Japan Luxury Garden & Temple Tour: Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto & Otsu - 10 Days

Highlights

• Roam the alleys of Tokyo's Tsukiji Outer Fish Market and taste the freshest sushi
• Discover peace and spiritual alignment in a privately guided mediation session 
• Get hands-on with a private arts and crafts experience in Kanazawa
• Stay among historic gardens and period furnishings at a 100-year-old Kyoto ryokan
• Climb to the mountaintop Enryaku-ji temple complex in Otsu

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo, Michelin Fine Dining Experience

Welcome to Japan! Your flight lands in Tokyo, Japan's capital city, where you'll find a decidedly urban vibe combined with a wealth of history and culture. Upon arrival, your private driver will be waiting to transport you to your 5-star accommodations at Hotel New Otani Tokyo's Executive House Zen. Here, you'll find expansive rooms and suites with endless city or garden views, options for Shin-Edo-style wooden bathtubs, and decor that blends modern and traditional. The hotel's location also puts you close to hotspots such as Roppongi, Shinjuku, and Ginza, making it an excellent base for sightseeing.

Once you've had a chance to rest and regroup, don your smartest attire and prepare for a fine dining experience that is truly like no other. Tokyo has more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other city in the world, and this private excursion offers your pick of nearly any cuisine. From authentic Japanese cuisine featuring bite-size sushi, tender, juicy sashimi, and crisp, crunchy tempura to exquisite French and Italian dishes, Tokyo offers plenty of choices for those seeking a memorable gourmet experience.

For kaiseki cuisine, a traditional Japanese multicourse meal that highlights fresh local produce, opt for Ginza Kojyu, known for its elevated dishes and intimate setting. Or, head to the bustling Shinjuku district for a visit to Sobahouse Konjiki Hototogisu, one of a handful of ramen restaurants that hold a Michelin star. And if you love omakase, you won't want to miss Sukiyabashi Jiro, a small sushi bar that was the first in the world to be awarded three Michelin stars. Your private driver will transport you to the restaurant of your choosing and return you to your hotel afterward. 

Day 2: Tsukiji Outer Fish Market & Senso-ji Temple, Koishikawa Koraku-en Garden

Spend today discovering Tokyo's myriad sights and world-class culinary scene with a private city tour. You'll start with a visit to the Tsukiji Outer Fish Market. Dating back to the Edo period, the market comprises nearly 400 shops and restaurants packed into narrow lanes. Roam the alleys with your guide and try an array of traditional delicacies as you hear tales of Japan's culinary culture, how washoku (traditional Japanese food) is prepared, and feast on fresh sushi.

Next, visit the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, the only public part of the palatial complex. Admire the seasonal flowers, fountains, and teahouses, and take in the views of the double-arched Nijubashi Bridge. Continue to the colorful Senso-ji in Asakusa, one of the city's most significant Buddhist temples. See the impressive giant lanterns on the Kaminarimon (the temple's outer gate) and stroll along the lively Nakamise-dori, a street lined with traditional souvenirs, snacks, and sweets.

End the day with a visit to Koishikawa Koraku-en, one of Tokyo's oldest and most beautiful Japanese landscape gardens. Constructed by Tokugawa Yorifusa in 1629, the garden's many preserved water features and network of walking trails make it the perfect space for a leisurely walk and quiet contemplation.

Day 3: Day Trip to Mount Fuji & Lake Kawaguchi, Whisky Distillery Tour & Tasting

Leave behind Tokyo's bustling city streets for a while in favor of one of Japan's most revered natural attractions, Mount Fuji. Meet your driver in the morning for the scenic 2.5-hour drive and start at Arakurayama Sengen Park, where views of Mount Fuji frame a monumental pagoda. See Oshino Hakkai, a set of eight ponds fed by snow melt from Fuji's slopes, and stop in at Hannoki Bayashi Shiryokan, a small museum at Oshino Hakkai's largest pond with a thatched-roof farmhouse and exhibits of farming tools, household items, samurai armor, and weapons.

Board a small boat for a cruise across Lake Kawaguchi or head for the sky on the Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway, reaching an observation deck for gorgeous lake and mountain views. The day's adventure closes with a stop at the Fuji Gotemba Distillery, where whisky and saké are produced using water sourced from Fuji's snow melt. Learn about their sake-making process, see the pot stills, distillation equipment, and wooden vat fermentation tanks that produce various types of saké, and enjoy a tasting of the different spirits. Return to your hotel afterward, where the rest of your evening is free. 

Day 4: Zen Meditation & Temple Experience, Train to Kanazawa

Your final morning in Tokyo takes you on a different kind of journey—the inner world of meditation. Zen Buddhism, which is one of the most recognized schools of Buddhism, focuses on meditation as a path to enlightenment. You'll have the opportunity for self-reflection and discovery as you learn more about this method of peaceful and spiritual alignment. 

Visit a 400-year-old temple, normally closed to the public, and meet the head monk, who will guide you through a session of zazen, or seated Zen meditation. Detach from the material world as they show you proper breathwork, focus, and introspection, all of which take place in the temple's secluded inner sanctum. End with a traditional tea ceremony, sipping delicious matcha tea as you reflect on your experience.

Afterward, you'll depart for Kanazawa, a castle town famous for its crafts, folk arts, and rich history. Your driver will transport you to the station, where you'll travel first class on Japan's Shinkansen bullet train. It's a three-hour journey, and upon arrival, your driver will transfer you to your accommodation, the 5-star Kinjohro. Check into your spacious deluxe room, featuring traditional Japanese decor, simple, elegant furnishings, and toiletries by Bvlgari. In the evening, dine at the acclaimed on-site restaurant and feast on local kaiseki cuisine.

Day 5: Kenroku-en Garden & Kanazawa Castle, Traditional Crafts Experience

Garden design has been an integral part of Japanese art and culture since the Heian period (794-1185 CE), and this morning, you'll see for yourself with a private tour of Kenroku-en, considered one of the three great gardens of Japan. Known for its beauty across all seasons, the garden features tea houses, bridges, water features, trees, flowers, and stones, all flawlessly designed during the Edo period by the ruling Maeda clan in a style known as Chisen Kaiyu-Shiki. Take a leisurely stroll around the garden to soak up the quiet beauty, then head next door to Kanazawa Castle.

Standing out against the city landscapes, this imposing piece of architecture was once the seat of the Maeda family and now forms part of Kanazawa Castle Park. Visit the meticulously kept grounds and gardens, and you'll have a chance to see the castle's turrets (reconstructed after a fire to the castle destroyed them) and the imposing gates, which have also been reconstructed. The upper floors contain displays and information on the gate's history, and go into further detail on how they were rebuilt. 

Stop at the vast Omicho Market to grab a bite to eat at one of the food stalls or one of the market's popular restaurants, then spend the rest of your afternoon learning more about Kanazawa's arts and crafts heritage. Recognized in 2009 as a UNESCO City of Crafts & Folk Art, Kanazawa is a true artist's haven, and you'll get to enjoy a firsthand experience at a private crafts workshop. Try your hand at gold-leaf painting, lacquerware, or traditional ceramics alongside your knowledgeable instructor, creating an original piece of Kanazawa art as a lasting memory of your travels. 

Day 6: Train to Kyoto, Katsura Imperial Villa & Geisha Dinner Show

You're off to Kyoto today! This cultural powerhouse of a city is known for its historic traditions, such as kaiseki dining and geisha entertainers, as well as its numerous temples, gardens, and palaces. Your private transfer will take you to the train station, and you'll board a Shinkansen bullet train for the 2.5-hour ride. Seating will be in the Green Car section, which is more spacious and offers a nice array of amenities.

Upon arrival, you'll be met by your private driver and escorted to Ryokan Genhouin, a traditional Japanese inn that sits on a quiet Kyoto street. This 100-year-old property was once the residence of Count Yamashina and serves as a shining testament to the preservation of imperial court culture. The property features a well-kept garden and traditional wooden architecture, and its location offers an easy walk to local attractions such as Heian Shrine or the Shoren-in temple.

Later tonight, explore the mysterious world of the geisha at a private dinner show. Together with your guide, visit a traditional machiya, a registered Cultural Heritage Property, and meet the geishas (female Japanese performing artists) and maikos (geishas in training). Watch a dance performance and learn more about the traditions of this age-old art while dining on an authentic Japanese meal of seasonal fish, meat, vegetables, rice, soup, and pickles. After the performance, you'll have an opportunity to take photos with the entertainers and participate in some traditional games if time permits. 

Day 7: Japan's Historic Gardens, Kimono Tea Ceremony & Samurai Ninja Museum

Spend a leisurely few hours this morning touring Kyoto's most exclusive gardens. Japanese gardening remains one of the cornerstones of traditional Japanese culture, and you'll have the opportunity to not only see the gardens but also meet one of Japan's oldest gardening families. Journey through the history, culture, and philosophy of the quintessential Japanese garden, coming away with a better understanding of the importance of different elements in the gardens and the artistry behind their cultivation. 

Your immersion into this fascinating city continues with a private kimono tea ceremony. Known as chanoyu or sado, this highly ritualized tradition was born and curated in Kyoto. Your driver will take you to a property in Kyoto's Higashiyama district, where you'll don a colorful kimono and learn the history of the ceremonies while sipping fragrant and flavorful tea. Afterward, stop in at the Samurai & Ninja Museum. Try on samurai armor for souvenir pictures and wield replica swords, getting a glimpse of what it was like to be one of the most prestigious ruling classes of old Japan.

Day 8: Visit Saiho-ji Moss Temple, Transfer to Otsu, Mii-dera Temple Stay

Start the day with a visit to Saiho-ji, also known as Koke-dera (Moss Temple), one of Kyoto's best-known gardens and religious sites. Meet your private guide and spend the morning touring the temple's heart-shaped garden. Learn about the 120 different varieties of moss that have been carefully cultivated to blanket the grounds. If you happen to be visiting during the fall months, you'll be rewarded with the contrasting sight of fiery red maple leaves against the verdant moss. 

This afternoon, your driver will collect you for the one-hour drive to Otsu, the capital city of Japan's Shiga Prefecture. You'll be staying at the temple of Mii-dera, founded in 672 CE on a site said to be the first bathing place of the infants who would reign as Japan's 38th, 40th, and 41st emperors. An integral part of Japanese history and exhibiting 64 items classified as Japanese National Treasures, the temple's 400-year-old Myogon-in Hall will be your home for the next two nights. 

Stylishly renovated in 2018 by Japanese architect Tei Shuwa, this peaceful retreat offers private access to the temple and gardens, visits to the temple's National Treasures, and a guided meditation session. Enjoy comfortable rooms and beautiful artwork depicting traditional elements such as waterfalls and animals, and find complete relaxation amid the sounds of nature around the grounds. 

Day 9: Day Trip to Mount Hiei & Enryaku-ji 

See more of the history and traditions of Otsu today with a privately guided visit to Mount Hiei. This soaring peak dominates the skyline in the northeast section of the city and is home to the Enryaku-ji temple complex. Founded in the year 788 CE by Saico (the monk who introduced Tendai Buddhism into Japan), Enryaku-ji is the head temple of the Tendai sect and at its peak had as many as 3,000 sub-temples. You'll meet your guide in the morning and travel to the top of the mountain, with the option of taking a ropeway that offers breathtaking vistas over Lake Biwa.

Hike around the temples and surrounding forests, taking in the views of the mountains and lake below. Visit the eastern pagoda, Toto, and its Kompon Chu-do (Primary Central Hall), which is considered the most important building in the complex. The flames on the three dharma lamps in front of the altar have been kept lit for more than 1,200 years.

Head to the Saito (Western Pagoda section) next, which houses a rare Buddha sculpture of the Shaka Nyorai (Historical Buddha). Explore this atmospheric area of the complex as you follow winding stone paths through dense forest to mist-shrouded temples. During the tour, your guide will share insight into the importance of this sacred place, and you'll gain a deeper understanding of the history and traditions of Japanese Buddhism. Return to your temple lodgings in time for dinner and a reflective evening exploring the grounds. 

Day 10: Transfer to Osaka, Depart 

Your adventures in Japan come to a close today. After breakfast, take a private transfer to the Osaka airport for your flight home or on to your next destination. Safe travels!

More Great Japan Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Japan? Check out these other Japan itineraries, explore different ways to spend 10 days in Japan in luxury, or discover the best time to visit Japan.

A note on diacritical and retroflex markings: In order to support the best technical experience and search functions, diacritical markings have been omitted from this article.