Sacred Journey To Japan

Join me on an unforgettable journey to Japan, a land where ancient traditions meet cutting-edge modernity. From the vibrant streets of Tokyo to the serene temples of Kyoto, Japan offers a captivating blend of culture, history, and natural beauty. Picture yourself strolling through tranquil gardens, admiring centuries-old temples and witnessing the breathtaking sights of snow-capped mountains. Whether you’re drawn to the bustling energy of urban life or the peaceful charm of rural landscapes, Japan promises an adventure that will leave you enchanted at every turn. November is an ideal time to visit Japan for beautiful fall colors, fewer tourists, affordable prices, and perfect weather in the 60’s.

USA-TOYKO

Depart USA for Tokyo (Haneda or Narita International Airport).

TOKYO

Reception upon arrival and transfer to Shiba Park Hotel.

Overnight at Shiba Park Hotel.

TOKYO (B,D)

Morning departure with our private guide for Asakusa, Tokyo’s old town, where we can experience what Tokyo must have been like hundreds of years ago. We will first have a lesson in shodo, Japanese calligraphy. Next we will visit Sensoji (Asakusa Kannon) Tokyo’s oldest temple, located along Nakamise, a shopping street providing temple visitors various traditional, local snack and souvenirs for centuries. Next we’ll travel across town to Omotesado where flagship stores and spectacular architecture adorn the main boulevard.  In the afternoon we will visit Meiji Shrine, a shrine dedicated to the deified spirit of Emperor Meiji and a popular place for Japanese weddings. We will end the evening with a Welcome Dinner at the hotel.

Overnight at Shiba Park Hotel.

TOKYO (B,L)

We’ll start the day with a visit to Tsukiji Outer Market, which is a district adjacent to the site of the former Tsukiji Wholesale Market. Here we will embark on a sushi making experience as we learn about sushi and Japanese food culture, and will leave with home-made sushi for lunch. In the early afternoon we’ll enjoy a guided stroll in the beautiful Kiyosumi Teien Gardens, which is the first location to be designated a site of scenic beauty by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. The gardens date back to 1721 when the area was a villa for a feudal lord, but in the 19th century, it was purchased by Iwaskai Yataro, founder of the Mitsubishi Corporation who transported 50 precious stones from all over Japan to this garden and set them around a pond surrounded by beautiful plants.

As we walk through this charming residential district we will arrive at Fukagawa Fudo-do-Temple where lies the statue of Fudomyo, a fierce-looking representation of Buddha’s determination. Here we will experience the Goma Kito ceremony, where a Buddhist priest burns consecrated wooded sticks in a large fire to give protection and make the wishes of those who offered the sacred wood come true.

Overnight at Shiba Park Hotel.

TOKYO-KAMAKURA-HAKONE (B,D)

After checking out of the hotel, we will depart to Kamakura with our first stop at the Hasedera Temple. Regarded as one of the largest wooden sculptures in Japan, the 9.18  meter-tall, gilden wooden statue depicts Kannon, the goddess of mercy with eleven heads each representing a characteristic of the goddess. We will then visit Kotokuin Temple, home to Daibutsu, a giant-bronze Buddha that stands (or rather, sits) 13.35m high. We will continue our drive to Hakone. After arriving to the hotel in the early afternoon, you will have access to the onsen, baths that use mineral water from the naturally heated springs.   

Overnight at Susukinohara Ichinoyu.

HAKONE (B,D)

In the morning, depart for Hakone Shrine, a shrine very popular among Samurai during the 12th century. Hidden amongst a deep forest, it would be easy to miss if it weren’t for it’s magnificent Torii gates. Next we will make our way to the Hakonemachi Port where we will board a Pirate Boat to cross Lake Ashi from Hakonemachi to Togendai. This lake is an enormous volcanic crater created by an eruption 3,000 years ago. Upon arrival we will continue our journey via Rope Way towards Owakudani where you may smell the sulfur coming from the active volcano. We will end the day with dinner at the hotel. 

Overnight at Susukinohara Ichinoyu.

HAKONE-MATSUMOTO (B,L)

Today we depart to Matsumoto and our first stop at the Ishii Miso Brewery. Founded in 1868, it is still producing miso by a unique, traditional and natural method where the miso is fermented for three years in wooden barrels. We will enjoy lunch here.

After lunch we will visit Matsumoto Castle, which is the city’s most famous icon. Known as the “black crow castle”, its history stretches back to the late 16th/early 17th century. Unusual for a Japanese castle, it is not built on elevated ground but is instead built on flat plains. As one of Japan’s few remaining original castles, the wooden interior of the castle is a rare snapshot into Japanese feudal military tactics as well as an interesting museum. From the sixth floor, we can enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the Japan Alps and Matsumoto city.   

Overnight at Matsumoto Marunouchi Hotel

MATSUMOTO (B,L)

Morning transfer for a day trip to Jigokudani Yaen Koen. Here we will meet the resident Japanese Macaques (snow monkeys) who like to bathe in the bubbling water created from boiling water that bubbles out of small crevices in the frozen ground. The monkeys live in large social groups, and as they are accustomed to humans they can be observed quite closely as they almost completely ignore their human guests.

MATSUMOTO (B,L)

We’ll have lunch at a local restaurant and then in the afternoon we will visit the nearby charming, traditional town of Obuse. The town is known for its delicious chestnuts and the home of Hokusai, the famous painter and printmaker from Japan’s Edo period, where a visit to the museum here is a must. Over 100 houses in Obuse participate in an ‘Open Garden’ scheme. If you see this sign in front of the house, it means you can enter the property and enjoy the gardens, giving you a unique insight into Japanese houses. In the afternoon we will make our way back to Matsumoto.

Overnight at Matsumoto Marunouchi Hotel.

MATSUMOTO-KYOTO (B,L)

Today we will board the Shinano Express to Nagoya where we will transfer to the bullet train taking us to Kyoto. Upon arrival to Kyoto we will visit Fushimi Inari Shrine. Voted a number one must see spot in Japan, the thousands of vermillion torii gates leading up the sacred forest paths of Mount Inari has become an iconic image of Japanese scenery.

Overnight at Kyoto Century Hotel.

KYOTO (B)

We begin the day with an an authentic tea ceremony experience at a temple/machiya townhouse. Here the tea ceremony teacher will explain how to eat the seasonal sweets from a traditional sweet maker and how to properly make and drink the tea. We will also participate in a traditional Kimono dressing experience.

In the afternoon, we will travel to the nearby town of Arashiyama. Our first stop is the Tenryuji temple. Established in 1339, Tenryuji is a celebrated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The grounds were designed by the founding monk, Musou Souseki, widely regarded as the father of Japanese landscape gardening. Lovingly maintained since its construction, it serves as a living example of an art that has become a founding principle of Japanese aesthetics.

Next we will visit the Arashiyama bamboo grove, one of the most celebrated photography spots in Kyoto. Tucked within its verdant lanes is the charming Nonomiya shrine. Due to its portrayal in classic literature, most notably in the world’s first novel, “The Tale of Genji,” it has become associated with love, and safe childbirth.

We then visit the Kimono forest which is located at Randen Arashiyama Station. Inside the station, bright cylindrical pillars in a variety of colors and patterns are placed in rows. The pillars are made with dyed fabric using the traditional Kyo-Yuzen technique. Looking like a forest, we’ll make our way through a dreamlike, fantasy land.

Overnight at Kyoto Century Hotel.

KYOTO (B,L)

Today we will visit Ryoanji, which is maybe the most famous rock zen garden of Japan. It was built on the grounds of a villa of the Fujiwara clan in the Heian period. Next we visit Kinkakuji, also known as the Golden Pavilion and one of Kyoto’s most famous temples. Originally built as a pleasure villa for the Shogun Yoshimitsu Ashikaga, after his death it became a Buddhist Temple at his request, with its top two floors completely covered in gold-leaf.

We will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, we will visit Kiyomizu temple (pure water temple) which derives its name from the waters that spring from the east mountains and flow to the site. Progressing through the temple complex, enjoy a variety of sights, including spectacular views of Kyoto city as well as the 13-meter-high wooden veranda of the temple’s main hall, built without using a single nail.

From Kiyomizu temple, we will continue our walking tour and head towards the Higashiyama district. The Higashiyama District along the lower slopes of Kyoto’s eastern mountains is one of the city’s best preserved historic districts, and a great place to experience traditional old Kyoto. The streets in Higashiyama are lined by small shops, cafes and restaurants which have been catering to tourists and pilgrims for centuries. These businesses retain their traditional design, and they continue to serve customers today, selling local specialties such as Kiyomizu-yaki pottery, sweets, pickles, crafts and other souvenirs.

Overnight at Kyoto Century Hotel.

KURAMA (B,L)

Today will be a very special day, as we visit sacred Mt Kurama, the birthplace of Reiki.  This is where Mikao Usui meditated for 21 days and received the Reiki energy. We will go on a day trip to Kurama to visit Kurama’s main attraction, Kurama-dera, a Buddhist temple located along the steep wooded mountainside above the town. A cable car leads about halfway up the mountain and we will walk the remainder. The temple’s main buildings stand on a terrace on the mountain slope, overlooking the wooded valley. 

We will have lunch at a local restaurant and then continue our day with a stroll to the little town of Kibune, which was developed around the Kifune Shrine. Kifune Shrine is dedicated to the god of water and rain and believed to be the protector of those at sea. Here we can obtain a unique type of fortune written on paper slips (omikuji) that reveal their messages when dipped into water. 

Overnight at Kyoto Century Hotel.

KYOTO-OSAKA (B,D)

Today we travel to our final stop, Osaka. We will first explore Osaka Castle, which is one of Japan’s most famous castles, and has played a major role in the unification of Japan during the sixteenth century. The contrast between the old Osaka Castle park with its large stone walls and the surrounding skyscrapers provides an excellent example of the balance between modern Japan and its rich cultural heritage.

Next, we will visit Dotombori. Dotombori street runs parallel to the Dotonbori canal and is a popular shopping and entertainment district and is quickly becoming a food destination. Our last stop will be at the Umeda Sky Building, an architecturally quirky building. From the observatory, we can enjoy an unobstructed 360-degree view of Osaka Bay. We will end the day with a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight at Hotel Vischio Osaka

OSAKA (B)

After breakfast we will have a transfer to Itami and Kansai International Airport.

Double in a shared room  $6,495
Single Room Supplement – add $1,898

A deposit of $750 is required to reserve your space. 

2nd payment March 1, 2025 – $3000
Final payment July 15, 2025 – $2745

Send your check to Susan Duval, 200 Spruce St, Apt C5, Doylestown PA 18901.
OR by Zelle to SusanDuvalSeminars@gmail.com
OR by Venmo (full payment) to Susan-Duval-2
OR by credit card via Paypal – add 4%.  Please speak to Susan for exact amounts.

CONTACT SUSAN FOR A REGISTRATION FORM
Call 267-614-6012 cell or email SusanDuvalSeminars@gmail.com

• Hotel accommodations for 12 nights
• PRIVATE Motor coach 
• Train transfers
• Airport transfers for same time group arrival + departures
• English speaking tour guides
• Tips included

• International flights
• Travel & Health Insurance
• Meals not mentioned in tour description
• Alcohol and soft drinks
• Private airport transfers

Insurance

The purchase of trip cancellation / emergency medical travel insurance is highly recommended for unforeseen emergencies.  No one likes to buy it, but if you need it, you’ll be REALLY happy you got it.

Click here for Susan’s favorite travel insurance company  https://insuremytripus.pxf.io/c/4993643/1750338/20452 with prices for various reputable travel insurance policies (especially for age 70+). 

If you have pre-existing conditions, it’s best to select a policy that covers you for them.  Usually you need to buy it for the FULL cost of your trip within 10 days after putting down the deposit for the tour.  Call customer service for assistance with this.

NOTE: If you don’t have any pre-existing conditions, you may purchase travel insurance to cover your deposit and then add to it when you buy your flights + make the second and final payments.