Signature Japan | Through Temples & Time

Welcome to the ancient city of Kyoto, where old Japan thrives in Buddhist temples, Zen gardens, and traditional teahouses. Complimentary arrival transfers are provided today. Those arriving early can join an optional guided walk tracing the quieter paths around the Fushimi Inari Taisha, climbing through peaceful forests and descending through the scarlet torii gate (available to prebook on request). As evening falls, join your Signature Guide for our welcome reception: a serene dinner in the meticulously designed garden of Ganko Takasegawa Nijoen. This special culinary experience showcases Kyoto’s finest cuisine.

Rise early for a contemplative journey through the Arashiyama district, beginning with Tenryu-ji Temple, where we are welcomed to practise shakyo, tracing an ancient sutra in quiet devotion, before continuing through the temple gardens and into the iconic bamboo groves. A short walk leads to Gio-ji Temple, a hidden garden sanctuary of tranquil reflection. Later, a refined tempura lunch at Tempura Endo contrasts with the evening’s gentle walk through Gion to learn about geisha culture. Dinner unfolds around Pontochō Lane, a lantern-lit dining district running parallel to the Kamo River, offering an intimate and traditional Kyoto setting.

A smooth bullet train ride brings us to Hiroshima. By ferry, we reach Miyajima island, where Senjokaku Pavilion and Itsukushima Shrine frame the iconic floating torii gate. Lunch is a delicate dining experience featuring seasonal cuisine. In the afternoon, the Peace Park and Museum invite reflection, deepened by a moving private testimony from a hibakusha, the local name for an atomic bomb survivor, or a local expert.

Today is your Signature Day, where you can select an authentic, curated experience to connect deeply with Japanese culture. You could: Take part in an tea ceremony with a local tea master to appreciate the graceful philosophy and centuries-old ritual behind the preparation of matcha (10am-12pm) Join a kintsugi workshop where broken pottery is delicately restored with lacquer and gold, a poetic art form that celebrates beauty in imperfection (1.30pm-3.30pm) Enjoy an exclusive tour of an artisanal sake brewery to witness the meticulous process behind Japan’s iconic spirit before sampling a curated selection of premium sakes (4pm- 5pm) Lunch is served at a downtown restaurant near the river, with private transfers between our hotel and lunch venue ensuring a smooth journey. Signature Experience: Tonight, we have the privilege of joining an apprentice geisha for an elegant kaiseki dinner. This rare opportunity, which takes place in the historic villa where celebrated painter Takeuchi Seiho once lived, provides a unique window into Kyoto’s traditional hospitality and the life of a geisha.

Journey into the forested mountains to Kōyasan, where cedar-lined paths lead to Konpon Daitō Pagoda, heart of Shingon Buddhism. After a seasonal farm-to-table lunch, we check into our Signature Stay, a rare opportunity to experience a very basic spiritual retreat at Joki-in Temple. A simple shōjin ryōri dinner follows, echoing the monks’ daily practice. Signature Experience: At dusk, a monk takes us on a special nighttime walk through Okunoin Cemetery, one of Japan’s most sacred sites and home to over 200,000 graves and mausoleums. Our once-in-a-lifetime journey takes us to the hall where the founder of the Shingon school of Buddhism, Kūkai, is said to still meditate.

Dawn brings the morning worship, a deep resonance of chants, drums, and fire ritual, which you can take part in. After breakfast, we journey north, pausing at Gifu Castle, once thought impregnable. Enjoy lunch near Gifu before we continue to Tsumago, where we settle into a traditional ryokan. Dinner is a multi-course kaiseki feast, followed by a soothing soak in the onsen.

Signature Experience: After a traditional breakfast, we set out on foot along the Nakasendō trail from Tsumago. Stone-paved paths wind past waterfalls and farmsteads, echoing the footsteps of travellers from centuries past. Returning to our ryokan by afternoon, the remainder of the day is yours to rest or wander the quiet lanes of Kiso Fukushima.

Take a private transfer to Tokyo, pausing at Lake Kawaguchiko where, on clear days, Mount Fuji rises in perfect symmetry. Enjoy a traditional lunch in the Kawaguchiko area, featuring regional specialities in a local setting. In the afternoon, we stroll through the Imperial Palace Gardens. Once the site of Edo Castle, these gardens offer a striking contrast between Japan’s imperial past and the modern city skyline beyond. Our farewell dinner is held at Hyoki Shabu-shabu Akasaka, where the evening unfolds in a traditional tatami room with shoes set aside at the door. Here, shabu-shabu is served as it should be: thin slices of meat and seasonal vegetables swirled through a delicate broth. It is a ceremonial way to dine, bringing everyone together for a final meal that feels both intimate and distinctly Japanese.

Bid farewell to Japan today, taking your complimentary departure transfer to the airport. If you have time to linger, you might join a sushi-making class, visit a sumo stable, or immerse yourself in the digital wonder of teamLab. Alternatively, open a new chapter of discovery by speaking to your Signature Collection travel expert about extending your stay.