Tokyo, Kyoto & Kawaguchiko — A World Apart

Tokyo

A welcome package with your itinerary and any relevant documents or tickets required for your trip will be provided to you on your arrival in destination.. Meet your Memori Tours Airport Representative who will escort you to your driver for an accompanied airport transfer to your hotel by private vehicle.

Accommodation: Mesm Tokyo, Autograph Collection (B) (Chapter 1 King/Twin)

Tokyo

Uncover the best of Tokyo on a private full day exploration, where historic temples, vibrant markets, stylish districts, and the city’s culinary delights create a delightful journey. Meet your English-speaking guide and private driver at your hotel and set out in comfort to discover Tokyo’s most celebrated landmarks. Begin in Asakusa, where the city’s history comes alive at the magnificent Sensoji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple. Stroll along Nakamise Shopping Street, sampling traditional snacks and browsing local souvenirs that offer a glimpse into the city’s vibrant past. Continue to the bustling Tsukiji Market, famed for its fresh seafood and lively atmosphere. Here, savor a delicious lunch featuring local flavors before heading to the tranquil Meiji Shrine, a Shinto sanctuary surrounded by lush forest, offering a peaceful contrast to the city’s energy. Conclude with a leisurely visit to Omotesando, Tokyo’s fashionable avenue known for its striking architecture and stylish boutiques, before returning to your hotel with lasting impressions of Tokyo’s allure.. Choose from a variety of ramen spots across Tokyo on your own, discovering the city’s rich noodle culture. Savor Michelin-starred Tantanmen at Nakiryu, refreshing Yuzu Shio at Afuri, or creamy Tsukemen at Fuunji. Aternatively, you could visit Rokurinsha beneath Tokyo Station - widely regarded as one of Tokyo's most iconic ramen shops, and credited with pioneering the popularity of tsukemen (dipping noodles) since it first opened in Osaki in 2005. During your stay in Tokyo, you can also try bold broths at Menya Musashi, Tonkotsu at Ichiran, refined Shoyu at Ramenya Toy Box, and spicy miso at Kikanbo.

Accommodation: Mesm Tokyo, Autograph Collection (B) (Chapter 1 King/Twin)

Tokyo

Step into Japan’s sacred past on a full-day journey through the ancient city of Nikko with your private guide, where centuries-old shrines, forested trails, and refined local flavors illuminate the cultural richness of this mountain enclave. Departing from your hotel, travel together in the comforts of your private vehicle, soaking in scenic landscapes along the way. Upon arrival, cross the iconic Shinkyo Bridge—a brilliant red arch spanning the Daiya River and symbolizing the entrance to this hallowed region. Savor a traditional 'yuba' lunch, a delicate dish made from tofu skin and cherished in Nikko’s monastic cuisine. Then, explore the elaborate Toshogu Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and final resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu. With your guide’s insight, admire its richly detailed carvings and vibrant colors. Continue into the cedar forest to Taiyuinbyo, a more tranquil yet equally revered shrine that blends spiritual depth with natural serenity. Conclude with a private transfer to your accommodation.

Accommodation: Mesm Tokyo, Autograph Collection (B) (Chapter 1 King/Twin)

Tokyo, Kyoto

Meet your assistant, who will accompany you on a train station transfer with a private vehicle.. Board a train from Tokyo with direct service to Kyoto. The train ride is approximately 2.5 hours.. Meet your driver and guide for a train station transfer with a private vehicle.. Walk through four exceptional gardens with your private guide, each revealing its own character and artistry. Meet your guide at your hotel and travel by private transfer to Nanzenji, where a traditional Zen rock garden has conveyed harmony and balance since the 13th century. Continue to Tenju-an, where stepping stones lead you through a serene pond garden, offering a meditative retreat. At Murin-an, created in the 19th century, admire a brilliant design that uses meandering streams to bring depth and movement to the landscape, blending natural beauty with refined composition. End at Shin’en Garden within Heian Jingu Shrine, an expansive sanctuary where seasonal flower beds bloom in vibrant succession, pine trees are sculpted with precision, and placid ponds reflect the sky and shrine architecture. Conclude with a private transfer to your accommodation.

Accommodation: Okura Okazaki Bettei (B) (Superior South Room), Tokyo

Kyoto

Discover a more contemplative side of Kyoto on this privately guided full-day journey through the spiritual heart of Arashiyama. After meeting your guide at the hotel, proceed by your private transfer to Otagi Nenbutsu-ji, a hidden gem nestled in the hills. Here, 1,200 whimsical stone figures—each with a unique expression—line moss-covered paths, inviting quiet reflection. From the temple, follow your guide along peaceful backroads, passing traditional homes and forested paths that lead toward the famed Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Walk beneath towering green stalks swaying gently in the breeze—a serene, almost otherworldly experience. Midday, pause for a refined vegetarian shojin-ryōri lunch, prepared in the spirit of Zen Buddhism, where each dish honors seasonal ingredients and mindful presentation. In the afternoon, visit Tenryū-ji, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with an exquisite Zen garden framed by mountain views. Then ascend to the tranquil Okochi Sanso Villa, once home to a famed Japanese actor. Wander through manicured gardens and enjoy a cup of freshly whisked matcha with traditional sweets, before returning to your hotel by private transfer.. Enjoy a self-guided stroll through Kyoto’s Pontocho, a charming alleyway running parallel to the Kamo River. Discover an incredible range of dining options, from casual yakitori and izakayas to exquisite high-end Kyoto cuisine. Wander at your own pace, soaking up the traditional atmosphere, lantern-lit streets, and riverside views while sampling the flavors that make Pontocho a culinary hotspot. Please note: This is a suggestion for your leisure time and does not include admissions, a guide, or transfers

Accommodation: Okura Okazaki Bettei (B) (Superior South Room), Kyoto

Kyoto

Explore the spiritual landmarks of southern Kyoto and Nara on this privately guided full-day journey, beginning with a morning visit to the iconic Fushimi Inari Taisha. After meeting your guide at the hotel, proceed by private transfer to this revered shrine, where thousands of vibrant vermilion torii gates wind through forested trails up Mount Inari. Your guide shares the significance of Inari, the Shinto deity of prosperity, as you walk beneath the gates in a setting that feels both sacred and cinematic. Continue on to Nara, Japan’s first permanent capital, and visit Tōdai-ji, a monumental temple housing the Great Buddha—one of the largest bronze statues in the world. Wander through Nara Park, where sacred deer roam freely, believed to be messengers of the gods. Then, stroll along lantern-lined paths to Kasuga Taisha, a centuries-old Shinto shrine surrounded by moss-covered stone lanterns and vermilion halls nestled in a primeval forest. After a day rich in heritage and natural beauty, return to your hotel by private transfer.

Accommodation: Okura Okazaki Bettei (B) (Superior South Room), Kyoto

Kyoto, Mishima, Kawaguchiko

Meet your driver and guide for a train station transfer with a private vehicle.. Board a train from Kyoto Station with direct service to Mishima. The train ride is approximately 2 hours.. Meet your private driver for your transfer to Kawaguchiko. Approximate travel duration is 1 hour.

Accommodation: Hoshinoya Kawaguchiko (B) (T Cabin), Kyoto

Kawaguchiko

Spend the day exploring the spiritual and natural wonders surrounding Mt. Fuji with your private guide. Begin with a visit to one of the region’s oldest shrines, quietly nestled within a forest of towering cedar and cypress trees. Dedicated to the Flower Blossom Princess, the goddess of Mt. Fuji, this sacred site—nearly 1,200 years old—radiates a tranquil, mystical atmosphere. A short riverside walk leads to Haha no Shirataki, or Mother’s White Falls, where you’ll enjoy a breathtaking panorama of Lake Kawaguchiko framed by the majestic silhouette of Mt. Fuji. Continue on a scenic drive toward Lake Saiko, the serene heart of the Fuji Five Lakes, surrounded by wooded slopes and known for its pristine waters fed by ancient underground springs. Here, you’ll have time to pause and admire the landscape before setting off on foot to explore the Aokigahara Jukai Forest. Formed by a volcanic eruption centuries ago, this moss-laden forest of gnarled trees and lava rock offers a unique look at the region’s geological past. End the day with a drive along the peaceful lakeshores of Saiko and Kawaguchiko, where reflections of Mt. Fuji dance on the water. Conclude with a private transfer to your accommodation.

Accommodation: Hoshinoya Kawaguchiko (B) (T Cabin)

Kawaguchiko, Tokyo

Meet your private driver for your transfer to Tokyo Haneda Airport. Approximate travel duration is 2 hours.