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Essence of Japan
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Length
13 Days
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Quality
This indicates the overall quality of the tour operator's products. A low rating does not mean it is not good - it just means that it does not include as much, or perhaps is of a more standard quality than the higher quality tours. For example, a 3 star quality rating means that it is a more standard/economical tour, while 5 stars is a very luxurious tour that often includes a lot of amenities. -
Starts in
Tokyo (Japan)
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Ends in
Kyoto (Japan)
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Available Tour Start Dates
APR 4, 2026 to NOV 19, 2026
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Activity Level
No Rating Provided
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Style
Fully-Guided
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Language
English
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Guaranteed Date(s)
Yes means that there is at least one tour date that the vendor guarantees will occur. No means that there is not at least one tour date that the vendor guarantees will occur, which usually means that the vendor wants a certain amount of reservations on each tour in order for each one to occur. Of course, the terms and conditions of the vendor do allow for the vendor to cancel guaranteed tour dates for certain reasons (for example, a natural disaster).No
From
Pricing listed is per person, based on double occupancy, and is the least expensive price for at least one departure date of this tour. Price is for the tour only. Additional items, including but not limited to, airfare (unless noted otherwise), travel insurance, and more, are additional.
$11,990.00
Overview
Inspirational, innovative and intriguing, Japan is a favorite destination with Tauck travelers... where gilded temples and glittering skyscrapers reign over streets steeped in history and tradition.
Discover the revered customs and unique sense of beauty that infuse life here... On the main island of Honshu, from Tokyo to the hot springs resort town of Hakone to Kanazawa and the cultural treasure trove of Kyoto, visit a private home for a tea ceremony and Origami... explore castles, temples, shrines, a samurai home, and world-class gardens... spend a night at a ryokan with traditional Japanese cultural experiences... make sushi, taste sake, cruise Lake Ashi to see Mt. Fuji... enjoy a taiko performance, Shinto music, Kagura dancing, a sumo wrestling demonstration... and meet a geisha expert. Join us for a Japan trip to remember.
Visited During Tour
Hakone (Japan) | Inuyama (Japan) | Kanazawa (Japan) | Kyoto (Japan) | Tokyo (Japan)
Dates, Offers & Prices
Tour Itinerary
More Details
Dates, Offers & Prices
The following are Essence of Japan tour dates available from Tauck. Select a bonus offer graphic to view its details, including its terms.
There is at least one departure that the vendor is advising is Not Available for the selected year. Click here if you would like such tours to be included below.
Tour Itinerary
Tauck Tour Code EJ2026
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Day
1Arrive Tokyo
Tour begins: 5:30 PM, Shangri-La Tokyo. A transfer is included from Narita International Airport or Haneda Airport to the five-star Shangri-La Tokyo, located in central Tokyo and just a short walk away from some of the city's most popular shopping areas. This evening, please join us for a welcome reception and dinner.
- Meals Included:
- Dinner
Accommodations: Shangri-La Tokyo -
Day
2The traditional arts of Tokyo
This morning, visit the Meiji Shrine, dedicated to the spirits of the Emperor Meiji and his wife Empress Shokenn, and enjoy a Kagura ceremonial blessing with origins that date to the 8th century. Stroll the narrow streets lined with shops brimming with local food specialties in Tsukiji Market. Have lunch at Nobu followed by a hands-on class in a traditional art of drumming called taiko. Your evening is free.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Accommodations: Shangri-La Tokyo -
Day
3Tokyo National Museum & landmark sites
Begin the day with a guided visit to the Tokyo National Museum, Japan's oldest and largest art museum. As you move through its galleries, the story of Japan unfolds — from ancient Asian antiquities to exquisite collections of art, photographs, and rare books. After a lunch sampling regional flavors, step into the world of sumo at a professional wrestling stable. Here, you'll witness the wrestlers' daily routines: disciplined warm-ups, time-honored rituals, and intense sparring sessions, all illuminated by a guide who reveals the cultural traditions behind this iconic sport.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Accommodations: Shangri-La Tokyo -
Day
4Exploring Traditions in Hakone
This morning, board the renowned bullet train (shinkansen) in Tokyo for a short ride south to Odawara, and continue on to the scenic hot springs resort town of Hakone in Kanagawa. En route, a ferry ride on Lake Ashi; weather permitting, introduces you to views of Mt. Fuji, Japan's highest mountain, looming over the landscape. Have lunch at a local restaurant on the shores of Lake Ashi, then visit the Hakone Open Air Museum before continuing on to your ideally located spa resort in Hakone. This afternoon, you'll have an opportunity to participate in two fascinating activities, including an Ikebana – Japanese flower arranging – class and a private sushi making demonstration; later, gather for a "homey" dinner at your resort.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodations: Hyatt Regency Hakone Resort & Spa -
Day
5A day in Hakone
Start the day off with a visit to the Itchiku Kubota Museum, set amidst magnificent views of Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi. Itchiku Kubota (1917-2003) is considered one of the most important Japanese textile artists of the 20th century; he rediscovered, revived and subsequently modernized a traditional Japanese kimono dyeing technique, creating exceptional artistic kimonos. The museum you'll visit today celebrates his art and legacy. After lunch at a local restaurant, return to your hotel and dine on Western or Japanese cuisine at your resort's dining room tonight.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodations: Hyatt Regency Hakone Resort & Spa -
Day
6Nagoya and on to Gero Onsen
Board a train bound for Nagoya. Upon arrival, a short drive through the countryside brings you to Gero Onsen and your traditional onsen hotel. Take the opportunity to soak in the hot springs (onsen) and have dinner Japanese style, shoes off, yukatas and slippers on, in a private room, where authentic Japanese traditions prevail.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodations: Gero Onsen Yunoshimakan -
Day
7Sake brewery in Takayama
Depart Gero Onsen this morning and head for Takayama, a mountain city long famed for its artisans and woodworkers. En route enjoy a lesson in sake making and a tasting at a local brewery before enjoying some sightseeing along the narrow lanes of its historic center, and having lunch at a local restaurant known for its Hida beef. Continue on to Kanazawa, just inland from the Sea of Japan. Enjoy an included dinner at your choice of your hotel's restaurants tonight.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodations: Hotel Centric Kanazawa -
Day
8Samurais and Gardens in Kanazawa
A full day of sightseeing in Kanazawa unfolds with time spent exploring the historic Samurai District, where traditional homes line narrow lanes and canals, tucked behind earthen walls and private gates. Step inside the restored Nomura Samurai Family Residence to glimpse the refined lifestyle of prosperous samurai during Japan's feudal era. Continue with a guided stroll through Kenroku-en, celebrated as one of the country's three most exquisite landscaped gardens. Pause midday for lunch at a Paul Bocuse restaurant, blending French culinary artistry with Japanese flair. In the evening, enjoy a Tauck Exclusive – an intimate Samurai performance at a local temple – before returning to your hotel or setting out to discover Kanazawa at your own pace.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Accommodations: Hotel Centric Kanazawa -
Day
9A Train Ride to Hiroshima
Depart Kanazawa by train for the next stop on your journey - Kyoto. The capital city of Kyoto Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan's most populous island, Honshu, Kyoto is one of the oldest municipalities in Japan (dating back to 794 A.D.) as well as its cultural capital. Your introduction to the city begins with a sightseeing excursion. Dinner tonight is at your hotel.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodations: Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto -
Day
10A castle, a temple & a Kyoto geisha district
Kyoto sightseeing today begins with a visit to the famous golden-topped Kinkaku-ji Temple (Temple of the Golden Pavilion), set in an ancient garden on the edge of a lake – a position symbolizing its place "between heaven and Earth." Hear the story of how this 14th-century temple was burned to the ground by a young monk and then completely reconstructed. Continue on to Nijo Castle, surrounded by stone walls and a moat; tour this 17th-century shogun's residence and UNESCO World Heritage Site – and discover the secret of its "nightingale" floors. After lunch at a local restaurant, meet up with a geisha expert who leads an exploration of the back streets of one of Kyoto's geisha districts, and shares insights on the "flower and willow" world of the geishas, past and present. The evening is free to spend as you wish.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Accommodations: Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto -
Day
11Monuments of Hiroshima
Travel by train this morning to Hiroshima. Your time here begins with a visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Museum, and the A-Bomb Dome (Genbaku Dome) – the only structure left standing in the area of the WWII atomic bomb blast that destroyed the city in August 1945, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch at a local restaurant, return this evening by bullet train to the historic city of Kyoto, where you'll enjoy dinner like a local upon arrival.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodations: Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto -
Day
12Traditional Arts in Kyoto
Begin your day with a prayer at the Kiyomizu-dera (Pure Water Temple) established in 778; the current buildings were rebuilt in the 17th century. Drink the water here in long-handled cups as you wish for longevity, success or love. Kyoto is known as the craft capital of Japan, and many traditional arts have been passed down through the generations. Experience the revered customs of Japanese culture firsthand during a visit to a private home here; take your shoes off, come in, and your gracious hostess will demonstrate the very specific rituals of a Japanese tea ceremony, followed by a lesson in the paper art of Origami. Return to your hotel where the afternoon is free for you to enjoy Kyoto's charms as you like. Join us for a special farewell reception and dinner tonight.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodations: Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto -
Day
13Journey home
Tour ends: Kyoto. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto to the airport. Please allow a minimum of 3 hours for flight check-in at the airport.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
More Details
Tauck is informing us of the following additional details regarding their Essence of Japan tour:
Tauck Values
The following is being included by Tauck on this tour:
- In Kyoto, enjoy a private home visit with tea ceremony & Origami demonstration, explorations with a local Geisha expert, visits to Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji Temple & Pure Water Temple (Kiyomizu Temple)
- Multiple-night stays in premier hotels in Tokyo, Kyoto, Hakone & at a hot springs resort & spa in Gero Onsen
- A Kagura ceremonial blessing and taiko drums in Tokyo
- A ferry ride on Lake Ashi highlighted with views of Mt. Fuji, Japan's largest mountain, in the distance
- In Hakone, visit an open-air museum and attend a flower arranging class
Pricing listed above for tours is per person, in US Dollars, and is based on double occupancy. Pricing may change for other occupancy types. Pricing is based on the last time the vendor electronically sent us pricing data, which varies by vendor (usually occurs overnight or multiple times throughout each day).
Pricing and availability are subject to change and must be confirmed by one of our travel advisors, who can contact the vendor to do so. Intra-vacation air (also referred to as internal air) is usually based on economy class seating (do not assume otherwise, unless explicity noted otherwise) and may be 100% non-refundable at time of final payment. Air quotes (including intra-vacation airfare) may be subject to change until final payment has been received by the vendor. Flight confirmation may be based on availability. Air reservations may not be able to be confirmed until a passport copy is received by the vendor. The following charges are not included in the vacation price unless otherwise noted: airfare to and from the start of your vacation; airline baggage fees including checked and/or excess baggage fees; Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigrations; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other per person taxes imposed by government entities; airport taxes and fees, including the September 11th Security fee, passenger facility charges, Federal domestic flight segment fees, and U.S. and international arrival and departure and other government-imposed fees added by the airline and applicable at time of booking; port taxes; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ship's crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant or onboard your vessel (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); airport transfers on non-qualifying flights; optional excursions; additional activities and excursions purchased online; porterage at airports and train stations; Travel Protection; and all other items of a personal nature. Itinerary details are provided by the vendor. Vendors may reserve the right to change itineraries, even on existing reservations. There may be instances where the name of a tour contains a tour length in it, but where there is a version of the tour that is a different number of days in length. You can check the true length of a tour by referring to the length value listed in association with that tour. Destination images displayed on this web page, some which are supplied by the related vendor and some which are not, are intended to simply give a general representation of the region of the world being visited during the tour. Such images are not necessarily of the exact areas being visited during the tour. Hotel details (including, but not limited to: rating/class, descriptions, images, amenities and addresses) are provided by Tauck. Hotel amenities may be communicated in shorthand by Tauck (for example, if "Laundry" is listed that may only mean that the hotel has an optional fee-based service that would allow for your laundry to be done by their staff). We reserve the right to correct errors.