Days 1 and 2 — Depart the U.S. for Tokyo, Japan

Fly overnight to Tokyo, arriving on the evening of Day 2. Transfer to your hotel.

Day 3 — Tokyo

Set out to discover this sprawling city, where stunning, peaceful sites are hidden amid the high-energy bustle of modern life. Step into the Shinto Meiji Shrine, a serene enclave of temples and gardens, and visit the gallery of preeminent calligrapher Koshun Masunaga to learn about this ancient art and browse the collection. In Ginza, Tokyo’s dazzling shopping, dining, and entertainment district, enjoy free time to explore. Gather for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant tonight. (B,D)

Day 4 — Tokyo

Continue your tour of Tokyo at the Imperial Palace, the home of Japan’s emperors since 1888. Take in views of the moats and turrets surrounding the palace, and visit the East Gardens, part of the innermost circle of defense of the historic Edo Castle that once stood here. Then visit the Buddhist Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest temple, also known as the Asakusa Kannon. Stroll past colorful curiosities on the lively Nakamise shopping street.  Finally, tour the Tokyo National Museum, which houses an extensive collection of art and antiquities from Japan and across Asia. This afternoon is at leisure. (B)  

Day 5 — Mt. Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and Hakone

Depart Tokyo this morning for Mt. Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. The symmetrical volcanic cone of Mt. Fuji—which last erupted in 1707—rises majestically 12,388 feet above the surrounding landscape.  Visit the Mt. Fuji World Heritage Center to learn about efforts to conserve the mountain’s habitats, then set sail on Ashi Lake for beautiful views of the iconic peak.  Travel to the town of Hakone, where you’ll spend the night at a ryokan, or traditional Japanese inn. Take off your shoes upon entering and enjoy the tranquility of its minimalist Japanese design. (B,D) 

Day 6 — Takayama

Journey to lovely Takayama in the Japanese Alps, a town surrounded by high peaks and filled with 16th-century architecture. Meander down the narrow streets of the San-machi-suji district where, in feudal times, merchants lived in wooden houses built by the town’s renowned carpenters. Today, the lanes are lined with charming inns, teahouses, and sake breweries. Attend a traditional tea ceremony this afternoon, and learn about the symbolism and spirituality that imbue this graceful ritual. (B,D) 

Day 7 — Takayama

Begin the day at the Miyagawa Morning Market, where local merchants preside over stalls of handicrafts, flowers, and colorful produce. Meet a local chef to gather ingredients and then enjoy a cooking lesson, as you prepare your lunch together. After sampling the fruits of your labor, take a walking tour of town, visiting Takayama Jinya, a historic government house; the local sake brewery; and Takayama’s old town, whose well-preserved buildings and homes date to the Edo Period (1600–1868). (B,L) 

Day 8 — Shirakawa-go and Kanazawa

Travel west from Takayama this morning to the World Heritage-listed region of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama, where residents of remote farming villages developed a unique way of life adapted to their isolated mountain setting. As you tour the villages of Shirakawa-go, learn about these timeless communities and their traditional thatched-roof architecture, known as gassho-zukuri. In Gokayama, see how handmade Japanese washi paper is made using local fibers. Continue west to the coast, arriving in the historic town of Kanazawa in the late afternoon. (B,L,D) 

Day 9 — Kanazawa

A culturally rich city with many centuries of historical relevance, Kanazawa was one of the few large Japanese cities to be spared the ravages of World War II. On a guided tour, explore the world-renowned Kenrokuen Garden, a national landmark that dates back to 1676. See Ishikawa Gate, the only remaining section of the town’s original castle. At the Hakukokan Gold Leaf Center, get a closer look at the art and craft of gold leaf, one of the specialties of Kanazawa. Then stroll past wooden facades in Higashi Chayagai, an Edo-period geisha district, and visit a local teahouse. Your last stop is the Kutani Kosen Kiln, where artists craft intricately decorated ceramics. (B)

Day 10 — Kyoto

Board the train for Kyoto, Japan’s imperial capital for well over 1,000 years and now a capital of culture and the arts. Visit the celebrated Kinkaku-ji, the lakeside Temple of the Golden Pavilion, and Ryoan-ji, a Zen Buddhist temple known for its 15th-century  Zen rock garden. (B,D)

Day 11 — Kyoto and Nara

Take an excursion to Nara, Japan’s 8th-century capital, renowned for its shrines and temples. Venture into Todai-ji a vast wooden temple originally built in the 700s that is home to a 50-foot bronze Buddha—Japan’s largest.  Visit two ancient shrines: the Kasuga Taisha, a Shinto shrine and World Heritage site surrounded by parklands where deer roam free, and Kofuku-ji, a Buddhist temple with a five-story pagoda. Return to Kyoto this afternoon. (B) 

Day 12 — Kyoto

Step back in time at Nijo-jo Castle, the extravagant 17th-century residence of the shoguns who ruled Japan for more than 250 years.  At Sanjyusangendo Hall, an important Buddhist temple, see some of the 1,000 wooden statues of the thousand-armed Kannon deity. From here venture to Nishiki Market, "Kyoto's Kitchen" of restaurants, stores, and stalls selling everything food-related. Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B, D)

Day 13 — Depart Kyoto for home

Travel by coach to Osaka to board return flights to the U.S. (B)