Imperial Idyll - 8 days
Highlights:
* Forest bathe in the ever-changing landscapes of the Japanese Northern Alps, where hidden waterfalls and mountain villages delight
* Stay in a classic ryokan with open-air hot tubs and tatami-matted floors, unwinding the way locals do
* Experience Japanese culture with walks to sacred temples and an introduction to time-honored customs, including a private geiko performance
* Sip superb sake at a favorite brewery and taste the delicate flavors of fresh edamame, miso, matcha and soba noodles
* Discover idyllic Kamikōchi National Park, one of the country’s most beloved landscapes

Itinerary:
DAYS 1-2: Northern Alps
Explore the Alpine scenery of Kamikōchi, a spectacular slice of Chūbu-Sangaku National Park • Take in the gorgeous setting of traditional mountain villages • With a backdrop of dense birch and larch forests and soaring snow-blanketed peaks, this area is among Japan’s most celebrated • Savor delicious Japanese specialties • Stroll along beautifully crafted wooden bridges that span rushing streams.

DAYS 3-4: Onsen & Ryokan
Walk the famed Utsueshijuhatsu Falls trail, where a variety of cascading falls await • Enjoy a relaxing soak in an open-air hot tub (or onsen) • Forest bathe among old-growth Japanese cedar trees • Meandering trails lead through the serene countryside to a rural village • Experience unique hospitality and atmosphere at a superb ryokan.

DAYS 5-8: Takayama to Kyoto

Discover 17th- and 18th-century merchants’ houses and shops in Takayama’s old quarter • Peruse the city’s bustling street market stalls for a one-of-a-kind souvenir • Take a scenic journey to Kyoto aboard a bullet train • Follow a wooded path along the crystal clear Kiyotaki River • Learn the art of Japanese cooking with a hands-on class • Visit Buddhist temples and a beautiful Shinto shrine • Partake in an abbreviated traditional tea ceremony • Behold views of Kyoto from a summit above the city • Be entertained by a geiko (geisha in Kyoto) during a Japanese lunch • Walk through quiet forests and pass by bright orange torii, the iconic gates found at the entrance to sacred Shinto sites. (BR)

* Note: This trip can be done by joining a scheduled group departure or as a customized independent trip. Please inquire.