Starting the tour off in Tokyo in Harajuku Shopping District on Takeshita Street!
Our hands-on sushi making activity! Such a fun way to make lunch!
The finished sushi! いただきます!
Next stop, Sensoji template in Asakusa, Tokyo.
Tasting the delicious matcha ice cream!
Traveling to Mt. Fuji and ascending to the 5th station, at an elevation of 7,500 feet above sea level.
Lunch after visiting the Mount Fuji 5th Station.
Visited Owakudani (“Great Boiling Valley”) after lunch. Owakudani is the source of the hot spring waters of Hakone.
The black eggs of Owakudani, locally known as Kuro-Tamago, are perfectly safe to eat, though they sometimes have a slight sulfur smell.
Taking in the views on the Hakone Gondola.
Taking a boat ride on the beautiful Lake Ashi in Hakone.
We continued on our journey with two train rides to Miyajima. Tour members so excited to ride their first Shinkansen on the JR Super Express Train!
Enjoying the company of deer after a short ferry ride to Miyajima Island.
Enjoying a traditional, multi-course kaiseki dinner featuring Hiroshima’s local and seasonal ingredients including fresh seafood from the Seto Inland Sea at Iwaso Inn.
So much fun to dress up for dinner!
After dinner our local guide Keiko san took the group to go take pictures of the lighted Torii Gate at Itsukushima Shrine. Such a beautiful nite and another memorable day for everyone!!
Beautiful views at night.
Back to Iwaso Inn for an overnight sleep.
Later we visited Himeji Castle, known as “White Egret Castle” and “White Heron Castle” because of its brilliant white exterior, resembling a bird taking flight.
Himeji Castle is the largest and most visited castle in Japan. Here is the group in front of the picturesque castle.
We visited Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion), a Zen temple whose top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf.
Later we went to the yuzen table mat dyeing hand-on activity which everyone enjoyed! They had so much fun!
Started off our day at Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto, Japan.
We also had a great kaiseki lunch which everyone raved about!
Experiencing a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony.
Ryōzen Kannon buddha statue is a war memorial commemorating the dead of the Pacific War located in Eastern Kyoto.
The view from Kiyomizu Temple.
Feeding crackers to the deer in Nara, in front of the Todaiji Temple.
Todaiji Temple, the largest wooden building in Japan, houses the largest bronze statue of Buddha at 16.3 meters high.
Todaiji Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Back at Itsukushima Shrine before we depart for Honolulu!
Our trip is complete! Everyone so sad to leave but has great memories of the tour and new friends they met.
