An Insider’s Look: Japan
By Tully Luxury Travel | 01-13-2020 |
The land of the rising sun knows no shortage of contrasts. From ancient imperial cities to the dizzying heights of Tokyo, and the tranquility of its national parks, Japan is a place where ancient traditions fused with modern life as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
IN A NUTSHELL
- 12-14 days is the best length of time for a visit • No visas are necessary for North Americans or Europeans
- No shots are required for your entry into the country
- The best times to go are during the Cherry Blossom season (March & April) and the vibrant autumn months (September to November)
- Waitlists for some of Japan's finest dining experiences extend more than 6 months –plan early, particularly in higher seasons
TOKYO
Supercharged Tokyo is at the cutting edge of all things trendy: avant-garde restaurants, boutique fashion brands, and Japan’s famed teen culture. Yet, the city that never sleeps masks a deep cultural heritage.
- Having hosted the 2020 Summer Olympics, there has never been a better time to visit the best city in the world as voted by Condé Nast
- Visit the famed Meji Jingu Shrine, built to honor the first Emperor of Japan
- Explore Ameyoko-Cho, a bustling market and the last of its kind in Tokyo
- Marvel at the fashionable teenage districts of Nakano, Daikanyama, and Harajuku
- Stroll the glistening streets of Ginza, Japan’s shopping Mecca for all things designer
KANAZAWA
Kanazawa is an artist’s playground and the birthplace of Japan’s ancient samurai culture.
- Learn Kanazawa’s ancient gold-leaf decoration and kimono dying techniques with a private class led by your very own art master
- Explore the ancient Nagamachi Samurai District, and learn of Kanazawa’s prosperous past
- Take a day trip to Takayama and explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Gassyo-Zukuri, and the iconic rural architecture built to stand the test of time
NAOSHIMA & TESHIMA
Visit two fascinating islands come artist projects, reclaimed by some of the biggest names in Japanese art and architecture.
- Explore the installations and museums of Naoshima and Teshima with a private guide
- Advance plan your itinerary to stay at the Benesse House on Naoshima. Bookings are hard to secure, with the diary opening strictly 180 days in advance of arrival
KYOTO
Traditional streets lined with wooden houses, a thriving Geisha culture, theatres, and parklands make this historical city a fascinating window into contemporary Japan.
- Explore the ancient streets of Kyoto before dining at night with your very own Geisha
- Visit the Golden Pavillion Kinkakuji Temple built, in 1397, for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu
- Take a day trip to the ancient capital of Nara, home to hundreds of freely roaming deer
ISE PENINSULA
Ise’s coastal bays, forested parklands, and small, traditional towns form a breathtaking reprieve from urban life.
- Spend two nights at the idyllic Amanemu, on the coast of the Ise National Park
- Explore numerous pearl fisheries, and take a sunset cruise along the Ise coastline
- Visit the Ise Jingu shrine, one of the largest and most revered shrines in Japan
HAKONE
In the foothills of Mount Fuji and surrounded by hot springs, Hakone is the place to rejuvenate at a luxurious Japanese Ryokan.
- Enjoy unparalleled views of Mount Fuji from the longest ropeway in Japan
- Indulge in an exceptional Ryokan, in a room with a private “rotenburo” (outdoor bath)
- Advance book a number of spa treatments and enjoy a private Kaiseki dinner
– The Tully Team
