A Japanese Honeymoon

November 07 - 11 | Tokyo | The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho
November 11 - 13 | Kagaonsen | Benya Mukayu
November 13 - 17 | Kyoto | Four Seasons

Throughout your trip you will have 24/7 access to our support staff, should any issues arise. Please contact our local team first to ensure a swift response to any issues you may be having.

Emergency number (24 hours)
will be provided
Note: If dialing from a US phone, the number will be modified.

For any non-urgent issues you can drop a message in the scenset chat, or speak with your guide. Additionally, we shall be available via WhatsApp, and will get you set up with this during your orientation.

Tokyo: A guide will be provided

Tokyo Izakaya Tour: A guide will be provided

Tokyo Tsukiji Tour: A guide will be provided

Kanazawa: A guide will be provided

Kyoto: A guide will be provided

Osaka Food Tour: A guide will be provided

The weather in November is great for touring, with comfortable temperatures and a limited chance of rainfall. It's also one of the most popular times to visit owing to the beautiful fall colors.

You can expect temperatures to hover between 55°F-60°F.

In Japan, there is always a chance of rainfall. All hotels will have umbrellas, but a poncho or light rain jacket is highly recommended.

• You are currently exempt from requiring a tourist visa with a US passport. Please see here for updates.
  
• Currently, there are no COVID-19 testing, proof of vaccination, or quarantine requirements to travel to Japan.

Visitors to Japan now have the option to complete a Visit Japan Web before their arrival. By providing all of the requested information before arrival, it should expedite procedures through immigration & customs when you land in Tokyo.

Note that this is not compulsory, and the relevant forms will be available when you land, but it will likely allow for a smoother arrival.

We have put together this Destination Guide for you, full of unique insights and ways to get excited before you travel, such as:

• Spotify playlists
  
• Dishes to try
  
• Helpful phrases
  
• Packing guide
  
• Tipping guides

Plus more!

• Scenset's Guide to Japan

These guidelines are for reference only. Scenset holds no responsibility for travel restrictions. Travelers are responsible for ensuring the right documentation to travel.

Because open public Wi-Fi in Japan is very limited, a pocket Wi-Fi router will be provided for use throughout the trip. This small gadget will allow connection of up to 10 devices, giving super fast broadband wherever you are.

This will allow use of Maps on phones and provide an internet connection at all times, including on trains. The Wi-Fi router will be waiting upon arrival at the hotel.

To return it, use the stamped, addressed envelope provided and drop it in the airport mailbox on the day of departure from Japan.

In order to make your travel experience smoother and more convenient, you will receive 2x SUICA cards pre-charged at your orientation. These cards can be used instead of train tickets or cash for transport on local and inner-city lines. To use them, simply tap them on the scanner as you enter the train station or bus. These can also be used on certain ferry lines!

If you ever need to charge your card with more money, you can easily do this at the charge machines in a train station - the machines have English support too.

Note: You will receive these cards during your orientation.

Independently proceed through immigration & customs, before collecting your luggage. An English-speaking assistant will greet you at the arrivals hall and escort you to your private transfer.

Note: Look out for a sign displaying your name.

Proceed by private transfer to your hotel. From Haneda, this should take about 25 minutes, depending on traffic.

The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho
Deluxe Room

• Breakfast Included

Time: Morning

In order for your vacation to be as enjoyable and stress-free as possible, we have included a private and personalised orientation session, where you will be given everything you need to travel confidently in Japan.

A representative will meet you in the lobby of your hotel and will go through your itinerary with you, day by day, and answer any questions you may have. You’ll also receive your “welcome pack” of additional information, which should help you travel in Japan more easily!

After your orientation, you will commence touring with your guide at midday.

All touring this afternoon will be done via public taxis, trains, and subways.

Meiji Shrine was built nearly 100 years ago to commemorate Emperor Meiji’s contribution to modern Japan. The shrine is entirely surrounded by a forest, with an area of 70 hectares of land and over 120,000 trees, all of which were donated to the shrine from different parts of Japan.

Although rather young compared with other shrines, Meiji shrine has its own dramatic story to tell. While the original construction of the shrine was completed in 1926, the shrine was destroyed during the bombings of World War II and rebuilt in 1958.

If you’re lucky, you’ll spot a couple on their wedding day, making their way through the shrine’s grounds on their way to their ceremony.

Harajuku’s Takeshita Street - This narrow, crowded street is lined with shops that sell the latest fashion trends, sweets, and other interesting items. It is in this area that some of the outrageous fashion that Japan is known for originates.

As the trendy streets of Harajuku end, the amazing architecture of Omotesando begins. With seemingly endless modern, cutting-edge architecture, great shopping, and delicious restaurants, Omotesando is Tokyo’s Champs-Elysées Boulevard. Many of the buildings along this street were designed by Pritzker Prize winning architects such as Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa.

Shibuya Sky is an extraordinary observation deck atop Shibuya Scramble Square, one of Tokyo's tallest buildings. With its floor-to-ceiling glass windows and a 360-degree view, it offers visitors an unparalleled vantage point to take in the vibrant cityscape of Shibuya.

The sleek and modern design of Shibuya Sky complements the urban landscape below. Its transparent Sky Stage allows visitors to look down upon the famous Shibuya Crossing, creating a thrilling sensation of being suspended in mid-air. At night, the city transforms into a mesmerizing display of lights, casting a magical glow upon the skyscrapers.

For those seeking a peaceful respite, the Sky Garden provides a serene oasis amidst the bustling city. Here, visitors can relax, enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, and still appreciate the stunning views that surround them.

Note: You will receive copies of your tickets at orientation. This experience has been reserved for the early evening. Your guide will bid you farewell, and you can enjoy this experience independently.

Meet your guide at 6:00pm in front of ShakeShack (close to JR Ebisu Station West exit taxi stand) (location) (please make your own way - the address is Japan, 〒150-0022 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Ebisuminami, 1 Chome−6−1 アトレ恵比寿西館 1F).

Note: From Shibuya Sky it's just 9 minutes on either the Saikyō Line or Yamanote Line (Shibuya Station-Ebisu Station - 1 stop). You could even walk in less than 30 minutes.

Your tour will conclude at 9:00pm.

Experience the way locals eat and drink in Tokyo on this exciting tour. You will visit 3 very different but authentic izakaya - Japanese-style gastro pubs. Visit Ebisu, an area known for izakaya and named after the famous beer. You will enjoy a variety of food and drinks that local Japanese people eat on a daily basis, including yakitori grilled chicken skewers, draft beer, sashimi, Japanese cocktails, fried noodles, plum wine, and more!

After eating and drinking to your heart's content, the tour will finish with some Japanese sweets. From salty foods and refreshing drinks to delicious desserts, you are sure to find yourself full and satisfied after this tour!

The day is yours to explore at leisure, and no experiences have been arranged. Below you will find some suggested areas to explore.

Note: These are merely suggestions, and nothing has been booked.

Spend a day at leisure sauntering around some of Tokyo's northern gems. Start by heading to Ueno. No expedition to the area is complete without visiting the sprawling grounds of Ueno Park, replete with museums as well as bountiful plants. Arguably the cultural heart of Tokyo, there are numerous temples and shrines scattered amongst museums like the National Museum of Nature and Science, the National Museum of Western Art, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum.

Just adjacent to Ueno, find yourself back in time on the streets of old Tokyo, preserved in the district of Yanesen. The name Yanesen is a portmanteau of the three areas that make the district: Yanaka, Nezu and Sendagi. Here you can find Yanaka Cemetery, where many historical Japanese figures are laid to rest, Nezu Shrine, a Buddhist shrine notable for its magical red tori gate corridor lined with gorgeous azaleas, and Yasuda House, one of the few large traditional residences remaining in Tokyo. These three areas make Yanesen a place where you can experience a slower and more relaxed side of the city strewn with small temples, craft shops, galleries, and cafes for you to discover.

Tokyo is renowned for being home to high-end department stores where you can not only purchase quality souvenirs, but also sample some wonderful food at the expansive food courts. Below you will find some of our favorites:

Matsuzakaya Ueno
Address: 3 Chome-29-5 Ueno, Taito City, Tokyo 110-8503, Japan
A must-go for those searching for the ultimate depachika experience - this department store has been offering the freshest groceries, most mouthwatering delicacies, and highest quality products for over 400 years.

Daimaru Tokyo
Address: 1 Chome-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-6701, Japan
With 13 floors of shopping and a fabulous food hall, the Daimaru department store in Tokyo Station is one of the largest in central Tokyo.

Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store
Address: 1 Chome-4-1 Nihonbashimuromachi, Chuo City, Tokyo 103-8001, Japan
Mitsukoshi is widely considered as the first modern department store in Japan, started as a kimono fabrics company, and now having 20 domestic and 30 overseas locations.

Takashimaya
Address: 2 Chome-4-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo City, Tokyo 103-8265, Japan
Takashimaya is the leading department store in Japan, with locations in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Nagoya, offering the latest cosmetics, clothes, luxury items and food.

Department stores typically open sometime in the morning

Sukiyabashi Jiro

Location: Japan, 〒104-0061 Tokyo, Chuo City, Ginza, 4 Chome−2−15 塚本総業ビルB1階. Please make your own way to the restaurant this evening.

From the Prince Gallery, you can take the Marunouchi Line for 3 stops to Ginza Station.

Time: Evening

Confirmed For an individual

Notes:

• No photography permitted.
  
• Please do not wear perfume or cologne
  
• Jacket, collared shirt and long trousers required for men.
  
• You must arrive at least 10 minutes prior to the reservation time.
  
• If you are running late, please be sure to contact the restaurant.

This reservation is confirmed for the Omakase course. Plus tax & service.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellation is required at least 7 business days prior to the reservation date for the Chef`s menu to avoid a late cancellation fee.

Meet a person in the lobby of your hotel in the morning, and proceed by pre-booked taxi to Tsukiji Market.

Even though the tuna auction and some of the inner markets shops have moved to the new Toyosu Market, Tsukiji Market still remains vibrant and a place not to be missed. While the inner market has many shops that sell business to business, the outer market in Tsukiji is a wonderful chance to sample a wide variety of some of Japan's finest seafood and various fresh, hot snacks.

The tour will conclude with a deliciously fresh sushi lunch.

Conducted by a fish market expert.

Private activity for a small group.

Duration: approx. 3 hours
Transport: Taxi pick-up included
Includes: Sushi Lunch

Meet your guide at approximately midday. They will arrive at the restaurant to meet you.

Start with the district that has become synonymous with technology; Akihabara. Known as ‘electric town’ not only for its many electronics stores, but also the electric atmosphere from its eccentric dining options and niche-interest stores dedicated to anime, manga, and music groups. With a truly eclectic mix of establishments, you can buy the latest consumer electronics alongside second-hand computer parts and cameras in giant stores like Yodobashi Camera, as well as adorable and often bizarre merchandise on Akihabara’s streets.

Asakusa is home to one of Tokyo’s most famous gates – Kaminari-mon. As you make your way through the many shopping stalls, you’ll eventually come to Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest temple. It is here that visitors can enjoy a striking contrast of ancient and modern Japan – Tokyo’s oldest temple, built in 645AD, with the world’s tallest free-standing tower, Tokyo Skytree, as a backdrop.

Sensōji Temple is the oldest temple in Tokyo, having been built in 645AD.

Unfortunately, after remaining relatively unscathed for 13 centuries, it was destroyed during WWII. Sensoji was rebuilt after the war and has become a symbol of rebirth of the city and the nation.

Nowadays, millions of people step through the Kaminarimon or Thunder Gate, famous for its huge lantern, and stroll along Nakamisedori, the street leading to the temple, filled with small shops selling all manners of goods.

The SG Club

Location: 1 Chome-7-8 Jinnan, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0041, Japan. Please make your own way to the bar this evening.

From the Prince Gallery you can either take a taxi (15 minutes), or the Hanzomon Line or Ginza Line (25 minutes).

Time: Evening

Confirmed For an attendee (booking ref: will be provided)

Tempura Miyashiro

Location: 2 Chome-18-11 Kamimeguro, Meguro City, Tokyo 153-0051, Japan. Please make your own way to the restaurant this evening.

From The SG Club, a taxi should take about 20 minutes, depending on traffic.

Time: Evening

Confirmed

Notes:

• A la carte menu
  
• Please do not wear perfume or cologne

Cancellation Policy:

• Cancellation within 48 hours(2 days or less) from the reservation date and time: 100%
  
• Cancellation within 72 hours(3 days or less) from the reservation date and time: 50%

Prepayment

• A payment will be charged to your credit card immediately upon booking this reservation.

Because luggage space on trains is very limited and to allow you to travel comfortably, your luggage will be sent ahead from Tokyo to Kyoto overnight. We suggest packing small overnight bags as you will be without the bulk of your luggage for your two nights in Kagaonsen.

Please note that there is a weight limit of 30kg for each individual piece of luggage. Please bring your luggage, packed and ready to send, to the front desk when you check out this morning.

Your driver will meet you at the entrance of your hotel in the morning and transfer you to Tokyo Station.

Meet your guide at the platform as you disembark the train. Your guide will know from which car you will be exiting.

Touring this afternoon will be done by private car.

Kenroku-en is one of Japan’s most beautiful gardens, and this afternoon we suggest spending ample time exploring the grounds, which are full of blossoming flowers, ancient trees, and impressive landscaping. We highly recommend visiting the elegant Seison-kaku Villa in the park while you are there.

Higashi Chaya-gai is one of Japan’s best preserved geisha districts, and the old wooden buildings are a wonderful place to feel transported back centuries. Some of the traditional buildings are open as museums, and it is also here that you can visit the gold-leaf workshop which produces so much of Kanazawa’s most famous product.

After your tour, you'll be transferred to your accommodation in Kaga Onsen.

A guest
Room with Open-Air Bath

• Breakfast & Dinner included

Spend today exploring at leisure. We recommend starting at the beautiful Natadera Temple, established in 717 AD. The scenery around the temple is also breath-taking.

Then, visit the craft village of Yunokuni no mori, where you can try your hand at making various traditional handicrafts from Kaga Onsen and Ishikawa Prefecture.

Alternatively, just relax in your ryokan onsen and explore the surrounding area.

Note: Assistance can be provided in arranging taxis, should you wish to visit Natadera or Yunokuni no mori

Meet your driver at the entrance of your hotel in the morning by private transfer from Beniya Mukayu to Kaga Onsen Station.

Meet your guide at the platform as you disembark the train. They will know from which car you will be exiting. Proceed by private transfer to the Four Seasons, where you can leave your luggage before your afternoon experience.

Four Seasons
Premier Room Kyoto View

• Breakfast included

Head to Funatsuru and enjoy a traditional Japanese late lunch/early dinner whilst watching a Maiko performance this afternoon. You will dine in a traditional tatami room, and have the chance to converse with the elegant Maiko from Miyakawa and Gion. These maiko will also perform a traditional Kyoto dance known as kyomai. Photos are permitted.

Note: This experience will last for a couple of hours this afternoon.

You will be joined by your guide & translator, and transfers will be provided.

Spend your morning at leisure, exploring Kyoto independently. Below you will find some suggested touring.

Note: We recommend concluding your leisurely morning at Ryoan-ji Zen Garden, as this is where we propose you meet your guide.

Kinkaku-ji is Kyoto's famous golden pavilion, which dates back to 1397. The picture postcard shot of the impressive Zen Buddhist temple standing over the glistening pond in front of it attracts visitors from all over the world. The pavilion is one of the 17 locations making up the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, which are World Heritage Sites. On a visit to this beautiful temple, one can also roam the surrounding gardens and take in all the beauty that this complex has to offer.

Ryoan-ji Temple is the home of Japan's most famous zen garden and attracts thousands of visitors from across the world. It was once an aristocrat's villa, but was converted to a temple in 1450 and is now home to the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism. It has also been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The garden consists of 15 rocks on patches of moss marooned in a rectangular sea of pebbles. Whilst it may take reaching enlightenment to see all the rocks at once, it is up to each individual to find enlightenment's meaning for themselves.

Meet your guide at the Ryoan-ji ticket counter in the early afternoon.

All touring this afternoon will be done via public taxis, trains, and subways.

Please note that between November 1st and November 30th, it has been confirmed that the major roads within the entire area will have one-way traffic restrictions in place during the middle of the day. This may result in traffic in the area.

Arashiyama is one of Kyoto’s most beloved spots. It has a famous and storied wooden bridge, numerous temples known for their statuary and gardens, a scenic bamboo grove that is great for a stroll, and picturesque streets that complement each other to make a pleasant atmosphere excellent for leisurely walks.

With a history dating back nearly 700 years, Tenryuji is one of Arashiyama's most visited sites, and for good reason. While the building complex has suffered from fire damage throughout history (like much of Japan), the stunning gardens remain in their scenset form. As you stroll through the garden, both from within the temple and on the garden paths, you'll move from the pond, which symbolizes a large lake, up the mountain and into the forest (where multiple cherry trees can be found). As you exit the temple, you'll come to the famous bamboo forest.

While many religious sites have a somber tone, Otagi Nenbutsu-ji is a fun twist on the Japanese temple experience. Here you'll find well over 1,000 small stone statues, called rakan, often depicting humorous and lighthearted disciples of the Buddha.

Monk

Location: 147 Jodoji Shimominamidacho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-8404, Japan. This restaurant is a 15 minute taxi ride from your hotel.

Time: Evening

Booked independently by clients

Meeting Point: Nishijin Tondaya Machiya
Address: 697 Ishiyakushicho, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, 602-8226, Japan
Time: Morning
Note: Please make your own way to this experience. From Four Seasons Kyoto it is a 17 minute taxi ride.

This morning you'll have a chance to experience the timeless elegance of a tea ceremony in a traditional house with a history of over 100 years.

The tea ceremony is one of Japan's most traditional art forms. In this activity, you will learn the basic concepts and ideas surrounding the tea ceremony, and learn about the correct tea room manners.

As part of this experience, you'll also be able to dress in a beautiful kimono, and it will be followed by a light, Kyoto style lunch.

Conducted by a tea ceremony expert.

Private activity for 2 people.

Duration: approx. 2 hours

Note: Please either wear socks or bring a pair with you for this experience. You will be asked to remove your shoes.

Use your SUICA cards to board a train to Osaka Station (unreserved).

At Kyoto Station, you can take the JR Kyoto Line all the way to Osaka Station. Trains depart from platforms 4 and 5, and take about half an hour.

Assuming you arrive into Osaka in the early afternoon, you will have several hours until late afternoon to explore independently.

Highlights to explore include Osaka Castle and Shin Umeda Sky Building

Meet your tour guide at the lobby of Cross Hotel Osaka (conveniently located near the heart of Dotonbori) in the afternoon. The tour will last for several hours in the evening.

Osaka is a veritable concrete jungle, teeming with bars, restaurants, food stalls and merriment. Soak up the atmosphere with a specialist guide, a British expat who has called Osaka his home for the last nine years. You’ll be able to ask all those questions that you weren't comfortable asking a local guide! Together you will explore some of Osaka's quirkier bars and nightlife spots, and eat like a real Osakan.

The tour will be tailored to your food preferences. You’ll begin with a visit to Shinsekai, and sample kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers). Fancy something up-market? Explore the basement food halls in Umeda, or browse the markets in Tenma. Keen to go for drinks like a local? Check-out Namba’s bar scene with our guide: from bicycle bars, to tiny hole-in-the-wall venues, your guide will show you the places where locals like to hang-out, but which are inaccessible to non-Japanese speaking tourists. This tour is a must for those who like to explore a city from a culinary perspective. A memorable night awaits!

This is a private experience and is best enjoyed on foot.

Food & drinks will be provided.

At the end of your tour, please make your own way back to Kyoto via train. Use your transit card. Your guide can assist you in boarding the correct train.

Time: Morning
Meeting Point: KCTP Kyoto Station Cycle Terminal - Japan, 〒600-8235 Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, Higashiaburanokojicho, 552-13
Cycling tour office – will be provided

From the hotel it's a pleasant 30 minute walk, or a short taxi ride.

This morning you'll enjoy a guided cycle tour of some of Kyoto's highlights. Head first to Sanjusangen-do temple, the longest wooden building in the world at a length of 118m. A Tendai Buddhist temple, Sanjusangen-do was built in 1164 to house 1001 statues of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy. Though the golden statues are said to have one thousand arms apiece, most visitors quickly notice that they have only forty. The Buddhist formula is that each arm can save an impressive 25 worlds.

Then, head south to Kyoto's most famous shrine, Fushimi Inari. Thousands of orange torii gates lead up the mountainside. Take in the magnificent shrine and explore some of the surrounding areas.

Conducted by a cycling guide.

Private activity for 2 people.

Spend the afternoon at leisure, heading South along the Philosopher’s Path, named after a philosophy professor at Kyoto University who would frequent this route to clear his head. This path follows a tree-lined canal for two miles between two of Kyoto's most significant temples: Ginkaku-ji and Nanzen-ji. There are also many other lovely, and less frequented, temples and Zen gardens just off the path, ready for you to discover. There are so many, in fact, that a full day could be easily spent here!

Ginkaku-ji, literally translated as the ‘silver pavilion’, is named so due to initial plans to cover the building in silver foil. Despite not actually being at all silver, the pavilion still holds an ethereal air through its mossy gardens and a unique dry sand garden in the karesansui style. Nanzen-ji is considered to be in a league of its own, and acts as the organizational leader for Kyoto’s Rinzai Zen Buddhist temples. The temple also boasts delightfully landscaped gardens, made all the more magical by the juxtaposing backdrop of the red-brick aqueduct that runs through the grounds, carrying irrigation water from Lake Biwa to Kyoto.

Continuing Southward and curving towards the city center, follow the aqueduct at Nanzen-ji around to the Keage Incline. The incline of this old disused railroad track affords incredible views of Kyoto from its summit.

Hello Dolly

Location: Japan, 〒604-8013 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, 先斗町 松本町１６１-２. Please make your own way to the bar this evening.

From the Four Seasons we might suggest a pleasant 30 minute walk to the bar.

Time: Evening

Confirmed For a participant

Cancelation Policy: A penalty fee will apply for any cancellation or changes made within ONE WEEK (7 DAYS) of the reservation time.

Panel Cafe

Location: 165 Tokiwacho Higashiyama-ku Kyoto 605-0079. Please make your own way to the restaurant this morning.

From the Four Seasons it's an 8 minute taxi or 30 minute walk.

Time: Morning

Confirmed For an attendee

Cancelation Policy: A penalty fee will be applied for any cancellation or changes made within one week of the reservation time.

As your flight isn't until tonight, you have the whole day to enjoy Kyoto at your leisure. Below are some suggested experiences.

Situated in Kyoto's historic Higashiyama district is Kiyomizu Temple. For over 1200 years people have flocked here seeking comfort and guidance, offering up prayers in its splendid halls.

Suggestion only. Not booked by scenset.

Sannenzaka is a pedestrianized area of Kyoto providing a welcome escape from the modernity of the rest of the city. The area is home to many restaurants and teahouses and has a real old fashioned atmosphere. It's a great place to relax and simply watch the world go by.

Suggestion only. Not booked by scenset.

Gion is a historic district located in the heart of Kyoto, Japan. The area is famous for its well-preserved traditional architecture and for being the center of Kyoto's geisha culture.

Stroll through the narrow streets lined with tea houses, shops, and restaurants, and catch a glimpse of the geisha and maiko (apprentice geisha) as they move between their appointments. The district is also home to several historic temples and shrines, including the Yasaka Shrine, which is one of the most famous in Kyoto.

Suggestion only. Not booked by scenset.

Meet your driver at the entrance of your hotel in the evening and transfer to KIX Osaka Airport.

Thank you for traveling with us.
We hope that we were able to help you build lasting memories of your time in the Land of the Rising Sun.

scenset invests in making the world a better place. scenset will offset the fuel used during the trip. On top of that, we will offset an extra 10% to make your trip a carbon-positive experience.

Currently, we support Gold Standard Climate+ Projects from the Gold Standard Foundation.