Inclusions

4 nights’ stay in Kyoto at 4 star hotel
Daily breakfast
Half day city tour
Samurai experience including swordsmanship basics to handle a real Katana sword
Art of Zen meditation
Return airport transfers

Day 1

This is a must-see destination in Japan. Kyoto is the nation’s former capital and was the residence of the emperor from 794 until 1868. With 2,000 religious buildings, including 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines, as well as palaces, gardens and associated architecture, it is one of the best-preserved cities in Japan and has 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Kyoto represents the “Japan of old” and beyond the high-rise skyscrapers built as a monument to progress, the real monument to Japan’s historical and cultural past can be found in the city’s narrow alleyways where tea houses abound and kimono-clad geisha hurry from elegant function to function.

On your arrival at Kansai International Airport, you will be met by our representative in the arrivals hall who will escort you to your waiting private vehicle. You will then be driven directly to your hotel.
You will have the rest of the day to spend at your leisure after check-in.

Guiding: Meet and greet only
Accommodation: Kyoto Tokyu Hotel or similar

Day 2

Kyoto
This morning, make your own way to Kyoto station for a shared bus tour of some of Kyoto’s most charming spots with an English-speaking guide. You will visit Kinkaku-ji Temple and Nijo Castle, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. See the Kyoto Imperial Palace, which was used as the Emperor’s residence until about 150 years ago. Please note that the Kyoto Impe rial Palace is closed on Mondays, in which case you will visit Kitano Tenmangu Shrine instead. The Palace may also be closed due to festivals in town or when there is an imperial household event.
This morning tour lasts for about 4 hours, leaving your afternoon free to spend as you like. The tour disbands at Kyoto station, so you can make your own way back to your hotel or to whatever attraction in town appeals to you.
Meals included: Breakfast
Guiding: Approx. 4 hours
Accommodation: Kyoto Tokyu Hotel or similar

Day 3

Kyoto
Today you will have the chance to step into the shoes of the samurai during a full day tour themed around the history of these warriors.
The day begins with a trip to Sanjo Bridge. Kyoto was once the captial of Japan with Sanjo Bridge being on one of the most important roads. Thus, it attracted a lot of assasination and ambush attempts. Even today it still bears the mark of many a samurai battle. You and your guide will look closely at the brass toppers on the pillar s, where you will see cuts still left from sword fights that happened hundreds of years ago.
Next, you will head to a traditional Japanese house nestled in the suburbs near to Nijo Castle. You will enjoy a two-hour introduction to some of the practices samurai themselves will have trained in. You’ll wear traditional “hakama”, the pleated trousers worn by samurai, and will watch a demonstration by a sword master. You’ll then master the form basics with a practice sword before having the chance to wield a real katana and cut through a rolled tatami mat. At the end of the experience, you will partake in a brief Zen meditation session and understand why Zen was so important to samurai.

Afterwards you will head for lunch at Akebono Tei, a tea house in eastern Kyoto, regularly frequented by anti-Shogunate rebel samurai at the end of the Edo Period. You will be able to enjoy a traditional Kyoto meal based on tofu, the local speciality.

After lunch you will head to Ryozen Gokoku Shrine nearby, where the spirit of Ryoma Sakamoto, a national hero, is enshrined. Sakamoto was a samurai who believed the kingdoms of Japan should be unified and opened up to the world and was assassinated in 1867 for his beliefs.
Your guide will drop you off at your hotel once the tour is over.
Meals included: Breakfast
Guiding: Approx. 4 hours
Accommodation: Kyoto Tokyu Hotel or similar

Day 4

Departure
Breakfast at hotel, your day is at your leisure until your private transfer arrives to drive you to Kansai International Airport in time for your departure. Have a safe flight home!

Tour Ends

EXCLUSION

International and domestic airfare
Visa
Optional tours, excursions and activities.
Travel Insurance
All other services not mentioned under ‘Inclusions’

TERMS & CONDITIONS

*Prices mentioned is starting from, per person based on 2 persons travelling together and sharing twin/double room, subject to seasonal surcharges and availability.

ITL World reserve the right to amend the prices in case of currency fluctuations, changes in rates of exchange, and/or fuel costs, special or high season charges and hike in the airline/hotel/rail/land transportation charges before the date of departure.

For convenience of passengers and / or feasibility of operations, ITL World or their service providers may sometimes amend the itinerary.

International hotel check in time is between 2pm and 3pm and check out time is between 11am and 12pm. (Exceptions apply). Early check in and or late check-out is subject to availability of rooms and may be chargeable.

It is the responsibility of the passengers to ensure they hold valid passport, visa, travel and medical insurance, vaccination etc., as applicable for each destination.

City/tourist tax as applicable, must be paid directly at the hotel.

To assist with visa application process, ITL World would provide copies of air tickets, travel insurance and other ground service vouchers for bookings made and fully paid for. Approval and issuance of visa is at the discretion of respective Embassies or Consulates and ITL World cannot in anyway influence this process. Certain nationals however receive visa on arrival in select countries, subject to prior online approvals