9-Nights Journey Through Japan... A Family Adventure - Tauck Bridges Family Travel from $9,990

Tauck World Discovery: Journey Through Japan... A Family Adventure

Day 1 Tokyo, Japan
Arrive Tokyo

Tour begins: 5:00 PM, Conrad Tokyo. A transfer is included from Tokyo's Narita and Haneda airports to the Conrad Hilton hotel in the heart of the city's Shiodome district within walking distance of the famous Ginza district. Join us for a welcome reception and dinner tonight as you meet your fellow family travelers in one of the world's most exciting cities.

Immerse in the interactive wonders of team Lab Planets Tokyo, an award-winning innovative museum where you can walk through water with koi fish, become one of the flowers in a colorful garden, immerse in art work that's everchanging, view light spheres and stars constantly on the move and more incredible hands-on experiences that are unforgettably fun for everyone to enjoy together. The non-stop action continues at lively Tsukiji Outer Market, a great place to hunt for foods made of fish and learn firsthand how to make sushi for lunch. This afternoon, visit Meiji Shrine, dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, try your hand at Taiko drumming, and enjoy the height of fashion for kids and teens on a walking tour of trendy Harajuku that tempts with sweets and bubble tea. Have dinner at your hotel tonight.

Set off for a day of hands-on discoveries that reveal cultural traditions centuries-old. First up is a visit to the oldest and one of the most colorful temples in Tokyo, Asakusa Kannon Temple (Senso-Ji) built back in 645 for the goddess of mercy and backdropped today by the science-fiction-style Tokyo Skytree. Hop aboard a rickshaw for an eye-opening sightseeing ride in the city before experiencing what it takes to be a ninja warrior. Lunch like a local today, then head into the famous shopping district of Ginza for an afternoon of electronic and anime surprises. Spend the evening as you please.

Capable of traveling up to 200 miles per hour, Japan's famous bullet train is the fastest way to speed from place to place. Today, come aboard for a train ride to the hot springs town of Hakone in the Japanese countryside for an overnight stay. Upon arrival, a tram ride takes you down a volcanic valley to Lake Ashi, where a private boat cruise across the lake awaits. Weather permitting, enjoy views of Mount Fuji towering off in the distance, before disembarking for lunch and a visit to the outdoor sculpture park at the Open Air Museum. Enjoy free time at your hotel before dinner tonight.

Ride aboard two bullet trains today as you make your way to your hotel in Hiroshima. Take in the sights like the locals do and find lunch in the food courts at the train station. Late this afternoon check into your hotel for the next two nights, the Hilton Hiroshima, ideally located in the center of the city. Dinner tonight is at the hotel.

Hiroshima is where the first atomic bomb was dropped in World War II creating unimaginable devastation. Today this important rebuilt city has become a beacon of hope and education towards abolishing nuclear weapons and promoting peace. Visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and Park, home to many poignant memorials and monuments that chronicle the reality of that fateful event. If you wish, take the opportunity to view the sights from atop the Orizuri Tower overlooking the park. For lunch, your family is in for a special treat as you learn to make okonomiyaki, a crepe-like pancake that is topped with a variety of meat, seafood, vegetables and cheese. Prepare it the way you like and enjoy a taste of this favorite Japanese treat. A short ferry ride this afternoon brings you to the island of Miyajima for a visit to the Itsukushima Shrine, known for its "floating" torii gate. Home to hundreds of free-roaming Sitka deer, the island is regarded as one of the most scenic spots in Japan. Ferry back to your hotel in Hiroshima where the evening is free to enjoy as you wish.

Speed to the enchanting city of Kyoto aboard a bullet train this morning, arriving in time for lunch at a local restaurant. Continue to the Buddhist temple Kiyomizu-dera for a locally guided tour. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the temple was built in 780 on the side of a steep mountain near the Otowa Waterfall. Its name, translated to mean "pure water temple," comes from the crystal-clear water of the three streams at the slope of the hill, each having their own unique meaning to whoever drinks from them. One stream promises longevity, one, academic success, and one portends a good love life. Enjoy panoramic views of Kyoto from the temple's expansive wooden deck, before driving to your hotel in the heart of the city, recognized as one of "The Best Hotels and Resorts in the World: The Gold List 2024" by Condé Nast Traveler. Have dinner at the hotel at your leisure.

Home to more than 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines, Kyoto is world-famous for its refined culture, dining, and charm of rural Japan. Explore its landmark sites today, including a locally guided visit to golden-topped Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion, set in a garden on the edge of a lake, and a walk through Nishiki Market, rich with history and tradition and renowned for its famous foods and goods. This afternoon, learn about the art of life in this enchanting city as you experience an authentic Japanese tea ceremony and discover the finer points of calligraphy. Spend the evening as you wish.

History takes center stage on a visit to Nijo Castle, today one of the seventeen Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. A place of spellbinding beauty, Nijo Castle was built in 1603 as the Kyoto residence of the powerful first shogun of the Edo Period (1603-1867). Discover the secret of its nightingale floors on a guided tour, shoes off. Meet a geisha this afternoon in the Gion district, where more time-honored secrets are revealed, and join us for a farewell reception and dinner this evening.