Sacred Japan: Temples & Shrines of Tokyo, Kyoto & Mount Koya - 6 Days

Highlights

• Seek out the calm Meiji Jingu and Shinjuku Gyoen in Tokyo
• Walk through the thousands of red torii gates at Kyoto's Fushimi Inari Taisha
• Be dazzled by Kyoto's Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
• Contemplate ancient Buddhist traditions at Mount Koya

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo, Senso-ji & Asakusa

Welcome to Japan! Upon arriving in Tokyo, you'll be transferred in a private car to your hotel. After settling into your room and freshening up from the journey, head out into the city for some sightseeing.

Your first destination is Asakusa, one of Tokyo's most culturally-rich neighborhoods. The main temple here, Senso-ji, was first built in 645 CE, making it Tokyo's oldest temple. It's dedicated to bodhisattva Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy. Senso-ji is so large that it can be considered a neighborhood of its own and provides a glimpse into the traditional Tokyo of the Edo era. Next to the beautiful Buddhist temple is a five-story pagoda, Asakusa's Shinto shrine. There are also many souvenir and craft shops leading the way to the temple, and it's an excellent place to do some souvenir shopping.

Day 2: Meiji Jingu & Yoyogi Park, Shinjuku Gyoen

After a good night's rest, explore deeper into Tokyo's traditional heart today. Although many of the city's neighborhoods are full of concrete, glass, and neon, you don't have to go far, even in the center of the city, to find quiet spiritual oases. The magnificent Meiji Jingu and the adjacent Yoyogi Park are two such places. Take a self-guided meditative walk of the lovely shrine, which dates from 1920 and is dedicated to the deified Meiji Emperor and his wife and the adjacent park. Yoyogi Park's huge evergreen forest contains around 120,000 trees belonging to 365 species, with many beautiful cedars.

Continue your tour at Shinjuku Gyoen. Right in the heart of downtown Tokyo, this sprawling garden was once reserved for royalty. The park was originally built in 1906 but destroyed in 1945 during World War II, and then rebuilt and opened to the public again. The vast gardens combine three styles: French formal, English landscape, and Japanese traditional.

Day 3: Train to Kyoto, Fushimi Inari Taisha & Kiyomizu-dera, Tea Ceremony

Say goodbye to Tokyo today as you take the Shinkansen (bullet train) west to Kyoto, a journey of about two hours. You'll instantly notice the change of pace in Kyoto. Although a large modern city today, it retains much of its traditional charm and was fortunate to escape widespread damage in World War II. It's known for its hundreds of shrines and temples, as well as its serene gardens and parks. 

Make your way to the Fushimi Inari Taisha, an iconic shrine with 10,000 red torii gates lining the path to the top of the mountain. It achieved international fame when it was featured in the movie, "Memoirs of a Geisha." Then proceed to Kiyomizu-dera, a Buddhist temple, and UNESCO World Heritage Site that was founded in 780 CE. One of Japan's most impressive and famous temples, it's especially popular in the spring and fall and has excellent views from its large wooden stage that protrudes from the hillside.

After, continue to the old district of Gion, famous for its traditional wooden buildings and the traditionally-dressed geisha who stroll its narrow streets. Here you'll participate in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, a ritual that holds an important role in Japanese culture. Meet your local expert at a machiya (wooden tea house), where they'll explain the significance of different steps in the ceremony and tea preparation, and you'll learn the process of making and serving tea alongside traditional sweets. 

Day 4: Explore Kyoto's Kinkaku-ji & Arashiyama

Today you'll be heading to Arashiyama, in the western part of Kyoto, starting with a peaceful walk in the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove along forest trails. Among the many other must-see attractions in Arashiyama are the Zen Tenryu-ji temple, a UNESCO-listed site and a place to find peace and tranquillity, and the Monkey Park, where you can enjoy watching the monkeys that roam freely in this nature reserve.

Later, head back into Kyoto and continue to the beautiful Kinkaku-ji, also known as the Golden Pavilion, a Zen temple whose two top floors are covered in gold leaf. The temple itself is a lovely sight, and the seasonal foliage and reflections of the temple in the surrounding lake add to the atmosphere.

Day 5: Train to Mount Koya, Buddhist Temples of Koyasan

Today you'll transfer from Kyoto to Mount Koya, first by Shinkansen to Osaka and then by taking local train and subway lines the rest of the way. The journey takes up to three hours. 

Mount Koya, or Koyasan, is one of Japan's most spiritually significant places. The small mountain town in northern Wakayama Prefecture is home to esoteric Shingon-shu Buddhism, founded in 816 CE. This afternoon, visit Okunioin, the largest cemetery in Japan. It contains more than 200,000 graves and memorials of everyone from feudal lords to peasants. At the edge of the forested cemetery sits the mausoleum of the founder of Shingon-shu Buddhism, Kukai. He's been in seclusion here for over 1,000 years.

Next, visit the Danjo Garan complex, one of Koyasan's most important historical and religious sites, as it's home to several religious buildings and monuments. The most impressive feature is the Daito (Great Pagoda), which Kukai designed as the heart of his monastic complex. Construction began in 816 CE and was completed around 889; the current structure is a reconstruction commissioned in 1937. The Danjo Garan is also home to the Miedo (Portrait Hall), supposedly where Kukai lived during his time there.

Day 6: Kongobu-ji Temple, Train to Osaka & Depart

Before leaving Mount Koya today, make the most of your last morning by visiting the Kongobu-ji temple, the headquarters of Shingon Buddhism. The current structure is a reconstruction commissioned in 1863, but the site's history has been traced to the ninth century. The complex includes the main temple, meditation halls, a belfry, a storehouse, a tea house, and other important buildings. Kongobu-ji is also home to Japan's largest rock garden, the Banryutei. 

Finally, return to Osaka with a driver and a private car, and head to the airport for your departure flight. Safe travels!

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