10 experience days in Japan with everyday life, culture and architecture
You would never have guessed how exciting it is to get so close to a real geisha. Now that she is sitting opposite you, with a smile on her porcelain-white face, you will feel goose bumps and get to know authentic Japan up close. Alongside German Japan expert Anja Sueyoshi, who lives in Japan, you will experience the Japan of yesterday, today and tomorrow. Glimpses behind the scenes, uniquely exclusive moments and insights into the beguilingly multifaceted and harmoniously contradictory soul of Japan. Up close, exciting and with views and insights that no other trip can offer.
In Kyoto, a real geisha will tempt you to play traditional games. After talking to the curator of the Enzo Museum in Tokyo, you will recognise more connections between classical art from Edo culture and quotations from the mass medium of manga. And you will feel the deep connection between an entire country and a mountain that towers harmoniously over the plain like no other. The TeamLab Borderless, the world's first digital art museum, is exciting. And then there are the temples and shrines: the Sensoji in Tokyo's Asakusa neighbourhood is a hive of activity, in Kyoto the Golden Pavilion is gracefully reflected in the small lake and the endless orange, red and black shrine gate gallery of the Fushimi Inari Shrine is simply overwhelming.
030 / 69 80 21 98
chongkolnee@select-luxury.travel
"Yes, this woman knows her way around her new homeland, which she came to know and love as a student. At the side of Anja Sueyoshi, née Kätner, you will discover and experience places, people and events that would have remained hidden from you on other trips to Japan. Don't just let yourself be guided through the sights, but be tempted to look behind the facades and gain intimate insights into the soul and passions of this multifaceted country."
Anja Sueyoshi, born Kätner, originally from Berlin, has been living in Japan since April 2014, more than two years of which were spent in Tokyo and since 2017 in Okinawa. The German quickly fell in love with the country and its people, especially with her husband Tsutomu, who comes from Okinawa. In November 2018, the couple became a happy trio with their son Ren Artur. She is currently writing her dissertation in Japanese Studies. She speaks fluent Japanese and is very familiar with the country's cultural customs, festivals and traditions. She will provide you with advice and assistance and open doors - real and metaphorical - that remain closed to other travellers.
Late afternoon departure with Lufthansa to Tokyo.
Around midday you will land at Tokyo International Airport, where you will meet your local tour guide, who will accompany you to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Either enjoy the ambience of the hotel or take a first look at the metropolis. Your tour guide will be happy to accompany you on your first walk.
3 nights in the 4★ Park Hotel, Superior Room and breakfast – Details about the hotel
After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, your guide will take you to Hamarikyu, a Japanese garden that served as the private villa of a powerful feudal lord during the Edo period. Its seasonal floral splendour and the Nakajima-no-Ochaya tea house make it one of the most visited gardens in Tokyo.
From the park, take a river cruise to Asakusa, one of the oldest and largely preserved neighbourhoods in the city, where geishas used to work. Today, you can often see women strolling around dressed as geishas. Asakusa is also home to Senso-ji, Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple. The streets around Senso-ji offer many traditional shops and invite you to stroll around.
After lunch, you will visit one of the most beautiful buildings in Japan, the Tokyo Sky Tree. At a height of 634 metres, it is the tallest stand-alone communication tower in the world. From the two viewing platforms, you can enjoy the spectacular view over the vibrant metropolis.
As a final highlight, visit Ginza, which has been a shopping district since the Edo period and is still the most important place for luxury shopping and fashion in the city. Upscale department stores such as Matsuya and Mitsukoshi are probably among the district's best-known landmarks, although film fans will recognise the Wako building with its legendary bell tower as the building destroyed by Godzilla in the 2000 film of the same name.
Afterwards, you have three options: Either you explore Tokyo on your own, you return to the hotel with our private bus or you take the optional street food tour through Tokyo.
The street food tour takes you through the labyrinth of narrow streets where exotic snacks and dinners are sold from street carts. You sample some of the products on offer, from grilled meat to sweet desserts. Then it's off to an izakaya - a distinctly Japanese experience: these small Japanese-style pubs are popular meeting places for friends and colleagues to get together after work for snacks and a beer. In Japan, food is traditionally shared in restaurants in the evening and served in small bites - like tapas in Spain. Your guide will order a few traditional izakaya favourites such as fried chicken wings, yakitori or cold edamame. Over the course of the evening, you will visit four or five stations, each with its own character. After an evening full of culinary and cultural delights, you will return to the hotel.
Today we are heading into the heart of Tokyo's skyscraper district. The mixture of historic buildings and modern architecture makes the city's skyline one of the most striking and recognisable in the world. You will explore the city's most interesting architectural jewels by public transport. You will learn more about the superstar architects behind the designs, such as Tadao Ando, Toyo Ito, Kenzo Tange and SANAA.
During your visit to the private Nezu Museum, a member of staff will guide you through the exquisite collection of more than 7,400 artefacts. Asian and Japanese art treasures. The museum is also proud of its huge Japanese garden, which is an urban oasis with historic teahouses.
Visiting art galleries will never be the same again after visiting Planets in Tokyo, the cross-genre digital art exhibition by Japanese digital art group teamLab. The site is home to seven multi-sensory, full-body art exhibitions that combine touch, sight, sound and pioneering creativity into a unique experience. Planets completely turns the idea of a museum or gallery on its head. Afterwards, spend time at your leisure in Odaiba, a man-made island full of shopping centres and entertainment venues in Tokyo Bay. Here you will be surprised by a small replica of the Statue of Liberty and a life-size statue of Gundam Unicorn, two of the hottest spots for snapshots and selfies.
In Tokyo, Mrs Sueyoshi will - if time permits - make a detour to Shibuya, the world-famous, large and always very busy pedestrian intersection. There is also the famous Hachiko statue (which was erected for the dog that kept running to the station for years after the death of its master). A trip to the Tokyo Tower at dusk or at night is also worthwhile. Without question, it is also a highlight from the bus.
The old, beautiful and very well-preserved district of Ueno is just as worth seeing as Asakusa, especially around the railway station. There are many small streets selling food, delicacies (like fish you've probably never seen before). Here you can snack and watch the hustle and bustle as you stroll around and buy some of the many souvenirs at a reasonable price.
In Shinjuku, you can look forward to Kabucki-Cho, which is known as the evening mile, where there are numerous izakaya and karaoke bars. Nearby is the Golden-Gar, where Mrs Sueyoshi also liked to have a drink from time to time. It is a very impressive area that has been completely preserved from pre-war times and consists mainly of bars.
After breakfast today you will travel by private coach towards Hakone and on arrival take a ride on the Guinness World Record cable car to the summit of Mount Owakudani, the source of hot water in Hakone's hot springs.
After descending from Mt Owakudani, you will go on a cruise across the Ashinoko, a lake that was formed 3,000 years ago by a volcanic eruption.
Even in Hakone there are several opportunities to take a look at the mountain. Fuji. However, please bear in mind that the mountain is notoriously shy and requires a completely clear day to be fully seen.
Afterwards, visit the Hakone Open-Air Museum, a contemporary art museum that creates a harmonious balance between nature and art by exhibiting various sculptures by local and international artists on its extensive grounds, while offering a beautiful view of the surrounding valleys and mountains.
In addition to the sculptures, the museum also offers indoor activities for children, various indoor galleries, including an extensive Picasso collection featuring some of the legendary artist's paintings, prints, sculptures and ceramic creations. Visitors can lose themselves in the extraordinary exhibitions and explore quiet paths and tunnels throughout the museum grounds. After returning to the hotel, you can bring the day to a cosy close with a delicious dinner.
Please note that the cable car ride to Owakudani is subject to weather and safety conditions
2 nights at the 4★ Hotel Aura Tachibana, Superior Room with breakfast and dinner – Details about the hotel
Today, after breakfast at the hotel, you will go on a day trip to the most Japanese of all mountains, the majestic Mount Fuji. You will drive along a winding panoramic road to the 5th station of the Fuji Subaru Line, the starting point for Fuji climbers halfway up the majestic volcano.
After enjoying the breathtaking view, head towards Lake Kawaguchi and spend some free time by the lake to have lunch, perhaps savouring the Japanese national dish - miso soup. Near the lake, you will visit the Kubota Itchiku Art Museum, where the works of the famous textile artist Itchiku Kubota are exhibited. He revived the lost art of Tsujigahana silk dyeing, which was used to give kimonos vibrant colours during the Muromachi period.
After breakfast at your hotel, you will set off at a fast pace today: you will travel on the Shinkansen high-speed train in just around 3 hours to Kyoto, home to 2,000 shrines and temples, zazen meditation halls and geishas. On the train, you should try one of the typical Japanese lunch boxes known as "Ekiben".
Upon arrival, you will visit Kodai-ji, one of the most famous Zen Buddhist temples in Kyoto. Although the sub-temples of Kodai-ji are normally closed to the public, you will be granted special access exclusively for today's tea ceremony. A trained tea master will introduce you to Japanese tea and the relationship between the ceremony and Zen Buddhism. The ceremony then begins, with the master explaining each movement and its meaning in detail.
After the ceremony, you drive to the hotel. You can then spend the rest of the evening as you wish.
3 nights in the 4★ The Vischio Hotel, Superior Room with breakfast – Details about the hotel
After breakfast, your tour today begins with a visit to Kinkakuji Temple. In fine weather, the "Golden Pavilion" is reflected in the small lake on the temple grounds - a wonderfully graceful sight! Close to Kinkaku-ji is the tranquil Ryoanji Temple, which is famous for its well-tended rock garden.
After lunch, you will take a rickshaw ride in Arashiyama, a district at the foot of the so-called "Storm Mountains" in the north-west of Kyoto, an authentic and unforgettable Japanese experience. The leisurely pace gives you enough time to let the impressions sink in.
At the end of the tour, return to Togetsukyo Bridge, say goodbye to your rickshaw driver and spend the rest of the day exploring more of Arashiyama, browsing for souvenirs or savouring some of the local snacks!
The further path through the former resting place of Shogun Yoshimasa leads you through an avenue of red torii, at the end of which is the jewel of the complex: the beautiful Shinto shrine Fushimi Inari.
At the beginning of the day, spend some time as you wish and explore Kyoto on your own. Around midday you will meet your guide at the hotel and continue sightseeing in Kyoto.
You start with a visit to Nijō Castle. Wander through the former residence of the leader of the samurai warrior nobility, the Shōgun, and listen to the squeaking of the nightingale floors - this was installed as a warning against unwelcome visitors. The main building was completed in the early 17th century and has since become famous for its Momoyama architecture and decorated sliding doors.
Later, you will make a stop at Kiyomizu Temple, also known as the "Temple of Pure Water", which is located on Mount Otowa. The most impressive part of the temple is probably the veranda, which is 13 metres high and was built without the use of nails. The view from the veranda is magnificent, especially when the cherry blossoms are in bloom or when the leaves change colour in autumn. You can pray for the happiness of love at the Jishu Shrine, which is located behind the main hall, or drink from the three streams of the Otowa Waterfall.
Back from the temple, stroll through the atmospheric Higashiyama neighbourhood, where you will find many shops selling souvenirs such as Kiyomizu Yaki ceramics, traditional Japanese sweets and pickled vegetables.
Then explore Gion, the geisha neighbourhood of Kyoto, on foot and then enjoy a very special dinner with a maiko, the local type of Kyoto geisha! You'll start with an introduction and listen to your guide explain the nature of the geiko and her maiko (a geisha in training). Afterwards, explore the atmospheric streets and stroll past shops and restaurants on the way to Yasaka Shrine. From here, continue to Hanami-koji, where lavish tea shops line the roadside.
After the tour, head to a local restaurant for an unforgettable farewell dinner in the company of a maiko. Savour a traditional multi-course meal called Kaiseki Ryori. Chat with the maiko and learn more about her craft and the world of geisha. During dinner, the maiko will entertain you with traditional dances and introduce you to popular Japanese drinking games.
You then say goodbye to your hostess and return to the hotel.
In the morning, drive to Osaka, where your return flight with Lufthansa to Germany departs in the morning. Arrival in Germany in the evening.
Or start your Kyoto extension programme with Nara.
After another overnight stay in Kyoto, take a trip to Nara, the cradle of Japanese culture. Did you already find the giant Daibutsu impressive on your trip? Then this statue is guaranteed to inspire you: On today's day trip to Nara, you can take a look at the largest bronze Buddha statue in Japan. The Buddha image in the Tōdai-ji temple rises 15 metres into the air. While the largest wooden building in the world with its gigantic daibutsu is worth a visit in itself, you shouldn't miss out on a stroll through the pretty temple park. Sika deer roam freely here - and are happy to be fed and stroked.
At the end of the day, you will visit another Buddhist gem and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Nara: the Kasuga-Taisha lantern shrine impresses with thousands of stone lanterns, some of which are covered in moss. The Shinto shrine is particularly worth a visit on rainy days due to its melancholic and romantic atmosphere.
Free time in Kyoto - city of temples, gardens and imperial palaces. Organise the day as you wish, stroll through the old town, stroll along the river or browse the market and immerse yourself in a world of exotic and strange vegetables, fruit and various foods that you won't find here. Kyoto, the former capital of Japan, still offers a lot to discover, history to feel and culture to experience.
In the morning, drive to Osaka, where your return flight with Lufthansa to Germany departs in the morning. Arrival in Germany in the evening.
*Travel price from € 7,750 p.p.
Included in your trip:
The Park Hotel Tokyo is located on the 25th floor of the Shiodome Media Tower. Enjoy the hospitality, the grandiose panoramas and the art that surrounds you everywhere. At Park Hotel Tokyo, you can experience Japanese aesthetics first-hand in the ART - Atrium, Restaurant and Travel areas. While staying at the hotel in Tokyo, you will experience the concept of "time and space from the perspective of Japanese beauty" and integrate art into the rooms of the hotel. A dedicated art concierge not only attends to your needs during your stay, but also provides details and explanations about the Artist Room at check-in, as well as guided tours and information about other Artist Rooms.
Room
The Park Hotel Tokyo has the concept of "time and space from the perspective of Japanese beauty" and therefore integrates art into the hotel's rooms. All guest rooms on the Artist Floor are painted directly on the walls by the artists. Every single room is a work of art.
In order to offer guests in the Artist Rooms greater satisfaction, an exclusive Art Concierge service is available on the Artist Floor.
The Art Concierge will not only take care of your needs during your stay, but also provide details and explanations about the Artist Room at check-in, as well as guided tours and information about other Artist Rooms. Each room features colour-coordinated curtains and duvets, as well as toiletries such as the luxurious THANN Aromatic Wood Collection. Naturally revitalising amenities help to relax body and mind.
Gastronomy
Savour a variety of healthy delicacies based on the unifying concept of nature, health and art.
Contemporary French cuisine awaits you at tateru yoshino bis: a new "bistronomy" in the tateru yoshino style. Enjoy à la carte dishes together with the breathtaking view from the 25th floor.
Hanasanshou offers traditional Japanese kaiseki cuisine. For lunch, Hanasans-hou offers a shokado lunch box and a mini kaiseki course. For dinner, enjoy a wide selection of à la carte dishes as well as kaiseki cuisine and a selection of over 50 types of shochu and Japanese sake.
The ART Lounge is a successful fusion of art & design: a space where you can experience a park-like feeling of freedom and savour delicious food and drinks. The 10-storey atrium from the 25th to the 34th floor forms the ART Lounge, giving it a park-like outdoor appearance. The ART Lounge is open all day. Here you can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner, a dessert set or just a cup of tea. In addition, projections of exhibited works of art are shown at night on a 30 metre high wall.
Or enjoy whiskey at The Society, the first bar in Japan to be officially recognised by the Scotch Malt Whiskey Society. From the motherland of whisky, Scotland, over 100 varieties of single malt whiskey are available. While the shapes of the bottles are the same, each whiskey has its own unique flavour.
The News Art Café is a friendly open space on the 1st floor of the Park Hotel Tokyo where you can enjoy tea, coffee and light healthy meals. The large glass walls bathe the café in natural light and turn your lunch into a sunny experience, enhanced by the delicious small desserts.
The boulangerie tateru yoshino plus offers homemade bread and pastries from the Tateru Yoshino bakery. More than 40 items are available - from baguettes, which are served every day in the restaurants, to white bread, croissants, sweet rolls and sandwiches. All breads and pastries are carefully made from the best ingredients and with the quality you expect from Tateru Yoshino.
Room service is also available from breakfast to dinner (18.45 to 22.00).
Spa,Wellness, Activities
To keep fit while travelling, there is a small personal fitness studio on the 26th floor. However, you need to book in advance for the 45-minute training sessions.
The stylishly furnished Aura Tachibana is not only a haven of upscale hospitality and cuisine - it is also perfectly located. Most of the sights - such as the Hakone Open Air Museum, Hakone Shrine, Hakone Gora Park, ryokan and Narukawa Museum - are just a few kilometres away.
Incidentally, tachibana is one of two types of citrus fruit that originated in Japan. A long time ago, it was said that tachibana was the fruit whose fragrance never fades. It was long regarded as a sacred fruit that exudes "eternity" and "mysticism".
Room
Japanese-style room with tatami area. This spacious room features floor-to-ceiling windows, a seating area and tatami (straw mat) flooring. Amenities include Japanese-style futon beds, a flat-screen TV and free green tea. Toiletries are provided in the en suite bathroom. The hotel offers a range of spa facilities, including a hot spring bath.
Gastronomy
This is how Japan eats: every dish is composed from selected fresh ingredients and served with warm hospitality. Choose which of the two buildings with different concepts you would like to dine in: the Mori no Yakata (forest building) or the Kaze no Yakata (wind building)
In the Kaze no Yakata (wind building) you can enjoy modern dishes in a cosy atmosphere with subdued lighting. Here, time passes in peace while you experience Japanese flair in a cosy atmosphere and perfect harmony.
In the Mori no Yakata (forest building) you will discover an open, bright kitchen, on the terrace you will see parasols, light flowing through the leaves of a tree, waves of water - as the essence of the Japanese ideal of beauty.
In the Mori no Yakata (forest building) you will discover an open, bright kitchen, on the terrace you will see parasols, light flowing through the leaves of a tree, waves of water - as the essence of the Japanese ideal of beauty.
Spa, wellness, activities
Treat yourself to Japanese bathing culture at its finest. Experience hot springs at Aura Tachibana in 3 different types of bath: as a private rooftop open-air bath with sky terrace, as a large public bath with open-air bath or as an open-air bath in Kazeno Yakata's guest room.
Treat yourself to a little escape from everyday life with deep relaxation and picturesque views of the mountains.
Sophisticated hotel business, designed and developed by HOTEL GRANVIA: The brand new "VISCHIO" hotel from JR West Hotels maintains the quality of the "HOTEL GRANVIA" and emphasises accommodation with a sophisticated urban and modern flair. The term "VISCHIO" means "mistletoe" in Italian, a tree that is considered sacred and, according to Nordic mythology, is said to bring luck, peace and happiness. The name was chosen out of a desire for a place with a sense of "urban shelter" where you can relax, enjoy yourself and develop a feeling of well-being during your stay.
Room
Feel the elegance of Japanese tradition in the relaxed atmosphere of the spacious 28 m2 double room, which is decorated in stylishly understated colours. Functionality and comfort at the highest level.
Gastronomy
For a pleasant start to the day, surrounded by delicious flavours and refreshed by sunlight and a view of the greenery: this is how your culinary day at the Vischio Hotel begins at breakfast. Savour dishes prepared with new and innovative combinations of ingredients, in addition to those based on the local culinary culture. Get to know and appreciate breakfast dishes prepared with special attention to the products, spices and flavours of Kyoto. For example, savour the Kyoto-style gratin with miso, the soy milk kasujiru with sake kasu (sake lees) from Kyoto's fushimi or the freshly served steak grilled on an iron plate from the "Steak Buffet Kitchen", among many other delicious dishes. You can look forward to a variety of menus with around 100 Japanese and Western dishes served in buffet style.
Wellness, Spa, Sport
Stretch out and discover new horizons of well-being. The hotel offers you three options: a traditional Japanese onsen as a public bath, a sauna (for men only) and a steam bath (for women only).
The public bath is 6 metres long and 3 metres wide and has 16 washing areas. This liberating expanse refreshes and relaxes you if you are tired from your journey.
The dry sauna warms your body from the inside. A liberating and cleansing feeling when the relaxing effect of the sweat bath begins.
The steam bath provides a pleasantly warm mist. The well-dosed humidity in the sauna room is gentle on skin and hair.
German citizens require a passport to enter the country, which must be valid for 6 months after departure. German citizens do not require a visa for tourist stays of up to 180 days in total. When entering the country, a residence permit ("Landing Permission") is issued at the airport as a "Temporary Visitor" for an initial period of 90 days. Entry forms in English and Japanese are handed out on the aircraft and must be completed. Important: You must also enter the address of your hotel as well as your flight and passport number. So please have your pen, passport and ticket ready, as well as the name of your hotel.
There are no vaccination requirements for direct entry from Germany. The Federal Foreign Office recommends checking the standard vaccinations according to the current vaccination calendar of the Robert Koch Institute for children and adults (see: www.rki.de) when travelling and completing them if necessary.
You can find detailed information in the current vaccination calendar of the Robert Koch Institute at:
http://www.rki.de
Due to the large north-south extension of Japan, the climate varies greatly and ranges from cool and temperate in the north to humid and subtropical in the south.
We recommend a trip to the southern and central islands of Japan during spring in April/May and during autumn in September to mid-November. May is particularly attractive in Japan, as it is the time of the cherry blossom (Japanese: Sakura), which transforms the whole country into a sea of blossom for 14 days.
Summer in the southern and central parts of the country is usually quite warm and, above all, very humid and humid. On the northern and cooler island of Hokkaido, however, the best time to visit is in summer/early autumn between May and mid-September.
It gets very cold in the north in winter. However, if you are travelling to Japan for winter sports, the period from December to March is just right for you.
The local currency is the yen (JPY). You can withdraw money with your card at all post office banks and at 7/11 branches. However, ATMs at many other Japanese banks do not yet accept foreign cards. However, acceptance is being continuously expanded.
Important note:
This trip is partially suitable for travellers with reduced mobility, depending on their impairment.
Please contact us for detailed advice and handling of flights, transfers and accommodation.
Thank you for your interest in our holidays. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
Alternatively, you can call us directly at + 49 30 69 80 21 90.
Please fill in all fields marked with an * carefully. Many thanks in advance!
030 / 69 80 21 98
chongkolnee@select-luxury.travel
"Yes, this woman knows her way around her new homeland, which she came to know and love as a student. At the side of Anja Sueyoshi, née Kätner, you will discover and experience places, people and events that would have remained hidden from you on other trips to Japan. Don't just let yourself be guided through the sights, but be tempted to look behind the facades and gain intimate insights into the soul and passions of this multifaceted country."
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