Odysseys Unlimited

Day 1: Depart U.S. for Tokyo, Japan

Day 2: Arrive Tokyo After arriving in ­Japan’s financial, commercial, and political capital this evening, we transfer to our hotel where we learn about the journey ahead at a briefing with our ­Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director.

Day 3: Tokyo We spend the morning touring this amazing city that comprises 23 wards and covers a staggering 840 miles. We focus on a smaller area as we visit some of Tokyo’s top sights, including Shinto Meiji Shrine, a peaceful enclave of temples and gardens; and historic Imperial Palace, surrounded by moats and ramparts, and home of the Imperial Family. Next we visit Tokyo’s oldest temple, Bud­d­hist Asakusa Kannon, followed by the Nakamise shopping arcade. This afternoon is at leisure; tonight we enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. B,D

Day 4: Tokyo Our day begins with a motorcoach tour of Ginza, Tokyo’s famed shopping, dining, and entertainment district boasting the most expensive real estate in all of Japan. We visit the ­gallery of preeminent calligrapher Koshun Masunaga, where we learn about this ancient art and browse the collection. Then the remainder of the day is at leisure to visit some of Ginza’s department stores, boutiques, or galleries; or to set off in a new direction, perhaps to a kabuki performance or judo demonstration. B

Day 5: Tokyo/Mt. Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park/Suwa Japan’s pastoral side is on tap as we leave Tokyo for Mt. Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Here sits imposing Mt. Fuji, a dormant volcano (it last erupted in 1707) with a perfectly ­symmetrical cone that rises to 12,388 feet. The mountain’s majesty is breathtaking, as artists and writers have attested for centuries. We take a coach ride where, weather permitting, we’ll enjoy breathtaking panoramic views; then we descend for a relaxing cruise on scenic Ashi Lake. Leaving the park, we travel to the town of Suwa where we spend the night at a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn where we take off our shoes upon entering and sleep on a futon. B,D

Day 6: Suwa/Takayama Today we travel to lovely Takayama in the Japanese Alps, considered one of the country’s most attractive towns with its 16th-century castle and old-style buildings. Our explorations center on three narrow streets in the San-machi-suji district where, in feudal times, merchants lived amidst the authentically preserved small inns, teahouses, and sake breweries that we see here. We enjoy a sake tasting then have free time to visit local shops that sell the region’s unique lacquerware and yew carvings. B,D

Day 7: ­Takayama/Shirakawago/Kanazawa We pay an early visit to the river­side Miyagaiua Morning Market selling flowers, fruit, and vegeta­bles, a blaze of dazzling colors and exotic foodstuffs. Then we leave Takayama for the UNESCO World Heritage site of Shirakawago Gasshozukuri Village. Comprising buildings re­locat­ed from authentic villages nearby that were razed for a dam, the village is also a vibrant community whose residents work together to preserve the unique traditional architecture here known as Gassho style. Next we visit that dam – Miboro – the largest dam constructed using “rock-fill technology:” just stones and clay. Late afternoon we reach the castle town of Kanazawa, an alluring coastal city that survived the ravages of World War II. B,L

Day 8: Kanazawa Today’s tour of this culturally-rich city features renowned Kenrokuen Garden, a national landmark whose origins date to 1676. We also see Ishikawa Gate, the only remaining section of the town’s original castle; the Gold Leaf Museum celebrating the art and craft of gold leaf technology; and the Higashi Chayagai teahouse and geisha area. Our last stop is the Nagamachi Samurai district, where the ruling family’s samurai warriors lived. B,D

Day 9: Kanazawa/Kyoto This morning we visit the Kutani Ceramics Museum celebrating this quintessential Japanese art form; and the Asakusa Isokichi Art Museum. Then we board the train for Kyoto, once Japan’s Imperial Capital and now the country’s cultural and artistic capital. With more than 1,600 temples, hundreds of shrines, artful gardens, and well-preserved wooden architecture, Kyoto embodies Japan’s rich culture and complex history. B,D

Day 10: Kyoto Today’s tour reveals the highlights of Kyoto, which was spared destruction during World War II. Highlights include 16th-century Ryoan-ji Temple, where we see the dry garden of sand and rocks (kare-sansui), a marvel of classic Japanese design; and Kinkaku-ji, the ­lakeside Temple of the Golden Pavilion set on ­pillars suspended over the water. We also visit ostentatious Nijo Castle (c. 1603), where the shogun asserted control over the city and its people. And we attend a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, an historic, ritualized ceremony of form, grace, and spirituality. B

Day 11: Kyoto Today is free to explore as we wish. Possibilities abound in Kyoto, or we can join in an optional excursion to Nara, Japan’s ancient capital. B

Day 12: Kyoto We see the sights today from a slightly different perspective as we embark on a cycling tour through the grounds of the Imperial Palace and its garden, Kyoto-gyoen; and the Gion district where geishas gather. We disem­bark to stroll through Miyakwacho, where the geishas live; and Machiya, a neighborhood of traditional townhouses. Our afternoon is at leisure; tonight we enjoy a fare­well dinner at a local restaurant. B,D

Day 13: Depart Kyoto for U.S. This morning we travel by motorcoach to Osaka, where we board our return flight to the United States. B