the private collection
Definitive Japan
Thirteen days through Tokyo, Lake Kawaguchi, Kyoto, Kinosaki Onsen and Osaka. USD $31,500 per person, on your own dates.
Definitive Japan is the fullest of the four: thirteen days that add two nights at Lake Kawaguchi, beneath Mount Fuji, to the Classic route. From Tokyo the Green Car runs to Mishima and a private car takes you up to the lake, where the ryokan stands at the northern foot of the mountain with its own hot-spring baths, and where the days are given to the water, the spring-fed ponds of Oshino Hakkai, and the ropeway above the lake.
Then Kyoto with a day in Nara, two nights at Kinosaki Onsen, and Osaka to finish, with the Green Car and the limited express between them and your Tour Director beside you for all thirteen days.
The route, by night
- Tokyothree nightsMitsui Garden Hotel Nihonbashi Premier
- Lake Kawaguchitwo nightsHotel Kaneyamaen or Konansou
- Kyotothree nightsHotel The Celestine Kyoto Gion
- Kinosaki Onsentwo nightsNishimuraya Honkan or Nishimuraya Hotel Shogetsutei
- Osakatwo nightsHotel New Otani Osaka
*or similar
The places
Tokyo
Senso-ji and the lanes of Asakusa, Meiji Jingu in its forest, the Imperial Palace East Gardens, Shibuya Crossing as the lights come on, the Tsukiji Outer Market with your Tour Director, eating as you go, and Ginza.
Lake Kawaguchi
The lake and its views of Mount Fuji, the spring-fed ponds of Oshino Hakkai, and the Kachi Kachi Ropeway above the water.
Kyoto
Fushimi Inari, Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera and the lanes of Higashiyama, the Arashiyama bamboo grove, Gion as the lanterns are lit, Nishiki Market on foot, and a private tea ceremony.
Nara, from Kyoto
Todai-ji and its Great Buddha, and the deer park.
Kinosaki Onsen
The seven public bathhouses, taken in yukata and geta from the ryokan door, and the willow-lined canal.
Osaka
Dotonbori on foot in the evening, Kuromon Market, eating as you go, and Osaka Castle.
What is included
- A private chauffeur at the airport on the day you arrive and on the day you leave.
- Green Car rail, the first-class carriage, between the cities, and a private car and driver on the days that call for one.
- Your luggage sent ahead between hotels, so you travel light from city to city.
- Breakfast every morning.
- Ten dinners: the welcome dinner, a sushi counter in Tokyo, an izakaya evening, two kaiseki dinners at the ryokan on Lake Kawaguchi, kaiseki in Kyoto, two kaiseki dinners at the ryokan in Kinosaki, a sushi counter in Osaka, and a farewell dinner of wagyu teppanyaki.
- Four lunches: at the Tsukiji Outer Market, beside Lake Kawaguchi, in Nara, and at Kuromon Market.
- Two evenings kept open, with your Tour Director's recommendations arranged on request.
- A private tea ceremony in Kyoto, a sake tasting at Fushimi, a craft studio visit in Asakusa, and market walks with your Tour Director, eating as you go.
- Every entry on the plan.
- Your Tour Director, every day.
The price
USD $31,500
Prices are per person.
The price is the same whether you travel alone or two of you share a room, and each journey takes a party of up to four guests in two rooms.
A deposit confirms your dates; the balance is due 95 days before you travel.
Each journey is available across the year, on the dates you choose.
The itinerary
The itinerary for Definitive Japan, with the route by night, a plan for each day, what is included and the booking terms, is here to read and to keep.
Begin with an enquiry
Tell us the dates you have in mind for Definitive Japan, and we reply in person with the next step.
The other journeys of The Private Collection.