JAPAN

September 27 – October 10, 2026

What is it about Japan that weaves such a potent travel spell? 

Japan is one of the most amazing, beautiful, interesting and friendly countries in the world. From bustling Tokyo and Zen-like Kyoto all the way to sacred Koyasan, with its Buddhist Temples and Hakone at the foot of Mt Fuji, Japan boasts mouthwatering food, majestic temples and shrines, serene gardens, lush national parks and a rich culture.

Japan is where Temples share tales of ancient history alongside neon-lit streets that buzz with the future. With culture that dances between graceful traditions and vibrant modern life, and a history as deep and fascinating as its breathtaking landscapes.

Join Tracey on an experience that will be unlike anything else, where the extraordinary is every day.

A Message from Tracey — Experience Sacred Japan~

This will be our fourth trip together…
Bali in 2023, Mexico for Dia de los Muertos in 2024, Tanzania and Zanzibar in 2025…
And for 2026, the Land of Gods, Spirits and the Rising Sun, Japan!
A new year… a new country ~

Come experience Japan with us. This special itinerary has been hand crafted for our group.

 Reach out to me if this trip calls to you.

Wonder awaits!
Tracey~

Your Tour Includes

• Round trip air transportation from San Francisco to Japan
• Round trip airport & hotel transfers
• 12-nights’ accommodations at first class 4-star hotels
• Service charges and taxes at your hotels
• Breakfast at hotels each day
• 5 dinners
• Transportation throughout Japan
• Sightseeing excursions as per itinerary
• Sightseeing entrance fees
• Local guides throughout
• Porterage of one piece of luggage per person per hotel
• Bullet Train ride
• Plus Special Features on each day listed in BOLD

JAPAN TOUR ITINERARY

Day 1: Sunday, September 27 – Depart San Francisco
Airport check-in will be about noon this afternoon.

Day 2: Monday, September 28 – Arrive Tokyo (D)
Late arrival in Tokyo (local time) at Narita Airport where after Immigration and Customs, we will be met and have a welcome dinner locally before we are escorted to your hotel in Tokyo and enjoy a restful sleep. 

Day 3: Tuesday, September 29 – In Tokyo (B)
Breakfast at the hotel followed by your tour to discover Old Tokyo. We begin with the Imperial Palace Plaza and see the current residence of the Japanese Imperial Family and the former site of the Edo Castle. Then we explore the beautiful Hamarikyu Gardens, a 17th-century landscape garden that once served as a duck hunting ground for the Shogun. We will have time to enjoy the traditional Shioiri-no-Ochaya (tea house) resting on the lake at your leisure. This will be followed by a the scenic 35-minute Tokyo Cruise Ship from Hamarikyu Gardens to the Asakusa pier. This elegant transit offers unique views of the city’s skyline and bridges.  Upon arrival, we will walk through the iconic Kaminarimon Gate, then stroll down Nakamise-dori, a lively street lined with traditional food and souvenir stalls. We will have the opportunity to find local specialties and delicious local sweets. At the end of the street, we find the stunning Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest temple. After exploring the temple we return to the hotel in the early evening for your overnight. 

Day 4: Wednesday, September 30 – In Tokyo (B)
After breakfast, we begin the day in the western Setagaya Ward by visiting Gotoku-ji Temple (The Cat Temple) known as the birthplace of the maneki-neko (beckoning cat), which features thousands of cat figurines. Then we head back toward central Tokyo to escape the city bustle at Shinjuku Gyoen, a large national park that combines three different styles of gardens: Japanese Traditional, French Formal, and English Landscape. It’s a peaceful place to relax and enjoy nature. There are tea houses in Shinjuku Gyoen.  Free time to enjoy a tea and Japanese sweet break at your leisure. After lunch on your own, we are off to visit Meiji Shrine, the serene Shinto shrine, surrounded by a beautiful forest and Harajuku, the birthplace and epicenter of Japanese street fashion and youth culture. The balance of the day is free for independent exploration and, on your own, to visit one of the many “animal cafés” in the area. Popular café options include cat, micropig, and hedgehog. Returning to your hotel and have dinner at your leisure. 

Day 5: Thursday, October 1 – To Hakone (B/D)
After Breakfast you check out of your hotel and travel to Hakone, a mountainous resort town known for its natural beauty and views of Mount Fuji. We will begin with a visit to Itchikubota Museum and Ide Sake Brewery. Then we’ll visit Mount Fuji’s 5th Station, a popular stop for breathtaking views of the iconic volcano. Afterwards, we proceed to your accommodation and check into your hotel for dinner and overnight.  And maybe relax with a soak in the hot spring baths.

Day 6: Friday,  October 2 – In Hakone (B/D)
Breakfast followed by an Ashi Lake Cruise. Here we will enjoy a scenic cruise across Lake Ashi to visit Amazake Chaya (Hakone Old Tokaido Road), a historic tea house that has been operating for over 400 years. They serve amazake (sweet non-alcoholic rice drink) and light snacks. After a visit  to the Open-Air Museum, we return to your hotel where we have the balance of the afternoon free before dinner at your hotel, and time for another hot springs soak.

Day 7: Saturday, October 3 – To Kyoto (B)
We start the day by attending a rare dance performance that allows us to experience geisha culture up close. The elegant and refined dance performed by the geisha, accompanied by the sounds of the shamisen, is truly an extraordinary experience (note that the performance is subject to availability). Afterwards we transfer to the rail station to board your Bullet Train to Kyoto. Onboard you can purchase a bento lunch to enjoy on the train. On arrival, we will be met and escorted to your accommodation. Dinner is on your own, followed by an evening walk through the Gion Geisha District, before returning to your hotel for a good nights rest. 

Day 8: Sunday, October 4 – In Kyoto (B)
Breakfast at the hotel followed by a full day cultural tour of Kyoto. We will be visiting the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji): This Zen temple is covered in gold leaf and reflects a mirror-like surface of a pond. Its beauty and tranquility make it one of Kyoto’s most popular attractions. Explore the art and craft street fair and then attend an Ikebana workshop. In the late afternoon, enjoy a stunning sunset at Kiyomizu-dera Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s famous for its wooden main hall, which is supported by pillars that do not use a single nail.  Return to your hotel for dinner on your own. 

Day 9: Monday, October 5 – To Koyasan (B/D)
Check out of your hotel and just take an overnight bag, as we will have made arrangements to store your luggage at the hotel for your return. We proceed to Koyasan, a sacred mountain home to a secluded complex of Buddhist temples. Along the way we will pass by the imposing Daimon, the main gate of Koyasan, marking the sacred entrance to the mountain. Soon we arrive at the Pilgrim’s Lodging and check in to your temple accommodation. In the evening, we will enjoy a traditional Buddhist vegetarian dinner (shojin ryori). After dinner, we explore Okuno-in, the most sacred site on Koyasan, featuring a vast and atmospheric cemetery leading to Kobo Daishi’s mausoleum. 

Day 10: Tuesday, October 6 – Koyasan to Kyoto (B)
You start your morning with a prayer ceremony followed by breakfast at the lodging. After checking out of your temple accommodation, we will have some free independent time before returning to Kyoto by train. Check into your hotel and then have the balance of the day and evening free for independent exploration of Japan’s “ancient” capital.

Day 11: Wednesday, October 7 – In Kyoto (B)
Today, we explore the scenic Arashiyama district, famous for its natural beauty, historic temples, the tranquil Bamboo Grove and to enjoy a garden view from the Tenryu-i Temple. We will have some free independent time for lunch on your own at Nishiki Market. In the afternoon, we take a walk starting at Okazaki Shrine to Shinnyodo Temple. After dinner on your own, in the early evening, a walk to Fushimi Inari, the headquarters of Inari shrine. Here we will see thousands of Red Tori gates, perfect for picture taking.  

Day 12: Thursday, October 8 – In Kyoto. Excursion to Nara (B)
Breakfast at your hotel followed by a full day excursion to Nara.  Upon arrival in Nara, we explore Nara Park and maybe even interact with the sacred wild deer. During your stay there will be a visit to the Todai-ji Temple, home of the Daibutsu (Great Buddha), the world’s largest bronze Buddha statue. Free time for lunch on your own at the historic Naramachi district (an old merchant quarter). During your Nara tour, we will have a traditional tea ceremony before returning to Kyoto. Dinner and free time at leisure. 

Day 13: Friday, October 9 – Kyoto (B/D)
Breakfast at the hotel and then a free day in Kyoto. Kyoto is the Japan of the imagination: It’s  a city of grand palaces, Shinto shrines and exquisite gardens, mercifully spared from the bombing of World War II that razed other Japanese cities. While Kyoto is an undeniably modern city, pockets of historic Japan linger here, where kimono-clad geisha still shuffle along narrow, lamp-lit streets. Later this evening, you will have your Farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 14: Saturday, October 10 – Departure (B)
We have breakfast at the hotel and some free time before we transfer to the airport for your flight home, arriving the same day, as we cross the international date line and we make up the day lost on the way to Japan. Arrival in San Francisco on Saturday. Welcome home!

Hotels (or similar)

3 nights at Tokyo Keio Plaza Hotel or similar
2 nights at Hakone Fujiya Hotel or similar
1 night at Koyasan Shukubo Ekoin or similar
6 nights at Dhawa Yura Kyoto Hotel or similar

Please Read the Terms and Conditions for this Tour

** Bonus! SAVE! You will receive a 5% discount if ALL payments are made by check or money order. This discounted price is noted below in red.

Special NO INTEREST Payment Plan Now Available!* Body Mind Spirit Journeys now offers a “BILL ME LATER” Plan with PayPal — No Payments + No Interest if paid in full in 6 months. (Click here for details)

PRICE PER PERSON

Per Person in Double Occupancy room:
$5,999 payments via check; $6,299 payments via credit card

Per Person in Single Occupancy room:
$7,699 payments via check: $8,099 payments via credit card

Add to above costs:
U.S. airline facility security and tax charges, $500 ($525 via credit card)
Prepaid Gratuities $175 ($185 via credit card)

Optional Supplemental Costs
Upgrade to Premium Economy Class @ $1,299 ($1.369 via credit card)  + tax
Upgrade to Business Class @ $5,699 ($5,999 via credit card)  + tax

INITIAL DEPOSIT
$1,000 ($1,050 by credit card)
Non-Refundable deposit due right away to guarantee space

Final Payment
Due on or before July 15, 2026

Travel Insurance

BMSJ highly recommends the purchase of Trip Cancellation/Interruption Travel Insurance, and we therefore provide you with an easy way to contact RMC’s preferred insurance provider, Allianz Global Assistance. If you need additional information or have questions, please call Allianz directly at 800-284-8300, and refer to code F025323.

Photo Credits:

Okuno-in, Koya-san by Andrea Williams, licensed as CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.