Japan & China Cultural Discovery Tour: Tokyo, Kyoto & Beijing - 10 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo (Japan), Food & Walking Tour in the Yanaka District

Welcome to Tokyo, the bustling capital of Japan. Meet your driver outside the airport and transfer to your hotel in the city. After refreshing, follow your guide to the Yanaka district on a food and walking tour, starting at Nezu Shrine, a Shinto shrine built in 1705. Enter through the towering torii gates and follow the path lined with colorful azalea bushes to the main hall. Admire the intricate carvings and vibrant colors of the shrine, then explore the sacred grounds full of koi-filled ponds, vermilion bridges, and stone lanterns.

After exploring the shrine and its natural surroundings, continue to a nearby café to rest and enjoy traditional sweets and drinks. You can also try your hand at painting a ceramic maneki-neko (lucky cat) to obtain happiness and luck and take home a personal souvenir. Don't fill up on snacks here, as your next stop is to street food stalls selling mochi, a sweet rice cake typically filled with red bean paste, and dorayaki, red bean pancakes. Break up the sweets with a delicious bowl of soba noodles for lunch to end the half-day tour.

Day 2: Full-Day Tokyo Tour: Meiji Jingu, Tsukiji Outer Fish Market & East Gardens

Check off Tokyo's iconic landmarks with your guide today, starting at Meiji Jingu Shrine, built in 1920 to commemorate Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Step through the towering torii gate into the expansive grounds enveloped in a lush forest. Follow the gravel path to the main complex to take in the grandeur of traditional Japanese architecture and witness solemn Shinto ceremonies. Participate in a ritual yourself by praying and leaving an offering at the shrine before continuing to the Tsukiji Outer Fish Market, a bustling hub for food enthusiasts.

Navigate the narrow lanes lined with stalls offering a variety of seafood-heavy dishes, such as grilled scallops. Once you've had your fill, continue to the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, the only part of the complex that's open to the public. Stroll along the meandering paths and look out over the traditional tea houses, scenic ponds, and picturesque stone bridges. End the tour at Senso-ji, the oldest temple in the city, built in 645 CE. Admire the main hall adorned with sacred artifacts and pick up an omikuji to read your fortune before returning to the hotel.

Day 3: Visit Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Kegon Falls & Lake Chuzenji

Trade the city for the countryside this morning as you transfer 2.5 hours to the UNESCO-listed Nikko Toshogu Shrine. Ascend the grand stone staircase, lined with bronze lanterns, then enter the complex at the Yomeimon Gate, also known as the Gate of the Setting Sun. Admire the elaborate wood carvings, stone mythical creatures, and gold leaf embellishments adorning the structures before continuing to Kegon Falls, one of Japan's highest waterfalls standing at 318 feet (97 m). Enjoy panoramic views of the falls from the observation deck, watching the cascading waters as the cool mist surrounds you.

Head to the nearby Lake Chuzenji, formed over 20,000 years ago by the eruption of Mount Nantai. Stroll along the tranquil lake's shores or embark on a boat cruise across the peaceful waters. Then, end the tour at the Onihei Edo-dokoro Parking Area, a rest stop dating back to the Edo period. Explore the Edo-style shops, restaurants, and theater for a glimpse into the past. Watch as the streets come alive with performances and interactive exhibits, then pop in and out of the quaint shops to find the perfect souvenirs to take home. In the evening, return to your hotel in Tokyo to relax.

Day 4: Train to Kyoto, Walking Tour of Gion & Geisha Performance

After breakfast, head to the station to catch a 2.5-hour bullet train to Kyoto, the former capital of Japan. Make your own way to the hotel, where you can relax until your walking tour in the evening. When it's time, follow your guide through the alleyways of Gion, a historic geisha district full of traditional wooden machiya houses. Stroll past quaint teahouses, traditional high-end ryotei restaurants, and the torii gate marking the entrance to Yasaka Shrine, a Shinto sanctuary dating back to 656 CE.

Learn about the geisha's traditions and lifestyle, then sit down to an authentic show displaying the skill and grace of geishas and their apprentices. Sit on the floor atop traditional tatami mats and watch as the women engage in classical music, dance, and tantalizing conversation. Admire their elaborate kimonos, intricate hairstyles, and precise movements while they tell a story without words. After the performance, take pictures with the geisha, then ask any questions you may have to gain a deeper insight into their rituals and daily life before returning to your hotel.

Day 5: Discover Kyoto's Temples & Shrines, Shop at Nishiki Market 

Day 6: Craft a Katana, Half-Day Tour of Arashiyama

Head 25 minutes out of Kyoto this morning to the city of Kameoka for a katana crafting workshop led by a skilled Japanese swordsmith. Learn about the ancient artistry and craftsmanship behind Japan's legendary samurai swords and witness the intricate process of selecting raw materials, heating, hammering, and shaping your own hilt-less blade. Engaging in every step yourself can help you gain a deep appreciation for the craftsmanship involved in creating each blade. 

After the class, head to the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove to explore the towering forest by rickshaw. As soon as you enter, you'll be enveloped in a world of green stalks that almost block out the sky. Continue to the Sogenchi Garden of Tenryu-ji, a UNESCO-listed Zen temple. Disembark and explore the 14th-century structure with the backdrop of the Arashiyama mountains. Enter the main hall and listen as your guide teaches you about the temple's spiritual heritage before returning to your hotel.

Day 8: Explore the Forbidden City, Learn about Traditional Chinese Medicine

Spend a full day exploring Beijing's iconic landmarks, starting in the heart of the city at Tiananmen Square, the world's largest public square. Follow your guide across the massive space, looking out at the Monument to the People's Heroes, the National Museum of China, and the Mao Zedong Mausoleum until you reach the northern end of the square, where you can enter the Forbidden City. This UNESCO-listed complex served as the imperial residence for nearly five centuries, housing 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Explore the expansive courtyards and discover the array of meticulously designed halls, pavilions, and gardens. Don't miss the intricate details of the palace's architecture, like the iconic yellow roofs and ornate dragon carvings. In the afternoon, take a pedicab or stroll through some of Beijing's hutongs (narrow streets or alleys lined with traditional homes) to learn about the locals' way of life. As you weave through the charming neighborhoods, watch as residents shop at local markets, visit small temples, and meander through the streets.

After exploring the city, return to the Forbidden City to visit the Palace Museum for a workshop on traditional Chinese medicine. Start by learning about the history of the palace, then discover the four diagnoses of traditional Chinese medicine. Try your hand at making a perfume bag, which changes based on the season. For example, in winter, you'll make one to help prevent the common cold, while in summer, you'll make one to get relief from the heat. Take the perfume bag home with you as a reminder of both the workshop and your trip.

Day 9: Visit the Mutianyu Section of the Great Wall & Changling Tomb 

No visit to China is complete without a visit to the Great Wall, so today, leave the city behind to get to the Mutianyu section of this iconic structure. Ascend the wall by cable car or a moderate hike and watch as the lush greenery and rolling hills unfold in front of you. This section of the wall is renowned for its well-preserved watchtowers and fortifications, so you can get a better understanding of the wall's strategic importance during ancient times. Walk along the stone path and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

After exploring the wall, head back down to the Changling Tomb, one of many Ming tombs in the Changping district. This one, in particular, is the tomb of Emperor Zhudi, who played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Ming dynasty, and his empress Xushi. To enter the tomb's main hall, traverse the Sacred Way, flanked by intricately carved stone statues and dense foliage. Explore the burial chamber inside and pay your respects to the emperor and empress while you learn more about their contributions to China's rich history before returning to your hotel in Beijing.

Day 10: Depart Beijing

After spending 10 days delving into Japanese and Chinese culture, your journey comes to a close today. If you have some time before your flight, you can visit the Summer Palace on your own. Nestled on the shores of Kunming Lake, this UNESCO-listed landmark is full of pagodas, pavilions, and bridges, all strategically placed to create a harmonious blend of nature and architecture.

Stroll down the Long Corridor, adorned with thousands of hand-painted scenes of the Qing dynasty's history, or take a boat ride across the lake for a different perspective of the palace grounds. Keep an eye on the clock, as a driver will be meeting you back at the hotel to take you to the airport in time for your flight home. Safe travels!

 

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