Luxury Tours

10 Day Luxury Tokyo, Kanazawa and Kyoto Tour

*Prices and inclusions are subject to change.

Spend 10 day experiencing the colour and excitement of Tokyo, the beauty and intrigue of historic of Kyoto, and the exquisite gardens and fresh seafood awaiting you in Kanazawa. This tour features travel in the exclusive "Gran Class" carriage for your journey from Tokyo to Kanazawa.

*inclusions shown in the bullet points - package does not include airfares

Day 01 - Tokyo

Welcome to Japan! Upon arrival at Narita International Airport clear customs with your luggage and make your way to the Arrivals Lobby.

Board your private transfer to your accommodation at the Sakura Prince Tower Tokyo, one of Marriot's Autograph Collection hotels. Enjoy a relaxing stay in spacious guestrooms and a lush, verdant setting.

Take a short walk, or board the courtesy shuttle bus to Shinagawa Station to issue your Japan Rail Pass.

Shinagawa is the ideal place to stay for its convenient access to wide range of restaurants and shops. Shinagawa Station is a major stop on the JR Yamanote Line loop system which circumnavigates Tokyo.

Stay: Sakura Prince Tower - 1/3

Day 02 - Tokyo

Meet your private tour guide this morning who will assist with your initial navigation of Tokyo for a half day visiting Meiji Jingu Shrine, Senso-ji Temple and Harajuku.

Post tour, board a train to the Ginza shopping district. Take time to explore the Ginza's famous upmarket shopping, numerous department stores and wide range of boutiques, galleries and dining. The basement of any Japanese department store is home to an incredible food court where foods are expertly prepared and presented for sale.

Next, travel to Ueno Station and visit the Ameyoko Ueno Markets. There are over 500 shops that sell everything from basic foods to high-class imported goods at reasonable prices and is always crowded with local shoppers.

In the evening return to Shinagawa Station using the JR Yamanote Line.

Stay: Sakura Prince Tower - 2/3

Day 03 - Tokyo - Kamakura - Tokyo

Take a day trip to the seaside town called Kamakura. Located just 45 minutes from Shinagawa Station on the Yokosuka Line, Kamakura is one of Japan's most popular sightseeing destinations, famous for a number of temples, shrines and beautiful Japanese gardens.

Surrounded by wooded mountains on three sides and Sagami Bay on the south, Kamakura was once the capital of Japan from 1192 to 1333.

Many of the wonderful sites in Kamakura are within walking distance of Kamakura Station, so one can easily spend the day exploring the many temples, shrines, parks and gardens. Some of the sites you might like to visit include:

The Great Buddha, a giant bronze statue of Buddha which stands at 13.35m tall and is the second largest in Japan. The Buddha once was housed inside a temple, but late in the 15th century, a large tsunami washed away the wooden structure and the Buddha has remained outside ever since.

Komachi-dori St, leading out from Kamakura Station, is a strip of shops which has many great places to buy souvenirs and a number of good places to buy some snacks, from nuts and crackers, to cute little cakes and sweets.

Hasedera Temple, situated high on a hill, whose main temple has a fine view of the coastal city. The temple is home to a wooden statue of Kannon, the 11-headed goddess of mercy which stands at 9m high.

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, whose iconic Shinto shrine is Kamakura's geographical and cultural centre and attracts many visitors with its beautiful peony gardens and two museums, the Museum of Modern Art and the Kamakura Museum of National Treasures.

Hokoku-ji Temple, the must-see Zen temple in Kamakura. Behind the temple is a magnificent bamboo garden which is tranquil escape. Towards the back of the bamboo garden is a small tea house where you can enjoy a special cup of green tea while taking in the beauty of the serene surroundings.

Return to Tokyo in the late afternoon.

Stay: Sakura Prince Tower - 3/3

Day 04 - Tokyo - Kanazawa

Check-out of the Sakura Prince Tower and from Shinagawa Station board a JR Yamanote Line train to Tokyo Station. (10 mins) At Tokyo Station, transfer to the Shinkansen lines and board your bullet train to Kanazawa Station. (150 mins) For this journey, enjoy the exclusive comfort of the Gran Class carriage, with spacious seating and sophisticated interior. Passengers travelling in Gran Class will also have access to the View Gold Lounge at Tokyo Station prior to departure.

Your accommodation in Kanazawa is at the Hotel Nikko Kanazawa, located a two minute walk from the East Exit of Kanazawa Station.

Kanazawa, often referred to as "little Kyoto", is a lovely seaside town with a number of hidden treasures. After check in, spend the afternoon exploring the city of Kanazawa.

Your sightseeing should include a trip to the Omicho Market which is a 10 minute walk or 3 minute taxi or bus ride from Kanazawa Station. Omicho is the liveliest of all markets in Kanazawa and is popular with the residents of the city. many of the 170 shops specialise in fresh fish and vegetables. Lovers of seafood will delight in some of the surrounding sushi bars and restaurants that serve fresh seafood from off the coast of Kanazawa. For those who prefer their seafood cooked, tempura and grilled options are available.

For a rare look inside Japan's traditional entertainment culture, make a visit to Kanazawa's famous "Higashi Geisha District" where you can walk down the winding lanes which features rows of old geisha houses. Late in the afternoon and early evening you may see a geisha scampering between appointments in full traditional costume. Shima, a former geisha house, is open for public viewing (9am to 6pm) where you can also enjoy a cup of green tea and a traditional Japanese sweet.

Stay: Hotel Nikko Kanazawa - 1/2

Day 05 - Kanazawa

Continue your exploration of Kanazawa today by visiting one of Japan's top three most beautiful gardens - Kenrokuen, which is a 15 minute bus ride from Kanazawa Station.

Kenrokuen is an exquisite garden constructed over 300 years ago and is said to be one of the three most beautiful landscape gardens in Japan along with Kairakuen in Mito and Korakuen in Okayama. The literal meaning of Kenrokuen is "The Garden of Six Sublimities" which refers to its spaciousness, seclusion, artificiality, antiquity, abundant water and broad views. It took 150 years to complete the ponds, streams, waterfalls, flowers and teahouses which are all truly breathtaking.

Surrounding Kenrokuen is a number of popular sightseeing sports including Kanazawa Castle Park, Kanazawa Museum of Art, 21st Century Museum of Modern Art and the Kanko Bussankan where local Ishikawa traditional crafts, confectionary and sake are sold.

In the evening make your way to the bright lights of Katamachi which is Kanazawa's lively entertainment district. The area's "Izakayas" (Japanese-style pubs) are a must to visit where cold drinks and inexpensive dishes are served.

Stay: Hotel Nikko Kanazawa - 2/2

Day 06 - Kanazawa - Kyoto

Check out of your accommodation at the Hotel Nikko Kanazawa and board the JR Thunderbird train from Kanazawa Station to Kyoto Station. (132 min)

Your accommodation at The Thousand Kyoto is a 2 minute walk from the Central Exit of the station.

After check in, commence exploring the sights of Japan's old capital. Board a subway train 2 stops to Shijo Station for the busiest shopping district in Kyoto. There are a number of cafes, restaurants and shops to explore. Next, walk down to the Nishiki Food Market. (10 mins from Shijo Station) Here you can try various Japanese foods from traditional sweets to fresh seafood.

In the late afternoon walk towards Gion, Kyoto's famous entertainment district which is open until late at night. Gion is the one place in Japan where you may see Maiko or Geisha scampering between appointments. As darkness falls, watch the traditional lanterns gradually come to life as you wander down tiny alleys housing a variety of restaurants offering tempting cuisine.

Stay: The Thousand Kyoto - 1/4

Day 07 - Kyoto Tour with Driver Guide

From 08:30am, meet your local English speaking Driver-Guide in the lobby of your hotel. From the comfort of your own private vehicle, commute around Kyoto and visit many of the famous highlights of this ancient city.

During your 7 hour Tour you will visit:

Kinkakuji Temple (World Heritage Site)

A gold leaf covered shiny pavilion with a tranquil Japanese garden

Ginkakuji Temple (World Heritage Site)

Experiencing the magnificent beauty of Japanese gardens.

Ryoanji Temple (World Heritage Site)

Experiencing the Zen of a beautiful Japanese rock garden.

Nijo Castle (World Heritage Site)

Take a time slip back to the Edo period and explore this gorgeous palace.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple (World Heritage Site)

Marvel at this enormous wooden temple built on the top of a cliff.

Visit traditional shops and tea houses along the way to the temple.

In the late afternoon return to Kyoto Station. Be sure to visit the Sky Plaza Observation Deck on top of Kyoto Station for a free panoramic view of the surrounding area of Kyoto. This modern station also contains a large shopping mall, specialty shops and restaurants.

Stay: The Thousand Kyoto - 2/4

Day 08 - Kyoto - Nara - Kyoto

A full day of sightseeing awaits you in Nara. But first, take a trip to visit Kyoto's famous Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine. Anyone who has seen Memoirs of a Geisha will be familiar with the thousands of red Torii gates which stretch towards Mt Inari.

From Kyoto Station, board the JR Nara Line to Inari Station. (5 min) Follow the signs and the walking path leading up to the shrine. It is one of the oldest Shinto Shrines in Kyoto and is famous for its thousand red torii gates which lead up the mountain. The shrine is dedicated to Inari - the Shinto god of rice, commerce and business. Each of the torii gates have been donated by different Japanese businesses.

From JR Inari Station continue on to Nara. (70 min) Here, you can find peace of mind and natural beauty as you uncover the many treasures of Japans former capital (710-784AD).

From Nara Station all of the sightseeing is within comfortable walking distance. Walk through the town towards Nara Park. Should the weather be kind you may like to have your lunch in the picturesque Nara Park amongst the many tame deer that roam the area. At the end of the Park is the World Heritage listed cultural asset Todaiji Temple - the worlds largest wooden building, which houses the Giant Buddha that soars 16 metres in height. Return to Nara Station via Nara-machi, an old precinct full of traditional houses, shops and tearooms in calm and pleasant surroundings, giving a good contrast to the great temples and old burial mounds.

Board a JR Nara Line train back to Kyoto Station in the evening.

Stay: The Thousand Kyoto - 3/4

Day 09 - Kyoto - Hiroshima - Kyoto

Take a day trip from Kyoto to Hiroshima. From Kyoto Station, the journey by bullet train will take around 105 minutes.

Commence your sightseeing of Hiroshima by boarding a tram to the Peace Park and visit the A Bomb Dome, Atomic Bomb Epicentre and the Memorial Peace Museum. Return to Hiroshima Station and after lunch take a trip to Miyajima Island - a very popular Island with foreign tourists who want to see the real Japan.

Board a local train from Hiroshima station to Miyajima Guchi Station. (25 min) Using your Japan Rail Pass, board the JR ferry to Miyajima Island which is famous for the Itsukushima Shrine whose long wooden corridors reach out into the sea. Miyajima is also famous for Mount Misen, which is said to boast one of the three best panoramic views in Japan. Make sure you take the ropeway to the peak. Spend the day exploring the many walks, temples, shrines and gardens of Miyajima.

Make your way back to Hiroshima in the late afternoon. In the evening make sure you visit one of the okonomiyaki restaurants located within Hiroshima Station. Okonomiyaki is a layered noodle pancake which is a specialty dish of Hiroshima. Cooked on the hotplate in front of you, the contents may include chicken, pork or seafood. Okonomiyaki is a cheap and entertaining night's dinner.

Return to Kyoto in the evening.

Stay: The Thousand Kyoto - 4/4

Day 10 - Kyoto - Airport

Spend your last morning in Kyoto completing any final sightseeing or shopping.

Board your private transfer to Kansai International Airport.

For those departing from Tokyo, board a bullet train from Kyoto to Tokyo (3hrs). Board your private transfer to the airport.