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

Welcome to Japan and its origin location, Nara Prefecture! Your first stop is an old merchant's town by the name of "Imai-cho." This town was so prosperous that it was once said that "70% of the gold in Yamato (the name of ancient Nara) could be found here."
Stroll through historical streets lined with about 500 traditional, well-preserved Edo period (1608-1868) houses.
After Inmai-cho, head to the mountains where the Tanzan-jinja Shrine lies, famous for its astonishingly beautiful thirteen-story pagoda, which is surrounded by red maple leaves in the fall. Photographers relish this view! At this shrine, one of the most important historical meetings of early Japan took place: the Taika Reforms of 645 CE in which the "Ritsuryo" (which literally means “rule by law”) system was implemented, creating a unified system of laws for the country under the rule of the Emperor.

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 Learn more on an exclusive tour of the area where they originally made sake, which is usually closed to the public.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

Today, travel back in time to experience an ancient city of Japan, where history lies in the walls of buildings that are over 1000 years old.
Explore Hase-dera Temple, famous for seasonal flowers and a 31m high five-story pagoda.
In autumn, the October cherry blossoms are at their peak, and visitors are rewarded with beautiful views over the foliage surrounding the temple made up of green, yellow, and red maple leaves.
The main hall is not usually open to the public, but you will have an exclusive private tour inside with a temple monk as your guide. Touch the foot of the Kannon (Bodhisattva) statue, which is said to grant wishes.
Your next stop is Murou-ji Temple, which has a stunning five-story pagoda, main hall, and many Buddhist statues, all designated as national treasures. Here, within the usually off-limits grounds of the "Golden Hall," you will have the opportunity to participate in an exclusive prayer experience with monks inside.
Enjoy this rare and unforgettable treat in an ancient Buddhist mountain temple.
Optional: Visit the Kashihara-jingu Shrine and delight in a fine dining experience inside the shrine itself.

Visit Kinpusen-ji Temple, an important location for practitioners of Shugendo, an ancient religion from seventh century Japan based around mountain asceticism.
These Japanese mountain ascetics, known as “yamabushi,” incorporate both Shinto and Buddhist concepts and stress physical endurance as a path to enlightenment while journeying over high mountain peaks. Explore the halls of the temple complex with the "yamabushi" monks and observe what it is like to actually live in a remote mountain temple. Finally, partake in "shojin ryouri," a type of vegetarian dish eaten by monks for centuries.
Chat with the yamabushi about their religious practices over Japanese sweets and tea. Be awed by the mysterious practice of "goma-gyo", a Mikkyo (Esoteric Buddhism) ritual, which uses powerful flames to communicate with the divine and grant wishes.
This is truly a day full of experiencing Japanese culture and history passed down through the centuries, revealing secrets not often found in modern cities.

Explore Asuka Village, the first permanent capital of Japan from 592-710 CE.
Enjoy beautifully looked-after natural scenery of 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 learning about the culture as it existed around 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 of “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 an actual sumo ring! This is a very popular experience, and definitely more exhilarating than you might imagine!
In the evening, be fascinated by the beautiful night view from Mt. Wakakusa, voted as one of the top three of "New Japan’s Best Night Views." Finally, settle down for the night in a comfortable hotel in Nara City.

Start off your day meeting and feeding Nara’s famous local deer at the 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 Daibutsuden building, which contains the statue, is said to be the largest wooden structure in the world!
At Kofuku-ji Temple a picturesque five-story pagoda and architectural wonder originally built in 710 that is now a historical symbol of Nara! After, have lunch at a local restaurant, and for the afternoon, you have a choice of the following options:
- Explore Naramachi, an old merchants’ town, and try exclusive Japanese sweets made by a master confectioner
- Visit what is claimed to be the oldest knife shop in the world, Kikuichi Cutlery.
- Visit the Omiwa-jinja Shrine, known as the origin of Japanese sake, and then visit the Imanishi Sake Brewery for a sake tasting experience.

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

The itinerary for exploring Kyoto is totally up to you and we will arrange the day according to your choices. Here are some of our recommendations:
- The Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its mesmerizing arcades of vermilion torii gates.
- Gion district, once famous for geisha and teahouses, now famous for souvenirs and antique shopping.
- Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Temple).
- Nijo-jo Castle, residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first Shogun of the Edo Period.
- 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 used for kimonos).

Travel to the lively merchant city of Osaka.
Your first stop is Osaka Castle, built as a display of power by the feudal lord 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, and continues to offer a variety of gourmet options in modern times 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, including "Shinsaibashi", famous for its long, open-air covered market streets.
Shopping lovers will be thrilled to visit colorful vendors selling unique souvenirs, and food lovers will fall in love with the many types of dishes to be found here, from street food to luxury cuisine.
The energy of the Japanese people in Osaka will definitely make you smile!

Finish your journey feeling satisfied with a week well spent exploring the Kansai area.
You can relax as we drive you back to Kansai International Airport. Have a safe flight back home!