Discovering Japan

Arrive in Tokyo, the bustling capital city of Japan, where you meet your full time Japanese Tour Manager. Transfer to your hotel in the city for check in and dinner, then settle in for a good night’s sleep.

Japan’s capital is a densely packed visual feast, with lots to see and do. We’ll start with a guided sightseeing tour with a local expert. See the Meiji Shrine, the Imperial Palace Plaza, Asakusa Kannon Temple, and enjoy shopping on Nakamise Street. You’ll also see the Tokyo Skytree Tower and make a stop at the Pokemon Center Skytree Town.

This morning you will see the famous Tsukiji Outer Market, the largest wholesale fish market in Tokyo! Then transfer to your Taiko Lab Workshop: Taiko is the traditional Japanese drum and here, you will learn how to play the barrel-shaped nagado-daiko drum as well as the smaller shime-daiko with a Taiko master. Later today, prepare for the first performance of the tour, which will take place this evening!

This morning, depart for Mt. Fuji and Hakone National Park Tour by private coach and visit Mt.Fuji 5th station. Mt. Fuji is not only an icon of Japan, it is still an active volcano and is the highest point in Japan at 12,389 feet. Take the Mt. Komagatake ropeway, an aerial tram that offers spectacular views, as it takes you to the summit of imposing Mount Komagatake. Conclude your visit with a boat ride on Lake Ashi. Continue to Shizuoka where you will check into your next hotel and have dinner together.

Today you will depart for the beautiful lake city of Otsu, located along the large Biwa Lake. Check into your next hotel and have time to explore with your Tour Manager. This afternoon, perform your second concert performance as part of an exchange with a local school group. The rest of the day is yours to relax and enjoy the beautiful and peaceful Otsu. Enjoy dinner together.

This morning, experience ancient Japan in Kyoto. Visit the Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion), a Zen Buddhist temple covered in gold leaf, the Sagano Bamboo Path, and Arashiyama area. Kiyomizu-dera Temple, is an UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the oldest schools in Japan for Japanese Buddhism study. Enjoy dinner together tonight.

This morning, check out of your hotel and transfer by bus to Osaka, stopping en route in Nara, once the imperial capital of Japan and home to some of the country’s most culturally significant attractions. Begin your sightseeing tour with a visit to the magnificent Todaiji Temple, considered one of the world’s oldest and largest wooden structures. Then explore serene Nara Park, noted for its free-roaming deer as well as some of the country’s oldest Buddhist temples, before seeing Kasuga Shrine, famous for its hundreds of lovely bronze lanterns donated by worshippers. Next visit the Tga-ryu Samurai and Ninja Museum where you will get to experience a katana sword demonstration. Continue to Osaka where you will check into your hotel and have dinner together.

This morning enjoy a city sightseeing tour of Osaka, where you will see the Osaka Castle and the Shitenno-ji Temple. This afternoon, prepare for the final concert of the tour at a local venue followed by a farewell dinner together this evening to celebrate your successful performance tour in Japan!

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the United States.