Mt. Fuji and the Great Shoguns' legacy
Tour Highlights
Set against the majestic backdrop of Mt. Fuji, this incentive journey through Central Japan introduces not only urban excitement, but also the culture, craftsmanship, and aesthetics that are the legacy of Japan's fabled shoguns -- leaders of immense power who were also the patrons of much of what we see today as essentially "Japanese." Guests experience the thrill of driving at Fuji Speedway, an international racing circuit once used for Formula 1, before exploring Shizuoka Prefecture's deep-rooted tea culture. They will pick fresh tea leaves, learn about tea pairing, and practice matcha calligraphy in a refined local setting. In Aichi Prefecture and Gifu Prefecture, timeless craftsmanship flourishes, including traditional tie-dyeing in Arimatsu Town and the renowned blades of Seki City. A serene evening by the Nagara River with traditional cormorant fishing and an elegant farewell dinner provides a graceful finale.
Route Map
- Arrival at Narita or Haneda Airport; transfer by private coach to central Tokyo
- Overnight in Tokyo
Day 2
Shizuoka
Shinkansen innovation and motorsport excitement
Tokyo Shizuoka
- Seminar in a chartered Shinkansen
- Guests travel to Mishima Station in Shizuoka in a private car of a chartered Shinkansen arranged through JR Central's exclusive package. The private space allows for flexible seating, customized setups, and onboard facilities for seminars, creating a special setting that enhances unity among guests.
- Mishima Skywalk, Gotemba Premium Outlets, and lunch by private coach
- Guests can enjoy sweeping views of Mt. Fuji and Suruga Bay from the Mishima Skywalk--one of Japan's longest pedestrian suspension bridges--before visiting Gotemba Premium Outlets, one of the country's largest luxury shopping destinations, located at the foot of Mt. Fuji. This open-air complex combines shopping and dining, allowing guests to enjoy lunch at one of the many restaurants and cafés.
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Visit to Fuji Speedway and driving experience
- At Japan's premier motorsport venue, Fuji Speedway--a world-class, FIA Grade 1 circuit at the foot of Mt. Fuji, and one that has hosted Formula 1's Japanese Grand Prix--guests tour the pit lanes and experience the thrill of driving on the international racing track. Under professional guidance, participants take the wheel of high-performance vehicles for multiple laps, creating an exhilarating and unforgettable highlight of the program.
- Welcome reception at a luxury resort hotel
- The evening unfolds at Fuji Speedway Hotel, a resort adjacent to Fuji Speedway, where guests enjoy a refined reception featuring locally inspired cuisine and views of Mt. Fuji.
- Overnight at Fuji Speedway Hotel
- Tea-picking and tasting experience by private coach
- Nestled at the base of Mt. Fuji, the tea fields of Shizuoka offer a hands-on look into Japan's tea culture. From April to October, guests can join local farmers for traditional tea-picking, followed by a tasting session of freshly brewed Shizuoka green tea.
- Tea pairing lunch and calligraphy with matcha
- Guests enjoy a multi-course lunch featuring seasonal ingredients paired with premium local teas. Following the meal, participants take part in a matcha calligraphy session held on-site, using ink made from matcha powder under the guidance of an instructor. This elegant experience blends Shizuoka's rich tea culture with artistic originality, creating a memorable moment that engages both taste and creativity.
- Dinner at a hotel in Shizuoka City
- Dinner features seasonal Japanese cuisine, served in an elegant restaurant that highlights local ingredients and serene views of the mountain--an experience that reflects the harmony and refinement of Shizuoka's culinary culture.
- Overnight in Shizuoka City
- Guests stay at a hotel offering scenic views of Mt. Fuji, providing a moment for quiet reflection after a day immersed in the region's tea culture.
Day 4
Aichi Gifu
World Heritage landscapes and cultural refinement
Shizuoka Aichi Gifu
- Coastal scenery and World Heritage views of Mt. Fuji
- A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Miho no Matsubara is famous for its seven-kilometer-long, pine-lined coast and views of Mt. Fuji. Guests stroll along the scenic shoreline where ocean, sky, and mountain harmonize beautifully--an iconic landscape often celebrated in Japanese art and poetry.
- Transfer to Aichi by private coach
- Cultural walk and tie-dyeing in Arimatsu Village
- The streets of Arimatsu, designated as a Japan Heritage site, preserve the charm of the Edo period with traditional townhouses and merchant stores. Guests learn the art of Arimatsu-Narumi Shibori tie-dyeing, creating their own unique fabric designs as part of a centuries-old craft tradition.
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Transfer to Gifu by private coach
- Ukai Museum visit and seasonal river dining
- A visit to the Ukai Museum in Gifu City introduces guests to the 1,300-year-old tradition of cormorant fishing. From May to October, board a traditional Ukai boat to enjoy a riverside dinner while watching master fishermen handle their cormorants under torchlight. A variety of bento (box-style) meals featuring seasonal ingredients from the Gifu region are served onboard. Guests may also enjoy geiko traditional dance performances as well as funa-asobi, traditional entertainment featuring games and playful interaction with the performers.
During the winter months (November-April), the program features a premium dinner showcasing Hida beef, one of the region's most renowned and high-quality local specialties, in place of the Ukai boat experience. - Overnight in Nagaragawa Onsen hot spring
- Guests stay at a traditional ryokan (Japanese inn) overlooking the Nagara River, providing a relaxing end to the day.
Day 5
Aichi
Master craftsmanship and historic encounters
Gifu Aichi
- Blade craftsmanship experience in Seki City
- In Seki City, Japan's historic cutlery capital, guests take part in a pocket knife workshop at maker KISEKI, where they assemble their own folding knife using locally crafted blades and handles. Skilled artisans guide the process from fitting and polishing to final inspection, allowing each guest to create a one-of-a-kind keepsake that embodies Seki City's legacy of precision and craftsmanship passed down through generations.
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Transfer to Aichi by private coach
- Nagoya Castle visit
- Guests visit Nagoya Castle, originally built in the 17th century under the Tokugawa shogunate. The iconic golden shachi (ornamental dolphins) adorning its roof symbolize the prosperity of Nagoya. The visit offers insight into the city's samurai legacy and provides a panoramic view of one of Japan's most historically significant castles.
- Dinner party at a historic shopping street
- A historic shopping street transformed into a private event space provides a truly unique setting for an evening of dining and networking. Endoji Shopping Street, one of Nagoya's oldest commercial districts, comes alive with a charming atmosphere, local entertainment, and food stalls arranged exclusively for the group. Guests experience the warm, nostalgic atmosphere of community life while enjoying local cuisine in a setting that blends history with creativity.
- Overnight in Nagoya City
- Taiko drum technical visit
- At Hotta Shingoro Store, a long-established taiko drum manufacturer, guests learn about the origins and evolution of Japan's traditional drums. The visit includes an explanation of the craft's history, observation of artisans at work, and a guided look into the artisan manufacturing process--from shaping the wooden body to stretching the drum skins, helping guests gain deeper appreciation for the artistry and precision behind this musical heritage.
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Sightseeing in Nagoya City
- Guests enjoy free time to explore Nagoya's city center, discovering popular spots such as Osu Shopping Street, the futuristic glass-roofed complex Oasis 21, and MIRAI Tower--Nagoya's landmark TV tower offering panoramic city views.
- The Tokugawa Art Museum visit and farewell dinner with a garden view
- Guests begin with a visit to the Tokugawa Art Museum, which houses around 10,000 heirlooms passed down through generations of the Tokugawa family, including swords, armor, calligraphy, paintings and crafts. Following the museum visit, dinner is held at an exclusive venue within the adjacent Tokugawaen Garden, where French artistry meets Japanese elegance. Guests enjoy a multi-course dinner featuring seasonal local ingredients, beautifully presented to reflect the harmony of nature in the surrounding landscape. The evening also includes a dynamic Japanese traditional taiko drum performance, adding cultural resonance and an unforgettable sense of energy to the refined setting. The combination of refined cuisine and the illuminated garden creates a memorable and sophisticated evening.
- Overnight in Nagoya City
- Transfer from Nagoya City to Chubu Centrair International Airport
- Guests depart from Chubu Centrair International Airport, or continue their journey by rail to Tokyo or Osaka for international departure from Haneda Airport, Narita Airport, or Kansai International Airport.
