Deepen your Japanese discovery
Disembark Scenic Eclipse and be transferred to the Marriott Miyako Osaka for your two-night Scenic Special Stay with full club lounge access. Meet your fellow guests for a special teppanyaki welcome dinner.
Drive to the city of Tondabayashi to visit a restored Edo era Merchant House, built around 450 years ago. Continue on to Kehayaza, the area where sumo wrestling originated.
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Kehayaza Sumo Stable: Learn about the history, life and training routine of a sumo wrestler during your private visit to a sumo stable. After the welcome ceremony, see a demonstration of Jinku and the wrestlers in action in the dohyo.
Afterwards, enjoy a traditional sumo-style Chanko hot pot lunch at a local restaurant.
Return to the hotel for some free time this afternoon. Enjoy more of your Club Floor benefits, including complimentary refreshments and evening cocktails. Later, catch the Osaka Metro to the bustling Dotonbori district, known for its neon lights and elaborate street signs. Explore this lively area and sample some local dishes in Hozenji Yokocho food alley.
This morning, drive to Todaiji Temple, one of the World Heritage-listed Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara. Constructed in 752, it was the largest wooden building in the world until the end of the 20th century and houses one of Japan’s largest statues, a 15-metre-tall bronze Buddha. See the curious deer in Nara Park and enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before continuing to Kyoto, home to many World Heritage sites.
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Kimono wearing and tea ceremony: Partake in an authentic Japanese tea ceremony while dressed in a traditional Japanese kimono. Learn more about this fascinating cultural ritual and take some memorable photos.
This evening, settle in for your two-night Scenic Special Stay at the Hilton Kyoto in an Executive room with lounge access.
This morning, explore the captivating city of Kyoto, a place where old Japan is still alive. Begin the day wandering around the gardens of the famous Kinkaku-ji or Golden Pavilion, so named because it is completely covered in gold leaf. Afterwards glide through the otherworldly Arashiyama Bamboo Grove on a traditional rickshaw.
Scenic Freechoice:
This afternoon, explore the city on one of these Scenic Freechoice excursions:
Samurai & Ninja Museum: Your local guide will lead you on a 30-minute guided tour diving into the fascinating history of samurai and ninja through legendary stories and historical insights. Experience life as a Samurai, wearing authentic Samurai armour, holding a sword and learning how to throw ninja stars. Test your targeting skills by throwing a shuriken.
Nijo Castle: Discover Nijo Castle, built in 1603 as the residence of the first shogun of the Edo Period (1603-1868). After the Tokugawa Shogunate fell in 1867, Nijo Castle was used as an imperial palace before being donated to the city and opened to the public as a historic site. Its palace buildings are arguably the best surviving examples of castle palace architecture from Japan’s feudal era and the castle was designated a World Heritage Site in 1994.
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Dinner with Maiko and Geiko: At tonight’s special dinner, you will be able to interact with a Geiko and Maiko as they host your meal. It’s an excellent opportunity to learn about what is involved in becoming a Geisha and the art of Japanese hospitality.
Make an early morning visit to Fushima Inari Shrine, famous for the thousands of red torii gates leading to its entrance. Afterwards, travel to Nagoya via Shinkansen in Green (Business) Class seats and enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. Visit the Shinkansen Train Museum at the SCMaglev and Railway Park. Continue to the historic castle town of Inuyama and check into the boutique Hotel Indigo Inuyama Urakuen Garden for a two-night Scenic Special Stay.
Learn about the ancient history of the area with a visit to the Shiro-to-Machi Museum before wandering through the old town’s streets to Inuyama Castle, the oldest of just five castles nationwide designated as national treasures.
Scenic Freechoice:
This afternoon, explore the city on one of these Scenic Freechoice excursions:
Meiji Mura: The Outdoor Museum for Reconstructed Buildings Meiji Mura, or Meiji Village, is a stunning demonstration of Meiji period (1868-1912) architecture from Japan. Walk around this vast theme park museum to see how Western culture inspired the architects of Japan as it moved from its samurai past to its modernised future.
Seki Traditional Swordsmith and Museum: Seki City is one of the most well-known and highly regarded blade-producing areas in the world. To this day, Japanese swords continue to be produced by swordsmiths in the traditional forging style that has been passed down for centuries. The museum shows the history and tradition of blade-making that date back over 700 years with a possible demonstration by the master swordsmith in action.
Drive to Nagoya and travel via Shinkansen, in Green (Business) Class seats, to Tokyo. Once you arrive, spend time at the dazzling team Lab Borderless Digital Art Museum. Wander freely amongst the immersive displays, created by hundreds of projectors, lights and computers.
Later, check-into The Capital Hotel Tokyu, your Scenic Special Stay for the next three nights. With direct access to four subway lines, the hotel was given a prestigious five-star rating in the Forbes Travel Guide. Rooms overlook the most picturesque sites in Tokyo, such as the Imperial Palace, the 500-year-old Hie Jinja Shrine and beautiful landscaped Japanese gardens.
Scenic Freechoice Dining:
This evening, choose from one of these Scenic Freechoice Dining options:
Ninja Tokyo: This popular but unusual restaurant has a ninja theme that creates a memorable dining experience, combining gourmet cuisine with elaborate décor and entertainment.
Nobu Tokyo: Part of the famous international chain of restaurants from celebrated Japanese chef Nobu Matsuhisa, this casual but chic restaurant is known for its fusion cuisine blending traditional Japanese dishes with Peruvian ingredients.
Izakaya Nightlife: Sample a Yaki-tori and Kushiyaki dinner over some drinks at small local bars. This is a chance to mingle and dine in a traditional Japanese way.
Visit the Asakusa district, known as the centre of Tokyo’s shitamachi or ‘low city’. Capturing the atmosphere of Tokyo’s past, the narrow laneways are lined with traditional shopfronts, food stalls and ancient temples. You can pay your respects at Sensoji temple, the city’s oldest Buddhist temple built in 645.
Scenic Freechoice:
This afternoon, explore the city on one of these Scenic Freechoice excursions.
Meiji Shrine and Shibuya Crossing: Explore the tranquil evergreen forest of the Meiji Shrine complex, before walking across the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world and seeing the famous Hachiko dog statue in Shibuya.
Cultural Shinjuku and Gyoen Gardens: Stroll through Shinjuku-Gyoen Gardens, one of the most beautiful areas for cherry blossoms in Tokyo. Visit Shinjuku’s shopping and entertainment districts. You can also choose to stay on and join the crowds later into the night.
Gather your bearings and get a bird’s eye view of Tokyo from above as you take in the panorama from Tokyo Sky Tree, the world’s tallest tower at 634 metres.
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Taiko performance: Partake in an interactive, private group demonstration and lesson in playing the Taiko drums, led by renowned Taiko masters.
Afterwards, the remainder of your day is at leisure for some last-minute shopping or sightseeing before joining your fellow guests for your farewell dinner tonight.
Say goodbye to the land of the rising sun with many wonderful memories.
The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the journey will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information. Hotels are indicative and subject to change.
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At Scenic, we create exceptional journeys to every corner of the world. You will enjoy once-in-a-lifetime experiences, indulgent truly all-inclusive luxury, and a world class crew who will ensure every detail is cared for to the Nth Degree. With more than three decades of experience, the loyalty of our Scenic guests reflects our dedication to always placing you at the heart of everything we do. With Scenic, you'll find this is worldwide discovery truly in a class of its own. Across our 5-star luxury river cruises on custom-built Scenic Space-Ships, and 6-star ultra-luxury voyages on board Scenic Eclipse, The World’s First Discovery Yachts™, it is more than taking our guests to exceptional destinations around the world. Our truly all-inclusive philosophy enables our guests to be immersed in their chosen destination, indulge in an unparalleled level of luxury, and relax knowing everything is taken care of.