Icons of Japan

This nine-night tour by Riviera Travel charts a path through Japan’s blend of old and new. It begins with two nights in Kyoto’s Higashiyama district, where traditional wooden buildings line atmospheric streets close to the Gion entertainment area. An afternoon guided tour takes in Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavilion shimmering beside its lake, and the Zen rock garden of Ryōan-ji, where fifteen stones are arranged so no one can view them all at once.

Next comes a morning visit to the thousands of vermilion torii gates of Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine, followed by a bullet train journey that offers glimpses of the Japanese countryside speeding past at up to 200 mph. The following day focuses on the Mount Fuji area, including lake views and a cable car ascent providing a vantage point over the largest of the Fuji Five Lakes.

The itinerary continues with a stop at Kamakura where the Great Buddha stands solemn by a Buddhist temple, before a comprehensive look at Tokyo’s highlights, such as the Imperial Palace grounds and Shibuya Crossing, noted for its crowd-controlled flow of pedestrians. A final free day in Tokyo allows independent exploration across its diverse districts.