Welcome to Japan! Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your guide in the airport arrivals hall. From there, we will transfer by private vehicle to our hotel in Tokyo. Standard check-in time is 3:00 p.m. If we arrive earlier, luggage can be stored at the hotel while we wait for access to our rooms and begin settling into the rhythm of the journey ahead.

Today we dive into the energy and contrasts of Japan’s vibrant capital with our private guide. We begin at the historic Tsukiji Market, where the city’s culinary traditions come to life, before visiting the iconic Meiji Shrine, nestled within a peaceful urban forest in the heart of Tokyo. We then stroll through Harajuku, known for its distinctive fashion, creative spirit, and eclectic shops. Our day concludes at the world-famous Shibuya Crossing, a symbol of Tokyo’s dynamic rhythm and remarkable organization.

In the afternoon, we return to our hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

We continue exploring Tokyo with a route that blends tradition and history. We begin in the Imperial Palace gardens, enjoy a sumo demonstration with a traditional lunch included, and stroll through the Asakusa district with its Senso-ji Temple and Nakamise Street. We end the day at the enchanting Nezu Shrine, surrounded by classical architecture and spirituality. We return to our hotel in the afternoon.

We traveled to Hakone with our guide, taking the bullet train. We cruised across Lake Ashi with views of Mount Fuji, ascended by cable car over the volcanic valleys of Owakudani, and visited the POLA Art Museum. A day filled with natural landscapes, Japanese culture, and modern art. In the afternoon, we returned to Tokyo on the Hikari 654 bullet train, accompanied by our guide.

We check out and leave our luggage at the hotel for shipment to Osaka (one suitcase per person). We meet our guide and board the Nozomi bullet train to Osaka. Upon arrival, we visit Osaka Castle and explore the Shinsaibashi and Namba districts, famous for their vibrant atmosphere and street food.

We traveled with our guide to Nara, the cradle of ancient traditions. We began the day with a calligraphy experience using handcrafted sumi ink, made using techniques from the Muromachi period. Then, we visited Nara Park, home to the iconic sacred deer, and explored Todaiji Temple, one of Japan's most important temples.

We check out and leave our luggage ready for shipment to Kyoto (one suitcase per person). We travel by express train with our guide to Kii-Tanabe, where we begin our hike along the sacred Nakahechi Trail. We walk 3.9 km through mountains and forests, thus beginning our journey along the Kumano Kodo, an ancient path of introspection and natural beauty.

We continued our pilgrimage along the Nakahechi Route. We walked with our guide from Takahara to Chikatsuyu along ancient mountain paths through cedar forests. We covered 9.4 km in approximately 5 hours, immersing ourselves in the tranquility of the forest and the history of the ancient pilgrims.

We traveled by bus to the starting point at Hosshinmon-oji. We hiked 10.4 km through sacred forests, past viewpoints, and along ancient pilgrimage paths to reach Kumano Hongu Taisha, one of the three great shrines of Kumano. We ended the day with a bus transfer back to our accommodation.

We divided the day according to our preferences: those who wished to continue hiking set off for Kogumotori-goe (12.6 km) with our guide, crossing another verdant mountain pass. Those who preferred to rest enjoyed the ryokan's amenities. At the end of the hike, we all returned to the lodge.

After checking out, we traveled to Shingu with our guide for a cultural walk. We visited Jofuku Park, Asuka Shrine, Shingu Castle ruins, Kumano Hayatama Taisha, and Kamikura-jinja, the original site of worship. Then, we hiked up the Koya-zaka slope overlooking the Pacific Ocean. We finished in Miwasaki and returned to our accommodation.

We check out and depart with our guide for Daimonzaka. We hike 5 km through ancient cedar trees to reach the impressive Nachi Waterfall. Then we board the express train to Shin-Osaka and continue by private transfer to Kyoto.

We explored Arashiyama with our guide: we crossed the Togetsukyo Bridge, walked through the bamboo forest, and observed local life. We visited the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji), participated in a tea ceremony, and discovered Nijo Castle.

We began with a visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine, walking beneath its thousands of red torii gates. Then, we participated in a ramen workshop, where we prepared our own bowls. In the afternoon, we visited Kiyomizu-dera Temple and strolled along the charming Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka streets.

After checking out, we board the Nozomi Shinkansen for our journey back to Tokyo. Upon arrival, we are met by a private driver and transferred to our hotel.

The remainder of the day is free to enjoy Tokyo at your own pace. Take the opportunity to explore the elegant boutiques and department stores of Ginza, enjoy some last-minute shopping, discover a local café, or simply relax and reflect on the experiences of the journey.