Legends of Nippon

First thing in the morning, you will meet your guide at the reception. Then, you will have a two-hour drive to the Nikko National Park – a place that, as its name suggests in Japanese, means sunshine. Since the temple with the great Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu's tomb was built here in the 17th century, Nikko has been synonymous with splendor and grace.

The red Shinkyo Bridge, which could only be crossed by representatives of the Shogun or Emperor, was constructed on the spot where the founder of Nillo's first temple, the Buddhist monk Shodo, crossed a stormy mountain stream on the backs of two gigantic snakes. At least, this is what the local legend says.

The famous Hall of Three Buddhas in the Rinnoji Temple has a unique composition of three statues: Buddha Amida, the Goddess of Mercy Kannon, and the thousand-armed Kannon. Just behind the temple, there is a classic Japanese Shoyo-en landscape garden. Nearby is the sacred stable with a world-famous bas-relief of three wise monkeys, whose poses say: "I see no evil, I hear no evil, I speak no evil."

The Great Hall of the main shrine, Honden, contains the deified spirits of the three great shoguns of Japan: Ieyasu Tokugawa, Hideyoshi Toyotomi, and Yoritomo Minamoto. Those who wish to worship it can climb 200 stone steps to the bronze Hodo Pagoda, where Ieyasu's ashes are buried. Climbing along the mountain track, you will see the cascade of Kagon waterfalls.

...Nikko is so magnificent that the Japanese say: “Don’t say anything is beautiful (“kekko”) until you see Nikko.”

You will come back to Tokyo after completion of your tour.

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, for you to enjoy. The temple, built in 757 AD, 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 try tasting eggs boiled in hot spring water in the Owakudani Valley. According to a local legend, each egg eaten extends life by seven years! It is highly recommended to visit the local winery, where the staff will offer a free tasting of Japanese grape wine, which is very little known outside the country, but is distinguished by its excellent quality. Finally, 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. You will have a ride to the hotel after the excursion.

You will enjoy a two-day trip to Kyoto, dining at the city's finest venues.

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: its fifteen stones seem to be randomly scattered on the white gravel, but from any point only fourteen are visible...

You will get to your ryokan, a traditional inn, for a gourmet dinner, kaiseki-ryori style, which is Japanese haute cuisine.  

The second day will start with visiting the Silver Pavilion, Ginkaku-ji. The temple is another architectural masterpiece. Ginkaku-ji is gracefully reflected in the adjacent lake, making it a classic Kyoto view...

Then, you will walk down the open veranda of Kiyomizudera, or the Temple of Pure Water. You will enjoy a stunning Kyoto panoramic view. The local legend says that if you take three sips from the adjacent spring, your wish will come true! You will wrap up your Kyoto’s experience by visiting the legendary Geisha Gion quarter, which has been a center of entertainment since ancient times. You will come back to your ryokan after that.

...at a time when the gods ruled Japan, Jimmu, the grandson of the sun goddess Amaterasu and subsequently the first emperor of the country, descended from heaven on a deer. Legend has it that where his hooves touched the ground, the city of Nara was founded, which became the first capital of Japan. Since those legendary times, when the future Emperor Jimmu descended from his heavenly home, all the deer living here are considered to be descendants of that first deer. And today in the local park you can buy cookies that are allowed to feed these touching descendants of that divine deer.

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.

You will have a transfer to Narita or Haneda airport this day, and we hope you will be thinking of a soon come back to Japan!