
A side trip to the vicinity of Mt. Fuji

Look at that altitude! Mt. Fuji 5th station

Sushi in Ginza. Classy place, classy meal!


Golden Ring
11 days
Tokyo › Kawaguchiko › Kyoto › Nagoya › Magome › Tsumago-juku › Takayama › Shirakawa-go › Kanazawa › Tokyo
Kanazawa Castle, seat of the powerful Maeda Clan of Kaga Province

Aesthetically superb sushi in an equally aesthetic restaurant

Senso-ji and the illustrious pagoda in Asakusa

Walk through the slopes of Higashiyama, Kyoto, Day 4
Overview
One of the most important aspects of traveling is to behold and experience the local tradition and culture of your destination. To emphasize this aspect while maintaining variety and comfort, we at ILJT have perfected an 11-day itinerary that covers some of the best Honshu destinations, both renowned and obscure, in a circular route that starts and ends in Tokyo.
The adventure starts with Tokyo, Mt. Fuji, and Kyoto, three of the must-visits for any traveler to Japan. Afterward, you will make a trip to the north starting from Nagoya, and finally back south to Tokyo once you have reached Kanazawa, forming a loop that we like to call the “Golden Ring” due to the variety of unique Japanese experiences that you can enjoy by following this route.
Woven into the early parts of this adventure are renowned Japanese activities, such as a tea ceremony, a geisha performance, or a visit to a kimono museum. Around halfway through, you will experience the zeitgeist of Edo Japan in rural settings. Near the end, you will study fine surviving examples of the samurai culture, before wrapping it up with a final stop in Tokyo. Indeed, this is a classic Japan tour in every sense of the word!
Highlights
Outline
Arrival: Narita International Airport
Day 1: Arrival in TokyoTokyo
Arrive in Tokyo. Adventure is about to start!
Day 2: Tokyo TourTokyo
Explore Tokyo, a modern metropolis with a rich and exciting tradition
Meals included : Breakfast / Lunch
Day 3: Mt. Fuji TourKawaguchiko
Explore the scenic beauty of Mt. Fuji and a remarkable kimono museum nearby
Meals included : Breakfast / Lunch
Day 4: Kyoto TourKyoto
Explore the old town and geisha district of Kyoto, and learn the art of tea ceremony
Meals included : Breakfast / Lunch
Day 5: Kyoto TourKyoto › Nagoya
Explore two temples and a castle in Kyoto before moving to Nagoya in the evening
Meals included : Breakfast / Lunch
Day 6: Magome and Tsumago TourMagome › Tsumago-juku
Explore Magome and Tsumago, two preserved post towns of an old trade route
Meals included : Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 7: Takayama TourTakayama
Explore Takayama, an antiquated city full of traditional Japanese appeal
Meals included : Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 8: Shirakawa-go TourShirakawa-go › Kanazawa
Explore the Historic Village of Shirakawa-go, a remote mountain settlement
Meals included : Breakfast / Lunch
Day 9: Kanazawa City TourKanazawa
Explore Kanazawa and the legacy of its samurai culture
Meals included : Breakfast / Lunch
Day 10: Return to TokyoTokyo
Return to Tokyo, and celebrate the completion of Golden Ring with a great lunch
Meals included : Breakfast / Lunch
Day 11: Leaving JapanTokyo
Leave Japan, and bring home many wonderful memories!
Meals included : Breakfast
Departure: Narita International Airport
What is included?
Tour Accommodation
Western hotel: 8 nights -- Japanese ryokan: 1 night -- Local minshuku: 1 night
Meals
10 breakfasts -- 9 lunches -- 2 dinners
Transport
Airport pickup -- Private car: 9 days -- Bullet train: 3 times (Tokyo - Kyoto, Kyoto - Nagoya, Kanazawa - Tokyo)
Tour guide
Airport pickup -- Guided tour: 9 days
Included activities
Tickets for attractions and rides as defined in the itinerary, where necessary
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the tour
You might be also interested in
Trip name | days | |
---|---|---|
Kansai Highlights Osaka to Osaka | 7 | |
Tokaido Express Osaka to Tokyo | 7 | |
Japan Express Tokyo to Osaka | 8 |
Overview
One of the most important aspects of traveling is to behold and experience the local tradition and culture of your destination. To emphasize this aspect while maintaining variety and comfort, we at ILJT have perfected an 11-day itinerary that covers some of the best Honshu destinations, both renowned and obscure, in a circular route that starts and ends in Tokyo.
The adventure starts with Tokyo, Mt. Fuji, and Kyoto, three of the must-visits for any traveler to Japan. Afterward, you will make a trip to the north starting from Nagoya, and finally back south to Tokyo once you have reached Kanazawa, forming a loop that we like to call the “Golden Ring” due to the variety of unique Japanese experiences that you can enjoy by following this route.
Woven into the early parts of this adventure are renowned Japanese activities, such as a tea ceremony, a geisha performance, or a visit to a kimono museum. Around halfway through, you will experience the zeitgeist of Edo Japan in rural settings. Near the end, you will study fine surviving examples of the samurai culture, before wrapping it up with a final stop in Tokyo. Indeed, this is a classic Japan tour in every sense of the word!
Highlights
Outline
Arrival: Narita International Airport
Day 1: Arrival in TokyoTokyo
Arrive in Tokyo. Adventure is about to start!
Day 2: Tokyo TourTokyo
Explore Tokyo, a modern metropolis with a rich and exciting tradition
Meals included : Breakfast / Lunch
Day 3: Mt. Fuji TourKawaguchiko
Explore the scenic beauty of Mt. Fuji and a remarkable kimono museum nearby
Meals included : Breakfast / Lunch
Day 4: Kyoto TourKyoto
Explore the old town and geisha district of Kyoto, and learn the art of tea ceremony
Meals included : Breakfast / Lunch
Day 5: Kyoto TourKyoto › Nagoya
Explore two temples and a castle in Kyoto before moving to Nagoya in the evening
Meals included : Breakfast / Lunch
Day 6: Magome and Tsumago TourMagome › Tsumago-juku
Explore Magome and Tsumago, two preserved post towns of an old trade route
Meals included : Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 7: Takayama TourTakayama
Explore Takayama, an antiquated city full of traditional Japanese appeal
Meals included : Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 8: Shirakawa-go TourShirakawa-go › Kanazawa
Explore the Historic Village of Shirakawa-go, a remote mountain settlement
Meals included : Breakfast / Lunch
Day 9: Kanazawa City TourKanazawa
Explore Kanazawa and the legacy of its samurai culture
Meals included : Breakfast / Lunch
Day 10: Return to TokyoTokyo
Return to Tokyo, and celebrate the completion of Golden Ring with a great lunch
Meals included : Breakfast / Lunch
Day 11: Leaving JapanTokyo
Leave Japan, and bring home many wonderful memories!
Meals included : Breakfast
Departure: Narita International Airport
Hotels
What is included?
Tour Accommodation
Western hotel: 8 nights -- Japanese ryokan: 1 night -- Local minshuku: 1 night
Meals
10 breakfasts -- 9 lunches -- 2 dinners
Transport
Airport pickup -- Private car: 9 days -- Bullet train: 3 times (Tokyo - Kyoto, Kyoto - Nagoya, Kanazawa - Tokyo)
Tour guide
Airport pickup -- Guided tour: 9 days
Included activities
Tickets for attractions and rides as defined in the itinerary, where necessary
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the tour
You might be also interested in
Trip name | days | |
---|---|---|
Tokaido Express Osaka to Tokyo | 7 | |
Japan Classics Tokyo to Osaka | 15 | |
Japan Express Tokyo to Osaka | 8 |
Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo
Arrival: Narita International Airport
Activities
The first day is a standard affair. Your guide will pick you up at the airport and assist you with preparations for the tour. A private coach will take you to your hotel in the heart of the city. After the check-in procedures are completed, you will have the rest of the day to yourselves.
Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo
Day 2: Tokyo Tour
Schedule
- 09:00 - 10:00 Transfer to Asakusa
- 10:00 - 11:30 Asakusa and Senso-ji
- 11:30 - 12:00 Transfer to Ginza
- 12:00 - 13:30 Sushi lunch
- 13:30 - 14:00 Transfer to Tokyo Imperial Palace
- 14:00 - 15:00 Tokyo Imperial Palace (East Garden)
- 15:00 - 15:30 Transfer to Harajuku
- 15:30 - 16:30 Meiji Jingu
- 16:30 - 17:00 Return to hotel
Meals
Activities



The current capital of Japan is your starting point for this tour. Despite its modern appearance and infrastructure, Tokyo is a city of rich tradition and culture. Your day tour in this metropolis will feature mainly the traditional side of Tokyo. The attractions chosen are therefore: its oldest and most famous Buddhist temple, its largest and most significant Shinto shrine, and the current residence of the Japanese Emperor.
During your time at each attraction you will observe and mingle with the local visitors, witness their customs and actions in places of worship, and experience different aspects of Japanese beliefs. Try rubbing the smoke of Senso-ji’s incense burner on your head, getting your fortune told, or writing your wish down on an “ema” in Meiji Jingu. You will also enjoy the freshest sushi, the signature Japanese dish, in Ginza.
Day 2: Tokyo Tour
Day 3: Mt. Fuji Tour
Schedule
- 09:00 - 11:30 Transfer to Fuji Five Lakes
- 11:30 - 13:00 Mt. Fuji 5th station (summer/autumn) / Kachi Kachi Ropeway (winter/spring)
- 13:00 - 14:30 Matsutake lunch
- 14:30 - 15:00 Transfer to Itchiku Kubota Art Museum
- 15:00 - 16:30 Itchiku Kubota Art Museum
- 16:30 - 18:30 Return to Tokyo hotel
Meals
Activities

Going on an excursion to Mt. Fuji today, you will witness the majestic mountain both as a natural wonder and as a form of art. In the morning, you will head to some of the best spots of the season to experience the beauty of Fuji, either directly on its slope where unique plants grow due to the elevation, or atop another mountain you can reach on a ropeway when Fuji itself is not accessible. Both places have a Japanese folk tale associated with them.
In the afternoon, you will visit a kimono museum near Lake Kawaguchi. This place displays many meticulously made kimono, including a series depicting Mt. Fuji, and arguably Itchiku Kubota’s most famous work, the “Symphony of Light.” The hard work and attention to detail that gave birth to this exhibit will fully engross you. After a mesmerizing time in the museum, you will once more return to Tokyo.
Day 3: Mt. Fuji Tour
Day 4: Kyoto Tour
Schedule
- 09:00 - 12:00 Hotel check-out >> transfer to Kyoto by shinkansen
- 12:00 - 12:30 Transfer to restaurant
- 12:30 - 14:00 Washoku lunch
- 15:30 - 15:45 Transfer to Higashiyama
- 15:45 - 17:00 Higashiyama (tea ceremony)
- 17:00 - 17:15 Transfer to Gion
- 17:15 - 18:00 Sightseeing around Gion
- 18:00 - 19:00 Gion Corner (subject to availability)
- 19:00 - 19:30 Transfer to hotel >> check-in
Meals
Activities



Leaving Tokyo, you will take the famous shinkansen, which can cover more than 500 kilometers in just two hours. Arriving in Kyoto at noon, you will immediately enjoy a traditional taste of the city for lunch. Afterward, you will visit Higashiyama, Kyoto’s most famous old town district, and experience a Japanese tea ceremony.
In the evening, you will be sightseeing around the city’s most famous geisha district. The area is full of old wooden houses, shops, and teahouses. If you are lucky, you may be able to catch a glimpse of passing geiko and maiko. To give you a better picture of the geisha culture of Japan, you will watch a cultural show at Gion Corner, where you will learn about various forms of Japanese art performed by apprentice geisha.
Day 4: Kyoto Tour
Day 5: Kyoto Tour
Schedule
- 09:00 - 10:00 Hotel check-out >> transfer to Kinkaku-ji
- 10:00 - 10:45 Kinkaku-ji
- 10:45 - 12:00 Ryoan-ji
- 12:00 - 13:30 Temari-zushi lunch
- 13:30 - 14:00 Transfer to Nijo Castle
- 14:00 - 15:00 Nijo Castle
- 15:00 - 17:00 Transfer to Nagoya by shinkansen
- 17:00 - 17:30 Transfer to hotel >> check-in
Meals
Activities



After the old town and geisha aspects of Kyoto that you explored yesterday, you will be visiting the temples and castle that the city is renowned for today. Your first destination, Kinkaku-ji, is the Golden Pavilion Temple, known for its glittering reflection on the water. The second, Ryoan-ji, is known for its dry landscape, which arrange rocks and gravels into a profound scenery. After the two temples, you will enjoy a delicious temari-zushi lunch in a restaurant nearby.
In the afternoon, you will visit the well-preserved Nijo Castle, a symbol of the shogun’s power during the Edo period. The palace building is known for its squeaking nightingale floors and beautifully decorated interior. Afterward, you will leave Kyoto and take the bullet train to Nagoya to stay the night. Nagoya is famous for its chicken wings and miso katsu, which you may want to try for dinner!
Day 5: Kyoto Tour
Day 6: Magome and Tsumago Tour
Schedule
- 09:00 - 11:00 Hotel check-out >> transfer to Magome
- 11:00 - 12:30 Sightseeing around Magome-juku
- 12:30 - 14:00 Oyaki lunch
- 14:00 - 16:00 Nakasendo Hiking Trail
- 16:00 - 18:00 Sightseeing around Tsumago-juku >> minshuku check-in
- 18:00 - 19:30 Home-made dinner
Meals
Activities



It is time to start the loop back to Tokyo! You will be going north from Nagoya today, starting from the antiquated post towns of the old Nakasendo Road. Checking out of Nagoya, you will be transferred to Magome-juku, one of the many stations of the mountainous trade route. After a brief sightseeing session and a simple soba lunch, you will go on the 7-km long Nakasendo Hiking Trail to reach Tsumago-juku.
At the end of the exciting hike, you will check into your minshuku (family guesthouse) in Tsumago, where you will experience life in a traditional Japanese home. After checking in, you can continue sightseeing around this post town until dinnertime. Tsumago has many local shops and small shrines and temples to visit, so try to take in as much of the atmosphere as you can. Enjoy your stay in this quiet, rural area of Japan.
Day 6: Magome and Tsumago Tour
Day 7: Takayama Tour
Schedule
- 09:00 - 12:00 Minshuku check-out >> transfer to Takayama
- 12:00 - 13:30 Hida beef lunch
- 13:30 - 14:30 Takayama Jinya
- 14:30 - 15:30 Kusakabe Heritage Museum
- 15:30 - 16:30 Sake brewery and sightseeing around the Old Town
- 16:30 - 18:00 Ryokan check-in >> onsen, free time
- 18:00 - 19:30 Washoku dinner
Meals
Activities



Leaving Tsumago, you will once again cross the Japanese Alps to continue your journey to the north. Your destination today is Takayama, one of the largest cities in Gifu Prefecture. This city is known for many things: its beautiful and expansive old town district, its well-preserved local government office, and its delicious regional beef. But above all, if you are visiting in April or October, you may just be able to catch the popular bi-annual festival!
Your activities today are designed to deliver as much of authentic Japan as possible. Try out various kinds of sake (rice wine) in a brewery in the Sannomachi old town. Browse for traditional Japanese tools and craft in the many shops that line the streets. Study the timberwork and samurai artifacts in Takayama Jinya, and the local crafts in Kusakabe Heritage Museum. At the end of this active day, you will check into your ryokan and get some rest.
Day 7: Takayama Tour
Day 8: Shirakawa-go Tour
Schedule
- 09:00 - 10:30 Ryokan check-out >> transfer to Shirakawa-go
- 10:30 - 12:30 Historic VIllage of Shirakawa-go
- 12:30 - 14:00 Soba lunch
- 14:00 - 16:30 Drive through Hakusan White Road toward Hakusan (summer/autumn)
- 16:30 - 18:00 Transfer to Kanazawa >> hotel check-in
Meals
Activities


On your third day crossing the Japanese Alps, you will arrive at the renowned Shirakawa-go. This historic village, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is famous for the lasting legacy of its gassho-zukuri architecture. Enjoy a walk around the farm houses, and the picturesque view from atop the observatory at one end of the village.
The traditional houses are especially beautiful in winter when the thick snow covers their thatched roofs. In other seasons, however, you can leave Shirakawa-go through the scenic Hakusan White Road, which passes by many waterfalls along the way. You will arrive in Kanazawa in the afternoon, where you will celebrate reaching the other coast of Japan by getting a well deserved rest.
Day 8: Shirakawa-go Tour
Day 9: Kanazawa City Tour
Schedule
- 09:00 - 10:00 Transfer to Kanazawa Castle
- 10:00 - 12:00 Kanazawa Castle and Kenroku-en
- 12:00 - 12:30 Transfer to Omi-cho
- 12:30 - 14:00 Kaisen-don lunch
- 14:00 - 14:30 Transfer to Ninja-dera
- 14:30 - 15:30 Ninja-dera
- 15:30 - 15:45 Transfer to Naga-machi
- 15:45 - 16:30 Buke Yashiki (samurai residence)
- 16:30 - 17:00 Return to hotel
Meals
Activities



The last major destination before returning to Tokyo is Kanazawa. This city has many remnants of the samurai culture, making it a fascinating study of Japanese tradition. In the morning, you will be strolling around the premises of Kanazawa Castle and the beautiful Kenroku-en garden, both built by the wealthy daimyo of the province. Afterward is a delicious lunch in the fish market.
In the afternoon, you will see another legacy of the samurai clan in the form of a temple. The Ninja-dera is so-named despite having no relation to the ninja due to the many tricks and traps hidden in this camouflaged samurai hideout. Finally, you will be exploring the Naga-machi district and the old homes of samurai families to learn about their way of life.
Day 9: Kanazawa City Tour
Day 10: Return to Tokyo
Schedule
- 09:00 - 12:30 Hotel check-out >> transfer to Tokyo by shinkansen
- 12:30 - 13:00 Transfer to Roppongi
- 13:00 - 14:30 Washoku lunch
- 14:30 - 16:00 Transfer to Haneda/Narita >> hotel check-in
Meals
Activities


Leaving Kanazawa and taking the bullet train back to Tokyo, you will finally close the loop that your trails have formed during your journey around Honshu. To celebrate your completion of the Golden Ring, you will have an authentic washoku lunch in the iconic Kill Bill restaurant. Afterward, you will be brought to your hotel in Haneda/Narita, depending on your airport of departure.
Day 10: Return to Tokyo
Day 11: Leaving Japan
Departure: Narita International Airport
Meals
Activities
You have completed the Golden Ring tour! We hope that you enjoyed your trip with ILJT! On the last day, you will check out of your hotel and conduct an independent transfer to the airport. Have a safe flight back home, and see you again soon!
Day 11: Leaving Japan
Arrival: Narita International Airport
Activities
The first day is a standard affair. Your guide will pick you up at the airport and assist you with preparations for the tour. A private coach will take you to your hotel in the heart of the city. After the check-in procedures are completed, you will have the rest of the day to yourselves.
Schedule
- 09:00 - 10:00 Transfer to Asakusa
- 10:00 - 11:30 Asakusa and Senso-ji
- 11:30 - 12:00 Transfer to Ginza
- 12:00 - 13:30 Sushi lunch
- 13:30 - 14:00 Transfer to Tokyo Imperial Palace
- 14:00 - 15:00 Tokyo Imperial Palace (East Garden)
- 15:00 - 15:30 Transfer to Harajuku
- 15:30 - 16:30 Meiji Jingu
- 16:30 - 17:00 Return to hotel
Activities



The current capital of Japan is your starting point for this tour. Despite its modern appearance and infrastructure, Tokyo is a city of rich tradition and culture. Your day tour in this metropolis will feature mainly the traditional side of Tokyo. The attractions chosen are therefore: its oldest and most famous Buddhist temple, its largest and most significant Shinto shrine, and the current residence of the Japanese Emperor.
During your time at each attraction you will observe and mingle with the local visitors, witness their customs and actions in places of worship, and experience different aspects of Japanese beliefs. Try rubbing the smoke of Senso-ji’s incense burner on your head, getting your fortune told, or writing your wish down on an “ema” in Meiji Jingu. You will also enjoy the freshest sushi, the signature Japanese dish, in Ginza.
Meals
Open previous day
Schedule
- 09:00 - 11:30 Transfer to Fuji Five Lakes
- 11:30 - 13:00 Mt. Fuji 5th station (summer/autumn) / Kachi Kachi Ropeway (winter/spring)
- 13:00 - 14:30 Matsutake lunch
- 14:30 - 15:00 Transfer to Itchiku Kubota Art Museum
- 15:00 - 16:30 Itchiku Kubota Art Museum
- 16:30 - 18:30 Return to Tokyo hotel
Activities

Going on an excursion to Mt. Fuji today, you will witness the majestic mountain both as a natural wonder and as a form of art. In the morning, you will head to some of the best spots of the season to experience the beauty of Fuji, either directly on its slope where unique plants grow due to the elevation, or atop another mountain you can reach on a ropeway when Fuji itself is not accessible. Both places have a Japanese folk tale associated with them.
In the afternoon, you will visit a kimono museum near Lake Kawaguchi. This place displays many meticulously made kimono, including a series depicting Mt. Fuji, and arguably Itchiku Kubota’s most famous work, the “Symphony of Light.” The hard work and attention to detail that gave birth to this exhibit will fully engross you. After a mesmerizing time in the museum, you will once more return to Tokyo.
Meals
Open previous day
Schedule
- 09:00 - 12:00 Hotel check-out >> transfer to Kyoto by shinkansen
- 12:00 - 12:30 Transfer to restaurant
- 12:30 - 14:00 Washoku lunch
- 15:30 - 15:45 Transfer to Higashiyama
- 15:45 - 17:00 Higashiyama (tea ceremony)
- 17:00 - 17:15 Transfer to Gion
- 17:15 - 18:00 Sightseeing around Gion
- 18:00 - 19:00 Gion Corner (subject to availability)
- 19:00 - 19:30 Transfer to hotel >> check-in
Activities



Leaving Tokyo, you will take the famous shinkansen, which can cover more than 500 kilometers in just two hours. Arriving in Kyoto at noon, you will immediately enjoy a traditional taste of the city for lunch. Afterward, you will visit Higashiyama, Kyoto’s most famous old town district, and experience a Japanese tea ceremony.
In the evening, you will be sightseeing around the city’s most famous geisha district. The area is full of old wooden houses, shops, and teahouses. If you are lucky, you may be able to catch a glimpse of passing geiko and maiko. To give you a better picture of the geisha culture of Japan, you will watch a cultural show at Gion Corner, where you will learn about various forms of Japanese art performed by apprentice geisha.
Meals
Open previous day
Schedule
- 09:00 - 10:00 Hotel check-out >> transfer to Kinkaku-ji
- 10:00 - 10:45 Kinkaku-ji
- 10:45 - 12:00 Ryoan-ji
- 12:00 - 13:30 Temari-zushi lunch
- 13:30 - 14:00 Transfer to Nijo Castle
- 14:00 - 15:00 Nijo Castle
- 15:00 - 17:00 Transfer to Nagoya by shinkansen
- 17:00 - 17:30 Transfer to hotel >> check-in
Activities



After the old town and geisha aspects of Kyoto that you explored yesterday, you will be visiting the temples and castle that the city is renowned for today. Your first destination, Kinkaku-ji, is the Golden Pavilion Temple, known for its glittering reflection on the water. The second, Ryoan-ji, is known for its dry landscape, which arrange rocks and gravels into a profound scenery. After the two temples, you will enjoy a delicious temari-zushi lunch in a restaurant nearby.
In the afternoon, you will visit the well-preserved Nijo Castle, a symbol of the shogun’s power during the Edo period. The palace building is known for its squeaking nightingale floors and beautifully decorated interior. Afterward, you will leave Kyoto and take the bullet train to Nagoya to stay the night. Nagoya is famous for its chicken wings and miso katsu, which you may want to try for dinner!
Meals
Open previous day
Schedule
- 09:00 - 11:00 Hotel check-out >> transfer to Magome
- 11:00 - 12:30 Sightseeing around Magome-juku
- 12:30 - 14:00 Oyaki lunch
- 14:00 - 16:00 Nakasendo Hiking Trail
- 16:00 - 18:00 Sightseeing around Tsumago-juku >> minshuku check-in
- 18:00 - 19:30 Home-made dinner
Activities



It is time to start the loop back to Tokyo! You will be going north from Nagoya today, starting from the antiquated post towns of the old Nakasendo Road. Checking out of Nagoya, you will be transferred to Magome-juku, one of the many stations of the mountainous trade route. After a brief sightseeing session and a simple soba lunch, you will go on the 7-km long Nakasendo Hiking Trail to reach Tsumago-juku.
At the end of the exciting hike, you will check into your minshuku (family guesthouse) in Tsumago, where you will experience life in a traditional Japanese home. After checking in, you can continue sightseeing around this post town until dinnertime. Tsumago has many local shops and small shrines and temples to visit, so try to take in as much of the atmosphere as you can. Enjoy your stay in this quiet, rural area of Japan.
Meals
Open previous day
Schedule
- 09:00 - 12:00 Minshuku check-out >> transfer to Takayama
- 12:00 - 13:30 Hida beef lunch
- 13:30 - 14:30 Takayama Jinya
- 14:30 - 15:30 Kusakabe Heritage Museum
- 15:30 - 16:30 Sake brewery and sightseeing around the Old Town
- 16:30 - 18:00 Ryokan check-in >> onsen, free time
- 18:00 - 19:30 Washoku dinner
Activities



Leaving Tsumago, you will once again cross the Japanese Alps to continue your journey to the north. Your destination today is Takayama, one of the largest cities in Gifu Prefecture. This city is known for many things: its beautiful and expansive old town district, its well-preserved local government office, and its delicious regional beef. But above all, if you are visiting in April or October, you may just be able to catch the popular bi-annual festival!
Your activities today are designed to deliver as much of authentic Japan as possible. Try out various kinds of sake (rice wine) in a brewery in the Sannomachi old town. Browse for traditional Japanese tools and craft in the many shops that line the streets. Study the timberwork and samurai artifacts in Takayama Jinya, and the local crafts in Kusakabe Heritage Museum. At the end of this active day, you will check into your ryokan and get some rest.
Meals
Open previous day
Schedule
- 09:00 - 10:30 Ryokan check-out >> transfer to Shirakawa-go
- 10:30 - 12:30 Historic VIllage of Shirakawa-go
- 12:30 - 14:00 Soba lunch
- 14:00 - 16:30 Drive through Hakusan White Road toward Hakusan (summer/autumn)
- 16:30 - 18:00 Transfer to Kanazawa >> hotel check-in
Activities


On your third day crossing the Japanese Alps, you will arrive at the renowned Shirakawa-go. This historic village, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is famous for the lasting legacy of its gassho-zukuri architecture. Enjoy a walk around the farm houses, and the picturesque view from atop the observatory at one end of the village.
The traditional houses are especially beautiful in winter when the thick snow covers their thatched roofs. In other seasons, however, you can leave Shirakawa-go through the scenic Hakusan White Road, which passes by many waterfalls along the way. You will arrive in Kanazawa in the afternoon, where you will celebrate reaching the other coast of Japan by getting a well deserved rest.
Meals
Open previous day
Schedule
- 09:00 - 10:00 Transfer to Kanazawa Castle
- 10:00 - 12:00 Kanazawa Castle and Kenroku-en
- 12:00 - 12:30 Transfer to Omi-cho
- 12:30 - 14:00 Kaisen-don lunch
- 14:00 - 14:30 Transfer to Ninja-dera
- 14:30 - 15:30 Ninja-dera
- 15:30 - 15:45 Transfer to Naga-machi
- 15:45 - 16:30 Buke Yashiki (samurai residence)
- 16:30 - 17:00 Return to hotel
Activities



The last major destination before returning to Tokyo is Kanazawa. This city has many remnants of the samurai culture, making it a fascinating study of Japanese tradition. In the morning, you will be strolling around the premises of Kanazawa Castle and the beautiful Kenroku-en garden, both built by the wealthy daimyo of the province. Afterward is a delicious lunch in the fish market.
In the afternoon, you will see another legacy of the samurai clan in the form of a temple. The Ninja-dera is so-named despite having no relation to the ninja due to the many tricks and traps hidden in this camouflaged samurai hideout. Finally, you will be exploring the Naga-machi district and the old homes of samurai families to learn about their way of life.
Meals
Open previous day
Schedule
- 09:00 - 12:30 Hotel check-out >> transfer to Tokyo by shinkansen
- 12:30 - 13:00 Transfer to Roppongi
- 13:00 - 14:30 Washoku lunch
- 14:30 - 16:00 Transfer to Haneda/Narita >> hotel check-in
Activities


Leaving Kanazawa and taking the bullet train back to Tokyo, you will finally close the loop that your trails have formed during your journey around Honshu. To celebrate your completion of the Golden Ring, you will have an authentic washoku lunch in the iconic Kill Bill restaurant. Afterward, you will be brought to your hotel in Haneda/Narita, depending on your airport of departure.
Meals
Open previous day
Departure: Narita International Airport
Activities
You have completed the Golden Ring tour! We hope that you enjoyed your trip with ILJT! On the last day, you will check out of your hotel and conduct an independent transfer to the airport. Have a safe flight back home, and see you again soon!