The Grand Tour of Japan: 12 Days of Culture, Cuisine & Timeless Craft

Day 1

Arrival in Tokyo, check-in at Mandarin Oriental Tokyo, Hamarikyu Gardens, Nakajima-no-Ochaya teahouse, Tokyo Shiba Tofuya Ukai, Asakusa’s Senso-ji Temple, Nakamise-dori, Ginza Shinohara

A private chauffeur awaits at Haneda or Narita Airport, ready to escort you to the Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo. Check in is seamless and you’ll see your suite with the sweeping skyline views and the subtle sweetness of seasonal wagashi to welcome you. The rest of the day begins with a guided walk through Hamarikyu Gardens. The landscape is defined by a tidal pond connected to Tokyo Bay and constructed by centuries-old black pines. Seasonal plantings add subtle color to the garden’s historic design, which dates back to the Edo period. At its center, Nakajima-no-Ochaya teahouse hosts a traditional tea ceremony, where handmade sweets accompany bowls of matcha prepared in keeping with centuries-old methods.

You can also opt for a late lunch at Tokyo Shiba Tofuya Ukai where kaiseki dining is elevated through the restaurant’s specialty of house-made tofu crafted fresh each day and paired perfectly with seasonal seafood and mountain vegetables. After this, a private transfer brings you to Asakusa to explore Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest temple, before walking along Nakamise-dori.

Evening brings a return to contemporary Tokyo with dinner at Ginza Shinohara, a Michelin-starred kaiseki restaurant Each course reflects both seasonality and innovation, served in an intimate setting that gives the sense of exclusivity. A short private transfer returns you to the hotel for the night.

Overnight: Tokyo

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 2

Imperial Palace East Gardens, Nihonbashi knife demonstration, Sukiyabashi Jiro Roppongi, Roppongi Hills Art Triangle, Mori Art Museum, Suntory Museum, Tokyo Bay sunset cruise, L’Effervescence

The day begins with breakfast overlooking the skyline, followed by a short transfer to the Imperial Palace East Gardens that is once the private grounds of the shogunate. In the present time, the garden offers tranquil walking paths lined with stone walls and manicured greenery that reveal Japan’s imperial legacy in a serene setting. A ten-minute transfer brings guests to Nihonbashi, a district known for its deep artisanal traditions. Here, Wabunka offers a private demonstration on the craft of Japanese cutlery.

An omakase experience at Sukiyabashi Jiro Roppongi is for lunch. The chef’s mastery here is showcased through a sequence of carefully prepared sushi with each piece served at the perfect texture. The afternoon is for Tokyo’s contemporary art scene, completed with a guided gallery tour through the Roppongi Hills Art Triangle. You will explore rotating exhibitions at the Mori Art Museum and the Suntory Museum, and gain insight into Japan’s evolving creative landscape, accompanied by an expert curator. A private transfer then brings you to the pier for a scenic cruise along Tokyo Bay. Dinner, on the other hand is reserved at L’Effervescence, a three-Michelin-starred restaurant mastering French technique mixed with Japanese precision. A final transfer returns guests to the hotel for a restful night in their suite.

Overnight: Tokyo

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 3

Day excursion to Nikko, Toshogu Shrine, Shinkyo Bridge, Rinno-ji Temple, Kanman-ga-fuchi Abyss, Kanaya Hotel Restaurant, Tapas Molecular Bar

A private driver takes you away on a two-hour journey to Nikko, a mountain town known for its ornate shrines and serene landscapes, after your breakfast at the hotel. Once you arrive, the guided tour starts at Toshogu Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site and just nearby, the iconic Shinkyo Bridge that offers a picture-perfect view over the Daiya River. The tour then continues on to Rinno-ji Temple where you will see centuries-old Buddhist halls and tranquil gardens.

For lunch, head at the historic Kanaya Hotel Restaurant. They offer a refined Western-Japanese menu before the afternoon unfolds with a scenic stroll along Kanman-ga-fuchi Abyss. A tea stop at Nikko Saryo provides a moment of quiet indulgence before returning to Tokyo via private transfer. Dinner awaits at Tapas Molecular Bar inside the Mandarin Oriental Tokyo. Expect a Michelin-starred chef to present an avant-garde tasting menu in an intimate setting of only eight seats.

Overnight: Tokyo

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 4

GranClass luxury train to Kyoto, check-in at The Thousand Kyoto, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Hyotei, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Tenryu-ji, Imperial Household temple incense experience, Gion Sasaki

Enjoy breakfast before you check out at the Mandarin Oriental and private transfer to Tokyo Station. Here, you will have a GranClass seating on the Shinkansen that offers wide reclining seats and a curated meal service with seasonal sake. The journey to Kyoto takes approximately two hours and fifteen minutes. On arrival, check-in is at The Thousand Kyoto, located steps from Kyoto Station, known for its spacious tatami-inspired suites and deep soaking tubs.

Your first day in Kyoto begins with early access to Fushimi Inari Shrine. Explore the vermillion torii gates rise up Mount Inari before the general crowds arrive. From there, lunch is reserved at Hyotei, a three-Michelin-star establishment serving kaiseki rooted in 400 years of culinary tradition. Then, a rickshaw ride passes through the shaded pathways of Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and the gardens of Tenryu-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site. A private incense ceremony follows at a temple with Imperial Household ties, where you are guided through the ritual of “listening to incense,” a practice combining scent appreciation and meditative awareness. Dinner ends the day at Gion Sasaki, a multi-course menu paired with rare, small-batch sake from Kyoto’s renowned breweries. A short transfer returns guests to their hotel for the evening.

Overnight: Kyoto

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 5

Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka, Tousuiro Kiyamachi, Nishiki Market, wagashi making class, geisha performance in Gion ochaya, Kikunoi Honten

Start with a 15-minute private transfer to Kiyomizu-dera Temple after a full breakfast at the hotel. Explore its hillside terraces and wooden stage overlooking Kyoto. The visit continues with a walk through Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, two preserved streets lined with tea houses and traditional machiya townhouses. Meanwhile, lunch is at Tousuiro Kiyamachi Main Shop, known for its yudofu (simmered tofu) prepared with Kyoto spring water and other seasonal accompaniments.

After that, a guided tour of Nishiki Market introduces local specialties such as yuba (tofu skin) and tsukemono (pickled vegetables). A 10-minute transfer then leads to Kyoto Maikoya, where you will participate in a hands-on wagashi-making class and learn traditional shaping and filling techniques. Later, a private cultural program at Wabunka lets you experience an evening with a geisha. The session here includes traditional dance and music in a Kyoto ochaya (teahouse). Then, your dinner follows at Kikunoi Honten, a three-Michelin-star restaurant with Chef Yoshihiro Murata serving kaiseki cuisine shaped by Kyoto’s seasons and artistic sensibilities.

Overnight: Kyoto

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 6

Ryoan-ji Zen Garden, Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion, Kyoto Kitcho Arashiyama, transfer to Osaka, Dotonbori gourmet tour, optional dinner at Hajime

Before check-out, breakfast is served at The Thousand Kyoto. A 20-minute private transfer brings you to Ryoan-ji Zen Garden, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its kare-sansui (dry landscape) rock garden. The visit continues at Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, reflecting across Kyoko-chi Pond with gold leaf details highlighted by the morning light. Your lunch is reserved at Kyoto Kitcho Arashiyama, a three-Michelin-star restaurant overlooking a traditional garden. Following lunch, a private transfer of approximately one hour brings you to Osaka for check-in at Centara Grand Hotel. Settle in and rest before the rest of the night begins with a guided walking tour of Dotonbori district. Discover wagyu skewers and an array of street-style delicacies from local vendors and specialty shops.

Dinner is optional at Hajime, a three-Michelin-star restaurant presenting avant-garde French-Japanese cuisine in a meticulously choreographed tasting menu. A 15-minute transfer returns you to the hotel for the night.

Overnight: Osaka

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 7

Osaka Castle, Shitenno-ji, Sushi Harasho, Kuromon Ichiba Market, National Museum of Art, Okawa River cruise, La Cime

After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, a 20-minute transfer brings you to Osaka Castle. You will see how stone walls and panoramic tower views reveal the city’s samurai-era legacy. Extend the visit to Nishinomaru Garden known for its landscaped lawns and seasonal blooms. After strolling, a 15-minute transfer leads to Shitenno-ji, Japan’s oldest officially administered Buddhist temple with five-story pagoda and inner courtyard steeped in historic serenity.  Lunch is an omakase experience at Sushi Harasho, a two-Michelin-star restaurant where seasonal fish is prepared and served directly at the counter. A 10-minute transfer brings you to Kuromon Ichiba Market for an afternoon stroll of lively stalls that offers local specialties and fresh produce.

The exploration continues at the National Museum of Art, Osaka, reaching in 15 minutes. See modern and contemporary collections presented in a subterranean gallery space. After this, your private driver brings you to the Okawa River for a private cruise, timed to capture sunset views of Osaka’s illuminated skyline from the water. Dinner follows at La Cime, a two-Michelin-star restaurant celebrated for inventive French-Japanese fusion cuisine presented in a multi-course menu.

Overnight: Osaka

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 8

Sumiyoshi Taisha, Kashiwaya, Umeda Sky Building tour, Namba Yasaka Shrine, Shinsaibashi shopping, Fujiya 1935

Once filled with breakfast, the rest of the day follows with a morning visit to Sumiyoshi Taisha. This spot is one of Japan’s oldest Shinto shrines recognized for its distinctive straight-line bridge and vivid vermillion halls. Enjoy your lunch at a kappo-style dining in Kashiwaya, a Michelin-starred restaurant. Here, they offer seasonal ingredients prepared through a balance of traditional methods and subtle modern interpretation. Next is a private architectural tour of the Umeda Sky Building, a striking twin-tower structure connected by a floating observatory offering panoramic city views. The tour continues with a curated walk to Namba Yasaka Shrine, where the massive lion-head stage contrasts against Osaka’s urban backdrop.

A short transfer brings you to the Shinsaibashi Shopping District, an upscale arcade lined with luxury boutiques and flagship stores. Returning to the hotel, rooftop cocktails await at Crudo & Charcoal Bar, with sweeping city views before dinner. The evening concludes at Fujiya 1935, a two-Michelin-star restaurant celebrated for innovative cuisine that mixes Japanese seasonality with modern presentation.

Overnight: Osaka

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 9

Thunderbird train to Kanazawa, Kenrokuen Garden, Higashi Chaya Geisha District, Zeniya

Start today with a breakfast at Centara Grand Hotel Osaka before you check out and head off to your next destination. A private driver will take you to Shin-Osaka Station so you can board the Limited Express Thunderbird for a scenic 2.5-hour train ride to Kanazawa. Once you arrive, there will be a short transfer leading to Hyatt Centric Kanazawa for check-in. Take a moment to settle in before the afternoon’s explorations begins.

The guided tour begins at Kenrokuen Garden celebrated as one of Japan’s most exquisite landscape gardens. You will see how stone bridges and flowing streams, completed with the seasonal blooms create a living tableau. From here, the experience shifts to Higashi Chaya Geisha District, a preserved quarter of wooden teahouses and artisan workshops preserved and alive in Edo-period charm. Evening brings your next dining experience at Zeniya. This two-Michelin-starred kaiseki restaurant is loved for its own interpretation of Ishikawa’s seafood-rich cuisine from the Sea of Japan Afterward, return to Hyatt Centric for a restful night.

Overnight: Kanazawa

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 10

21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Nagamachi Samurai District, Mekumi, gold leaf workshop, Mutekiro

Breakfast marks the start of a day filled with Kanazawa’s creativity. Begin with a private tour of the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art and see how bold exhibits and striking architecture showcase the city’s modern side. A short ride brings you to the Nagamachi Samurai District, its stone-paved streets and clay walls reflecting the elegance of Japan’s past. Lunch follows shortly at Mekumi as this Michelin-starred sushi restaurant is celebrated for its seasonal ingredients so expect a meticulous art of dining.

The afternoon includes a gold leaf workshop that offers the chance to learn delicate techniques from artisans that work hard to preserve this centuries-old craft. As evening falls, dinner unfolds at Mutekiro, where seasonal dishes celebrate local flavors with refined presentation, set against the glittering skyline of Kanazawa.

Overnight: Kanazawa

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 11

Noto Peninsula excursion, Chirihama Nagisa Driveway, Wajima Morning Market, Shiroyone Senmaida Rice Terraces, A la ferme de Shinjiro

After breakfast, start off with a private drive to the Noto Peninsula.. This scenic journey is made of rugged coastlines blended perfectly with its cultural charm. The journey traces the iconic Chirihama Nagisa Driveway with firm sand forming into a natural ribbon beside the waves. From there, the road leads to the lively Wajima Morning Market, rich with the aroma of fresh seafood and the craftsmanship of exquisite lacquerware. The drive then continues toward the Shiroyone Senmaida Rice Terraces completed with tiered paddies spill toward the coastline, glowing under the gentle touch of afternoon light.

As evening approaches, return to Kanazawa for dinner at A la ferme de Shinjiro, an intimate farmhouse retreat famous for its organic Noto produce and artisanal cooking that defines the menu. A short transfer brings you back to your hotel.

Overnight: Kanazawa

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 12

Omicho Market (optional), departure from Kanazawa

For your last day in Japan, savor a relaxed breakfast. The morning is yours to spend, whether to enjoy the hotel’s amenities or to make a short visit to Omicho Market to pick up last-minute treats and handcrafted souvenirs.

When the time comes, check out and take a private transfer to Kanazawa Station or Komatsu Airport to set off on your onward journey with memories of your last 12 days in Japan to bring home and remember fondly.

Meals included: Breakfast