The land of Wa's capitals

Kamakura is the medieval military capital of Japan. It was founded by Minamoto Yoritomi, the first shogun of Japan. The era when Kamakura was the capital gave its name to the historical period of the same name in the history of Japan.

After meeting the guide at the reception, you will start your excursion to Kamakura, the ancient military capital of Japan. The city is located on the Pacific coast and surrounded by picturesque mountains, making it an impregnable fortress for enemies. You will see the Shinto shrine Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, which is dedicated to the god of war. Then, you will walk the famous Wakamiya Oji road, which splits the city and leads to the shrine. The road runs between two ponds: one is called "Genji," which means life, and another is "Heike," which means death.

The next spot, the Kotoku family temple, includes the Great Bronze Buddha Daibutsu, which is 13.5 meters high. The shrine was created in 1252 and survived severe fires, powerful earthquakes, and tsunamis. Then, you will see the three-level Hasedera temple. On top of a sacred hill is the famous gilded sculpture of the eleven-faced goddess Kannon, the tallest wooden sculpture in Japan, 9.5 meters high. Buddhist monks carved the sculpture from a single trunk of a camphor tree. Then you will enjoy your lunch.

Moving to Fujisawa, the island of the samurai, on the top of the hill, you will see a sanctuary of the dragon of the seas, revered as the deity of loyalty and devotion. You will then visit the Cape of Love, where all lovers strive to strengthen their feelings. Iwaya Cave was carved out by water and served as a natural shelter during the samurai wars. After the tour is completed, you will come back to your hotel.

Kyoto is the ancient imperial capital of Japan, one of the oldest cities in the country, the entire historical part of which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kyoto was founded in the 8th century and served as the Imperial residence for almost twelve centuries. Among its numerous temples and sacred sites in Kyoto, one can highlight the Sanjusan-gendo temple, built back in 1164. Even today, it is the longest wooden structure in the world. In the long central hall, in the twilight, there are 1001 statues of the goddess Kannon the Merciful. You will have a lunch break then at a traditional Japanese restaurant.

Another Kyoto gem is the Kinkaku-ji, also known as the Golden Pavilion, an elegant three-level temple with its roof covered with thin sheets of gold. The building is also topped with a traditional bronze phoenix. The temple is located in a magnificent garden from the Muromachi period. Nearby is the world-famous Zen rock garden of Ryoanji: fifteen stones seem to be randomly scattered on the white gravel, but from any point only fourteen are visible...

The Silver Pavilion, Ginkaku-ji, is another architectural masterpiece. The temple is gracefully reflected in the adjacent lake, making it a classic Kyoto view... Finally, you will walk down the open veranda of Kiyomizudera, or the Temple of Pure Water. You will enjoy a stunning Kyoto panoramic view. The local legend says that if you take three sips from the adjacent spring, your wish will come true! You will wrap up your Kyoto’s experience by visiting the legendary Geisha Gion quarter, which has been a center of entertainment since ancient times. You will come back to your Kyoto hotel after the tour is finished.

This day, you will take a trip to Arashiyama, a picturesque area on the outskirts of Kyoto. On the way there you can admire the scenery of the Hojukyo Valley. In the Arashiyama area, there is the famous Sagano bamboo forest, and the beautiful Togetsu-kyō bridge for you to enjoy. Then, it would be your lunch time. We recommend dining at Togetsutei Shofukaku, a fine Japanese restaurant serving seasonal dishes presented in traditional bamboo o-bento style.

Your final part of the trip will be a walk through the historical geisha district of Kamishichi-ken. The spot is the smallest and oldest geisha district, if you compare it, for example, with the Gion district in Kyoto. Only 25 geishas and their students, maiko-san, live and work here, at eleven elegant tea houses. In Arashiyama, there is also Japan’s most famous geisha school located. After the end of your day trip, you will transfer to your hotel in Kyoto.

The city is very close to Kyoto, just half an hour away. During its foundation, several majestic temples have been built here. For example, the Todaiji Temple, which was completed in 725. This is one the greatest wooden structures on Earth. Todaiji now is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This temple is dedicated to the Buddha of Infinite Light incarnation, embodied in the sun. Inside, there is a giant bronze Buddha statue, the largest in Japan.

In the 5th century AD, Japan borrowed a lot from China and Korea in terms of civilizational development. Religion was one of these gifts from Asia's mainland. Japanese have also borrowed writing, architecture, and even urban planning that dominated the Chinese Tang Dynasty style back then. This is why Nara, as Japan's first permanent capital, was built on the model of Changyan, the capital of China at the time.

Near Todaiji, another Buddhist temple, Kofukuji, is located; it was built in the 7th century. Its pagoda, Goju-no-to, is one of the tallest in the country. This "skyscraper from the past" is 55-meter high! The Goju-no-Pagoda is the most famous graphic symbol of Nara.

Thanks to Nara's compact site, people usually come here for just a day, which is enough to see all the sights. Of course, the Kasuga Taisha Shinto Shrine is also worth your attention. At the entrance to the temple, there is a wisteria tree, whose age is estimated to be 800 years! Inside, on the temple grounds, is a Japanese cedar tree, which is around ten centuries old! All year round, the temples in Nara host various Buddhist and Shinto religious festivals.

After that, you will return to your Kyoto hotel.

You can visit a colorful show based on national motifs. Take an exciting cruise along Tokyo Bay with dinner and a Japanese show, or climb the Sky Tree - the tallest television tower in the world with a height of 634 meters.