Luxury Autumn Leaves TourStep into a world of autumn colors and historical sites, a perfect combination

Welcome to Japan! Your first stop is an old merchant's town, "Imai-Cho".
It was so prosperous that many would say "70% of the gold (money) in Yamato (ancient Nara) can be found here."
Stroll through the historical streets of about 500 traditional houses that still remain as they were since the Edo Period (1608-1868). Enjoy lunch there.
Then visit Tanzan Jinja Shrine, famous for the astonishingly beautiful thirteen-Story Pagoda surrounded by red maple leaves in the fall. Photographers relish this view! At this shrine, one of the most important historical meetings of the nation took place: The Taika Reforms of 645 A.D. enacting the "Ritsuryo" (which literally means rule by law) system, with the aim to govern all of Japan under a unified standard.

At Nishiuchi Sake Brewery, enjoy tasting different kinds of sake with a variety of sweet and strong flavors. Learn more on an exclusive tour of where they originally made sake, usually closed to the public. Remember to say "kampai" which is "cheers" in Japanese!

Today, travel back in time to experience the ancient city of Japan, with history in the walls of buildings over 1000 years old.
Explore Hase-Dera Temple, famous for seasonal flowers and a 200m high Five-Story Pagoda.
In autumn, the October Cherry Blossoms are at their peak, and visitors are rewarded with the beautiful view from the temple: being surrounded by green, yellow and red maple leaves.
The main hall is not usually open to the public, but you will have an exclusive private tour with a monk of the temple as your guide. Touch the foot of the Kannon (Bodhisattva) statue, which is said to grant you a wish. Your next stop is Murouji Temple, which has a stunning Five-Story Pagoda, main hall, and many Buddhist statues, all designated as national treasures. Here, in the prohibited grounds of the "Golden Hall", you will have the opportunity for exclusive prayer time with monks inside.
Enjoy this rare experience!
Optional: Visit Kashihara Jingu Shrine and have the luxury experience of dining inside the shrine.

Visit Kinpusen-ji Temple, the main training dojo for Shugendo practitioners, an ancient religion from seventh century Japan.
These Japanese mountain ascetics incorporate Shinto and Buddhist concepts and stress physical endurance as a path to enlightenment as they journey through high mountain peaks. Explore the halls of the temple ground with the "Yamabushi" monk, which is literally translated as "mountain prostrate". Observe real temple lifestyle through rare experiences: eat "Shojin Ryouri", vegetarian dishes eaten by monks and Shugendo for centuries.
Chat with the "Yamabushi" about their practice over Japanese sweets and tea. Be awed by the mysterious practice of "Gomagyo", a Mikkyo (Esoteric Buddhism) prayer using powerful flames with the aim of making wishes come true.
This is truly a day full of Japanese culture and history passed down through centuries, revealing secrets not often found in modern cities.

Explore Asuka Village, the first permanent capital of Japan from 592-710 AD.
Enjoy the well-kept nature in the village with your choice of transportation: hiking, cycling, car or MICHIMO - a unique eco-friendly, electric, two-seater Nissan car (requires an international driver’s license).
History lovers will enjoy a visit to 7th-8th century sites like the Kitora Mural Experiential Museum and Kitora Tumulus. Or how about reading the oldest collection of Japanese poetry and seeing the culture of nearly 1500 years ago at the Nara Prefecture Complex of Man’yo culture. For gorgeous sites to see, we recommend Oka-dera Temple, as well as the terraced rice fields known as “Inabuchi Tanada”, which Asuka is famous for. After lunch, visit Katsuragi City, said to be the birthplace of Japanese sumo wrestling. Make a stop at Kehayaza, a modern sumo museum, where you can enjoy special demonstrations of sumo related historical items, and even try sumo wrestling yourself, in the actual sumo ring!
This is a very popular experience, and definitely more exhilarating than you can imagine!
In the evening, be fascinated with the beautiful night view from Mt. Wakakusa, voted as one of the top three of "New Japan’s Best Night Views". At night you will stay at a hotel back in Nara city.

Start off your day meeting and feeding Nara’s famous local deer at Kasuga Taisha Shrine. Enjoy the lively sight of a French horn player summoning the local deer with a performance of Beethoven's 6th Symphony Pastoral.
Then visit the Great Buddha "Daibutsu" at Todaiji Temple; the protected building is said to be the largest wooden structure in the world!
At Kohfukuji Temple you can see a symbol of Nara, the picturesque Five-Story Pagoda and its architectural beauty originally built in 710! Have lunch at a local restaurant, and for the afternoon you have a choice of the following:
- Explore Naramachi, an old merchants’ town, and try exclusive Japanese sweet making led by a master confectioner
- Visit the most authentic Japanese knife shop, Kikuichi Cutlery
- Visit Omiwa Jinja Shrine, known as the origin of Japanese sake, and visit Imanishi Sake Brewery for sake tasting.

Head to Kyoto, where old Japan is still well preserved with 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites, and more than 1000 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto Shrines.

Where to visit in Kyoto is totally up to you and we will arrange the day according to your choices. Here are some of our recommendations:
- Fushimi Inari Shrine, most popular for its arcades of vermilion Torii Gates
- Gion, once famous for geisha and teahouses, now famous for souvenirs and antique shopping
- Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Temple)
- Nijo-jo Castle
- Kiyomizu-dera Temple, which has an amazing view overlooking Kyoto
- Nishiki Market, a lively five block shopping street with more than one hundred shops known as ‘Kyoto’s Kitchen.’ You can buy anything! Fresh seafood, local produce, knives, cookware, and more.
- Visit local craftsmen of Nishijin-Ori (Nishijin weaving) and Obi (the thick waistband for kimonos)

Travel to the lively merchant’s city of Osaka.
Your first stop is Osaka Castle, built as a power display by General Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1583, after he unified Japan during the civil war. Enjoy an excellent collection of art and armor used by samurai inside the castle. The 360-degree view from the 8th-floor observation deck is also spectacular. Osaka was once called the “kitchen of the nation” back in the Edo period, offering a variety of gourmet options including: Takoyaki (octopus dumplings), Okonomi-yaki (savory pancakes with shredded cabbage), and Kushikatsu (deep-fried skewered meat and vegetables). Please try them all!

Your next stop is the Shin Sekai area and Minami (south) area with the popular "Shinsaibashi", famous for its long and arcade-covered market streets.
Shopping lovers will be thrilled to visit colorful vendors with unique souvenirs, and food lovers can be satisfied with any kind of meal from street food to luxury cuisine.
The energy of the Japanese people in Osaka will definitely make you smile!

After this trip, surely your spirits, bellies, hearts, and bags are full!
You can relax as we drive you back to Kansai International Airport. Have a safe flight back home!