Itinerary

1. Day 1: Departure

   27 September 2025

   Upon arrival and after clearing immigration/customs formalities you are met by an Abercrombie & Kent representative (English-speaking assistant) who is waiting for you in the Arrival Hall with a yellow Abercrombie & Kent sign, and transferred by private vehicle (luggage store in the same vehicle) to your hotel to check-in. 

   After check in, welcome reception at the Peter’s bar followed by e dinner at Peter (Western/Japanese fusion course – reserved table)

2. Day 2: Arrival in Tokyo

   28 September 2025  

   (10:00-17:00) Full day tour with English-speaking guide by private vehicle including: 

   • Tsukiji Market with food sampling
   • Asakusa Temple and Nakamise
   • Meiji Jingu Shrine
   • Shibuya Cross 

   Your first stop is the Tsukiji Fish Market, once the largest such market in the world. The fish market has relocated but the outer market is a thrill to explore. Discover a dizzying array of goods, from dried foods and seasonings to fresh produce and all manner of kitchen utensils.   

   Then, transfer to Senso-ji, the oldest and most impressive temple in Tokyo. It was built in 645 to house a tiny golden statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. Dating back to the 17th century, Nakamise, the 250-meter approach to Senso-ji, is one of the oldest shopping arcades in Japan. The temple precincts bustle with people praying, shopping and sightseeing.  

   Then, wondering in the busy streets of Akihabara, ground zero for Japanese die-hard fans of pop culture and electronics. Weaving your way through crowds of shoppers and sky-high stores festooned with colorful advertising and neon lights, you may be reminded of the movie Pokémon: Detective Pikachu. Before you leave, drop by a maid café for the peculiar experience of being ceremoniously waited on by young women dressed in pinafore costumes with frills, ribbons and other accessories. 

   Then, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. 

   After Lunch, discover Meiji Jingu, a Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife, the great-great-grandparents of the current emperor. Built in 1920, the shrine covers over 700,000 square meters of land and is thickly forested with over 120,000 trees, all donated from across Japan. For many Japanese, the shrine is both a spiritual home and an oasis in Tokyo. 

   Then, end of witnessing the world's busiest pedestrian scramble crossing known as Shibuya Crossing. The bustling neighbourhood has a reputation as a fashion and pop-culture hub and draws millions of visitors from around the world. 

   Following your tour, the remainder of the evening will be at leisure to enjoy as you please. 

3. Day 3: Tokyo – Kiso Valley -  Takayama

   29 September 2025

   *Your luggage will be transferred to Hotel Associa Takayama directly by separate vehicle.  

   (10:30-18:30) meet with guide in the morning and take Shinkansen train to Nagoya.Upon arrival, change to private bus and transfer to Takayama… en-route visit to: 

   • Kiso Valley 

   Bento box lunch on the train 

   Enjoy a full day exploring the Kiso Valley, a scenic area filled with quaint traditional towns that remind visitors of 18th-century Japan. The valley boasts beautiful landscapes and is perfect for hiking, with the famous Nakasendo Trail passing through it. 

   Following sightseeing you will be transferred to Takayama.  

4. Day 4: Takamaya

   30 September 2025

   (10:00-16:00) Full day tour with English-speaking guide by private vehicle including:  

   • Sanmachi Suji District
   • Hida no Sato Folk Village 

   First, visit the Sanmachi Suji District in Takayama, a renowned preservation area for traditional architecture. It features quaint streets, historic buildings, and a strong Edo period ambiance, making it an excellent destination for experiencing traditional Japanese culture.  

   Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. 

   After lunch, transfer to Hida no Sato Folk Village, an open-air museum preserving over 30 traditional Gassho-style houses. This site showcases the unique architecture of the region, offering visitors a glimpse into the rural lifestyle and culture of the Hida area.  

   Following sightseeing you will be transferred to hotel. 

5. Day 5: Takayama – Shirakawago – Kanazawa

   1 October 2025

   09:00 Meet your English-speaking guide in the hotel lobby and overland transfer to Shirakawago（around 60 minutes）. Commence sightseeing at: 

   • Shirakawago 

   Shirakawa is located in the Ono District of Gifu Prefecture.  The village area is located 48 kilometers (30 miles) to the west of Takayama. 

   After arriving in the Shirakawa area you first visit the scenic lookout which affords panoramic views across the valley floor.  The village is situated in the Ryohaku Mountains with the highest point in the area Mount Hakusan at 2,172 meters (7,125 feet).  The mountain setting influences the climate of the region with the village recording an average of 10 meters (415 inches) of snow each winter making this one of the snowiest places in Japan. 

   Shirakawago is the official name of the village which has a current population of 1,630 residents living in 588 households. The village has a long history dating back to the Edo period (1603 - 1868) and is one of the only areas left in central Honshu where the distinctive gassho-zukuri style of architecture can be found. The steep sloped thatched roofs provide protection from the heavy winter snowfalls.   

   The village is now an invested UNESCO World Heritage Site and the local economy is dependent on the seasonal tourism that this designation has brought.  Summer are particularly busy and there is now some concern about the village being impacted by the growing number of tourists. 

   Enjoy the balance of the day exploring the village which includes visits to selected houses to learn about the life of the villagers.   

   Then, having lunch reservation at a local restaurant  

   After sighseeing at 15:30, overland transfer to Kanazawa （around 90 minutes）and check-in to your hotel. 

   The remainder of the day will be at leisure to enjoy as you please. 

6. Day 6: Kanazawa – Tokyo – Embarkation

   10:00 Meet your English-speaking guide in the hotel lobby and proceed to Kanazawa station. Take Shinkansen train bound for Tokyo. 

   Bento box lunch on the train 

   Upon arrival, transfer to private bus (35-seater) and transfer to pier and embark your cruise.