Japan

March 22 - 24 | Tokyo
March 24 - 26 | Kanazawa
March 26 - 27 | Yamanaka
March 27 - 30 | Osaka
March 30 - April 01 | Miyajima
April 01 - 03 | Uchiko
April 03 - 06 | Iya Onsen
April 06 - 07 | Mount Koya
April 07 - 09 | Kyoto
April 07 - 10 | Tokyo
April 10 | Departure

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.

In Country Support Staff
A support staff member will also conduct your orientation.

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

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 contact person - will be provided

Tokyo Izakaya Tour: A contact person - will be provided

Kanazawa: A contact person - will be provided

Kanazawa Kaga Yuzen Experience: A contact person - will be provided

Osaka Food Tour: A contact person - will be provided

Iya Valley: A contact person - will be provided

Kyoto: A contact person - will be provided

You will be given a copy of all necessary contacts at your orientation.

As March progresses, the temperature gets warmer, and days brighter. Cherry Blossom season is in full effect by the end of the month as trees begin blooming with the warmer weather.

The high average temperature can go up to 17°C (62°F), and the lowest averages 10°C (50°F) in the morning and at night.

In Japan, there is always a chance of rainfall. Pack accordingly!

• 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 your 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 pop it in the mailbox at the airport 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.

You will receive these cards during your orientation.

Note: When using the Welcome SUICA, the reference paper must be carried at all times.

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.

Mitsui Garden Hotel Nihonbashi Premier
Superior Twin

• Breakfast included

Address: Japan, 〒103-0022 Tokyo, Chuo City, Nihonbashimuromachi, 3 Chome−4−4 9階

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, such as tourist maps of each destination, suggested walking routes, and detailed information on any special activities you may have booked, as well as a Japanese phrase sheet, which should help you travel in Japan more easily!

The day is yours to either relax, or explore Tokyo at your leisure. Some suggested sites include:

Asakusa is as close to the old shitamachi downtown atmosphere as one can possibly get in modern-day Tokyo. Centered around Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa is vibrant, festive and somewhat nostalgic. Very little has changed from the 1950s when the area was re-constructed. Senso-ji Temple is bright red and pleasantly crowded with pigeons and sight-seers, whilst Asakusa’s streets are busy and festive, lined with stalls selling freshly grilled rice crackers, Buddhist charms and paper fans. The buildings in the area mainly date back to the immediate post-war years, though some are even older. The local cinemas play old films, catering to nostalgic, elderly Japanese tourists and pilgrims who remember when much of Tokyo looked very similar. Behind the temple lies Tokyo’s most famous geisha quarter where you can see the exteriors of famous tea houses and occasionally catch a glimpse of the geisha on their way to work in the evenings.

On Kappabashi 'cooking' street, there are entire stores dedicated to ceramics, sieves, and saucepans, and it is also a good place to look for uniquely Japanese cooking implements like sesame grinders, daikon radish graters, and rectangular frying pans for making Japanese omelettes. There is also a good selection of Japanese kitchen knives.

If you are still feeling energetic this evening, we suggest a visit to Tokyo Skytree, one of the tallest structures in the world. From the top you can enjoy stunning views of the metropolis below as the day turns into night.

Hours:
Morning to evening
Tembo Deck last admission: Late evening
Tembo Galleria last admission: Early evening
No closing days

Admission:
will be provided
will be provided

Tickets can be purchased at the base of the tower.

Meet your guide in the hotel lobby in the morning.

All transportation today 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 is scenset.

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 is known for fashion, shopping and entertainment, and it’s easy to see why when you arrive at the busy station area. The Hachiko exit, with its statue of a famously faithful dog, is a popular meeting spot, and if you follow the crowds across the famous intersection you’ll find no shortage of shops of any kind. Increasingly popular with style-conscious young people, it’ s a prime location to see some of the most trendy and daring fashionistas. This is also a great area to try karaoke Japanese style - in a karaoke ‘box’, which is a private room where you can sing to your heart’s content and order in drinks and snack foods.

Meet your guide at 6:00pm in front of ShakeShack (close to JR Ebisu Station West exit
taxi stand) ( will be provided can escort you here - 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 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!

Recently, Japanese trains have become more strict when it comes to luggage allowance.

On most lines, the total baggage dimension should not exceed 160 cm (63 inches). More details can be found here.

We suggest sending some bags ahead to Kanazawa today, noting that they will arrive the following day. This will allow you to travel light on the train, plus it will eliminate the need to find a coin locker big enough at Kanazawa Station, as it’ll be too early to check in at your accommodation.

Note: You can chat with the orientation staff about this, and we can help facilitate it through your hotel.

From Mitsui Garden Hotel Nihonbashi, independently transfer to Tokyo Station. It's just 5 minutes by taxi, or a 15 minute walk.

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

All transportation today will be done via public taxis, trains, and subways.

Your guide can assist in dropping off your luggage at the hotel before your tour commences.

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.

Kanazawa-jo was one of Japan’s largest castles, and though it fell into ruin at the end of the Edo Period, many of the buildings have recently been restored. Originally the stronghold of Kanazawa’s powerful ruling family, the castle’s size and splendour reflects the family’s wealth and power. The 1/10 scale model of the castle should not be missed! The nearby Oyama-jinja has an unusual shrine gate with an interesting history.

Kanazawa’s old samurai district, Nagamachi is characterized by earthen walls which surround the historical residences. Many of the houses can be visited, and we particularly recommend a residence, which is now a museum and well known for its verdant garden, the Ashigaru Shiryokan Museum, which features reconstructed houses of samurai foot soldiers, and the Kaga Hanshii: once a stable for horses, this now houses a pleasant strolling garden.

Machiya Residence Sansuikyo
Entire Home

• Self Catered (no meals included)

Address: 9-3 Zaimokucho, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0921, Japan

Check-in time: Afternoon
Door code: 0096
Check-in Procedure

• Please go directly to your machiya house and enter with the provided PIN number above.
  
• Once you have entered the house, please call our staff using the cell phone provided inside the house.
  
• A staff member will then go to your house to conduct the check-in procedure with you.

Although no guided experiences are scheduled for today, there is plenty in Kanazawa for you to explore.

Like much else in Kanazawa, the markets at Omicho Ichiba date back to the Edo Period, when it supplied the city’s seafood and produce needs. The market still bustles, particularly in the mornings and around noon when lines form outside the most popular restaurants, which makes it a good place to stop for lunch. Market specials include jibu-ni, a kind of duck and vegetable stew, and donburi, rice bowls topped with the freshest of the market’s seafood.

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.

Restaurant: Steak Rokkakudō
Time: Lunchtime (booked under a different name)
Address: 3 Chome-4-42 Kannonmachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0838, Japan. The restaurant is about 15 minutes walking from Higashi Chaya District
Cancellation Policy: No cancellation policy but they would appreciate advance notification (will be provided).
Note: A table is booked, but there may still be a bit of a wait on arrival.

Kanazawa’s Teramachi (temple district) is designated as one of Japan’s Important Groups of Traditional Buildings and there are more than 70 temples, mostly built between the 8th and 17th centuries, located within the area. The most famous is Myoryu-ji Temple (妙龍寺), built by the Nichiren Zen sect in 1643, is also referred to as the ninja temple and played an obvious role in defending the city. The temple has a maze of corridors, secret passages, concealed chambers, trick doors and traps and although there is no historical connection with actual ninja, this is how it got its name.

Tours of this temple are conducted only in Japanese and visitors who don't speak Japanese are given a folder of notes to read as they follow the tour around the temple. No questions are possible and tour guides who speak English are not allowed to accompany visitors so the experience can be a bit confusing for those who don't speak Japanese.

Brightly glazed and highly decorated Kutani-ware pottery - once made in the mountains of Ishikawa Prefecture - is now a symbol of Kanazawa itself. At the kiln, you can watch the pottery being decorated by hand with representational pictures, and take a tour of the wood-fired kiln itself.

Because luggage space on trains is very limited and to allow you to travel comfortably, we suggest you send your luggage ahead from Kanazawa to Osaka overnight.

We suggest packing small overnight bags as you will be without the bulk of your luggage for your night in Kaga Onsen.

• Please pay for your luggage transfer locally
  
• Please note that there is a weight limit of 30kg for each individual piece of luggage
  
• Your guide this morning will assist with your luggage transfer.

Your guide will meet you at your accommodation in the morning, and together you will travel to the activity venue.

This morning we have arranged for you to visit an authentic Kaga Yuzen Silk Dyeing Studio.

The exterior of the Meiji-period (1868-1912) townhouse has been preserved and is still used today as a Kaga Yuzen silk dyeing atelier. In the gallery, where you can experience the craftsmen's mastery and learn deeply about the meaning and spirit of the patterns they draw, you will create an authentic hand-painted Kaga Yuzen furoshiki handkerchief. You will receive advice from an artist, practice your own ideas and coloring while applying authentic techniques such as blurring, and finally complete the process by washing with water (yuzen-nagashi).

Your guide will be with you until the afternoon. She can help you find some lunch, and get you to the station to take the train to Kagaonsen.

Use your SUICA cards to board a train to Kaga Onsen. No tickets have been booked, but it's an easy 30 minute journey. Full instructions will be provided in due course.

From Kagaonsen Station you can take a taxi to Kayotei (15 minutes).

Kayotei Address: 1 Chome-ホ２０ Yamanakaonsen Higashimachi, Kaga, Ishikawa 922-0114, Japan

Kayotei
Japanese-style Room - River View

• Breakfast & Dinner included

Address; 1 Chome-ホ２０ Yamanakaonsen Higashimachi, Kaga, Ishikawa 922-0114, Japan

A private transfer will take you to Kagaonsen station in the morning.

Independently transit to an express train to Osaka.

You will arrive on the bullet train platform (3rd floor), and will need to go to the express train platform (1st floor).

Note: You will have a short connection.

Upon arrival disembark and take a taxi or Uber to Zentis Osaka (about 10 minutes).

The taxi rank at Osaka Station is located on the south west corner of the station building just outside the Sakurabashi Gate.

Zentis Osaka
Studio King

• Breakfast included

Address: Japan, 〒530-0004 Osaka, Kita Ward, Dojimahama, 1 Chome−4−26 Zentis Osaka

Meet your guide at 6:00pm in front of a restaurant (please make your own way - the address is 4 Chome-12-1 Tenjinbashi, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0041, Japan).

Note: From Zentis Osaka it's a leisurely 30 minute walk. Alternatively, if you independently choose to explore Dotonbori beforehand, it's an easy trip on the Sakaisuji Line, from Nippombashi to Ogimachi

Your tour will conclude at 9:00pm.

Osaka is known as Japan's kitchen - many Japanese favorites are from this vibrant city! On this tour, you sample the best - street food, izakaya delights, standing bars, and stunning wagyu beef. An evening of eating in this crazy, fantastic city is sure to delight. Your taste buds are sure to leave you very happy!

Food & drinks are included.

Duration: 3 hours

Although no guided experiences are scheduled for today, there is plenty in Osaka for you to explore.

Kita's maze of underground shopping malls and arcades is a fascinating place to visit: Tenjinbashi-Suji is the longest shopping street in Japan. If you enter the arcade at Minamimorimachi Station and walk towards Tenjimbashisuji 6-chome Station you will arrive at the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living.

Inside you can find a replica of Edo period (1600 to 1867) Osaka and learn about its life during feudal times, which provides relief from all the modernity outside.

The futuristic, floating observatory of the Shin Umeda Sky Building offers grand views of Osaka's busy districts, and on clear days you can see as far as Awaji island.

Hours:
Morning to night (last admission an hour before closing)

Admission:
will be provided

One of Japan's most famous castles, Osaka castle played a major role in the unification of Japan during the sixteenth century under the rule of a prominent leader. The imposing castle structure towers five stories on the outside and eight stories on the inside, and is built on a tall stone foundation. Equally attractive are the expansive grounds that contain thirteen structures which have been designated as Important Cultural Assets by the Japanese government.

Hours:
Morning to evening (entry until shortly before closing)

Admission:
Will be provided

On August 25, 1958, an individual invented the world's first instant noodles, “Chicken Ramen,” after a year of research using common tools in a small shed built in their backyard.

Realizing the need to transcend cultural boundaries to popularise instant noodles worldwide, the individual gathered wisdom and innovative ideas to invent CUP NOODLES, transforming “made in Japan” instant noodles into a global food. The CUP NOODLES MUSEUM delivers a message to the visitors on the importance of inventiveness and discovery by introducing the history of instant noodles, a new food culture.

At the museum you can make your own custom Cup Noodles.

Hours:
Morning to late afternoon (Last admission is about an hour before closing)

Admission:
Free

Day at leisure. Option to visit Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios. Note that tickets must be booked directly by clients as there are onerous rules in place to ensure the purchaser is the one attending the park. Tickets can be purchased here.

Because luggage space on trains is very limited and to allow you to travel comfortably, we suggest you send your luggage ahead from Osaka to Uchiko overnight. We suggest packing small overnight bags as you will be without the bulk of your luggage for your stay on Miyajima.

• Please pay for your luggage transfer locally through your hotel.
  
• 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 hotel front desk in the morning

Independently proceed to Shin-Osaka station this morning. It's 10 minutes from your hotel by taxi.

Note: This will be a different station from the one you arrived into.

Peace Memorial Park and Museum is likely to be the most moving part of your trip to Japan. The spacious park is full of memorials dedicated to those who lost their lives on August the 6th 1945, as well as those who later succumbed to diseases, and is also home to the famous Atomic Bomb Dome.

Stroll back from the museum along the Hondori - Hiroshima City's long covered shopping street where you can find a plethora of exciting shops and boutiques.

Hours: Morning to evening
Admission: will be provided

Note: This would be a self-guided experience.

Shukkeien's name can be translated into English as shrunken scenset garden, which is also a good description of the garden itself. Valleys, mountains, and forests are represented in miniature in the garden's landscapes. Through carefully cultivated land and vegetation, the garden mimics a variety of natural formations and scenic views.

Shukkeien has a long history dating back to 1620, just after the completion of Hiroshima Castle. The garden displays many features of the traditional aesthetics of Japanese gardens. Around the garden's main pond there are a number of tea houses which offer visitors ideal views of the surrounding scenset.

The entire garden is connected by a path which winds around the pond at the center of the garden. The path passes through all of Shukkeien's various miniaturized scenes. Following this path around the garden is the best way to enjoy Shukkeien.

Hours
Morning to evening

Admission
Will be provided

To get to Miyajima you have two options.

The first (and easiest) is to take a ferry from Hiroshima Peace Park, which takes about 45 minutes. This is not covered by your SUICA Card.

The second option is to take the JR Sanyo Line to Miyajimaguchi Station (about 25 minutes). Alternatively, you can take tram line number 2 from central Hiroshima bound for Miyajimaguchi. The tram is slower, but cheaper.

From Miyajimaguchi Station, it is a short walk to the ferry pier, from where ferries depart frequently for Miyajima. There are two competing ferry companies operating from this port: JR and Matsudai. Both companies' ferry rides take about 10 minutes.

As you disembark in Miyajima, it's a 10 minute walk to your ryokan.

Miyajima Kinsuikan
Suite B

• Breakfast & dinner included

Address: 1133 Miyajimacho, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima 739-0558, Japan

Although there are no guided experiences for today, we have made some suggestions on what to see below.

Today I spent some time exploring the sacred island of Miyajima, which is lovely to visit at any season. The town boasts a bustling shopping and market street, with vendors selling local specialty foods with the freshest ingredients from the Seto Inland Sea. The area is known for citrus fruits, oysters, and deep-fried momiji manju (filled sponge cakes in the shape of a maple leaf)!

Daisho-in: Daisho in is located at the foot of Mount Misen, and is one of the most important temples of Shingon Buddhism. The temple features many different buildings, statues, and other significant religious objects, such as the Kannon-do Hall, the Maniden Hall, a sand mandala, a tea room, and a cave filled with 88 icons that represent the temples of the Shikoku Pilgrimage. A trail behind the temple leads to the summit of Mount Misen, which takes about 1.5 hours to hike.

Mount Misen: The forested peak which rises up behind Miyajima’s striking torii gate, Mount Misen is 535 meters high, which makes for a short if strenuous climb, though there’s also a cable car to near the top if you’re not feeling energetic. In addition to the striking views of the island-dotted Seto Inland Sea that can be had from its peak, Mount Misen is home to the not-so-timid sacred deer, who may well follow you a little way along the hiking trails hoping for food. If you are lucky you might also spot the local troupe of Japanese macaques. The walk takes about 1.5 hours going up and around 4 hours round trip, done at a leisurely pace.

Itsukushima Shrine: Itsukushima Shrine (Itsukushima-jinja) is built out over the water, as a spiritual threshold that separates the sacred island from the profane outer world. With its large torii gate standing nearby, it forms the iconic image of Miyajima. The shrine itself was first built in the 6th Century, and took its present form in the 12th Century, though typhoons have caused periodic reconstruction over the years most recently in 2004. The shrine’s buildings are best visited at high tide, when the water sweeps in below and the whole complex appears to float on the waves. At low tide you can explore the structures from below.

Use your SUICA cards to travel back to Hiroshima Station via ferry & train this morning. You will be picking up your rental car from near the station.

Pick Up Location: Nissan Rentacar - 7-20 Atagomachi, Higashi Ward, Hiroshima, 732-0054, Japan

Confirmation Reference: will be provided for a renter.

Phone Number: will be provided

Note: Your rental car will be available for pick up in the morning.

Renting a car and self driving can be a great way to explore Japan, giving you the freedom and flexibility to travel to areas less well covered by the rail network.

In order to drive in Japan, you will need an International Driving Permit (IDP). These are not issued in Japan and should be obtained in your home country before you depart.

Note that Japan only recognises international driving permits based on the 1949 Geneva Convention, which are issued by a large number of countries, including the UK and USA.

Make the journey to Uchiko. In your rental car, leave Hiroshima city heading East. When you reach Ononmichi, make the drive across the Setouchi National Park islands that straddle the sea over to Shikoku. We highly recommend stopping off along the way for photos and rest breaks as this is one of Japan's most beautiful areas.

On arrival in Shikoku, we suggest driving via Matsuyama, where you can stop off at the Ishite-ji temple - number 52 of the Shikoku Pilgrimage Route. We also highly recommend Matsuyama Castle. Head south to reach Uchiko in Ehime prefecture.

The non-stop drive time in good conditions is around 3.5 hours.

You should head to the main office to check in, and they will escort you to your accommodation.

Address: 1993 Uchiko, Kita District, Ehime 791-3301

Uchi Kokoro - Hisa Inn
Entire Home

• Breakfast included

Address: 2871 Uchiko, Kita District, Ehime 791-3301, Japan Note: Head to the main office first (address above)

Today is a day of leisurely exploration.

First, we recommend exploring the area you are staying in - belonging to the 'Yokaichi-Gokoku' areas. These old-timey streets make you feel like you have stepped back in time to late Edo, Meiji and even Taisho periods. Designated 'Important Preservation Districts' everything has been maintained to keep its scenset charm and character. Enjoy the local architecture and meet people going about their day to day lives, as you wander these quaint streets. Stop for a coffee at a local cafe, or visit one of the old residences, for example the Omura residence, or the Kamihaga residence with its impressive beams.

We also suggest a stop by the Uchiko Town Museum, where you can learn all about the fascinating history of Uchiko. Finally, visit the Uchiko-za, Uchiko's kabuki theatre. Despite being a fully operational theatre, you can enter inside and explore the many trap doors and hidden passageways around the stage!

This afternoon, head out in your rental car to the nearby Ishidatami Seiryu-en Park, about 20 minutes away. This is a real slice of traditional rural Japan! Approximately 70 years ago this park had around 30 water wheels operational in the Fumoto River. Nowadays they have disappeared, but locals have made a huge effort to restore the nostalgic landscape and have reproduced 3 that turn today. Visit a traditional water mill hut, where you can see how rice would have been polished in the old way, all those years ago. The park itself is beautiful, with space to roam and relax with the sounds of water.

Meeting Point: Tenjin Japanese Paper Factory, 1240-1 Hiraoka, Uchiko-cho, Kita-gun, Ehime, Japan

It is a 5 minute drive from your accommodation.

In this activity, enter a paper making workshop where you can watch the masters at work.

This traditional method of 'washi' paper-making has a long history, and in this experience you can even try making your own paper, under the experts' guidance. Whilst your work is drying, you can explore the factory and on-site store.

Time: Morning (40 minutes)

Note: Please pay locally - will be provided at orientation.

This morning leave Uchiko. First drive back up to Matsuyama, then head east along the coastal highway to Miyoshi, where you'll then turn south to the Iya Valley. The journey will take around 3 hours at a leisurely pace.

Alternatively, take the route through the center of Shikoku past Niyodogawa and Otoyo - this will take around 4 hours.

Meeting Point: Tsuzuki Soba Shop - 84-1 Higashiiyawakabayashi, Miyoshi, Tokushima 778-0204, Japan

One of Shikoku's specialties, the soba noodle, has a great presence here in Iya Valley, and in this workshop meet a noodle maker who provides restaurants across the region with their high-quality handmade noodles. Join this maker as they demonstrate the process of hand-milling, kneading, cutting and boiling the noodles, before you tuck in to a delicious soba meal. If you are lucky, you might get a chance to experience this maker's other hidden talent in the form of a beautiful folk song. Not only are their noodles adored, but they are also an award-winning folk singer!

Time: Midday-Early Afternoon

This is a shared experience.

Note: Please pay locally - you will be given cash at orientation.

Iya Onsen Hotel
Standard Japanese Room

• Breakfast & dinner included

Address: Matsumoto-367-28 Ikedacho Matsuo, Miyoshi, Tokushima 778-0165, Japan. From your soba noodle class, it is a 30 minute drive.

Meet your guide in the lobby of your ryokan in the morning, and set out for a private tour.

Start with a visit to the famous Kazurabashi vine bridge. Historically, suspension bridges made of mountain vines (kazurabashi) were one of the only ways to easily move people and goods across the river of the of the Iya Valley. History is unclear about their scenset, but legends say that they were either first raised by a founder of a Japanese Buddhist sect, or created by refugees hiding in the area after their defeat in the Gempei War (1180-1185) as a means of quickly cutting off access to the valley. 13 bridges once spanned the valley, but only three survive today.

Continue on to visit Oboke Gorge and neighboring Koboke Gorge. These are narrow, steep sided gorges near the entrance to the Iya Valley and popularly combined with a visit there. Cut by the swirling rapids of the Yoshino River, their names mean big dangerous steps and small dangerous steps as their jagged, rocky walls can be perilous to navigate. The gorges are one of the leading outdoor destinations in Japan, and are known for their beautiful natural scenery and for the variety of outdoor attractions, such as white water rafting and canyoning, that can be enjoyed on the river.

Spend the day exploring the region at your leisure. There are many shrines to visit, hikes to enjoy, and little villages to explore.

A small town in northeastern Kagawa Prefecture, Kotohira is primarily famous for Kompirasan, Shikoku's most popular shrine. Kompirasan is dedicated to seafaring, and is said to have one of the most difficult shrine approaches in Japan. Nearby is the historical Kanamaruza kabuki theater, Japan's oldest surviving, complete kabuki playhouse, which still stages kabuki performances from time to time.

From your ryokan, Kotohira is a drive of about 1 hour & 10 minutes north.

Kompirasan is the main shrine of multiple Kompira shrines found around Japan that are dedicated to sailors and seafaring. Located on the wooded slope of Mount Zozu in Kotohira, the approach to Kompirasan is an arduous series of 1,368 stone steps.

Over many centuries, Kompirasan had been revered as a mixture between Shinto shrine and Buddhist temple, until it was officially declared a shrine in the beginning of the Meiji Period during government efforts to separate the two religions. Nevertheless, the former symbiosis is still visible in Kompirasan's architecture which displays both Shinto and Buddhist elements.

Despite being one of the most difficult shrine approaches in Japan, Kompirasan is a highly popular site visited by pilgrims from across the country. The approach begins amongst a touristy shopping arcade filled with souvenir shops and Sanuki Udon restaurants, from where it is a 785 step climb (about 45 minutes) past a number of auxiliary shrine buildings and museums to the main hall of the shrine. Next to the main hall is a viewpoint overlooking Kotohira Town, and the Ema Hall which displays plates and pictures of ships, battleships and even space rockets whose crews sought the protection of the shrine. Interestingly, a real mini submarine is also on display.

Most visitors only make it up to the main hall; however, for the adventurous it is an additional 583 steps (an additional 45 minutes) along a paved, forested path to the inner shrine (Okusha) of the complex. Those unable (or unwilling) to make the climb, can hire a palanquin going up, going down or round trip up to the main hall or take a bus.

Hours:
(Main shrine) 6:00 - 18:00 (Rear shrine) 8:00 - 17:00

Admission:
Free

Established in 1835, this theatre represents Japan's oldest surviving 'shibaigoya' theatre, holding the distinction of being designated as a National Important Cultural Heritage. Within its walls, one can witness the preserved traditions of Edo period theatre, including the 'manekigaki' featuring performers' names, the 'hanamichi' walkway for actor entrances and exits, and the 'sajikiseki' where guests can observe the performances.

In 2003, restoration efforts were undertaken to revive certain traditional elements of the theatre, such as the 'budodana' used for dispersing snow-like confetti onto the stage and the 'kakesuji' a classic structure for elevating actors into the air. During the Edo period, attending a theatre performance was a major attraction for pilgrims visiting the Kotohiragu shrine from various parts of the country.

Hours
Morning to evening

Admission:
will be provided

The secluded area around Oboke is surrounded by mountains, which will be covered in bright spring colors in April. Explore on casual hikes or by riding the cable car through the hills. The crisp mountain air is especially inviting for an onsen, the traditional Japanese thermal baths located in this area. After days of traveling, a pause to luxuriate is just what you'll need.

This morning set off for Koyasan - around 5 hours 30 minutes. You'll need to drive through Tokushima City and across Awaji Island over to Kobe, through Osaka and then out the other side into the mountains.

Directions to your lodging at Koyasan can be found here.

Hongakuin
Room with Private Bathroom

• Breakfast & dinner included

Address: Hon'gaku-in Temple (Pilgrim's Lodging), 618 Koyasan, Koya, Ito District, Wakayama 648-0211, Japan

As you assimilate to temple life, you may wish to independently explore some sites on the mountain, including:

Garan: Legend has it that the founder of Shingon Buddhism threw his sankosho (a double ended, three pronged Buddhist ceremonial tool) from China, where he had been studying, toward Japan. Back in Japan, while in search of a place to headquarter his new religion, he came across his sankosho stuck in the branches of a pine tree on Koyasan and started construction of the Garan, Koyasan's central temple complex. The pine tree that caught the sankosho is still growing there. Since the founding of Koyasan in 816, the Dai (Great) Garan has been one of the most important areas on Koyasan, as it is the centre of Buddhism on the mountain. The Garan is still where Buddhist monks gather for their practices and hold many important annual ceremonies and events. The temple complex is famous for its large statue of the Buddha Mahavairochana (the fundamental deity of Shingon Buddhism), surrounded by the Four Buddhas of the Kongokai.

Okunoin: Okunoin is the site of the mausoleum of the founder of Shingon Buddhism, one of the most revered persons in the religious history of Japan. The Ichinohashi Bridge (first bridge) marks the traditional entrance to Okunoin, and visitors should bow to pay respect before crossing it. Across the bridge starts Okunoin's cemetery, the largest in Japan, with over 200,000 tombstones lining the almost two kilometre long approach to the mausoleum. Torodo Hall (Hall of Lamps) is Okunoin's main hall for worship, built in front of the mausoleum. Inside the hall are more than 10,000 lanterns, which were donated by worshippers and are kept eternally lit. In the hall's basement are 50,000 tiny statues that have been donated to Okunoin on the occasion of the 1150th anniversary of the entrance into eternal meditation in 1984. Some guidebooks suggest visiting Okunoin's graveyard at night. A night time visit indeed provides a special atmosphere that is quite different from that of a day time visit, but note that some parts of the path are poorly lit. It is possible to venture all the way to the mausoleum during the night, but neither the Torodo Hall nor any of the the other offering halls are open. Also, please behave respectfully and keep in mind that photography, food and drink are prohibited beyond the Gobyonohashi Bridge.

Start your day by joining the group for morning prayers.

Make the drive to Kyoto this morning - this will take 2 - 2.5 hours.

Drop Off Location: NISSAN Rent A Car Kyoto Shinkansen Station - 42-13 Nishikujo Kitanouchicho, Minami Ward, Kyoto, 601-8411, Japan

Drop Off Time: Please return your vehicle in the afternoon.

Phone Number: will be provided

The drop off location is about 25 minutes on foot from the accommodation. You could also take a taxi from Kyoto Station.

If you arrive in Kyoto in the morning, you should have plenty of time to settle into the accommodation, before meeting your guide in the early afternoon.

Note: The streets around the accommodation are extremely narrow and the cars can’t get right the way down to the accommodation. If you take a taxi, you will need to walk a couple of hundred yards.

Genji Kyoto
Garden Deluxe

• Breakfast included

Address: 362-3 Hashidonocho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8113, Japan

Meet your guide in the hotel lobby in the afternoon.

Most of the touring this afternoon can be done on foot, or via public transportation.

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.

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.

Famous for its shrine, traditional winding streets, and wooden town houses, the Gion & Yasaka areas offer seemingly endless hidden alleyways to explore. The area is filled with some of Kyoto's finest dining, unique shopping and of course, the chance to witness a geisha on her way to an evening engagement. Should you spot a geisha, please be considerate in your requests for pictures.

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

• Please pay for your luggage transfer locally.
  
• 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 hotel front desk in the morning.

Time: Morning (approximately 3 hours)
Meeting Point: Waratenjin-mae Bus Stop - Hirano Miyanishicho, Kita Ward, Kyoto, 603-8357, Japan
Cycling tour office – Phone number will be provided

Private activity for 2 people.

Today you'll enjoy a guided cycle tour of the Golden Route in North-West Kyoto. Begin at the famous golden pavilion, Kinkaku-ji, before visiting next door Ryoan-ji, best known for its Zen rock garden. Continue on to the Hirosawa Pond, surrounded by nature and paddy fields.

End your tour in Arashiyama where you can explore the bamboo forest and cross the famous Togetsu Bridge.

Meeting Point: To Be Confirmed

Peace of Mind. Acceptance. Embracing that which does not last. Understanding that Nothing is Everything. Zen Buddhism is a true 'Way of Life' and an essential part of Japanese identity. Enjoy this rare opportunity to explore Zazen meditation in a private temple; an unparalleled experience to rediscover yourself while gaining a better insight and understanding of Japanese values, cultures, and history.

This is a private experience.
Duration: Approximately 1 hour

Further details will be provided.

You will have a free morning to explore Kyoto independently. Below are some suggestions on what to see.

Nishiki Market is a narrow, five block long shopping street lined by more than one hundred shops and restaurants. For long-lasting souvenirs, we highly recommend the Aritsugu Knife Shop, which dates back to 1560 and stocks all kinds of beautifully handmade kitchen equipment, from knives to strainers to special tools for cutting vegetables into flower shapes. A shop selling Japanese spices is a wonderful place to pick up flavourings for your favourite foodie or to recreate Kyoto-style dishes at home. Fu, or wheat gluten, which is a staple of Buddhist vegetarian cooking, can be purchased at a shop selling this product and also travels well.

Construction of Nijo Castle began in 1601 by the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate, and is now listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. The architecture was ostentatious for its day, designed to illuminate the Shogun’s growing strength in contrast to the emperor's dwindling power. Don’t miss the ‘nightingale floors’, named for the unique chirping sound emitted when stepped upon.

The castle’s famous garden adjoining the Ninomaru Palace is attributed to the renowned landscape architect. The garden features islands in a pond, said to be typical of the extravagant designs of the Edo period.

Hours:
Morning to late afternoon (last admission an hour before closing)

Admission:
will be provided

Meet your guide at the hotel lobby in the afternoon.

Head to the famous Fushimi Inari shrine, which comprises of thousands of red torii gates leading up the mountainside. This is one of Japan's most loved and most sacred shrines.

Learn about the history of sake and how it is brewed, and enjoy a sake tasting at a nearby sake museum.

Upon conclusion of your tour, your guide will escort you to Kyoto Station in time for your train to Tokyo.

From Tokyo Station, transfer independently to Mitsui Garden Hotel Nihonbashi. It's a short taxi ride or a moderately short walk.

Mitsui Garden Hotel Nihonbashi Premier
Superior Twin

• There will not be time for breakfast in the morning

We can pre-book a taxi for you to take you to Haneda Airport. Note that the hotel adds a handling charge, so you may just want to get it on the day.

You will need to depart your hotel at about 5:30 in the morning.

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

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