A warm evening. Maples.
Strangers’ hands
begin to feel closer…

Arrival in Osaka

We’ll meet you at Osaka Airport — and in that moment, our journey will slowly begin to unfold. Step by step, with no rush, we’ll move closer to Japan — not only in distance, but within ourselves.

Today is a day of transition. A day when the noise of the flight gives way to the quiet of unfamiliar streets, and the once-indecipherable characters become part of our reality. Our path is just beginning, and this first step already carries the rhythm of the entire journey.

After the transfer to the hotel, we’ll have time to rest, adjust, and gently ease into the experience. We’ll allow ourselves to simply be here — fully present, unhurried.

In the evening, we’ll gather for dinner — to get to know each other better, to share what brought us here, our thoughts, hopes, and questions. We’ll meet our local guide — a bridge into the culture, language, and soul of Japan. She will be with us every step of the way, helping us notice what matters and understand what lies deeper.

Today, everything begins.
And may it begin with silence, light, and anticipation.

Trails by the water
and the neon stream —
all breathing as one.

Today marks our first true encounter with Japanese culture. After breakfast, we’ll head to Katsuo-ji Temple — a place where wishes are said to come true. Surrounded by mountains and silence, the temple is home to hundreds of Daruma dolls, each one holding someone’s hope. Here, we’ll make a wish of our own, choose our Daruma, and let go of something old to make space for something new.

From the temple, we’ll take a leisurely walk to Minoo Waterfall — about an hour’s stroll through the forest. Crisp mountain air, the rustle of leaves, crimson maples… it all feels like stepping into a Japanese woodblock print. The waterfall itself is nature’s gift — powerful, alive, and awe-inspiring. We’ll pause here for lunch at a cozy local restaurant.

After lunch, we’ll shift gears for a touch of modern whimsy — a visit to the 3D Illusion Museum. A chance to laugh, play, and marvel at the fine line between illusion and reality.

Then we’ll head up to an observation deck for a panoramic view of Osaka. The city stretches out below — vast, vibrant, like a glowing labyrinth of light and life.

Later, we’ll stroll through the park surrounding Osaka Castle. There’s no need to rush — everything here invites you to simply walk, observe, and breathe. As evening falls, the castle will light up — a magical moment to hold onto.

And finally, we’ll dive into the buzzing energy of Dotonbori — Osaka’s most lively and dazzling district. Giant crab signs, glowing billboards, canals, street food, laughter — everything pulses with joy and motion. We’ll end the day here with a crab dinner, a symbol of the richness and flavor of this country.

A day of wishes, water, and light.
A day when you feel Japan welcoming you in, deeper and deeper.

Beneath red leaves
a deer from a fairytale
bowed to me.

Today, we’ll journey to places where Japan reveals its deep, ancient soul — Nara and Uji. This is a day filled with quiet harmony, even as laughter rings out and leaves crunch softly underfoot.

Our morning begins with a walk through Nara Park — a magical place where tame deer roam freely among centuries-old maple trees. Here, they are more than animals — they’re part of the city, part of its spirit. The atmosphere is storybook-like, especially in December, when the maples still blaze with color and the air is crisp and fresh.

You might be surprised — if you approach one of the deer with a treat, it will bow to you. Truly. These deer have lived alongside people for centuries and have learned to show respect in the most Japanese way. It’s not just charming — it’s a moment that often stirs something deep inside, a memory to cherish for a lifetime.

We’ll stroll through the park and then visit the largest wooden temple in the world — over 1,200 years old. Inside stands a massive Buddha statue, surrounded by ornate gates and ancient architecture. The space is filled with peace and reverence for time itself.

After that, we’ll visit another sacred site — home to the oldest wooden buildings on Earth, adorned with remarkable frescoes and sculptures. It’s an intimate, soulful place — one that quietly stays with you.

For lunch — a cozy, family-run restaurant where they serve unagi — tender sea eel grilled in a sweet soy glaze. This isn’t just a meal; it’s a flavor journey all its own.

After lunch, we’ll head to Uji — Japan’s tea capital. This is where you’ll find perfectly trimmed tea plantations, frozen in time and full of aesthetic grace. We’ll learn about different tea varieties and stop by a local café to taste matcha desserts — soft, creamy, with a delicate, lingering bitterness.

By evening, we’ll arrive in Kyoto. We’ll check into our hotel, rest, and later gather for dinner — warm, unhurried, filled with conversation and the growing sense that Japan is opening up to us more and more with each passing day.

This day in Kyoto will be especially beautiful and full of light. We’ll begin with a visit to the Golden Pavilion — Kinkaku-ji, one of Japan’s most iconic landmarks. Covered in real gold leaf and mirrored in the still waters of the surrounding pond, the temple looks so perfect it could be a painting. A walk around the pavilion is like a moment of pure aesthetic meditation.

Next, we’ll head to Imamiya Shrine — a Shinto sanctuary hidden away from tourist crowds. Here, the spirit of antiquity lingers. You can stroll peacefully, make a wish, and try the famous fried mochi made from a centuries-old recipe.

Just nearby is Daitoku-ji, a Zen temple complex surrounded by serene gardens and exquisite bonsai. We’ll stop here to admire these miniature trees, each bend and branch shaped with meticulous care. It’s the kind of place where you naturally slow down — just to breathe and be.

Afterwards, we’ll wander through charming traditional streets, perfect for finding souvenirs — elegant Japanese ceramics, tea cups, wooden spoons, and porcelain — all celebrating the beauty of fine detail and craftsmanship.

Toward sunset, we’ll climb to Kiyomizu-dera — one of Japan’s most breathtaking temples, with a massive wooden terrace that juts out over the hillside. From here, the view over Kyoto is simply magical, especially in December when the sky turns soft and rose-colored.

And for the grand finale — Kodaiji Temple, visited after dark to witness it illuminated in warm light. Trees, stones, and ancient walls seem to come alive in the soft glow. It’s not just beautiful — it’s poetic.

We’ll end the day with a cozy dinner before returning to the hotel. What will remain with us are the countless shades of gold, the rustle of leaves, the taste of mochi, and the flickering reflections of temple lights on still water.

The rustle of bamboo.
I walk — and my steps
echo in the stalks.

Early in the morning, as the city slowly wakes, we’ll set off for one of Japan’s most iconic and revered places — Fushimi Inari Shrine. Narrow paths lined with hundreds of crimson torii gates wind up the hillside, creating a mesmerizing rhythm of repetition. Walking beneath them, you can feel your mind clear and your body lighten — as if you’re leaving behind everything unnecessary. We’ll aim to arrive as early as possible, to experience the sacred stillness of the morning before the crowds arrive.

Next, we’ll visit Tofuku-ji — a temple complex famous for its Zen gardens and the breathtaking play of light among its red maples. This is a place not just for photos or walks, but for quiet contemplation. These gardens aren’t made for strolling — they’re made for observing, for feeling, for simply being.

Then — lunch at one of Kyoto’s atmospheric restaurants. Perhaps with a view of a serene garden, or inside a quiet old house where time seems to move just a little more slowly.

After lunch, the day turns into a true celebration of beauty and aesthetics. We’ll dress in traditional kimono and we’ll head to the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove — a place where even the wind sounds different. We’ll take a peaceful walk beneath the towering bamboo stalks, and if you feel like it, hop on a rickshaw ride — just like in old movies. It will feel like stepping into a fairytale, vivid and close.

To end the day, we’ll visit the Gion Theater. Here, you’ll get a glimpse into traditional Japanese culture — a performance by artists in national costumes, with music, dance, and deep symbolism.

This day is all about beauty.
About form, color, fabric, light — and the mindfulness in every step.

Steam over silence.
The onsen warms my soul
better than words ever could.

Our morning begins with a train journey — filled with quiet excitement and gentle anticipation. We’ll head to Kyoto Station and board the shinkansen — Japan’s famous bullet train that races at nearly 300 km/h, yet moves so smoothly it feels like it’s gliding through air. The ride itself is an experience: ever-changing landscapes flash past the windows, you can buy bento boxes or quirky snacks from vending machines, and everything runs with that legendary Japanese precision and cleanliness. There’s beauty even in the journey — so let’s just enjoy the ride.

After about two hours, we’ll arrive in Odawara, where our local guide will greet us once again — and a new chapter of the adventure begins: Hakone.

Hakone is all about nature, mountains, myths, and serenity. We’ll start with a visit to the Shrine of the Nine-Headed Dragon, set by the lake and steeped in ancient legend. Here, you’ll find the Gate of Peace and the Path of Happiness — and we’ll walk it, quietly making wishes along the way.

Next, we’ll set off on a boat ride across Lake Ashi. If the skies are clear, the majestic silhouette of Mount Fuji may appear before us — one of those moments too beautiful to capture, meant to be simply seen and remembered.

After that, we’ll ascend via ropeway over a steaming volcanic valley. The landscape shifts dramatically — sulfuric air, billowing steam, and rocky terrain like a Martian dream. We’ll walk the trails, learn about the famous black eggs boiled in the natural hot springs, and witness the earth breathe beneath our feet.

After a full and vivid day, we’ll arrive at a place where time slows down. We’re staying in a ryokan — a traditional Japanese inn, where everything is designed for comfort, presence, and deep peace.

You’ll be welcomed with a bow, soft slippers at the door, and a cup of hot tea. We’ll leave our shoes behind and step onto tatami — straw mats that feel warm and alive beneath your feet. Inside: silence, simplicity, and space. Nothing unnecessary — just wood, rice paper walls, low tables, and wide-open windows framing the beauty of nature.

In our rooms, yukata — lightweight cotton kimonos — will be waiting. These are worn before dinner, and especially before entering the onsen, the traditional hot spring bath. It’s perhaps one of the deepest pleasures in all of Japan. The mineral-rich water rises straight from the earth, warming your bones, relaxing your body, and melting away any remaining tension. Bathing here isn’t just indulgence — it’s a ritual of calm. Before stepping in, you’ll thoroughly wash yourself — only then, completely clean, can you enter this warm, steaming world.

After the bath comes a kaiseki dinner — not just a meal, but a poetic experience. A series of refined, seasonal dishes, each served in its own unique dishware, with delicate attention to flavor, texture, temperature, and even color. You won’t just eat — you’ll savor.

And then — a night of deep, restorative silence. We’ll sleep on futons laid out directly on the tatami. Soft, warm, and grounding, they offer a completely different kind of rest.

This is full immersion into Japan:
With your body — in the warmth of the spring water.
With your spirit — in a rhythm where nothing is rushed, only quiet and warmth remain.

And perhaps, on this night, Japan will begin to truly speak to you.

The cloud has passed.
Fuji watches in silence —
I slowed my step.

Today is filled with a special kind of stillness and power. We’ll find ourselves at the foot of Mount Fuji — the sacred symbol of Japan, embodying its strength, beauty, and timelessness.

We begin with a walk through Aokigahara Forest — also known as the Sea of Trees, or the Forest of Silence. Though often associated with somber stories, we’ll approach it gently — as a living, breathing presence. Every root, every moss-covered branch feels steeped in calm and quiet energy. Here, you want to walk slowly, to hear each step, each rustle — and simply be.

Next, we’ll visit a traditional crafts village with a stunning view of Fuji. It’s a place where culture and nature come together in a uniquely Japanese way. We’ll take beautiful photos with the mountain in the background — a vivid fusion of heritage and majesty.

For lunch — a very special treat: Japanese wagyu beef, grilled by you on a hot lava stone brought from Fuji itself. It’s both simple and deeply meaningful — the taste, the warmth, the smoke, the fire, the texture. Each bite feels like a little ceremony.

Afterwards, we’ll visit a kimono museum with panoramic views of the mountain and a maple-lined walkway. The harmony of fabrics, colors, and surrounding nature creates a serene, almost meditative experience. Soft light, delicate patterns, flowing silhouettes, and autumn leaves blend into a quiet, aesthetic yes.

If the weather is kind, we’ll head up to a scenic viewpoint to see Fuji in her full glory. Sometimes she hides in the clouds — but even then, you can feel the mountain. As if she’s always there, just waiting to be noticed not with the eyes, but with the heart.

The exact flow of the day may change with the weather, but its essence will remain: a day where beauty, tradition, and nature walk side by side.

In the evening, we’ll travel to Tokyo.

The Catbus flies —
through the years of growing up —
a ticket back to childhood.

In the morning, we’ll step into a very special place — the Ghibli Museum, created by Hayao Miyazaki. This isn’t just a museum; it’s a portal to another world — where forest spirits awaken, witches fly, Totoro waves his paw, and every corner feels like a frame from a dream. It’s small in size, but vast in wonder — a world of childhood imagination, gentle philosophy, kindness, and true Japanese magic. You’ll find yourself speaking softer, watching more closely, feeling with your whole heart.

After this fairytale, we’ll dive into something far more grounded — yet equally fascinating: a meeting with sumo wrestlers. We’ll visit a real training stable, where everything is raw and real — the sweat, the strength, the spirit. We’ll learn how these athletes live and train, observe their practice, and gain insight into the discipline and deep respect behind the sport.

And then — lunch with the wrestlers themselves. We’ll share a bowl of the legendary chanko-nabe — a hearty, aromatic chicken stew that fuels their powerful bodies. Trust us — it’s one of the richest, most comforting soups you’ll ever taste.

After lunch — a fire ceremony at a temple. This evening ritual, with flaming torches, the deep beat of taiko drums, and the chanting of monks, is not a performance — it’s a powerful cleansing of energy. In this moment, you can feel the spirit of ancient Japan awakening right in the heart of the modern capital.

Afterwards — a little rest. A few hours of free time to breathe, unwind, maybe pick up some souvenirs, or simply wander through Tokyo on your own.

Then, as the city begins to shimmer, we’ll meet again at 6:00 PM — and dive into Tokyo at night. Into neon, rhythm, and the music of the streets. Into endless lights, the noise of shopping arcades, flickering signs, silhouettes of passersby, the scent of ramen, and glowing storefronts. We’ll experience the city as it truly lives after dark — loud, luminous, beautiful, and utterly its own.

This is a day of contrasts.
Of childhood wonder, physical strength, spiritual depth, and electric modern energy.
Only in Japan do all these worlds exist so naturally, side by side.

The maple sheds light,
a quiet ache under my heart —
I’ll carry it home.

This is our final day in Japan. No rush, no early wake-up calls. The morning can start with a long sleep, a cup of coffee overlooking the city, or a slow walk through a Tokyo neighborhood that, over these days, has become somehow familiar and dear.

It’s time to stroll once more through the streets, to return to that little shop for the souvenir you saved “for later,” to pick up some sweets to bring home, a delicate teacup, a postcard — or just an intangible feeling you want to hold onto.

Or maybe you’ll return to the place that felt especially right. Sit quietly in a park, wander down a lively street, or simply rest on a bench and watch the city hum around you.

And then — it’s time. The suitcases are packed, your mind is full of impressions, moments, emotions. They’ll settle into memory in time, but for now, the beautiful jumble feels a lot like Tokyo itself: vibrant, loud, alive.

We head to the airport with a soft kind of sadness, deep gratitude, and a sense that Japan has left its mark on us. Not as tourists — but as people who have truly felt it.

Warm. True. Lasting.

Sayonara, Japan.
Until we meet again.