Journey to Japan
Japan is a destination like no other, where a vision of the future intermingles with traditions of the past. It's not uncommon to interact with a robot in a hotel lobby, before crossing the street and entering a 1,000 year old temple. While Tokyo & Kyoto will be the bedrock of any itinerary, we also recommend spending a couple of nights off the beaten path, where you can relax and experience the Japanese countryside.
November 8th - 12th | Kyoto | 4 nights
November 12th - 14th | Furano | 2 nights
November 14th - 17th | Sapporo | 3 nights
November 17th - 20th | Lake Shikotsu | 3 nights
- Please find your flight tickets HERE.
Booked by Scenset.
If you need any assistance while you are traveling, or if you would like to make any changes, reservations or cancellations during your time in Japan you can contact the following who will be your local contacts during your trip:
Tokyo Partner Office Emergency Number - For any assistance you may require, please contact (Please only contact once in Japan):
A local contact: will be provided (whatsapp)
If I do not answer the phone, please contact
Another local contact: will be provided
JAPAN
Local Guide Information :
- Kyoto - A local guide
- Hokkaido - A local guide
Scenset
- Your Curator: Carl
- Scenset Emergency Line: +1 (415) 941-0027
Important: Due to the time difference, for small day-to-day things like touring and dining reservations - or emergencies that need immediate assistance - it will be most efficient for you to use the local contacts as they are in the same time zone as you.
WhatsApp: If you don’t have WhatsApp on your phone, we strongly encourage downloading it for free as it makes contacting our local team easier.
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.
In early November, Japan experiences pleasant autumn weather with cool temperatures and relatively low humidity. Daytime temperatures typically range from 10°C to 18°C, while nights can be chilly, dropping to around 5°C to 10°C. The famous autumn foliage, or "koyo," reaches its peak in many parts of the country during this time, painting landscapes in vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows. While generally dry, there can be occasional rainfall, so it's advisable to pack a light raincoat or umbrella. The weather is ideal for outdoor activities and sightseeing, making it a popular time for tourists to visit Japan.
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!
These guidelines are for reference only. Scenset holds no responsibility for travel restrictions. Travelers are responsible for ensuring the right documentation to travel.
- Please find your flight tickets HERE.
Booked by Scenset.
Welcome to Kyoto! Today, your adventure begins.
Meet your driver in the arrivals area of the airport, after clearing customs. Upon meeting your driver, you will be transferred to your accommodation.
Booked by a travel agency.
Kyoto is the nation’s former capital and was the residence of the emperor from 794 until 1868. With 2,000 religious buildings, including 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines, as well as palaces, gardens, and associated architecture, it is one of the best-preserved cities in Japan and has 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Kyoto represents the “Japan of old” and beyond the high-rise skyscrapers built as a monument to progress, the real monument to Japan’s historical and cultural past can be found in the city’s narrow alleyways where tea houses abound and kimono-clad geisha hurry around.
Why we love it for you: Hotel Mitsui in Kyoto stands out as an exceptional choice for first-time visitors, seamlessly combining traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern comforts. Situated in the heart of Kyoto, this hotel offers a serene escape with proximity to renowned attractions like Kiyomizu-dera and Gion District, providing an authentic experience of Kyoto's cultural treasures. With its meticulously designed interiors, exquisite dining options, and a commitment to hospitality, Hotel Mitsui ensures an enchanting stay that captures the essence of Kyoto's timeless beauty for newcomers to the city.
Hotel Mitsui Kyoto
Deluxe King
- Breakfast included
A few of our favorite restaurant recommendations for Kyoto are:
- Another C is a sophisticated and luxurious space where a chef creates moments of bliss for every guest.
- Minokichi Takeshigero was established in 1716, located close to Heian Jingu Shrine and Nanzenji Temple, allows you to fully enjoy the essence of Kyoto's food culture.
- Tempura endo Yasaka offers Kyoto-style fish & vegetable tempura in a restaurant with a serene, traditional Japanese interior.
- Mishimatei serves typical sukiyaki meals with premium beef grilled at the table, in a classic townhouse setting.
- Kushikura is a historic, rustic eatery in a traditional wooden townhouse specializing in charcoal-grilled meats & skewers!
- Il Ghiottone is an excellent Italian-Japanese fusion restaurant.
- Monk offers a farm-to-table pizza concept with wood-fired ovens.
- Itoh Dining is an excellent fusion style teppanyaki and Kobe beef restaurant!
- Tominoko Yamagishi is a traditional Japanese restaurant with fantastic food.
- Mankamerou is a two Michelin-star restaurant that has carried on the knife ceremony of the Ikama School for over 300 years. This devotion to ‘sound, sensible, humble’ dishes has been handed down through 10 generations.
Blending innovative ideas with traditions spanning centuries, Japan's ancient imperial city buzzes with the energy of skilled artisans.
A few of our favourites are:
- Kanaami-Tsuji - in his workshop near Kodai-ji Temple, an artisan modernizes the traditional kyo-kanaami metal weaving passed down through his family, creating both beautiful and durable items like tofu servers and wire baskets. Close by, a cleaning supply shop since 1818 near Sanjo Bridge, offers natural palm brooms and scrubbers, serving ryokan innkeepers and temple caretakers.
- Hisoca is great for ceramics! Located west of the Imperial Palace, Hisoca is a cozy shop where the owner offers a collection of joy-sparking, mainly Japanese-crafted dining essentials. The range includes traditional nabe pots, Okayama plates, Osakan wooden trays, and locally made smoked-glass cups, beautifully presented on the shop’s shelves.
- Good is Good - the minimalist Good Is Good, opened by an artist couple near the atelier-packed Kita-ku ward doubles as an art gallery, ceramics store and teahouse. Rotating exhibitions with works by the owners and their artistic friends dictate the store’s erratic opening hours.
- Saluk, located in a village on the way to Kurama-dera temple, Saluk is a craft gallery featuring metalware by a Kyushu-born artisan, made in her workshop there. Her notable creations include silver-laced chopstick rests and flavor-enhancing tin sake cups. Besides metalware, Saluk offers whimsical glass art, rustic Hokkaido ceramics, and notebooks with reclaimed kimono fabric covers.
- Shuka, dubbed a "bean boutique," the family-operated Shuka focuses on a select range of carefully chosen seeds and beans – including local adzuki beans, Indonesian cashews, and black soybeans from Hyogo. They expertly cook, dry and then sweeten these beans with specific types of sugar to complement their natural flavors.
- Yugen is great for matcha an approachable alternative to the slightly intimidating traditional teahouses. From behind a bar-like counter, the staff can advise you on their selection of locally grown matcha teas, while the bamboo whisks from Nara and ceramic tea bowls help you build out your expert-level matcha kit.
- Graphpaper, launched in 2015 by an individual, is known for its minimalist streetwear, including boxy shirts and neutral basics, and has quickly gained popularity in Tokyo. Its Kyoto branch occupies a century-old machiya in Nakagyo-ku, blending traditional architecture with a modern concrete exterior. Inside, a mossy courtyard leads to a kura storehouse turned display room, showcasing exclusive collaborations with global brands like Mizuno and Is-ness.
- POJ Studio (short for Pieces of Japan), aims to demystify the world of Japanese craft by bringing artisans and their stories together in a shoppable showroom. Pitched up in a timeworn machiya townhouse behind the Toyokuni Shrine in the east of the city, the space is a one-stop shop for rustic dinnerware, indigo-dyed noren curtains, and made-to-order furniture crafted from hinoki wood. The workshop upstairs hosts incense-making classes and kintsugi (repairing with gold lacquer) sessions led by a master craftsman.
- D&Department, nestled within a wooden structure at the 14th-century Bukko-ji temple, curates timeless and durable goods from across Japan's 47 prefectures, including enamel kettles from Tochigi, lacquer bowls from Ishikawa, and washi paper stationery from Toyama. The store focuses especially on Kyoto products, featuring tea from the historic Horaido teashop, urushi-coated straws, and natural dashi powders by the 1803-established Uneno.
These are recommendations only.
Today’s touring will be done via private car.
Start Time: Morning
End Time: Afternoon
Booked by Scenset
Meet your English-speaking guide in the hotel lobby to begin your tour.
Start your exploration in the Arashiyama district on Kyoto's picturesque mountainside.
Enjoy a 30-minute rickshaw ride through the enchanting Bamboo Grove and visit Tenryuji, one of Japan's significant Zen temples. Afterward, return to Kyoto city center for lunch at a local restaurant.
Following lunch, participate in a private tea ceremony led by a tea master, who will demonstrate the art of serving tea with traditional utensils. You will savor matcha tea and accompanying sweets during this serene experience.
Also, you will be escorted to Gioji temple with a small moss garden & thatch-roofed temple hall, which was established as a nunnery.
After that, you will be escorted to Saga Toriimoto area, registered as a preserved area by Kyoto city. Located along the ancient pilgrimage to Atago shrine, and Toriimoto area has a picturesque rural scenset with old houses established by farmers, merchants, foresters, etc. Now the buildings have been repurposed into cafes, teahouses, antique stores, craft shops, etc.
Then, visit Kinkakuji, Golden Pavilion, which is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The shogun established this temple covered with gold leaf to show his prosperity and wealth.
Booked by Scenset.
Hotel Mitsui Kyoto
Deluxe King
- Breakfast included
Spend the day enjoying this marvelous city at your own pace.
Hotel Mitsui Kyoto
Deluxe King
- Breakfast included
Today’s touring will be done via private car.
Start Time: Morning
End Time: Afternoon
Booked by Scenset
This morning you will meet your English-speaking guide, in the hotel lobby.
Start at Sanjusangendo which boasts the longest wooden hall in the world. There are over a thousand of Buddha statues and it is said that there is one with a similar face to yours.
Then, visit Nishiki market which is called as "Kyoto's kitchen" loved by professionals and locals. Your guide is happy to show you unique Kyoto ingredients such as vegetables, tofu, sweets, tea, pickles, etc. Walk through Gion, known as geisha quarter. There are many historical townhouses renovated into cafes and souvenir shops.
After that, visit Kyoto Imperial Palace, which used to be the residence of Japan's Imperial Family until 1868, when the emperor and capital were moved from Kyoto to Tokyo. It is located in the spacious Kyoto Imperial Park, an attractive park in the center of the city that also encompasses the Sento Imperial Palace, which served retired emperors, and a few other attractions.
Then, you will be escorted to Nijo Castle which boasts a massive architecture decorated with carvings, wall paintings etc.
If time permits, consider a visit to Pontocho, a charming narrow alley known for its small bars.
Booked by Scenset.
Hotel Mitsui Kyoto
Deluxe King
- Breakfast included
Check out, and proceed to Itami airport via private car.
Pick Up Time: Morning
- Please find your flight tickets.
Booked by Scenset.
Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan, is a captivating destination that boasts breathtaking natural beauty and a unique blend of modernity and traditional charm. Known for its pristine landscapes, Hokkaido offers picturesque mountains, expansive flower fields, hot springs, and stunning coastlines. With its rich culinary scene and vibrant festivals, Hokkaido promises an unforgettable journey filled with cultural experiences, outdoor adventures, and moments of tranquility in the midst of nature.
We'd like to provide some context regarding accommodations in local areas. While the hotels we've selected in Hokkaido are the finest available in their respective towns, you may notice differences in service quality and amenities compared to luxury establishments in major cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.
Proceed by private transfer to your hotel in Furano. This will take about 2-2.5 hours.
Spend the rest of your day at leisure. Your hotel has a number of indoor and outdoor hot springs to enjoy.
Why We Love It For You: The Furano Hotel in Furano, Japan is a fantastic place to stay for several reasons. Offering breathtaking views of the surrounding Hokkaido countryside, including the majestic Tokachi mountain range, the hotel provides a stunning visual backdrop for your vacation. Its convenient location offers easy access to popular attractions like the Furano Ski Resort and the picturesque lavender fields, making it an ideal base for exploring the region. Guests can enjoy excellent amenities, including natural hot spring baths (onsen) where they can relax and rejuvenate after a day of sightseeing or skiing. The hotel caters to diverse preferences with a variety of room options, from traditional Japanese-style rooms to modern Western accommodations, ensuring a comfortable stay for all guests. Additionally, the on-site restaurants serve delicious local cuisine, allowing visitors to savor the flavors of Hokkaido without leaving the comfort of the hotel.
- Daily Breakfast & Dinner included
Furano is a hidden gem for its culinary scenset, below are a few of our favorite eateries in the city:
- Zizi Pizza isn't your usual pizza place, this restaurant is the northernmost restaurant in Japan to be certified by the "True Neapolitan Pizza Association" so you know it's going to be good.
- Furanoya serves excellent Japanese curry and Hokkaido’s famous soup curry. Be sure to come hungry, as their hearty servings are generous!
- 焼肉秀 (Yakiniku) SHU is a yakiniku restaurant in Furano that serves superb quality Japanese beef.
- Boulangerie Lafi serves delicious breads with a light and crunchy crust, while perfectly soft and chewy on the inside thanks to the superb quality of the local Furano wheat. This is a great bakery to try!
- Gyoro Gyoro is a great izakaya restaurant with plates such as fresh sashimi and grilled dishes along with an extensive sake menu to suit all palates.
- Masajin serves Jingisukan, a Hokkaido specialty featuring cuts of lamb and mutton cooked over a charcoal burner.
Touring today will be done by private vehicle.
Start Time: Morning
End Time: Late afternoon
Start at Shirahige Falls, a spectacular waterfall situated 600 meters above sea level.
Afterwards, head to Shirogane Blue Pond, named after its deep blue color which comes from natural minerals dissolving in the water.
Mount Tokachi (Tokachidake) is an active volcano located in Daisetsuzan National Park. It's the tallest volcano of the Tokachi Volcanic Group, with a height of 2,077 meters. It's also one of the 100 famous mountains in Japan.
Then, visit Shirahige Falls. It is a spectacular waterfall situated 600 meters above sea level at Biei. White curtains of water cascading through gaps in the cliff give this natural landmark its name, which means "white beard waterfall".
After that, move to Tokachidake Bogakudai Ovservation Tower (weather & snow condition permitting). It is actually not a tower but a large open space with a full 360-degree view.
Transfer back to Furano (1 hour), arriving at your hotel in the early evening.
- Daily Breakfast & Dinner included
After a leisurely morning you will be transferred to Sapporo (2.5 hours), which is Hokkaido's largest city. You'll do touring along the way before arriving at your hotel.
Departure Time: Late morning
End Time: Early evening
Visit Hokkaido's Former Prefectural Office and the Clock Tower. The building is quite beautiful, and it's a great place to learn about the history of Sapporo. The Clock Tower, a symbol of Sapporo, serves as a museum with displays about the building's history.
Next, visit Odori Park, a greenspace in the center of Sapporo, that separates the city into north and south. It is an oasis in the middle of a business district, with 92 types of trees, including lilacs and elm. On its lawns and around its fountains, one can find locals and tourists alike, relaxing.
Head to Nijo Market, a public market in central Sapporo, famous for its fresh local produce and seafood such as crabs, salmon eggs, sea urchin and various fresh and prepared fish. Eventually, noodle shops, bars, and greengrocers also opened, laying the foundations for today’s Nijo Market. It's a great place to sample local food, and perhaps enjoy a fresh glass of Sapporo beer!
Finish the day in Susukino, Japan's largest entertainment district north of Tokyo. It is the city's main entertainment area, packed with bars, restaurants, cafes, cinemas, shops, hotels, pachinko parlors, soaplands and love hotels. There are also over 4,000 bars and restaurants in Susukino, including the many ramen restaurants packed into Ramen Alley.
Upon conclusion of your tour you can either stay in Susukino, or be transferred back to your hotel.
Why We Love It For You: The Sapporo Grand Hotel offers a perfect blend of elegance and convenience in the heart of Hokkaido's capital city. With its prime location near Odori Park and the bustling entertainment district, guests can easily explore Sapporo's top attractions, shopping areas, and renowned culinary scene. The hotel's luxurious rooms, excellent dining options, and impeccable service make it an ideal choice for both business and leisure travelers seeking a comfortable and memorable stay in Sapporo.
Sapporo Grand Hotel
Premier King Double Room
- Daily Breakfast included
Below is a list of our recommendations for Sapporo!
Wagyu
- Carin Annex is great for Teppan-yaki style cuisine, just a 15 minutes walk from the hotel.
- Tokuju Shinra-tei is a Yakiniku-style restaurant just a 10 minute walk from the hotel
Sushi
- Sushi Tanabe is a 7 minute walk from the hotel
- Sushi Natsume Akarenga Terrace is a 5 minute walk from the hotel
Ramen - no reservations taken
- Ramen Kura is a 5 minute walk from hotel
- Ramen Yokocho (Ramen street is the ramen street where you can enjoy choosing ramen shops on the street, just a 10 minute walk from the hotel
Chef-tasting dinners (Omakase)
- Santokurokumi is 10 minutes by taxi from the hotel
- Hanakoji Sawada is a 15 minute walk from the hotel
Yakitori
- Kisumu Hontei is a 10 minute walk from hotel
- Kushidori Tokeidai branch or Sapporo Ekimae branch (casual) is just a 5-10 minute walk from the hotel
Romantic
- 21 club is a Teppanyaki style restaurant just a 10 minute walk from the hotel
Touring today will be done by private vehicle.
Start Time: Morning
End Time: Late afternoon
Transfer to the beautiful town of Otaru (1 hour). The city's most famous sightseeing spot is Otaru Canal, which is incredibly photogenic regardless of the season.
After that, visit Kitaichi Glass, a specialty glass store that's just as famous as Taisho Glass Palace. Inside Kitaichi Glass Sangokan is a cafe called Sangokan Kitaichi Hall. The store is lit by kerosene lamps manufactured with Otaru glass. The dim, flickering lights inside the store create a magical atmosphere.
Then, visit a cafe by a popular Otaru-based sweets brand. There are five shops in the Otaru Sakaimachi-dori area alone. Every store sells its own limited-edition products, so you’ll want to visit all of them if you have a sweet tooth.
You will arrive back in Sapporo in the early evening.
Sapporo Grand Hotel
Premier King Double Room
- Daily Breakfast included
Spend today at leisure enjoying this wonderful city at your own pace!
Sapporo Grand Hotel
Premier King Room
- Daily Breakfast included
Meet your English speaking driver in the hotel lobby and transfer to Lake Shikotsu (about 90 minutes).
Time: To be confirmed (can discuss with guide)
Why We Love It For You: The Lake Shikotsu Tsuruga Resort Mizu-no-Uta offers a serene escape on the shores of the picturesque Lake Shikotsu, one of Hokkaido's clearest lakes. Guests can indulge in the resort's natural hot spring baths while enjoying breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and pristine waters. With its comfortable accommodations, excellent dining featuring local ingredients, and easy access to outdoor activities like hiking and canoeing, this resort provides a perfect blend of relaxation and nature exploration in Hokkaido's beautiful landscape.
Lake Shikotsu Tsuruga Resort Mizu-no-Uta
Japanese Style Room with Open Air Bath
- Daily Breakfast & Dinner included
Note: Three consecutive nights of Japanese Kaiseki Dinners is a lot, even for the most ardent of foodies! The hotel recommends enjoying this on the first and third nights, but taking the buffet dinner on your second night to break things up.
Spend the rest of your day relaxing in the hot spring baths.
Walk to the visitor center on your own (2-5 mins., hotel staff will assist you). Meet your English-speaking nature guide at the visitor center, and enjoy a private nature trekking tour, visiting The Moss Corridor and Forest of giant trees. Lunch in the forest is included (sandwich or rice ball etc.).
Start Time: Late morning
End Time: Early afternoon
Lake Shikotsu Tsuruga Resort Mizu-no-Uta
Japanese Style Room with Open Air Bath
- Daily Breakfast & Dinner included
Touring today will be done by private vehicle.
Start Time: Morning
End Time: Afternoon
Transfer to Shiraoi (1 hour) and visit National Ainu Museum. The Ainu are an indigenous people from the northern region of the Japanese archipelago, particularly Hokkaido. The Ainu culture is distinctive, with a language that is unrelated to Japanese, a spirituality that holds that spirits dwell in every part of the natural world, traditional dances that are performed at family events and festivals, and crafts such as wood carving and embroidery that incorporate unique patterns.
Increasing numbers of people have been trying to revive traditional dances based on old records and to create new types of Ainu music.
Next, visit Noboribetsu Jigoku-dani. Jigokudani (Hell Valley) is the remains of a 450-meter-diameter crater created by the eruption of Mt. Kasayama, an active volcano, about 10,000 years ago. A unique sight rarely found elsewhere in the world, Jigokudani is registered as a Hokkaido Heritage Site. It is also the source of Noboribetsu Hot Springs, with 10,000 tons of water gushing out every day. Covering an area of 11 hectares, and featuring a number of outlets and fumaroles, the valley, with its boiling water and fumes that block the view, surely resembles a hell inhabited by demons - hence the name. There is a 10-minute promenade around the area, and if you climb up to the Jigokudani Observatory, you can see the volcanic gases and boiling water spewing out.
Return to your hotel in the early evening.
Lake Shikotsu Tsuruga Resort Mizu-no-Uta
Japanese Style Room with Open Air Bath
- Daily Breakfast & Dinner included
Meet your English speaking driver in the hotel lobby and proceed by private transfer to New Chitose Airport (approximately 1 hour) for your flight back to Osaka.
Booked by Scenset
- Please find your flight tickets HERE.
Booked by Scenset.
You'll be flying out of Osaka airport. International flight details will be provided.
Booked by Independently
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.
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