Kyoto and Hakone ryokan escape
5-star ryokan stays, a private tea ceremony, Michelin-listed dining and a dedicated concierge throughout.
- Duration
- 9 nights, 10 days
- Route
- Kyoto, Hakone
- Best for
- Couples, honeymooners and well-travelled families who want Japan at its most refined.
- Stays
- 5-star ryokan and luxury hotels.
Highlights
- Traditional ryokan stays with in-room dining
- A private tea ceremony in Kyoto
- A dedicated concierge for the whole trip
Day by day
A sample plan. We adjust the order, pace and hotels to your dates, the season and who is travelling.
Day 1Arrive and transfer to Kyoto
Met at Kansai International Airport and driven to Kyoto, about ninety minutes. Check in and settle in.
Overnight: Kyoto
Day 2Kyoto’s classics, early
Fushimi Inari before the crowds, Kiyomizu-dera, and the preserved lanes of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka.
Overnight: Kyoto
Day 3A private tea ceremony
A private tea ceremony with a tea master, followed by Ginkaku-ji and the Philosopher’s Path.
Overnight: Kyoto
Day 4Arashiyama
The bamboo grove and Tenryu-ji garden, with a shojin ryori temple lunch at Shigetsu. Evening free.
Overnight: Kyoto
Day 5Kinkaku-ji and Nara
The Golden Pavilion in the morning, then Nara’s deer park and Todai-ji in the afternoon.
Overnight: Kyoto
Day 6Kyoto at leisure
A free day for craft workshops, Nishiki market or a garden of your choice, with dinner arranged at a restaurant that suits your diet.
Overnight: Kyoto
Day 7Bullet train to Hakone
Shinkansen to Odawara and on to your ryokan in Hakone. Afternoon in the hot spring baths and an in-room dinner.
Overnight: Hakone
Day 8The Hakone loop
The Hakone Ropeway over Owakudani, a cruise across Lake Ashi with Fuji views on clear days, and the Open-Air Museum.
Overnight: Hakone
Day 9Hakone at rest
A slow morning at the ryokan, then the drive towards Tokyo for your final night near the airport.
Overnight: Tokyo
Day 10Depart
Private transfer to Haneda or Narita airport.
Included
- Private vehicle and guide for your group only
- Itinerary, pace and hotels adjusted to you before confirmation
- Vegetarian and Jain meal planning in advance
- On-trip support from the Ninja Helpdesk in Hindi and Gujarati
Not included
- International flights (quoted separately, or bundled if you prefer)
- Japan visa fees (Bluedust can handle the application)
- Shopping and personal expenses
When to go
This route works all year, but it feels different in every season. The busiest months are March, April, November; for those, plan four to six months ahead. See Japan month by month.
Questions about this journey
Is the price fixed?
No. It scales with season, hotel category and group size. The figure shown is an honest starting point, not a final quote.
Can we change this itinerary?
Yes. Dates, pace, hotels and inclusions are adjusted with you before anything is confirmed.
Do prices include visa and flights?
No, but both can be quoted separately or bundled. Bluedust handles visa applications and books flights alongside the trip if you’d like.
Can meals be vegetarian or Jain?
Yes. We plan meals in advance and brief restaurants on your requirements. Choice is wide in the cities and narrower in rural areas, and we’ll tell you where before you book.
