Day 1 – Osaka - Western Style Hotel - Western Style Room
- Arrive at Kansai International Airport where someone will pick you up
- No Meals are included on this day (Western Style Room)
Osaka is the largest city in the Kansai area. A large and fast-paced
metropolis, it is best known as a commercial center. Osaka has a rich
mercantile history, which still translates today in the Osaka dialect, where
people greet each other with "Mokarimaka?" (Are you making any money?)
Day 2 – Mt. Koya - "Shukubo" - Japanese Style Room
- Dinner at the Temple
- Breakfast at the temple on the following morning
After the fast city life, Mt. Koya is the perfect place to unwind. Mt. Koya is a holy temple complex situated on a mountain surrounded by beautiful nature. It is the center for Shingon Buddhism and one of the most important spiritual centers in Japan, with over one hundred temples located on top of the mountain. Your tour leader will take you to the mountain, after which you are free to explore the area yourself.
Accommodation is provided in a shukubo, one of the temple lodgings on Mt. Koya. There, you will able to experience the life of a monk in Japan. You will receive shojin-ryori, a delicious vegetarian meal for dinner and the next day at dawn you are invited to join in the morning prayers. Breakfast is also shojin-ryori and is included.
Day 3 and 4 – Himeji - Western Style Hotel - Western Style Room
- Fully guided by one of our English speaking Cultural Liaisons
- Breakfasts both mornings at your hotel
- You will take a boat ride to Ieshima Island where you will have a fresh fish lunch (weather permitting)
The city of Himeji and its surroundings will show you yet another side of the rich Japanese culture and history: an insight in into the Japanese feudal age. Himeji is mostly famous for its castle. A UNESCO world heritage site since 1993, the 'White Heron castle', as it is called, is truly one of the best preserved feudal castles in Japan and certainly one of the main sights in the Kansai area. However famous the castle may be, Himeji offers a lot of other treasures, less explored by the masses. The temple complex Mt. Shosha, one of the locations for the film 'The Last Samurai' is one of them.
Another known, but less explored spot in the Himeji area is Ieshima Island, off the coast of Himeji. Sparsely populated, this relaxing island offers you a real taste of island life in Japan: friendly locals and great seafood.
Whether you visit the castle area, Mt. Shosha or the Himeji seaside area, the region offers numerous interesting locations that our cultural liaison will be happy to share with you.
Day 5 – Kameoka - Home Stay Lodging - Japanese or Western Style Room
- Home Cooked Dinner
Day 6 – Kameoka - Home Stay Lodging - Japanese or Western Style Room
- Fully guided by one of our English speaking Cultural Liaisons
- Home Cooked Breakfast
- Lunch at a Local Restaurant
- Home Cooked Dinner
- Home Cooked Breakfast served each morning
In Kameoka, a picturesque town near Kyoto, you can experience a Japanese home-stay in the home of our cultural liaison. With our liaison as your personal guide, the possibilities are endless: you can explore Kameoka by bicycle or on foot and also learn about Japanese cooking, flower arrangement, pottery, and much, much more. An excellent hostess, guide and cook, our liaison will immediately make you feel at home and will make this home-stay a truly unforgettable experience for you.
Day 7 – Kyoto - Ryokan Lodging - Japanese Style Room
- Dinner at your Ryokan
- Free time to Explore and Discover on your own
Day 8 and 9 – Kyoto - Ryokan Lodging - Japanese Style Room
- Breakfast at your Ryokan
- Free time to Explore and Discover on your own and at your pace
Formerly the imperial capital of Japan, it is in this city that the traditional Japanese 'high arts' flourished. Tea ceremony, calligraphy, poetry, philosophy and religion, Kyoto is the number one place to visit. Numerous temples and shrines are located throughout the city and walking along canals, next to traditional wooden houses and through the small streets really gives you an idea of the ancient Japanese imperial culture. Kyoto is not just about the high arts however. The city is also famous for its crafts: textile, kimono and pottery.
Depending on your interests,your tour leader will provide you with ample information on places to see and visit,allowing you to get to best out of your visit to Kyoto. Please let us know in advance what you interests are to help us best plan.
Day 10 – Kyoto and Home
- Breakfast at your Ryokan.
- Leave for the airport.
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