Gora Kadan Ryokan -- one of the most exclusive retreats in the world - later this afternoon. The main building was once the summer residence of the Kan-In-No-Miya imperial family, and the new wing offers beautiful tatami-style rooms with cypress baths, natural open-air baths, a pool, jacuzzi, and antique-lined corridors. Your breakfasts and dinners while staying at the Gora Kadan will be seasonal kaiseki cuisine prepared by one of Japan's top chefs. (B,D) DAY 4: HAKONE Today is free to relax and enjoy the luxurious Gora Kadan. (B,D) DAY 5: HAKONE - KYOTO After a leisurely morning at the ryokan, you will be transferred to the station for the bullet train to Kyoto - the heart of Japan. Upon arrival you will be met and driven to the deluxe Westin Miyako for a four-night stay. (B) DAY 6: KYOTO Depart this morning with your driver and guide for a full day of flexible private touring of Kyoto . Local highlights include Ryoanji and its famous Zen rock garden; Nijo-jo Castle, with its squeaking “nightingale” floors and beautiful surrounding gardens; the Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion; Sanjusangen-do Temple and its 1001 Buddhist statues; and the Kiyomizu temple overlooking Kyoto. You may discuss with your guide which of these (or other sites of interest) you would like to see today. (B) DAY 7: NARA EXCURSION This morning depart on a scenic drive to Nara, the first capital of Japan. Visit Todaiji Temple, a massive wooden structure housing the Great Buddha; Nara Park with its roaming deer that were once considered "messengers of the gods"; and the serene Kasuga Taisha Shrine surrounded by wooded lands with hundreds of lanterns and deer. Also visit Horyuji Temple before returning to Kyoto. This afternoon is free at your leisure. (B) DAY 8: KYOTO Today features a half-day of privately guided sightseeing in Kyoto. Permission will be arranged to visit the Katsura Imperial Villa,* considered the finest example of Japanese architecture and garden design. Lunch will be a Buddhist shojin-ryori meal at Daitokuji Temple’s elegant restaurant. The afternoon is free to explore independently. You may wish to visit the beautiful Arashiyama/Sagano district, where you can walk through bamboo forests along the river, see exclusive residential streets, and shop in some of the most unique handicraft stores in Japan. (B,L) *Please note that this visit is subject to confirmation by the Imperial household and cannot be done on weekends. The tour is only offered in Japanese, and private guides are not admitted into the villa. DAY 9: KYOTO - TOKYO Today you will be transferred back to Tokyo by bullet train. There you will be met and driven to Four Seasons Tokyo at Chinzan-so (Garden View Room) for an overnight stay. This hotel is located next to the beautiful garden of Chinzan-so, where Edo-era feudal lords once resided. (B) DAY 10: DEPART JAPAN Today you will be met and transferred by private sedan to Narita Airport. (B) |