DAY 1: Welcome to Tokyo – Gateway to Japan’s Timeless Traditions & Cutting-Edge Culture

Arrive at Tokyo International Airport (Haneda or Narita), where you’ll be warmly greeted by our local representative. After a comfortable transfer to your centrally located hotel, take time to relax and refresh from your journey.

In the evening, join your fellow travellers for a welcome orientation and traditional Japanese dinner. This is the perfect opportunity to get acquainted with your tour director, review the exciting itinerary ahead, and enjoy your first taste of authentic Japanese cuisine—possibly a multi-course kaiseki meal or a casual izakaya-style dinner.

If time and energy permit, choose an optional visit to one of Tokyo’s top cultural attractions:

The Edo-Tokyo Museum, offering fascinating insights into the city’s transformation from samurai capital to modern metropolis

Or the National Museum of Modern Art (MOMAT), where you’ll explore Japan’s 20th-century art scene through innovative and thought-provoking works

Dinner & Overnight in Tokyo – Japan’s vibrant capital, where ancient traditions meet futuristic living.

DAY 2: Tokyo – Where Tradition Meets Innovation

Cultural Discovery & Traditional Arts in Japan’s Capital

After breakfast, begin your immersive Tokyo exploration with a guided visit to the National Museum of Nature and Science, located in the heart of Ueno Park. This world-class museum offers fascinating exhibits on Japan’s natural history, technological innovation, and scientific achievements, bridging the past with the future of this island nation.

Next, step back in time as we head to Asakusa, Tokyo’s historic district. Explore the iconic Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest and most beloved Buddhist temple, before strolling down Nakamise Street, a bustling shopping lane filled with traditional Japanese snacks, crafts, souvenirs, and local handmade goods. This is the perfect place to pick up authentic items like washi paper, sensu fans, or yukata robes.

In the afternoon, enjoy an optional hands-on experience that brings Edo-period art to life: a Ukiyo-e woodblock printing workshop. Under the guidance of a local artisan, you’ll learn the intricate technique of printing your own traditional artwork to take home as a personal memento.

Dinner & Overnight at hotel in Tokyo

Conclude your day with a delectable dinner and a relaxing overnight stay at your hotel in Paris.

DAY 3: Day Trip to Nikko – Sacred Mountains & Shogunate Splendour

UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Scenic Nature & Spiritual Legacy

Today, embark on a full-day excursion to Nikko, a cultural and spiritual jewel nestled in the forested mountains north of Tokyo. Known for its lavish temples and pristine natural surroundings, Nikko offers a perfect blend of history, spirituality, and scenic beauty.

Your first stop is the magnificent Toshogu Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the final resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Marvel at the shrine’s intricate wood carvings, gold leaf embellishments, and iconic features like the “See No Evil, Speak No Evil, Hear No Evil” monkeys. This is one of Japan’s most richly decorated religious complexes and a masterpiece of Edo-period craftsmanship.

Continue your journey into nature with a visit to Kegon Falls, one of Japan’s most famous waterfalls, cascading dramatically into a deep ravine. Nearby lies the serene Lake Chuzenji, a tranquil crater lake at the foot of Mt. Nantai, offering a refreshing change from Tokyo’s urban pace.

In the late afternoon, return to Tokyo for a relaxing evening at leisure.

Dinner & Overnight in Tokyo

DAY 4: Tokyo to Kanazawa – Japan’s Art & Culture Capital

Heritage Gardens, Contemporary Art & Traditional Crafts

This morning, depart Tokyo aboard the scenic Hokuriku Shinkansen (bullet train) bound for Kanazawa, a city often called "Little Kyoto" for its well-preserved samurai, geisha, and merchant districts—yet with a creative flair all its own.

Upon arrival, begin your exploration with a visit to the breathtaking Kenroku-en Garden, ranked among the Three Great Gardens of Japan. Designed with perfect seasonal balance, this former feudal garden showcases tranquil ponds, stone lanterns, and teahouses—an exquisite reflection of traditional Japanese landscape aesthetics.

Next, delve into the avant-garde at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, one of Japan’s leading art institutions. With interactive installations and global exhibits, this bold circular museum offers a striking contrast to the city’s historic charm.

In the afternoon, immerse yourself in Kanazawa’s artisan traditions. Participate in a gold leaf decoration workshop, where you’ll learn the delicate technique behind the city's most iconic craft. You’ll also have the opportunity to observe or try Kaga Yuzen, a meticulous hand-painted kimono dyeing technique known for its rich colours and nature motifs.

Dinner & Overnight in Kanazawa – A haven for art lovers and cultural connoisseurs.

DAY 5: Shirakawa-go to Takayama – Alpine Heritage & Hida Hospitality

Highlights: UNESCO Villages, Folk Traditions & a Night in a Ryokan

Today, travel into the heart of Japan’s rural mountain region as you journey from Kanazawa to the UNESCO-listed village of Shirakawa-go, nestled in the scenic Shogawa River Valley. This remarkable destination is famous for its Gassho-zukuri farmhouses—steep, thatched-roof homes designed to withstand heavy snow and symbolize hands in prayer. Step into one of these preserved dwellings to experience life as it was centuries ago and gain insight into the ingenuity of Japan’s agrarian past.

Continue your immersion into Japanese folk culture with a visit to the Shirakawa-go Gassho-zukuri Minka-en Outdoor Museum or local folk village. Here, you'll see blacksmith workshops, silk farming tools, and seasonal displays of mountain life customs.

Later, head to the charming town of Takayama, often referred to as “Little Kyoto of the Alps.” Stroll the beautifully preserved old town with its wooden merchant houses and sake breweries. Enjoy a local sake tasting experience in one of the traditional distilleries, where the crisp alpine water gives Hida sake its refined character.

End your day in comfort and authenticity with a stay at a traditional ryokan—complete with tatami rooms, futon bedding, and a kaiseki-style dinner featuring regional delicacies.

Dinner & Overnight in Takayama (Ryokan stay) – A true taste of old-world Japan in the Japanese Alps.