Example Itinerary

Classic Japan

Duration
14 days / 13 nights
Price Per Person
Interests
Architecture, Heritage
Destinations
Japan

Experience the best of fascinating, beautiful, and unique Japan. This 14-day journey of luxury travel and hotels showcases a balanced and eclectic mix of Tokyo’s trendy and famous districts, Kyoto’s historical temples, Kanazawa's handicraft culture, Naoshima's contemporary art, and Osaka's gastronomic obsession. From traditional to ultra-modern and everything in between, the sights and experiences of this classic trip are nothing less than quintessential Japan.

This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.

Highlights

  • New & Old Tokyo: Experience the confluence of ultra-modern and old traditions in capital Tokyo which boasts ancient temples, Showa-era memorabilia shops, dazzling digital art, and surreal architecture.
  • Iconic Kyoto: Kyoto’s treasured ancient sites still stand after being largely spared during WWII. Visit the must-see temples and shrines amongst Kyoto's collection of over 1,600.
  • Art Islands: Admire popular and obscure contemporary art in the middle of the Seto Inland Sea. The Art Setouchi Triennale, one of the biggest art festivals in Japan, is held every three years amongst these islands. 
  • Osaka Street Eats: Snack your way through Osaka, nicknamed The Nation's Kitchen. Street food unique to Osaka includes deep fried skewers, octopus balls, and Osaka-styled savory pancakes. 

Day-by-Day

Day 1

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Tokyo

Touch down at Narita International Airport where you will be met and privately whisked to Tokyo, Japan's exciting capital, an hour's drive away. Futuristic yet rooted in tradition, ordered yet chaotic, Tokyo has something for everyone. Check in to your luxury hotel of choice and get rested up for the adventure ahead.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Spread across the top six floors of the Otemachi Tower in Tokyo’s financial district, this lofty hotel presents city superb views and is just steps from Tokyo Station and Ginza shopping district.

History: This newly built-hotel is the first ever ‘city’ hotel from the luxurious Aman Resorts, a group that has over two dozen resorts in their portfolio spread across four different continents.

Services: The wealth of services here all take advantage of the stunning views, whether you’re treating yourself to a massage in the spa, enjoying fine Mediterranean cuisine in the 33rd floor restaurant or doing laps in the infinity pool.

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Aman Tokyo Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: The Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo, is located 38 floors above street level in a district of Tokyo called Nihonbashi, a business district often referred to as the “center of Japan”.

History: Of all Tokyo’s business districts, the 400-year-old Nihonbashi is the only one that still retains much of its old world charm.

Service: This is the only hotel in Tokyo to have been awarded Six-Star International Diamond status by the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences, recognizing the hotel’s reputation for excellence.

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Mandarin Oriental Tokyo Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

High-tech: in-room amenities.

Pool: Large 65-foot swimming pool and equally sizable hydrotherapy pool.

Views: Superb views of the Imperial Palace.

Location: Within walking distance to the shopping paradise of Ginza.

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The Peninsula Tokyo Preferred Hotel

Day 2

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Tokyo

Start your exploration of Tokyo at its iconic fish and fresh markets: First, see the newer relocated Toyosu fish market, followed by a stroll through the original Tsukiji's outermarket. Although the famed inner fish market has moved to Toyosu, the outermarket still remains at the original site and offers visitors around 500 whoelsale and retail shops selling fresh produce and seafood as well as ready to eat food and kitchen items. While here, we suggest you take the opportunity to savor the freshest and best-quality sushi breakfast in the world. For foodies and those seeking the unique, choose the ultimate experience of shopping at the market with a Michelin-starred sushi chef, then go back to his restaurant for a hands-on lesson on the art of sushi making. Then, take in some history at the informative Edo Tokyo Museum and stroll through the Imperial East Gardens. Wrap up the day with panoramic views of the metropolis. Although Tokyo Tower is the popular observation site, the Mori Museum's sky deck is a hidden gem which allows for a more peaceful and less crowded view with the added benefit of contemporary art.

Tokyo
Tokyo

Day 3

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Tokyo

See Tokyo's most colorful and oldest temple, Sensoji, which is the most widely visited spiritual site in the world. The pathway up to the temple, called Nakamise, is lined with shops selling traditional goods and snacks adding to the bustling convivial atmosphere. A short distance away is buzzing Akihabara, Tokyo's electric town best known for its electronics and underground youth culture. Maid cafes, video game arcades, pachinko parlors, and shops selling manga, anime, and dolls can all be found here. Stimulate your senses even further at teamLab's  digital art exhibition which showcases dynamic interactive installations of mirrors and colorful LEDS. Wind down your exciting day with a trance-inducing fire ritual at a local temple. The fire is believed to burn away negative energies and many visitors come to make wishes and have their personal belongings such as phones and purses blessed by the fire.

Day 4

Map

Tokyo

Continue your exploration of Tokyo today with a visit to the well-known and revered Meiji Jingu Shrine, located within the peaceful Yoyogi park. Next door is funky, trendy Harajuku, and Japan’s version of the Champs-Elysees, known as Omotesando. Stroll the lanes lined with international high-end shopping mingled with kawaii fashion boutiques, crepe shops, vintage stores, and animal cafes. Take a moment to sip a coffee accompanied by a kitten, miniature pig, hedgehog, or owl. Enjoy different flavors of Tokyo and spend your afternoon exploring two lesser-visited characteristic neighborhoods, Shimokitazawa and Daikanyama. Also known as Shimokita, this hip cultural quarter is the place to go for old-Tokyo vibes with mural-painted lanes lined with stylish stores for vintage clothes and vinyl, brewpubs, and craft cafes. Daikanyama is a laid-back sophisticated area dense with upscale low-rise architecture, beauty salons, small exclusive boutiques, and open-air cafes.

Day 5

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Kaga Onsen

Today is it onward to Kanazawa, known for its well-preserved Edo-era districts, gold leaf production, and traditional handicrafts. Travel by bullet train at 160 miles an hour, a quick journey of only 2.5 hours long. Upon arrival, head straight to Omicho market where you sample your way and choose amongst over 180 shops and restaurants. After lunch, take a short walk over to the popular 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art and get lost amongst its maze of interconnecting rooms and galleries. Also a staple in Kanazawa is the Kenrokuen Gardens, one of the three great gardens of Japan. Finally, stroll amongst the charming samurai and tea districts where you can sample matcha tea or the Instagram-able soft serve cone covered in gold leaf. After your tour of the city, drive along the coast to the quiet Kaga region to either Yamashiro or Yamanaka Onsen and check into your ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn. Tonight you will be treated to an elaborate kaiseki dinner, a multi-course meal of seasonal ingredients and a point of pride of ryokans.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: This ryokan is located in one of Japan's most picturesque areas, within a short distance of tourist sites such as Kanazawa and Shirakawa go.

History: Beniya Mukayu is perched on the hillside of Yakushiyama, a sacred place of Hakusan Mountain Buddhist worship, on the same premises where in old times there used to be a temple for monks to study Buddhist scriptures and cure people with hot spring baths and medicinal herbs.

Service: The owners of this boutique ryokan, Mr. and Mrs. Nakamichi, and the staff provide warm, personalized service to each guest.

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Beniya Mukayu Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Located along the Kakusenkei Gorge and a short distance from Koorogi Bridge, guests of the Kayotei have ample opportunity to view picturesque surroundings.

Intimacy: All 10 sukiya style suites are meticulously decorated to inspire a deep feeling of serenity in guests.

Authenticity: From accommodations to cuisine to the opulent bathhouses, the staff has worked hard to ensure guests can enjoy an unadulterated, traditional Japanese experience.

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Kayotei Preferred Hotel
Kaga Onsen
Kaga Onsen

Day 6

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Kaga Onsen

Take a morning stroll along the town's small main street, filled with cafes, restaurants, and galleries displaying local crafts such as lacquerware and ceramics. Depending on your interest, we will arrange appointments at exclusive ateliers to meet the artisans and watch their craft in the making. Return to your luxury ryokan and spend the rest of the day as you wish, whether relaxing in your private hot spring stone bath, enjoying the sculpted gardens, or walking along the picturesque gorge nearby.

Day 7

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Kyoto

Travel onward today by bullet train to the cultural capital of Japan, Kyoto, home of over 1,600 temples and shrines. Dive straight in with a visit to Nijo Castle the stronghold and residence of the Tokugawa shoguns (warlords) who once wielded power over the emperor for over 200 years. Stop by Nishiki Market, a five-block long shopping street where you can find seasonal foods and Kyoto's specialities. Get a taste of old Kyoto as you stroll uphill along Higashiyama's main street lined with wooden buildings and traditional merchant shops. Narrow lanes branching off offer small shops and restaurants that have been catering to visitors and pilgrims for centuries. At the top of the hill, come upon the famed Kiyomizudera, the Pure Water temple.Its Otowa Waterfall has three separate streams that are said to grant different benefits to those who drink the water. As the sun sets, meander your way down to Gion, the geisha district, just as it comes alive. If you're lucky, you may glimpse a geisha making her way down the cobbled streets to a teahouse.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Nature: Aman Kyoto's palette is the inviting green of forest scenery and the warm, woody tones of shelter. So aligned with its surroundings, the hotel changes with the seasons; Taka-An's menu puts the spotlight on seasonal produce, while the floor-to-ceiling windows showcase how the passing months shape the landscape.

Culture: Kaiseki banquets, matcha and mochi afternoon tea, tranquil and contemplative gardens, indoor and outdoor onsen bathing facilities, options for futon bedding and tatami mat flooring – the entire property has been designed with an immersion in both nature and culture in mind, so guests can experience true Japanese hospitality.

Wellness: A stay at the Aman Kyoto is not just a quiet retreat to return to after a day of sightseeing in Kyoto, but also an oasis designed to replenish the body and mind. The in-house spa specializes in Shiatsu massage, onsen pools are fed by the mineral-rich waters of local hot springs, while private yoga sessions in a forest clearing release stress and tension.

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Aman Kyoto Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Nestled at the foot of Higashiyama Mountain, alongside a thousand-year-old ikeniwa pond, Four Seasons Kyoto is located just ten minutes from Kyoto’s city center, within the temple district, making it an ideal base from which to explore the nearby shrines and historic landmarks, as well as the more modern attractions of Japan’s elegant former capital.

History: Having opened it’s doors in October 2016, Four Seasons Kyoto - the second site for the Four Seasons brand in the country - may have been five years in the planning, but the atmosphere of urbane tranquility of the Zen inspired interiors has made an indelible impression on a city known for its sense of style and sophistication.

Service: Four Seasons Kyoto provides the very best in round-the-clock luxury service, complete with 24-hour concierge and room service, manned with English-speaking staff ready to cater for to guests’ wants and needs.

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Four Seasons Kyoto Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Nestled in pristine forest, Hoshinoya Kyoto is in the perfect environment for de-stressing. The protected forests surrounding the resort are wonderfully revitalizing.

Service: Guests enjoy traditional Japanese hospitality in an authentic ryokan environment.

Comfort: Hoshinoya is a hybrid-ryokan combining the traditional features of a ryokan with contemporary luxury furnishings, including large comfortable beds.

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HOSHINOYA Kyoto Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Sitting on the serene banks of the stunning Kamogawa river within walking distance of several famous streets and popular sights, this hotel couldn’t have a more perfect location. Plus, it’s only a 20-minute taxi ride from the Kyoto airport.

History: Paying homage to rich Japanese culture, the fourth Ritz-Carlton in Japan opened in Kyoto in February of 2014.

Service: Guests can count on dependable, high-level service at the Ritz-Carlton, where a luxury experience is guaranteed, complemented by extremely helpful staff.

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Ritz-Carlton Kyoto Preferred Hotel
About

Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto is tucked away next to Nijo-jo Castle, at the Kyoto home of the Kitake, a branch of the Mitsui Family. This land has been in the care of the family for more than 250 years.

If our Preferred Hotel is unavailable, this accommodation is a reliable alternative and has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Kyoto
Kyoto

Day 8

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Kyoto

Start today with a moment of zen at Japan's most famous rock garden at Ryoanji temple followed by taking in the stunning Golden Pavilion at Kinkakuji. Then, head across towards the mountains where you will find Tenryuji, the greatest of the city's five great Zen temples. This Arashiyama area is especially scenic and can be enjoyed at Togetsukyo Bridge, the bamboo forest, and the monkey park atop a hill. If you wish, take a pleasure cruise of the Sagano river atop a traditional boat or the sightseeing train that travels along the riverside.

Day 9

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Kyoto

Just an hour's drive away is the ancient capital city of Nara, an unmissable daytrip from Kyoto. Nara is home to some of Japan's oldest, largest, and historically significant temples including Todaiji, Kasuga Grand Shrine, and Isuien. Aside from the temples, Nara is known for its friendly Sika deer found wandering the deer park being hand-fed crackers by visitors. For a special experience, opt to arrive early morning at the deer park where we can arrange for the deer to be called by French horn especially for you. Also visit Naramachi, the former merchant district which has preserved traditional residential buildings and warehouses. On the way back to Kyoto, stop by Fushimi Inari, the famous shrine with thousands of red torii gates.

Day 10

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Naoshima Island

Depart from historical and spiritual Kyoto for modern and creative Naoshima Island. Train, car, and ferry will get you to this small art island in the Seto Inland Sea. Dotted with art museums, installations, and sculptures, Naoshima is the premier destination for contemporary art. Even the island's municipal buildings and schools were designed by a modern architect. Explore the various art museums and spaces such as Chichu Museum, Art House Project, Ando museum, and Lee Ufan Museum. While on Naoshima, you will be staying at Benesse House which is a resort and modern art museum. Hotel guests have the added privilege of after-hours access to its impressive museum.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Located on an island in the middle of the inland Japanese sea, and the closed mainland ferry port of Uno Port, guests can take a direct 20 minute ferry to the island.

History: In 1989, Naoshima International Camp was completed and with that, brought a rise in tourism to the island, which also in turn brought development in the way of Benesse House in 1992.

Service: This hotel is the ideal stop for lovers of modern art, who will appreciate the convenience of not only having stunning works of art in their rooms, but also a museum in the hotel itself.

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Benesse House Preferred Hotel
Naoshima & Seto Inland Sea Islands
Naoshima & Seto Inland Sea Islands

Day 11

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Naoshima Island

Explore neighboring art islands, Teshima and Inujima, which are less visited hidden gems. Teshima offers Christian Boltanski's "Les Archives du Coeur" where you can listen to other visitors' recorded heartbeats and the Teshima Art Museum, an awe-inspiring structure shaped like a drop of water. The tiny Inujima is pedestrian-friendly, making it easy to get to and enjoy the Seaside Inujima Gallery and Seirensho Art Museum.

Day 12

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Osaka

Today head to the final destination of your classic Japan journey, Osaka. A big and bustling city similar to Tokyo, Osaka is its own unique regional identity from its straight-talking locals to its food obsession. After settling into your hotel, in the late afternoon take to the Osaka skies at the top of the Umeda Sky Building for a bird's eye view of the metropolis. Then, as the sun sets and the city lights illuminate the city, head to Dotonbori, a colorful evening gastronomic wonderland. Feast your eyes on the eclectic neon lights and extravagant signage while tasting popular street foods such as takoyaki (octopus dough balls), deep fried meat and vegetable skewers, and okonomiyaki (Japanese-style savory pancake). This is the place to find weird and obscure, even controversial, cuisines such as pufferfish, whale, and horse meat.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Situated in the heart of Kita, one of Osaka's two main city centers, there is no shortage of tourist attractions, shopping destinations, and sights to see that are all easily accessible from the Conrad Osaka.

Dining: Osaka has a reputation as a city of foodies, and the dining options at the Conrad Osaka live up to this reputation with everything from traditional Japanese dishes to cloud-like gourmet cakes available.

Comfort: Beds are comfortable and inviting, bathrooms come with indulgent bathtubs and luxury amenities, and the expansive views set one’s mind at ease.

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Conrad Osaka Preferred Hotel
About

In the heart of Osaka's Midosuji area lies the St. Regis Osaka, an elegant five-star hotel composed of 160 guest rooms and suites over 12 categories.

If our Preferred Hotel is unavailable, this accommodation is a reliable alternative and has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Osaka
Osaka

Day 13

Map

Osaka

In the city known as the Nation's Kitchen, it is only right to start the day at Kuromon Ichiba market. Stretching for over 3.5 miles long, the lively market plies shoppers with giant palm-sized oysters, flawless white strawberries, wagyu beef kebabs, and countless tempting delicacies. Sample your way through the market or choose to dine at one of the many casual eateries. Then, visit the Momofuku Ramen Museum, dedicated to the instant noodles and its creator and founder, where you can craft your own cup noodles. Spend the rest of the day exploring historical sites such as Osaka Castle, Tenmangu Shrine, and the moving International Peace Center. If it is the season, take the opportunity to go to a Japanese baseball game and experience this slice of modern culture that has taken the sport to fanatical heights.

Day 14

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Departure

The last day of the trip is yours to spend as you like, whether resting before your flight, strolling around the city on your own, or buying last-minute souvenirs. When you are ready, a private car will take you to Osaka's international airport for your flight home.

Why Remote Lands?

Exclusively Asia

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

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