Japan in May

After meeting the guide at the reception, you will start your excursion to Kamakura, the ancient military capital of Japan. The city is located on the Pacific coast and surrounded by picturesque mountains, making it an impregnable fortress for enemies. You will see the Shinto shrine Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, which is dedicated to the god of war. Then, you will walk the famous Wakamiya Oji road, which splits the city and leads to the shrine. The road runs between two ponds: one is called "Genji," which means life, and another is "Heike," which means death.

At the day break, you will have a Japanese lunch at a fine local venue.

The next spot, the Kotoku family temple, includes the Great Bronze Buddha Daibutsu, which is 13.5 meters high. The shrine was created in 1252 and survived severe fires, powerful earthquakes, and tsunamis. Then, you will see the three-level Hasedera temple. On top of a sacred hill is the famous gilded sculpture of the eleven-faced goddess Kannon, the tallest wooden sculpture in Japan, 9.5 meters high. Buddhist monks carved The sculpture from a single trunk of a camphor tree. Then you will come back to Tokyo.

First thing in the morning, you'll meet your guide at the reception. The picturesque Ashinoko SkyLine mountain road has stunning views of the surrounding landscapes. Then, you will move to the park; inside it is the museum of the imperial artifacts, plus an observation deck with the best views of Mt. Fuji.

You can also cruise along the mountain lake Asi on a pirate ship. gigantic cryptomerias surround the beautiful Hakone Temple, located near the lake. The temple, built in 757, is magnificent any time of the year. Then, the mountain road will lead you to the footsteps of the sacred mountain Kami Yama. You can also try tasting eggs boiled in hot spring water in the nearby Owakudani Valley. According to local legend, each egg eaten extends life by seven years!

Enjoy visiting Hakone hot spings spot at your choice amidst beautiful landscapes, including Mt. Fuji's views!

You can relax and enjoy yourself at the Yunessun hot springs resort. You can try up to 25 hot spring open baths, known as rotenburo, such as green tea, sake, coffee, cypress, charcoal with dead sea water onsen, and many more. There's also a spa resort that also uses hot spring water. It's your slow time...

You will meet your guide at your hotel in Osaka around 9 am.

Osaka is the Kansai region’s main city, a true metropolis. The city is the industrial and commercial heart of the whole Western Japan. Osaka has been playing a major role in Japan’s history even since it was founded. Osaka’s most famous landmark, a city that rivals Tokyo, is Osaka-jo, or the Osaka Castle. It is a majestic eighth-floor structure, three of which are underground. The castle was erected in 1586 as a Shogun Toytomi Hedeyoshi’s stronghold, and the main castle of Japan of the time. In the lower floors there is a museum, exposing a medieval collection of armor, artifacts, and documents.

The next part of the trip will be visiting Osaka downtown. You will check out the famous Umeda Sky skyscraper, with its Sky Gardens observation deck located on the roof. Its unique architecture resembles hanging gardens. A must have for any Osaka tour is walking down the legendary Dotonbori Street, the local “Broadway”. This central street of the city is famous for its exquisite restaurants and boutiques, representing world's leading fashion brands.

At the end of the tour, you will move to the hotel.

After you arrive in Kyoto, your local guide will be waiting for you at the station. Kyoto is the ancient imperial capital of Japan, one of the oldest cities in the country, the entire historical part of which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kyoto was founded in the 8th century and served as the Imperial residence for almost twelve centuries. Among its numerous temples and sacred sites in Kyoto, one can highlight the Sanjusan-gendo temple, built back in 1164. Even today, it is the longest wooden structure in the world. In the long central hall, in the twilight, there are 1001 statues of the goddess Kannon the Merciful. You will have a lunch break then at a traditional Japanese restaurant. Another Kyoto gem is the Kinkaku-ji, also known as the Golden Pavilion, an elegant three-level temple with its roof covered with thin sheets of gold. The building is also topped with a traditional bronze phoenix. The temple is located in a magnificent garden from the Muromachi period. Nearby is the world-famous Zen rock garden of Ryoanji: fifteen stones seem to be randomly scattered on the white gravel, but from any point only fourteen are visible... The Silver Pavilion, Ginkaku-ji, is another architectural masterpiece. The temple is gracefully reflected in the adjacent lake, making it a classic Kyoto view... Finally, you will walk down the open veranda of Kiyomizudera, or the Temple of Pure Water.

On this day, you can make a trip to Arashiyama, a picturesque area on the outskirts of the city. On the way there you can admire the scenery of the Hojukyo Valley. In the Arashiyama area, there is the famous Sagano bamboo forest, and the beautiful Togetsu-kyō bridge for you to enjoy. Then, it would be your lunch time. We recommend dining at Togetsutei Shofukaku, a fine Japanese restaurant serving seasonal dishes presented in traditional bamboo o-bento style.

Your final part of the trip will be a walk through the historical geisha district of Kamishichi-ken. The spot is the smallest and oldest geisha district, if you compare it, for example, with the Gion district in Kyoto. Only 25 geishas and their students, maiko-san, live and work here, at eleven elegant tea houses. In Arashiyama, there is also Japan’s most famous geisha school located. After the end of your trip, you will transfer to your hotel in Kyoto.

The city is very close to Kyoto, just half an hour away. During its foundation, several majestic temples have been built here. For example, the Todaiji Temple, which was completed in 725. This is one the greatest wooden structures on Earth. Todaiji now is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This temple is dedicated to the Buddha of Infinite Light incarnation, embodied in the sun. Inside, there is a gigantic bronze Buddha statue, the largest in Japan.

In the 5th century AD, Japan borrowed a lot from China and Korea in terms of civilizational development. Religion was one of these gifts from Asia's mainland. Japanese have also borrowed writing, architecture, and even urban planning that dominated the Chinese Tang Dynasty style back then. This is why Nara, as Japan's first permanent capital, was built on the model of Changyan, the capital of China at the time.

Near Todaiji, another Buddhist temple, Kofukuji, is located; it was built in the 7th century. Its pagoda, Goju-no-to, is one of the tallest in the country. This "skyscraper from the past" is 55-meter high! The Goju-no-Pagoda is the most famous graphic symbol of Nara.

Thanks to Nara's compact site, people usually come here for just a day, which is enough to see all the sights. Of course, the Kasuga Taisha Shinto Shrine is also worth your attention. At the entrance to the temple, there is a wisteria tree, whose age is estimated to be 800 years! Inside, on the temple grounds, is a Japanese cedar tree, which is around ten centuries old! All year round, the temples in Nara host various Buddhist and Shinto religious festivals.

You will be transferred by car to the railway station, where you will board the Shinkansen super express to Tokyo. Upon arrival in Tokyo, you will check in to your hotel.

Enjoy your free day in Tokyo!

Breakfast at the hotel. Then, you will have a guided transfer to the airport.