Historic Towns and Ryokan Nights (13 days, 12 nights)　

Who is this for?
This itinerary is designed for  travelers who want to experience Japan at a slower, more thoughtful pace, rather than rushing from one landmark to the next. It’s ideal for those who value craftsmanship and regional culture. For travelers who seek relaxation and quiet landscapes with lots of opportunity to experience Japanese ryokan and hot springs.  

- This is a private tour. Only you and your group will participate. 
- This trip can be tailored according to your preferences. Please feel free to inquire about any specific requests ahead of time. 

Physical Activity: Low - Medium
Length of Trip:  13 days, 12 nights
Capacity:  2 - 4 people　

Visualize yourself:
- Wandering preserved streets and lively markets filled with local flavors
- Staying in ryokan retreats with hot springs and kaiseki dining
- Visiting artisans and trying hands-on craft traditions like blacksmithing and gold leaf
- Strolling through gardens, mountain villages, and historic castle towns
- Balancing iconic landmarks with countryside charm and everyday culture

Itinerary:

TOKYO    |    3 nights
Day 1: Arrival Day 
Arrive in Tokyo and meet your guide. After a swift transfer to the hotel, take time to explore the city or rest up for the travels ahead. 

Day 2: Old Tokyo Strolls 
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Start the day with views of Tokyo Tower framed by its surrounding park before heading to the spacious grounds of Kokyo Garden and the Imperial Palace. Continue into Asakusa to explore the lively streets leading to Sensoji Temple. Later, step into Yanaka, a district that preserves Tokyo’s older character with narrow streets, family-run shops, and small temples that survived the war. The day balances well-known landmarks with neighborhoods that reveal a more everyday side of the city, giving guests a grounded and easy taste of Tokyo.

Day 3: Essential Tokyo Day 
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Start at Tsukiji Market, where stalls overflow with seafood and seasonal foods. Next, step into the forested grounds of Meiji Shrine, a calm contrast to the city. Continue to Asakusa and walk the lively streets leading to Sensoji Temple. End the day in a neighborhood izakaya, sharing plates and drinks in a lively setting. Guests can expect a mix of Tokyo’s tastes, rituals, and everyday energy.

IZU |     1 night
Day 4: Ryokan Retreat and Mt. Fuji Views 
Included meals: Breakfast,  Lunch, Dinner

Travel to Hakone with a pause for views of Mt. Fuji before continuing to the Shuzenji area of Izu. Settle into a ryokan, where time is marked by hot spring baths and natural surroundings. Shuzenji invites exploration, from small temples and bamboo-lined paths to seasonal fruit picking. Dinner is a kaiseki meal, a multi-course dining style that highlights regional ingredients through carefully balanced flavors and presentation.  

KYOTO |     3 nights
Day 5: Welcome to Kyoto, the Old Capital 
Included meals: Breakfast,  Lunch, Dinner

Travel to Kyoto and begin with a walk along the Philosopher’s Path, enjoying its calm streets and seasonal scenery. Stop at Rurikoin Temple, known for its expansive garden and tatami rest space for viewing. Settle into accommodation on the quieter side of the city, leaving the afternoon free to explore nearby streets, shops, or temples at a relaxed pace. Guests can expect a day that balances gentle sightseeing with personal time to experience Kyoto at their own rhythm.

Day 6: Traditional and Countryside Kyoto
Included meals: Breakfast,  Lunch, Dinner

Set out on a day trip to Kayabuki no Sato, a village of thatched roof houses that feels centuries away from the city. Continue to Saga Toriimoto in Arashiyama, where a preserved street lined with traditional buildings recalls Kyoto’s past. Return to the ryokan in the evening and soak in the onsen, a welcome pause after a day of walking through rural landscapes. 

Day 7: Osaka, Japan's Kitchen 
Included meals: Breakfast

Head south of Osaka to visit a blacksmith in Sakai, a city long known for its knife-making tradition. Afterwards, choose between the bright energy of Dotonbori and Kuromon Market or the more relaxed vibe of Horie with its boutiques and cafés. On the way back to Kyoto, stop at Osaka Castle, a landmark that connects the city’s past with its modern identity. Expect a day shaped by craftsmanship, food, and contrasting sides of urban life.

ISHIKAWA  |     2 nights
Day 8: Ishikawa Craft Trail
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Travel to Yamanaka Onsen, stopping to learn about its celebrated lacquerware at the museum and try a hands-on experience. Continue to the Kakusenkei Gorge for a walk along the riverside paths and bridges. Dinner is enjoyed at local restaurants overlooking the gorge, with fresh seafood highlighting the region’s reputation for exceptional catch. 


Day 9: Kanazawa, A Quiet and Traditional Town
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Transfer into Kanazawa, often called a quieter counterpart to Kyoto. Begin in the Nagamachi samurai district, where earthen walls and narrow lanes recall the city’s past. Stop at Omicho Market for a seafood lunch before moving on to a gold leaf workshop to learn the craft and try it firsthand. End the day in Higashi Chaya-machi, where the preserved teahouse streets reveal the traditions of geisha culture. The day ties together history, craftsmanship, and the distinctive character of Kanazawa.

TAKAYAMA |     1 night
Day 10: To Takayama
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Start the morning at Kenrokuen, one of Japan’s most celebrated gardens, known for its seasonal beauty and carefully designed landscapes. Continue on to Takayama, a mountain town that has preserved much of its Edo-period atmosphere. Stroll through Sanmachi Suji, where wooden merchant houses, sake breweries, and craft shops line the narrow streets. Takayama is valued for its slower pace. Give travelers a sense of old Japan away from the larger cities.

NAGANO |     1 night
Day 11: Passing the Alps of Japan
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Travel through the Japanese Alps with a stop at Hida Great Limestone Cave, a striking reminder of the earth’s natural forces. Continue to Nagano to enjoy handmade soba, known for its nutty flavor and smooth texture thanks to the region’s pure water and buckwheat. In Matsumoto, explore the striking black castle and stroll Nakamachi Street, lined with old storehouses now home to craft shops and cafés. End the day at a mountainside ryokan, where a quiet night in the Alps sets the stage for the return to the city.

TOKYO  |   2 nights 
Day 12: Back Home
Included meals: Breakfast
Transfer to Tokyo and spend a free day shopping, relaxing, or exploring, followed by a leisurely evening in the city.

Day 13: Back Home
Included meals: Breakfast
Your next destination? Home sweet home. But remember, it's not sayonara yet, it's "See you soon!" The question is, where to from here?

OR EXTEND YOUR TRIP!

Add another trip of ours on top of this journey and we will be happy to send you off.