Asia · Japan
Tokyo to Kanazawa to Naoshima to Mount Koya to Kyoto to Nara — a journey through Japan's most refined cultural, artistic and spiritual landscapes.
About This Expedition
“A journey through Japan designed not around movement, but around atmosphere — where every moment is considered, and every detail quietly exact.”
This itinerary moves through Japan's most distinctive contrasts — from Tokyo's modern intensity to the preserved elegance of Kanazawa, the artistic isolation of Naoshima and the spiritual stillness of Mount Koya. It concludes in Kyoto and Nara, where tradition continues to shape daily life with remarkable continuity.
Travel is seamless and unhurried, combining private transfers with the precision of the Shinkansen. Each stay is carefully selected — from contemporary icons such as Aman Tokyo to traditional ryokan and temple lodgings — creating a balance between design, culture and immersion.
Experiences are curated with restraint: private temple access, encounters with master artisans, contemporary art spaces set within nature, and moments of stillness that define Japan at its most profound.
What Is Included
Day by Day
Every day has been sequenced to create a natural rhythm — arriving rested, departing enriched, and never once conscious of the machinery moving beneath you.
“The best journeys are felt in the body before they are understood by the mind.”
Tokyo
Tokyo introduces the journey through contrast — scale, energy and refinement existing side by side. Your stay at Aman Tokyo offers calm above the city, with panoramic views and immediate access to its cultural and modern districts. Days are curated privately — from Meiji Shrine and Omotesando to Asakusa and the Imperial Gardens. Experiences may include a private sushi masterclass, a visit to a sumo stable, or a guided exploration of Tokyo's contemporary art scene. Evenings are reserved for refined dining, whether at a Michelin-starred counter or within the understated elegance of your hotel.
Aman TokyoKanazawa & Shirakawa-go
Travel by Shinkansen to Kanazawa, where Edo-period Japan remains quietly intact. The Higashi Chaya district reveals traditional teahouses and geisha culture, while Kenrokuen Garden offers one of the most balanced landscapes in the country. A private journey into the Japanese Alps leads to Shirakawa-go and Gokayama — UNESCO-listed villages defined by their thatched gassho-zukuri houses. The day unfolds slowly, with time to explore the architecture, landscapes and rural traditions. Evenings are spent at Beniya Mukayu, where private onsen baths and kaiseki dining complete the experience.
Beniya Mukayu, Kanazawa
Shirakawa-go — a village the world agreed to leave unchanged, where thatched gassho-zukuri farmhouses endure amid the Japanese Alps
Naoshima
The journey continues to Naoshima, Japan's celebrated art island, reached by train and private boat. Here, architecture, landscape and contemporary art exist in quiet dialogue. Your stay at Benesse House places you within the experience itself. Days include private visits to the Chichu Art Museum, Lee Ufan Museum and the Art House Project, alongside time to explore neighbouring islands such as Teshima and Inujima. Evenings return to stillness — coastal views, curated dining and the rare sensation of complete retreat.
Benesse House, NaoshimaMount Koya
Mount Koya introduces a different rhythm — one defined by silence, ritual and reflection. At this sacred Buddhist site, you explore Kongobuji Temple and walk through Okunoin Cemetery, where lanterns and cedar trees create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in Japan. Your stay at Soji-in Temple offers a direct connection to monastic life, including shojin ryori dining and evening prayer ceremonies.
Soji-in Temple, Mount Koya
Okunoin Cemetery at dusk — stone lanterns and cedar trees mark a path walked by pilgrims for over a thousand years
Kyoto & Nara
Kyoto reveals Japan's cultural depth through temples, gardens and daily rituals preserved across centuries. Your stay at Aman Kyoto places you within a forested sanctuary just beyond the city. Days are shaped around private access — Zen meditation, temple visits, and a guided walk through Gion. In Nara, the Great Buddha at Todai-ji and the lantern-lined Kasuga Taisha Shrine offer a quieter, older perspective on Japan's heritage. A private tea ceremony, followed by an exclusive Maiko performance and kaiseki dinner, forms one of the journey's most intimate cultural moments.
Aman KyotoReturn to Tokyo
The final chapter returns to Tokyo via Shinkansen. Before departure, a last day may include a walk through Arashiyama's bamboo forest, a visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine, or time for private shopping and dining. Your final evening is spent at Mandarin Oriental Tokyo, overlooking the city skyline — a quiet conclusion to a journey defined by precision, balance and depth.
Mandarin Oriental TokyoWhere You Will Stay
Aman · Tokyo
Tokyo, Japan
A contemporary sanctuary above the city, combining Japanese minimalism with panoramic views.
Ryokan · Kanazawa
Kanazawa, Japan
A minimalist ryokan with private onsen baths and kaiseki dining, set in complete tranquillity.
Art House · Naoshima
Naoshima, Japan
Where contemporary art, architecture and nature exist in quiet dialogue on Japan's art island.
Temple Lodge · Mount Koya
Mount Koya, Japan
A rare stay within a working Buddhist temple, offering shojin ryori dining and evening prayer ceremonies.
Aman · Kyoto
Kyoto, Japan
A secluded retreat within a private forest at the edge of Kyoto, offering direct access to the city's most sacred sites.
Mandarin Oriental · Tokyo
Tokyo, Japan
A refined final perspective over the city, offering seamless luxury at the conclusion of the journey.
Private Enquiry
This itinerary is a point of departure, not a fixed schedule. We will adapt every element to your preferences, your travel party, and the season of travel. Submit your details and a Martins Travel advisor will respond personally within 24 hours.