April 9 - 19, 2026
Post tour to Hiroshima, Miyajima, and Osaka
April 19 - 23, 2026
Japan Tour 2026
Japan 2026 Tour - Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto
Temples, Textiles and Tea during Cherry Blossom Season
Join us for this exciting Japan 2026 adventure, an unforgettable ten-day journey from April 9-19, 2026 to Tokyo, Kanazawa and Kyoto with a five-day post tour from April 19-23 to Hiroshima, Miyajima, and Osaka. We will explore the rich, ancient traditions alongside modern innovations, the fascinating and diverse culture, and the amazing beauty that is Japan - all during the stunning Cherry Blossom Season! Included are visits to important temples, shrines and gardens. Experience an overnight temple stay with a Zazen meditation lesson and morning prayer. Attend workshops including tin casting, woodworking, glass blowing, and Ikebana, all important crafts in Japan. Participate in a private tea ceremony in the beautiful setting of Kenrokuen Garden. Learn more about the textiles and fabrics unique to Japan in Nippori Fabric Town and Nishijin Textile Center.
This year’s tour starts in the capital city of Tokyo, where we explore local districts as Asakusa, take a river cruise through the heart of Tokyo on the Sumida River, see beautiful cherry blossoms at Ueno Park, and shop Yanaka Ginza as well as Nippori Fabric Town. In Kanazawa we will learn of Japan’s crafts, visit Kenrokuen Garden, and experience a special night stay at the Hakujukan Temple Lodge in Fukui . In Kyoto, we visit several temples and shrines, including Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, and Fushimi Inari.
For those that want to make the most of their travel to Japan, there is a 5-day, 4-night post tour to Hiroshima, Miyajima, and Osaka. In the vibrant, historically significant Hiroshima, we visit the Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Dome as well as the rebuilt HIroshima Castle and Shukkeien Gardens. We take a train and ferry to the island of Miyajima, another Unesco World Heritage site to visit the Itsukashima Shrine and explore Mt. Misen, with its beautiful forests and ancient temples. In Osaka we visit Osaka Castle, the Umeda Sky Building and the Temmabashi shopping district with a stroll along the beautiful Dotonbori River.
This tour promises a captivating experience that appeals to nature lovers and cultural enthusiasts alike.
“Thanks so much for planning an awesome trip! The itinerary and cultural experiences were great!”
— DeDe
“How do you repeat such an exceptional trip? I seriously only have good memories. ”
— Ingrid
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Visit Nishijin and Nippori
Visit the Nippori fabric district of Tokyo and the Nishijin textile district of Kyoto for a close look at what makes Japanese textiles unique.
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Private Tea Ceremony at Kenrokuen Garden
Experience tea ceremony culture at Kenrokutei, a historic setting where the lord once entertained important guests.
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Visit World Heritage Village of Shirakawa-go
Explore the traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses of Shirakawa-go, some of which are over 250 years old.
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Visit the Higashi Chaya Geisha District
Visit historic Geisha houses, traditional places for feasts and enertainment since the Edo period, now designated Japanese cultural assets.
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Learn Zazen meditation at Hakujukan Temple lodging
Sooth your soul with a zen experience while staying at the luxurious Hakujakan hotel of Eiheiji Temple.
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Japan Post Tour to Hiroshima, Miyajima and Osaka
Stay for an additional 5 days to explore the vibrant city of HIroshima, the giant Torii Gate and Misen Mountain in Miyajima, and Osaka, the textile center of Japan.
Activity Level 2: Moderate
This is the majority of our tours, with a balance of time spent on sedentary activities, such as sightseeing on the bus and attending classes or lectures, and physical exertion. The more strenuous activities, such as hiking, horseback riding, kayaking, and paragliding, are often optional, with other less exerting activities or free time, making this tour suitable for most fitness levels. Travelers participating in the more strenuous activities need to be able to walk up to 3-4 miles, or 2-3 hours, over uneven, sometimes hilly terrain with a day pack. There will be some early morning starts and late day finishes.
Japan 2026 Tour - Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto
Dates: April 9-19, 2026
Enrollment opens June 23, 2025!
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Japan, featuring breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural experiences, and traditional Japanese cuisine. Visit some of the most important temples, gardens, and textile centers in the world with guided tours of the vibrant and historic cities of Tokyo, Kanazawa and Kyoto, including a temple stay and participating in craft workshops.
Arrival day, Thursday, April 9, 2026 - Tokyo
Today after a late afternoon arrival at the Haneda International Airport we meet our guide, who will be with us for the next 10 days, and head to our hotel, the b Asakusa, centrally located, where we will stay the next three nights.
Day 2: Friday, April 10, 2026 – Asakusa, Odaiba, teamLab Planets
Today we tour the Asakusa Area, the old theatre district of Tokyo known for its old vibe with many temples and shops. Then a boat cruise on the Sumida River to Odaiba, a man made island connected to Tokyo by the famous Rainbow Bridge for lunch. Experience a ‘walk through water’ to see the amazing artwork by teamLab Planets, a one of a kind experience. Then back to our hotel for a lovely group welcome dinner.
Day 3: Saturday, April 11, 2026 – Ueno Park, Yanaka Ginza
Today we visit Ueno park, one of the oldest, and certainly the most popular of Japan’s city parks. Originally part of Kaneiji Temple, housing several museums, it is most famous for its cherry blossoms, with more than 1,000 trees lining its central pathway. In the afternoon we take the local train to Yanaka Ginza, a historic shopping district famous for its small shops and street food, with a tranquil atmosphere, rich history and cultural heritage. While there we will stop into Nippori Fabric Town for a view of some of Japan’s unique fabrics and textiles.
Day 4: Sunday, April 12, 2026 – Kanazawa, Kenrokuen
Today we leave Tokyo by train and head to Kanazawa, an old castle town with over 400 years of history. Designated a ‘Unesco Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art’, it is the epicenter of Japanese crafts. In the afternoon we enjoy a private tea ceremony at Kenrokuen Garden, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan and certainly its most famous landscape garden. Then to the Mitsui Garden Hotel Kanazawa where we will stay the next three nights.
Day 5: Monday, April 13, 2026 – Shirakawago, Higashichaya
Today we have a guided tour of Shirakawago, a Unesco World Heritage Village, with picturesque thatched-roof houses built in the gassho-zukuri style, built to withstand their heavy snowfalls. In the afternoon we return to Kanazawa to spend time at Higashichaya, the historical geisha district, with its restored tea houses and taverns reminiscent of a bygone era.
Day 6: Tuesday, April 14, 2026 – Toyama, Craft Workshops
Today as part of our guided tour of Toyama, we will visit and participate in some of the craft workshops Japan is famous for, including Nousaku (tin casting), Kumiko Wood working, and the Toyama Glass Art Museum.
Day 7: Wednesday, April 15, 2026 – Temple Stay, Zazen Meditation
Today we leave Kanazawa via train to Fukui, land of rich history and culture, where we will experience a stay at the Hakujukan Temple Lodge. In the afternoon we will participate in a Zazen mediation lesson at the temple, with free time after to explore the natural beauty of the local area.
Day 8: Thursday, April 16, 2026 – Kyoto, Fushimi Inari
Today after a very early morning prayer, we leave Fukui and board a train to Kyoto, once the capital of Japan and now famous for its many Buddhist temples, gardens, imperial palaces, Shinto shrines and traditional wooden houses. We have leisure time in the afternoon where folks may choose to visit local yarn shops or Fushimi Inari, one of the most recognized and famous shrines in Japan, with an opportunity to hike some of the trails in sacred Mount Inari. Then to Mercure Kyoto Station where we will be staying the next three nights.
Day 9: Friday, April 17, 2026 – Nanazenji Temple, Kiyomizu-dera, Ninenzaka
Today our tour of Kyoto includes a visit to Nanazenji Temple, a walk alongside the beautiful Kamagawa river to see the cherry blossoms, a stop by Nishiki market for lunch, an afternoon Ikebana experience, then to Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Ninen-zaka the ancient pedestrian road lined with traditional buildings and shops.
Day 10: Saturday, April 18, 2026 – Kinkaku-ji, Ryoanji Temple, Arashiyama
Today we continue our exploration of Kyoto, with a visit to Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Temple), a Zen Buddhist temple covered in gold leaf, the Ryoanji Temple and Zen Garden, Japan’s most famous rock garden, as well as the Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, over a thousand years old! We head to Arashiyama for lunch and afternoon exploration, including the famous bamboo forest. Tonight we will enjoy a lovely farewell dinner.
Day 11: Sunday, April 19, 2026 – Farewell, transport to Kansai airport
Those travelers not staying for the Hiroshima, Miyajima, Osaka post tour will be transported to the Kansai airport at a designated time for their flights home.
Note: While we strive to follow the itinerary and lodging, changes may occur due to unforeseen circumstances.
Japan Post Tour - Hiroshima, Miyajima, Osaka
Dates: April 19-23, 2026
For those that want to make the most of their travel to Japan, there is an amazing 4 night, 5 day post tour that you won’t want to miss - a visit to the vibrant and historically significant Hiroshima, exploring the island of Miyajima with its Great Torii Gate, its forests and ancient temples, and a stay in the bustling city of Osaka before returning home.
Day 1, Sunday, April 19, 2026 - Today we board the Shinkansen bullet train for Hiroshima and head to our hotel, the Hotel Intergate Hiroshima, where we will stay the next two nights. In the afternoon we’ll take a visit to the rebuilt Hiroshima Castle, with a lovely history museum and panoramic views from the top. And then to the carefully landscaped Shukkeien Garden, a typical Japanese garden featuring a lovely trail, central pond and small bridges, with valley, mountains and forests represented in miniature.
Day 2, Monday, April 20, 2026 - Hiroshima, Miyajima - Today we have a guided tour of the Hiroshima Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Dome, a World Uneso Heritage Site. From there we take the train and ferry to Miyajima, visit the Itsukashima Shrine and explore the forests and ancient temples of Mt. Misen.
Day 3, Monday, April 20, 2026 - Travel to Osaka - we travel to Osaka, the textile center of Japan, by train, to the Hotel Intergate Osaka Umeda where we will stay the next two nights. Afternoon at our leisure to visit yarn stores and fabric shops.
Day 4, Sunday, April 21, 2026 - Today we have a guided tour of Osaka including Osaka Castle, Umeda Sky building, Temmabashi shopping arcade, and a walk along the river in Dotonbori.
Day 5, Monday, April 22, 2026 - Today we say farewell to Japan, transfer to the Kansai airport, and board our flights home!
Note: While we strive to follow the itinerary and lodging, changes may occur due to unforeseen circumstances.
“These trips are so very rich in experience and learning. And such lovely fellow travelers, many are friends now! ”
— Ingrid
Included in the Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto price:
All accommodation (based on double occupancy)
All breakfasts
2 group dinners
Guided tours and activities
Bus and train travel during the tour
Guide and driver tips
Taxes and service charges for all included services
Transfer to and from Haneda Airport at a designated time
The cost of the 10-day, 10-night Japan 2026 Tour is $5,995.00
The cost of the 5-day, 4-night extension to Hiroshima, Miyajima and Osaka is an additional $1,895.00
Included in the Hiroshima, Miyajima, Osaka Post Tour:
All accommodation (based on double occupancy)
all breakfasts
one farewell dinner
Guide services in Hiroshima, Miyajima and Osaka
Train and ferry travel during tour
train transport to Hiroshima, transfer to hotel
transport from hotel to Kansai Airport at a designated time
NOT Included in the Hiroshima, Miyajima, Osaka Post Tour:
daily public transport
other not included items listed above
NOT Included in the price:
International Airfare: Flights to and from Japan
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
Personal Expenses: Souvenirs, snacks, and any other personal expenditures
Travel insurance (always highly recommended)
Single Supplement Cost for Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto Tour: an additional $900 (please note: our one night temple stay is double occupancy only!)
Single Supplement Cost for Hiroshima, Miyajima, Osaka post tour: an additional $400
All deposits and payments are non-refundable if the trip is cancelled for any reason. Elegant Ewe Travel highly recommends trip insurance for all excursions. To purchase, contact our friend Sandy at Sandy@pennypitoutravel.com.