Jewelry from Japan

DAY 1: TOKYO
Arrival at Tokyo airport. Meeting with local representative and private transfer to the hotel. Accommodation for 3 nights, with breakfast.


DAY 2: TOKYO
Breakfast at the hotel. Private guided tour of Tokyo, renowned for its combination of the traditional and the modern. Walk through centuries-old streets and visit artistic installations and historic sanctuaries. Visit Yanaka, one of the main houses of artists and artisans in the old part of the city. Stop at the Asakura Sculpture Museum, part of the atelier of Japan's leading sculptors in a tranquil environment with an indoor garden.

Then, walk to Yanaka Ginza, a street that combines sales and restaurants with tea houses and other stores. Continue to Asakusa, another part considered an old city, known as the geisha district, where you can see the Senso-ji Temple, the oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo.

Stroll along Omotesando Street, home to several stores of the world's largest brands and an architectural landmark. Visit Harajaku, an extravagant shopping center that brings together stores and boutiques.

Finally, visit the Meiji Jingu, a shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and a classic Shinto wedding venue.


DAY 3: TOKYO
Breakfast at the hotel. Day off.

Suggested optional activities (not included):

• Watch a Kabuki-style play (traditional play), considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site at the Kabuki-za Theater.
• Visit the streets of Tokyo, discovering small shrines, shops, and smaller festivals that take place in lesser-known neighborhoods of the city.
  
  

DAY 4: TOKYO - Takayama
Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. Take the train to Takayama (from Tokyo to Nagoya by green class bullet train and from Nagoya to Takayama by panoramic train). After disembarking in Takayama, accommodation in a ryokan (traditional Japanese dwelling) for 2 nights, with breakfast and dinner (excluding drinks).

Rest of the day free.

Optional activity suggestion (not included):

• Traveler's own walk through Takayama's shitamachi (ancient city), where you can enjoy centuries-old stores and try sake at traditional breweries.

DAY 5: TAKAYAMA
Breakfast at the hotel. Day off.

Optional activity suggestion (not included):

• In the afternoon, visit the village of Gokayama to visit its traditional Gassho-Zukiri houses, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Stop at a stationery workshop to discover and buy their handmade products, such as the well-known Washi Paper (made from mulberry tree houses)
  
  

DAY 6: TAKAYAMA - KANAZAWA
Breakfast at the hotel. Private transfer to Kanazawa. Accommodation at the hotel for 2 nights, with breakfast.

Optional activity suggestion (not included):

• Guided tour of the historic village of Nagamachi, home to many upper-class samurai. Visit craft stores such as Kaburaki (which sell Kutani porcelain), Yuzen-kan (where kimono dyeing is done). Stop at Komura-ke House, a samurai residence open to the public, where you can try fresh green tea with an observation of the garden located below the house. Finally, visit the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art to observe its architecture and modern exhibitions.
  
  

DAY 7: KANAZAWA
Breakfast hotel. Private tour to Kenrou-en Gardens, one of the best known in Japan, with the oldest water fountain in the country and the city's ancient buildings. Visit to Kanazawa Castle, with a stop at Omicho Market. Finally, visit the Higashi Chaya, a preserved tea house and visit nearby artisanal stores, such as Hakuza, a specialist in gold-plated products and containing a gold-covered tea room.


DAY 8: KANAZAWA - KYOTO
Breakfast at the hotel. Board a train bound for Kyoto. After disembarkation, accommodation for 3 nights, with breakfast.

Optional activity suggestion (not included):

• In the afternoon, visit the home of an instructor of one of Japan's traditional arts accompanied by an assistant in English. Among the options, it is possible to choose between ikebana (flower arrangement), ceramic making, makeup experience by Maiko (an apprentice geisha) or kenbu (interpretive dance with swords) to learn these traditional arts with the support of a professional instructor.
  
  

DAY 9: KYOTO
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit to Nijo Castle, surrounded by stunning gardens, it was built by the lord of the Edo era as the Shogun's residence in Kyoto. Then, tour the Ryoan-ji Temple, known for its rock garden, and Kinkaku-ji Temple, known as the Golden Pavilion, which today is one of the most famous Buddhist temples in Kyoto. Go to Kodai-ji Temple, one of the most famous Buddhist temples in Japan, to visit its Zen gardens and participate in a special tea ceremony inside the temple, learning about the history behind the master of ceremonies movements.

Suggested optional activities:

• Zazen meditation session, one of the most important practices within Buddhism.
• Continuation of the tour to Kiyomizu-dera Temple, located on Mount Otowa, famous for its porch built 13 meters above the ground without any nails.
  
  
  

DAY 10: KYOTO
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for an interactive experience, wearing kimono to learn more about the history of the Sado (tea ceremony) and its connection with Buddhism, with a master of this craft. After the ritual of producing and serving the tea properly, it is possible to try the drink along with typical Japanese candies. Remaining day off.

Optional activity suggestion (not included):

• Dinner with Maiko, an apprentice geisha, to learn about one of the oldest arts and professions in the world.
  
  

DAY 11: KYOTO - KURASHIKI
Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. Free morning.

Suggested optional activities (not included):

• Visit the city Okayama on your own to visit the famous Crow Castle, with its black exterior. Continue to the Koraku-en Garden, considered one of the most beautiful in Japan.
• In the afternoon, take the traveler's own tour of the Kurashiki Bikan and Canal Area region, where you can find several traditional houses and stores with traditional structures in the country, including a trip to the Ohara Museum of Art, the first Western art museum in Japan, with art by El Greco, Matisse and Picasso.

Board a train bound for Kurashiki. Accommodation in a ryokan (traditional Japanese housing) for 1 night, with breakfast and dinner (excluding drinks).



DAY 12: KURASHIKI - okayama - NAOSHIMA
Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. Private transfer and ferry to Naoshima and visit the Ando and Chcihu Art Museum with a professional guide. Visit the places where the giant pumpkins, the works of the visual artist Yayoi Kusama, are arranged. Accommodation for 2 nights, with breakfast.


DAY 13: NAOSHIMA
Breakfast at the hotel. Day off.

Optional activity suggestion (not included):

• Yacht trip to Teshima, with panoramic bike ride. Visit the Teshima Art Museum and Yokoo House, in addition to art exhibitions arranged on the island. Lunch at a local restaurant and transfer to Inujima, to discover the works of art arranged along the island's coastline. Trip to the Inujima Seirensho Art Museum and Inujima Art House Project. Finally, return to Naoshima with champagne and snacks served on the yacht.
  
  

DAY 14: NAOSHIMA - okayama - OSAKA
Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. Ferry from Naoshima to Okayama and board the train to Osaka. Accommodation for 1 night, with breakfast.

Optional activity suggestion (not included):

• Trip to the gastronomic districts to try the cuisine of the local restaurants in Osaka.
  
  

DAY 15: OSAKA
Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. Private transfer to Kansai airport.