July 13–21, 2026
Tokyo • Kyoto • Osaka • Fukuoka
Experience Japan through a carefully curated journey combining luxury hospitality, cultural discovery, distinctive culinary experiences, contemporary art, and efficient travel aboard Japan’s renowned Shinkansen bullet trains.
Arrive in Tokyo and make your own way to The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo. Please note that arrival transfers are not included.
Check in at The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo, occupying the top nine floors of Midtown Tower in the vibrant Roppongi district.
The hotel features:
Your guide will provide the following items on July 14:
The IC card contains sufficient funds for the public transportation used during the included guided tours. It may also be used during personal free time, but guests should recharge it as needed to ensure sufficient funds remain for scheduled activities.
Please keep all transit cards and rail tickets secure, as lost items cannot be replaced.
Overnight: The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo
9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. — Tokyo City Tour
Guide: Ms. Mio Izutsu
Enjoy a half-day introduction to some of Tokyo’s most significant cultural, spiritual, and architectural landmarks.
Begin at Meiji Shrine, one of Japan’s most important Shinto shrines. Set within a peaceful forest in central Tokyo, the shrine is dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken.
During the visit, learn about Japanese spiritual traditions and experience customary practices such as:
Continue to Harajuku, Tokyo’s energetic centre of youth fashion and popular culture.
Explore an area known for:
Conclude the tour with a walk along Omotesando, one of Tokyo’s most sophisticated boulevards.
The tree-lined avenue is celebrated for its luxury boutiques and contemporary buildings designed by internationally renowned architects, including Tadao Ando, Herzog & de Meuron, and Toyo Ito.
Lunch: Kintan Omotesando Yakiniku Restaurant
2:00 p.m. — Return to the hotel
4:30 p.m. — Hotel Inspection
Enjoy a welcome dinner at Hinokizaka, The Ritz-Carlton’s signature Japanese restaurant.
Overnight: The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo
10:30 a.m. — Meet in the hotel lobby
Ms. Kana Imamura will accompany the group to the appropriate platform at Tokyo Station.
11:30 a.m. — Depart Tokyo aboard the Shinkansen
Train: Nozomi No. 29
Class: Green Class
Journey time: Approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes
Enjoy an ekiben, a traditional railway bento box prepared especially for long-distance train travel.
While eating aboard commuter trains is generally discouraged in Japan, enjoying an ekiben is a customary and memorable part of travelling by Shinkansen.
1:44 p.m. — Arrive at Kyoto Station
Ms. Akiko Tonomura will meet the group at the station and assist with the transfer to the hotel.
Situated along the Kamogawa River with views toward the Higashiyama Mountains, The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto combines refined Japanese design with contemporary luxury.
The property features:
4:30 p.m. — Kimono Experience and Hotel Inspection
The group will be divided into two smaller groups:
6:00 p.m. — Japanese Course Dinner
Dinner will be served in a semi-private dining room.
Overnight: The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto
9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. — Private Kyoto City Tour
Guide: Ms. Chie Kimura
Travel by private van through some of Kyoto’s most scenic and culturally important districts.
Begin in Arashiyama, a picturesque area where natural beauty and traditional Japanese culture come together.
Highlights include:
Walk among the bamboo grove’s towering green stalks before continuing to the iconic Togetsukyo Bridge, which offers beautiful views across the Katsura River.
Visit a private Kyoto residence for an intimate introduction to the Japanese way of tea.
The experience offers insight into:
Explore Gion, Kyoto’s most celebrated historic district.
The area is known for:
Gion retains much of the atmosphere of old Kyoto and remains an important centre for traditional Japanese performing arts and hospitality.
Lunch: Tofu and Yuba Matsugae
Located beside the Oi River in Arashiyama, the restaurant specializes in tofu and yuba cuisine served in a serene riverside setting.
Overnight: The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto
12:00 p.m. — Private transfer to Osaka
Guide: Ms. Akiko Tonomura
1:00 p.m. — Arrive in Osaka
3:00 p.m. — Check-In at The Ritz-Carlton, Osaka
5:30 p.m. — Hotel Inspection
6:30 p.m. — Welcome Dinner at the Hotel
Overnight: The Ritz-Carlton, Osaka
9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. — Osaka City and Food Tour
Begin at Osaka Castle, one of Japan’s most recognizable landmarks.
Originally constructed during the 1580s, the castle played an important role in Japan’s political unification. Today, it contains a historical museum and an observation platform with panoramic views across Osaka.
Continue to Dotonbori, Osaka’s lively entertainment and dining district.
The area is famous for:
Discover Osaka’s reputation as one of Japan’s great food cities during a private culinary experience.
Explore:
Overnight: The Ritz-Carlton, Osaka
10:30 a.m. — Meet in the hotel lobby
Ms. Akiko Tonomura will accompany the group to the train platform at Shin-Osaka Station.
11:41 a.m. — Depart Shin-Osaka Station
Train: Nozomi No. 19
Journey time: Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes
Enjoy a traditional ekiben lunch during the journey.
2:09 p.m. — Arrive at Hakata Station
Guide: Mr. Yoshiharu Shibuya
Located in the Fukuoka Daimyo Garden City complex, the hotel offers a sophisticated base in the centre of one of southern Japan’s most dynamic cities.
The property features:
5:30–9:00 p.m. — Evening Fukuoka City and Food Tour
Guide: Mr. Yoshiharu Shibuya
Travel as local residents do, using a combination of:
Discover Fukuoka’s famous yatai street-food culture.
As evening falls, small mobile food stalls open throughout the city, creating a warm and social atmosphere where local residents and visitors gather.
Regional specialties may include:
The experience offers an authentic introduction to Fukuoka’s culinary traditions and vibrant nightlife.
Overnight: The Ritz-Carlton, Fukuoka
9:15 a.m. — Depart The Ritz-Carlton, Fukuoka
10:00 a.m. — Contemporary Art and Dazaifu Tour
Participate in a contemporary art experience followed by a formal worship visit at Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, a historic Shinto shrine with more than one thousand years of tradition.
The shrine is particularly associated with scholarship, learning, and academic success.
12:00 p.m. — Lunch at Soba Yasutake
Enjoy lunch at a distinctive local restaurant specializing in traditional soba noodles.
2:00 p.m. — Nakamura Ningyo Workshop
Visit the Nakamura Ningyo Workshop, founded in 1917.
The experience includes:
4:00 p.m. — Return to The Ritz-Carlton, Fukuoka
Farewell dinner at the hotel. Restaurant and final arrangements are to be confirmed.
Overnight: The Ritz-Carlton, Fukuoka