DISCOVER JAPAN

Posted on by Kenneth Reece, Agent of Modern Travel Professionals

On this tour, you’ll forget everything your mother taught you about table manners. In Japan, it’s considered rude not to slurp. Get ready to joyously drink in traditional hot sake, green tea, big brothy noodle bowls and the delicious views from neon-lit Tokyo to historic Kyoto. Peaks, palaces, pavilions, and pagodas provide picture-perfect backdrops for your photos, but don’t expect to stand still for very long on this enthralling tour of Japan. A hands-on calligraphy class, a special kimono fitting, an interactive cooking demonstration, and a gold-leaf design class—where you’ll make your own keepsake bento box—are all part of the fun. You’ll also browse the produce at a Takayama farmer’s market, stroll through Kanazawa’s famous Kenroku-en gardens, and experience the thrill of a ride on the famous bullet train. Prepare to be floored in more ways than one!

Globus takes you beyond the guidebooks with more ways to discover each destination.

  1. Every Globus tour includes their exclusive Local Favorites, specially included to share the authentic experiences that make each destination unique. Get to know the locals and local flavors you might just miss on your own!
  2. Discover something unexpected and unforgettable in the special way only Globus can share—with sightseeing highlights to off-the-beaten-path surprises to out-of-this world moments you’ll remember for a lifetime!
  3. Explore or relax as you please, or choose exciting options available at MyGlobus. Get local maps and free time tips on your GlobusGO mobile app. Your Tour Director can suggest the perfect way to design your day!
At Globus, we create tours with just the right balance of included features – from Local Favorites to VIP access at must-see sites – and free time. We’re all about hidden gems, not hidden charges. That’s why we throw in more visits, toss in more experiences and include more sightseeing, all in the price of the tour package. We also rest where the action is. Every Globus tour itinerary features hotels in the heart of each destination. And, when you know the ropes of travel, you also know how to get in front of them. We work hard behind the scenes to get our travelers front and center at the world’s greatest sights. As a result, we minimize lines and wait times. Plus, with the world’s best Tour Directors leading the way, we maximize the scene, scenery and overall enjoyment for each and every traveler.

Globus takes you beyond the guidebooks with more ways to discover each destination.

 Local Favorites Every Globus tour includes our exclusive Local Favorites, specially included to share the authentic experiences that make each destination unique. Get to know the locals and local flavors you might just miss on your own!

Tour Highlights Discover something unexpected and unforgettable in the special way only Globus can share—with sightseeing highlights to off-the-beaten-path surprises to out-of-this world moments you’ll remember for a lifetime!

Enhanced Free Time Explore or relax as you please, or choose exciting options available at MyGlobus. Get local maps and free time tips on your GlobusGO mobile app. Your Tour Director can suggest the perfect way to design your day!

DAY ONE:

Arrive in Tokyo, Japan! Welcome to Tokyo, Japan’s capital city. Hotel check-in available mid-afternoon.

DAY TWO:

Tokyo:

Start with a visit to Meiji Shrine, a magnificent 20th-century Shinto monument set in a man-made forest. At an artist’s studio, learn to write like a local during a calligraphy lesson with a master calligrapher, have the opportunity to try on a traditional kimono, and partake in a tea ceremony. Last stop is the Asakusa Kannon Temple and Nakamise shopping arcade. Tonight, join your travel companions at a welcome dinner hosted by your Tour Director.

Breakfast, Lunch. & Dinner are included today!

DAY THREE: Tokyo, Mt. Fuji

Drive south to the beautiful Five Lakes region for a panoramic cable-car ride to view Mount Fuji.

Breakfast & Lunch are included today.

DAY FOUR: Tokyo-Matsumoto-Takayama

Journey to Matsumoto, gateway to the ruggedly beautiful Japanese Alps, and enjoy visits to a local wasabi farm and Matsumoto Castle. Tonight, enjoy a wonderful Japanese-style dinner at your hotel.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner are included today!

DAY FIVE: Takayama

Today begins at the morning market, where farmers display locally grown fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Visit Takayama Jinya, a former government office during the Edo Period from 1692-1868. This well-preserved building is a national historic site and the only remaining building of its kind in Japan. End with a fun sake tasting.

Breakfast is included today.

DAY SIX: Takayama-Shirakawa-Kanazawa

This morning, enjoy a drive through the mountainous Shokawa Valley to Shirakawa, a remote region of Japan is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Here explore the unique gassho-zukuri-style (joined hands) thatched houses that can be found only here. Continue to the scenic town of Kanazawa, situated between the mountains and the Sea of Japan. Explore Kenroku-en Garden and partake in a gold leaf class, where you’ll learn about this ancient craft and make your own bento box.

Breakfast & Lunch are included today.

DAY SEVEN: Kanazawa – Kyoto

This morning, board the Thunderbird Express Train for your journey to Kyoto. For lunch, participate in a Japanese cooking class. You’ll also visit some of the city’s most important sites including Sanjusajendo Temple, Fushimi Inari Shrine, and Kiyomizu Temple. This evening, you have the option to stay in a traditional Japanese ryokan (additional expense).

Breakfast & Lunch are included today!

DAY EIGHT: Kyoto

This morning starts with a visit to stunning Kinkakuji, the Temple of the Gold Pavilion. Next, visit Yuzen Handmade Corner to learn about the yuzen dyeing technique used to decorate kimonos by painting dye directly on the cloth. Make your own souvenir using this traditional method.

Breakfast is included today.

DAY NINE: Kyoto – Nara

Travel to nearby Nara, to visit Kasuga Shrine and Todaiji Temple, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Tonight, your Tour Director hosts a farewell dinner to celebrate your discovery of Japan.

Breakfast & Dinner are included today.

DAY TEN: Kyoto

Your tour ends with breakfast this morning.

Breakfast is included today.

World Heritage Sites are designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for having cultural, historical, scientific or other form of significance. The sites are judged to contain cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.The following UNESCO World Heritage Sites can be seen or visited on this vacation:

  • Kasuga Shrine
  • Kiyomizu Temple
  • Mount Fuji
  • Shirakawa (Gassho-Zukuri houses)
  • Todaiji Temple
Sanjunoto pagoda of Kiyomizu-dera Buddhist temple, Kyoto, Japan

This sounds like an AMAZING tour of Japan! If you’re ready to explore Japan, give me a shout and let’s get you to the Land of the Rising Sun!

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Published by Kenneth Reece, Agent of Modern Travel Professionals

Hi, I’m Kenneth Reece — and I help make unforgettable vacations feel effortless. With 50 cruises under my belt (and more in the works!), I specialize in bucket-list travel experiences for grown-up travelers who want something a little more meaningful, a little more personal, and a lot more fun. Whether you're cruising the blue waters of the Caribbean, exploring the stunning coastlines of Alaska, or soaking in the magic of Europe one cobblestone street at a time — I’m here to help you plan a trip you’ll always remember. Lately, river cruising has completely captured my heart. There’s just something special about waking up each morning in a new European town, with your floating boutique hotel waiting to take you to the next charming stop. I love pairing these river cruises with guided land tours for a perfect balance of sightseeing and relaxation. Princess Cruises has long been one of my favorites at sea, but I’ve sailed with many cruise lines and know how to match each client with the right one for them. I’ve also experienced the Disney magic around the world — from Disneyland and Walt Disney World to Tokyo and Paris — and I bring that same sense of wonder and thoughtful planning into everything I do. Whether you're celebrating a milestone, traveling solo, or just need help making sense of all the choices out there, I’m here to be your guide. I love helping clients as much — or as little — as they prefer. From the first conversation to the moment you return home, you’ll know someone has your back. Let’s make your next trip easy, exciting, and completely tailored to you.