Japan in Autumn Season

Check in at Los Angeles Airport (LAX) to Tokyo. An AV Travel tour leader will assist and escort travelers throughout the trip.

Fly to Tokyo, the capital city of Japan. It is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world with a population of over 13 million residents. Tokyo is not only the center of politics and economy of Japan, but also a center of the global economy and culture. (B/D)

Begin your journey to Nikko – a town at the entrance to Nikko National Park, most famous for Toshogu, Japan’s most lavishly decorated shrine and the mausoleum of Tokugawa leyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate. Nikko had been a center of Shinto and Buddhist mountain worship for many centuries before Toshogu was built in the 1600s. Visit Nikko Tosho-guis, a Shinto shrine, which is part of the “Shrines and Temples of Nikko” and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, initially built in 1617. Continue to visit Futarasan Shrine stands next to Toshogu. Much older than its more lavish neighbor, Futarasan Shrine was founded in 782 by Shodo Shonin, the Buddhist monk who introduced Buddhism to Nikko. Futarasan Shrine is dedicated to the deities of Nikko’s three most sacred mountains: Mount Nantai, Mount Nyoho and Mount Taro. (B/L/D)

Journey to Tokyo. Your sightseeing tour begins with a visit to Asakusa district, which is famous for the Sensō-ji, a Buddhist temple dedicated to the bodhisattva Kannon. Visit the City Hall, where you can see the vast urban vista of Tokyo from its observation floor. (B/L/D)

This morning we’ll visit the exterior bronze statue of Amida Buddha, called The Great Buddha of Kamakura. The statue was built in 1252 in Kamakura city.

Carry on to Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest mountain. On a clear day, the Fujisan’s perfectly shaped volcano slopes can be seen from Tokyo and Yokohama. If you’re inspired by the beauty of the Japanese landscape, you’ll enjoy the crisp mountain air and Mt Fuji views. Throughout the history of Japan, people worshipped Mt. Fuji as a mountain where the god lives. In Autumn, the red an orange leaves make the mountain’s blue more beautiful.

Overnight stay in the Mount Fuji area. We’ll be staying at a ryokan (a traditional Japanese inn). After dinner, you can enjoy bathing in the onsens (thermal hot springs) that Mount Fuji has to offer, and have all of your tiredness after a long day rinsed out. (B/L/D)

Depart to Nagoya, an important industrial hub, the city home of many companies such as Honda Motor Company, Roland Corporation, Kawai Pianos, Yamaha, Sony, Suzuki Motor Company… Visit Samurai Magome-juku. A walk though Magome-juku will transport you back to the Edo period, some 300 years ago. The area is known internationally as a place that retains the particular atmosphere of old Japanese posting stations. This scenic trail is especially popular among overseas visitors who seek an authentic experience of traditional life. (B/L/D)

This morning, enjoy taking the ferry to Ise, formerly known as Ujiyamada, located on the eastern Mie Prefecture on the island of Honshu. Ise is home to the Ise Grand Shrine, the most sacred Shinto Shrine in Japan; thus, it’s a very popular tourist destination. Ise’s history is directly linked to the Ise Grand Shrine and has a long-standing nickname Shinto, which means “The Holy City”. Ise Grand Shrine is separated into two main parts: The Inner Shrine and the Outer Shrine. Despite the names, these are actually two physically separate shrines approximately six kilometers apart. Make a stop at the Wedded Rocks (known as Meoto Iwa in Japanese). The two rocks represent a married couple who, according to Shinto mythology, created Japan and the spirits that exist in people, places, and objects. The rocks were featured in the movie Sayonara co-produced by Japan and the U.S. (B/L/D)

We’ll move on to Nara, Japan’s first capital city. Pay a visit to Todaiji Temple, once one of the powerful Seven Great Temples and still houses the world’s largest bronze statue of the Buddha Vairocana. We will also stop by Nara Deer Park before moving on to Kyoto.

Kyoto was Japan’s capital city from 794 to 1868 before the title was given to Tokyo city. For 12 centuries in history, Kyoto witnessed all the rise and fall of Japan.

At the heart of Kyoto lies Gion, the center of the city’s art. Gion is the most charming in the early evening, when the lanterns are lit and Geishas and Maikos flit about the back streets on their way to their appointments. (B/L/D)

Known as the cradle of Japan’s cultural heritage, Kyoto was Japan’s capital and the emperor’s residence from 794 until 1868. It is probably the most popular and crowded spot but still it worth the visit. Places such as Kiyomizu Temple & Golden Pavilion will be surrounded by beautiful autumn foliage. You’ll see the main highlights of the wonderfully rich cultrue of Kyoto. Your guide will also introduce you to Kyoto’s most popular temple, Kinkakuji, home of the world’s most authentic and exquisite Japanese garden as well as the celebrated Golden Pavilion. (B/L/D)

Enjoy bullet train from Kyoto to Kobe, the scene of the worst earthquake in the living memory of most Japanese, has rebuilt and revitalized to form one of the most delightful and peaceful cities you can wish to visit. Historically, due to its port, Kobe has a long history of foreign contact, which has imbued its people with a very global outlook and attitude. Enjoy lunch with Kobe beef. Stop at Sake factory for a try. Drive to Osaka, is widely decried as Japan’s uncouth relative. Down to earth, direct and in turns hilarious and offensive to Japanese sensibilities. With a population of 2.5 million, Osaka is Japan’s third largest and second most important city. It has been the economic powerhouse of the Kansai region for many centuries. (B/L/D)

This morning, we’ll visit Osaka castle, was built by the hegemon Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who ruled Japan in the latter half of the 16th century, on the site of a temple called Ishiyama Hongan-ji. The construction work began in 1583 and most buildings such as the castle tower were completed in 1585. Visit Abeno Harukas, standing at 300 meters, where you can see Osaka city from an observation deck. Enjoy shopping in Shinsaibashi district before going to the airport and flying back to Los Angeles. (B/L)