SСHEDULE & COST:

Dates: October 17 - 28, 2025

Duration: 12 days / 11 nights

Number of participants: 8 - 12

Cost per person:
- 5 790 USD subject to 12 participants, or
- 6 090 USD subject to 10 - 11 participants, or
- 6 550 USD subject to 8 - 9 participants

10% early booking discount (in case you book before May 17, 2025)

Everything is included, except for:
- International flight to Tokyo and back
- Japan visa (free for Russian citizens if received in Japan’s embassy or consulate)
- food not specified in the program
- health insurance

Approximate cost of the flight Moscow - Tokyo - Moscow 700-800 USD .

Single supplement: 1600 USD (provided along the entire program)




TRAVEL PROGRAM: tour to Japan

Day 1. October 17, 2025 (Friday). ARRIVAL TO JAPAN

Arrival at Narita or Haneda International Airport. Transfer** to the hotel in Tokyo. Check-in at the hotel.
The program begins around 5:00 PM. Ahead is an evening walk through the central historical districts of Tokyo: the historical and business areas of 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 imperial capital was moved from Kyoto in the second half of the 19th century. This largest metropolis in Japan impresses travelers with its cleanliness, convenient transportation system, and the friendliness of its residents, who, despite language barriers, willingly help foreign guests.

Recommended flights to Tokyo:

• By China Southern Airlines, departs from Moscow on October 16 at 18:50 with transfer in Beijing of 2h15 min, arrives in Tokyo (Haneda) on October 17 at 14:00**

- Any other flight arriving before 14:30 on October 17.

**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 at Narita Airport, you will need to reach the hotel independently:*
From Narita Airport to Tokyo Station (the nearest station to the hotel), you can take the Narita Express high-speed train. The one-way ticket costs about $20, and the journey takes about an hour. From Tokyo Station to the hotel, you can take a taxi. A taxi ride takes 8-15 minutes and costs approximately $10 per car.
From Haneda Airport, you can take a taxi to the hotel, which takes about 35 minutes (without traffic) and costs $70-$80 per car.
Limousine buses and trains also run from the airports to the city center, costing $15-$20 per person.

Meals included: none
Accommodation: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Ginza Premier 4* or similar


Day 2. October 18, 2025 (Saturday). TOKYO. HISTORIC DISTRICT OF ASAKUSA – INTERACTIVE MUSEUM TEAMLAB – SHIBUYA – AKIHABARA

Breakfast at the hotel. We continue exploring Tokyo!
Our first stop is the historic district of Asakusa, which has preserved the charm and atmosphere of the old city. Here, we will visit Sensoji Temple, the oldest Buddhist temple in the Japanese capital, founded in 645. We will also see the famous Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate) with its giant red lantern, a symbol of Tokyo.
The interactive digital art museum teamLab, which we will visit next, is a fascinating show where unique art installations are created using light and shadow. In this amazing space, the boundaries of usual perception and reality are erased. Let's dive into a fascinating journey through worlds reminiscent of scenes from computer games.
We will then visit the world-famous Shibuya Crossing, the busiest intersection in Tokyo and one of the liveliest in the world. When the light turns green, hundreds of people, sometimes even up to a thousand during peak hours, cross the streets in all directions simultaneously. We will also see the statue of Hachiko, the faithful dog, as well as explore Akihabara, the district famous for electronics, neon lights, and maid cafes.
We will also visit the Ninja Museum, where we’ll participate in a master class. Lunch will be provided during the tour.
Return to the hotel in the evening.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Ginza Premier 4* or similar


Day 3. October 19, 2025 (Sunday). KAMAKURA. TEMPLES KOTOKUIN, HASEDERA, ZENIARAI BENTEN – TRANSFER TO KYOTO

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. Meet your guide in the hotel lobby.
We head to Kamakura, a small resort town located just over an hour from Tokyo. Once an important political center of Japan, Kamakura was the residence of the Minamoto shogun family in the 12th–14th centuries. Its impressive temples and shrines stand as reminders of its glorious past.
Kotokuin is a Pure Land Buddhist temple in Kamakura, famous for its impressive bronze Great Buddha statue that towers over 13 meters in the open air. The Great Buddha of Kamakura, depicting Amida Buddha, is a national treasure and one of the most recognizable symbols of Japan.
Founded in the 13th century, Hasedera Temple is one of the most picturesque temples in Kamakura, known primarily for its nine-meter statue of the Bodhisattva Kannon, who, according to legend, arrived by sea. But the temple complex also preserves many other interesting details. The hill on which the temple is located offers a magnificent view of Kamakura and the Pacific coast. Numerous statues of the Bodhisattva Jizo stand along the steps leading to the top, and at the foot of the hill there is a cave dedicated to the goddess Benzaiten and a garden with a pond surrounded by peonies, maples and apricot trees.
Then we will see the Zeniarai Benzaiten Shrine, the main attraction of which is a cave with a spring, the water of which, according to legend, grants good luck and prosperity. It is believed that if you wash money in it, it will double, so everyone who wants to get the blessing of the goddess of prosperity, clean coins and banknotes in the spring and increase their wealth comes here.
Lunch during the excursion. Transfer to Kyoto by high-speed Shinkansen train.
Meet the guide on the platform, transfer to the hotel.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kyoto-Shijyokarasuma 4* or similar


Day 4. October 20, 2025 (Monday). KYOTO. GOLDEN PAVILION KINKAKU-JI - RYOAN-JI TEMPLE - NISHIKI MARKET - KAISEKI DINNER

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, we will explore Kyoto, the cultural center of modern Japan.
We will visit the city's most iconic landmark, the Golden Pavilion Kinkakuji, and its unique landscaped garden. Built in the late 14th century, the complex features a three-story pavilion covered in sheets of pure gold, reflecting beautifully in the tranquil waters of the Mirror Pond, left a deep mark on the minds of contemporaries and subsequent generations. The UNESCO World Heritage site also includes a traditional strolling garden, small waterfalls, and a teahouse.
Next, we will visit Ryoan-ji Temple, founded in the mid-15th century in northern Kyoto. It is famous for its renowned rock garden "karesansui." This garden, considered one of the finest examples of Japanese landscape art, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. For centuries, it has attracted visitors who strive to unravel its mystery: why can only 14 of the 15 stones be seen at any given time?
We’ll then explore the central historical quarters of the old capital, including Yasaka Shrine and the Gion district. In Gion, you'll stroll through charming streets with traditional wooden townhouses known as "machiya" and may spot geishas and their apprentices, maiko, hurrying about their daily activities. Geishas still reside in Gion and entertain guests in the evenings with dance performances, conversations, and engaging games at the table.
Lunch will be included during the tour.
Later, we’ll visit Nishiki Market, located on a narrow covered street parallel to one of Kyoto's main avenues. It features more than 100 shops and restaurants dedicated to culinary delights. Here, you’ll find fresh seafood, vegetables, Kyoto-style pickles, sweets, as well as kitchenware, knives, and teas.
In the evening, we will enjoy a Kaiseki-ryori style dinner – a traditional Japanese haute cuisine that consists of an elegant set of dishes served in a specific order. Kaiseki dishes are made from local ingredients and served on beautifully arranged plates with meticulous attention to detail. Such a dinner is not merely a meal but a gastronomic ritual emphasizing balance and aesthetic pleasure.
The dinner will be accompanied by geishas in a traditional Japanese restaurant. During the evening, you can interact with the geisha and her apprentice maiko, ask questions, and take photos. The girls will perform the traditional Kyoto dance "Kyo-mai" and play entertaining games with the guests.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, Kaiseki-ryori style dinner
Accommodation: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kyoto-Shijyokarasuma 4* or similar


Day 5. October 21, 2025 (Tuesday). KYOTO. SANJUSANGENDO TEMPLE - NIJO PALACE - SAMURAI SWORDSMANSHIP WORKSHOP - FUSHIMI INARI TAISHA SHRINE

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, we will explore the fascinating samurai history of Kyoto.
We begin with Sanjusangendo Temple, also known as Rengeoin Temple, built in the 12th century. The temple is famous for housing 1001 statues of the Thousand-Armed Kannon Bodhisattva of Mercy, arranged in rows in the main hall. The statues are surrounded by images of heavenly protectors and the gods of Wind and Thunder. To accommodate all the statues, each life-sized, the main hall was built 120 meters long with 33 bays (hence the name “Sanjusangendo”).
Next, we visit the Nijo Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the early 17th century by the powerful shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, the palace served as his residence during visits to the Imperial capital. The complex includes the luxurious Ninomaru Palace, renowned for its interiors painted by masters of the Kano school, decorated with gold and wood carvings. The exquisite garden, which was enjoyed by the Tokugawa shoguns, was designed by the tea master and landscape artist Kobori Enshu.
We will conduct a master class on samurai swordsmanship in a traditional samurai house and immerse ourselves in meditation with singing bowls.
Lunch during the excursion.
In the afternoon, we head to Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, one of Kyoto’s most significant spiritual centers and the main shrine for the Inari network of over 30,000 shrines across Japan. The deity Inari, to whom the shrine is dedicated, is the patron of rice cultivation, craftsmanship, and commerce. As a sign of gratitude, offerings to Inari are often given in the form of torii gates. The popularity of Inari is reflected in the countless red torii gates forming pathways that lead from the main altar to the top of the mountain.
In the evening, we have the opportunity to experience the Yoiyama festivities of the Gion Matsuri on the streets of Kyoto. The central streets, closed to traffic, will host festival floats, food stalls, and vendors selling souvenirs. We will immerse ourselves in the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese festival, complete with music and fun.
Return to the hotel.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kyoto-Shijyokarasuma 4* or similar


Day 6. October 22, 2025 (Wednesday). JIDAI MATSURI FESTIVAL IN KYOTO

Breakfast at the hotel. Today we will devote our time to visit major festivals in Japan.
The Jidai Matsuri (Festival of the Ages) is one of the three most famous events in Kyoto, attracting the attention of both locals and tourists. During this vibrant festival, a costumed procession takes place, starting at the Imperial Palace and ending at the Heian Jingu Shinto shrine.
About two thousand participants don costumes representing various historical eras of Japan. This creates a unique opportunity to see a living picture of the past, where samurai, Heian-era court ladies, Sengoku period warriors, and representatives of other eras walk side by side. The procession is accompanied by music, dancing, and other performances, making it even more spectacular and atmospheric.
The Festival of the Ages is not only an entertainment event but also a cultural one, allowing participants and spectators to delve deeper into the history and traditions of Japan.
Lunch during the excursion. Free time. Transfer to the northern part of Kyoto by public transport.
In the evening, we will visit the Kurama Himatsuri fire festival — an immersion in the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese holiday held on the grounds of Yuki-jinja shrine.
During the festival, in the evening, huge torches are lit along the road leading to the shrine. Their light creates a mesmerizing sight and illuminates the path for visitors to the temple. The fire festival is not just a bright event but also a ceremonial action that symbolizes the protection of the city from disasters and misfortunes.
After visiting the festivals, we will return to the hotel to rest and share our impressions of the event-filled day.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kyoto-Shijyokarasuma 4* or similar


Day 7. October 23, 2025 (Thursday). THE ANCIENT CAPITAL OF NARA. HORYU-JI TEMPLE COMPLEX - TODAI-JI GREAT EASTERN TEMPLE - KASUGA SHRINE

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Nara and city tour.
We go to the Horyu-ji Temple Complex - one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan with the world/s oldest wooden buildings. It is believed that the temple was founded in 607 by Prince Shotoku and in 1993 it was the first in Japan to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
We will also visit the largest wooden structure in the world - Todai-ji Great Eastern Temple with a Buddha pavilion, built in the 8th century by order of the emperor and with donations from all over the country, the temple houses the largest bronze statue of Buddha in Japan, which required almost all the bronze produced at that time. Kasuga Shrine is one of the most revered Shinto shrines in Japan, known for its unique kasuga-zukuri style of architecture, thousands of stone and bronze lanterns decorating the approaches and grounds of the shrine, and an ancient forest where sacred deer, revered as messengers of the gods, roam freely.
Lunch during the excursion. Return to Kyoto.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kyoto-Shijyokarasuma 4* or similar


Day 8. October 24, 2025 (Friday). TRANSFER TO KOYA, TOUR OF KOYASAN

After breakfast at the hotel, we will travel to the monastic town on Mount Koya by arranged transport.
The Kongobuji monastery complex is a significant site on Mount Koya, which is considered one of the oldest Buddhist centres in Japan. This centre was founded by the monk Kukai about 1,200 years ago and has remained an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists ever since.
A whole temple town has grown around the main temple of the Shingon sect on Mount Koya, and it has retained its significance to this day. Kongobuji is not only a religious and historical centre but also an outstanding cultural monument recognized by the world community. In July 2004, the complex was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Among the attractions of Mount Koya, the ancient Buddhist cemetery of Okunoin stands out. It is a place of rest for many prominent figures of Japan. The cemetery is surrounded by centuries-old cryptomerias, which create an atmosphere of peace and majesty. The atmospheric stone monuments scattered throughout the cemetery add a special solemnity and significance to the place.
Impressive architecture, paintings by famous masters, unique artifacts, the largest rock garden in Japan, and one of the oldest cemeteries in the country provide a rare opportunity to touch the origins of Japanese philosophy of life and death.
Okunoin is one of the most famous and revered cemeteries in Japan, where, according to legend, Monk Kukai has been in deep meditation since the 8th century. This place attracts many Japanese people who wish to find peace among respected individuals and religious figures. A walk along the paths of Okunoin is reminiscent of a visit to a temple and is sometimes even more captivating — stones and lanterns covered with thick moss, majestic cryptomerias marked with plaques as century-old natural monuments create an atmosphere of tranquility and solemn beauty.
Lunch during the excursion.
Check-in at the monastery hotel, optional participation in the service.
Vegetarian dinner. For those who wish, an evening walk around the ancient Buddhist cemetery. Overnight stay at the monastery hotel “shukubo” near the Buddhist temple.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Sekishoin, Japanese Room (mattress futon) or similar


Day 9. October 25, 2025 (Saturday). OSAKA. HISTORICAL NEIGHBORHOODS OF KITA AND MINAMI — OSAKA CASTLE — DOTONBORI DISTRICT

Optional participation in the morning service. Vegetarian breakfast at the hotel, check-out.
Transfer to Osaka by arranged transport.
We will go on a journey through the central historical neighborhoods of Osaka — Kita and Minami. These areas are famous for their unique atmosphere and rich history.
In the Honmachi area, we will be able to feel the special spirit of the old city and enjoy its unique flavor.
We will visit Osaka Castle, built at the end of the 16th century by Toyotomi Hideyoshi as an advanced fortification, it is one of the most famous castles in Japan. Its interiors were decorated with unprecedented luxury for medieval Japan. The castle burned down in the mid-19th century and was restored in the early 20th century from concrete. Destroyed during World War II, it was rebuilt again in the 1990s and today is one of the main tourist attractions in Osaka.
A walk along Midosuji Avenue will give us the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of urban architecture and greenery. And the narrow and atmospheric streets of Dotonbori, Umeda, and Namba will allow us to feel like part of local life and get to know the everyday culture of the city dwellers.
Dotonbori is an area along the eponymous canal with a history dating back 400 years. In the early 17th century, the Osaka government designated this area for entertainment venues, and by the end of the Edo period, there were six Kabuki theaters, five Bunraku theaters, and many small stages. Restaurants and cafes grew up soon around the theaters, and Dotonbori became a popular place for evening relaxation.
Today, although traditional theaters have almost disappeared, the area remains a vibrant center of nightlife, entertainment, and gastronomy. We will pay special attention to Osaka street food. This is a great opportunity to try a variety of local dishes and snacks that are famous for their taste and originality.
No less impressive will be the Umeda Sky Building’s open observation deck. It offers stunning views of Osaka and the Yodo River. Built in 1993 according to the project of architect Hara Hiroshi, the Umeda Sky Building ranks 19th on the list of the tallest buildings in Osaka and is one of the most notable features of the city skyline. Two forty-story towers are connected at the top by the “Floating Observation Garden”, from the glass verandas of which beautiful views of the northern part of the city open up.
Lunch during the excursion.
Check-in at the hotel.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Vischio Osaka or similar


Day 10. Otober 26, 2025 (Sunday). WHITE HERON CASTLE OF HIMEJI - KOKOEN GARDENS - TRAVEL TO TOKYO

Hotel breakfast, check-out. Transfer to Himeji by high-speed Shinkansen train (2nd class).
We will go on a walking tour of the city of Himeji, where we will visit Himeji-jo Castle, also known as the White Heron Castle. It is one of the 12 preserved historical castles in Japan and perhaps the most beautiful of them, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built at the beginning of the 17th century, it was surpassed in size and magnificence only by the lost Edo Castle, the former residence of the Tokugawa shoguns. The castle, which has avoided destruction from wars, fires, and natural disasters for 400 years, has become a filming location for many historical films.
Its defensive secrets, stories about spirits and gods, as well as its graceful white walls gave it the name “White Heron Castle.”
The Koko-en Garden complex was laid near Himeji Castle relatively recently — in 1992, to celebrate the city’s 100th anniversary. In the small territory of the complex, there are 9 landscape gardens of different styles, walking through which you can not only enjoy seasonal flowers but also learn many interesting details of Japanese landscape art. Lunch during the excursion.
Transfer to Tokyo by high-speed Shinkansen train (2nd class).
Check-in at the hotel.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Ginza Premier 4* or similar


Day 11. October 27, 2025 (Monday). NIKKO TOUR

Breakfast at the hotel, check out. Today we will travel along the old postal road Nakasendo.
Nakasendo was one of the five main roads of the Edo period and one of two that connected Edo (Tokyo) and Kyoto. By the end of the Edo period, its length was 534 kilometers, with 69 post stations along the way. Unlike the coastal Tokaido, this mountain road bypassed major rivers, not requiring boat crossings. The origins of Nakasendo date back to the 7th century, when the first roads were built to connect the inland provinces with the central regions. In the 15th–17th centuries, individual sections were combined, and at the beginning of the Edo period, Nakasendo received the status of a state road with official post stations. Some old sections and stations have survived to this day. In Nagano Prefecture, in the Kiso Valley, part of the road and post stations have been preserved as historical and cultural monuments and open museums.
We will visit three key post stations of the road - Tsumago, Magome and Narai. Each of them is a unique architectural complex reflecting the history and culture of Japan at that time. Here we will better understand how the postal system functioned in the Edo period.
Lunch during the excursion.
Transfer to Matsumoto. Check-in at the hotel.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Matsumoto Hotel Kagetsu 4* or similar


Day 12. October 28, 2025 (Tuesday). DEPARTURE FROM TOKYO

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Narita or Haneda International Airport**.
Recommended flights to Moscow:

• Air China, depart Tokyo on October 28 at 08:30, transfer in Beijing 2h 10min, arrive in Moscow on October 28 at 17:00**
• Any other flight departing at any time on October 28.

** Included transfer will be provided for participants departing on the specified flight from Haneda Airport. Other participants will need to get to the airport by taxi or public transport.

Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation: no