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October in Japan

Welcome to Japan, one of the world's most fascinating destinations. Here you can find a perfect blend of the modern and traditional, where futuristic neon signs stand side by side with ancient temples.

Rick Lunt
Scenset travel curator

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.

Tuesday, 08 – Monday, 21 October, 2024 · 13 nights
Your Trip to Japan
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Trip Overview

October 8th - 15th | Tokyo

October 15th - 20th | Kyoto

October 20th - 21st | Tokyo

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Emergency Contacts

Tokyo Partner Office - For urgent matters please contact:

A representative: +81 90-8512-8194

If there's no immediate answer you can call:

Another representative: +81 90-7728-6339

  • +81 3-5464-8669 (office number)
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In Country Contacts

We respectfully ask that you don't reach out to your in-country contacts until you are in Japan. For any communication pre-trip, please reach out to Rick.

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Before You Arrive

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.

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Destination Guide: 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!

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Note About Luggage

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

If you have larger pieces of luggage, we recommend sending them to your next destination via the takkyubin service. Your guides and the respective hotel staff will be able to easily facilitate this for you.

Note that you need to send it the day prior, in order for it to arrive on time.

The fee will be provided.

We'll be happy to chat with you about this in further detail.

Monday, 07 October, 2024
Flight to Tokyo
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Note About Flights

Please reconfirm your flight schedule, and be sure to communicate any changes to your itinerary.

Tuesday, 08 October, 2024
Day 1: Welcome to Tokyo
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Arrival

You are scheduled to arrive into Narita airport in the late afternoon.

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Airport Transfer

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 Narita, this should take about 70-80 minutes, depending on traffic.

One of the world’s most cutting-edge capitals, Tokyo is a city of contrasts. Famous for its sprawling neon-lit landscape it is also home to expansive parkland, peaceful shrines and temples, and lovingly tended gardens. On the surface, Tokyo is a mix of digital trends and conspicuous consumption, but dig deeper and you will find a city rooted deeply in the traditional culture. Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples stand close to skyscrapers as a reminder of a more contemplative time.

Your Stay: Four Seasons Otemachi

Right in the heart of Tokyo's skyscrapers, the sleek and luxurious Four Seasons Otemachi has 170 rooms and 20 suites, which span the 34th to 38th floors of its building. The 39th floor of the hotel is home to two restaurants helmed by top name chefs, an opulent Art Deco-inspired bar and The Lounge, a hub for afternoon tea or cocktails. On the same level is also The Spa, a Zen-inspired, space with a billowing 3-D installation and a curated selection of modern Japanese crafts.

The spacious, airy rooms are designed in neutral tones, with white hanging lights, carpets with organically flowing motifs, minimally abstract photographs of billowing textiles on panels behind the bed, white standalone bathtubs, in-room iPads and a customizable selection of mattress toppers.

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Four Seasons Otemachi

  • Deluxe King City View
  • Breakfast included


Confirmation Number: will be provided

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Check In

Check into your hotel and settle into your accommodations for an evening at leisure.

Wednesday, 09 October, 2024
Day 2: At Leisure
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Day at Leisure

Spend the day relaxing and recuperating after your long journey. Should you wish to explore independently, some suggestions could be as follows.

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Touring Suggestions

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.

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Department Stores

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

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Restaurant Reservation

Restaurant: EST
Date: October 09
Time: Evening
Address: This restaurant is located in your hotel.
Cancellation Policy: A cancellation charge applies. A 50% charge applies if cancelled 2 days prior, and a 100% charge applies if cancelled 1 day prior.

This reservation has been booked through the hotel concierge. You can communicate any changes directly to them.

Thursday, 10 October, 2024
Day 3: Full Day Tour
9:00am Pick Up Time

Meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel in the morning.

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Transportation for Touring

Touring today will be done by private vehicle.

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Fish Market Tour

For the discerning traveler seeking an immersive and exclusive cultural experience, a visit to a Japanese fish market is a must. Witness the spectacle of the auction process and observe the skilled fishmongers at work. The outer market of Tsukiji is a great place to not only see seafood but also kitchen utensils and other Japanese ingredients.

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Hamarikyu Garden

Backed by skyscrapers and cloaked in green, Hamarikyu Gardens is a peaceful oasis within Tokyo's metropolis. Once a Shogun's villa where feudal lords hunted ducks in the tidal waterways, the garden opened to the public in 1948 and features tidal ponds, plum groves, and a peony garden.

We highly recommend stopping for a reviving cup of bitter, whipped green matcha tea at the garden's traditional Nakajima teahouse.

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teamLab Borderless

Head to the recently relocated TeamLab Borderless Digital Art Museum, at Azabudai Hills. Using 520 computers and 470 projectors, this has been one of the most popular museums in Tokyo for years. TeamLab is a group of various specialists including artists, programmers, CG animators and mathematicians. Enjoy a multi-sensory experience at this new location in Central Tokyo.

Your tour will conclude around the late afternoon.

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Restaurant Reservation

Restaurant: Hibiya mon cher ton ton at The Peninsula
Date: October 10
Time: Evening
Address: Japan, 〒100-0006 Tokyo, Chiyoda City, Yurakucho, 1 Chome−8−1 ザ・ペニンシュラ東京 5F
Tel: will be provided
Cancellation Policy: In case of cancellation, please notify us 3 days prior to the scheduled reservation date.
Seating: Counter
Directions: The restaurant is a short distance from your hotel, accessible by taxi or a short walk.

This reservation has been booked through the Four Seasons concierge. You can communicate any changes directly to them.

Friday, 11 October, 2024
Day 4: Full Day Tour
9:00am Pick Up Time

Meet your guide at the lobby of your hotel in the morning.

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Transportation for Touring

Touring today will be done by private vehicle.

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Shinjuku Gyoen Garden

This morning, a visit to Shinjuku Gyoen Garden, one of the largest and most popular parks in Tokyo, was made. Located a short walk from Shinjuku Station, the park's spacious lawns, meandering walking paths, and tranquil scenery provide a relaxing escape from the busy urban center.

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Meiji Shrine

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.

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Harajuku & Omotesando

Harajuku’s Takeshita Street - This narrow, crowded street is lined with shops that sell the latest fashion trend, 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.

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Shibuya Crossing

In Shibuya one can witness (and experience) the world's busiest intersection, as well as one of Japan's most endearing symbols of loyalty - the statue of Hachiko.

The Shibuya scramble is located in the heart of Shibuya's shopping district. Due to its proximity with many popular stores, Shibuya Station, and the location of countless delicious eating spots, the intersection regularly sees thousands of people cross each time the traffic lights turn red and the pedestrian lights turn green.

Also located in Shibuya is the bronze statue of the dog Hachiko. Hachiko was well known for his loyalty in waiting for his master for nearly 10 years, arriving at the station daily in anticipation of his master's return from work.

Soon after, a statue was erected in his honor. Unfortunately the statue was melted down during World War II, but the current replica was commissioned shortly after.

Your tour will conclude around the late afternoon.

Saturday, 12 October, 2024
Day 5: Full Day Tour
9:00am Pick Up Time

Meet your guide at the lobby of your hotel in the morning.

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Transportation for Touring

Touring today will be done by private vehicle.

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Tokyo National Museum

The oldest and largest national museum in Japan, the Tokyo National Museum has been steadily expanded since its opening in 1872. Along with its massive collection of Japanese art and artifacts, the museum also has a wing devoted to treasures from across the Asian continent and the path taken by the Silk Road of old.

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Yanesen

The name Yanesen is a portmanteau of the three areas that make up the district: Yanaka, Nezu and Sendagi. These three areas are located to the north west of Ueno Park, and make for a great day of shopping and eating.

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Asakusa District

Located in the heart of Tokyo, the vibrant Asakusa district is a captivating blend of old and new, where ancient traditions and modern attractions seamlessly coexist. Stepping into Asakusa feels like a journey back in time, with its narrow streets, traditional architecture, and historic landmarks. The district is most renowned for Senso-ji, one of Tokyo's oldest and most significant Buddhist temples, attracting visitors from all over the world who come to admire its magnificent red gate (Kaminarimon) and explore the bustling Nakamise shopping street, filled with stalls selling traditional snacks, souvenirs, and crafts.

Beyond its cultural treasures, Asakusa offers a vibrant atmosphere with its lively marketplaces, traditional restaurants serving mouth-watering local delicacies, and the chance to experience traditional Japanese festivals and events throughout the year. Whether it's immersing in rich history, shopping for unique souvenirs, or savoring the flavors of Japan, Asakusa offers a captivating experience that showcases the essence of Tokyo's rich heritage.

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Sensoji Temple

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.

Your tour will conclude around late afternoon.

Sunday, 13 October, 2024
Day 6: Full Day Tour
9:30am Pick Up Time

Meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel in the morning.

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Transportation for Touring

Touring today will be done by private vehicle.

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Mori Art Museum

This cutting-edge art venue sprawls across the top two floors of the 54-story Mori Tower. In the words of the Director, the Mori’s aims are fivefold: “To present diverse forms of artistic expression, regardless of genre; to assemble a collection of high-quality contemporary art from Asia; to pioneer a new kind of art museum that is intellectually stimulating as well as friendly and readily accessible to the public; to contribute to the growth of an audience for contemporary art, and to help invigorate the art industry; and to work freely with local entities, exploring new possibilities for mutually beneficial collaboration.” The rooftop Sky Deck offers breathtaking views of Tokyo’s seemingly endless cityscape.

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National Art Centre

Visit The National Art Center (Keiichi Tanaami: Adventures in Memory). The building was designed by a critically acclaimed architect.

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Nakameguro

Finish the day with a stroll around Nakameguro, which is famous for its shops, restaurants, cafes and overall ambiance.

Your tour will conclude around the late afternoon.

Monday, 14 October, 2024
Day 7: At Leisure
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Independent Exploration

No experiences have been planned for today. You can either enjoy further independent exploration of the city, or simply enjoy the facilities at your hotel.

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Restaurant Reservation

Restaurant: Pizza Bar on 38th
Date: October 14
Time: Afternoon (lunch)
Address: This restaurant is located in the Mandarin Oriental. From your hotel, it's a pleasant 18 minute walk.
Menu: Omakase. The lunch course will be provided.
Cancellation Policy: For any cancellations made 48 hours prior to the booking date, 100% of the course cost per person will be charged as a cancellation fee.

This reservation has been booked through the Mandarin Oriental concierge. You can communicate any changes directly to them.

Tuesday, 15 October, 2024
Day 8: Tokyo - Kyoto
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Private Transfer

Meet your English speaking driver in the hotel lobby in the morning and proceed by private transfer to Tokyo station. An assistant will be on hand to help you board the train.

Note: Please retain your train tickets while riding the train. You will need them to exit the station upon your arrival.

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.

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Private Transfer

Upon arrival in Kyoto you will be met by an English speaking driver on the platform. Proceed by private transfer to your hotel for the afternoon at leisure.

Note: Your assistant knows from which door you will disembark. If you don't immediately see them, please wait a couple of minutes for the crowds to dissipate, before contacting us.

Your Stay: Four Seasons

Opened in late 2016 in the scenic temple district of Eastern Kyoto, a luxury hotel is one of the city’s most luxurious hotels. Centered around an 800-year old ikeniwa (pond garden), the hotel offers guests a tranquil atmosphere in which to relax. The elegant lobby is a calm, inviting world of creamy marble and cypress wood, dotted with shoji paper lanterns and seasonal floral displays.

The rooms feature dark hardwood floors, hand-painted panels, fusama screen doors with pops of pale blue and imperial purple. They're modern yet echoing traditional Japanese interior design. The large bathrooms come with huge soaking tubs and monsoon showers which can be converted into a single space and infused with the citrusy scent of yuzu fruit. There are a number of signature suites with balconies and beautiful views of the gardens.

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Four Seasons

  • Premier King Garden View
  • Breakfast included


Confirmation Number: will be provided

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At Leisure

No experiences have been arranged for this afternoon. You may wish to visit the Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art. The Museum opened in 1933 as the Kyoto Enthronement Memorial Museum of Art in Kyoto’s Okazaki district, itself an expression of the city’s modern trends at the time. As Japan’s oldest public art museum that is housed in its original architecture, its classical visage standing against the backdrop of Higashiyama has been highly appreciated.

Note: The museum is about 10 minutes from your hotel by taxi.

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Restaurant Reservation

Restaurant: EMBA Kyoto Chophouse
Date: October 15
Time: Evening
Address: This restaurant is located in your hotel
Cancellation Policy: Please let us know at least 2 hours beforehand if you would like to cancel

This reservation has been booked through the Four Seasons concierge. You can communicate any changes directly to them.

Wednesday, 16 October, 2024
Day 9: Full Day Tour
9:00am Pick Up Time

Meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel in the morning.

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Transportation for Touring

Touring today will be done by private vehicle.

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Kinkakuji

Kinkakuji, or the Golden Pavilion, is one of Japan’s iconic sites. The temple grounds first began as a small villa in 1224 and was converted to a Zen temple shortly after. Like so many other historical landmarks in Japan, the temple has unfortunately suffered destruction from fires in its history. The building, as it stands today, is a historically accurate reconstruction of the temple before it burned down from arson in 1950.

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Arashiyama & Bamboo Grove

The bamboo forest offers paths for walking or biking. It is a must-see for those visiting Arashiyama. The bamboo grown here has been used for centuries for creating crafts, such as tea whisks, sake cups, baskets, and many others. Experience a roughly 30-minute rickshaw ride through the bamboo grove.

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Tenryuji

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.

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Tea Ceremony

Experience a private tea ceremony at a local temple. A tea master will show you how to serve tea, using special utensils. Sweets will be served to accompany your tea.

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Pontocho Alley

Pontocho is possibly the city's most atmospheric dining locale. It is a thin, slightly crooked lane that runs one block west of Kamogawa River. The alley is a mix of dining opportunities ranging from inexpensive noodle and yakitori shops to high-end traditional and modern Kyoto cuisine. The shops line both sides of the alley.

Your tour will conclude around the late afternoon.

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Independent Dinner Reservation

We note that you have booked LURRA° independently for your dinner this evening.

From your hotel, it takes approximately 10 minutes by taxi.

Thursday, 17 October, 2024
Day 10: Full Day Tour
9:00am Pick Up Time

Meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel in the morning.

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Transportation for Touring

Touring today will be done by private vehicle.

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Sanjusangendo

Start at Sanjusangendo, which boasts the longest wooden hall in the world. There are over a thousand Buddha statues, and it is said that there is one with a similar face.

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Nishiki Market

This enormous market’s maze of food stalls serve all manner of delicious Japanese snacks: yakitori (grilled chicken on a stick), fried fish and chicken, oshinko (pickled vegetables), kamaboko (fish dumplings), takoyaki (fried octopus balls), sake and much more. Nishiki is where many residents of Kyoto do their grocery shopping, and patronage by locals is always a sure sign of quality.

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Traditional Living

Enjoy a private tour of a Machiya Townhouse, which is a typical wooden structure and a protected cultural building in Kyoto. The homeowner will show you around, before you enjoy a traditional Obanzai lunch - Kyoto-style home cooking using seasonal ingredients.

Meal Included: Obanzai Lunch

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Philosopher's Path

Philosopher's Path is a pleasant stone path through the northern part of Kyoto's Higashiyama district. Approximately two kilometers long, the path begins around Ginkakuji Temple (Silver Pavilion) and ends in the neighborhood of Nanzenji Temple. The path got its name due to a famous philosopher, who was said to practice meditation while walking this route on his daily commute to Kyoto University.

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Gion

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.

Your tour will conclude around the late afternoon.

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Restaurant Reservation

Restaurant: The Sodoh Higashiyama
Date: October 17
Time: Evening
Address: Japan, 〒605-0827 Kyoto, Higashiyama Ward, Yasaka Kamimachi, 366
Tel: will be provided
Cancellation Policy: 100% penalty fee with a one-time administrative charge, for any cancellation or changes made within one week of the reservation time.
Directions: It takes approximately 5 minutes from your hotel by taxi. The hotel concierge can advise on this, as well as booking a taxi on your behalf. You can also walk to the restaurant in 25 minutes.

This reservation has been booked through the hotel concierge. You can communicate any changes directly to them.

Friday, 18 October, 2024
Day 11: Shiga & Uji Day Trip
9:00am Pick Up Time

Meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel in the morning.

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Transportation for Touring

Touring today will be done by private vehicle.

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Uji

Uji is a city highly regarded for its tea. There are some established tea shops and enjoy tasting freshly brewed green tea.

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Byodoin

Visit Byodoin Phoenix Hall, registered as a Japanese national treasure and featured on the 10 JPY coin. The picturesque architecture and its garden with pond is believed to represent the paradise in Buddhism.

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Miho Museum

This museum was designed by a renowned architect, and was intended to coexist with its natural surroundings in the mountains southwest of Kyoto. The architect went to great lengths to achieve this - removing most of the mountaintop, building most of the museum underground, then replacing most of the earth that had been removed. Such harmony with nature was part of the vision a prominent patron had when she commissioned the architect. An heiress to a prominent textile business and a leading philanthropist, the patron is the founder of a New Religious Movement dedicated to harmony with nature and appreciation of art and beauty. The patron has thusly amassed a huge private collection of Asian and Western antiques, as well as other pieces. The Miho Museum is carefully curated, and each piece displayed is selected as much for its artistic beauty as its historical significance.

Your tour will conclude around late afternoon.

Saturday, 19 October, 2024
Day 12: Osaka Day Trip
9:00am Pick Up Time

Meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel in the morning.

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Transportation for Touring

Touring today will be done by private vehicle. Note that the drive is about 1 hour.

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Fushimi Inari

Visit the iconic Fushimi Shrine which boasts a thousand of red torii gates donated by worshippers. The shrine was the filming location for the movie "Sayuri", based on the best-selling novel "Memoirs of Geisha".

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Abeno Harukas

Japan's tallest building is not located in Tokyo or Yokohama, but in Osaka. The Abeno Harukas Building is Japan's tallest building at 300m, and perched at the top is the Harukas 300 Observatory. From here, visitors can enjoy a sweeping and commanding view of the Kansai region of Japan. On clear days, one can see as far as Kyoto and Kobe.

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Abeno Harukas Art Museum

The Abeno Harukas Art Museum (current exhibit: Frontiers of Impressionism: Paintings from the Worcester Art Museum) is located on the 16th floor next to the elevators that lead to the observation deck. The museum doesn't have a permanent collection and stages changing exhibitions of mainly Western and Buddhist art every few months.

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Kuromon Market

Kuromon Market is a covered public market over half a kilometer long in the Namba area of Osaka. The market has about 150 shops that predominantly sell fish, meat and produce. Different shops also sell traditional sweets and low priced clothes and homeware. The market dates back to the 17th century and today makes for an atmospheric place to stroll around and try different street foods.

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Shinsaibashi & Dotonbori

Stroll through the Shinsaibashi shopping arcade to Dotonbori Canal, famous for huge billboards & neon lights. Try local snacks such as Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki. Your guide will explain about local delicacies. If you're thirsty, stroll through Hozenji Yokocho bar alley!

You will return to Kyoto in the evening.

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Restaurant Reservation

Restaurant: L’aparté
Date: October 19
Time: Evening
Address: 247-3 Nishiwakamatsucho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8334, Japan
Tel: +81 50 3183 7676
Cancellation Policy: A penalty fee will apply for cancellations or changes made within one week of the reservation time.
Seating: Table
Directions: It takes approximately 10 minutes from your hotel by taxi. The Four Seasons concierge desk can advise on this, as well as booking a taxi on your behalf.

This reservation has been booked through the Four Seasons concierge. You can communicate any changes directly to them.

Sunday, 20 October, 2024
Day 13: Kyoto - Tokyo
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Private Transfer

Meet your English speaking driver in the hotel lobby in the morning and proceed by private transfer to Kyoto station. Your driver will be on hand to help you board the train.

Note: Please retain your train tickets while riding the train. You will need them to exit the station upon arrival.

🚗
Private Transfer

Upon arrival in Tokyo you will be met by an assistant on the platform, who will escort you to your transfer vehicle. Proceed by private transfer to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure.

Note: Your assistant knows from which door you will disembark. If you don't immediately see them, please wait a couple of minutes for the crowds to dissipate, before contacting us.

Your Stay: Mandarin Oriental

Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo’s visionary design and award-winning service have been recognized as the epitome of sophisticated luxury in the city. Perfectly situated in Tokyo's prestigious financial district, the first Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group in Japan combines contemporary and time-honoured architectural splendour. The site offers stunning city skyline views and convenient access to banquet and conference facilities in the nearby Mitsui Main Building, a Japanese cultural-heritage property.

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Restaurant Reservation

Restaurant: Sense
Date: October 20
Time: Evening
Address: This restaurant is located in your hotel
Cancellation Policy: Please let us know at least 2 hours before if you would like to cancel

This reservation has been booked through the hotel concierge. You can communicate any changes directly to them.

🛏️

Mandarin Oriental

  • Deluxe Corner King
  • Breakfast included


Confirmation Number: will be provided

Monday, 21 October, 2024
Day 14: Heading Home
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At Leisure

Enjoy a final morning at leisure in Tokyo, before your transfer to the airport this afternoon.

🗝️
Check Out Time

Note that the official check out time at the Mandarin Oriental is 12:00pm. Whilst a complimentary late check out will be requested, please understand that the hotel will likely be running at close to capacity on this date.

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Private Transfer

Meet your English speaking driver in the hotel lobby in the afternoon and proceed by private transfer to Narita Airport.

Scenset: Travel Greener
Scenset: Travel Greener
💚

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, support is provided for Gold Standard Climate+ Projects from the Gold Standard Foundation.

Trip Pricing
Inclusions
  • 13 nights accommodation
  • Daily breakfast
  • 2 train tickets (1st class)
  • All airport transfers
  • All station transfers
  • All touring as detailed
  • Private English speaking guide on all touring days
  • Private vehicle & driver on all touring days
  • Refreshments in the touring vehicle
  • Afternoon of Oct 16: Private Tea Ceremony
  • Oct 17: Lunch at a Machiya Townhouse
  • Entrance fees & touring permits
  • All taxes & service charges
Exclusions
  • International long haul flights
  • Meals & alcohol (unless otherwise stated)
  • Travel insurance
  • Gratuities
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Luggage transfers
Change and cancellation policies

Please refer to our terms & conditions here.