Note - this itinerary has been posted a year before the trip departure. For updates check www.afstravelers.com - Japan itinerary posted there.

Oct 16 / 17 – Fly USA to Tokyo. (air details coming in trip tips) going to Asia, you cross the international date line and lose a day but gain it back at trips end. Just know that the land portion starts in Tokyo on October 18 so flying out the 16 will work.

Tokyo: One of the World’s most cutting-edge capitals, Tokyo is a city of contrasts, famous for its cutting-edge modernity, neon-lit landscape and towering skyscrapers, it is also home to sprawling parkland, peaceful shrines and temples and lovingly tended gardens. Despite its love affair with manga pop culture, fashion, high-tech trends and conspicuous consumption, below the surface is a city that has its roots in an ancient heritage. Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples stand close to skyscrapers as a reminder of a more contemplative time and at the heart of the hyperactive center lies the serene Imperial Palace, the home of the ruling emperor that provides a tangible link to the city’s historical past. 

Oct 18 - Welcome to Japan!

Arrival at Narita Airport. 

With all arriving on different flights at different times nowadays, no common group transfer. 

https://webservice.limousinebus.co.jp/web/en/ For individual arrival, it is super easy to go the Narita Airport Limousine bus counter in arrival hall and purchase your bus ticket to Shinagawa area ( specify Grand Prince Shin Takanawa hotel) – currently 3,200 yen per person ( about US $25 ) – depending on traffic, takes about 90 minutes to your hotel.

The remainder of your day is at leisure. Time to rest and then explore the surroundings from our fabulous hotel in the heart of the city. 

Overnight TOKYO 3 NIGHTS at  4* Grand Prince Hotel Shin Takanawa (Superior Mordan Twin) with daily breakfast 

https://www.princehotels.com/shintakanawa/

Located in the lush greenery of Takanawa, this hotel features 908 bright, spacious rooms each equipped with balconies offering a spectacular view. The Japanese Garden provides a tranquil respite from the hustle bustle of Tokyo city. The hotel is centrally located in Shinagawa, a 10minute walk to train station, easily connected to Ginza, Shinjuku and Shibuya. 

Oct 19 -  Full Day Tantalizing Tokyo Tour

After breakfast, meet our guide in the hotel lobby to board our private coach. Begin your exploration of Tokyo with a visit to the world’s largest fish market, Tsukiji Market, handling about 2,888 tons of marine products a day worth about 2.8 billion yen (US$20million). Some 450 kinds of fish are received – from penny-per-piece sardines to golden brown dried sea slug caviar, a bargain at US$473 a pound. Some of the giant tuna sold for well over 1,000,000JPY each (US$8000).

*Please note that this tour focuses on the outer market open to the public at Tsukiji and not the new inner market located at Toyosu for wholesalers.

Next, you'll visit the Imperial Palace, located on the former site of Edo Castle, a large park area surrounded by moats and massive stone walls in the center of Tokyo, and the residence of Japan's Imperial Family. Although the Palace is not open to the public, from Kokyo Gaien, the large plaza in front of the Imperial Palace, you can view the Nijubashi, two bridges that form an entrance to the inner palace grounds. The stone bridge in front is called Meganebashi (Eyeglass Bridge) for its looks. Afterwards, visit Meiji Shrine, a shrine dedicated to the deified spirit of Emperor Meiji and a popular place for traditional Japanese weddings. 

Free time - After visiting the shrine, you will be on your own to explore Harajuku, Omotesando Street, or take train to see the Shibuya Crossing. Our guide will direct you to great places like the glitzy Ginza district. You may want to walk to Harajuku, which is the center of Japan’s most extreme teenage cultures and fashion styles, made famous by the so-called “Harajuku Girls.” The tree-lined Omotesando Street is often called the Champ Elysees with many name brand stores, new Tokyo designers’ boutiques, antiques shops, trendy cafes and Western restaurants. My favorite place of all here is Takeshita or Candy Street with a visit to the famous Totti Cotton Candy Factory. Our past groups also loved visiting the pet cafés for tea and cuddles. Tokyo has 19, from owls to penguins. The best is Hedgehog Café. 

The Shibuya Crossing, busiest train station in the world, is a must-see. The sprawling scramble intersection just outside Shibuya Station is an embodiment of Tokyo itself: action in all directions. Three huge television screens mounted on the buildings facing the intersection flash all day, while the rest of the area is covered with lights, advertisements, and more lights. The intersection is a popular location for movies and media taking place in Tokyo. It has appeared in the films Lost in Translation and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. The surrounding area of Shibuya is a lively, popular destination for people of all walks of life. It is a popular nightlife spot filled with bars, clubs and izakaya.  One of Japan's unofficial landmarks, the Hachiko statue in Shibuya is a homage to the faithful Akita dog which waited at Shibuya Station every day for his master, even after his death. Today, it’s one of the most popular meeting places in Tokyo.

*Return to the hotel on your own. *

Overnight in Tokyo. B

Oct 20 – Tokyo Temples & Sumo Tour 

Morning at leisure. Our past groups loved Tokyo’s pet cafés for tea and snacks with owls to penguins. Our fave is the Hedgehog Café. The fantastic Team Lab digital museum in the Mori Building is not to be missed. Futuristic immersion experience like no other in the world.  https://www.teamlab.art/e/?type=upcoming

AFTERNOON CITY TOUR AND WELCOME DINNER

First stop is Asakusa, Tokyo’s Old Town where you can soak up the atmosphere of what Tokyo must have been like hundreds of years ago. Visit Sensoji, also known as Asakusa Kannon and Tokyo’s oldest temple. The Broadway leading up to the Temple is called Nakamise and this shopping street has been providing temple visitors with a variety of traditional, local snacks and souvenirs for centuries.

The Tokyo Skytree is a new television broadcasting tower and landmark of Tokyo. With a height of 634 meters, it is the tallest building in Japan. A large shopping complex is located at its base. Enjoy the spectacular Tokyo view from the observation deck, the highest of its kind in Japan for great panoramic photos.

After visiting Skytree, enjoy a Sumo Fighting Demonstration acted out by former professional sumo wrestlers.  Learn all about Japan’s most peculiar and fascinating sport. Our visit includes a delicious Japanese dining experience where we can get to know our fellow AFS Travelers. 

Nightlife here is nonstop. Consider a visit to the crazy fun robot bars or head to World Noodles Road and choose from a dozen Ramen noodle cafés, one even has a Michelin star! 

Overnight in Tokyo. B,D

Oct 21- TOKYO – HAKONE

Hakone is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, less than 62miles from Tokyo, famous for hot springs, natural beauty and the view across Lake Ashinoko of nearby Mount Fuji. It is also the best place to experience a hot spring ryokan ( Japanese Inn).

Luggage will be transferred to the hotel in Kyoto separately. Please prepare an overnight bag for 2 nights in Hakone. Details later.

Breakfast and check-out at hotel. Meet your guide at the hotel for a departure to the town of Hakone by private coach. Everyone loves the resort town of Hakone, Japan’s most famous national park. The volcanic active area centers around lake Ashi and is famous for the Onsen hot springs and views of Mt Fuji. (Weather permitting). 

First stop in Hakone will be the Hakone shrine. This Shinto shrine was very popular among Samurai during the twelfth century and is hidden away in a dense forest. In fact, the shrine is so well hidden that it would be easy to miss were it not for its magnificent torii gates.

Enjoy a delightful cruise on Lake Ashi aboard a sightseeing pirate ship over to Togendai. The scenic region of lakes and volcanic peaks was carved by an enormous crater 3000 years ago. From here we take the high Hokane Ropeway up to Mt Sounzan for spectacular views of Mt Fuji and the valley below. This is the world’s longest aerial lift.  Halfway up the mountain, we stopped to visit “Hell Valley” in Owakudani Geothermal Valley. Smell the sulfur coming from this active volcano. Walk the promenade to get close up views to steaming vents and bubbling pools. Eat an egg. The eggs they sell here are boiled in the hot springs and said to prolong your life by 7 years! Continue the aerial cable way down for sweeping views. 

Last stop is the Hakone Open Air Museum, which creates a harmonic balance of nature and art by exhibiting various sculptures on its grounds in combination with views of the surrounding valley. Over 100 exhibits are displayed in the expansive space overlooking the mountains. Its Picasso exhibition hall showcases two floors of paintings, sculptures and ceramics by the artist

Tonight, we stay in a traditional Japanese ryokan, sleeping in a Japanese style room with futons laid out on tatami mats, delicious meals and access to onsen; baths that use healing mineral water from naturally heated springs. You’ll be fully briefed by the staff on the protocols and traditions here. Meals included here. Note that our group dinner starts at 5:30 PM sharp. 

 HAKONE 2 nights at Hakone Kowakien Ten-yu ( Ryokan- Japanese Inn) –  Superior room with Open Air Bath, breakfast and dinner.  https://www.ten-yu.com/en/

The traditional Ryokan, Hakone Kowakien Ten-yu, is a true sanctuary facing magnificent mountain in Hakone.

The concept of our ryokan is the harmony of authentic Japanese hospitality and the nature. You can watch the sunrising sky while bathing in our enormous open-air onsen with infinite horizon view. In addition, all rooms come with its own private open-air bath. In the evening, get excited for the beautifully presented delicious Japanese cuisine at your table. Enjoy the heavenly experience of the true Japanese service throughout your stay. Hakone Gora Park is only 6-minute bus ride from Hakone Kowakien Ten-yu. Chisuji Falls is 13-minute walk away.

Royokan  B, D