Japan Women's Journey
- Duration 12 Days
- Tour Type Private & Bespoke
- Tour Style Women-Only
About This Trip
Designed exclusively as a private journey for women traveling to Japan, whether with sisters, close friends, or on your own. Accompanied by your own dedicated guide, you'll explore classic highlights alongside hands-on cultural experiences, such as beautiful kimono dressing, trying kintsugi with a Japanese female artisan, a geisha performance, and a unique beauty shopping experience. You will also have leisure time to relax at a hot-spring hotel in Hakone and choose activities based on your interests.
Itinerary Summary
| DAY | PLACE | HIGHLIGHTS |
| 1 - 2 | Tokyo | Rickshaw Ride, Senso-ji Temple, Meiji Shrine |
| 3 - 5 | Kanazawa | Kanazawa Castle, Kenroku-en Garden, Kintsugi Experience with A Female Artisan, Shirakawa-go Village |
| 6 - 8 | Kyoto | Geisha Performance, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Nishiki Market |
| 9 - 10 | Hakone | Onsen Hotel, Mt. Komagatake Ropeway, Lake Ashi Cruise, Hakone Open-Air Museum |
| 11 - 12 | Tokyo | Shopping Day |
Suggested Itinerary
Upon arrival, your driver will meet you at the airport, holding a sign with your name, and take you directly to your hotel by private transfer. After checking in, take some time to freshen up and relax after your flight.
- Tokyo
Senso-ji Temple
Today’s Highlights
- Explore Senso-ji Temple dressed in kimono
- Ride Rickshaw around historic Asakusa district
Your Day in Detail
Start the day in Asakusa with a beautiful kimono dressing. Select a kimono in your favorite colors and patterns, fasten the obi, and add delicate hair ornaments before exploring Senso-ji in true local style. Take part in a traditional prayer, draw a fortune slip (omikuji), or pick up a charming omamori (protective amulet). Later, hop on a 30-minute rickshaw ride around Asakusa as your rickshaw guide shares quirky stories and hidden gems of this area.
After changing back into your everyday attire, continue to Meiji Shrine. Walk along the forest path and enjoy a peaceful escape amid the bustle of Tokyo. From here, you can head into nearby Harajuku or continue to Shibuya to see the famous Shibuya Crossing, offering a chance to experience the lively, modern side of Tokyo.
- B
- Tokyo
Your Day in Detail
After breakfast, take the Shinkansen to Kanazawa, a journey of about 2.5 hours from Tokyo. Leave the modern cityscape behind and discover historic streets, traditional crafts, and a slower pace of life. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and spend the afternoon exploring at your own pace.
Optional Activities
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Kanazawa Night Tour with DinnerJoin a local guide for an evening stroll through Kanazawa's historic geisha districts, learning about the area's history and geisha culture along the way. End the evening with a full-course Japanese dinner and one drink.
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- Kanazawa
Kenroku-en Garden
Today’s Highlights
- Visit Kanazawa Castle and Kenroku-en Garden
- Try kintsugi with a Japanese female artisan
Your Day in Detail
Visit Kanazawa Castle and step into the tranquil Kenroku-en Garden in the morning. Admire the castle's historic grounds and seasonal beauty in one of Japan's finest landscape gardens. Continue to the bustling Omicho Market, where you can browse the stalls and sample fresh local delicacies at your own expense.
Later in the day, meet a Japanese female kintsugi practitioner and learn the art of this traditional craft through a hands-on workshop. Discover the history behind this traditional craft, try several steps of the process yourself, and decorate a small souvenir with gold to take home as a keepsake.
- B
- Kanazawa
Shirakawa-go Village
Today’s Highlights
- Admire gassho-style farmhouses of Shirakawa-go
Your Day in Detail
Take a day trip to Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO-listed village nestled among gentle hills and quiet valleys.
Wander through the charming lanes lined with gassho-style farmhouses, their steep thatched roofs rising like folded hands against the mountain backdrop. Visit Wada House to learn about the traditional lifestyle of local families. Take a short walk up to the Viewpoint for a wider view of the village. With time to explore at your own pace, enjoy the quiet atmosphere and rural scenery before returning to Kanazawa.
- B
- Kanazawa
Take the express train to Kyoto, Japan's cultural capital. The journey takes approximately 2 hours, with a transfer at Tsuruga. Once you arrive and check in, the rest of the day is free to explore the city at your own pace.
- B
- Kyoto
Tea Ceremony
Today’s Highlights
- Visit iconic Fushimi Inari Shrine and Kiyomizu-dera Temple
- Experience geisha culture through an authentic performance
Your Day in Detail
Your Kyoto tour begins at Fushimi Inari Shrine. Walk through the famous rows of red torii gates and take some photos along the way. Continue to Nishiki Market, the "Kyoto's Kitchen", to sample some local snacks and seasonal specialties at your own expense.
In the afternoon, enjoy the sweeping views over Kyoto from the Kiyomizu-dera Temple before heading to Gion to attend a geisha Performance.
- B
- Kyoto
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Today is completely free for you to explore Kyoto or its nearby area on your own. You may also choose to join one of the following optional, additional-fee activities:
- Bento Cooking Class: learn about typical Japanese dishes such as sushi, tempura and miso soup in the morning, and even make your own bento box for today's lunch.
- Arashiyama Day Trip: a full day exploring the scenic Arashiyama area, stroll through the famous bamboo groves, visit historic temples such as Tenryu-ji, and enjoy seasonal views along the Katsura River.
- Nara Day Trip: discover the forest city of Nara from its history and nature, visit Todai-ji Temple with its Great Buddha and stone lanterns, stroll through the tranquil Nara Park with its friendly roaming deer.
- B
- Kyoto
After breakfast, board the Shinkansen from Kyoto to Odawara, a journey of about 2 hours. From Odawara, continue to Hakone, a mountain resort known for its hot springs. Check in to your onsen hotel and spend the rest of the day relaxing in the baths and enjoying the peaceful surroundings.
Note: In Japan's hot springs, baths are separate for women and men, so there's no need to worry about sharing with the opposite sex. Guests bathe without clothing, so if privacy matters to you, let us know in advance and we'll look for a hotel room with its own private bath. Some hotels also don't allow tattoos in the baths, so please tell us if you have any.
- B
- Hakone
Lake Ashi
Today’s Highlights
- Board a pirate ship sailling around Lake Ashi
- Visit Hakone Open-Air Museum
Your Day in Detail
Start the day with a ride on the Mt. Komagatake Ropeway for panoramic views of Hakone's mountains. On clear days, you may also catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji in the distance.
Continue to Lake Ashi for a short cruise across the calm waters, with views of the surrounding hills and the famous torii gate of Hakone Shrine.
Next, visit the Hakone Open-Air Museum, where sculptures are displayed among gardens and mountain scenery. Take your time to explore the outdoor exhibits and enjoy the relaxed setting.
Later, stop at Hakone-Yumoto Onsen Street to browse for souvenirs and local products before a private transfer back to Tokyo.
- B
- Tokyo
Tokyo City View
Today’s Highlights
- Explore Tokyo's fashion, beauty, and lifestyle scene with a driver-guide
Your Day in Detail
Spend the day discovering Tokyo's fashion, beauty, and lifestyle scene with an English-speaking driver-guide. You can choose to visit popular shopping areas, local boutiques, and lesser-known spots around the city. Along the way, stop at a stylish café or dessert shop for a coffee or sweet treat before continuing your shopping.
Optional Activities
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Personalized Beauty Shopping Experience with a Beauty ExpertSpend 2 hours shopping for Japanese skincare and cosmetics with a local beauty expert. Before the experience, share your skin type, beauty preferences, and budget so the expert can recommend based on your needs.
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Flower ArrangementSit down with a master instructor for a hands-on Ikebana experience of Japanese floral art. Select seasonal blooms, learn the rules of space and balance, and shape your own flower arrangement.
- B
- Tokyo
Your 12-day journey through Japan comes to an end today. At the appointed time, your private transfer will take you to the airport for your flight home.
- B
What's Included in Your Private Tour
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A dedicated travel expert will work with you to design and arrange your itinerary based on your interests, travel style, schedule, and budget. Your trip can be adjusted as your plans take shape.
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Accommodation is selected based on location, quality, your preferences, and budget. Depending on the destination and itinerary, options may include international hotel chains, boutique hotels, and locally distinctive properties.
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Local guides are arranged in each destination, with strong language skills and in-depth local knowledge. Your guide will help you make the most of each destination while sharing local history, culture, and everyday life.
Guide arrangements may vary depending on your destination and itinerary. Please refer to your Tour Program for the specific guide arrangements for your trip.
If you have any special requirements for your guide, such as in-depth historical and cultural interpretation or expertise in a particular industry or subject, please let us know in advance so we can take your preferences into consideration when arranging your trip. -
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with a dedicated driver, as specified in the itinerary
- Domestic trains as specified in the itinerary
- Domestic flights as specified in the itinerary
- International flights for selected multi-country tours, as specified in the itinerary.
Transportation arrangements can be adjusted to suit your itinerary and travel needs.
*As each trip is tailor-made, transportation arrangements may vary by itinerary and destination. The final arrangements will be detailed in your Tour Program.*International flights to and from your home country are normally not included in the initial Tour Program. If you would like, your travel expert can also help arrange these flights upon request.
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- Breakfast (B), lunch (L), and dinner (D) as specified in the itinerary
- Additional meals can be arranged upon request
- Vegetarian and vegan options are available upon request
FAQ About the Trip
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It's a private trip. You travel only with the people you bring, with your own guide and driver on sightseeing days, not as part of a group. That means more flexibility, like staying longer somewhere you love or skipping a stop and resting instead. Nobody waits for you, and you don't wait for anyone.
A few experiences, such as the kintsugi workshop, the geisha performance, and the optional Kanazawa night tour, are run as small sessions with other guests, which is how these experiences are usually offered. If you'd prefer a private session, let us know and we'll check what's possible.
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We can arrange for your suitcases to be sent ahead to the next hotel, so you only carry a small bag on the Shinkansen and express trains.
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Japan is one of the easiest countries for women to travel in, and you won't be on your own here. Your driver meets you at the airport, your guide is with you on sightseeing days, and we're available if you need help.
Your Travel Partner Every Step of the Way
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Before You Travel
- Personalized itinerary planning
- Professional advice from local experts
- Smooth booking support from start to finish
Every great journey starts with thoughtful planning. From the moment you contact us, we take the time to understand your travel style, interests, and expectations. Whether you’re looking for iconic highlights, local experiences, or a more relaxed pace, we help design a trip that truly fits you. -
While You Travel
- Expert local guides with deep knowledge
- 24/7 support for any on-the-go needs
- Flexible arrangements to suit your pace
Once your trip begins, we're right there with you behind the scenes. Our local guides, trusted partners, and support team work together to make your journey smooth, comfortable, and worry-free. From airport pickups to flexible day-to-day arrangements, we help you travel with confidence and ease. -
After You Return Home
- We welcome and value your feedback
- A travel team you can return to anytime
- Special benefits for your next journey
For us, the journey doesn’t simply end when the trip is over. We love staying connected with our travelers, hearing your feedback, and learning more about your experience. Your insights help us continue improving our services while also inspiring future travelers. Many of our guests travel with us again, or recommend us to family and friends, and that’s something we truly value.
Before You Travel
While You Travel
After You Return Home
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