After airport transfer to your hotel, enjoy an afternoon Kyoto orientation tour. Walk through Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion), the meditative canal pathway of Philosopher’s Walk, Heian Shrine and Nijo Castle which served as the seat of Japanese medieval power for several centuries.

Explore historical Western Kyoto, including the Arashiyama bamboo grove, Romantic Train to Kameoka station, followed by Hozugawa River rafting (2h). This afternoon, you have two options to choose from:

Option 1: Kiyomizu Temple & Pottery Street with its old houses

Option 2: Fushimi Inari Taisha’s 10,000 tori gates & Gekkeikan Sake Brewery

This evening, we will visit the Gion district known as home to many geisha houses for a traditional dinner with performance of maiko (geisha’s apprentice).

Choose from the following two options for the day:

Option 1: Ancient Nara is Japan’s oldest capital. Let us show you the Deer Park, Todaiji (Great Eastern Temple) with its 15m Great buddha image, a 30m walk to Kasuga Grand Shrine with its bronze stone lanterns, Edo-era Naramachi old town and the ancient Gangoji Temple (UNESCO).

Option 2: Hidden Eastern Kyoto is suitable for discerning travellers. Let us show you the 400-year-old Hikone Castle, Genkyuen Landscape Garden, then drive 1.5h towards Otsu for Lake Biwa cruise and conclude at the Miidera temple complex (one of Japan’s 4 largest temples).

Embark on train transfer to your hotel in Gora. We will explore the Hakone area from air and water, using Togendai ropeway and Lake Ashi cruise. Let the crisp air refresh you while the idyllic Mount Fuji keeps you company.

Today is free at leisure for you to enjoy your traditional ryokan facilities. If you would like to explore your surroundings at leisure, you can check out Hakone Open-Air Museum or Venetian Glass Museum if you are into arts. Else, check out Oojigoku with its gurgling volcanic activity. Finally, you will be transferred late afternoon by train to Tokyo.

Enjoy Tokyo orientation tour starting with Asakusa area to visit Sensoji Temple with its iconic red lantern and Meiji Shrine which is built to deify the spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consort Empress Shoken.

This afternoon, spend some time exploring the Imperial Palace Gardens crafted from part of the original castle compound.

Start the morning at teamLab Borderless, a digital art museum which transcends modernity, before enjoying one of the below afternoon activities:

• Street kart through Tokyo Bay (2.5-3h)
• Ninja training (e.g. shuriken or ninja star throwing)
• Taiko drumming
• Karate lesson (closed on Tue)
• Tea ceremony class
• Sumo Stable
• Japanese calligraphy (Shodo) class
• Sushi-making class

Truly a cosmopolitan masterpiece, you may spend the final day at leisure to explore the city further in-depth or to do some shopping before we transfer you to Narita or Haneda airport for your flight home.