SCHEDULE AND COST:

Dates: March 3 – 14, 2025

Duration: 12 days / 11 nights

Number of participants: 8 – 12

Cost per person:
– 6 190 USD, subject to 12 participants, or
– 6 390 USD, subject to 11 participants, or
– 6 590 USD, subject to 10 participants, or
– 6 790 USD, subject to 9 participants, or
– 6 990 USD, subject to 8 participants.

Everything is included, except:

- round-trip flight to Tokyo
- Japan visa
- meals not specified in the program
- medical insurance

The estimated cost of the Moscow – Tokyo – Moscow flight 700-800 USD.

Single supplement: 1350 USD (single accommodation is provided along the entire itinerary)




TOUR PROGRAM: TOUR TO JAPAN

Day 1. March 3, 2025. Arrival in Japan

Arrival at Narita or Haneda International Airport. Self-service transfer to the hotel in Tokyo (transfer instructions will be provided in advance). Check-in at the hotel.
Our program starts around 17:00. Ahead is an evening walk through the central historical quarters of Tokyo: the historical and business districts of Tokyo Nihonbashi and Marunouchi, as well as the Ginza district, famous for its luxury boutiques, cafes and restaurants.
Tokyo means "Eastern Capital" in Japanese. This name was given to the samurai city of Edo after the transfer of the imperial capital from Kyoto in the second half of the 19th century. This largest metropolis in Japan impresses travelers with its cleanliness, convenient transport system and the friendliness of local residents, who, despite language barriers, willingly help foreign guests.

*Recommended flights to Tokyo:

• Air China, departure from Moscow on March 2 at 18:55, transfer in Beijing 2 h 50 min, arrival in Tokyo by flight CA-133 to Haneda airport on March 3 at 14:25**.
• Any flight arriving before 14:30 on March 3.

** The included transfer will be provided for participants arriving on the specified flight to Haneda airport. If you arrive at a different time and /or Narita airport, you will need to get to the hotel by yourself:
Narita Airport is served by the Narita Express to Tokyo Station (the closest station to the hotel). One way ticket is about $20, and the journey takes about an hour. You can take a taxi from Tokyo Station to the hotel. The taxi ride is 8-15 minutes, cost approximately is 10$ per car.
From the Haneda airport you can take a taxi to the hotel, about 35 minutes on the way (if no traffic), cost - 70-80$ per car.
Also from the airports to the center you can take limo-buses and trains, cost 15-20 $ per person.

Meals included: no
Accommodation: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Ginza Premier or similar


Day 2. March 4, 2025. Tokyo

Breakfast at the hotel. We continue exploring Tokyo!
Next, we are headed to the historical district of Asakusa, where you can still feel the flavor and atmosphere of an old city. The Sensoji Temple, the oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo, was founded in 645. Also, the Kaminarimon Thunder Gate with its huge lantern is here.
After that, we will visit the TeamLab Interactive Museum of Digital Art. This is an amazing place where unique art installations are created with light and shadow. There, the boundaries between reality and imagination are blurred, and you will be taken on an exciting journey through a world that resembles a computer game.
The world-famous Shibuya Crossing, the busiest intersection in Tokyo and one of the most crowded in the world, will not be left without our attention either. When the traffic light turns green, cars and pedestrians start moving from all four directions at once. Several hundred people, and during peak hours, up to a thousand, cross the road in various directions. We can see the statue of faithful dog Hachiko, the district of electronics, neon lights, and meido-cafe – Akihabara.
We will visit the Ninja Museum and have a master class there. Lunch will be served during the tour. In the evening, we will return to the hotel.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Ginza Premier or similar


Day 3. March 5, 2025. Kamakura tour, arrival to Fuji Kawaguchiko

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. We head to Kamakura, a small resort town about an hour from Tokyo. In the 12th-14th centuries, it was an important political center of Japan, and the residence of the Minamoto shogun family. The impressive temples and shrines that remain remind us of its past greatness.
Kotoku-in is a Buddhist temple belonging to the Pure Land school, located in Kamakura. It is known for its impressive statue of the Great Buddha, which stands more than 13 meters tall in the open air. This statue, depicting Buddha Amitu, is a national treasure and one of the most iconic symbols of Japan.
Visit to the ancient Buddhist temple of Hasedera. Founded in the 13th century, Hasedera Temple is one of the most beautiful temples in Kamakura. It is known for its 9-meter statue of Bodhisattva Kannon, arrived by sea, according to legend. However, the temple complex has many other interesting features. From the hill where the temple is located, visitors can enjoy a magnificent view of Kamakura and the Pacific coast. There are numerous statues of Bodhisattva Jizo along the steps leading up to the top of the hill, and at the base of the hill is a cave dedicated to Benzaiten, as well as a garden with a pond surrounded by peony, maple, and apricot trees.
Then we will visit Zenarai Benten Temple, which has a famous cave with a spring. According to legend, the water in this spring brings good luck and prosperity. People believe that if they wash money in the spring, it will double. Therefore, many people who want to receive the blessing of the goddess of wealth come here to clean coins and notes in the spring and increase their wealth.
After the tour, we will have lunch and then transfer to the Fuji-Kawaguchiko area. We will check into a hotel with hot springs that have healing mineral water. In the evening, we will enjoy dinner at the hotel and relax in the onsen hot springs.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Mystays Fuji Onsen Resort or similar


Day 4. March 6, 2025. Fuji-Kawaguchiko area tour, transfer to Kyoto

Breakfast at the hotel, checkout.
Fuji-Kawaguchiko area tour: Lakes Saiko and Kawaguchiko, with views of Mount Fuji*, the highest peak in Japan and an active volcano. Although the volcano is considered dormant, its last eruption was in 1707-1708. The beautiful outline of Fuji has inspired Japanese artists and become an important theme in national art.
We will visit a traditional village, where we can see the famous five-storied Chureito Pagoda, situated against the backdrop of Mount Fuji. This is one of the most scenic and photographed views in Japan.
The pagoda was founded in 1962 in memory of soldiers who lost their lives in the war and is part of the Arakura shrine. It stands at a height of 19.5 meters.
During the tour, we will have lunch.
After that, we will transfer to Kyoto by the high-speed Shinkansen train (second class) and check into the hotel.
For those who wish, there will be a small educational tour of the area around the hotel, including shops, restaurants, and transportation.
*Mount Fuji is visible only in clear weather.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch,
Accommodation: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kyoto-Shijyokarasuma or similar


Day 5. March 7, 2025. Kyoto City Tour "Gold and Zen Kyoto"

Breakfast at the hotel. Today we will explore Kyoto, the cultural heart of modern Japan. One of the most famous landmarks in the city is Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion, a three-story pavilion covered with sheets of gold and reflecting in the mirror-like waters of the pond. Built at the end of the 14th century, this complex has left a lasting impression on the minds of people from that time and later generations. In addition to the iconic pavilion, UNESCO World Heritage site also contains a traditional garden, small waterfalls, and a tea house.
We visit the Ryoanji Temple, which was founded in the mid-15th century in the northern part of Kyoto. It is famous for its stone garden "Karesansui", which is considered one of the finest examples of Japanese garden design. The Kitano-Tenmangu Shrine, with its vast plum orchard, was established at the end of the 10th century to appease the spirit of Sugawara no Michizane. He was a scholar, poet, and diplomat who fell victim to palace intrigues and ended up in exile.
The central historical quarter of the old capital, including the Yasaka Shrine and the Gion district, where you can still find charming streets lined with traditional wooden houses called "matiya", and geisha and their young apprentices, known as maiko, hurrying about on their daily errands. These quarters are still home to geisha who entertain guests every evening with dance performances, conversation, and exciting table games.
During the tour, we will have lunch. Afterward, we will return to the hotel.
We will have kaiseki-style dinner, which is a traditional Japanese high cuisine, which consists of an exquisite set of dishes served in a specific order. Kaiseki dishes are made from local ingredients and are presented on beautiful plates decorated with great attention to detail. This dinner is not just a meal, it is a true gastronomic experience that emphasizes balance and aesthetic pleasure.
The dinner will take place in a traditional Japanese restaurant, where the company of a geisha will be serving. During the dinner, guests can chat with the geisha and her apprentice Maiko, ask questions, and take pictures. The girls will perform the traditional Ke-mai dance and engage in fun and exciting games with guests.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kyoto-Shijyokarasuma or similar


Day 6. March 8, 2025. Kyoto

Breakfast at the hotel, followed by a tour of the amazing city of Kyoto. We will visit the Jonangu shrine, which was supposedly founded in the southern outskirts of Kyoto at the beginning of the Heian era for the spiritual protection of the capital. Today, it is loved by residents not only because of its rich history, but also for its beautiful gardens, which are known as the "Temples of Flowers". The shrine is especially popular during the blooming season of the ume, a type of Japanese apricot tree, which grows in one of its gardens along a picturesque stream. There are about a hundred different varieties of these trees, coloring the surrounding area in delicate pink shades.
Next, we will visit Teramachi Street, one of the most fascinating streets in Kyoto. In the past, it was home to the nobility, but after destruction during the civil wars, the military leader Toyotomi Hideyoshi built Buddhist temples there, around which a marketplace developed. Today, visitors can find ancient temples, shops, and numerous restaurants on Teramachi.
We will also visit Nishiki Market, a covered street parallel to one of Kyoto's main avenues. This area unites over 100 shops and restaurants dedicated to cooking. You can find fresh seafood, vegetables, Kyoto-style pickles, sweets, dishes, knives, and tea here.
During our tour, we will stop for lunch in one of these shops or restaurants.
The Nijo Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was built in the early 17th century at the orders of the powerful Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. It served as his residence during visits to the imperial capital. The palace includes the luxurious Ninomaru Palace, whose interiors were painted by masters of the Kano School and decorated with gold and wood carvings. The beautiful gardens enjoyed by the Tokugawa shoguns were created by Kobori Enshū, a master of the tea ceremony and landscape art.
We will have a master class on how to wield a samurai sword in a traditional Japanese house and also experience meditation with singing bowls. After that, we will return to the hotel for dinner and relaxation.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kyoto-Shijyokarasuma or similar



Day 7. March 9, 2025. Ancient capital Nara

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Nara for a city tour. We will visit the Horyuji Temple Complex, one of Japan's oldest Buddhist temples, home to some of the world's oldest wooden structures. The temple was founded in 607 and was the first to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Japan in 1993.
We will also see the Great Eastern Todai-ji, the largest wooden building in the world, with its famous Buddha Hall, built in the 8th century by the emperor with donations from across Japan. The hall houses Japan's largest bronze Buddha statue, which took up almost all of the bronze available at the time.
Kasuga Shrine is one of the most respected Shinto shrines in Japan. It is known for its unique architectural style, "kasuga-zukuri". Thousands of stone and bronze lanterns decorate the approaches and the territory of the shrine, as well as the ancient forest, where sacred deer, considered messengers of the gods, roam freely.
During the tour, we will have lunch. After that, we will return to Kyoto.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kyoto-Shijyokarasuma or similar


Day 8. March 10, 2025. Himeji Tour and Osaka Sumo Tournament

Breakfast at the hotel, followed by a transfer to Himeji on the high-speed Shinkansen train (second class).
After arriving in Himeji, we will embark on a walking tour of the city, where we will visit the Castle of the White Heron – Himeji-jo. This castle is one of 12 historical castles preserved in Japan, and perhaps the most beautiful, having been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Built in the early 17th century, it is said to have been inferior in size and splendor only to the now-lost Edo Castle, the former residence of the Tokugawa shoguns. Despite having escaped destruction from war, fire, and natural disasters over the past 400 years, the castle has become a filming location for numerous historical films due to its impressive architecture and historical significance.
During our tour, we will learn about the castle's defensive secrets, listen to stories about spirits and gods, and admire its elegant white walls, which have earned it the nickname "Castle of the White Heron."
Following our tour, we'll enjoy lunch and then visit a sumo tournament before returning to Kyoto.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kyoto-Shijyokarasuma or similar


Day 9. March 11, 2025. Transfer to Hida Takayama, Hida Takayama city tour

Breakfast at the hotel, check-out.
Transfer to Takayama by the next train. Check-in at the hotel. Hida Takayama walking tour, in a charming town in Gifu Prefecture, known for its well-preserved historical atmosphere, traditional wooden buildings and craft workshops. The city is often called "little Kyoto" due to its ancient streets, temples and picturesque surroundings. The city is located in the area of the Japanese Alps, which makes Takayama an excellent base for exploring the nature of the Hida region.
Lunch during the tour. Return to the hotel.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Tokyu Stay Hida Takayama Musubinoyu


Day 10. March 12, 2025. Tour to Shirakawa-go, transfer to Nagano

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out in the morning. A morning walk in Takayama followed by an excursion to Shirakawa-go, a traditional Japanese village located in the heart of the Japanese Alps surrounded by mountains. Shirakawa is known for its unique architectural style, "gasse-zukuri", which has developed due to the climate of heavy snowfall. The houses have roofs that resemble palms folded in prayer and can withstand heavy snow.
Shirakawa-go was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as an example of traditional lifestyle adapted to nature. Lunch during the tour followed by transfer to Nagano and check-in at a national hotel on the hot springs. Dinner at the hotel after a day of exploring the area.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Omodaka, Japanese Room or similar


Day 11. March 13, 2025. Tour to the snow monkeys, transfer to Tokyo

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.
A morning walk to Jigokudani Park, where we will see the snow monkeys basking in the hot spring. The sight of these monkeys sitting in the tub of water is one of Nagano's most famous attractions. Macaques are accustomed to tourists and are not afraid of them, allowing visitors to approach and take photos from close range.
During the tour, we will have lunch. Then we will transfer to Tokyo by high-speed train and check into the hotel.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Ginza Premier


Day 12. March 14, 2025. Return flight

Breakfast at the hotel, check-out. Self service transfer to Narita or Haneda International Airport. Return flight.

Recommended flights to Moscow

• Air China, departing from Tokyo Haneda airport by flight CA-184 on March 14 at 08:30, transfer in Beijing 2h 10min, arrival in Moscow on March 14 at 17:00**
• Any flight departing at any time on March 14th.

** The included transfer will be provided for participants departing from Haneda airport on the above flight. The rest of the participants will have to get to the airport by taxi or public transport.

Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation: no