Depart from your home on a journey of the mind, body and soul to Japan. Please ensure when booking flights that you plan to arrive on day 2.

Welcome to Japan! Upon arrival at Narita Airport you will board your transfer to Tokyo, where you will be met by a Learning Journey's guide and transferred to your hotel. Once you are checked in, you will enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

(D)

This morning after breakfast, you will embark on a full day of sightseeing in Tokyo! Your tour will take you to see an authentic Esoteric Fire Purification Ritual.
Smoke and thunderous drumming fill the air in this local temples fire blessing ritual. Supplicants bring their belongings to be blessed by smoke and fire in this unique ceremony. For the good luck on your journey, the monks will burn a sacrificial plank in the guests honour.
In additional to the ritual, you will visit Edo Tokyo museum,  Asakusa shrine, and Nakamise street. 

After having lunch at a local restaurant, you can optionally take part in a glower arrangement experience. In this introductory lesson, you will be taught the basics of Ikebana and flower arrangement, and why it is considered so important in Japanese society. The instructor will do a demonstration, then you can try the techniques yourself. This workshop includes a small take home gift.

Transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

(B, L)

After breakfast at the hotel, you will leave at  9:00 for a full day of sightseeing in Tokyo. Today, you will visit Meiji Shrine, and Harajuku & Omotesando. After these sites you will stop at a local restaurant for an authentic lunch before heading out for Shibuya. 

After lunch, participants will have the option of taking part in a Sake tasting. Sake is known worldwide as the national drink of Japan. It’s the stereotypical drink of a salary-man after a long day in the office, and is often featured in films and TV shows and sampled in sushi restaurants worldwide. But many people have little knowledge of the intricacies behind this unique and complicated beverage. In this introductory lecture, you will have the chance to learn a little more about the different kinds of sake before enjoying some yourself

Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight. 

(B, L)

After breakfast at the hotel, you will leave at 8:30 to begin the drive to Kamakura! Here you will visit the Great Buddha and Hasedera before continuing on your drive to Hakone. Once in Hakone, you will continue sightseeing, stopping at Chokokunomori (Hakone Open-Air Museum). After your tour you will be transferred to your hotel to enjoy dinner and hot springs at the Ryokan and overnight in a traditional setting! Bedding is futon mats on Tatami floors.

(B, D)

This morning, you will have a 9:00 AM Transfer to Kawaguchiko to visit Mt Fuji 5th station. From here, you will hike to the 6th Station and then hike back down to the 5th. After hiking, you will  return to Hakone to visit Owakudani Valley ropeway. After your visit you will be transferred back to the hotel where you will enjoy dinner and hot springs at the Ryokan.
 

In the morning, you will drive to Odawara statoin and take the bullet train to Osaka. Upon arrival, you will meet the private coach in Shin Osaka station. 
Participants will have the option of attending Saori Weaving Workshop.Saori weaving is a technique developed, and perfected, to make inexpensive and beautiful items for everyday use. In this workshop, lead by an expert instructor you will learn the techniques of Saori weaving and make your own small scarf or shawl.
Then, you will drive to Mt.Koya, where you will be transferred to your overnight accommodation at the temple! For dinner, you will be having traditional vegetarian supper and overnight at the temple

Large luggage will be sent to Kyoto. Please pack a small bag for 2 nights in Mt.Koya.
 

(B, D)

After breakfast, you will begin a full day of sightseeing in Mt. Koya! Toda you will visit Kongobuji Temple, the head temple of the Koyasan branch of the Shingon School, Okunoin - Walking in the old graveyard, and then break for lunch. After lunch, you will head back to your hotel for an Ajikan meditation experience at the temple, and then have a traditional vegetarian supper. 
 

(B)

This morning, you will be transported by car to Kyoto to visit, Fushimi inari shrine, and Kiyomizu Temple and walk down Ninenzaka/Sannenzaka. After your tour, you will be served lunch at a local vegan restaurant with unique, fresh cuisine. After lunch, participants will have the option to attend a zen meditation at a temple.Quiet your mind and body in this local meditation workshop. Run by a resident monk, he will explain the basic poses and breathing practices used in Zen meditation, and then lead the group in a meditative session.

After meditation, you will be transferred to the hotel for your choice of dinner. 

(B)

Today will be a full day of sightseeing in Kyoto to visit Nijo castle where you will have a traditional tea ceremony!
While sipping the rich flavor of matcha green tea, a master of the tea ceremony will give you an insider look into the small details that makes the humble tea ceremony an icon of Japanese culture and tradition.
 After the ceremony, you will continue on to visit Kinkakji temple and Ryoanji temple. After your temple visits, it's time for a cooking class! This class will givie an insight into the real authenticity of Japanese cooking. In this experience, enjoy a home-style cooking workshop at a renovated Japanese Machiya. You will learn to make a few select dishes that are staples in Japanese home life and cuisine.

After cooking class, you will return to the hotel for an evening at your leisure. 

(B)

This morning, you will be transfer to Kansai Airport for your connecting flight home. 

(B)