Japan: Tokyo, Hakone, Kanazawa, Kyoto
Includes airfare
During your trip, you will have the opportunity to join optional tours to further your discoveries—all of which are noted below. Most of these tours can only be reserved onsite with your Trip Experience Leader, however due to limited space and other special requirements, some optional tours must be reserved before your departure from the U.S. If this trip has optional tours that need to be purchased in advance, they will be noted with a disclaimer below.
Day 13 | $100 per person
Day 13 | $100 per person
Immerse yourself in one of Japan’s oldest traditions with a visit to a local sake brewery. Learn how this beloved rice-based spirit has been crafted and cherished for over 2,500 years. You’ll sample a variety of sake styles and even create your own souvenir bottle to take home.
Day 9 | $175 per person
Day 9 | $175 per person
On this optional tour, we'll discover the unique culture, lifestyle, and architecture of Gokayama, a mountain village—and UNESCO World Heritage Site—in the forested countryside outside of Kanazawa. First, we'll witness the distinctive architectural style known as gassho-zukuri, which is characterized by steeply pitched thatched roofs that are both striking and elegant, as we tour the traditional houses of Ainokura. Then, we'll learn the art of mochitsuki, or rice-cake making, followed by a visit to a workshop in Gokayama to see how washi—a thick, fibrous paper made from mulberry bark—is created. During our visit, we'll also learn more about the history and culture of Gokayama, enjoy a traditional dance performance, and savor a traditional lunch of soba (buckwheat noodles) at a local restaurant.