Torii gates in Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto, Japan.
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As exhilarating as a spin on Japan’s famous bullet train might be, whizzing past Mount Fuji and other parts of the countryside, another way to explore the country will debut next June. TCS World Travel is inaugurating an 11 day private jet trip, stopping to explore major highlights and secrets of the country with insider access to sites.
Kyoto Daigoji temple in Kyoto, a stop on TCS World Travel’s Japan’s Hidden Gems Tour debuting next June.
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The Jet
Japan’s Hidden Gems takes off on June 20 for excursions in three different regions, some not usually explored, on a new Airbus A321neo-LR configured with 52 Italian leather lie flat seats with chef curated meals on board. Led by Louisa McDonald, Ph.D., a renowned Japanese art historian and Alec Murphy, Ph.D., an expert in the interplay between geography and cultural identity, the trip will dig deeper into the culture of an intriguing but often mysterious place.
The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. just outside of Kyoto.
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First Stop: Kyoto
The trip begins in Anchorage, Alaska with a short stay at the lakefront Alyeska Resort, known for mountain activities around nearby Mt. Alyeska. The flight across the Pacific stops first in Kyoto, famed for its temples, UNESCO Heritage Sites and shrines. A glimpse into the cultural history appears with a lesson in sword play as practiced by ancient samurai warriors with instruction by Tetsuro Shimaguchi, instructor and samurai choreographer for the Kill Bill films. A more serene experience is a rickshaw ride through the towering bamboo of Arashiyama Bamboo Forest just outside of town. Other experiences include a visit to the golden 14th century Kinkaku-ji Temple, an authentic tea ceremony and a visit to the Nishiki Market accompanied by a local chef to learn about regional ingredients and special dishes.
The clear blue tropical water of, Kerama Islands National Park in Okinawa, Japan.
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Okinawa
The next stop veers south to the island of Okinawa increasingly famous as a blue zone where due to culture and diet, residents are known for longer lives and which overall has a distinctly different cultural heritage from mainland Japan. Activities here include a visit to the vestiges of Nakijin Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, snorkeling and diving the coral reefs surrounding the island, shopping for ceramics and dining on local specialties at Makishi Market in the capital Naha, observe the creation of Ryukyu glass, and learn about the history of the Ryukyu Kingdom with a visit to the Naha Mausoleum and the progress of the restoration of Shurijo Castle, a UNESCO Heritage Site damaged in a 2019 fire.
The wooden tower of To-ji Temple in Nara Japan, the largest temple pagoda in the country.
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Kyushu
The tour finishes in the southern island of Kyushu with a blend of modern cities, ancient sites and volcanic topography. In the city of Fukuoka, the largest city of the island, and a modern capital but a less frenetic one than Tokyo or Osaka, there are also historic shrines to be visited as well as gastronomic ones, particularly in its street food stalls. From the city, a day trip to Nagasaki on the bullet train brings visitors to the Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Bomb Museum, commemorating the city’s solemn significance in World War II. Another train trip from Fukuoka brings visitors to the town of Arita, where the art of Japanese porcelain was created four centuries ago and where master artisans still create ceramics for collectors. Whiskey aficionados can also do a tasting of the country’s distinctive blends.
Food stalls in Fukuoka, Japan on the island of Kyushu,
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After Fukuoka, the trip heads back to Anchorage for a final night. Guests who want to stay on and explore other sites in Japan, though, can extend to other cities with itineraries arranged by the guest manager. The trip can also be customized as a private trip but flights then switch to commercial, not this jet.
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