2026 JOURNEY THROUGH IZU & KII PENINSULA

Featuring Koya san

October 18 – 30, 2026 (13 Days & 11 Nights)

Haneda, Yokohama , Sankeien Garden, Kamakura, Atami, Izu Peninsula, Kawazu Nanadaru, Perry Road, Shimoda, Dogashima Cruise, Cape Kogane, Mishima Skywalk, Tokaido Hiroshige Museum, Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Unagi Pie Factory, Tokugawa Bijutsukan, Kuwana , Kii Peninsula, Ise, Meoto-iwa (Wedded Rocks), Mikimoto Pearl Island, Ise Grand Shrine, Okage Yokocho, Doro-kyo Gorge, Kii Katsuura, Kumano Nachi Taisha, Nachi no Taki, Hashi-gui-Iwa, Shirahama, Sandanbeki Cliff, Senjojiki, Minabe, Nakata Ume Factory, Mount Koya, Okuno-in, Wakayama, Yuasa Soy Sauce Factory, Osaka, Wax Food Hands-on-Activity, Dotonbori , Kuromon Market, Kansai

$100 EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT
(deposit of $100 per person received by 3/15/2026)

Sunday, October 18  (Day 01)
HONOLULU TO HANEDA
Our tour commences this morning when we assemble at the Japan Airlines lobby at the airport for baggage check-in procedures.  We will depart Honolulu for Haneda International Airport.  A meal will be served on board the flight.

Monday, October 19  (Day 02)
HANEDA TO ODAIBA (TOKYO)  (D)
We’ll arrive at Haneda Airport in the early afternoon and upon completion of entry and customs formalities, we’ll transfer to our hotel in Odaiba, a man-made island in Tokyo Bay to spend the night.  Dinner will be provided for you this evening at the hotel.

Accommodations at HOTEL GRAND NIKKO TOKYO DAIBA or similar

Tuesday, October 20 (Day 03)
ODAIBA - YOKOHAMA - KAMAKURA - IZU PENINSULA - ATAMI  (B)(D)
We’ll travel to Yokohama and visit Sankeien Garden, a spacious Japanese-style garden that features a number of historic buildings from all over Japan, including a pond, small rivers, flowers and many scrolling trails.  Among the historic buildings exhibited in the park is an elegant daimyo (feudal lord) residence, several tea houses and a three-storied pagoda of Kyoto’s old Tomyoji Temple.  Our journey continues on to Kamakura, a city known for the huge monumental bronze statue of Amida Buddha, the second tallest bronze Buddha statue in Japan.  Weighing close to 93 tons, the Great Buddha was originally housed in a temple, but today sits serenely in the lotus position in the open courtyard on the grounds of Kotoku-in Temple.  We’ll continue our drive through the city of Odawara, arriving in Atami to spend the night.  Atami is one of Japan’s most famous hot spring resorts located at the northern tip of the Izu Peninsula and noted for its abundant quantity of hot water, magnificent scenery, delicious seafood and traditional inns.  Dinner will be provided for you this evening at our onsen hotel.

Accommodations at ATAMI KORAKUEN HOTEL or similar 

Wednesday, October 21  (Day 04)
ATAMI - KAWAZU - SHIMODA - DOGASHIMA  (B)(D)
We’ll travel south along the coastline of the Izu Peninsula to Kawazu town, located in Shizuoka prefecture.  The town is rich with the natural beauty of the ocean, mountains, and mild climate.  Walk along a pleasant trail to view one of seven falls at Kawazu Nanadaru (Kawazu Seven Waterfalls) - located upstream of the Kawazu River.  A statue of ‘The Izu Dancer’, heroine of the story “Izu no Odoriko” by Kawabata Yasunari, is featured in front of Shokeidaru, one of the seven falls.  We’ll continue on south to Shimoda, a pleasant coastal city in the southern area of the peninsula.  Its historical importance is the landing place of several of Commodore Perry’s “black ships” - an event that marked the end of Japan’s era of isolation and the start of diplomatic relations between the United States and Japan.  Enjoy a stroll along Perry Road, a picturesque street alongside a canal lined with cafes, boutiques and shops selling various Perry-related souvenirs and foods.  We’ll continue our journey to spend the night in Nagaoka, an onsen resort located along the western coastline of the peninsula.  This scenic coastline is famous for its dramatic stone formations, cliffs, and caves formed by the lava flow of past volcanic eruptions and erosion of the sea.  Weather permitting, enjoy an exciting cruise on a sightseeing boat to view one of the larger caves and the beautiful coastline.  We’ll stop by to view scenic Koganezaki Cape, featuring beautiful golden brown lava cliffs face Suruga Bay.  Dinner will be provided for you this evening. 

Accommodations at HOTEL SUNVALLEY IZU NAGAOKA or similar

Thursday, October 22  (Day 05)
NAGAOKA - SHUZENJI - NUMAZU - SHIZUOKA  (B)(D)
We’ll travel to Shuzenji, a town noted for its numerous hot spring resorts, located in the inland region of the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka prefecture.  Weather permitting, enjoy a spectacular view of Mt. Fuji and the surrounding Suruga Bay from Japan’s longest suspension bridge - Mishima Skywalk, constructed by the Fujico Corporation.  Enjoy a visit of the Tokaido Hiroshige Museum, Japan’s first art museum focused on the works of Edo Ukiyo-e artist Utagawa Hiroshige of woodblock prints of the ‘53 Stations of the Tokaido’ and the ‘100 Famous Views of Edo’.  We’ll continue along the coastline of Suruga Bay to spend the night in Shizuoka, capital city of Shizuoka prefecture, known for its breathtaking views of Mt. Fuji and its high-quality tea production.  Dinner will be provided for you this evening at the hotel.

Accommodations at HOTEL ASSOCIA SHIZUOKA or similar

Friday, October 23  Day 06)
SHIZUOKA - HAMAMATSU - TOYOHASHI - KUWANA  (B)(D)
Our journey continues on through the city of Hamamatsu, the largest city in Shizuoka prefecture.  The city is best known for its eel production in Lake Hamana.  A popular omiyage to bring home from Hamamatsu is unagi (eel) pie, a light crispy cookie flavored with eel bones.  We’ll visit the Shunkado Unagi Pie Factory to see the production through glass windows of various eel-flavored cookies.  Enjoy an interesting visit of the Tokugawa Bijutsukan, a private art museum featuring a priceless collection of art objects, furnishings, and heirlooms belonging to the Owari branch of the Tokugawa clan.  The most important and valuable treasure displayed in the museum are three Heian-period illustrated hand-scrolls of ‘The Tale of Genji’.  We’ll continue on to spend the night in the city of Kuwana in Mie Prefecture.  Dinner will be provided for you this evening at the hotel.

Accommodations at HOTEL NAGASHIMA or similar

Saturday, October 24  (Day 07)
KUWANA - KII PENINSULA - TSU - ISE  (B)(D)
Our travels continue on through the Kii Peninsula to spend the night in Ise, a coastal city in central Mie Prefecture.   Enjoy a fruit picking activity to pick some seasonal fruits (subject to availability).  We’ll travel along the Pearl Bridge to visit Mikimoto Pearl Island, a small island located in Ise Bay, known as the birthplace of cultured pearl aquaculture.  The Pearl Museum provides some interesting information and demonstrations about the production of cultured pearls and the history about Mikimoto Kokichi, the first person to successfully cultivate pearls.  The main attraction on the island is to see demonstrations by female pearl divers known as Ama (sea women) who dive from a boat into the bay to harvest oysters.  Enjoy dinner and relax in our fabulous onsen hotel this evening.

Accommodations at GRAND MERCURE ISE SHIMA RESORT or similar 

Sunday, October 25  (Day 08)
ISE - KII KATSUURA  (B)(D)
We’ll travel to Futami, a small town located along the coast of Ise city to view Meoto-Iwa (Wedded Rocks), two sacred rocks in the sea connected with a shimenawa (a braided heavy rope made of rice straw).  These rocks represent the union of the creator of kami—Izanaga and Izanami, celebrating the marriage of man and woman.  Located nearby is Futami Okitama Jinja, a little seaside shrine where many Japanese couples go to pray in the hopes of having a good marriage. Ise is best known as home to Ise Grand Shrine (Ise Jingu), Japan’s most impressive and sacred Shinto shrine, dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami.  Ise Jingu is a shrine complex composed of a large number of Shinto shrines centered on two main ones: Geku (the outer shrine) and Naiku (the inner shrine), both of which enshrines Amaterasu.  Enjoy a stroll through Okage Yokocho, a quaint village located nearby the entranceway to the Ise-Jingu Naiku (Inner Shrine).  The village provides a nostalgic image of old Japan featuring many traditional shops specializing in handcrafts, textiles, handmade accessories and toys, and local delicacies such as ’akafuku’ - a popular sweet made with red bean paste spread over pounded rice cake.  Our journey continues south along the scenic coastline of the Pacific Ocean through the town of Kumano, located in the southern region of the Kii Peninsula.  We’ll travel to Kii Katsuura, a quiet resort town famous for its ‘Bokido Onsen’, located inside a large natural cave facing the Pacific Ocean.  The water here is noted as being good for the skin and joints and to relieve your body of stress.  The town is also known as the largest tuna fishing port of its class in Japan.  We’ll board a ferry from the Katsuura Port and cross the bay to our hotel and check-in for the night.  Enjoy dinner and relax in the soothing waters at our hot spring resort this evening. 

Accommodations at HOTEL URASHIMA or similar 

Monday, October 26  (Day 09)
KII KATSUURA * KUSHIMOTO * SHIRAHAMA  (B)(D)
Enjoy a visit to Kumano Nachi Taisha, one of the three most sacred temples in the Kii Mountain Range - designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site & Pilgrimage Route.  The shrine is part of a large complex of religious sites in the Kumano region and also features the tallest waterfall in Japan - the sacred Nachi-no-taki, built in homage to the waterfall’s kami.  We’ll continue on to Kushimoto, a small town located on the southern tip of the Kii Peninsula - renowned for ‘Hashi-gui-iwa’, a series of rocks in the sea leading out towards Oshima Island.  Legend claims that this bridge of rocks was created by the founder of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism - Kobo Daishi (also known as Kukai) - who laid the rocks after being challenged to build a bridge across the sea to the island.  Our journey continues on to Shirahama, a resort town best known for its white-sand beaches and excellent hot spring baths.  Enjoy a view of Sandanbeki Cliff, a spectacular scenic site created by the erosion of the waves.  A walking path will take you to the edge of the cliff to enjoy this spectacular scene.  We’ll make a picture stop to view Senjojiki (One Thousand Tatami Mats), a unique appearance of sheet-like rocks created by the erosion of soft sandstone caused by the raging waves.  We’ll spend the night in a fabulous hotel in Shirahama.  Enjoy dinner and relax in the soothing onsen waters at our elegant hotel this evening.

Accommodations at NANKI-SHIRAHAMA MARRIOTT HOTEL or similar 

Tuesday, October 27  (Day 10)
SHIRAHAMA * MINABE * MOUNT KOYA  (B)(D)
Our journey continues on to Minabe, a small picturesque farming town in the Hidaka district of Wakayama prefecture - noted for its ume (plum).  We’ll visit Kishu Ume no Sato Nakata, a plum producer and factory to enjoy an interesting tour of the production of ume and ume-related products - including hoshi-ume (dried ume).  Enjoy a drive along the Koya Ryujin Skyline, a mountain road offering breathtaking scenery to Mount Koya, the center of Shingon Buddhism.  This important Buddhist sect was introduced to Japan by Kobo Daishi, also known as Kukai, one of Japan’s most significant religious figures.  A small secluded temple town has developed around the sect’s headquarters that Kobo Daishi built on Koya-san’s wooded mountaintop.  It is also the site of Kobo Daishi’s mausoleum - Okunoin Temple - surrounded by an immense graveyard.  Considered as one of the most sacred places on the mountain, it’s the starting and ending point of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage.  Koya-san is one of the best places to experience an overnight stay at a temple.  You can get a glimpse of long-held traditions of Japanese religious life with more than 2,000 temples, shrines, towers and assembly buildings located on the mountain.  We’ll have the experience of a lifetime as we spend the night at a shukubo (temple lodging) to get a taste of the lifestyle of a monk while enjoying shojin ryori (vegetarian monk’s cuisine) for our meals. 

Accommodations at SEKISHOIN or similar

Wednesday, October 28  Day 11)
MOUNT KOYA - WAKAYAMA * YUASA * OSAKA  (B)(D)
As an option, you may want to participate in the morning prayers before enjoying a traditional Japanese shojin ryori breakfast.  After breakfast, we’ll descend Mount Koya and continue our drive west to Wakayama, capital city of Wakayama Prefecture.  Discover one of Wakayama’s coastal treasures - the historic, quaint little town of Yuasa, noted as ‘the birthplace of soy sauce’.  On arrival, we’ll tour the factory of Yuasa Soy Sauce to learn all about the production of soy sauce and other related products.  Enjoy a leisure stroll through this charming, well-preserved town - noted as a National Traditional Structure Preservation District.  We’ll visit the Kinzanji Miso Factory, a small facility to learn about the production of miso and kinzanji miso, a delicious traditional product made with some vegetables.  We’ll continue on to spend two nights in the exciting city of Osaka, known as the culinary capital of Japan.  On arrival, the rest of the day will be at your leisure for your own activities.  Dinner will be provided for you this evening.

Accommodations at HOTEL OSAKA GRANVIA or similar

Thursday, October 29  (Day 12)
OSAKA -  (B)
Wax food samples are displayed in many of the windows and display cases outside of restaurants as an example of the dishes served inside.  We’ll enjoy a hands-on experience to create a select wax food sample at a shop in Dotonbori, an exciting district running alongside Dotonbori Canal, best-known for its restaurants, neon lights, and night life.  Enjoy shopping for last minute omiyage at Kuromon-Ichiba, a busy and interesting marketplace featuring hundreds of stalls offering various merchandise, souvenirs, food products and a wide selection of prepared foods.  The marketplace has long been called “Osaka’s Kitchen” as many restaurant cooks come here to purchase their ingredients.  Dinner will be on your own this evening.  Our hotel is conveniently located adjacent to the train station with many restaurants for your dining opportunities. 

Accommodations at HOTEL OSAKA GRANVIA or similar

Friday, October 30 (Day 13)
OSAKA * KANSAI TO HONOLULU  (B)
The morning is free at your leisure for independent activities.  In the afternoon, we’ll transfer to the Kansai International Airport to check-in for our evening flight home to Honolulu, arriving in the morning on the same day due to the crossing of the International Date Line.  A late meal will be served on board the flight.

The tour price is based on double/triple occupancy and a minimum group size of 20 passengers.  Fare adjustment may apply for groups of less than 20 passengers.  The rate is based on tariffs and exchange rates effective1/15/2026.  Tour fare may be subject to change in the event of any airfare increase, additional government taxes, additional fuel surcharges and fluctuation of the rate of exchange between U.S. and foreign currency.  In the event of revaluation, the land portion of the tour price may be subject to an adjustment prior to your final statement.  We reserve the right to revise content of the itinerary if necessary due to unforeseen issues, weather, and safety concerns.

Land portion based on 155 Yen = $1.00 U.S.

Printable Itinerary
2026 General Conditions
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