Japan with Arielle and Paris Michael

You will be walking 10 minutes to the welcome dinner at a local Japanese izakaya. Your meal will typically be a set menu with water included. Additional food and beverages at your own expense.

Overnight in Tokyo

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Typical hotel breakfasts are continental full/American, or buffet style. Park Hotel Tokyo offers a buffet and a la carte menu with a combination of Japanese and Western Intercontinental breakfast. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.

From the hotel you’ll walk 10 minutes to the nearest metro station and then take a 15 minute metro train ride to Asakusa. You’ll then walk 5 minutes to reach Kaminarimon (Temple Sensoji entrance gates). Once an entertainment hub during the Edo era, featuring traditional theater like Kabuki, Asakusa has evolved from its historical role and is now a lively area filled with charming shops and restaurants. Nestled in the Taito ward of Tokyo, Japan, Asakusa seamlessly blends tradition with modernity. Its centerpiece is the iconic Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple dating back to the 7th century. The district is famous for Nakamise-dori, a bustling shopping street that leads to the temple, offering an array of traditional goods, souvenirs, and mouth watering street food. Be sure to bring cash for souvenirs and food!

After visiting Asakusa, you will travel across Tokyo on a 50 minute metro train ride to Meiji Shrine. Dedicated to the deified spirits of the former Emperor and his wife, Meiji Shrine is one of the most famous Shinto shrines in Japan. Enter through the 12-meter-high Torii gate into the tranquil grounds, where you'll wash your hands as per Shinto ritual of cleansing before entering this sacred space. Observe Shinto rituals and prayers as you walk through the area, connecting with the traditions of this unique culture. Then, you will have free time to explore one of the most funky streets of Tokyo: Takeshita-dori in Harajuku, a bustling and vibrant street that epitomizes Japan's unique and eclectic youth culture. Lined with an array of quirky and fashionable boutiques, Takeshita-dori is a haven for fashion enthusiasts seeking the latest trends, bold styles, and kawaii (cute) fashion. The street is also known for its diverse range of themed cafes, offering visitors a chance to experience the whimsical and imaginative side of Japanese pop culture.

From Takeshita-dori in Harajuku, you’ll take an 8 minute metro train to Shibuya. The world-famous Shibuya Crossing, often referred to as the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world, is a mesmerizing spectacle as a sea of people converges from all directions. Surrounding the crossing, Shibuya is a hub of fashion, entertainment, and youth culture. The fashionable Shibuya 109 building stands tall as a symbol of the district's trendsetting fashion scene, offering a myriad of trendy boutiques and cutting-edge styles. Beyond fashion, Shibuya is also home to vibrant nightlife, trendy cafes, and a diverse array of shops and restaurants. You’ll then take a 25 minute metro train ride back to Shimbashi and walk 10 minutes to the hotel.

Overnight in Tokyo

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Typical hotel breakfasts are continental full/American, or buffet style. Park Hotel Tokyo offers a buffet and a la carte menu with a combination of Japanese and Western Intercontinental breakfast. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.

This morning you’ll take a 30 minute metro train ride to Yanaka for a food tour. You will explore the back streets and hidden gems in Yanaka, a rare taste of Tokyo's past. The local guide will take you through the charming area of Yanaka - one of the few remaining districts in Tokyo where the shitamachi (downtown) atmosphere- a feeling of Tokyo from past decades, still survives.You will have the chance to try local street snacks, stop by shops that are over 100 years old, see local shrines and temples and enjoy a regional lunch from the South of Japan, Kyushu, before concluding the tour with a traditional tea ceremony. You will be making 6 food stops trying drinks and snacks that locals love such as senbei, menchikatsu, tayaki. You’ll then take a 30 minute metro train ride back to the hotel.

Lunch as a part of the Yanaka Food Tour is included. You’ll be making 6 food stops, trying 10-12 local dishes and drinks. Note that the menu may change depending on availability and seasonality. Additional food and beverages at your own expense.

You’ll check out of the hotel and take your luggage with you on a 15 minute metro train ride to Tokyo station. You’ll then board a Shinkasen bullet train from Tokyo to Nagano.

Overnight in Nagano.

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Typical hotel breakfasts are continental full/American, or buffet style. Nagano Metropolitan Hotel offers a buffet menu with a combination of Japanese and Western Intercontinental breakfast. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.

You’ll start the morning off with a 30 minute walk through Nagano passing through Nakamise street with shops on your way up to Zenko-ji Temple (You’ll also have an option to take a 15 minute metro train ride with a 10-15 minute walk to the temple). Having proudly hosted the Winter Olympic Games in 1998, this city is steeped in both modern sports history and ancient cultural significance. One of its most renowned landmarks is the venerable Zenko-ji Temple, a sacred site with a history spanning nearly 1400 years. The Main Hall of this spiritual haven is not only a testament to architectural prowess but is also designated as a National Treasure. Zenko-ji Temple is a repository of legends and myths, offering visitors a profound glimpse into the rich tapestry of Japanese history and spirituality. Take the opportunity to immerse yourself in the tranquil ambiance of the temple, exploring its sacred halls and absorbing the cultural significance that permeates the air. As you venture through the temple grounds, meander along the surrounding streets that lead to the main gate. Here, you'll discover quaint shops offering souvenirs and street food. You’ll then walk 30 minutes back to the hotel / or take the metro train. Remember to bring cash with you!

Overnight in Nagano.

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Typical hotel breakfasts are continental full/American, or buffet style. Nagano Metropolitan Hotel offers a buffet menu with a combination of Japanese and Western Intercontinental breakfast. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.

Take a private transfer from the hotel in Nagano to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park.

Once you arrive in Jigokudani, to reach the monkeys, you will need to walk through the forest for 30 minutes (an easy and paved walk). This park is renowned for its resident Japanese macaques, also known as snow monkeys, who gracefully navigate the snow-covered landscape and indulge in the park's natural hot springs. You can witness these charming primates soaking in the warm waters, providing an extraordinary and heartwarming spectacle. You’ll typically see them soaking during the autumn and winter seasons, during the hotter season they will usually just be playing around the area). You’ll then walk 30 minutes back through the forest to be picked up by the private bus

You’ll then take a 20 minute private transfer to Yudanaka Onsen Town. Surrounded by picturesque landscapes, this onsen town offers a perfect retreat for those seeking a rejuvenating escape. Yudanaka is particularly famous for its historic ryokans (traditional Japanese inns) and public baths, where visitors can immerse themselves in the restorative effects of the natural hot springs. You'll have free time to enjoy the foot bath just near the train station or walk up to the Sekai Heiwa Kannon, a 25-meter-tall bronze statue of Kannon, goddess of mercy. Note that if you want to visit an onsen, depending on the onsen, travelers with tattoos are not permitted. You will also need to be naked at the onsen so if you are not comfortable, you can opt for the foot bath and enjoy exploring the town. The onsen might have limited capacity to take the entire group, so shifts might be required.

Take a private transfer from Yudanaka Onsen Town back to the hotel in Nagano.

Overnight in Nagano.

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Typical hotel breakfasts are continental full/American, or buffet style. Nagano Metropolitan Hotel offers a buffet menu with a combination of Japanese and Western Intercontinental breakfast. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.

After breakfast, you’ll check out of the hotel and board a Shinkansen bullet train from Nagano back to Tokyo. Once arrive in Tokyo, you’ll take a 15min metro ride to Shimbashi and a short 5 min walk to the hotel

You will be walking 10 minutes to the farewell dinner at a local Japanese izakaya. Your meal will typically be a set menu with water included. Additional food and beverages at your own expense.

Come with us for all night fun in Shibuyas nightlife scene!

Overnight in Tokyo.

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Typical hotel breakfasts are continental full/American, or buffet style. Park Hotel Tokyo offers a buffet and a la carte menu with a combination of Japanese and Western Intercontinental breakfast. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.