Insider’s Japan

It’s a land of delicate art and bustling commerce, of rich traditions and dizzying modernity; a jumble of sights, sounds, and tastes that for visitors are truly foreign – and truly fascinating. This well-crafted tour features the highlights of Tokyo and Kyoto, engages us in local life, and takes us off the beaten path to the lovely historic cities of Takayama and Kanazawa.

Dates: March 13-25, 2027

Land Only (transfers not included): $6,895

From San Francisco (air-inclusive)*: $8,584
($7,895 air & land inclusive plus $689 airline taxes and fees)

Deposit: $650

Single Supplement: $1,695

*Other cities listed on brochure, which can be downloaded on the overview tab of this trip approximately nine months before departure. Airline prices are subject to change, and airline upgrades will be additional to the costs listed above.

Please note, all prices are for a standard, double room unless listed otherwise.

Cancellation policy:

Final payment due date is 125 days out.

  • 125 days or more: $200 penalty
  • 124 to 95 days: 25% of the tour price
  • 94 to 65 days: 50% of the tour price
  • 64 to 30 days: 75% of the tour price
  • 29-0 days: No refund

Your Tour Price Includes:

  • Round-trip air transportation from listed city
  • 11 nights’ accommodations: 10 nights in Deluxe and First Class hotels;
  • 1 night in traditional Japanese ryokan
  • 19 meals: 11 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 6 dinners
  • Extensive sightseeing, as described, including all entrance fees
  • Services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director
  • Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip
  • Rail transportation for portions of the tour
  • Luggage handling for one bag per person
  • Gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters and all drivers

Book your trip today by filling out the brochure and emailing it to ietravel@ucsc.edu.

March 13, 2027
Overnight flight to Tokyo, Japan’s capital.
(Meals: None)

March 14, 2027
Upon arrival in Tokyo, Japan’s financial, commercial, and political capital, we transfer to our hotel. As guests’ arrival times may vary, we have no scheduled activities or meals planned.
(Meals: None)

March 15, 2027
After a briefing about the journey ahead, we set out to discover a small part of this amazing city that covers a staggering 847 square miles. Tokyo has managed to successfully merge the old and the new to become a fascinating and cosmopolitan destination, as we see during our stay. Our sightseeing features the Meiji Shrine, a peaceful enclave of Shinto temples and gardens. We also visit the gallery of preeminent calligrapher Koshun Masunaga, where we learn about the ancient art of Japanese calligraphy and browse the collection. Our tour ends in the Ginza District, Tokyo’s famed shopping, dining, and entertainment hub, where we can stay to explore as we wish or return to our hotel for an afternoon at leisure. Tonight, we gather for a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.
(B, D)

March 16, 2027
Our tour of Tokyo continues this morning at the Imperial Palace, surrounded by moats and ramparts and home of the Japanese Imperial Family. Here we visit the East Gardens, part of the innermost circle of defense of the historic Edo Castle that housed the Tokugawa shogunate from the 17th to mid-19th centuries. We continue on to the Buddhist Asakusa Kannon, Tokyo’s oldest temple (c. 645 CE), and the adjacent Nakamise shopping arcade, dating to the 17th century. Lastly, we visit the Tokyo National Museum, one of Japan’s most extensive museums, housing a vast collection of art and antiquities from Japan and other Asian countries. This afternoon is free for independent exploration. We are at leisure for both lunch and dinner on our own today, and the choices are endless.
(B)

March 17, 2027
Japan’s pastoral side is on tap as we leave Tokyo for Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Here sits imposing Mount Fuji, or Fuji-san, a dormant volcano last active in 1707 with a perfectly symmetrical cone rising to 12,388 feet. We learn about environmental and conservation efforts on the mountain at the Mount Fuji World Heritage Center and then enjoy a relaxing cruise on Lake Ashi, with Mount Fuji in the background. Leaving the park, we travel to the town of Hakone, where we spend the night at a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn. After enjoying a Japanese-style Kaiseki dinner, we spend the night sleeping on futon beds.
(B, D)

March 18, 2027
Today we take advantage of Japan’s world-class train system as we travel first by bullet train, then by Limited Express Hida, to lovely Takayama in the Japanese Alps. Considered one of Japan’s most attractive towns, Takayama is famed for its beautifully preserved Old Town. Our explorations center on the San-machi-suji district, where merchants once lived amidst small inns, teahouses, and sake breweries. Before departing, guests may purchase a bento box lunch. This afternoon we attend a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, a ritual of form, grace, and spirituality.
(B, D)

March 19, 2027
We pay an early visit to the riverside Miyagawa Morning Market in Takayama, a blaze of dazzling colors and foodstuffs. Here we gather ingredients for lunch, which we will prepare together at a nearby kitchen. After enjoying the fruits of our labors, we embark on a walking tour, visiting Takayama Jinya, a historic government house; a local sake brewery to taste Japan’s unique rice wine; and Takayama’s Old Town, whose well-preserved buildings date to the Edo Period (1600–1868).
(B, L)

March 20, 2027
We leave Takayama this morning for the UNESCO World Heritage site of Shirakawa-Go Gassho-zukuri Village. Comprising buildings relocated from authentic villages nearby that were razed for a dam, the village is also a vibrant community whose residents preserve the Gassho-style architecture. This traditional style features steeply pitched thatched roofs said to resemble two hands in Buddhist prayer. Then we visit Gokayama Village to see how traditional Japanese washi paper is made. Late this afternoon we reach Kanazawa, an alluring castle town that survived the ravages of World War II. We dine tonight at a local restaurant.
(B, L, D)

March 21, 2027
Today’s tour of Kanazawa begins with Hakukokan, a museum celebrating the art and craft of gold leaf technology. Next, we visit the Kutani Kosen Kiln, the famed 150-year-old ceramics workshop where artists fashion prized, highly decorated pottery. We continue to Omicho Market, Kanazawa’s largest food market, before concluding our tour at Kenrokuen Garden, a landmark garden dating to 1676.
(B)

March 22, 2027
We depart this morning by train for Kyoto, formerly Japan’s Imperial Capital and now its cultural and artistic heart, home to more than 1,600 temples and hundreds of shrines. Upon arrival, we visit Nijo-jo Castle (ca. 1603), residence of the shoguns who ruled Japan for 250 years. The castle features imposing walls, moats, hidden rooms for guards, and “nightingale floors” that squeak to alert occupants of intruders. We also visit the Kyoto Museum of Crafts and Design, showcasing the city’s 74 traditional crafts.
(B, D)

March 23, 2027
More of Kyoto is on tap today, with visits to the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove; Ryoan-ji, a Zen temple with an acclaimed dry garden epitomizing meditation simplicity; and Kinkaku-ji, the beloved Temple of the Golden Pavilion. This afternoon, we enjoy a traditional performing arts show in Kyoto’s famous Gion theater district. Dinner tonight is on our own in this traditional yet modern city.
(B)

March 24, 2027
We continue our encounter with Kyoto today, beginning at Fushimi Inari Shrine, whose trails are lined with some 1,000 red torii gates. We then visit Sanjyusangendo Hall (c. 1266), an important Buddhist temple housing 1,000 statues of the Thousand-Armed Kannon deity. This afternoon is at leisure. Tonight, we toast our Japan adventure at a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant.
(B, D)

March 25, 2027
This morning we travel by motorcoach to the Osaka airport, where we board our return flight to the United States.
(B)

Post-Tour Extension:

March 25-27, 2027

  • Hiroshima: City of Peace

3 days, 2 nights Single Supplement

  • Discover the city reborn from the atomic destruction of World War II, now a modern and cosmopolitan urban center whose residents warmly welcome American visitors.

Post-Tour Extension Price Includes

  • Rail transportation Kyoto/Hiroshima, Hiroshima/Osaka
  • 2 nights’ accommodations at Hotel Granvia Hiroshima (First Class)
  • 3 meals: 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch
  • Extensive included sightseeing: excursion to Miyajima Island and Daisho-in Temple; Hiroshima touring by local “Hiroden” train; visit to Peace Memorial Park and Museum; Atomic Bomb Dome
  • Services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director
  • Gratuities for dining room servers, hotel porters, and all drivers

Accommodations

Dai-ichi Hotel Tokyo

This modern hotel is close to Tokyo’s popular Ginza district, famous for its luxury department stores, high-end boutiques, fine dining, and many entertainment venues. Within the hotel are a variety of dining options, including a hibachi grill, French restaurant, buffet, café, bar, lounge, bakery, and several Japanese restaurants. Other amenities include a fitness center featuring an indoor swimming pool, sauna, and Jacuzzi; spa with salon, massage, and beauty services; and laundry and dry-cleaning services. Note that some services may incur additional fees. Complimentary Wi-Fi internet access is available in all areas.  Each air-conditioned guest room has a private bath with hair dryer, tea- and coffee-making facilities, minifridge, in-room safe, TV, and phone.

Mizunoto (Ryokan)

The Mizunoto ryokan is tucked into the forested hills of Hakone, offering a serene retreat immersed in nature and traditional Japanese hospitality. This classic ryokan was fully renovated in 2025 and features both public indoor and outdoor onsen baths fed by Hakone’s natural hot springs. Additional amenities include a Japanese-style restaurant serving seasonal cuisine, lounge areas, souvenir shop, and complimentary Wi-Fi internet access. Guest rooms are designed in traditional Japanese style with tatami-mat floors and sliding doors, and include a private bath, hair dryer, tea- and coffee-making facilities, in-room safe, and TV. Please note: Per Japanese tradition, shoes must be removed in bedrooms at this ryokan.

Hida Hotel Plaza

Centrally located near the railway station and a five-minute walk from Miyagawa Morning Market, the Hida Hotel Plaza features French, Japanese, and Chinese restaurants, as well as a café, gift shop, sauna, laundry and dry-cleaning services (for a fee), complimentary Wi-Fi internet access, and rooftop hot spring baths with commanding views of the northern Japanese Alps. Each air-conditioned guest room has a private bath with hair dryer, minifridge, in-room safe, TV, and phone. Please note: While this hotel offers the best accommodations in the city, the quality level here may be lower than at other hotels on your tour.

Hotel Nikko Kanazawa

Hotel Nikko Kanazawa presents a refined European atmosphere within walking distance of some of Kanazawa’s most popular sights. Amenities include five restaurants, two bars, lobby lounge and bakery, sauna, Jacuzzi, laundry and dry-cleaning services (for a fee), and complimentary Wi-Fi internet access. Each air-conditioned guest room has a private bath with hair dryer, minibar, tea- and coffee-making facilities, in-room safe, TV, and phone.

The Thousand Kyoto

With soaring interior spaces, understated yet sophisticated décor, and a variety of amenities, The Thousand Kyoto ranks as a perfect centrally located place from which to explore this fascinating city. The hotel boasts a Japanese restaurant, an Italian restaurant, a tea room with tea-infused cocktails, fitness center, spa with a range of treatments (for a fee), complimentary Wi-Fi internet access, and laundry and dry-cleaning services (for a fee). Air-conditioned guest rooms feature a minimalist Japanese aesthetic and have a private bath with hair dryer, tea-making facilities, TV, and phone.

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