JapanAsiaOct 2027Japan
[ OVERVIEW ]Journey through Japan
Japan is a country that asks you to slow down and pay attention. Ancient temples sit gracefully beside futuristic skylines. A whispered prayer in a thousand-year-old shrine, the hum of a bullet train, the steam rising off a private onsen tucked into the mountains. Every corner of this country has a story, and every story stays with you.
Journey Through Japan is a ten-day boutique journey crafted for eight women who value cultural immersion over consumption, and presence over pace. We move slowly and intentionally through four extraordinary regions, Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, and Osaka, with private guides, handpicked boutique stays, and curated experiences that go deeper than sightseeing. This is not a tour. This is the kind of travel that stays with you.
I built this itinerary with this community in mind. I thought about what we crave at this stage of life, experiences that wake us up and slow us down at the same time. A 600 year old Zen temple garden in Kyoto. A private open-air onsen in Hakone as the mountains settle into darkness. A wagyu kaiseki dinner in Osaka with a shinobue flute filling the room. Every single piece of this journey was chosen for women who deserve that kind of travel.
This September / October 2027 departure sold out before it ever reached the public. If Japan is calling you, join our mailing list to be among the first invited when the next journey opens.
Experience Details
Trip Duration
10 days, 9 nights
September 30 to October 9, 2027
Next Dates
deposit: $2,500
Private: $13,999
Shared PP: $12,999
Pricing (CAD)
A Day by Day Look at Our Japan Itinerary
The Daily Rhythm
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This journey moves through four of Japan's most extraordinary regions, each with a rhythm entirely its own. We begin in Tokyo, a city that pulses with neon energy and centuries of ritual side by side, where four days unfold inside ancient temples, hidden markets, the electric chaos of Shibuya Crossing, and a private morning at Tsukiji, forming sushi piece by piece with a master chef. We slip into the mountains of Hakone, soaking in a private open-air onsen and gathering for slow kaiseki dinners as Mount Fuji holds a quiet vigil in the distance. The bullet train carries us into Kyoto, where three unhurried days unfold inside lantern-lit lanes, a 600-year-old Zen temple garden, and the kind of private tea ceremony that quietly rearranges something inside you. The final chapter belongs to Osaka, Japan's spirited kitchen city, where a farm-to-table harvest, a rare wagyu sukiyaki kaiseki feast, and live shinobue flute and taiko drumming send us home with a story we will be telling for the rest of our lives.
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Your local guide meets you in arrivals at Narita International Airport for a private transfer into the city. Check into your boutique Tokyo hotel, settle into the time zone, and let the city welcome you on its own terms.
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Today is the kind of experience you remember forever. You walk Tsukiji Market with a master sushi chef, hand selecting the freshest fish straight from the source. It is not a class. It is the real thing. You return to a private counter to form your own sushi piece by piece, and then you sit and eat it together. From there you wander the ancient streets of Asakusa, visit the iconic Sensoji Temple, and stroll the storied kitchen lane of Kappabashi. The evening is yours.
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Step into the otherworldly light installations at TeamLab Planets, an immersive digital art experience unlike anything else in the world. Find calm in the forested stillness of Meiji Jingu Shrine, then stand in the middle of the legendary Shibuya Crossing as the city pulses around you. The evening is yours to explore.
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After breakfast, a private transfer carries you into the mountains near Mount Fuji. You check in to a traditional onsen ryokan where every room has its own private open air hot spring bath. Tonight, a beautifully prepared kaiseki dinner, the soft hush of the mountains, and the quiet luxury of soaking in your own private bath under the stars.
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A full day in Hakone with a private guide takes you to the serene Hakone Shrine, a cruise across Lake Ashi, the dramatic Hakone Ropeway floating above volcanic craters, and the contemporary sculptures of the Hakone Open Air Museum. Return to your ryokan for another evening of onsen and kaiseki. The meals here are as much art as they are food.
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Travel by private car to Odawara Station, then board the bullet train in green class comfort to Kyoto. Check in to a stylish design hotel just steps from Kyoto’s most iconic streets, and enjoy a free evening to begin discovering this enchanting city at your own pace.
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Begin at Kiyomizudera, the breathtaking temple perched over the hillside. Wander the colourful stalls of Nishiki Market, tasting as you go. In the afternoon, step inside one of Kyoto’s oldest Zen temples, a 600 year old garden away from the noise of the world, for a private walking meditation followed by a traditional tea ceremony. People leave this experience genuinely changed by it.
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Wander through the otherworldly bamboo groves of Arashiyama, visit the serene Tenryuji Temple, and sit down to a Shojin Ryori temple lunch, the traditional cuisine of Zen monks. Continue to the gleaming Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavilion, and finish at the meditative rock garden of Ryoanji.
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Your final full day is one for the memory books. After a slow morning, transfer to Osaka, Japan’s spirited kitchen city. The afternoon takes you out to the Senshu countryside to harvest fresh fruit and vegetables straight from the farm. As evening falls, you gather for a sukiyaki kaiseki feast featuring some of Osaka’s rarest wagyu, in a private dining room filled with the live sounds of traditional Japanese shinobue flute and taiko drumming. Check in to your Osaka hotel for one last night together.
The wildlife here has no fear of humans. Marine iguanas warm themselves on black lava rock while you step carefully around them. Blue-footed boobies perform their courtship dances a metre from where you stand. Sea lions pup on the beach and do not move when you approach. Giant tortoises, some over a century old, move through the highland mist with a patience that puts human urgency into perspective.
Each day brings a different island and a different character. Your guide leads both land visits and snorkelling excursions, and the water here is unlike anything most people have ever experienced. You might swim alongside a green sea turtle. You might find yourself eye to eye with a Galápagos penguin, the only penguin species found north of the equator. Reef sharks move below you with complete indifference. No snorkelling experience is required, and all equipment is provided.
Kayaking in sheltered bays. Evenings on deck as the stars come out over the Pacific. Dinners where the day's encounters become the evening's stories. Three generations, ten women, one small boat on one extraordinary sea.
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After breakfast, a private transfer takes you to Kansai International Airport, where you say goodbye to Japan with a quiet smile and a heart full of memories.
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Tokyo
Where ancient ritual and futuristic energy share the same street corner. Tokyo is a city of contrasts that you feel in your body the moment you arrive. Four days is just enough to taste its many neighbourhoods, slip into its quietest temples, and stand in the heart of its most legendary crossings.
Hakone
A mountain town built around hot springs, mist, and Mount Fuji views. Hakone is where the journey softens. Days here are spent cruising Lake Ashi, riding the ropeway above volcanic craters, and wandering open air sculpture gardens. Nights belong to slow kaiseki dinners and your own private onsen as the mountains fall into darkness.
Kyoto
The cultural soul of Japan. Old wooden machiya houses, lantern lit lanes, 600 year old Zen temple gardens, and bamboo groves that feel like another world entirely. Kyoto is the kind of place that finds you, not the other way around.
Osaka
Japan's spirited kitchen city. Equal parts neon, nostalgia, and incredible food. Our final stop is also our most flavourful, with a farm-to-table harvest in the countryside, a rare wagyu sukiyaki kaiseki feast, and a live performance of traditional shinobue flute and taiko drumming that will become the memory you tell for years.
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• Penny Light as your lead guide for every day of the journey.
• Nine nights of boutique accommodation as listed above
• A private English-speaking guide and private transfers on every guided day
• Daily breakfast throughout the journey
• Traditional kaiseki dinners on both nights in Hakone
• Curated lunches and dinners on select days, including a private sushi-making experience at Tsukiji Market, a Shojin Ryori temple lunch in Kyoto, and a wagyu sukiyaki kaiseki dinner in Osaka
• A private Zen walking meditation and traditional tea ceremony in a 600-year-old Kyoto temple garden
• A farm-to-table harvesting experience and live shinobue flute and taiko drumming performance in Osaka
• Private arrival transfer from Narita International Airport
• Private departure transfer to Kansai International Airport
• Bullet train tickets in green class from Odawara to Kyoto, with private station transfers
• All entrance fees and reservations for activities listed in the itinerary
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• International airfare to and from Japan
• mandatory Travel insurance
• Passport and visa fees, if applicable
• Meals not specified in the itinerary
• Beverages, unless otherwise noted
• Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls, mini bar, and room service
• Gratuities for guides, drivers, and hotel staff
• Optional activities and any services not expressly listed under inclusions
[ FAQ ]Common Questions
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• Nine nights of boutique accommodation as listed above
• A private English-speaking guide and private transfers on every guided day
• Daily breakfast throughout the journey
• Traditional kaiseki dinners on both nights in Hakone
• Curated lunches and dinners on select days, including a private sushi making experience at Tsukiji Market, a Shojin Ryori temple lunch in Kyoto, and a wagyu sukiyaki kaiseki dinner in Osaka
• A private Zen walking meditation and traditional tea ceremony in a 600 year old Kyoto temple garden
• A farm to table harvesting experience and live shinobue flute and taiko drumming performance in Osaka
• Private arrival transfer from Narita International Airport
• Private departure transfer to Kansai International Airport
• Bullet train tickets in green class from Odawara to Kyoto, with private station transfers
• All entrance fees and reservations for activities listed in the itinerary
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If you are travelling on a Canadian or American passport, the answer is no. Both countries are granted a temporary visitor visa on arrival for stays of up to 90 days, with no application required. You will simply need a passport valid for the duration of your stay. If you hold a different passport, please check the rules for your country well before departure.
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We understand that life can bring unexpected transitions. Because our journeys are intimate and involves significant advance planning, our deposits are non-refundable. If you cancel before the final balance is due (90 days before the start of the trip), we offer a fifty percent refund of any additional payments made, minus the initial deposit and a small processing fee. Within ninety days of departure, we are unable to offer any refunds. However, we do allow you to transfer your place to another traveler for a small administrative fee if you are unable to join us.
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We focus entirely on the ground experience and do not book international flights. You are responsible for your own flights to and from Quito. We will provide clear guidance on recommended arrival and departure times to ensure your transfer into the journey is seamless. If you would like a recommendation for a trusted travel agent who can help with flights, we are happy to point you in the right direction.
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International airfare to and from Japan is not included, so you are free to fly from your nearest airport on the carrier you prefer. We arrive into Narita and depart from Kansai.
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Yes. To ensure you are fully protected against the unpredictable, comprehensive travel insurance is a mandatory requirement for every guest. This serves as your safety net for any medical needs, travel delays, or last-minute cancellations. We will ask for proof of your insurance prior to departure to ensure you are covered for the entirety of our time together.
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No special vaccinations are required for entry from Canada or the United States. We recommend that your routine vaccines are up to date, but Japan has excellent public health standards and no unusual concerns for travellers.
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Journey Through Japan is best described as moderately active. You will be on your feet for much of most days, walking through temple grounds, neighbourhood streets, markets, and gardens, often on cobblestones, gravel paths, and stairs. Some sites, including Kiyomizudera, Kinkakuji, and the trails around Hakone, involve uneven terrain and gentle inclines.
A typical day includes roughly two to four hours of walking, broken up by meals, transfers, and time to rest. Between cities, you will travel by private vehicle or bullet train, so you will never need to carry luggage long distances. There is no hiking, no high altitude, and no strenuous physical activity required.
To enjoy the trip comfortably, you should be able to walk three to five miles per day at a relaxed pace, climb a flight or two of stairs without assistance, and stand for short periods during tours and ceremonies. Comfortable walking shoes that you have already worn in are essential.
If you have any mobility considerations, please let us know in advance.
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Japanese, beautiful and lyrical. English signage is widely available in train stations, major restaurants, and tourist sites in the cities. Younger Japanese often speak some English, and your private guides throughout the journey will be fluent in English. You will pick up a few phrases as we go, with "arigato gozaimasu" (thank you very much) being the most useful one.
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Early October in Japan is glorious. Mild, sunny days and cool evenings. Layers are your best friend. Pack a light jacket, comfortable walking shoes (you will be on your feet a lot), modest clothing for temple visits with shoulders covered, and slip-on shoes that come off easily for temples, ryokans, and traditional restaurants. A compact umbrella is always wise. Style-wise, the Japanese dress beautifully and with quiet care, so you might want to bring a few pieces that make you feel put together. A full packing list will be sent to you before departure.
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The food is sublime. From Michelin-starred dining rooms to a perfect bowl of ramen at a counter for ten dollars, Japan is one of the best food countries in the world. Sushi, tempura, ramen, soba, kaiseki, yakitori, the list goes on. We include several signature meals throughout the journey, and there is plenty of room left for you to wander into a tiny restaurant on your own and have an unforgettable bite. Dietary preferences and restrictions can be accommodated. Please let us know well in advance.
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We do not tip in Japan, and this surprises most North Americans.
Tipping is not customary in Japan, and can actually feel awkward or even rude. Exceptional service is simply the standard. Your private guides may be the one possible exception, and we will guide you on what feels appropriate at the end of the trip.
Otherwise, save your yen for souvenirs and matcha.
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A few small things that will help you feel at home.
• Do bow as a greeting and to say thank you. A small head nod is perfectly fine.
• Do remove your shoes before entering temples, ryokans, traditional restaurants, and homes.
• Do speak softly on trains and in public spaces, and silence your phone when boarding.
• Do place cash on the small tray at the counter rather than handing it directly to the cashier.
• Do ask before photographing anyone, especially geisha in Kyoto.
• Do not eat or drink while walking. Step aside to a quiet spot or a bench.
• Do not blow your nose in public. Step away to a restroom.
• Do not stick your chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice. It carries funeral symbolism.
The Japanese are deeply gracious, and they extend that grace to visitors who show small kindnesses in return.
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Most hotels, larger restaurants, and city shops accept Visa and Mastercard. Smaller traditional restaurants, temples, markets, taxis, and rural businesses are often cash only. Carry a mix, and you will be ready for anything.
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What currency do they use?
The Japanese yen. Japan is still a cash-forward society in many places, so it is wise to carry yen for smaller restaurants, temple donations, taxis, market stalls, and traditional shops.
Where can I withdraw cash?
The most reliable ATMs for foreign cards are at Seven Eleven convenience stores (they are everywhere) and Japan Post offices. Both accept international Visa, Mastercard, and
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World class. Tokyo is a paradise for fashion, design, beauty, and stationery lovers. Kyoto is the place for traditional crafts like ceramics, tea, kimono fabrics, washi paper, and incense. As a foreign visitor, you can also shop tax free in most major stores. Just remember to carry your passport with you.
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Early autumn in Japan is one of the loveliest times to visit. Expect mild, sunny days with cool evenings, perfect for layered dressing, beautiful photographs, and long walks.
