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This carefully-crafted 9-day discovery of Western Honshu will take you through the region’s most desirable destinations favoured by the discerning travellers. You'll breathe in the history of temples at Koyasan, visit Japan’s best preserved feudal castle, wander through hidden islands of surreal art and olives, learn how soya sauce, sake, pottery, olive oil and Japanese swords are made and soak in hot spring baths. As you travel through various destinations by bullet train, ferry and private vehicle—you will come away with a true appreciation for the traditions and beauty of the real Japan.
9 Days Classic Western Honshu
Drive to Mount Koya and check in to your temple lodge. Dinner tonight will be a traditional Buddhist vegetarian cuisine "Shokin ryori".
Explore the mausoleum of Japan’s most revered religious figure, Kobo Daishi. Walk around the temple and discover the stories of feudal lords and Japanese historical figures in this final resting place. Visit Kongobu-ji Temple, commissioned by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Japan ́s second “great unifier”. In the evening, enjoy the serene atmosphere of the temple and participate in "Shakyo" (copying a Buddhist Sutra by brush).
MOUNT KOYA / HIMEJI / KURASHIKI
Participate in the morning prayer service with the monks. Transfer to Shin-Osaka station by private car then take a Shinkansen bullet train to Himeji station. Explore the Himeji Castle, one of the few original castles from the feudal age of Japan. Continue on by private car to your ryokan stay in charming Kurashiki, famous for the picturesque scenery of its preserved canal area.
Take a walk down the Bikan historical quarter and explore the Old Ohashi House, an excellent example of a Kurashiki merchant house. During the half-day walking tour, you will also get to try your hand at Bizen Pottery and gain insight into the traditional sake making process.
KURASHIKI / NAOSHIMA / SHODOSHIMA
Travel by private car and public ferry to Naoshima, a small island in Seto Inland Sea known for its contemporary art galleries and outdoor sculptures including Yayoi Kusama’s iconic yellow pumpkin. Explore the Chichu Art Museum, Benesse House Museum and the Lee Ufan Museum before taking a speed boat to Shodoshima Island for another quintessential Japanese lodging experience.
Shodoshima is better known as Japan’s soy sauce and olive-producing island (it’s the only place in Japan that can grow olives) than an art island. Visit one of Japan's oldest and most authentic soy sauce manufacturers - Yamaroku. Take a cable car and peak over Kankakei volcano for a spectacular view of the Seto Inland Sea. Discover more than 750 terraced rice fields of the Nakayama Senmaida and tour the olive fields of Toyo Olive. Tonight, be treated to a sumptuous seafood dinner including the superb Olive Wagyu beef, one of the rarest and most expensive steaks in the world.
SHODOSHIMA / HIMEJI / NARA
Return to Himeji by ferry. Take the Mount Shosha ropeway and explore the Engyoji Temple Complex spread across an enchanting forested area. Continue by shinkansen and drive to the countryside of Nara and check in to your private villa, a renovated Edo period farmhouse surrounded by rice paddies and expansive mountain views.
Wake up early and join the owner on a small walk through the Akame 48 waterfalls where the legendary Ninja used to train. Tour the Nara countryside by private car. Watch a master craftsman forge a traditional Japanese sword and explore the Muroji Temple deep within the mountains. Despite a climb of many steps, this temple is well worth a visit!
Drive to Kansai International Airport .
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