Geisha House, Kyoto
ITINERARY
Day 1- Depart U. S.
• Overnight flight to Tokyo, Japan
Day 2 – Tokyo
• Arrive in Tokyo
• Transfer to hotel and meet fellow travelers, including those who took the pre-trip extension
Day 3 – Meet Former Sumo Wrestler & Meiji Shrine
• Visit a restaurant owned by a former sumo wrestler and enjoy a demonstration
• Savor traditional sumo lunch and converse with a former wrestler
• Visit Meiji shrine
• Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant
Day 4 – Taiko Drumming & Asakusa
• Learn traditional taiko drumming from a master
• Explore Asakusa district and stroll shop-lined streets
Day 5 – Hakone & A Day in the Life of Ashigara
• Travel to Hakone, stopping in Ashigara to experience local customs and a cooking lesson
• Visit Seto Community House, former Samurai residence
• Free time to explore
Day 6 – Lake Ashi, Wood Workshop & Geisha Conversation
• Boat ride on scenic Lake Ashi
• Visit woodcraft shop for hands-on experience
• Meet geisha house madam for cultural discussion
Day 7 – Overland to Tokyo & Bullet Train to Kanazawa
• Drive to Tokyo, then ride bullet train to Kanazawa
Day 8 – Kenrokuen Garden & Omicho Market
• Visit Kenrokuen Garden and Higashi Chaya teahouse district
• Explore Omicho Market and gold leaf workshop
Day 9 – Free Day or Optional Gokayama Tour
• Free time to explore Kanazawa
• Optional full-day excursion to Gokayama UNESCO village
Day 10 – Home-Hosted Visit & Train to Kyoto
• Tea and cultural exchange with local family
• Rail journey to Kyoto, Japan’ s ancient imperial capital
Day 11 – Kyoto, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kinkakuji & Nijo Castle
• Walk through Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
• Visit Kinkakuji( Golden Pavilion) and Nijo Castle
Day 12 – Nara & Samurai Kenbu Theater
• Visit Todaiji Temple and meet“ bowing” deer in Nara
www. oattravel. com / jpn | 1-800-955-1925
• Attend Samurai Kenbu Theater for swordplay demonstration
Day 13 – Zen Temple & Optional Sake Brewery
• Practice Zen meditation at Senkoji Temple
• Optional sake brewery visit
Day 14 – Fushimi Inari Shrine & Sushi Chef
• Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine with 10,000 torii gates
• Sushi-making lesson with local chef
• Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant
Day 15 – Return to U. S.
• Transfer to Osaka airport for flight home
• Optional post-trip extension to Hiroshima begins
Interested in a shorter, more active adventure in Japan? Find our Immersion in Japan trip on page 82.
OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS
Maximize your discoveries and take advantage of your included airfare by extending your adventure.
Tokyo: Ancient & Modern Traditions 3 nights pre-trip from $ 1,195
Hiroshima: City of Peace 3 nights post-trip from $ 1,495
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