Arrive in dynamic Tokyo, the ultra high-tech and fascinating metropolis and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day is at leisure. Your tour will begin with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 6:30 PM. We recommend that you select flights which arrive no later than 4 PM
Overnight: Tokyo

The day is free, to further explore the enormous metropolis of Tokyo independently. As a premier global city, Tokyo offers incredible cuisine, and a vast array of art and fashion venues. For a different view of the city, take a stroll in the beautiful Ueno Park and visit the Tokyo National Museum, housing a collection of fascinating artifacts from across Asia. Perhaps, participate in the optional Kamakura tour*. Travel to the historic city of Kamakura, home to Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. The city was once the capital of Japan, that was established in 1192 by the Minamoto clan. Your tour will include visits to the Hokokuji Temple, located in the hills of eastern Kamakura and Jomyoji Temple, ranked fifth among the five great Zen temples of Kamakura. Continue to Kotoku-in Temple, housing the famous 43 foot high Great Buddha bronze statue, one of the most iconic landmarks in Japan. Afterward, spend free time to explore before returning to Tokyo
Optional: Kamakura Tour
Overnight: Tokyo
Meals: Breakfast

Spend the day at leisure to explore all of the delights of Tokyo on your own, or join the optional Full Day Tokyo City Tour*. Witness the stark contrasts of this dazzling city of ancient traditions coupled with state-of-the-art technology. Begin, with a visit to the hectic Tsukiji Fish Market**, one of the famous fish and seafood markets in Japan, Afterward, travel to the imposing Asakusa Kannon Temple (Sensoji) enshrining a golden image of Kannon, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy; its entrance is dominated by a massive paper lantern dramatically painted in vivid red and black colors. Walk along Nakamise, a centuries-old shopping area, where you can find everything from souvenirs to genuine Edo-style crafts. Next, onto the Tokyo Imperial Palace, a huge parkland with magnificent gardens, the residence of Japan's Imperial family. View the famous Nijubashi bridge that leads to the main entrance to the imperial palace. Return to the hotel with the group and enjoy the balance of your day at leisure
**For the Feb 26 departure, the Tsukiji Fish Market will be substituted with a visit to the Meiji Shrine.
Optional: Tokyo City Tour
Overnight: Tokyo
Meals: Breakfast

This morning, depart Tokyo and drive south to Hakone, the most famous National Park in Japan, admiring the breathtaking scenery along the way. Stop for a visit to the Hakone Open-Air Museum, a 200-acre park that is located on a hillside and surrounded by majestic mountains and green valleys. Explore the museum's vast sculpture collection from the 19th and 20th century, including artworks by Japanese and Western artists. After lunch on your own, continue with a gondola ride on the Hakone Ropeway that takes you to the Owakudani Valley's extraordinary volcanic zone. Here, the bubbling pools cook eggs in the hot waters blackened by sulfur, and are said to prolong one's life by at least seven years.* Enjoy a relaxing cruise around placid Lake Ashi. Proceed to your hotel in the Hakone area. Enjoy dinner with your fellow travelers
*Weather conditions around Mt. Fuji are challenging to predict, sometimes clouds will restrict views of the mountain & terrain. Poor weather conditions can sometimes prevent the operation of the cable car in Hakone.
Overnight: Hakone Area
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, transfer to Mishima station for your bullet train to historic Kyoto, a city that once served as the imperial capital of Japan and home of the country's most treasured remnants of Japanese imperial life. Upon arrival, take a short walking tour and spend free time for lunch on your own, before checking in to your hotel. Remainder of the day is at leisure. You may choose to participate in the optional Half Day Kyoto Tour. Begin with a visit to Nishiki Market, lined with more than one hundred shops and restaurants. Here, you will find Kyoto specialties, such as Japanese sweets, pickles and dried seafood, as well as fresh produce, and seasonal foods. Next, the celebrated gold-gilded Kinkakuji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known as the "Golden Pavilion' surrounded by trees and nestled on a reflective pond. The temple was constructed in the 14th century by the Ashikaga clan. Conclude the tour with a walk in Gion, Kyoto's most famous Geisha district; view the shops, restaurants and tea houses where Geisha entertain
Optional: Kyoto City Tour (PM)
Overnight: Kyoto
Meals: Breakfast

Spend your day at leisure in Kyoto to explore this fascinating city on your own or, join the optional tour to Kyoto & Nara. Travel via the Nara Keinawa expressway to the 8th century Imperial capital of Nara, repository of Japan's cultural heritage, with eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a wealth of historic treasures. Arrive at the exquisite Todai-ji Temple, one of the world's largest wooden structures and home of the impressive Great Buddha bronze statue, rising over 50 feet high. You then continue to Nara Park to see the over 1,000 tame deer roaming freely in the peaceful park. The tour concludes with a visit to the famous and beautiful Kasuga Taisha Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, displaying over 3,000 stone and bronze lanterns. Visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine located at the base of Inari mountain, that is famous for its thousands of vermilion colored torii gates. Return to Kyoto and enjoy leisure time this afternoon. This evening, share wonderful memories of your journey and bid farewell to your Tour Manager
Optional: Kyoto & Nara Tour (AM)
Overnight: Kyoto
Meals: Breakfast

ransfer to the Osaka airport for your departure flight. The Osaka airport is approximately a one hour drive from Kyoto
Meals: Breakfast