Women On A Roll presents:
ESSENCE OF JAPAN
November 14-25/28, 2025
Escorted Tour
Tokyo, Matsumoto, Narai-juku, Kyoto, Kanazawa, Tokyo
An Exploration of Authentic Japan
with Women On A Roll
Enjoy spectacular fall foliage while learning about the arts and culture of Japan on our premier, cultural journey to the heart of Japan. Travel back in time, from the contemporary capital of Tokyo, down the Nakasendo Road, to the traditional and spiritual heart of Japan, Kyoto. This tour will take you deep into the spirit that underlies the arts of Japan.
Tokyo is vibrant, dynamic, exciting and cosmopolitan. We will visit museums and galleries, explore career-defining architecture, sample fine cuisine and learn how the historical has been integrated into the modern life of Japan. We then travel back through Japan’s history, heading to the Nakasendo Road; the well-traveled route taken by daimyo between their provinces and the capital of Edo (Tokyo). We’ll visit the original castle in Matsumoto before heading to our luxury ryokan for onsen baths and a multi-course Kaiseki meal. The next day takes us to Narai, one of the post towns along the original Nakasendo Road to explore this historic reconstruction of one of the critical links in the economic and political life of pre-Edo Japan. We end this travel day in Kyoto, alive with the blazing colors of autumn foliage, at our four-star hotel.
Kyoto, with its wide-range of arts, crafts, traditions, gardens and history will fill the remainder of our trip with its delights. We’ll learn firsthand the importance the Japanese put on the concept of mastery and meet some of the masters, or sensei, who carry forward Japan’s rich artistic heritage. We will visit artists ranging from Nihonga to gold-leaf, textile, ikebana and more.
You may also decide to join us for a tour extension where we’ll travel by Shinkansen (bullet train) to beautifully preserved Kanazawa, where we follow the footsteps of samurai and geisha and get to know the arts and crafts that have been practiced since the 1500's.
Tour Leaders
Andy Bender
Tour Manager
Junko Shinoda
Assistant
The moon and sun are travelers through eternity.
Even the years wander on.
Whether drifting through life on a boat or climbing toward old age leading a horse, each day is a journey, and the journey itself is home.
Matsuo Basho (1644-1694)
Essence of Japan Highlights
φ Learn about the aesthetic of Japanese arts and fine crafts, from traditional to contemporary
φ Share thought-provoking introductions to Buddhism and Shintoism, through private meetings with priests and monks in their temples or shrines
φ Enter the studios of revered artists and craftsmen, the sensei who carry forward Japan’s rich artistic heritage. Meet masters of cha no yu (tea ceremony), gold leaf, textiles and more.
φ Visit selected galleries and museums in exciting Tokyo
φ Tour one of Japan’s authentic castles
φ Spend time in exquisitely maintained gardens
φ Visit a restored post-town on the Nakasendo Road
φ Ride on Japan’s famous Shinkansen bullet train
φ Explore a wide range of Japanese seasonal cuisine with included meals, market visits and dinners by top chefs.
Essence of Japan Daily Itinerary
Day 1
November 14
Depart Home
Depart for Japan on your individually arranged flight.
Day 2
November 15
Arrive Tokyo Japan
Travel by private car transfer to our downtown hotel, the four-star Hyatt Centric, in the centrally-located Ginza district.
Accommodations: Hyatt Centric Ginza Tokyo
Meals included: None
Day 3
November 16
Tokyo
We’ll start our time in Tokyo at Meiji Shrine to learn about Shinto and experience kagura, a blessing ceremony of ancient, sacred music and dance. A short walk through Harajuku, a center of Japan’s renowned youth fashion and culture, is followed by a walking tour on nearby Omotesando to see contemporary architecture and trendy street life. After a group lunch we’ll take a stroll through one of the quiet sections of Tokyo where we’ll get introduced to a Nihonga artist, who creates delicate Japanese masterpieces on paper and silk. We’ll end our touring day with a guided tour of the Yanaka district. End the evening with a welcome dinner in one of Tokyo’s traditional izakaya restaurants.
Accommodations: Hyatt Centric Ginza Tokyo
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4
November 17
Tokyo
Start the day with an exploration of Tsujiki's Outer Market, then visit one of Tokyo’s famed department stores for the opening ceremony and store tour. Next, visit with a private bamboo gallery owner who will provide an introduction to this delicate and traditional artform. After our group lunch, visits to some of the interesting museums in Tokyo Midtown will be followed by a private presentation at Nuno Gallery, known for innovative textiles and clothing by renowned designer Reiko Sudo. Dinner on your own this evening.
Accommodations: Hyatt Centric Ginza Tokyo
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5
November 18
Tokyo
Today, we will set out to enjoy a leisurely walking tour of the Ginza neighborhood. Afterwards you will be on your own for lunch and to explore other areas of Tokyo–Asakusa and the famous Senso-ji Temple; perhaps the newly reopened Edo-Tokyo Museum and the nearby Sumo Museum or even to enjoy shopping in the newly revived Nihonbashi district.
Accommodations: Hyatt Centric Ginza Tokyo
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 6
November 19
Matsumoto
Today we will start our journey back in time. We head by train to Matsumoto where we will enjoy lunch in a restaurant set in a beautifully restored traditional storehouse. We’ll then start our touring at Matsumoto Castle, circa 1595, one of four remaining from Japan’s feudal period in its original condition. Afterwards, we continue by coach to our ryokan for the evening, the deluxe, Relais & Chateaux property, Miyojinkan, where you can enjoy the onsen (hot spring) baths and a full-course kaiseki (multi-course) banquet dinner served Japanese style.
Accommodations: Myojinkan Ryokan
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7
November 20
Narai-juku
After our luxurious Japanese ryokan breakfast, we will travel by coach to one of the original eleven post-towns along the Nakasendo Road. The winding and arduous road through the mountains and the Kiso valley connected Kyoto to the capital in Edo. Several post towns have been carefully restored and a visit to one of these truly is like walking the path of the samurai and ronin of old. Narai juku was a prosperous inn town (called Narai Senken – a thousand inns) and its unique architectural style of overhanging second-floors survives to this day. We will have several hours to stroll through the town, explore the small local temples and enjoy a group lunch. Afterwards, we will transfer by express train to Nagoya before heading to Kyoto via Shinkansen (bullet) train. Our hotel for the remainder of our tour is the new four-star Hilton Kyoto, located in central Kyoto, easily accessible to shopping and dining. Dinner will be at your leisure this evening.
Accommodations: Hilton Kyoto
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8
November 21
Kyoto
Start our touring day with a tea ceremony where you will be given a basic introduction to the Way of Tea, including the proper etiquette, in a private, authentic setting. Spend the rest of the morning at nearby Daitoku-ji Zen monastery, including visits to Zuiho-in and other temple gardens as time permits. After a Zen-style vegetarian lunch travel to eastern Kyoto to visit a friend’s gallery for an introduction to Japanese ceramics. Afterwards, you can have an optional walk along the Philosopher’s path or a visit to Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavillion). Tonight we will enjoy a shabu-shabu dinner of luxurious Wagyu beef and crisp vegetables dipped into bubbling broth tableside and served with traditional condiments and dipping sauces.
Accommodations: Hilton Kyoto
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 9
November 22
Kyoto
This morning we travel to eastern Kyoto to visit an artisan whose intricately woven silk cords and tassels are commissioned by shrines, temples and Tiffany and Co. Our next stop is Renge-ji, a classic Taoist-inspired garden with special symbolism, including references to the crane and the turtle as well as the land of the Immortals. A Kyoto-style lunch will be served in a private room at Kyoto’s oldest inn and garden, located along the Takano River. The current proprietor is the 20th generation in his family to run the inn. Afterwards we will have an ikebana demonstration featuring a wide array of ceramics and baskets used to enhance the display of seasonal blooms. Dinner will be on your own this evening.
Accommodations: Hilton Kyoto
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
Day 10
November 23
Kyoto
This morning, the early risers may decide to join our tour guide for an optional temple visit to attend a full Buddhist service, including a fire ceremony, performed by 40 chanting monks. After breakfast, depart the hotel for a walking tour of the Gion area, which a short introduction into the life of the geisha and maiko for which Kyoto is so well known. The rest of the day is free for lunch and to explore Kyoto on your own. Some suggestions include touring with Esprit’s custom shopping map in hand, visiting such iconic sights as Kinkaku-ji (Golden Temple), the 10,000 bright vermilion torii gates of Fushimi Inari or traveling by train to nearby Nara. Dinner is on your own this evening. Tonight would be a good night for an excursion to one of the many temples and gardens in Kyoto that are lit up to highlight the start of the fall foliage season.
Accommodations: Hilton Kyoto
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 11
November 24
Kyoto
We begin today in Western Kyoto in Arashiyama, where the hills will be ablaze with the bright scarlet and burnished gold of fall foliage. We will start at Tenryu-ji, one of the oldest gardens in Kyoto, dating from the early 14th century. The garden was designed by Muso Kokushi, a renowned priest, diplomat, meditation teacher and garden designer. After a short walk through the Sagano Bamboo Forest, we will tour a traditional villa of a silent film star, with views of Kyoto. After our group lunch, we have a visit to the Nishijin textile district to meet a 5th generation master of gold leaf. In his beautifully preserved, traditional Kyoto-style merchant house, he will introduce you to his intricate process used to create custom obi. Tonight we will have a farewell dinner in one of Kyoto’s many fine restaurants.
Accommodations: Hilton Kyoto
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11
November 25
Depart for home
You’ll have the morning free to take in the sights, shop or simply stroll Kyoto’s varied neighborhoods one last time. Transfer by private hire car, per individual flight times, for your pre-arranged return flight from Osaka Kansai International Airport or Osaka Itami Airport.
Meals included: Breakfast
Kanazawa Extension Itinerary
Day 11
November 25
Kanazawa
After breakfast in Kyoto, a change of trains along the coast of the Sea of Japan (including the Shinkansen bullet train) takes us to beautifully preserved Kanazawa. After lunch, our first stop this afternoon is the Nagamachi Samurai District, to view a traditional samurai home, followed by a visit to the Higashi-Chaya-Gai Geisha District, where we will view a national landmark, high-end geisha house and have time to stroll the picturesque neighborhood. Dinner this evening is at one of one of Japan’s most acclaimed, Michelin-starred ryotei (formal dining restaurants).
Accommodations: Hyatt Centric Kanazawa
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12
November 26
Kanazawa
After breakfast in our hotel, we depart early for
Kenroku-en, the former pleasure garden of Kanazawa Castle and ranked as one of Japan’s top three strolling gardens. A visit to the
Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Traditional Crafts is followed by a
fun roll-your-own-sushi lunch and a visit to the colorful
Omicho Market, nicknamed “Kanazawa’s Kitchen” for its dozens of stalls. This afternoon, a short drive out of town takes us to one of Kanazawa’s leading artisans for yuzen silk dyeing, a signature local craft of intricate resist dyeing for luxurious kimono, and we will see how this centuries-old craft has been updated for contemporary use. The remainder of the day is free for craft shopping, sightseeing and dinner on your own at one of Kanazawa’s many fine restaurants. You may also want to visit the cutting-edge contemporary exhibits and architecture of the 21st Century Museum of Art, by the Pritzker Prize-winning SANAA team.
Accommodations: Hyatt Centric Kanazawa
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 13
November 27
Tokyo
This morning is free time with suggestions from your guide. You might consider the stunningly minimalist D.T. Suzuki Museum, dedicated to the inspirational Kanazawa native who helped spread Buddhist teachings around the world. The group will depart about noon via Shinkansen bullet train for your last night in Tokyo. A farewell dinner will be planned for this evening.
Accommodations: Palace Hotel Tokyo
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 14
November 28
Depart for home
Depart Japan on your individually pre-arranged flights from Tokyo.
Meals included: Breakfast
Pricing
Price: S12,950
Tour Price Includes:
- Accommodations for ten nights in luxury hotels: Hyatt Centric Ginza Tokyo, Myojinkan Ryokan* and Hilton Kyoto, based on sharing a room.
- Daily breakfast and additional meals as indicated (seven lunches and four dinners)
- Round-trip airport transfers by private car
- All internal trains and buses for the tour, including riding on Japan’s famous Shinkansen “Bullet train” in Green Car (first class).
- Baggage shipping for one bag per person from Tokyo to Kyoto
- Informative commentary by an Esprit tour leader who is fluent in Japanese, using our unique radio headset system and Japanese-speaking assistant.
- Admissions and local transportation
Deposit: $1000
Final Payment date: August 16
Single supplement information is available upon request.
Singles are limited.
Twin beds are the norm in Japan for a double room; a limited number of king rooms are allocated on a first come basis.
Group size is limited to 12.
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price may be adjusted up until the time of final payment for currency fluctuation.
*A stay at a Japanese Ryokan involves sleeping on the tatami matted floors on futon beds. We have chosen this ryokan as there are a limited number of rooms available for upgrade that have western-style twin beds. If you would like to have one of these rooms please inquire about availability and the surcharge. Rooms are also available with private onsen baths for an additional fee.
Extension Price: $3,750
Tour Price Includes:
- Accommodations for three nights in luxury hotels: Hyatt Centric Kanazawa and Palace Hotel Tokyo based on sharing a room.
- Daily breakfast and additional meals as indicated (two lunches and two dinners)
- All internal trains and buses for the tour, including riding on Japan’s famous Shinkansen “Bullet train” in Green Car (first class).
- Baggage shipping for one bag per person from Kyoto to Tokyo
- Informative commentary by an Esprit tour leader who is fluent in Japanese, using our unique radio headset system and Japanese-speaking assistant.
- Admissions and local transportation
Note: The itinerary will be finalized approximately 30 days prior to departure. Artist visits are subject to availability and the schedules of our Japanese colleagues. A final itinerary will be sent to you about two weeks prior to departure. The itinerary and visits are subject to change at any time.
