JTB USA | The Kayotei Program

VISIT | Tokyo, Kanazawa, Yamanaka

Discover traditional Japanese culture & hospitality. Meet local artisans. Stay in a luxury ryokan located in the small hot springs village of Yamanaka, surrounded by majestic trees and lovingly nurtured gardens encircled by thickly forested hills. Visit one of Japan's three most beautiful gardens.

day 1	Tokyo - Kanazawa - Yamanaka Onsen This morning, depart from Tokyo for Kanazawa via Hokuriku Shinkansen. Upon arrival at Kanazawa Station, you will be privately transferred to Yamanaka Onsen, a famous hot spring town, for a two night stay at The Kayotei Ryokan. Lunch en route. Remainder of the day free at leisure.
day 2	Yamanaka Onsen After breakfast, depart for a full day of touring, visiting local artisan studios. Artisans youʼll meet here are indigenous organic food producers and traditional handicraft makers. Take a peek at their unique lifestyles by paying visits to their studios. You will be impressed by these artisansʼ divine way of living, their specialties, and the one of a kind techniques they use.
day 3	Yamanaka Onsen - Kanazawa After checkout, you will be privately transferred to Kanazawa (approx. 1 hour). Upon arrival, enjoy a half day of touring. First, stop at the Kaga Yuzen Traditional Industry Center, where you will participate in a hands-on experience, learning about the Yuzen dyeing technique. Next, visit Myoryuji Temple (commonly known as the “Ninja Temple”). Your last stop will be at Higashichaya-gai , an old entertainment district. ( There is a possibility of booking a special live geisha performance on Saturdays. Advanced reservations are necessary. Additional cost will apply).
day 4	Kanazawa After breakfast, you will be taken on a full day of sightseeing in Kanazawa. Begin your tour by visiting Kenroku-en Garden, recognized as one of Japanʼs “Three Most Beautiful Traditional Japanese Style Gardens”. Then, enjoy lunch at Omicho Market, the largest fresh food market in this area for nearly 300 years. End your exploration with a visit to the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, situated next to the Kenroku-en Garden. It opened in 2004, and has become one of Japanʼs most popular art museums. The museum exhibits unique works by renowned contemporary artists from across the world, the most popular being the “Swimming Pool” by Leadro Erlich.
day 5	Kanazawa - Tokyo After checking out of the hotel, transfer to Tokyo by bullet train. (approx. 2.5 hours)

Some of the possibilities include
>> Visiting an organic rice producer who uses the “Aigamo” (rice-duck farming) method.
>> Japanese bean curd “Tofu” producer
>> Japanese sake “Nihonshu” producer
>> Japanese traditional paper “Washi” craftsman
>> Traditional wood turner “Kiji-shi”
>> Japanese “Kutani ware” potter

(* The artisansʼ studios youʼll visit are subject to change, depending on seasonality and conditions).