15-Day Journey Through Japan's Countryside, Culture & Craft Traditions
DURATION
15Days / 14 Nights
GROUP SIZE
2 Guests
GUIDE
English-Speaking local Guide(Optional)
TRANSPORTATION
Highway bus, limited express & Shinkansen(Bullet train),Private airport transfer, Local Train unlimited pass
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Private airport transfer upon arrival in Osaka
- 15 Days / 14 Nights
- Kyoto • Wazuka • Osaka • Shirakawa-go • Toyama • Kanazawa • Tokyo
- 2-Day Kansai Rail Pass
- Private Kyo-Yuzen dyeing workshop
- Farm stay in Wazuka with tea-picking experience
- Traditional minshuku stay in Shirakawa-go
- Guided visit to UNESCO-listed Shirakawa-go
- Straw sandal (Ashinaka) workshop
- Kumiko woodworking experience in Toyama
- Free time to discover Japan at your own pace
- Optional day trips to Himi, Nara, Asuka and hot spring towns
- High-speed Shinkansen journeys
- Authentic local cuisine and cultural encounters
Day1.Arrival at KIX
Upon arrival at Kansai International Airport (KIX), you will be warmly welcomed by your driver at the arrival gate. Enjoy a comfortable private transfer to your hotel in Kyoto city. After check-in, relax and unwind from your journey before starting your exciting trip in Japan.
The rest of the day is at your leisure. Take your time to relax and enjoy the surroundings at your own pace.
✓ Included: Private airport transfer by private vehicle
× Not Included: Tour guide (Optional available)
Stay overnight in Kyoto City with breakfast for 3 nights
Day2.
Explore Kyoto at Your Own Pace
Enjoy the freedom to explore the Kansai region at your own pace using the Kansai Railway Pass.
Spend one day discovering the historic temples and traditional streets of Kyoto, and another exploring the vibrant neighborhoods, shopping, and food scene of Osaka—or simply travel wherever your interests take you!
Please note:JR lines are not included.
Kyoto Municipal Subway, Keihan Otsu Line, Keifuku Railway (Randen), and buses are also excluded from the pass.
Take advantage of the convenience and flexibility of the Kansai Railway Pass to experience the region like a local.
✓ Included:
・2days Kansai Railway Pass
× Not Included: Tour guide (Optional available)
Stay overnight in Kyoto city with breakfast
Day3.
Private Kyo-Yuzen Workshop
Step inside the private home and workshop of a Kyoto Yuzen artisan, quietly nestled in a residential neighborhood. Did you know that a traditional kimono is made from a single bolt of fabric called a tanmono?
Learn how intricate patterns are carefully planned across the entire length of the fabric, and discover the craftsmanship behind each stage of the Kyoto Yuzen process—from design and resist-paste application to dyeing and delicate hand-painting.
Each artisan has a unique artistic style, making every workshop a truly personal cultural experience.As a special keepsake, you will receive either a Kyoto Yuzen fukusa (decorative cloth) or a handcrafted business card holder.
✓ Included:
・Continued 2days Kansai Railway Pass
・Private guided Kyo-Yuzen dying workshop Experience
× Not Included:
Stay overnight in Kyoto city with breakfast
Day4.
Farm Stay in Wazuka,rural Kyoto
Escape the crowds and experience a peaceful farm stay in Wazuka, a charming tea-growing village surrounded by rolling green tea fields. Just a short journey from Kyoto City, you'll be surprised by the tranquil atmosphere and slower pace of life.Spend your time as you wish—relax with a book on the engawa (traditional veranda), take a leisurely walk through the tea plantations, or simply enjoy the sounds of nature. The cheerful songs of the local birds create a soundtrack that makes every stroll through the countryside a memorable experience.
✓ Included: Traditional home-cooked dinner prepared by the farm stay host
× Not Included: Tour guide (Optional available) for another day
Stay overnight in Wazuka, rural Kyoto with dinner & breakfast
Day5.
Tea Picking Experience & Travel to Osaka
Start the morning with a seasonal tea-picking experience, learning about Japan's tea culture directly from local farmers. After checking out, travel to Osaka and enjoy the evening at your leisure.
✓ Included:
・Tea picking private-experience
× Not Included: Tour guide (Optional available)
Stay overnight in Osaka with breakfast
Day6.
Free Day in Osaka
Discover Osaka independently, from lively shopping streets to delicious local cuisine. Optional private tours are available to nearby destinations such as Sakai, Kishiwada, or Minoh, offering a deeper look into local history and culture.
✓ Included:
・No service
× Not Included: Tour guide (Optional available)
Stay overnight in Osaka with breakfast
Day7.
Discover More of Kansai
Enjoy another free day in Osaka. Optional private guided tours are available to Nara, home to friendly deer and ancient temples, or Asuka, Japan's birthplace and one of the country's newest UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
✓ Included:
・No service
× Not Included: Tour guide (Optional available)
Stay overnight in Osaka with breakfast
Day8.
Journey to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shirakawa-go
After checking out of your hotel in Osaka, travel to Nagoya.
You can choose between two travel options:
➊Shinkansen (Bullet Train) from Shin-Osaka Station to Nagoya Station (approximately 40 minutes) – ideal if you prefer the fastest journey.
➋Kintetsu Limited Express "Hinotori" Premium Seat from Osaka-Namba Station to Nagoya (approximately 2.5 hours) – recommended if you prefer a more relaxed and comfortable ride with spacious premium seating.
From Nagoya Station, continue your journey by highway bus to Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In the evening, stay at a traditional minshuku, where you'll enjoy a delicious dinner featuring local Hida ingredients.
✓ Included:
・Reserved seat on the train from Osaka to Nagoya (Shinkansen or Kintetsu Limited Express, as selected)
・Highway bus ticket from Nagoya to Shirakawa-go
・Tour guide in Shirakawago with Entry traditional house of Wada family museum
・One night at a traditional minshuku in Shirakawa-go, including dinner and breakfast
× Not Included:
Stay overnight in Shirakawa-go
★The true magic of Shirakawa-go can only be experienced by staying overnight. As the crowds disappear, the village returns to its peaceful rhythm, offering a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in the tranquil beauty and authentic atmosphere of Japan's traditional satoyama landscape.
During your stay at a traditional minshuku in Shirakawa-go, enjoy authentic Hida home-style cuisine prepared with seasonal ingredients from the surrounding mountains. Fresh wild vegetables (sansai), locally foraged mushrooms, and other regional specialties offer a true taste of rural Japan—simple, seasonal, and deeply connected to nature.
Before the meal, you will hear the Japanese expression "Itadakimasu," a phrase said to express gratitude for the ingredients, the people who prepared the meal, and the blessings of nature. Sharing this tradition is one of the most meaningful ways to experience Japanese culture.
Day9.
Straw Craft Workshop & Toyama
fter checking out of your minshuku in Shirakawa-go, enjoy a relaxing morning in the village before boarding your bus.Take part in a traditional Ashinaka straw sandal workshop at the Shirakawa-go Gassho-zukuri Minka-en. In the past, people in rural Japan skillfully crafted everyday items such as sandals, bags, and other necessities from locally harvested straw. Through this hands-on experience, you'll gain insight into the resourcefulness and sustainable lifestyle of earlier generations.
Afterwards, travel by bus to Toyama for an overnight stay.
✓ Included:
・Traditional straw sandal making workshop at Minkaen
・Reserved seat on the highway bus from Shirakawa-go to Toyama
× Not Included: Tour guide (Optional available)
Stay overnight in Toyama with breakfast
★Toyama is renowned for its exceptionally fresh seafood, thanks to its location along Toyama Bay. This evening, we recommend exploring one of the city's local restaurants and enjoying a delicious dinner featuring the region's seasonal specialties.
Day10.
Slow Travel in Toyama
Enjoy a free day in Toyama. An optional excursion to the charming fishing town of Himi is highly recommended, where you can sample exceptionally fresh seafood. Compared with nearby Kanazawa, Toyama offers a quieter atmosphere, making it an ideal destination for slow travel.
✓ Included:
・No service
× Not Included: Tour guide (Optional available)
Stay overnight in Toyama with breakfast
Day11.Kumiko Woodworking &
Journey to Kanazawa
Experience the beauty of Japanese craftsmanship during a hands-on Kumiko woodworking workshop led by a skilled artisan. Before receiving instruction, you'll first be invited to solve the Kumiko puzzle yourself. Each precisely cut wooden piece must be placed in the correct direction and angle—otherwise, they simply won't fit together.
As the artisan reveals the techniques behind this centuries-old craft, you'll discover how intricate patterns are created without the use of nails or glue, relying solely on precision and craftsmanship. Along the way, you'll also gain insight into the Japanese philosophy of respecting natural materials and creating objects of lasting beauty through patience and skill.
Afterwards, travel by Shinkansen to Kanazawa.
✓ Included:
・Kumiko Woodworking & Kanazawa
・Reserved seat on a bullet train from Toyama to Kanazawa
× Not Included: Tour guide (Optional available)
Stay overnight in Kanazawa with breakfast
Day12.
Discover Kanazawa
Today, enjoy exploring the beautiful city of Kanazawa at your own pace.We highly recommend visiting Kenroku-en Garden, one of Japan's Three Great Gardens.
Renowned for its seasonal beauty and exquisite landscape design, it is considered one of the country's finest traditional gardens.
Another must-see is the charming Higashi Chaya District, where beautifully preserved teahouses line the historic streets. Many cafés and shops serve drinks and sweets in elegant Kutani ware ceramics, one of Kanazawa's most celebrated traditional crafts.
If you enjoy contemporary art, the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art is also well worth a visit.
For sake lovers, Kanazawa offers a wonderful selection of bars and restaurants where you can sample excellent local sake paired with fresh regional cuisine.
✓ Included:
・No service
× Not Included: Tour guide (Optional available)
Stay overnight in Kanazawa with breakfast
Day13.
Leisure Day or Hot Spring Escape
Enjoy another day in Kanazawa or take an optional trip to one of the nearby hot spring towns. Relax in a traditional onsen and experience another side of Japanese culture surrounded by beautiful natural scenery.
✓ Included:
・No service
× Not Included: Tour guide (Optional available)
Stay overnight in Kanazawa with breakfast
Day14.
Shinkansen to Tokyo
After checking out of your hotel, board the Hokuriku Shinkansen for your journey from Kanazawa to Tokyo.
Your trip is now entering its final chapter as you arrive in Tokyo, Japan’s vibrant capital. Upon arrival, make your own way to the hotel, check in, and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure.
✓ Included:
・Reserved-seat ticket on the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Kanazawa to Tokyo Station
× Not Included: Tour guide (Optional available)
Stay overnight in Tokyo for a night with breakfast
Day15.
Depart Tokyo
After checking out of your hotel, a private transfer will take you comfortably to the airport for your departure flight.
We hope you leave Japan with wonderful memories and look forward to welcoming you again on your next journey.
✓ Included:
・Private airport transfer
× Not Included: Tour guide (Optional available)
✓Include
・14 nights accommodation
・Private airport transfers (Kansai Airport → Kyoto Hotel / Tokyo Hotel → Airport)
・2-Day Kansai Rail Pass
・Private Kyo-Yuzen dyeing workshop (approx. 4 hours)
・1-night farm stay in Wazuka with breakfast and dinner
・Seasonal tea-picking experience
・3 nights in Kyoto city
・3 nights in Osaka
・1-night traditional minshuku stay in Shirakawa-go with dinner
・Guided tour of Shirakawa-go
・Admission to Wada House Museum
・Ashinaka (traditional straw sandal) workshop
・Highway bus Shirakawago-Toyama
・2 nights in Toyama
・Kumiko woodworking workshop
・Shinkansen ticket (Toyama → Kanazawa)
・3 nights in Kanazawa
・Shinkansen ticket (Kanazawa → Tokyo)
・1 night in Tokyo
・English-speaking local support throughout your journey
・Detailed travel itinerary and travel documents
・24/7 emergency assistance during your stay in Japan
×Exclude
・International flights
・Personal expenses
・Lunch & dinner (unless specified)
・Travel insurance
・Optional activities
・Tips & gratuities
・Early check-in / Late check-out
・English-speaking local guide (unless specified) (available as an optional add-on for any number of days upon request)
TOUR PRICING
Price available upon request based on:
• Travel season
• Hotel category
• Availability at the time of booking
Contact us for a customized quotation.
Hotel Categories Available
• Standard 3-Star Accommodation
• Comfortable 4-Star Accommodation Options
• Twin / Double room arrangements available
• Single supplement upon request