tour japanese gardens

This website may ask your browser to store cookies. See our Cookies Policy for more information about our use of cookies.

• site navigation
• main content
• +44 (0)20 8742 3355 +44 (0)20 8742 3355
• [email protected]
• +44 (0)20 8742 3355

Japanese Gardens - Tokyo, Kyoto, Hikone, Nara & Kanazawa

A study of the evolution of Japanese gardens through the centuries.  

From Kyoto’s wealth of exquisite temple gardens to Tokyo’s hill-and-pond gardens.

Time in each city to explore other aspects of Japanese culture.  

Fine examples of ‘borrowed scenery’ at Nara, with its Buddhist temples and deer park, and Hikone Castle on the eastern shore of Lake Biwa .  

Print itinerary

Please call us for availability Please call us for availability

• Practicalities
• Testimonials

Japanese gardens possess an aura of timelessness, against which background the cycle of the seasons unfolds its pageantry.

Throughout the 1,600-year-old Japanese tradition of creating gardens, the chief consideration has consistently been the depiction of a landscape. This approach to design was firmly established with the earliest gardens built in Japan during the fifth and sixth centuries under the expertise of architects and artisans from Korea and China, who introduced their scholarly taste for the elegant pond garden. From the continent, a variety of sacred landscapes deriving from Buddhist as well as Chinese religious cosmographies entered Japanese culture; Mt. Sumeru, the centre of the universe according to Buddhist legend, has frequently been represented through the centuries, as have been the Taoist Islands of the Blessed Immortals.

Above all, the Japanese took the Chinese tradition of landscape gardens and transformed it into an expression of their love for their own native natural landscapes. Verdant mountains sloping down to the sea; waterfalls and streamlets; rugged shores and shingle beaches; an ever-varying coastline of inlets, coves and jutting promontories – these have always provided a beloved subject matter. Trees and shrubs are carefully selected and arranged to create a seasonal palette, while ponds symbolise the sea, and the rocky outcrops set in them reflect the self-image of the Japanese as an island people.

The idea of landscape links together the two major types of Japanese garden: the pond garden, on the one hand; and the rock garden on the other, a style that emerged during the 15th century, in which serene and contemplative spaces are enhanced by the symbolic representation of water through the use of gravel. In the latter half of the following century, the great tea master Sen-no-Rikyu sought to reproduce the ambience of forest glades for his tea rooms. Lack of space has never been considered an inhibiting factor, and through the judicious choice and symbolic placing of stones and plants, beautiful panoramic vistas have been created in the tiniest of gardens.

This tour presents a variety of superb gardens from all periods of Japanese history, from the aristocratic ‘paradise’-style temple gardens and the enigmatic Zen Buddhist rock gardens of Kyoto, to the borrowed castle scenery at Hikone and the tea gardens of Kanazawa, to the amalgamation of all these various styles in the imposing gardens of the samurai elite in Tokyo. It offers an insight into the symbolism incorporated into the various styles and the opportunity to appreciate the relationship of gardens to the Japanese way of life.

Tokyo. The tour begins in Tokyo with lunch in the hotel. (Flights from London are not included. There is an airport transfer to meet the recommended flight from London. Your room is available from 2.00pm on 8th November – see Practicalities). In the afternoon, visit the Imperial Palace (formerly Edo Castle), and the reconstructed East Palace Garden. First of two nights in Tokyo.

Tokyo. At Edo, the daimyo (feudal lords) built grand residences with vast gardens. The 17th-century landscape garden Koishikawa Korakuen reflects their sumptuous, eclectic tastes. Nezu Kaichiro’s collection of Far Eastern arts is well presented in the eponymous museum, which has a delightful wooded garden dotted with teahouses (subject to confirmation due to exhibition schedules) . In the afternoon, visit Kiyosumi: a superb, late 19th-century landscape garden built for Iwasaki Yataro, founder of the Mitsubishi conglomerate.

Kyoto. Bullet train to Kyoto (luggage by road). In the afternoon, visit the 14th-century Tenryu-ji, a Zen Buddhist temple and its panoramic pond garden with a ‘dragon-gate’ waterfall. First of five nights in Kyoto.

Kyoto. Morning visit to Ginkaku-ji (Temple of the Silver Pavilion), whose pavilion overlooks an elaborate dry-landscape garden with raked gravel featuring an enigmatic flat-topped conical mound. The superb garden at Chishaku-in resembles an unfolding landscape scroll painting. Optional afternoon visit to the Miho Museum (subject to confirmation due to exhibition schedules) , designed by I.M. Pei and harmoniously integrated into a forested nature reserve. The approach on foot via a tunnel and bridge leads to a glass structure on the crest of a hill and a sequence of luminous interiors incorporating traditional Japanese motifs.

Kyoto. Ryoan-ji’s walled stone garden, with its 15 boulders, is one of Japan’s most abstract gardens. Nearby, the garden of Kinkaku-ji (Temple of the Golden Pavilion), a shogun’s villa later turned temple, retains aspects of the ‘paradise’ style. In the afternoon, visit the large walled temple compound of Daitoku-ji, many of whose sub-temples possess notable examples of dry-landscape gardens. One of the finest is at Daisen-in, a miniature landscape heavily influenced by Chinese ink-brush paintings.

Nara. A full-day excursion to Nara, first capital of Japan (ad 710–794), modelled on the Tang capital of Chang’an (Xi’an) in China. The 12th-century Joruri-ji has a rare surviving example of a ‘pure land’ temple garden with a pagoda and hall with nine golden Buddhas. Much of Nara is parkland dotted with ancient temples, including Todai-ji which contains an arresting monumental bronze Buddha.

Kyoto. Nanzen-ji is distinguished by its massive gate and quarters of the abbacy (Hojo), which contain very fine 17th-century painted screens ( fusuma ) by Kano Tan’yu. Together with its sub-temples, it contains important dry-landscapes created by the eminent 17th-century tea master and garden designer Kobori Enshu. Nearby Murin-an boasts a landscaped pond garden, a masterpiece of the late 19th-century garden designer Ogawa Jihei VII.  

Hikone, Kanazawa. Drive to Hikone, on the shores of Lake Biwa, and its two adjoining parks Genkyu-en and Rakuraku-en. Genkyu-en is a famous feudal landscaped garden incorporating the view of the early 17th-century keep at Hikone Castle. Continue to Kanazawa, an attractive city which retains much of its old character. First of two nights.  

Kanazawa. Kenroku-en, one of Japan’s finest strolling landscape gardens, was created for the powerful local feudal lord of Kagawa. It has a superb view of its pine trees trained with rope in readiness for winter. The elegant villa Seisonkaku, which sits in the grounds, was built for the widow of the 12th-century lord and has wonderful courtyard gardens.  

Kanazawa, Tokyo. Bullet train to Tokyo (luggage by road). The afternoon is dedicated to the Tokyo National Museum, which occupies several buildings in Ueno Park and houses some of the finest Japanese art in the world. The main gallery (Honkan) traces the development from prehistoric, sculptural earthenware to exquisite paintings and decorative objects of courtly patronage. First of two nights in Tokyo.  

Tokyo. The 18th-century Rikugi-en offers superb views over its lake. There is free time to explore the colourful, traditional Japanese area surrounding the Asakusa Kannon Temple. Take a local boat down the Sumida River to Hama-rikyu, originally a tidal garden and hunting lodge belonging to the Tokugawa Shogunate and now a peaceful retreat in the heart of the metropolis.

Tokyo. The tour ends after breakfast. Independent departures. (Flights to London are not included – there is an airport transfer in time for the recommended direct flight back to London –see Practicalities).  

Price, per person

Two sharing: £6,420. Single occupancy: £7,630. International flights are not included.

High-speed rail travel (first class) from Tokyo to Kyoto and from Kanazawa to Tokyo; private coach for excursions; hotel accommodation as described below; breakfasts, 8 lunches and 7 dinners with wine, water, coffee; all admissions; all tips; all taxes; the services of the lecturer and tour manager. 

International flights between London and Tokyo are not included in the price of the tour. We will send recommended flight options from London with your booking confirmation, which will be available to book in late November 2022 (for 2023). The cost of a World Traveller (economy) seat with British Airways is c. £850 . We provide airport transfers to meet the recommended return flights from London. For those not taking the recommended flights, airport transfers can be arranged for an additional cost.

Accommodation

New Otani ,   Tokyo:  5-star hotel located in the centre of Tokyo. It has a historic garden dating from the 17th century. Yura Hotel , Kyoto: 5-star boutique hotel in central Kyoto.  Tokyu Hotel , Kanazawa:  excellently located 4-star, in walking distance of the city’s former samurai district.

Additional nights 

It is possible to arrange additional nights at the hotels before or after the tour. Please contact us if you are interested. The night before the tour begins (8th November in 2023) is included in the price of the tour to allow for early check-in on Day 1.

How strenuous?

A good level of fitness is essential. Unless you enjoy entirely unimpaired mobility, cope with everyday walking and stair-climbing without difficulty and are reliably sure-footed, this tour is not for you. A rough indication of the minimum level of fitness required is that you ought to be able to walk briskly at about three miles per hour for at least half an hour, and undertake a walk at a more leisurely pace for an hour or two unaided. The tour involves a lot of walking in gardens. Average distance by coach per day: c. 44 miles.

Are you fit enough to join the tour?

Between 10 and 22 participants.

Travel advice

Before booking, please refer to the   FCDO website   to ensure you are happy with the travel advice for the destination(s) you are visiting.

'Yoko is the perfect person to explain gardens as away in to Japanese culture and history.'

'The tour manager was unfailingly helpful and kind.'

'Yoko was very knowledgeable and provided fascinating insights into Japanese culture.'

'The itinerary was pretty extraordinary, particularly the days spent in Kyoto where we delved deeply into the gardens and temples there, establishing a rhythm that was completely absorbing and transporting.'

You may also be interested in...

The plantagenet empire rulers of england in normandy and anjou.

In Churchill's Footsteps Celebrating the 150th anniversary of his birth

The Squares Walk London’s greatest glory

Tuscan Gardens The pick of Tuscan gardens and villas

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience.

Visitors in a boat visiting a Japanese garden

©Philippe Voisin

Hamarikyu gardens : One of Tokyo must see

©tupungato/123RF

Indulge yourself with a move upmarket in an equivalent 4 * hotel (optional)

Kenroku-en garden, one of the 3 most beautiful in Japan : a must-see in Kanazawa, especially in Winter

©Sean Pavone/123RF

Ritsurin koen, Takamatsu Japanese Garden is a magnificent natural setting in the heart of the city

©FranckinJapan/Pixabay

Takamatsu concentrates nearly 80% of Japanese bonsai production

©Fabio Formaggio/123RF

Korakuen Garden, one of the three most beautiful Japanese gardens, along with Okayama Castle

Adachi Museum of Art and its garden, considered by the specialized press as "the most beautiful in Japan"

©Shimane Prefectural Goverment/©JNTO

Enjoy comfortable 3 * hotels, well located, with impeccable Japanese service

©Tsugu 京都三条 Kyoto

• Travel insurance
• Japan Experience

Unmissable Gardens in Japan

• Duration : 14 days
• Locations : Tokyo, Kanazawa, Takamatsu, Okayama, Matsue, Kyoto
• Add to favorites

This Japan tour allows you to visit the most beautiful Japanese gardens . 5 of them are on the programme of this trip: Mito , Kanazawa , Takamatsu , Okayama and Adachi .

In addition to all the zen or dry gardens to discover during your visits to Tokyo and Kyoto .

Charming accommodation , transport and 2 guided garden tours are included in this individually organised trip.

2 week itinerary 

• Departure city/Airport : Tokyo (Narita : NRT or Haneda : HND )
• Tokyo (3 nights)
• Kanazawa (1 night)
• Takamatsu  and Naoshima  (2 nights)
• Okayama (1 night)
• Matsue (2 nights)
• Kyoto (4 nights, including 1 day in  Nara )
• Return city/Airport : Osaka (Kansai International Airport : KIX )

Please find below the itinerary details.

Tour length : 13 nights / 14 days ( + 1 day at the beginning if you leave from Europe )

PLEASE NOTE : The departure and end dates shown on this page only apply to your stay in Japan. You must therefore leave Europe the day before the first day of your tour. The date of your return flight and that of your return to Europe are identical due to the time difference.

Example : 

• Departure from Europe : January 1st
• Arrival in Tokyo ( = the date to be selected in the calendar when booking ) : January 2nd
• Return flight from KIX airport / Return to Europe : January 15th

Please note that flights are not included in the price of your tour.

This tour information was  last updated on May 17 , 2024.

Why this trip to Japan ?

• A Japan tour specifically designed for lovers of Japanese gardens : itinerary, guided tours...
• Welcomed at the airport  by our team, you will be taken to your hotel in Tokyo by shuttle bus
• In Tokyo, discover the city's most beautiful gardens on a private guided tour
• Take the Shinkansen to Kanazawa, to visit the Kenrokuen Park before a night in a ryokan
• Afterwards, the Ritsurin Koen Garden in Takamatsu, will delight all Zen lovers
• Enjoy a view of the feudal castle from the huge Koraku-en walking garden in Okayama
• Visit the Adachi Garden Museum , " Japan's the most beautiful garden "
• In Kyoto, a second private guided tour will take you to the most secret Zen gardens
• Enjoy unlimited  internet access  thanks to your pocket Wi-Fi
• If needed, contact our bilingual Japanese/English-speaking assistance team available 7/7
• Benefit from the expertise of  Japan Experience , European leading travel agency in Japan.

Your trip in detail

Day 1 : wake up in tokyo 東京.

Arrival in Japan

©Vasin Leenanuruksa / 123RF

Arrival at Tokyo airport (Narita NRT or Haneda HND ). Welcome to Japan! Yokoso 日本へようこそ！

Welcome through customs by our airport assistant, who will give you all your travel documents and your Pocket WiFi. Unaccompanied transfer from the airport to Tokyo (see details).

The transfer is done in a shared shuttle or bus, with other guests departing for the same hotel or a hotel close to yours. These transfers depart between 1.5 and 3 hours after your scheduled flight arrival, and stops may be made before your hotel.

If you would like a private, non-stop transfer directly after the arrival of your flight, feel free to take the " Private Taxi from the Airport " option.

Check in at Hotel OMO3 Tokyo Akasaka by Hoshino Resorts or similar category 3* hotel (rooms available from 3pm).

Day 2 : First steps in the capital

Cherry blossoms in Tokyo

©Yasufumi Nishi/©JNTO

What to do in Tokyo on your first day

We recommend that you start your visit to Tokyo slowly by visiting the following districts: - Harajuku , the avant-garde district ;  - Meiji Jingû , the imperial sanctuary ; - Takeshita-Dôri , a must-see street in the capital ;  - Omotesandô , Tokyo's Champs-Élysées ;  - Shibuya and its impressive crossroads.

One of our many experienced English-speaking guides can also accompany you to visit the classic sights of Tokyo (optional, from 9am to 5pm).

Day 3 : Edo Gardens

In the morning, send your luggage to your hotel in Takamatsu (details in your travel diary, check with the hotel reception) so that you can travel light for your night in Kanazawa .

Step back in time to Edo-era Tokyo ! Dedicate a morning to exploring 2-3 of the capital's stunning gardens , tranquil havens offering a timeless escape from the bustling city.

For this second day of sightseeing in Tokyo, we recommend the following "loop". Start at Tokyo Central Station, with its original architecture, then head off to visit :

- Ginza , Tokyo's chic district ; - Tsukiji , the small outdoor food market ; - Hama-rikyû , the Japanese garden between Tokyo's buildings ; - Asakusa , a traditional district and place of pilgrimage, accessible by cruise on the Sumida river ; - Sensô-ji , the oldest Buddhist temple in the Japanese capital ; - Tokyo Sky Tree , 643 metres high, with its panoramic view of Tokyo at sunset.

Between Hama-rikyû Garden and Asakusa, why not enjoy a cruise on the Sumida River ?

As an alternative, kick-off your exploration of Japan's " Three Most Beautiful Gardens " with a visit to Mito Garden , just a 1 hour 20-minute trip from Tokyo (accessible with your transport card). Renowned for its breathtaking display of 3,000 plum trees, Mito Garden offers a captivating glimpse into the beauty of Kairaku-en , one of Japan's most celebrated landscapes. 

You'll also see the other two renowned gardens, Kenroku-en in Kanazawa and Kōraku-en in Okayama .

Day 4 : The pearl of Japan

Travel to Kanazawa in style and comfort aboard a high-speed shinkansen train (included in your package).

Discover Kanazawa, between the northern sea and the Japanese Alps . - Kenroku-en , Kanazawa's magnificent Japanese garden ; - The Museum of Contemporary Art and its outdoor gallery ; - Omicho , the Sea of Japan fish market ; - Nomura House, home of the samurai , and its picturesque old quarter .

Check-in at your  ryôkan . In the evening, savor a delectable traditional Japanese dinner before unwinding in your tranquil tatami room.

Day 5 : Garden and bonsai

Traditional Japanese breakfast at the ryôkan .

Check into your comfortable hotel in Takamatsu.

Prepare to be mesmerised by the exquisite Ritsurin Garden , a sprawling 16-hectare masterpiece of Japanese landscaping. Wander through manicured gardens, admire serene ponds, and perhaps sip calming matcha tea at a charming teahouse. 

Later, delve into Takamatsu's unique offerings . Discover the art of bonsai in the charming village south of the city, or tantalise your taste buds at one of the many exciting restaurants or unwind with a beverage at a lively bar or cafe. 

Finally, rest comfortably at your Takamatsu hotel, ready for your next adventure.

Day 6 : The Art Island

Yayoi Kusama's yellow pumpkin, symbol of Naoshima, the artistic island in Japan Inland Sea

©Jordy Meow

Breakfast at the hotel.

In the morning, send your luggage to your hotel in Matsue (details in your travel diary, check with the hotel reception) so that you can travel light for your night in Okayama .

We recommend you to spend the day visiting Naoshima Island . The ferry terminal is a 20 minute walk from the centre and it only takes 50 minutes to reach the island (about 8€/pers round trip). Details in your travel diary. Bikes are a great way to explore the island (optional rental on this trip).

Naoshima Island is world-famous for its modern art museums , the architecture of some of its buildings , and the scattered outdoor sculptures throughout its territory. These numerous museums and buildings were designed by the architect Andô Tadao. You will be impressed, among other things, by Monet's Water Lilies , displayed in a simple room where you enter without shoes!

Please note that a reservation is required in order to access the Chichu Art Museum . 

Ditch the manicured landscapes today! We're trading serenity for a touch of wild on a charming, small island . This hidden gem boasts fascinating museums with stunning architecture and unmissable collections. 

Return to Takamatsu at the end of the day by the same route as in the morning, in the middle of the Japanese countryside.

Day 7 : One of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan

In the morning, head to Okayama by s hinkansen (direct, included in your package). Check into your hotel located between the station and the castle.

We advise you to head out early to explore the castle and its magnificent Kôraku-en park , one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, before leaving in the middle of the afternoon for the romantic town of Kurashiki , a 17-minute train ride from Okayama (included in your Kansai Hiroshima pass).

Kurashiki, an old commercial metropolis lined with canals will certainly seduce you : - Bikan , a district with typical architecture ;  - The Ohara Museum , keeper of paintings by Monet, Matisse, Renoir, among others ; - The Museum of Popular Arts dedicated to regional history.

In the evening, return to Okayama to admire the illuminated castle .

Day 8 : A castle by the water

The feudal castle of Matsue, at the time of the cherry blossoms (sakura)

©NUJAK JAIMOOK/123RF

Our train whisks you away to Matsue , nestled on the shores of Lake Shinji (direct, included in your package). Gaze out the window as the coastline unfolds : pristine beaches , on one side, and the majestic slopes of Mount Daisen , a spiritual landmark, on the other.

Matsue, the capital of Shimane prefecture, offers a taste of off-the-beaten-path Japan : - Matsue Castle (Plover Castle) , ascend one of Japan's last remaining original feudal castles for breathtaking panoramic views. - Lafcadio Hearn Museum , immerse yourself in the life of Lafcadio Hearn, an Irishman who documented Japan's modernisation in the late 19th century. The recently renovated museum offers an interactive and engaging experience. - Samurai District , explore preserved samurai houses and gardens, transporting you back in time. - Shimane Art Museum , discover a treasure trove of Japanese art, including Hokusai prints.

As the sun dips below the horizon, witness a mesmerising sunset over Lake Shinji , a captivating sight due to the city's unique orientation.

In the evening, explore the lively student city's vibrant bars before retiring to your comfortable 3-star hotel in the heart of Matsue .

Day 9 : Japan's most beautiful garden

Indulge in a delicious breakfast at your hotel before embarking on a journey through Matsue's exquisite gardens .

The Yushien Peony Garden , nestled on an island in the heart of Lake Nakaumi . A quick 25-minute bus ride from Matsue station whisks you away to a haven of vibrant blooms. 

The Adachi Museum of Art & Garden , prepare to be mesmerised by the "Japan's Most Beautiful Garden", as lauded by national and international press. This haven, meticulously crafted by a philanthropist, seamlessly blends breathtaking landscapes with a museum showcasing iconic 20th-century Japanese art . A 20-minute train ride and a 10-minute shuttle bus ride connect you to this masterpiece.

Reflect on your day's discoveries as you return to your comfortable hotel in Matsue for a relaxing second night.

Day 10 : Heading for the old capital

Kiyomizu dera temple in Kyoto during cherry blossom - sakura

©Wasin Pummarin/123RF

In the morning, reach Kyoto (1 change, included in your package). Once arrived, check into the RAKURO 京都 by THE SHARE HOTELS or equivalent (rooms available from 3pm).

You have 3 days to visit Kyoto. Start in the afternoon in the historic Gion district, close to your accommodation : - Kiyomizu-Dera , the impressive water temple ; - The historic lanes of Sannen-zaka & Ninnen-zaka ; - Kôdai-ji , Kyoto's temple of maple trees and bamboo.

Day 11 : Zen gardens, secret gardens

Temple in Kyoto during Fall season

©Tawatchai Prakobkit/123RF

Unveil the secrets of Kyoto's gardens on a captivating guided half-day ! Meet your expert guide in the morning and embark on a journey through meticulously designed landscapes. Forget the crowds – this tour focuses on some of the city's most beautiful yet lesser-known gardens .

Delve into the art of Japanese gardens, a practice steeped in ancestral wisdom. Explore the concepts of karesansui (Japanese dry garden), tsukiyama (man-made hills), and Zen gardens, each with their own symbolic language. Your guide will help you decipher the hidden meanings within these tranquil havens, transforming your stroll into a meaningful exploration .

Prepare to be captivated by the serene beauty and profound philosophies embedded in Kyoto's hidden garden gems .

Continue your visit to Kyoto by heading west : - Nishiki , Kyoto's culinary market ; - Nijô Castle , former residence of the shogun ; - Arashiyama , with its bamboo grove and monkey mountain.

Day 12 : Now for some activity...

Japan traditional matcha tea served during a tea ceremony

©grafvision/123RF

This is your last full day to visit Kyoto, so why not make the most of our many optional activities : - Want to enjoy nature? Discover our cycling activities along the Kamo-gawa river or hiking in the Takao gorges! - If you're in the mood for the Japanese countryside , let yourself be tempted by a trip to Ohara or try our popular activity: on the Tea Road!

Feeling adventurous ? Strike out on your own and explore the countless hidden treasures among Kyoto's 2,000 temples, shrines, and gardens!

Day 13 : Between temples and deer

Nara Sika deers are sacred, and protected as National Treasures.

©Jane Rix/123RF

For the last day, we recommend taking the 50 minute journey to Nara, included in your package.

Visit Nara , Japan's first fixed capital in the 8th century. Discover : - The Kasuga-taisha Shinto shrine and its thousands of lanterns ;  - Tôdai-ji , with its great bronze Buddha and the imposing Nan-Daimon gate ;  - Kôfuku-ji temple and its delightful pagoda.

Return to Kyoto and stop to see the sunset at the Fushimi Inari-taisha , Kyoto's immense shrine of 10,000 torii .

If you wish to be accompanied on this day, one of our English-speaking guides will reveal all the secrets of Japan's first capital (optional).

Day 14 : Sayonara, and see you next time!

Sayonara - bye bye Japan !

©Maksims Grigorjevs/123RF

Take a direct transfer to Kansai International Airport (included but not accompanied).

This transfer is by shuttle or shared bus, with other customers departing from the same hotel or a hotel close to yours. These transfers arrive between 3 hours and 1.5 hours before the actual departure of your flight, and stops can be made before you arrive at the airport.

If you prefer a private transfer at a time of your choice, direct to the airport and with no intermediate stops, select the "Private Taxi to Airport" option.

Return flight to Europe, North America, Australia.

Don't hesitate to extend your trip by a few days, in Kansai or elsewhere... Get in touch and we would be happy to advise you!

Included in your self-guided tour

Accommodation

- 3  nights in a 3* hotel  in the heart of Tokyo, close to public transport

- 1  night in a 3* ryôkan  in Kanazawa, traditional half-board

- 2  nights in a 3* hotel  in Takamatsu

- 1  night in a 3* hotel  in Okayama, near the train station

- 2  nights in a 3* hotel  in Matsue

- 4  nights in a 3* hotel  in the heart of Kyoto, close to public transport

The basic rate includes a twin room for two people.

- Airport transfer to Tokyo HND or NRT

- Return airport transfer Kyoto > Kansai International Airport KIX

- Prepaid public transport card

- Japan Rail Pass 7 days

Experiences and meals

- Airport meet and greet  

- Traditional dinner and breakfast included at the ryôkan in Kanazawa

- The 5 breakfasts in Takamatsu , Okayama and Matsue

- Tokyo Garden Tour (half-day)

- Kyoto Garden Tour (half-day)

Additional services

- Unlimited internet access with Pocket WiFi

- Complete digital travel guide sent before your departure

- Luggage transfer between your hotels in Tokyo > Takamatsu and Takamatsu > Matsue

- Telephone assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in English and Japanese bilingual. The number will be given to you in your travel pack. This phone number is valid for telephone calls and also for WhatsApp.

Not included in the price of your trip

- Flights Europe <> Japan

- Optional insurance

- Personal expenses, including meals (breakfasts can sometimes be added as an option at your hotel reception, see details). For other meals, you will find addresses selected by us in your travel pack.

- Public transport once your transport cards have run out (see details)

- Everything not mentioned in the section "Included in your tour".

More about your trip

Your tour :

• The prices displayed on this page may vary according to the exchange rate of the Japanese ¥.
• Unfortunately, this tour is not accessible to people with reduced mobility.
• Children and babies accepted. From 3 to 11 years old a child rate is offered. In each accommodation, a standard adult bed will be offered to them, and a standard seat will be allocated to them in transport. From 0 to 2 years old inclusive, a "baby" rate is offered. This price corresponds to the allocation of a cot in the majority of the accommodation of the chosen circuit. However, we cannot guarantee a baby cot in each accommodation.
• Pets are not allowed.
• This programme is subject to change due to circumstances such as weather conditions or any other case of force majeure. Please note that due to the current circumstances, any information mentioned is subject to change or modification.
• Travel diary by email 3 weeks before departure, and other electronic documents 
• Paper documents (airport transfer ticket, transportation card, Japan Rail Pass voucher) and Pocket WiFi upon arrival at the airport by our airport assistant.
• Note : In very rare cases, mostly in very high season, steps might be reversed. You will be informed in your mini travel-guide. Thanks for your kind understanding.

Your accommodation :

• Some hotels may ask you to pay a tourist tax on arrival. This depends on the city and even the hotel, as some do not include it in the booking price. Normally, it is 200¥/night/person (about £1.37/1.93$) but can be slightly higher in 4* hotels. It must be paid in cash at the hotel reception. For traditional Japan Experience accommodations, it is included in the initial tour price.
• Room size: in Japan, a densely populated country where everything is compact, 3-star luxury hotels are of very good quality but the rooms are often quite narrow (12 to 20m2/129 sq ft to 215 sq ft) depending on the hotel. Please note the size of the single room, between 10 and 16m2 (107sq ft and 172 fq ft). For more comfort, you can choose our luxury 4* accommodation upgrade option. 
• Double room: Rooms for two people in western hotels have 2 single beds (twin rooms) by default, which can usually be joined together. As an option, you can select a double room instead of a twin if you prefer a double bed.
• Single room: People travelling alone and wishing to book a single room must pay a supplement at the time of booking. The single room supplement is compulsory for orders with an odd number of participants. Please note that if you request more than two people in a single room, the single room supplement will be applied to all accommodation except for the ryokans (3 and 4*). In fact, as this is traditional accommodation, people with the same reservation are grouped together in spacious rooms for up to 5 people.
• 3-person room: If there are 3, 5 or more of you and you do not select the single supplement, a triple room will be allocated to you.
• In the case of a group order (> 5 people), it is possible, depending on hotel availability, that not all members of the group will be accommodated in the same hotel. Nevertheless, we aim to keep you close. 
• Names of the hotels : The names given on the site are for information only. In the event of unavailability, an establishment of equivalent standing will be scheduled. Hotels, corresponding to local standards, are given as an indication and may be changed on site for hotels of a similar category.
• In the ryôkan in Kanazawa, guests sleep on comfortable futons placed on the tatami mat. The room has a private sink and toilet. As is customary in Japanese ryôkan , the onsen bathroom is shared (not mixed) unless you take the "private bathroom in the room" option. OPTIONAL: Enjoy a private Japanese bathroom (traditional or modern onsen ) in your room. This option is recommended for mixed couples, families, people who are modest or have visible tattoos.
• The 4* ryôkan (see 4* option) have comfortable futons raised on either western beds in a traditional tatami room. The bathrooms and toilets of the 4* ryôkan are private.

Your transport :

• Flights are not included in this tour . Do not hesitate to contact us if you would like to include flights in your order: Flights in economy class with stopovers or direct flights, eco-premium or business air upgrades, provincial departures or abroad: we will be able to advise you.
• The tour departure and end dates presented on this page relate to your stay in Japan. You will arrive in Japan via Tokyo (Narita or Haneda airports) and depart from Kansai airport (KIX, not Itami ITM). On departure, you will have to leave the day before Europe and land at 6:30 p.m. at the most to make the most of the airport services of your circuit (reception and transfer to Tokyo).The return flight is on the same day due to the time difference, with a departure time of 9am at the earliest. Please do not hesitate to consult us for any uncertainty or need for precision in the choice of international flights.
• If the flights have been purchased by your care without the intervention of Japan Experience, it is necessary to send us by mail 1 month before your departure your flight information (flight number, airport, date and time of arrival) to allow us organise your welcome and airport transfer.
• Airport Transfers: The shared limousine bus leaves from the airport and stops either in front of your hotel or at a stop within 1-15 minutes walk from your hotel. Our airport assistant in Tokyo will drive you to the platform to pick up the airport transfer. The transfer to the hotel is unassisted. If you wish to be accompanied from the airport to your hotel reception, please choose the option "Accompanied Airport Transfer". This transfer is done in a shared shuttle or bus, with other clients leaving for the same hotel or a hotel close to yours. These transfers leave between 1.5 and 3 hours after your flight's scheduled arrival and stops can be made before your hotel. If you would like a private, non-stop transfer directly after the actual arrival of your flight, feel free to take the "Private Taxi from the Airport" option. Please note: due to the many changes in flight schedules by the airlines, if the airline notifies you of a change in arrival time less than 72 hours before your departure, and if it exceeds 45 minutes, we cannot guarantee your airport shuttle. You will then have to take a taxi at your own expense, requesting a refund from your airline for abusive schedule changes. The same applies to your return journey: 72 hours before your return flight, we cannot change the shuttle schedule. Similarly, you will have to take a taxi booked with the hotel, at your own expense, with reimbursement procedures with the airline company being the only solution. Japan Experience is not responsible for last minute schedule changes. The same applies to the return trip from Osaka to KIX airport.
• Included in your tour is a pre-charged transport prepayment card of ¥ 1,500 (around £10.30 / 14.54$) (suica or Pasmo brand); and a 7-day Japan Rail Pass. These cards should cover a large part of your trips during the stay. Upon expiry of the 1,500¥ Transport Prepayment Card, or if the line you are travelling on is not covered by your Japan Rail Pass, any travel will be at your own expense by recharging your pre-paid transport card (at vending machines in all stations and metro stations). 
• Travel by metro and bus in the cities (payable by pre-paid transport card, included in your package)
• Transfers from the train station to the hotels (by foot, bus, metro or taxi)
• Travel on private train lines (other than JR)
• Travel on Nozomi and Mizuho high-speed trains (shinkansen)
• Trips made outside the validity period of the Japan Rail Pass
• Japan Rail Pass: It is not necessary to possess a Japan Rail Pass which covers your entire stay. This is only cost-effective if it is used for long journeys between the different stages of your stay (especially in shinkansen) which are very expensive. In large cities like Tokyo, only about ⅓ of public transport is covered by the Japan Rail Pass and getting around is relatively cheap (Tokyo metro tickets: £1.71 / 2.42$; Kyoto daily bus card: £4.28 / 5.97$). Thus, providing you with a Japan Rail Pass for more than 7 days (14 or 21) would not be cost-effective and, on the contrary, would significantly increase the cost of your trip.
• If a person taking part in the tour is a Japanese national and a resident of Japan, or a foreigner with tax residence in Japan (including a student), then that person is not eligible for the Japan Rail Pass. Please contact us to get the price of the tour without a Japan Rail Pass. They will have to buy the train tickets for the tour directly in Japan. The Kansai Thru Pass is also subject to the same nationality/residency requirements. This is not the case for the Hakone Free pass. If this person is a Japanese citizen but not a resident of Japan, then he/she can benefit from the Japan Rail Pass under certain conditions (see  https://www.japan-experience.com/frequently-asked-questions ).

Your activities :

• Airport reception is in English. Your airport assistant will be waiting for you at the customs exit holding a sign with the name of the reservation. They will give you your travel documents and take you to your airport transfer. They will not accompany you to Tokyo (this is possible, but optional).
• Half-day guided tours in Tokyo and Kyoto both take place in the morning (4 hours for Tokyo, 3 hours for Kyoto). Transportation and entrance fees are not included, nor is lunch.

Your meals :

• Breakfasts which are not included in your package can be added at the reception when you arrive at the hotel. However, you will find many cafés near your hotel serving copious breakfasts, often tastier than those in the hotels, which sometimes have tight schedules and are predominantly savoury. However, if you would like to add breakfast to your offer when you make your reservation, you can select it as an option.
• Traditional Japanese dinner and Japanese breakfast (mostly savoury) are included in your Kanazawa tour. Do not hesitate to indicate any dietary requirements you may have, we will pass them on to the ryôkan so that they can take them into account when planning the meals. If the ryôkan does not take any of these dietary requirements into account, we cannot be held responsible and no compensation will be issued.

Your additional services:

• A pocket wifi is included in your tour. It allows unlimited high-speed internet access. Your Pocket WiFi will be given to you at the airport of arrival.
• It comes with a small booklet to operate your device (don't panic: simple operation) and a prepaid envelope to return your device at the end of your stay. Your pocket wifi will work naturally until the last day of your trip to Japan.
• A maximum of 5 devices can be connected to a pocket wifi (phone, tablet, computer).
• A single pocket wifi is provided for a circuit order of 1 to 5 people. For an order of 6 people or more, a second pocket wifi will be added automatically and at no extra cost to your reservation.

When you buy, Japan Experience offers you 2 types of protection:

Japan Experience Flex :  Cancellation insurance before departure under conditions.

Japan Experience Protect : Pre-departure cancellation insurance under conditions and on-site assistance under conditions. 

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa? Do I need vaccinations?

As of October 11, 2022, Japan will open its borders to all Europeans (including the European Union, the United Kingdom and Switzerland) and North Americans (Canada and the United States) without requiring a visa.

Only non-triply vaccinated travelers need a negative PCR test performed within 72 hours prior to departure.

Do I still need a visa to travel to Japan as a tourist?

No, no visa is required for blue countries including all European countries (European Union, United Kingdom and Switzerland included) and North American countries (Canada and United States). List of blue countries: https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/short/novisa.html . If you have another nationality, please contact the Japanese embassy in your country of residence to obtain this visa.

Do I still need a PCR or antigen test to go to Japan?

No, if you are triple vaccinated with the vaccines approved by Japan (Pfizer, Moderna, ...exhaustive list here : https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page24e_000317.html ) there is no need for any test.

I do not have 3 doses of vaccine or I am not vaccinated against COVID, can I enter Japan?

Proof of Covid vaccines is no longer required for travelers from "blue" countries. Therefore, unvaccinated travelers can enter Japan if they live in blue countries. But a negative PCR test is required at embarkation for travelers who are not vaccinated 3 times.

Is there still a quarantine upon arrival in Japan?

Quarantine and testing on arrival have been eliminated for travelers from blue countries.

Is insurance mandatory?

No, but it is recommended. Japan Experience, as an option of its tours, provides appropriate travel insurance solutions.

What anti-covid measures are still in place in Japan?

The mask must be worn indoors (except in exceptional cases) and in transportation.

What applications should I download before entering Japan?

For tracking the evolution of the coronavirus epidemic, the Japanese government recommends downloading several applications:

MySOS, the health and location tracking app (it will be used to confirm your location, health status and accommodation).

COCOA, the COVID-19 contact confirmation app (this will be used to notify you of possible contact with a COVID-19 positive person).

For more information, please visit: https://www.hco.mhlw.go.jp/manual/pdf-en/summary.pdf 

Guided or self-guided tour... what type of tour should you go for?

Whether you want to discover new things or discover yourself, stay in a fully organised tour or take a leisurely one: at Japan Experience, you will find a tour to suit your needs! Discover our 3 tour formulas now: guided, self-guided or personalised tour: Guided tours: Travelling with a specialist Would you like to travel with a small group of 8 to 12 people, accompanied by a private English-speaking guide? Classic destinations or off the beaten path, Japan Experience offers many guided tours, for all kinds of budget. Offering several departure dates throughout the year, these tours start at €2,890 per person. Self-guided tours: Independent travel These tours, with pre-planned itineraries, include accommodation, flights, transport, 24-hour assistance and optional guided activities. From €540 per person, plan your days as you wish, following the recommendations in your travel diary. Tailor-made tours: Travel according to your desires Design the trip you've always dreamed of! Our specialist advisors are available by email, telephone or directly in one of our agencies to answer all your questions and help you design your own customised tour.

Do Japanese people speak English?

Few Japanese speak English, even in the tourism sector. With the exception of hotel staff in the major tourist cities, few Japanese are fluent in English. However, this does not prevent them from doing everything to help tourists in need. One or more guided activities are included in all Japan Experience tours. This will allow you to get a closer look at Japan's thousand-year-old culture. Feel free to add one or more optional guided days. Guided tours are led by bilingual Japanese guides, for total immersion without effort!

Where should you start your tour in Japan? Where should you finish?

Most Japan Experience tours begin in Tokyo. This is because it is the gateway to both modern and traditional Japan. Tokyo allows a traveller to enter Japan step by step, whilst getting used to the time difference. Tokyo also has Japan's top two airports in terms of traffic. A few of our tours end in the Kansai region (Kyoto or Osaka). The return flight then goes from from Kansai International Airport (KIX), the 3rd largest airport in Japan, offering many possibilities for return flights to Europe without any real extra cost compared to a return flight from Tokyo. On these tours, the Japan Rail Pass does not cover the whole tour, allowing you to reduce the total price of the tour. And this without losing any transport possibilities as the Japan Rail Pass is of little use in Kansai. However, tours are available from Tokyo and sometimes other cities in Japan.

When is the best time to see the cherry blossoms? And the autumn leaves?

Recommended dates for seeing the spring flowers: - plum blossoms: mid-February to mid-March - cherry blossoms (sakura): between 20 March and 15 April (dates vary from year to year) - wisteria, iris, azaleas: mid-April to end of May - hydrangeas: June - lotus flowers: August Recommended dates outside of spring : - Autumn leaves: mid-November - Observation of Zen gardens under the snow: mid-December to mid-February

Our commitments as Japan Experience, Europe No. 1 travel in Japan

• The guarantee of the  first tour operator  specialised exclusively in Japan for 40 years
• A wide range of products to let you  Experience Japan from the inside
• Competitive prices  thanks to a single team in UK, Europe, USA and Japan, with no intermediaries
• Assistance  available in Japan throughout your trip
• A  specialised team  is available 7 days a week by phone or email
• The best advice thanks to the  3,500 articles  available on our website

Optional services

Our other self-guided tours.

Discover other Self-Guided tours like « Unmissable Gardens in Japan »

City break - Osaka tour Self-Guided Tours in Japan

• Duration : 8 days
• Locations : Osaka

Tokyo, Mount Fuji & Kyoto Self-Guided Tours in Japan

• Duration : 10 days
• Locations : Tokyo, Hakone Mt Fuji, Kyoto

Romantic tour in Japan Self-Guided Tours in Japan

• Duration : 13 days
• Locations : Tokyo, Hakone Mt Fuji, Okayama, Miyajima, Kyoto

Tohoku: Traditional Japan Self-Guided Tours in Japan

• Duration : 18 days
• Locations : Kyoto, Tokyo, Nikko, Sendai, Tohoku, Aomori

Slow Travel Japan Self-Guided Tours in Japan

• Duration : 21 days
• Locations : Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Okayama

City break - Tokyo tour Self-Guided Tours in Japan

• Locations : Tokyo

Our activities in Tokyo, Kanazawa, Takamatsu, Naoshima, Okayama, Matsue, Kyoto, Nara

Helicopter flight over Tokyo Activities in Tokyo

• Duration : 18 minute
• Location : Tokyo

Tokyo Game Show Activities in Tokyo

• Duration : 5 hour

Tokyo Sumo Tournament (January, May and September) Activities in Tokyo

• Duration : 3 hour

Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum Activities in Tokyo

The Kakishibu Dyeing Tradition Activities in Kanazawa

• Duration : 2 hour
• Location : Kanazawa

Noh, Ancient Japanese Theatre Activities in Tokyo

Please select your country on the list below:

• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• Other countries

• Top Destinations
• Mexico City, Mexico
• Tokyo, Japan
• Paris, France
• Rome, Italy
• London, United Kingdom
• All Destinations
• Upcoming Experiences
• Walking Tours
• Small-Group Tours
• Tours for Kids
• Museum Tours
• Food, Wine and Market Tours
• Newly Added Tours
• Audio Guides
• Pre-Trip Lectures
• Admin Dashboard
• My Favorites
• Cookies Preferences
• Client Orders
• Monthly Commissions
• My Advisor Profile
• Advisor Toolkit
• Guide Dashboard

Credit Balance

Transactions are based on current exchange rates and performed in USD. There maybe slight variations in the price estimates.

Kyoto Garden Tour: The Golden Pavilion and Ryoan-ji

• Golden Pavilion

• Tour Kyoto Gardens and learn more about Japanese landscape design
• Led by an expert

Exploring the Golden Pavilion

Ryoanji temple visit.

Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ .

You May Also Like

Kyoto in a Day Tour: From Gion to the Golden Pavillion

Spirituality in Kyoto Tour: Shinto & Buddhism

Book a tour.

• Our Experts
• Working with Context
• View All Cities
• Sustainable Tourism
• Refer a Friend for $50
• Travel Updates
• Advisor Login
• Expert Portal

Subscribe to our Newsletter

• Privacy Statement & Security
• Cancellation Policy

• Home Tours Japan at Cherry Blossom Time

Japan at Cherry Blossom Time

Follow the delicate cherry blossom trail as it blooms across Kyoto, Kanazawa, Nikko and Tokyo on a 15 day tour that takes you inside Japan’s great gardens. Experience a fascinating mix of ancient Zen serenity and modernity that makes Japan such an exciting cultural destination.

• From $15,195 AUD

Meet your Ross Tour Leader, Colin Barlow at Sydney International Airport for a Qantas evening flight to Tokyo.

On arrival at Tokyo, board the bullet train bound for Kyoto, the beautiful former imperial capital of Japan. Check in to our hotel in the centre of Kyoto for 4 nights. Our first garden visit on tour is Heian Shrine, with its unique pairing of Chinese and Japanese architectural styles. The entrance to this Meiji-era strolling garden is through an avenue of 300 weeping flowering cherries. It’s a popular venue for wedding parties, and we can expect to see brides in exquisite bridal kimono posing for photographs. Welcome lunch included today.

Hotel Brighton , Kyoto

It’s an early start at Kyoto’s eastern Higashiyama Mountains to wonder at the towering, World Heritage listed, Kiyomizu Temple. Our next stop is Nijo Castle, famous for its fortress-like interior and the ingenious escape routes built into the design by the Tokugawa shogunate in the early 17th century. The garden here, Ninomaru Garden, is planted with ancient pine trees and 430 ‘Sakura’ cherry trees. We’ve arranged a very special dinner tonight with an elegant geisha/maiko traditional dance performance.

We’ll experience iconic Japanese garden design today. First, an early start to catch the wonderful morning light glowing on the 18-carat gold leaf-covered roof of the Golden Pavilion, Kinkaku-ji. Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu built this three-tiered pavilion in 1397. He used it for entertaining, and as a space for quiet contemplation of nature. It’s perfect proportions are reflected in the broad Mirror Lake before it. Ryoanji Temple is our next stop, renowned throughout the world as Japan’s finest example of a rock and sand garden (seki-taki). We’ll take time here to reflect on the meaning of the raked patterns and enigmatic placement of rocks. While this stone garden is the most famous part of the temple grounds, the garden itself is large and planted with Japanese cedars and hundreds of exquisite flowering cherries. It’s also home to a stone water-basin, Tsukubai, engraved with a famous Zen script.

Legend has it that Ginkakuji – the Silver Pavilion – was to be covered in silver leaf, but the shogun died before that could happen. An alternative theory for the name holds that the glistening black tiles on the pavilion roof reflected the light of the full moon in such a way as to look like silver. We’ll come to our own conclusion as we admire the elegance of the pavilion and the wonderful Zen gardens with their raked and moulded gravel. This serene garden also features ancient pines, ginkgoes, maples and camellias. Our next stop is Hakusa Sonso, a garden, villa and museum created by the famous Japanese painter Kansetsu Hashimoto in 1915. We’ll watch a tea ceremony performed by his wife, a Tea Master. The garden is a showcase of Japanese plants and Chinese statuary and we’ll have plenty of time to admire it. Lunch is included in the family’s restaurant. We’ll stroll along the famous Philosopher’s Path this afternoon, under thousands of cherry trees in full bloom and perfumed spring flowering shrubs, and with the rushing snow-fed waters of the Shirakawa River below us. Three rows of cherries line this most-admired walk, which stretches from the local temple to the entrance of the Silver Pavilion, Ginkaku-ji. Dinner included tonight.

Travel by bullet train to Nagoya to visit the iconic Nagoya Castle. Hommaru Palace reopened in 2018 after 10 years of restorri0on, showcasing Japan’s finest example of Shoin-zukuri Samurai style residential architecture. This afternoon visit Nabana No Sato in Mie prefecture. This theme park is a new concept in world-class show gardens covering many hectares with beds filled with thousands of every type of spring flower possible and huge glasshouses overflowing with tuberous begonias and more hanging baskets than you could count. After dark enjoy one of Japan’s largest illumination shows. Dinner included tonight.

Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel , Nagoya

Express train north this morning, through Japan’s picturesque countryside to Kanazawa on the Sea of Japan. Kanazawa is a lovely change of pace where traditional crafts, such as ceramic, embroidery and gold leaf work are still practiced.

Today we visit Kenroku-en Garden which combines the six essential features of true gardens: vastness, symmetry, solemnity, coolness, antiquity and pleasure. This is one of Japan’s three most famous landscapes and was developed from the 1620’s by the local daimyo Lord Maeda and includes Japan’s oldest fountain operating by natural water pressure.

Kanazawa Tokyu Hotel , Kanazawa

This morning we visit Nomura Samurai house with a garden of meandering streams, waterfalls, lanterns and plants.

The remainder of the day is free.

A once in a lifetime experience today, as we travel deep into the Japan Alps to visit Shirakawago Village. This village, nestled in a rural setting that looks unchanged for centuries, was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. The traditional farmhouses have steep thatched roofs, called Gasho Zukuri, a style used more than 250 years ago. We’ll stay tonight in a Japanese ryokan, and enjoy a traditional Japanese style kaiseki dinner. Make sure you take time to enjoy the very special hot Japanese baths at the ryokan

Tsujinoya Hananosho , Awazu

Travel by train from Kanazawa to Takasaki and make our way to Nikko National Park and its famous monuments and mountains. We’ll travel up the northern coastline, then cross the spine of Honshu through forests of Japanese Cryptomeria cedar and Chamaecyparis cypress dotted with maples. On arrival at Nikko, we visit the former Imperial Summer Palace – the Tamozawa Imperial Villa for a walk around its beautiful garden. Our hotel in Nikko for the next two nights is the charming, 145-year-old Nikko Kanaya Hotel. This is the oldest Western-style hotel in Japan and many diplomats and intellectuals used it in its 19th and early 20th-century heyday to escape the summer heat of Tokyo. Fittingly, dinner tonight in the hotel is western-style, complete with silver service.

Kanaya Hotel , Nikko

We visit the impressive red Sacred Bridge then take a walking tour of the nearby Toshogu Shrine, and hear the history behind this sacred region and its traditions. The shrine was built in 1542 to honour the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate. Rinnoji Temple, on the avenue leading to the shrine, contains three gigantic gilded wooden images of Buddha. The buildings are inspiring, but it is the natural beauty of the place that drew the rich and powerful all those centuries ago, and it still casts a spell. There are giant cryptomerias over 1000 years old, the turbulent waters of the Daiya River, and mists wrapping the mountain. The entire site is World Heritage listed. Afterwards, visit the Kanaya Samurai House. This afternoon there is plenty of time to explore the charming town of Nikko, shopping for vintage kokeshi dolls and soaking up the tranquil atmosphere. Dinner included tonight.

Today our coach takes us to Tokyo, with a stop to see the sacred way of ancient cedar trees, and to visit the Omiya Bonsai Village and Museum. The village was established in 1925 when an earthquake in central Tokyo forced bonsai nurseries to look for an alternative location. They chose Omiya for its clean water and good soil. There are several nurseries in the village that specialise in bonsai and private gardens also have good collections by their front doors. The museum itself offers a great introduction to this ancient art. This afternoon we’ll check in to the luxurious New Otani Hotel, our accommodation for the next two nights. The hotel is set in 10 acres of beautiful gardens dating back to the 16th century.

New Otani Hotel , Tokyo

We’ll visit Nezu Shrine, one of the famous Meiji Ten Shrines of Tokyo this morning, but our first destination is Rikugien Garden. This strolling garden was laid out in 1695 and restored in the 18th century. A path takes us around a lake, which features 88 stops, each offering a view that is a symbolic representation of scenes from classical Japanese literature. The rhythm achieved by alternating dark and bright zones, spacious and confined areas, sunlit groves and mysterious forests, produces virtually a musical effect. The azaleas and cherries will be putting on the last of their spring show. The serenity of Meiji Shrine will finish the day surrounded by forest in the middle of Tokyo. Farewell dinner tonight is held at the New Otani Hotel

Late check out included today, so our day is free to explore some more of Tokyo. Stroll through the famous Ginza district, visit Hibiya Park, or catch up with some last-minute shopping. We’ll take an early evening transfer to Haneda Airport for our overnight flight home.

online booking form

You will be contacted by a Ross Tours Travel Manager to confirm your details and preferred method of payment.

• Cancellations received prior to departure will incur loss of deposit.
• Cancellations received between 119-60 days prior to departure will incur a 50% cancellation fee.
• Cancellations received between 59-30 days prior to departure will incur a 75% cancellation fee plus any non-recoverable costs incurred.
• Cancellations received within 30 days prior to departure will incur 100% cancellation fee.
• Cancellations must be sent in writing.
• Cancellation fee is based upon the total amounts paid including tours, airfares and all other travel arrangements.

Please refer to the Ross Garden Tours standard terms and conditions

Garden Tours Japan Uncover the Ephemeral Beauty of the Sakura, the Cherry Blossom.

Join us on a captivating 14-day journey through Kyoto, Kanazawa, Nikko, and Tokyo, and connect with the mesmerising world of Japan’s magnificent gardens. Experience the delicate allure of cherry blossoms as they bloom along the enchanting cherry blossom trail, offering a unique fusion of ancient Zen serenity and modernity. Discover architectural wonders like Heian Shrine, where Chinese and Japanese styles harmoniously blend. Admire the elegance of the Silver Pavilion, Ginkakuji – the Golden Pavilion, and its Zen gardens adorned with ancient pines, ginkgoes, maples, and camellias. Delight in the tranquil charm of Ryoanji Temple’s rock and sand garden and its exquisite flowering cherries. Book now to secure an unforgettable journey to the rich cultural heritage of Japan and create memories to cherish forever.

Garden Tours Japan

Embark on a journey that transcends the ordinary and feeds your soul with breathtaking beauty: Our garden tours in Japan. Explore magical cherry blossoms, one of Japan’s most celebrated natural phenomena. Our Japan-based cherry blossom tour offers you an unparalleled view of the sakura, Japan’s iconic cherry blossom trees, in full bloom. Each year, the landscape of Japan transforms into a captivating canvas of pink hues, weaving a romantic ambiance that never fails to enthrall visitors.

Experience a synergy of Tradition and Nature

But our high-quality tour isn’t exclusively limited to cherry blossoms. As part of our garden tours in Japan, you’ll experience traditional Japanese gardens, each one a unique embodiment of the country’s history and aesthetics. Taking inspiration from Shinto, Buddhist, and Taoist philosophies, Japanese classical gardens are renowned for their meticulous design and seamless integration of natural elements. Walk along tranquil paths lined with Japanese maples, azaleas, and camellias. Admire serene Koi ponds and picturesque bridges, each garden an atmosphere of tranquillity and inner peace.

Luxury, Comfort, and Expert Guidance

Ensuring a balance of luxury, comfort, and authentic experiences, our tours feature top-quality accommodation] and pre-arranged travel. They are crafted by Ross Garden Tours , the world’s leading garden tour company, famous for our seamless and inspirational tours.

With over 40 years of experience, we ensure you get the best out of your travel time. On every step of your journey, our expert tour leaders, renowned for their rich garden knowledge, will accompany you, providing fascinating insights and guiding you through Japan’s awe-inspiring garden scenes.

Our Customised Itineraries

Our itineraries are meticulously planned to highlight the beauty of Japan’s cherry blossoms and gardens. Explore the ancient imperial city of Kyoto and its heritage gardens, showcasing tranquil ponds, ornate tea houses, and rock gardens. Experience the thrill of Tokyo, the present-day capital known for its vibrant juxtaposition of modernity and tradition. And of course, everywhere we go, bask in the glorious sakura bloom, an unforgettable experience that will make your tour truly special.

How to Sign Up for our Garden Tour

Booking your spot on our garden tours in Japan is a breeze. Just give us a call at 1300 233 200 , and we will take care of everything, including organizing your tour and flights. We can also purchase tickets to local attractions, saving you the hassle of arranging anything on your own.

We look forward to taking you on a once-in-a-lifetime tour of the natural beauty of the land of the rising sun.

What can I expect on your garden tours in Japan?

We offer an immersive experience that includes viewing Japan’s iconic cherry blossoms in full bloom and visiting traditional gardens. Our tours also include high-quality accommodation and pre-arranged travel, all led by expert tour guides.

Does the garden tours in Japan include viewing cherry blossoms?

Yes, our cherry blossom tour will take you to some of the most famous cherry blossom viewing locations. Enjoy a riot of pink and white blooms while taking part in cultural ceremonies and partaking in local cuisine.

Are there additional stops besides gardens on your garden tours in Japan?

Yes, our custom itineraries include visits to fascinating cities like Kyoto, rich with heritage gardens, and Tokyo, known for its blend of modernity and tradition. We also take part in tea ceremonies, visit art and bonsai museums and marvel at some of the most stunning shrines.

How can I sign up for your garden tours in Japan?

Signing up for our garden tours is easy. Simply call us at 1300 233 200 and we’ll handle the rest, including organising your tour, flights, and even tickets to local attractions if you need them.

What makes your Japan cherry blossom tour special?

Our Japan cherry blossom tour provides an extraordinary view of sakura in full bloom. This, combined with visits to meticulously maintained gardens and bustling cities, offers a vibrant blend of Japan’s history, culture, and natural beauty that provides a memorable and deeply enriching experience. We utilise our over 40 years of experience to time our visit to Japan to guarantee to see the cherries at their best.

Entrance fees to all gardens and sightseeing including

• Ginkakuji, Hakusa Sonso, Junsei, Ryoanji, Ginkakuji, Nabana no Sato, Kenrokuen, Rinnoji Temple,Omiya Bonsai Museum, Rikugien Garden, Nezu Shrine, Hashimoto Art Museum with Tea Ceremony, Philosphoers Path, Normura Samurai House, Seisonkaku Villa, Shirakawago, Tamozawa Imperial Villa, Toshogu Shrine, Kanaya Samurai House, Meiji Shrine
• Twin Share land only $15,195 AUD per person
• Twin Share including air $16,495 AUD per person
• Single Supplement $2,595 AUD
• All prices in Australian Dollars.
• Prices based on minimum 15 passengers.
• Price is based on departure from Sydney.
• Price from NZ and other Australian ports available on application.
• Previous Traveller $100
• Garden Clinic Member $50

• FULLY BOOKED

• CLOSING SOON

Destinations

• Custom Tours
• Request a Catalog

JAPAN GARDEN TOUR

Colorful festivals celebrated year round with decorated floats & costumed dancers

Visit the best gardens in Japan, with wonderful hotels and charming upscale ryokans in serene, natural settings.   Attend a local festival.   Visit the country’s most stunning gardens, some with jaw-dropping mountain views, others with zen gardens lined with moss, and still more surrounding castles and ancient samurai homes. In addition to visiting some of the finest gardens in the world, this tour also offers a culturally-rich sampling of authentic Japanese cuisine, to teach you about the epicurean traditions for which Japan is also famous. 

Osaka * Okayama * Matsue * Kyoto * Hot spring * Takayama * Tokyo

Trip Details

Tour Price From $TBA

Photo credit

Top: Japan National Tourism Organization

Bottom:  No Boring Stories via Visual.hunt.com 

Asia a-la-carte tours

Combine any of our a-la-carte tours throughout asia with a group tour., booking for japan garden tour, featured in.

Asian Pacific Adventures

Is a U.S. tour operator specializing in Small Group and Custom Luxury Tours throughout Asia since 1986. An Asia specialist - pioneering Cultural and Study tours to focus on hidden  cultures, tribes, festivals and multi-country luxury trips!  We are primarily referral based – proof of our dedication to clients' satisfaction.

Get in Touch

6065 Calvin Ave Tarzana, CA 91356, USA

(800) 825-1680 or (818) 881-2745

(818) 881-2749

[email protected]

Mon-Fri 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. PST

New & News

Subscribe to our newsletter

• Bali & Indonesia Tours
• Bhutan Tours
• Cambodia Tours
• China & Hong Kong Tours
• India Tours
• Japan Tours
• Maldives Tours
• Myanmar Tours
• Nepal Tours
• Singapore Tours
• South Korea Tours
• Sri Lanka Tours
• Taiwan Tours
• Thailand Tours
• Uzbekistan & Central Asia Tours
• Vietnam Tours

EUROPE & UK

• Austria Tours
• Baltic States Tours
• Belgium Tours
• Croatia Tours
• Czech Republic Tours
• Denmark Tours
• England Tours
• Finland Tours
• France Tours
• Georgia Tours
• Germany Tours
• Greece Tours
• Hungary Tours
• Iceland Tours
• Ireland Tours
• Italy Tours
• Malta Tours
• Netherlands Tours
• Norway Tours
• Poland Tours
• Portugal Tours
• Russia Tours
• Scotland Tours
• Slovenia Tours
• Spain Tours
• Sweden Tours
• Switzerland Tours
• Turkey Tours

AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

• Botswana Tours
• Dubai & Emirates Tours
• Egypt Tours
• Israel Tours
• Jordan Tours
• Kenya Tours
• Lebanon Tours
• Morocco Tours
• Namibia Tours
• Rwanda Tours
• South Africa Tours
• Tanzania Tours

LATIN & SOUTH AMERICA

• Argentina Tours
• Brazil Tours
• Chile Tours
• Colombia Tours
• Ecuador & Galapagos Tours
• Mexico Tours

SOUTH PACIFIC

• Australia Tours
• New Zealand Tours

SPECIAL INTEREST

• Art & Design
• Jewish & Heritage
• Spa & Wellness
• Special Diets
• Celebrations
• Philanthropy
• Experiences

Luxury Japan Tours

Introduction to Japan (6 Days) Tokyo, Kyoto

A Week in Japan (7 Days) Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto

Family Tour of Japan (10 Days) Tokyo, Hakone & Mount Fuji, Kyoto & Hiroshima

Highlights of Japan (11 Days) Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Kanazawa

Essence of Japan (12 Days) Tokyo, Hakone & Kamakura, Kyoto

Culinary Tour of Japan (15 Days) Tokyo, Kanazawa, Yamanaka Onsen, Kyoto & Osaka

Contemporary Art & Architecture of Japan (14 Days) Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto & Miho Museum, Naoshima, Tokyo

Traditions of Japan (16 Days) Tokyo, Nikko, Kyoto, Kanazawa, Takayama

Best of Japan (17 Days) Tokyo, Hakone & Kamakura, Kyoto, Yamanaka Onsen, Kanazawa

Cherry Blossoms: Sakura Season in Japan (9 Days) Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto

Japan: Culture, Cuisine & Hot Springs (14 Days) Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Yamanaka Onsen, Kanazawa

Romantic Japan (14 Days) Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto & Osaka, Okinawa, Tokyo

Hiking Tour of Japan: Nakasendo Road & the Japan Alps (12 Days) Kyoto, Nakasendo Road, Takayama & Kamikochi, Matsumoto, Tokyo

Historic Hikes of Japan: Kumano Kodo & Nakasendo Road (12 Days) Kyoto, Kumano Kodo, Ise-Shima region, Nakasendo Road, Tokyo

Exclusive Japan: Amans, Art & Onsen (15 Days) Tokyo, Naoshima, Kyoto, Ise-Shima region

Highlights of Kyushu (8 Days) Fukuoka & Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Yufuin & Beppu

Luxuries of Kyushu: Seven Stars Train (7 Days) Fukuoka, Seven Stars in Kyushu train

Garden Tour of Japan (13 Days) Tokyo, Kurashiki & Okayama, Kyoto, Kanazawa

Traditional Crafts of Japan (15 Days) Tokyo, Kurashiki, Kyoto, Yamanaka Onsen, Kanazawa

Best of Hokkaido & Tohoku (12 Days) Tokyo, Sapporo & Otaru, Hakodate, Sendai with Matsushima & Yamadera, Nikko, Tokyo

Hokkaido in Winter (6 Days) Sapporo & Otaru, Niseko

Discover Hokkaido (6 Days) Sapporo & Otaru, Furano & Biei, Noboribetsu, Hakodate

Treasures of Japan: UNESCO World Heritage Sites (17 Days) Tokyo, Nikko, Osaka with Hiroshima, Miyajima and Himeji Castle, Koyasan (Mount Koya), Kyoto & Nara, Kanazawa & Shirakawago, Hakone & Kamakura

Classic Japan & the Guntu Cruise (11 Days) Tokyo, Seto Inland Sea (Guntu luxury cruise), Kyoto, Hakone

Ryokan (Traditional Inns) of Japan (12 Days) Tokyo, Hakone & Kamakura, Kyoto, Yamanaka Onsen & Kanazawa

Winter Tour of Japan: Snow Monkeys, Hot Springs & More (11 Days) Tokyo, Yamanouchi, Kanazawa & Shirakawago, Yamanaka Onsen, Kyoto

Japan Old & New (16 Days) Tokyo, Takayama & Shirakawago, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Naoshima, Hakone

Sacred Japan: Pilgrimage Sites, Ancient Forests & Cultural Treasures (15 Days) Tokyo, Koyasan (Mount Koya), Kyoto & Nara, Ise-Shima region, Osaka, Yakushima, Hakone & Kamakura

Kyoto in Depth (7 Days) Kyoto with Nara, Uji, Himeji Castle and/or Hiroshima & Miyajima

Autumn in Japan (9 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis) Tokyo, Kanazawa, Yamanaka Onsen, Kyoto & Nara

Multi-Country Tours

Luxuries of Japan & Thailand (12 Days) Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Bangkok, Chiang Mai

Best of Japan & China (15 Days) Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Beijing & Great Wall, Xian, Guilin & Yangshuo, Shanghai

Three Capitals: Beijing, Seoul & Tokyo (11 days) Beijing & Great Wall, Seoul, Tokyo

Highlights of South Korea & Japan (15 Days) Seoul, Busan & Gyeongju, Kyoto & environs, Hakone, Tokyo

Garden Tour of Japan

Begin in  Tokyo , the capital of contemporary culture and style in Japan. Stay at one of the city’s best luxury hotels, and enjoy flexible city touring with your private guide and driver. Visit Tokyo’s best parks, gardens and shrines according to your interests, such as Meiji Jingu Shrine and its Inner Garden, Hama Rikyu, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Happo-en and the Imperial Palace East Gardens. Tour Tokyo’s best museums with traditional gardens, such as the Nezu Museum and the Tokyo National Museum. Visit interesting neighborhoods such as Ginza, Asakusa, Shibuya, Harajuku, Shinjuku, Roppongi and Aoyama. See striking contemporary architecture, and tour important historical sites such as Sensoji Temple. If desired, experience the best of Japanese pop culture during visits to trendy districts, specialty shops, quirky cafes and popular sites such as Yoyogi Park. One day, take an excursion to Omiya Bonsai Village  to visit highlights such as the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum, private collections of bonsai trees and bonsai nurseries. Depending on interests, touring can also include experiencing Tokyo’s exciting culinary scene at the Tsukiji Outer Market or Toyosu Market, the Kappabashi kitchenware district, and our favorite specialty food shops and department store food halls. We also make reservations for our travelers at our favorite restaurants in Tokyo, which range from local noodle shops, sushi bars and  izakaya  (pubs) to some of the most acclaimed restaurants in the world.

Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange additional experiences in Tokyo, such as watching sumo wrestlers practice at a sumo stable, a private sushi-making lesson, visiting a teamLab Borderless immersive video installation, shopping for the latest Japanese gadgets, meetings with culinary and sake experts, private martial arts lessons, seeing a Japanese baseball game, attending a kabuki performance and visiting the Ghibli Museum. We can also arrange touring to include Japanese seasonal events such as  ohanami  (cherry blossom viewing) parties in the spring, fireworks festivals in the summer and viewing  koyo  (fall foliage) in the autumn.

Next, travel by first-class  shinkansen  (bullet train) to Okayama, and walk among the ponds and teahouses of  Korakuen Garden , one of Japan's three great gardens. Continue to nearby  Kurashiki , an atmospheric former river port known for its traditional black-and-white architecture and folk art. Stay at a luxurious ryokan, and enjoy private touring of the town’s historical quarter to see willow-draped canals, interesting buildings, specialty shops, the renowned Ohara Museum of Art and other highlights.

Next, travel to enchanting  Kyoto , the heart of Japanese culture and tradition. Stay at one of Kyoto’s best luxury hotels or  ryokan  (traditional inns), and enjoy flexible private touring of the best of this elegant city with your private guide and driver. Visit the city’s most important historic attractions, temples, shrines and gardens such as Kinkakuji (Temple of the Golden Pavilion), Ryoanji and its famous Zen rock garden, Kiyomizudera Temple, Nijo Castle, Ginkakuji and Fushimi Inari, famous for its tunnel of red torii gates. Enjoy access to iconic Saihoji (Moss Temple) and influential Katsura Rikyu Imperial Villa, a 17th-century residence and stroll garden still owned by Japan’s imperial family. Take a private excursion to Arashiyama, a beautiful mountainside district, to see its enormous bamboo forest, historic gardens and sites and to have a vegetarian lunch at a Zen temple. Enjoy a private tour of Gion, Kyoto’s traditional geisha district, walk on the Philosopher’s Path, and see traditional architecture in our favorite neighborhoods. Also browse Nishiki Market, antiques districts, specialty museums and historic shops that have been selling traditional goods for centuries. One day, opt to continue city touring or take a private excursion to ancient  Nara , the eighth-century capital of Japan, and  Uji , home to tea plantations and Byodoin Temple. Artisans of Leisure will also arrange an exclusive private Japanese tea ceremony in a tea villa and reservations at Kyoto’s best restaurants.

Upon request, other activities that can be arranged around Kyoto include an exclusive private dinner with geisha entertainment, private Zen meditation in a local Buddhist temple, meetings with local craftspeople, private  ikebana  (flower arranging) lessons, visiting a master swordsmith, meetings with ceramics experts, tea tastings, visits to sake breweries and tofu factories, manga drawing lessons, a visit to a private  machiya  (traditional merchant house), hiking to temples in the hills, attending local festivals, private Japanese cooking classes, and visiting the best places around Kyoto to view cherry blossoms and fall foliage.

Continue by first-class express train to  Kanazawa , one of Japan’s wealthiest cities during the feudal era and now a wonderful cultural and culinary destination on the Sea of Japan. With your expert guide, explore the highlights of the town, including traditional Japanese architecture in former samurai and geisha districts and beautiful Kenrokuen Garden, one of the most famous gardens in Japan. Learn about Kanazawa’s celebrated traditional crafts, including silk, lacquer and gold leaf products. Also tour fascinating Myoryuji (Ninja Temple), and visit museums such as the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art and Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Traditional Arts and Crafts. Explore the city’s Omicho food market, and experience Kanazawa’s refined cuisine at our favorite restaurants. One day, Artisans of Leisure will arrange an exclusive private visit and culinary experience at a traditional Japanese farm in the countryside. Other touring options around Kanazawa include visiting the Ohi Museum, the D.T. Suzuki Museum, and a renowned pottery kiln and studio.

Return to  Tokyo  for additional touring or shopping customized to your interests.

Booking Information >

All Artisans of Leisure tours are private and depart daily.

Please Contact Us for more information regarding the above tour, or to begin customizing your own itinerary.

The Artisans of Leisure Style of Travel:

Testimonials

Our Japan trip was amazing. Each of our guides were excellent and made the trip most enjoyable while also informative and generally good company to have with us. As always, Artisans of Leisure plans and creates a first-class trip that left us to do nothing but enjoy our time and not have to worry about anything. We can hardly wait to plan our next adventure. ~ N.R., Greenwich, CT

We’re back from Japan and had a wonderful time. We are absolutely spoiled by traveling with Artisans of Leisure! ~ M.M., Santa Barbara, CA

Our Japan trip was a wonderful, memorable, lifetime experience. Our guide was a jewel and the absolute highlight of our trip. We appreciated the first-class handling of everything from the hotels, meals, tours and travel. Artisans has been the best, hands down!            ~ W.M., Brownwood, TX

Read more...

Luxury Hotels & Ryokan in Japan

In the Press

Recommended by:

Departures Conde Nast Traveler The New York Times Wall Street Journal Travel + Leisure Town & Country

Japan On Our Blog

What’s New in Japan: Travel Inspiration

Our Favorite Luxury Train Journeys Around the World

Must Visit: Japan in Autumn

Favorite Family Activities in Japan

Must Visit: Naoshima, Japan’s Art Island

Stay Overnight at a Temple Lodge on Mount Koya, Japan

Private Ikebana Lessons in Japan

Must Experience: Staying at a Luxury Ryokan in Japan

Just Back: Tokyo & Tohoku in Japan

An Interview with Ashley Isaacs Ganz on Japan

Just Back: An Autumn Visit to Japan

Behind-the-Scenes Culinary and Crafts Touring in Japan

Kurashiki: One of Japan’s Most Picturesque Towns

Fun, Colorful, Festive Food During Cherry Blossom Season in Japan

Yosegi: A Traditional Craft in Hakone, Japan

Exclusive Access: Dinner with Geisha in Japan

The Tokyo Toilet: A Contemporary Architecture Project in Japan

Must Stay: Aman Tokyo

Just Back: The Guntu and Other Inland Sea Highlights in Japan

Touring Toyoso & Tsukiji Markets in Tokyo

Magical Kyoto in Spring

Exclusive Japan

Yayoi Kusama’s “Pumpkin” at Benesse Art Site Naoshima

Photos from Our Travelers: A Private Japan Tour

The Way of Tea: Experiencing the Japanese tea ceremony

Read more on our blog...

• Luxury Tours

Tokyo Garden Tours

All tours custom-made!

Koishikawa Korakuen

Kiyosumi Garden

Kyu-Furukawa Garden

Hamarikyu Garden

Hamarikyū Teien （浜離宮恩賜庭園） The Hamarikyu garden was built during the Edo period (1603 – 1868) as a leisure place for […]

Shinjuku Gyoen

Tonogayato Garden

Public Garden Tour

Public Garden Tour Learn more about Japanese Gardens with Tokyo Garden Tours! Book your spot over on Real Japanese Gardens. […]

Tokyo Private Garden Tour

Japan Private Garden Tour

Tokyo Power Spot Tour

[tour report] rikugien, [news] autumnal public garden tour, [tour report] kiyosumi garden.

• 0 Shopping Cart ¥ 0 -->

Kyoto Gardens Tour

Japanese tradition of landscape

Kyoto Gardens Tour with a professional gardener

The gardens of Japan are worldwide renowned as being some of the most beautiful and Kyoto once the imperial capital of Japan is where the country’s finest gardens are to be found, that you will discover with this Kyoto Gardens Tour.

There are many types of Japanese gardens, from the karesansui or “dry landscape” garden, to the strolling gardens that are built around a pond.

Because of the relation these gardens have with Zen and the Japanese concept of wabi and sabi or Japanese aesthetics, they are most often found at temples.

By joining us you will have a chance to visit and tour some of the most remarkable Japanese gardens and landscape architecture there is to see, from the zen rock garden of Ryoanji, the Unesco World Heritage Moss Garden of Saiho-ji or the peaceful trails of Kinkakuji and Ginkakuji.

With a professional gardener you can choose for example…

• From Tenryu-ji to Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion
• From bamboo to moss, Arashiyama to Saiho-ji
• A Kyomizu-dera Pilgrimage from Nijo Castle
• The Path Of Philosophy or “Tetsugaku-no-michi”

We can also organize a more personalized introduction to Zen gardens in the quiet and stillness of Buddhist temples, to calm your heart and erase all of the negativity from your mind.

Recommended for people who…

…are interested in gardening and landscape

…wish to deepen their understanding of Japanese history and culture

…love nature and peaceful outdoor spaces

You may also like

Arashiyama – Nature and Spiritual Hideaway

My Japan Guide

Sanjo-dori Takakura-Higashiiru, 70 Masuyacho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8111

[email protected] Tel: +81(0)75-585-5818

More From Us

• About My Japan Guide
• Our values & commitments
• Terms and Conditions
• Travel Japan Info

What our guests say

The website might use cookies to personalize content, to provide social media features and to analyze our traffic. We do not share that information with third parties.

Cookie and Privacy Settings

We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.

Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.

These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.

Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site.

We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain.

We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. You can check these in your browser security settings.

We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.

Google Webfont Settings:

Google Map Settings:

Google reCaptcha Settings:

Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:

You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page.

- Upon Request

Please be sure to read our FAQ to see what is included in the tour fee, other details and seasonal pricing.

Booking request

Japanese irises will be blooming soon. Follow our 2024 Iris Bloom watch , you don’t want to miss these fleeting beauties!

Portland Japanese Garden

Wednesday's Summer Garden Hours

10:00 am—6:00 pm

Wednesday's Summer Member Hours

8:00 am—10:00 am

• Search Portland Japanese Garden

Member Tour: Japan, Land of Living Traditions (Registration Full)

Members are invited to join the Garden’s tour to Japan next year! For 11 days in May 2024, this intimate tour group of 16 will be accompanied by an English-speaking Japanese guide and will explore sites in the cities of Tokyo, Kanazawa, and Kyoto. This journey includes a special focus on beautiful and historic gardens, temples, and shrines.

Registration Full

Thank you for your interest in the Member Tour to Japan in 2024. Registration for the tour has reached maximum capacity. If you have questions about these tours or would like receive information ahead of the 2026 Member Tour to Japan, please contact us by emailing  [email protected]

• Pacific NW Magazine

This stop on the West Seattle Garden Tour is designed for a slow stroll

AS YOU PASS through a restored gate set within an artfully crafted fence and enter the garden of Leslee and Ray Avery-Beausoleil, you’re transported into a serene landscape inspired by private Kyoto estates from the early 20th century. The garden is named Sachi no Toge, “the mountain road to good fortune,” which also can be interpreted as a quiet mountain retreat in the city.

The West Seattle garden is built on the foundation of an older Japanese garden created by Dick Yamasaki in the late 1980s. Today, every aspect of the landscape is in the capable hands of garden owner Leslee, an accomplished plantswoman, and garden designer Mark Bourne ( windsmithdesign.com ), who describe their garden-making as a creative and ongoing collaboration.

Intentional details enrich the experience of being in the space — this is not a garden to hurry through. A cobbled pathway at the entry slows passage into the landscape to a deliberate pace and prompts close examination of the beds around you, where clumps of black mondo grass ( Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’) create shadowy depth between lush stands of golden forest grass ( Hakonechloa macra ) and Japanese sweet flag ( Acorus gramineus ).

2024 West Seattle Garden Tour

The Avery-Beausoleil garden is one of 11 gardens featured on this year’s West Seattle Garden Tour, taking place on June 23. For nearly 30 years, the volunteer-run, nonprofit organization has been growing community and supporting other local nonprofits that promote horticulture, education and the arts. Ticket information at westseattlegardentour.org .

Parts of the garden are sloped, like a raked stage where mossy groundcovers and harmonious compositions of shade- and sun-loving perennials perform. Thoughtfully placed benches and seating throughout the landscape offer curated interior views and glimpses of Mount Rainier and Puget Sound in the distance. Narrow paths that open to contemplative spaces further a sense of traveling through the space. These well-designed details create an unexpected expansiveness in the relatively small garden situated on a moderately sized lot.

Strolling through the garden, stone slabs guide footsteps between sculpted berms and impressive boulders. Bourne, who studied traditional Japanese garden design and apprenticed under one of Japan’s foremost garden creators, jokes, “I move rocks for a living.” Venerable trees from the original landscape lend maturity to the garden that otherwise would take generations to establish.

In addition to the artfully pruned trees and considered boulder placement, the talents of people who value craftsmanship are apparent at every turn of the garden. A restored gridded entry gate set into a traditional Japanese fence is a masterpiece of traditional Japanese joinery crafted by Dale Brotherton, owner of the Takumi Company , a Seattle-based woodworking practice. An avid hands-in-the-dirt gardener, Leslee has an extensive plant collection that includes more than 330 plant species and cultivars that she carefully documents in a notebook.

Experienced in its entirety, the landscape is a sensory mix of contrasts — warm sun and cool shade, keen color compositions and textural plantings, hard stone and cushy moss. A cascading water feature that spills over rocks and gathers in quiet ponds has been engineered and “tuned” to strike the right note of splashing on stones, a delicate balance that could fall into a disruptive fire hose gushing in less attentive hands.

It’s customary to assign poetry and metaphor to elements in Japanese gardens, yet Bourne’s take on the tradition is, “It’s not the meanings, but the possibility for the garden to be meaningful.”

Most Read Stories

• WA’s first transgender high school track champion addresses reaction
• In Seattle, it's the millionaires next door — 54,200 of them
• Fatal stabbing of 3-year-old outside an Ohio supermarket took just seconds, police say
• June 5 is last day to claim WA's $50 or $120 tuna and chicken rebate
• WA parental rights law allowed to take effect, despite opposition

The opinions expressed in reader comments are those of the author only and do not reflect the opinions of The Seattle Times.

We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.

How to plant a Japanese-inspired garden at home

Create a Japanese garden at home.

Gardening expert and author of The Japanese Garden (Phaidon) , Sophie Walker explains that, "the Japanese garden in its many forms is very much a space of contemplation," but that "there is always a purpose and a meaning."

When making a Japanese style garden the aim should therefore be to create a mood of mystery, calm and tranquility and capture something of the essence of nature where you can restore your inner harmony.

Below, we explain how to create your own garden at home with Japanese garden ideas and helpful advice from pro Sophie Walker.

But don't worry if you don't have a lot of outdoor space, Japanese gardens can be any size as long as you keep the main concepts in mind.

Sophie explains that she saw one Japanese garden just "two foot deep running along the window ledge of the first floor of a building in central Kyoto.

"In other words, with the principles of Japanese garden making in mind, anything is possible."

How to start your Japanese garden design

Before rushing straight into your garden design, do some research and a consider what you want from your space.

"Think about what you are looking for: an experience through the garden, which would involve a carefully directive path, or a garden to be looked at, perhaps through a framed view?" advises garden expert Sophie Walker.

To add authenticity to a more visual garden, you could imagine it will be viewed in its entirety from the house or a timber teahouse, which is raised slightly above the ground. The idea would be to look directly onto the garden and take in the sights, scents and sounds.

If you are looking for a garden you can experience as you move through it, you should consider winding stone paths. These paths represent the journey through life and the anticipation of what’s to come.

In a small garden, you could wind paths so they disappear into a shrub border to create the illusion that it takes you into a woodland glade.

"My practical advice as a garden designer would be to forget about pen and paper," says Sophie. "Physically lay out your plans with objects and then play until you feel it’s the right layout."

Japanese garden plants

Japanese gardens rely on subtle differences in colour and texture.

Bamboo and Conifers in soothing shades of green are planted for year-round interest and trees are pruned into shapes that reveal their architectural form.

A typical feature is to have arching branches reaching over cushions of moss and groundcover, which is reflected in a pool of still water.

For the Japanese, bonsai also represents a fusion of strong ancient beliefs with Eastern philosophies of the harmony between man, the soul and nature.

These miniature trees are grown in ceramic containers then pruned and trained to mimic aged, mature, tall trees in nature.

Azaleas, camellias and maples are used with restraint with the sole purpose of marking the changing seasons.

"Camellias and azaleas thrive on acid soil and flower in winter. They have wonderful deep green waxy foliage that serves as a generous backdrop shrub year round," explains Sophie.

Where space is limited use single cherry tree to announce spring, a blaze of potted azaleas for early summer and the fiery foliage of a maple to mark the onset of autumn.

Water is a key feature and pools are crossed by a zigzag bridge, which legend says will protect you from evil spirits as they can only travel in a straight line, so the bridge traps them and allows you to escape to safety.

This year silver gilt Chelsea Flower Show winner Kazuyuki Ishihara also revealed to us that Pines and Acer are also key plants to consider when designing a Japanese inspired garden. He said it's important to use typical plants that are found in the natural landscape of Japan and said this was a fundamental part in structuring his sanctuary garden.

Crocus Golden Grove Bamboo (Phyllostachys Aureosulcata)

Crocus Acer Palmatum 'Orange Dream' Japanese Maple

Thompson & Morgan Camellia Japonica 'Bonomiana'

Thompson & Morgan Azalea 'Japanese Red'

Acer Acer palmatum dissectum Firecracker - Japanese Maple - Approx 75-100cm

Dobies Pinus thunbergii 'Kotobuki'

Japanese garden ornaments.

"No tree or stone, no object or placement is futile in the Japanese garden. Everything is orchestrated deliberately with purpose," explains gardening expert Sophie Walker.

Stone lanterns, shaped as pagodas, and rain chains are staples of Japanese gardens but use them sparingly throughout the garden.

"Ornaments like the stone wash basin and stone lantern are used often and there is a huge variety available," says Sophie.

To add a pleasant musical note to a tranquil space add a deer scarer – a bamboo pipe on a pivot, which clacks as it drops down when filled with water – the tone of the note depends on the size of the pipe.

Of course another way to incorporate the calming effects of water into your garden, is with a pond.

"A garden pond is often at the heart of a [Japanese] garden and usually contains coi carp, of which there are many for sale in UK," Sophie adds.

HH Home Hut HH Home Hut Solar Garden Sitting Buddha Ornament Stone Zen Effect Outdoor Indoor Statue Thai Meditating Feng Shui Light Figurine

ZCED Bamboo Fountain Kit Solar Bamboo Fountain

HH Home Hut Garden Solar Pagoda Ornament

Monarch Rain Chains Pure Copper Hammered Cup Rain Chain

How to maintain a japanese garden.

"Garden maintenance is considered a part of daily practice by Buddhist monks, particularly zen monks, for whom the raking of the gravel is important," explains expert Sophie Walker. "The care with which you tend the garden is a mind training and practice in humility."

Regular trimming and tidying is a must and you could consider taking the Buddhist Zen approach.

Here ferns and evergreen plants in various shades of green are key, along with silvery grey sand raked to appear like ripples of waves in pools of water. You could also achieve a similar effect with gravel and Sophie recommends a rough grey granite aggregate as it "reflects light beautifully."

Standing stones are used to represent islands and mountains and the overall effect is a monochrome garden, which is conducive to meditation.

Japanese garden tools

When it comes to maintaining your Japanese garden, you can put away the power tools.

"Good modest tools, all hand tools are used, not machines," explains Sophie. "Niwaki is the best importer of Japanese tools in the UK."

Niwaki Niwaki Mainichi Secateurs

Niwaki Sentei Bonsai Scissors

Niwaki Niwaki Bamboo Hand Rake

Niwaki Niwaki Mini Shears

@media(max-width: 64rem){.css-o9j0dn:before{margin-bottom:0.5rem;margin-right:0.625rem;color:#ffffff;width:1.25rem;bottom:-0.2rem;height:1.25rem;content:'_';display:inline-block;position:relative;line-height:1;background-repeat:no-repeat;}.loaded .css-o9j0dn:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/goodhousekeeping/static/images/Clover.5c7a1a0.svg);}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.loaded .css-o9j0dn:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/goodhousekeeping/static/images/Clover.5c7a1a0.svg);}} House & Garden

The best weighted blankets to help you relax

The GHI's best mattresses to buy

15 best slow cookers, tried and tested

The best pillows for every sleep style

The best pan sets for 2024

How to stop a BBQ fire

Best robot vacuum cleaners

18 best online flower delivery services

13 best steam cleaners for 2024

The top 11 steam irons to buy now

9 best steam generator irons, tried and tested

Japanese Garden

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travelers

Japanese Garden - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• This event has passed.

STUART TIMMONS WEST HOLLYWOOD LGBTQ HISTORY TOUR

Upcoming Events

JAPANESE GARDEN – KOI POND AT SOUTH COAST BOTANIC GARDENS

Listen to the calming sounds of water and take in the subdued palette of evergreen shrubbery embracing the Koi Pond. The garden features stone lanterns crafted of Okazaki stone over 200 years ago and a bonsai display maintained by the South Coast Bonsai Association.   Adults – $15, Seniors 65 and over and Students with ID – $11, Children (5 to 12 years) – $5, Foundation members and children under 4 – Free, Entry on the third Tuesday of each…

WATTS WILLOWBROOK FARMERS’ MARKET AT MLK CAMPUS

Watts Willowbrook Farmers’ Market, in collaboration with the MLK Outpatient Center, opened in November 2023. The market will serve a diverse customer base and continue to grow in both attendance and reputation as a market that is outstanding in the quality of the fresh food that is offered weekly.     Open Weekly on Wednesdays, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm

JAPANESE GARDEN AT DESCANSO GARDENS

Explore this tranquil Japanese-style garden that blends design elements from four classic garden styles. Cross an arched bridge and walk on shaded paths along a koi-filled stream to the teahouse.   General – $15, Seniors 65 and over and Students with ID – $11, Children (5 to 12 years) – $5, Descanso members and children under 5 – Free

Pacific Islander Festival

Join the Aquarium for its twentieth annual Pacific Island Festival. This festival features traditional music and dance, cultural displays, and craft demonstrations and celebrates Pacific Islander cultures, including Hawaiian, Tahitian, Samoan, Tongan, Chamorro, Marshallese, and Māori.

SUIHO EN – JAPANESE GARDEN

Amid the San Fernando Valley lies an oasis – a 6.5-acre garden featuring three gardens in one. First, the Japanese Garden has a dry Zen meditation garden containing Tortoise Island, a three-buddha arrangement of stones, and a wisteria arbor at the end of the Plover Path. Next along the path is an expansive Chisen or “wet-strolling” garden with waterfalls, lakes and streams, abundant greenery, and stone lanterns, which were hand-carved by artisans in Japan. At the end of this path…

View All Events

Be in the Loop!

Receive notes about art, culture, and creativity in LA!

Your Email *

Example: Yes, I would like to receive emails from Department of Cultural Affairs. (You can unsubscribe anytime)

• +61 7 3368 1966

Home / Small Group Tours /

2024 Garden and Art Spectacular Tour of Japan

Top tour highlights.

Japanese gardens at autumn's peak

Visit Japan's best gardens including Rikugi-en in Tokyo, Koraku-en in Okayama and Kenroku-en in Kanazawa for the best autumn displays.

Travel at a slower pave with a touch of luxury

Japan's best international-standard art museums such as Miho Museum and Adachi Museum of Art as well as small boutique galleries including Nezu Museum of Art and Itchiku Kubota Museum.

A visit to one of Japan's most highly prized pottery towns, Bizen

You will spend time at highly awarded potter's studio and have conversations with the artists.

Overnight stay at Naoshima

Experience magical moments at an outstanding contemporary art island of  Naoshima and stay at a sublime ryokan.

Mt Fuji at Kawaguchiko

Visit some exquisite art museums with a background of Mt Fuji in autumn leaves in Kawaguchiko.

Ancient capital Kyoto

Visit some of the iconic sites of Kyoto such as Kinkakuji, Golden Pavilion at autumn's peak.

Tour Overview

The 2024 Garden and Art Spectacular Tour of Japan is specifically designed to showcase exquisite Japanese gardens against the background of gorgeous autumn colours .  This tour has its origins in our well-regarded May & October garden and art tours. However, it is conducted in November, at the peak of autumn foliage , with a higher level of comfort, and at a more relaxed pace .

As with the other Journey to the East’s popular small group tours, this 15-day tour accepts only 8 travelers per tour.  The “Comfort” style tour leans towards luxury with its superior comfort in accommodation, easier pace and with extensive use of private minivans. The accommodation is all 4-to-5-star hotels with western beds.

Welcome to Japan it is Autumn and the Gardens are spectacular!

On arrival at Narita or Haneda International Airport , you will be met by a Journey to the East guide and escorted to your hotel by private transport.

Today is an arrival day and no group program is scheduled. Your hotel is located right in the middle of Tokyo near the glitzy Ginza . Why not take a stroll, relax and be ready to start the first full day of your 2024 Garden & Art Spectacular Tour of Japan in Autumn. 

*Many of our guests arrive a day or so early to settle in before the tour starts. We can arrange your additional nights accommodation in the same room as the tour.

This morning, you waste no time and go straight into visiting one of the best autumn gardens in Tokyo, Rikugi-en . After strolling the magnificent garden at peak of its fall colours, you continue your journey northwest, to arrive at a suburb in Greater Tokyo, Omiya.

Here you will stop at the Omiya Bonsai Village . Visiting an outer suburb away from the central Tokyo is an interesting experience in itself seeing how ordinary Japanese people live. After the visit to the Omiya Bonsai Museum , an opportunity opens up where you can learn more about the art of bonsai, the care and preservation of these beautifully manicured miniature trees, and creating your own bonsai in the friendly bonsai workshop . (*You can't take it home for a biosecurity reason, but the skills are yours to keep.)

Tonight, we have a "welcome Japan" dinner is at your hotel.

On this second day of Tokyo, you will see a mix of old and modern-day Japan. The highlights include;

• Visit Meiji Jingu Shrine, a historically significant and magnificent shrine in the thick forest, most surprising in the middle of busy Tokyo,
• Stroll along Omotesando avenue, arguably the most fashionable street in Japan with cutting-edge architecture and the top brands of the world,
• Wander through Ota Memorial Museum which specialises in ukiyo-e (wood print) art , and
• Amble through the wonderful Nezu Museum , designed by Kengo Kuma , where you can enjoy the contemplative Japanese garden and take in one of the finest collections of Japanese and East-Asian pre-modern art.

Tonight, you will experience more casual dining at one of the endless choices of restaurants in upmarket Ginza, near your hotel.

Your adventure begins with a scenic train ride for a lovely overnight trip to Kawaguchiko , a hot springs resort area located at the foot of Mt Fuji . Today you will;

• Visit Muse Museum displaying adorable traditional  Japanese dolls produced by Yuki Atae.
• Admire amazing kimonos made from centuries old tie-dye technique excellently reproduced by master Itchiku at our top pick art venue of Kawaguchiko. The museum building and the garden of the Itchiku Kubota Museum of Art are also worthy of visit in their own right , especially in autumn.
• Have plenty of opportunities to absorb the superb views of iconic Mt Fuji and Lake Kawaguchiko against the backdrop of peak autumn colours .
• Stay at an exquisite boutique hotel with view across the lake to Mt Fuji and experience the best form of Japanese hospitality, soak in a hot-spring onsen bath and a multi course dinner.

After a Japanese style breakfast, you will enjoy a few more moments at Kawaguchiko before making your trip back to Tokyo by highway coach.

The rest of the afternoon and evening is free in Tokyo, offering you a chance take in some personal preferences and to try some of the amazing restaurants of your choice. We are also happy to make recommendations and offer directions.

This morning you will take Japan's impressive shinkansen (bullet train) to the city of Kanazawa on the shores of the Japan Sea.

Kanazawa is commonly known as “Little Kyoto” and is home to many traditional Japanese arts and cultures, history from the samurai era and the outstanding Kenrokuen Japanese Garden . Today you will visit;

• Kenrokuen Garden, originally designed as a castle garden dating back to the 17th century and regarded as one of the three great gardens of Japan ,
• 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, noteworthy for the unusual glass cylinder structure which envelopes the building to reduce its environmental footprint designed by SANAA,
• a tea house in a beautiful Japanese garden to experience ' The Way of Tea' one of the most well-known aspects of Japanese culture.

Tonight, you will sample wagyu beef at a teppanyaki restaurant.

This morning you will stroll around the Nagamachi samurai resident district . Your guide will continue taking you on a backstreet walk of Kanazawa exploring some prominent small art galleries including D.T. Suzuki Museum.

Later on, you will visit a tea house in a beautiful Japanese garden to experience ' The Way of Tea ' (commonly known as a tea ceremony in English), one of the most well-known aspects of Japanese culture.

The rest of the day is free. You can continue your exploration of Kanazawa checking out many craft shops offering exquisite kimonos, gilded lacquerware and local sake products . You may like to visit the Higashi Geisha District , a well-preserved area of narrow streets . In days gone by, immaculately presented geisha would have entertained wealthy patrons in slatted wooden tea houses. Here you can visit the Gold-leaf Museum , the Kanazawa’s number one traditional craft.

The evening is free tonight. We are more than happy to make dinner recommendations.

After a couple of days in Kanazawa, you head for Kurashiki , which was once a prosperous trading town during the feudal era.

On a way, you stop at Okayama, for a guided tour of the sublime Koraku-en Garden , another one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan .

Initially completed in 1700, Koraku-en is prized for being a great example of the “scenic promenade” garden style, which reveals a new view to the visitor on every turn along its meandering path.

In the afternoon, you will arrive at Kurashiki. It is delightfully historic and picturesque village to walk around .

It has maintained its charming streetscape of traditional black-and-white storehouses, merchant residences and canals lined with willow trees. Here you visit the Ohara Museum of Art , with a superb collection of ceramics, paintings and antiquities from Japan, China and other ancient civilizations .

You will have a French style dinner at your hotel tonight.

Today you take a day trip to Yasugi, a rural town on the western coast of Japan’s main island, to visit the garden at the Adachi Museum of Art.

This garden has been nominated Japan’s most popular garden for 17 consecutive years. Designed in the “borrowed scenery” style, the mountainous backdrop to this extensive garden makes it appear that the mountains are a seamless part of the garden itself.

You will also visit the Photography Museum of an award-winning photographer , Shoji Ueda.

You return to stay in Kurashiki tonight

A minivan ride will take you to the small regional town of Imbe , which has been producing Bizen ceramic for some 1,000 years.

Bizen-ware is still highly prized among pottery enthusiasts both in Japan and overseas. Today you;

• Engage first hand with one of Imbe’s most prominent potters in his own studio and private garden,
• Visit the ancient climbing kilns, and
• Wander through the galleries and craft shops.

Potentially the biggest surprise of your trip awaits this afternoon. You hop on a ferry across Seto Inland Sea to the art island of Naoshima .

Tonight, you stay at a sublime Japanese style ryokan on the island and experience Japanese hospitality at its best!

Once home to just a few remote fishing villages, Naoshima is now known as the "Art Island" in Japan’s magical Seto Inland Sea.

Thanks to the Benesse Corporation and the visionary Naoshima Art Project, Naoshima has been transformed into a cutting-edge contemporary art island and it is visited by leading architects and artists from all over the world. Today you;

• Spend time on the island visiting Chichu Museum , Lee Ufan Museum , and Ando Tadao Museum and Art House Project, 
• Also enjoy the laid-back atmosphere and stunning natural scenery of the Seto Inland Sea,

This evening you will cross back to the mainland, and take a shinkansen to your final destination, Kyoto .

With 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites (at last count!), Kyoto is the historical heart of Japan’s culture and the guardian of many of its ancient traditions .

Originally made capital way back in 794, present-day Kyoto offers an incredible range of contemplative gardens often associated with the ancient temples and shrines.

Kyoto has many iconic sites and flaming autumn colours accentuate them . Our walking guided tour today will focus on hidden treasures not often found in a guide book.

Tonight, a maiko (young geisha) joins us for a private performance during dinner at a shabu shabu hot pot restaurant serving premium wagyu beef .

It is time to explore Kyoto's western suburb, Arashiyama in the peak of autumn colours . At Arashiyama you will;

• Visit superb examples of Japanese gardens at Tenryuji Temple,
• Take a rickshaw , a two-passenger wagon pulled by energetic young men in traditional garb, to go through the iconic bamboo grove ,
• Lunch is a classic lunch of tofu , a Kyoto specialty,
• You stop at Kinkakuji Temple , better known as Golden Pavilion . The temple is a stunning three-storied pavilion covered in dazzling gold leaf .

This evening is at your leisure to explore superb selections of restaurants in Kyoto.

This is another very special day. Past guests have said this visit ranks as one of the most impressive days of the tour.

Today you visit the stunning Miho Museum . Here you can experience a thorough immersion into the world of art, architecture and landscape design .

Renowned architect I.M. Pei designed this museum with much of the site built into a forested hillside. Miho was built to house an extensive private collection of some 2,000 antiquities from ancient civilizations.

The contrast of the glass and steel structure of the museum’s roof against the surrounding natural environment is spectacular . It is this seamless integration of the man-made and the natural which creates today's indelible memory.

Back in Kyoto tonight you will gather together one last time for a "farewell Japan" dinner with the group.

This morning after breakfast, your 2024 Garden and Art spectacular Tour of Japan concludes.

You can return to Tokyo by train or air to fly home, or depart from Osaka’s Kansai International Airport .

Perhaps you might like to linger in Japan for a little longer. We will be delighted to plan your personal post-tour extension to show you a different part of Japan. Please see our Model Extension Itineraries for inspirations!

Note: The cost of an escorted transfer to your departure airport is not included in our Small Group Tours (as we found many guests choose to stay in Japan a bit longer), but we will be happy to arrange your transfer to next destination or to exit airport. Please see our FAQ for more details.

Dates & Prices

Per person twin share:, single supplement.

Each guest is personally looked after with one-on-one interactions with our hand-picked, expert tour guides. As part of your investment, this tour includes:

• First-class wisdom and higher standard of individual care and attention
• 14 nights’ accommodation (including traditional Japanese inns)
• All breakfasts
• 8 lunches (5 free choice lunches)
• 10 dinners (3 free choice dinners)
• Airport meet & greet on arrival
• Hotel transfer by private transport on arrival
• All local transport (trains, coaches and private minivans)
• Pre-loaded Suica card
• Expert English speaking tour guides (locally licensed)
• Cultural activities and entry fees included in itinerary
• Luggage transfers (1 piece per person)

DISCLAIMER: Unless otherwise stated, this tour does not include the costs of international and domestic airfares, transfers on the last day, travel insurance, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, transport during free time, personal expenses (laundry, internet, telephone, coin lockers etc.) and Visa (if required).

Who this Japan tour is for...

This is a perfect tour for people who:

• Want to visit the best Japanese gardens and art museums both traditional and contemporary
• Wish to cover the iconic cities like Tokyo, Mt Fuji, Kanazawa, Kyoto in 15 days at the peak of autumn colours
• Join a superbly-organised tour packed with visits and cultural experiences as well as some free time
• Enjoy comfortable accommodation (4 star +) including ryokans but all with western beds
• Prefer an organised tour with most activities and meals included
• Like the use of minivan which gives you greater access and comfort

My Garden and Art Tour of Japan in Autumn with Journey to the East in early November 2022 was first class. Excellent and diverse itinerary, English speaking guides who are very knowledgeable and helpful, comfortable western style accommodation, great Japanese food with some French and Italian influences and everything went like clock work. The gardens in autumn awash with colours and the museums and art works are simply stunning. Loved Naoshima and Mt Fuji was spectacular. Cannot fault this tour or Journey to the East – great and memorable experience.

Roslynne Hansen

Nsw, australia.

We were delighted with the Journey to the East’s Garden and Art Tour of Japan in Autumn and have no hesitation in recommending JTTE to anyone considering a visit to Japan to see the best of Japanese Gardens and Art Museums. The tour exceeded our expectations in many different ways.

The tour exceeded our expectation and will be remembered for the best tour of our lives.

Ian Woodroffe

JTTE were very helpful and informative throughout the booking process. The tour itself was great and covered a wide variety of art venues and gardens and the local guides were all very helpful, informative and pleasant. It was also nice to travel in a smaller group. I would happily recommend JTTE to anyone thinking of travelling to Japan.

Catherine Morris

A wonderful experience of Japan in a safe and skillfully guided environment. The whole experience was so fascinating. The small group made organization very easy. I loved the way the tour is organized so that a small bag only is required overnight. The use of multiple guides is also a great idea. Very happy with Journey to the East. Very well planned, informative and communicated. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the tour. Thankyou.

Ruth Procter

We just returned from our wonderful 2022 Garden and Art Tour of Japan in the Fall . Kudos to all!! It was the trip of a lifetime.

Rodney Hornbake

Have a question about this tour get in touch with our staff directly., privacy overview.

What's on

Make the most out of your visit with our huge range of events and activities..

Marc Quinn: Light into Life

The Nash Sessions: The Hygge Trio

After Hours: Art classes with 2B or Not 2B Collective

Joe Wicks Festival at Kew

Introduction to the Gardens

Kew Explorer land train

Tai chi at Kew

Forest bathing at Kew

Leafy Legacies

Summer early opening for Kew members

Theatre on Kew 2024

Experience the magic of outdoor theatre at Kew this summer.

• Facebook page Facebook
• Twitter page Twitter
• Instagram page Instagram
• YouTube page YouTube

Japanese Garden

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travellers

JAPANESE GARDEN: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Japanese Garden

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travellers

Japanese Garden - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

9 Tips To Create an Authentic Backyard Japanese Garden

Create space.

W hen designing and building your Japanese garden, plan for lots of space between elements. The Japanese sensibility is rooted in various schools of Buddhism, particularly Zen, which is all about the silence between words and the space between objects — ma  in Japanese.

You can create space by including a pond , always a welcome feature in a Japanese garden. If you don't have room for that, consider gravel or sand, either as a walkway covering or prominent feature. Sand and gravel should be natural, without artificial coloring.

Balance the Elements

A Japanese garden is a study in the harmony of nature. To create harmony, the elements of air, earth, water and fire should all be represented.

Use rocks and sand to represent earth, and a pond or waterfall for water. Keep bushes and shrubs pruned to allow air to circulate, and add one or two orange or red plants to represent fire. Japanese maple and chrysanthemums are great for autumn, astilbe (false goat's beard) for summer, and an evergreen with red berries like holly for winter.

Define a Clear Boundary

A Japanese garden is a retreat from the world to appreciate nature, so it should have a clearly defined border that separates it from its surroundings. A low stone wall surrounds the rock garden at Ryoanji on three sides, blocking the view of the streets and sidewalks.

The boundary should be visible but doesn't have to hide the surrounding landscape. A wood or bamboo fence, stone or brick wall or even a landscape feature like a stream or hill will work.

Take Your Time

Workers can erect a Japanese apartment building in a matter of weeks, but establishing a Japanese garden is a life-long affair. It's an opportunity to slow down and attune to the natural world. That's something you can't rush.

Rather than fill a plot of land with grown, store-bought vegetation, start with bulbs and seedlings. As the garden approaches maturity, maintain the space as part of your daily or weekly routine, and add elements as they make sense. Become one with the garden and, by extension, the nature it represents.

Choose Subtle Over Showy

Some gardens are riots of color, but not a Japanese garden. Everything is understated. The vegetation is mostly green and brown, with landscape features in proportion to their surroundings.

The goal is to create a space where all the elements harmonize and none dominate. Moss is a great equalizer, tying all the elements together. Bushes and trees need to be manicured never be shaped into topiaries.

Don't Make It Perfect

Master rug weavers in the Middle East traditionally include an intentional mistake in their rugs because, they say, "only God is perfect." Japanese gardeners also appreciate the imperfection and transience of nature. Their term for it is wabi-sabi.

Introduce wabi-sabi by arranging plants and other elements in odd numbers. Some withered bamboo in a corner or a carelessly placed rock in an otherwise orderly arrangement can also work. Don't overdo it, because nature already expresses wabi-sabi in the life cycles of the plants.

Work With Nature

If you don't live in Japan, some of the traditional Japanese garden plants may not survive in your climate zone. Don't force it. Rely on native plants you know will thrive. Be sure to introduce evergreen shrubs , bushes and ground cover so the garden has color in the winter.

If you have a small, sheltered space inappropriate for living plants, consider a rock garden, called karesansui in Japanese. Although it's more abstract, it still provides an opportunity for retreat and contemplation.

Keep It Real

There shouldn't be anything artificial in a Japanese garden. No plastic fencing or ornaments, no whirligigs hanging from the trees, and definitely no garden gnomes. All wooden items should be unpainted unless you bring in one or two bright red ornaments to balance the fire element.

Stone items like birdbaths and lanterns add a nice touch. Consider a shishi odoshi (deer scarer), which makes a satisfying clacking sound as it fills with water and empties again. It's a feature of the garden at Ryoanji.

Tune Into Sound

The auditory experience is just as important as the visual. A Japanese garden should inspire quiet contemplation. So if you can, put it somewhere far from traffic noise. You want to hear the wind blowing and the water gurgling.

You can introduce meditative sounds in a number of ways. Make a waterfall and listen to the sound of it splashing over the rocks. Or hang some wind chimes. In a really quiet space, the clacking sound of a shishi odoshi can be particularly soothing.

Winter Illuminations in Tokyo

Below is a list of some of Tokyo 's best winter illuminations . See also our nationwide list of illumination events . (Photos are from previous years)

Questions? Ask in our forum .

Links and Resources

Tokyo midtown, odaiba decks, roppongi hills, tokyo dome city, yebisu garden place, meguro-gawa minna no illumination, aonodokutsu shibuya, hotels around tokyo.

Experiences around Tokyo