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Exclusive Private Journey
Hokuriku Highlights
4 Nights: price on request Trip Code: EPJ300
For couples who would like to explore a side of Japan away from the bright lights and big cities, this very special Exclusive Private Journey module introduces the Hokuriku region – a beautiful rural area between the Japanese Alps and the Japan Sea Coast. Cast yourselves back the Japan of romantic imagination as you visit secluded temples, learn ancient craft techniques, and admire landscapes unchanged for hundreds of years. Read more >
With a wonderful hand-picked guide plus a car and driver on hand, this Exclusive Private Journey module whisks you along the scenic roads of the higher Japanese Alps to reach Shirakawago, one of Japan's most picturesque rural communities. Shirakawago is famous for its collection of centuries-old, thatched-roof farmhouses, which are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
While exploring the Japan Alps, a visit to Eihei-ji can also be included. Eihei-ji is a unique temple complex hidden amid a cedar forest where we can arrange for you to observe the day-to-day lives and rituals of the local monks, and even join them in meditation and sutra-copying. This is an experience not to be found at many other locations in Japan, and one that is certainly not soon forgotten.
As you move on to the garden city of Kanazawa, a place of deep samurai history and rich artistic heritage, you'll have the chance to try your hand at kaga-yuzen dyeing, gold leaf work and ceramics under the tutelage of local experts.
A short distance south from Kanazawa is the hot spring area of Kaga Onsen, where you'll stay in a gorgeous ryokan inn. This is some of the best in traditional Japanese accommodation, and your meals will be served kaiseki banquet style and feature some of the region's best seafood.
This rural Exclusive Private Journey is designed to introduce a traditional side of Japan away from the big cities, showing off some of the nation's loveliest countryside. We recommend that you consider combining this module with some other ideas to create your own tailored Exclusive Private Journey in consultation with one of our expert travel consultants.
Trip Highlights
- Travel in the bullet train's luxury "Gran Class"
- Taste Hokuriku's best seafood prepared by the region's top chefs
- Enjoy fabulous hot spring baths in Kaga Onsen
- Discover the secrets of Japanese garden design at Kenrokuen
- Learn from masters in the crafts of lacquerware, ceramics and gold leaf
- Take the scenic Hakusan Super Rindo road to the alpine village of Shirakawago
For more information email us: [email protected] or call: + 61 7 3186 8800
What, where, when and how...
Hokuriku Highlights - 5 Days
Destinations
Hokuriku Highlights - 5 Days - Accommodation
Hokuriku Highlights - 5 Days - Experiences
Hokuriku Highlights - 5 - Inspiration
Need inspiration? Hokuriku has a huge amount to offer and plenty of secrets to unveil away from the main tourist sites.
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Day 1-2
Hop on Japan's newest bullet train in Tokyo and just 2.5 hours later you'll be 460km away in the garden city of Kanazawa. We'll book you seats in the bullet train's luxurious "gran class" car with reclining leather chairs.
Welcome to Kanazawa, or "marsh of gold" as its name means in Japanese; a city with a rich historical legacy and a wealth of arts and crafts. Our top recommendation in Kanazawa is to see Kenrokuen, one of Japan's finest gardens, where your expert local guide will take you to meet the head gardener to learn about the religious symbolism that informs the garden's layout and design.
If you'd like to focus on Kanazawa's artistic heritage, let us arrange introductions with master craftsmen specialising in gold leaf work and lacquerware, including a visit to a traditional pottery kiln. Alternatively you might choose to try your hand at kaga-yuzen silk dyeing, a regional technique that uses materials harvested from plum trees.
If you prefer collecting art to making it, we are also happy to help you buy and ship artworks home.Suggested Accommodation: Nikko Hotel Kanazawa
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Day 3-5
Your next two nights will be spent in a beautiful ryokan inn in the hot spring resort town of Kaga.
From Kaga Onsen your guide and driver will take you on a day trip across the spectacular Hakusan Super Rindo road, weaving high up into the Japanese Alps - up to 1,400 metres above sea level.
Today you'll have the opportunity to explore the distinctive thatched-roof farmhouses of Shirakawago, a scenic alpine village that has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its entirety. Ogimachi is the most visited area of Shirakawago – but we recommend that you venture to the far quieter and prettier hamlets of Suganuma and Ainokura for a more authentic experience.
Whilst in the area, be sure to stop for a lunch home cooked by locals and served privately around an irori open hearth in one of the old farmhouses, washed down by a cup or two of the region's famous sake.
The temple complex of Eihei-ji is another tremendous day trip option available to you on your journey through the mountains. A vast temple precinct hidden deep in an atmospheric cedar forest and home to seven monasteries, this is your chance to meet the local monks for a guided meditation experience or sutra recitation.Suggested Accommodation: Beniya Mukayu
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Day 1-2
Hop on Japan's newest bullet train in Tokyo and just 2.5 hours later you'll be 460km away in the garden city of Kanazawa. We'll book you seats in the bullet train's luxurious "gran class" car with reclining leather chairs.
Welcome to Kanazawa, or "marsh of gold" as its name means in Japanese; a city with a rich historical legacy and a wealth of arts and crafts. Our top recommendation in Kanazawa is to see Kenrokuen, one of Japan's finest gardens, where your expert local guide will take you to meet the head gardener to learn about the religious symbolism that informs the garden's layout and design.
If you'd like to focus on Kanazawa's artistic heritage, let us arrange introductions with master craftsmen specialising in gold leaf work and lacquerware, including a visit to a traditional pottery kiln. Alternatively you might choose to try your hand at kaga-yuzen silk dyeing, a regional technique that uses materials harvested from plum trees.
If you prefer collecting art to making it, we are also happy to help you buy and ship artworks home.Suggested Accommodation: Nikko Hotel Kanazawa
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Day 3-5
Your next two nights will be spent in a beautiful ryokan inn in the hot spring resort town of Kaga.
From Kaga Onsen your guide and driver will take you on a day trip across the spectacular Hakusan Super Rindo road, weaving high up into the Japanese Alps - up to 1,400 metres above sea level.
Today you'll have the opportunity to explore the distinctive thatched-roof farmhouses of Shirakawago, a scenic alpine village that has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its entirety. Ogimachi is the most visited area of Shirakawago – but we recommend that you venture to the far quieter and prettier hamlets of Suganuma and Ainokura for a more authentic experience.
Whilst in the area, be sure to stop for a lunch home cooked by locals and served privately around an irori open hearth in one of the old farmhouses, washed down by a cup or two of the region's famous sake.
The temple complex of Eihei-ji is another tremendous day trip option available to you on your journey through the mountains. A vast temple precinct hidden deep in an atmospheric cedar forest and home to seven monasteries, this is your chance to meet the local monks for a guided meditation experience or sutra recitation.Suggested Accommodation: Beniya Mukayu
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Small batch soy sauce brewery
Think soy sauce is just soy sauce? Think again!
No meal in Japan is served without a bottle of soy sauce available on the table. Generally this will be from kikkoman, the number one producer in Japan. But just like craft beer which has taken Japan by storm in the last 10 years, so the popularity of small batch, craft soy sauce has increased. In Kanazawa you can spend a morning visiting a soy sauce micro brewery and then finish up your visit with a first class sushi lunch. You'll even have the chance to take away a bottle with your own unique label.
For more information email us: [email protected] or call: + 61 7 3186 8800
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