Japan: Traditions & Tranquility

May 18 - 28, 2027

This small-group tour of only 30 travelers max is Highest Travel's immersion tour of 2027, which means you'll spend 11 unique days exploring the heart of Japan like a local. This luxurious trip features sumo wrestling in Tokyo, local tea in Kanazawa, temple architecture in Kyoto, and world-history in Hiroshima. Plus, take part in a Soba noodle-making class, craft your own gold-leaf memento from a UNESCO city, ride Japan's iconic shinkansen bullet train, and walk the towering stalks of emerald-green bamboo at Arashiyama Grove.

Price

Double: $7,399 | Single: Call or text for pricing

*Join our roundtrip group flight to Japan from LAX for an additional $1,300 pp.

Inclusions

Full itinerary as listed below
16 meals (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
Local Japanese Tour Director
Highest Travel Tour Director
All tips included (including Japanese Tour Director and Driver)

Call 262-207-4668 to book

Day 1/2 - May 18/19

Welcome to Tokyo!

After your overnight flight, step into the incredible city of Tokyo, the world's most fascinating metropolis. Experience the perfect blend of ancient tradition and futuristic innovation as you take in the city’s vibrant energy. Check-in this evening to our special hotel, the Prostyle Ryokan Tokyo Asakusa, famous for its traditional Tatami mat flooring and other authentic Japanese touches. Then it's off to dinner as we get started on this exquisite tour of Japan: the land of tradition and tranquility. D

Day 3 - May 20

Tokyo Skytree / Sensō-ji / Sumo Show

Rise this morning at our hotel in the heart of Tokyo and travel to the observation deck of Tokyo Skytree, the tallest structure in Japan and one of the most impressive observation decks in the entire world. Our late morning will be spent exploring Tokyo’s oldest temple of Sensō-ji and the lively Nakamise shopping street. Then enjoy a one-of-a-kind cultural experience over lunch, featuring a traditional bento box meal and a sumo wrestling demonstration hosted by current and former wrestlers. This tour highlight will show you Japan's oldest sport so you can learn the history, rules, and key movements. The afternoon and evening is yours to explore the city at your leisure. B, L

Day 4 - May 21

Bullet Train / Kenroku-en Garden / Tea / Artisan Workshop

After breakfast, our group will board Japan's iconic bullet train for Kanazawa - a charming UNESCO Creative City celebrated for its samurai heritage, dyeing traditions, and gold leaf history. Upon arrival, you'll embark on a guided walk through Kenroku-en Garden, often hailed as the finest in the country. Lunch will be enjoyed inside the famed gardens, offering a rare and memorable experience before we continue to a traditional tea house at Kanazawa Castle for Japanese matcha tea. Then we're off to an artisan dyeing workshop where you can create and take home a personal memento from your time in this UNESCO city. Tonight we check-in to the stylish Hyatt Centric Kanazawa. B, L

Day 5 - May 22

Samurai & Geisha District / Gold Leaf Experience

This morning features a guided walk through Kanazawa’s Samurai District, a remarkable area that once housed the city’s warrior class during the Edo period. Then continue on to see the traditional Geisha District where our walking tour allows us to see the enchanting back streets with time to appreciate the area’s quiet tranquility. After our group lunch in Kanazawa, we'll visit a gold leaf artisan shop to learn about the centuries-old tradition of crafting gold leaf using a painstaking process that involves hammering gold bars into thin sheets. Our time here will conclude with an opportunity to craft your own cherished gold leaf keepsake to take home from this UNESCO Creative City. B, L

Day 6 - May 23

Kaga Yunokuni no Mori / Soba-Making Lunch / Kyoto

Travel this morning to Kaga Yunokuni no Mori, a traditional craft village set amid the forested countryside that's known for its traditional culinary specialities. On arrival, explore the grounds before taking part in a hands-on soba-making experience where you'll learn how to craft Japan’s famous buckwheat noodles from scratch. Under the guidance of local instructors, our group will mix, roll, cut, and shape our own soba noodles to enjoy for our delicious lunch. Then it's off to the storied city of Kyoto for a three-night stay at the Good Nature Hotel Kyoto. This property is the winner of multiple global awards and in 10 minute walking distance of Kyoto's Geisha District. B, L

Day 7 - May 24

Fushimi Inari Taisha / Bamboo Grove / Kinkaku-ji

The day begins with a visit to Fushimi Inari Taisha temple, one of Kyoto’s most recognizable sites and famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates. After our exploration, the morning continues at Arashiyama Bamboo Grove where we'll walk the tranquil path surrounded by towering stalks of emerald-green bamboo that sway softly overhead. This is an iconic, photogenic experience that perfectly captures the beauty of traditional Japan. After a local lunch, the tour continues to the UNESCO site of Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion) originally built in 1397. Covered in gold leaf and reflected by a serene pond, the pavilion exemplifies the elegance of Muromachi-period aesthetics. B, L

Day 8 - May 25

Kyoto Free Day

This day is yours to explore Kyoto at leisure and immerse yourself into the Japanese life. Enjoy a local treat at Nishiki Market, visit Kennin-ji (Kyoto’s oldest Zen temple), walk Kyoto Gyoen National Garden, tour Yasaka Shrine (erected in 656 A.D.), visit a local Japanese confectionery shop for mochi, explore the Kyoto Railway Museum, savor a cup of traditional matcha at a local tea shop, or so much more. Maybe even take a stroll from our walkable hotel and soak up the charming Japanese streets. B

Day 9 - May 26

Kiyomizu-dera / Bullet Train / Hiroshima Peace Memorial

We start this moving day with a tour of Kiyomizu-dera temple, a UNESCO Site perched on a hillside above the city before our time exploring Kyoto's Higashiyama District. Then travel to Hiroshima via bullet train and tour the UNESCO Atomic Bomb Dome, preserved in its post-bomb condition as a stark reminder of the devastation from 1945. Our day concludes with a deeply moving time of reflection as we go through the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and Peace Memorial Park. Overnight this evening at the stately Hotel Granvia Hiroshima in the heart of the city. B

Day 10 - May 27

Boat Trip to Miyajima / Itsukushima / Okonomiyaki Class

Today you'll travel by boat to Miyajima, a small island in Hiroshima Bay celebrated as one of Japan’s most scenic destinations and home to the iconic floating torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine. Upon arrival, guests will have time to experience the slower pace of life that has made Miyajima a place of tranquility for centuries. You may even encounter one of the island’s friendly deer, which freely roam the streets. After a day of exploration on the island, travel back to Hiroshima as we enjoy our last evening together and celebrate with a hands-on cooking class of Okonomiyaki, Hiroshima’s iconic local dish that is often described as a savory pancake. B, D

Day 11 - May 28

Travel Home

Today our small-group will say goodbye as we make our way back home from Hiroshima to the USA. B

May 18 - 28, 2027

Arrive / Depart

Arrive: Tokyo, Japan

Depart: Hiroshima, Japan

Accommodations

Nights 2-3: Prostyle Ryokan Tokyo Asakusa

This hotel offers a Japanese touch, featuring rooms with traditional Tatami mat flooring to give travelers an authentic local experience. Prostyle Ryokan Tokyo Asakusa also offers a range of room amenities including a refrigerator, electric kettle, teacups, hairdryer, safe, and writing desk. Our property is located only one block away from Sumida Park along Tokyo's Sumida River and is in walking proximity to many shops, restaurants, and cultural sights - including Matsuchiyama Shoden temple. Additionally, the hotel hosts a bike rental service to explore the surrounding area.

Nights 4-5: Hyatt Centric Kanazawa

The Hyatt Centric Kanazawa is a modern hotel with local flare that is conveniently located for our exploration of this charming region. Hyatt Centric Kanazawa offers spacious rooms filled with natural light and amenities such as an iron and ironing board, blackout shades, Nespressor machine, mini fridge, hair dryer, safe, and BeeKind bath products. The hotel also features multiple restaurants and a workout room.

Nights 6-8: Good Nature Hotel Kyoto

This property is perfectly situated in the heart of Kyoto and winner of global awards for its sustainable design, including the largest "living wall" in Japan. Starting with a Michelin two-star restaurant, there are 10 restaurants, cafes, and patisseries in the hotel to offer an exceptional food experience. Guest rooms offer a Circadian Light lighting system, refrigerator, electric kettle, air purifier, hair dryer, and safe. In addition to the sophisticated design, all rooms offer natural wood flooring, local bath products, and organic cotton towels. The property also hosts a spa.

Night 9-10: Hotel Granvia Hiroshima

Nestled in the heart of Hiroshima, the Hotel Granvia is the perfect setting for our visit to a city defined by resilience and profound historical significance. Guest rooms include a hair dryer, mini fridge, air purifier, iron, safe, local bath products, slippers, and Tempur pillows. The property also hosts multiple restaurants and a stunning lounge with city views.

Why We Selected May

Offering this tour in May was an intentional selection. The month of May provides our group with colorful landscapes and warm days without the intense wall-to-wall crowds that occur during spring. Temperatures will average around 70°F, which is perfect for comfortable touring.

Call 262-207-4668 to book