SHORTLIST

Visions of Japan

11 Day Tour from Tokyo to Kyoto
Forget everything your mother taught you about table manners. In Japan, it’s perfectly acceptable to slurp! Get ready to joyously drink in traditional hot sake, green tea, big brothy noodle bowls and the delicious views from neon-lit Tokyo to historic Kyoto. Peaks, palaces, pavilions, and pagodas provide picture-perfect backdrops for your photos, but don’t expect to stand still for very long on this enthralling tour of Japan. A hands-on calligraphy class, a special kimono fitting, an interactive cooking demonstration, and a gold-leaf design class—where you’ll make your own keepsake bento box—are all part of the fun. Browse the produce at a Takayama farmer’s market, stroll through Kanazawa’s famous Kenroku-en gardens and experience the thrill of a ride on the famous bullet train. Prepare to be floored in more ways than one!
All This. Included
We’ve packed everything you need for the perfect tour—from hand-selected hotels and dining to the friendly expertise of Globus Tour Directors and Local Guides, to seamless transportation between destinations and VIP access to the world’s most iconic sites! Enhance your free time with your GlobusGO mobile app!


Big experiences come in small packages with select Small Group Discovery departures, each limited to an average of just 24 guests.
Tour details
Tour Provider Globus
Price From
$8,399
Number of Days
11
Start Location
Tokyo, Japan
End Location
Kyoto, Japan
Age Range
Avg. 40+
Group Size
14 to 24
Tour Style
Comfort
Tour Themes
Small group
Physical Rating
Easy to Moderate
Itinerary Open all
ARRIVE IN TOKYO, JAPAN
Konnichiwa, Japan!
Welcome to Tokyo, Japan’s capital city. Hotel check-in is available mid-afternoon.

TOKYO
Monumental Metropolis
Start with a visit to Meiji Shrine, a magnificent 20th-century Shinto monument set in a man-made forest. At an artist’s studio, learn to write like a local during a calligraphy lesson with a master calligrapher, have the opportunity to try on a traditional kimono, and partake in a [LF] tea ceremony. After lunch, visit the Tokyo Skytree, the world’s tallest tower. Last stop is the Asakusa Kannon Temple and Nakamise shopping arcade. Tonight, join your travel companions at a welcome dinner hosted by your Tour Director. (B,L,D)

LOCAL FAVORITE
PLANNED TO A TEA Participate in a tea ceremony, the ancient tradition and carefully choreographed ritual of preparing and serving Japanese green tea.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SKY HIGH At Tokyo Skytree, ascend to Sorakara Point. On floor 450 at some 450 meters or 1500 feet, it is the highest point visitors can explore. Here you’ll have stunning panoramic views over the city and, on a clear day, Mount Fuji.


TOKYO. MOUNT FUJI EXCURSION
Soaring Heights & Sweeping Sights
From a drive to Kamakura to dizzying views of Mount Fuji to a cruise on Lake Ashi, your day is a feast for the eyes. Conclude the day with a thrilling shinkansen (bullet train) ride back to Tokyo! (B,L)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SCENIC SIGHTS Drive south along the coast to Kamakura to see the 750-year-old Great Buddha. Continue to Hakone where you’ll take a cable-car ride for panoramic views of spectacular Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest mountain. After lunch, cruise on Lake Ashi for more views of this beautiful area.


TOKYO
Tokyo to Go
Enjoy a full day at your leisure to explore the city. (B)

FREE TIME TIPS
EXPLORE MORE Tokyo has something for everyone so visit one of the city’s unique neighborhoods like Ginza or Shibuya districts, dine at the street food markets, or catch a game at the Tokyo Dome.


TOKYO–MATSUMOTO–TAKAYAMA
City to Farm to Table
Journey to Matsumoto, gateway to the ruggedly beautiful Japanese Alps. Visit a local wasabi farm and Matsumoto Castle, a National Treasure of Japan dating back to the 16th Century. Tonight, enjoy a wonderful Japanese-style dinner at your hotel. (B,L,D)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
WHY WASABI? Take a private tour of a wasabi farm to learn more about how it’s grown and the importance of wasabi in Japanese culture and cuisine. Eat lunch at the farm and sample wasabi ice cream.


TAKAYAMA
Takayama Treasures
Today begins at the morning market, where farmers display locally grown fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Visit Takayama Jinya, a former government office during the Edo Period from 1692-1868. This well-preserved building is a national historic site and the only remaining building of its kind in Japan. End with a fun [LF] sake tasting. This evening, you have the option to stay in a traditional Japanese ryokan (additional fee and pre-booking required). (B)

LOCAL FAVORITE
FOR SAKE’S SAKE Go sake tasting in the San-Machi Suji historic district—famous for lacquerware shops and sake breweries, and identified by the “sugidama,” balls made of cedar branches that adorn the entrances.

FREE TIME TIPS
EXPLORE MORE After included sightseeing, the balance of the day is at leisure, providing you with time to explore the narrow streets where merchants buy and sell as they have for 300 years. Transfers between town and your resort will run every two hours.

ACCOMMODATION HIGHLIGHT
Choose an overnight stay at a ryokan to fully immerse yourself in the Japanese culture and hospitality. Your ryokan features traditional touches like tatami mat floors, a thin sleeping mattress, and the chance to experience a Japanese-style bath – as well as the modern convenience of a private bathroom. Traditional Japanese dinner and breakfast are included in your stay. Please note that space is limited. Pre-booking and additional fee required.


TAKAYAMA–SHIRAKAWA–KANAZAWA
Enchanting Valleys & Tranquil Gardens
This morning, enjoy a drive through the mountainous Shokawa Valley to Shirakawa; a remote region of Japan home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Here explore the unique Gassho-Zukuri style (joined hands) thatched houses that can be found only here. Continue to the scenic town of Kanazawa, situated between the mountains and the Sea of Japan. Explore Kenroku-en Garden and take part in a gold leaf class, where you’ll learn about this ancient craft and make your own bento box. (B,L)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
THE POWER OF TRANQUILITY Kenroku-en is one of Japan’s three great gardens and dates from the 1670s. Translated to English the name means “Garden of Six Qualities,” referring to the six essential attributes that make up a perfect garden: spaciousness, tranquility, artifice, antiquity, water, and magnificent views. One of the garden’s most stunning attractions is Kasumigaike pond with its island called Horai, which is meant to symbolize long life and eternal prosperity.


KANAZAWA–KYOTO
Sushi, Shrines & Temples
This morning, drive south to Kyoto. On arrival, participate in a [LF] Japanese cooking class for lunch. Then, you’ll visit two of the city’s most important sites: Fushimi Inari Shrine and Kiyomizu Temple. (B,L)

LOCAL FAVORITE
CULTURAL TREASURES Japan is known for its cuisine, which is deeply engrained into the culture. What better way to gain insights into the local way of life than through your generations of traditional dishes? Participate in a special cooking class under the instruction of a local chef to learn how to make miso soup, teriyaki chicken, and makizushi, more commonly known as a sushi roll.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SENSATIONAL SHRINES While in Kyoto one must take a step back in time to explore this historic former capital and its important wooden shrines and temples. Explore Fushimi Inari Shrine, renowned for the thousands of brightly hued Torii Gates. Afterward, continue to the Higashiyama District to visit Kiyomizu Temple, the “Pure Water Temple,” with stunning views over Kyoto. Along the way, walk through the busy streets, where shops and restaurants have been catering to pilgrims for centuries.


KYOTO
Golden Gift
This morning starts with a visit to stunning Kinkakuji, the Temple of the Gold Pavilion. Next, visit Yuzen Handmade Corner to learn about the Yuzen dyeing technique used to decorate kimonos by painting dye directly on the cloth. Make your own souvenir using this traditional method. End the day at Sanjusajendo Temple, famous for its 1,001 statues of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy. Flanking the main statue are 1,000 more life-sized statues, covered in gold leaf, with 40 arms believed to have the power to save 25 worlds! (B)

FREE TIME TIPS
EXPLORE MORE Join your Tour Director for a walking tour through Gion or visit more of Kyoto’s historic temples. This and many more options throughout your tour may be available for purchase with MyGlobus.


KYOTO–NARA EXCURSION
Larger than Life
Travel to nearby Nara to visit Kasuga Shrine and Todaiji Temple, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Tonight, your Tour Director hosts a farewell dinner to celebrate your discovery of Japan. (B,D)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NARA GIANTS Travel to Nara Park, one of the largest in Japan, and famous for its free-roaming deer amid its shrines and temples. Kasuga Shrine, the most celebrated in Nara, is a Shinto shrine with some 3,000 stone and bronze lanterns. On the opposite end of the park is Todaiji Temple, one of Japan’s most significant temples. Originally built in 752 AD and again after a fire in 1692, the temple is only two-thirds its original size yet remains one of the world’s largest wooden buildings. The Daibutsu (Giant Buddha) inside the main hall is made of copper and bronze, weighs 250 tons and is 49 feet tall.


KYOTO
Say it Ain’t Sayonara
Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Inclusions
  • Breakfast daily, 5 lunches, 3 dinners
Departure dates
All pp pricing is based on twin share occupancy. Single supplements will apply
Start End Availability Price NZD
18 Aug 2025 28 Aug 2025 Available $9,169
29 Sep 2025 09 Oct 2025 Available $8,399
06 Oct 2025 16 Oct 2025 Available $8,399
16 Mar 2026 26 Mar 2026 Available $9,080
23 Mar 2026 02 Apr 2026 Available $9,080
30 Mar 2026 09 Apr 2026 Available $9,080
06 Apr 2026 16 Apr 2026 Available $9,080
13 Apr 2026 23 Apr 2026 Available $9,080
27 Apr 2026 07 May 2026 Available $9,080
04 May 2026 14 May 2026 Available $8,873
11 May 2026 21 May 2026 Available $9,773
01 Jun 2026 11 Jun 2026 Available $8,873
13 Jul 2026 23 Jul 2026 Available $8,873
17 Aug 2026 27 Aug 2026 Available $8,873
07 Sep 2026 17 Sep 2026 Available $9,773
14 Sep 2026 24 Sep 2026 Available $9,017
21 Sep 2026 01 Oct 2026 Available $9,017
12 Oct 2026 22 Oct 2026 Available $9,773
19 Oct 2026 29 Oct 2026 Available $9,017
26 Oct 2026 05 Nov 2026 Available $8,504
02 Nov 2026 12 Nov 2026 Available $9,017
09 Nov 2026 19 Nov 2026 Available $9,017
15 Mar 2027 25 Mar 2027 Available $10,859
22 Mar 2027 01 Apr 2027 Available $10,859
29 Mar 2027 08 Apr 2027 Available $10,859
05 Apr 2027 15 Apr 2027 Available $10,859
12 Apr 2027 22 Apr 2027 Available $10,859
19 Apr 2027 29 Apr 2027 Available $10,859
26 Apr 2027 06 May 2027 Available $10,859
03 May 2027 13 May 2027 Available $11,719
10 May 2027 20 May 2027 Available $10,769
31 May 2027 10 Jun 2027 Available $10,769
12 Jul 2027 22 Jul 2027 Available $10,769
16 Aug 2027 26 Aug 2027 Available $10,769
13 Sep 2027 23 Sep 2027 Available $11,719
20 Sep 2027 30 Sep 2027 Available $10,829
27 Sep 2027 07 Oct 2027 Available $10,829
11 Oct 2027 21 Oct 2027 Available $11,719
18 Oct 2027 28 Oct 2027 Available $10,829
01 Nov 2027 11 Nov 2027 Available $10,829
08 Nov 2027 18 Nov 2027 Available $10,829