Day 5 Osaka to Kyoto – Meals: Breakfast (Club Lounge), Lunch

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Kyoto by hire car. Kyoto is considered the spiritual and cultural capital of Japan and has been called the city of a thousand temples. On the way to central Kyoto we will visit Uji, a small city located on the Uji river and the first place in Japan that green tea was grown. Uji is about half way between two ancient capitals, Nara and Kyoto and was also a cultural centre in its own right. It is home to the World Heritage listed Byodoin Buddhist Temple and Ujigami Shinto shrine, built in 1060 and the oldest extant shrine in Japan. Uji is well known in Japan as producing the best green tea and the picturesque rolling hills of sculpted tea plants have become a signature view of the area. After visiting Byodoin Temple we will have lunch at a local restaurant before heading on to Kyoto.

This afternoon we explore some of the treasures of the 400 year old Higashiyama district of Kyoto on the slope of the eastern mountain bordering the city. Kiyomizu temple with its iconic elevated wooden stage overlooking the city below has been attracting pilgrims and visitors for hundreds of years. Enjoy the atmosphere as you walk toward Kyomizu through the tiny streets lined with little shops. You will get a real feel for Kyoto style and hospitality as you explore the area. We will visit another temple in the area, Kodaiji, well known for its Zen garden. Tokugawa Ieyasu (1542-1616) (the first Tokugawa shogun) financed the construction of the temple, resulting in its finely decorated buildings and garden, which have been designated Places of Scenic Beauty by the Japanese Government.  We transfer to the Ritz-Carlton Kyoto on the banks of the Kamogawa river and check in for 2 nights. Evening at leisure.

Accommodation: The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto (or similar)

Day 6 Kyoto – Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Optional Geisha Dinner

After a leisurely breakfast we set out for a full day tour of Kyoto. We begin with visits this morning to two of Kyoto’s most famous UNESCO world heritage sites, the Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji) and Nijo Castle. Kinkakuji is a beautiful Zen temple whose top two storeys are completely covered in gold leaf. The temple dates back to the 14th century and is set in a traditional Japanese “strolling garden” landscape, including a mirror pond which reflects the temple. The pond contains 10 islands, arranged Zen-style to represent famous places in Chinese and Japanese history and serves to accentuate the beauty of the temple. You will get to appreciate the Temple and garden as we stroll along the winding paths.

Nijo castle, built in 1603, is one of the best surviving examples of feudal Japan’s castle palace architecture. It was built as a summer residence of the first Shogun of the Edo period. Despite its two concentric walls and moats, it served less as a defensive castle and more as a centre of government and residence of the Shoguns. Enjoy the distinctive castle buildings, historic artworks and cherry and plum tree gardens as you wander through the castle. We will enjoy lunch today at a Michelin starred restaurant. 

This afternoon we travel to the Sagano Arashiyama region at the foot of the mountains in the south-west of Kyoto. Located on the Oi River, Arashiyama was once the playground of the aristocracy, cool in summer and stunning in Autumn. We will enjoy a rickshaw ride through the its enchanting Bamboo Grove and will visit the beautiful Okochisansou villa where we will enjoy some traditional matcha green tea and red bean sweet before exploring the villa’s sculpted gardens. The villa is set in 2 hectares of Japanese gardens with 4 gardens designed to reflect the beauty of each season. This evening, perhaps enjoy a private traditional Japanese  dinner with the accompaniment of a geisha / maiko and authentic geisha dance performance. This optional special dinner experience can be organised when you book the tour

Accommodation: The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto (or similar)

Day 7 Kyoto to Hakone – Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After a relaxed breakfast we travel mid-morning to the Hakone region by Bullet Train.  Hakone is about 80km from Tokyo and 40km from Mt Fuji and is famous for its hot springs (onsens), national park, and the view of Mt. Fuji across Lake Ashi. It is a popular hot spring resort for local Japanese looking to unwind from their frenetic life in metropolitan Tokyo. Hakone was a major post town along the Tokaido route between Tokyo and Kyoto during the Edo period. Travellers would be stopped, and their travel documents and baggage checked to enforce laws restricting the travel of weapons or unaccompanied women. Historical views of and from Hakone are captured in famous woodblock prints by Hiroshige.

Check in at Hyatt Regency Hakone Resort & Spa – Luxury Hotel in Gora, Hakone and perhaps have a soak in the resort’s mineral onsen (hot spring) baths, before enjoying welcome drinks and dinner at the hotel.

Accommodation: Hyatt Regency Hakone & Spa (or similar)

Day 8 Hakone to Tokyo – Meals: Breakfast, Executive Lounge Access

Morning at leisure. Perhaps visit a local art gallery or museum – or take a cable car (gondola) ride up the nearby mountain for a better view (weather permitting) of majestic Mt. Fuji . Your guide will assist you to organise your activities. The 70,000 ㎡ Hakone Open Air Museum is 20 minutes’ walk from the hotel. Masterpieces from modern sculptors such as Rodin and Henry Moore are exhibited in an open garden space and the Picasso Pavilion has an exhibition of over 300 pieces from the Picasso collection including his ceramic work, and the Happiness in Symphonic Sculpture, a piece entirely fitted with stained glass. You can easily lose yourself here as you wander through and appreciate the exhibits

After checking out from the hotel and around midday, you will be transferred to Tokyo by private car. Check in at Conrad Hotel Tokyo for 1 night. The rest of the day is free at leisure and your guide will be happy to assist in organising your activities

Accommodation Conrad Hotel Tokyo – Executive Lounge access (or similar)

Day 9 Leave Tokyo – Meals: Breakfast, Executive Lounge Access

Today is your last day in Japan. You may want to do some last minute souvenir hunting this morning before checking out from the hotel at 12:00pm You will be transferred to Tokyo Airport by private car for your flight home. A guide will assist you departing from the hotel and arriving at your check-in counter at the airport.

Day 10 Arrive Home

2024 Elysium Tour Departure Dates