Kyoto Itinerary: Temples, Culture & Hidden Gems

Highlight: war in Nikko at the shrine. Shrines and temples in general, Japanese gardens, castles/fortresses, the hikes, the temple stay, the culinary highlights (10-course menu, sushi chef restaurant, and more). I also liked the balance between free time and guided time. Special mention goes to the tour guide Laura, whose guidance and knowledge made it possible for me to experience Japan in such an enjoyable way.

Our long-awaited tour of Japan will be an unforgettable experience in our lives. Traveling by public transportation, the opportunity to stay overnight with Buddhist monks in a temple in Koyasan, as well as with a host family, were authentic Japanese experiences. The hospitality of Yasuko, the engaging conversations—sometimes supported by our translation apps—and the hands-on introduction to the family tradition of chopstick making still fascinate us today and will remain a wonderful memory. Our guide Lorenzo, who brought an excellent group spirit, was a guarantee for a smooth, informative, fun, cheerful, and culinary outstanding journey. Each of the aforementioned stops had its own special experience factor and showcased the beauty and cultural diversity of this wonderful travel destination, with its unusually polite and courteous people among whom we had the privilege to travel. What an exemplary country... JAPAVENTURA put together this 21-day trip very well. We were very satisfied and can highly recommend this tour operator.

The trip was very inspiring, both in terms of the country and its people—especially the way people interact with each other. When I returned home, this was brought to my attention again in a striking way. The punctuality of the trains was also fantastic.

Very intense trip, discovering Japan in its various aspects, a complete change of scenery, and the good fortune of being well accompanied by our guide Emma, who shared her passion for Japan with us. Thanks to her energy, good humor, kindness, and availability, we had a wonderful journey.

With this highly varied and eventful trip, we were able to get to know a country that is both tradition-conscious and aspiring, in many facets and in very beautiful landscapes. The politeness of the people, the cleanliness throughout the country, and the punctuality of the means of transport were absolutely impressive.

Intensive and fairly physical program as described in the itinerary. Provides a good first overview and makes you want to return to explore the subject further.

We had an excellent first experience of Japan in a small group (8 people with our guide) over 21 days. The program was varied between city and countryside, allowing us to glimpse different aspects of life in Japan. Some special moments (a night at a monastery, a night with a host family, onsen experiences) were very enjoyable. I would like to thank Raoul, our guide, who throughout our journey enabled us to fully enjoy the experience, thanks to his knowledge of Japan, the language, as well as his availability and his commitment to making our trip unforgettable. As there is always room for improvement, I would suggest more "free time" (outside the group) to allow for more personal "visits/walks," and more days in the "countryside/mountains" to better enjoy the Japanese landscapes. I fully recommend this itinerary.

The trip offered in-depth insights into everyday life in Japan—from cooking to the impressively organized mobility. The sense of responsibility for social coexistence was particularly evident, for example, in the cleanliness of the cities. The country’s cultural development was conveyed in an understandable way, but references to Japan’s current economic and political situation were lacking. Overall, the distinctiveness of Japanese culture became clearer and very impressive.

It was a true joy, precious moments, amazed to discover a certain quality of life. Magical moments that I will never forget, I fell in love with Mount Fuji—yes, you can fall in love with a volcano. I meditated in temples surrounded by resplendent nature. I got lost only to find myself again. The contact with the locals was genuine and sincere, with a reassuring joy of living. I had been waiting for this trip, and I am fulfilled.

After a somewhat slow start (discussions about the flights), the trip went much better than expected! The route and the sights, the hotels, and the other accommodation options were excellently chosen. The overnight stays in the monastery, the traditional ryokan, and with a family were real highlights! We usually travel independently, but we could not have planned the trip ourselves as well as this. It was very convenient that our luggage was shipped from one hotel to the next. And we could always store our small backpack with luggage for one or even two nights in a locker at the train station—there’s no better way to travel by public transport. Sascha led the small group with great commitment, flexibly but always confidently, through bustling cities as well as along remote mountain paths. It was clear to us that this would not be a Studiosus trip, where you are overwhelmed with information by long-time art historians. Nevertheless, we learned a lot about Japan from Sascha—history, everyday life, and sights—and also received plenty of good tips for our free days. Jenny had described the travel program well for each day, and Sascha always explained the program and schedule for the following day in advance. If we wanted more in-depth information, we had some time in the evening to look up details online. The more you have read in advance, the more new things you learn—this applies to any trip, but in Japan, with thousands of years of history and a complex culture, you will be overwhelmed if you are not somewhat prepared. All in all: an extremely intense, educational, and successful trip.