Signature Japan: Tokyo, Kyoto & Luxury Ryokan

After clearing customs and immigration formalities you will be met by Goway's local representative and transferred to your accommodation in the city.

The balance of the day is at leisure to relax or explore Tokyo at your own pace.

Travel around Tokyo using the cities sophisticated and efficient subway and train lines together with your private guide visiting some of Tokyo`s main sites. Meet you guide in the lobby of your hotel and then walk to the train station to begin your adventure. Start the day with a visit to Sensoji Temple, Tokyo`s oldest Buddhist temple. After visiting the temple grounds take time to stroll along Nakamise shopping street to look for souvenirs or maybe purchase a snack. Then travel to the Imperial Palace East Gardens, a part of the inner palace area. The palace itself is not open to the public as it is the residence of the emperor, but you can walk through the garden grounds to see the moats, remains of Edo castle and gardens. Next, travel to either Ginza or Tsukiji Outer Fish Market. Your guide will either say goodbye so you can continue exploring or escort you back to your hotel.

Tokyo, Japan’s sprawling, busy capital, offers a mix of the ultramodern and the traditional, from neon-lit skyscrapers to cherry trees in season and serene temples. Due to the major earthquake in 1923 and the destruction from the 2nd World War, many of the city’s buildings are modern and contemporary architecturally. It has been the capital of Japan since 1868 moving from Kyoto. 

The city is made up of a number of districts, each one with its own character and attractions. To get around the city, it is not impossible to walk from one to another but allow time. The Tokyo subway system is somewhat complex but all route maps and many signs are in both Japanese and English. 

Following breakfast, meet your guide and transfer to the Tokyo Bullet Train Station where you will have assistance to board the train to Hakone, an approximately 1 hour journey.

On arrival meet your guide at the station and then begin your private guided sightseeing tour of Hakone National Park using the regional trains, boats and cable cars to get around. Glide across Lake Ashi on a stylish cruise boat where you might catch a glimpse of Mt. Fuji. Then make your way up the Komagatake Ropeway, to the summit of Mt Komagatake, from which you can see amazing panoramic views of Lake Ashi, Hakone and Mt. Fuji, weather permitting. Also visit Hakone Motomiya Shrine, located on Mt. Komagatake with 2400 years of history. Heading down the ropeway, you will pick up a cruise again across to Sekisho-Ato, once part of Hakone's old town. After lunch (not included) stop by a local craft shop selling puzzle boxes on your way to one of the few original stretches of the Tokaido Road that ran from Tokyo to Kyoto. Walk along the 500 meter stretch of the Tokaido Road that preserves the original tall cedar trees and some of the old paving stones. The walk is very flat and takes just about 20 - 30 minutes to complete.

At the end of the tour your guide will drop you off at your luxury ryokan, Gora Kaden, located on the grounds of Kan'in-no-miya Villa, the former summer villa of a member of the Imperial Family. Enjoy the private hot spring bath in your room and the authentic kaiseki cuisine meals prepared with seasonal ingredients.

Today is totally free and at leisure. Continue to enjoy the hot springs at your ryokan, book a spa appointment or explore more of Hakone.

Make your own way by bullet train from Hakone to Kyoto, an approximately 3 hour journey. The rest of the day is at leisure to settle into your Kyoto hotel or take advantage of optional activities. 

The is the perfect introduction to Kyoto, visiting some of the cities most iconic sites. Meet your guide in the morning in the lobby of your hotel and then begin your walking tour using public transit (subway and bus). Your first stop is the renowned Kinkakuji temple, better known as the Golden Pavilion, one of Kyoto's UNESCO World Heritage sites. Walk through the temple grounds to admire the gold leaf decorated temple and visit the teahouse for a matcha green tea tasting and Japanese sweet. Afterwards, choose to visit either Nijo Castle, one of the best examples of castle palace architecture from Japan's feudal era or Kyoto's Imperial Palace, the once residence of Japan's Imperial family. Your guide will then escort you to a restaurant for lunch as you will have surely worked up an appetite from all the morning explorations. The type of cuisine you have for lunch will depend on your preferences, but your guide will be able to make some recommendations. After lunch, travel to the Southern Higashiyama district to visit another one of Kyoto's most famous sites, Kiyomizu-dera temple, located on a hillside overlooking the city and also a UNESCO site. Explore the temple grounds and see Otowa Waterfall. Then you may decide to explore the souvenir shops in Higashiyama (time permitting). Your guide will escort you back to your hotel at the end of the tour or you may choose to end the tour in the Gion district, the historical geisha district of Kyoto.

Meet your private guide at your hotel and then travel together to the Arashiyama area, where Kyoto's renowned bamboo forest is located. Walk along the pathway through the bamboo forest to admire the groves and capture the perfect photo. Then visit Tenryuji temple, one of Kyoto's main zen temples and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Walk through the temple grounds and see the zen garden. Afterwards, discuss with your guide to decide what to see and do next, since Arashiyama offers a lot of options. Choose to shop along Saga-Toriimoto Preserved Street, visit lesser known temples or go to Monkey park. At the end of the tour your guide will escort you back to your hotel. 

Following breakfast, transfer to Osaka's Kansai Airport for your onward flight.