6 Best Tours to Book in Japan

Published on 03/04/202403/06/2024 by Ashley Bonner1 Comment

6 Best Tours to Book in Japan

Japan is a country that captivates travelers with its unique blend of ancient traditions, culture, and history. From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the serene temples of Kyoto, there is something for everyone to enjoy in this diverse and fascinating country. Below are the 6 best tours to book in Japan!

#1: Kamakura Tour with Kotokuin Great Buddha-

Kamakura is the religious center in Japan and what better way to explore the shrines and temples than on a tour? A tour will teach you about the fascinating culture and history, including the foundations of Buddhism and Shintoism. You will stop at historical sites such as Tokei-ji Temple, Jochi-ji Temple, and Genji-yama Park. In addition, you will get to admire the Kotokuin, also known as the Great Buddha of Kamakura. This 47-foot Buddha statue dates back to the 13th century and is a magnificent sight worth seeing.

BOOK THE TOUR

What is the Itinerary?

Stop #1: Jochiji Temple- A quiet Zen temple surrounded by a forest built in 1281. If you rub the belly of the statue of Hotei, legend has it that it will bring you good fortune.
Stop #2: You will enjoy nature at the Kamakura hiking trails.
Stop #3: Ugafuku Shrine- The shrine was built in 1185 and has a mix of Shinto and Buddhist monuments. You will end up at a natural spring within the shrine. Legend has it that money washed in the spring’s water will double in the summer.
Stop #4: Sasuke Inari Shrine- This shrine has 100 red torii gates and is so beautiful.
Stop #5: Kotoku-in (Great Buddha of Kamakura) – The construction of the bronze statue began in 1252. The great Buddha of Kamakura is the largest in Japan.

Stop #6: Hasedera Temple is halfway up Mount Kamakura. The temple has excellent views over Yuigahama Beach. The temple features a wooden Buddhist statue.
Stop 7: Yuigahama Beach- You will relax at Yuigahama Beach for your last stop on this tour.

BOOK THE TOUR

#2: Bamboo Forest Tour-

Arashiyama in Kyoto has temples, shrines, and the famous beautiful bamboo grove. Aside from walking through the bamboo grove, you will visit the 14th-century Tenryuji Temple and the wide Togetsukyo Bridge over the Katsura River on your tour in Kyoto.

bamboo forest tour

#3: Traditional Tea Ceremony-

Experience a Japanese tea ceremony in Kyoto while wearing a kimono. You will receive guidance on how to wear the provided kimono. Once you have put on the kimono, your tea master starts the tea ceremony. This package includes green tea and Japanese sweets, with time for photo opportunities.

traditional tea ceremony

#4: Sushi in KYOTO-

california maki on dish — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Learn how to make the perfect sushi roll during this class in Kyoto. You will go through the step-by-step process with an incredible chef. At the end of the class, you will take home a recipe card and a sushi rolling mat, so with your new skills, you can make sushi at home!

SUSHI CLASS

#5: Mount Fuji Day Trip from Tokyo-

red and gray pagoda temple — Photo by Tomáš Malík on Pexels.com

This tour of Mt. Fuji and Lake Ashi will be an unforgettable experience. This tour includes a cruise along Lake Ashi in Hakone National Park and a ride on Komagatake Ropeway!

MT. FUJI TOUR

#6: Kyoto in One DAY (12 Popular Sights)

Explore as many as 12 attractions in Kyoto on this full-day tour. Guides take you to the must-see sights and show you the hidden gems of each location. The places you visit are Arashiyama, Randen Tram Line, Ryoan-ji Temple, Sushi-go-round, Kinkakuji Temple, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kiyomizu-zaka slope, Kiyomizu Temple, Sanneizaka, Yasaka Pagoda, and the Gion area! WOW, that was a mouthful, so book this tour with a local from Japan to learn more about their history and culture and truly SEE what Kyoto has to offer.

What is the Itinerary?

Stop #1: Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Stop #2: Kinkakuji Temple- The famous “golden temple”!
Stop #3: Ryoanji Temple- The stone garden became famous because Queen Elizabeth visited.
Stop #4: 4 Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine- You will visit one of the most famous places in Kyoto, home to more than 1,000 red torii gates.
Stop #5: Kiyomizu-Zaka Street- You will visit this street, home to souvenir shops and local eateries.
Stop #6: Kiyomizu-dera Temple- The temple has a wood stage that does not use a single nail.
Stop #7: Sanneizaka- You will walk along the local street in Kyoto and visit a few local shops where you can buy a souvenir.
Stop #8: Hokan-ji Temple- This is a beautiful temple.
Stop #9: Gion- This is the beauty of the historical place to visit!

KYOTO 12 STOP TOUR

Bonus: Asakusa Cultural Walk & Matcha Making Tour

Discover the history and traditions of Asakusa on a half-day tour in Tokyo. You will stroll along the main shopping street to sample traditional Japanese snacks and buy a souvenir. After you go shopping, you will visit the famous Sensoji temple. Finish the tour at a traditional restaurant where you learn to make okonomiyaki or a savory pancake.

asakusa tour

We shared the 6 best tours to book in Japan. Have you ever been to Japan? Please comment below about your experience.

10 Bucket List Things to Do in the Northern Hemisphere

Published on 09/28/202301/24/2024 by Ashley BonnerLeave a comment

10 Bucket List Things to Do in the Northern Hemisphere

The Northern Hemisphere is half of the Earth north of the Equator. Below are 10 bucket list things to do in the Northern Hemisphere!

1: Discover Brussels Grand Place-

Discover Brussels Grand Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where you will find cobblestone streets, baroque buildings, and historic appeal back to the 12th century.

Book a Brussels Grand Palace Tour

2: Stroll Along a Beautiful Garden called Jardin de Monet in Giverny, France-

Monet once pondered through the gardens of France and painted famous water lily paintings, inspiring him to create one of the MOST beautiful gardens in the world today known as Jardin de Monet. You will have the most joyous time as you relax on a park bench, feel the breeze hit your face, and listen to the sounds of the birds.

Book the Jardin de Monet Tour from Paris

3: Reenact the Sound of Music on Tyrolean Mountain in Austria-

Austria is stunning, home to beautiful mountains and landscapes. Maria, who plays Julia Andrews, sings The Hills Are Alive with the sound of music in this exact location.

4: See Romania’s Painted Monastery-

Sucevita Monastery, in Moldavia, Romania, is a visual delight featuring Byzantine art and religion. The 19 ft high walls are covered with beautiful art and murals is a sight you do not want to miss.

Book the Painted Monasteries Tour

5: Paddle on a Traditional Polish Flatboat Through Pieniny National Park in Poland-

Paddling along on a traditional flatboat to take in the beautiful scenery at Dunajec Gorge at Pieniny National Park is an experience you won’t forget. The cliffs rise more than 1,000 ft and are INCREDIBLE.

Book a Paddle Tour at Pieniny National Park

6: Stay at the Cambrian Hotel to See the Swiss Alps in Switzerland-

The Swiss Alps are quite STUNNING and what better way to see them than from an infinity pool overlooking them at the Cambrian Hotel?

Book Your Stay at the Cambrian Hotel

7: Ice Sculptures at Ice City in Harbin, China-

Okay, so you might be wondering an ICE CITY?! That cannot be possible. Well, it is. In Harbin, China, there is a COLD, COLD winter. They have turned their freezing winter into an Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, where 15,000 workers make full-size buildings of ICE. You will find exhibits like temples, famous landmarks, and illuminated works that light up at night! The thought that the sculptures will melt is mind-blowing!

Book Tickets to Ice City in Harbin

8: Hike Mount Fuji in Honshu Island, Japan-

Mount Fuji is visible above Tokyo and is Japan’s highest peak at 12,389 feet. You can climb the mountain from early July to September.

Book a Tour to See Mount Fuji

9: Attend the Fuji Rock Festival at Naeba Ski Resort in Niigata Prefecture, Japan-

The Fuji Rock Festival is in the beautiful Japanese Alps with good music and great vibes! It is a 3-day event with more than 200 Japanese and international musicians.

10: Go to Ashikaga Flower Park in April-

The best time to see the beautiful scented flowers called the wisteria canopy is from April to June in Ashikaga, Japan. You will find millions of purple, white, or pink petals glowing.

Book a Tour to Ashikaga Flower Park

We listed 10 bucket list things to do in the Northern Hemisphere. Please comment below about the adventure you will now add to your list.

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Top 5 Places to Visit in Asia

Published on 06/07/202301/24/2024 by Ashley Bonner1 Comment

Top 5 Places to Visit in Asia

Asia is an incredible place to visit. Every country in Asia has a unique culture to learn about and kind locals to meet! Below are the top 5 places to visit in ASIA!

My Experience:

Traveling to Asia is a long, more expensive flight from New York, but worth every second and penny.

Israel:

I traveled to Israel many times because my mother is from there. I loved exploring the Negev Desert, swimming in the dead sea, and visiting Old Jaffa in Tel Aviv. The best hike is at Ein Avdat National Park in the desert.

Philippines:

I have also been to the Philippines, which sparked my desire to TRAVEL the world. I loved island hopping and swimming with Whale Sharks!

Bali:

I also traveled to Bali with my best friend Ariana in 2019! My favorite parts of traveling to Bali were relaxing at our infinite pool, swimming at the beaches, watching the sunrise at Mount Batur, and exploring the temples made out of volcanic rock.

1: Cebu, Philippines

The Philippines has incredible waterfalls and unbelievable landscapes. Did you know? You can go swimming with whale sharks in Cebu! Whale Sharks are the largest fish in the sea, as they reach lengths of 40 feet and weigh up to 60 tons. They are harmless creatures, as they feed on squid or fish and would not harm people. You can even complete the infamous trek called CANYONEERING in Cebu. Canyoneering is a popular outdoor thirty-minute adventure. Tourists travel by climbing, jumping, and swimming down creeks and streams within the canyon. The turquoise-colored streams lead to Kawasan Falls, as shown in the photo above.

Whale Sharks and Canyoneering Tour

#2: Bali, Indonesia

canoe on body of water with pagoda background — Photo by Oleksandr Pidvalnyi on Pexels.com

Bali has beaches, temples, volcanos, waterfalls, and rice terraces to explore. The best things to do are to watch the sunrise at the top of Mount Batur, an active volcano, swim at Padang Padang Beach in Uluwatu, and visit the Tegallalang rice terraces. Don’t forget to try the LOCAL street food, including Balinese coffee. You will want to add the sacred monkey forest sanctuary and a temple tour to your itinerary. Temples are made out of volcanic rock. It will be an experience that you will remember forever.

Mount Batur Sunrise Hike Tour

Monkey Sanctuary, Rice Terrace, and Waterfall Tour

Temple Tour

#3: Chiang Mai, Thailand

wat phra that doi suthep temple in thailand — Photo by Alberto Capparelli on Pexels.com

Chiang Mai is in Northern Thailand, where you can explore temples and ruins. The best things to do are to visit Doi Suthep, which is a famous attraction, explore Inthanon National Park, home to the highest mountain in Thailand, bathe an elephant at an Elephant Sanctuary, shop at the Warorot Market, and go on a boat ride along Mae Ping River.

Chiang Mai Temple Tour

#4: Kyoto, Japan

orange temple — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Japan is home to temples, shrines, natural landscapes, gardens, and delicious food to try. Kyoto is Japan’s most beautiful city, with over 1,000 Buddhist temples. Kyoto is the historical and cultural heart of Japan. The best thing to do is to visit Arashiyama, a 30-minute trip from the center of Kyoto. Go on the trip of a lifetime entitled the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Walking Tour. The other best thing to do is to visit Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine. The best way to get around Japan is by purchasing a Japan Rail Pass. The pass can get you from Tokyo to Kyoto and save you money. For example, you can buy a 7-day Japan Rail Pass to take you to Tokyo, Kanazawa, and Kyoto.

Arishiyama Bamboo Grove Walking Tour

#5: Siem Reap, Cambodia

the bayon temple at the angkor wat complex at siem reap cambodia — Photo by Serg Alesenko on Pexels.com

Angkor Wat temple complex is a MUST-SEE if you are ever in Cambodia. The Khmer people have a rich history and culture. You can learn more about the locals while exploring the ancient ruins on a tour!

Angkor Wat Temple Tour

Bonus: Tel Aviv, Israel

aerial photo of road near buildings and beach — Photo by Naya Shaw on Pexels.com

I am adding Israel to this list since I spoke about it in my intro! Tel Aviv is the cultural capital of Israel and is home to beaches and the Old City of Jaffa. The Tayelet, a pedestrian-only street, runs between the beach and Jaffa, which has plenty of cafes and restaurants. Strolling along the Old City of Jaffa is a must-see activity if you are ever in Israel. You will find preserved acropolis remains, stone architecture, a flea market, artisan stores, and an old port. The old-fashioned charm is surreal.

We listed the top 5 places to visit in Asia! Have you ever been to Asia? Please comment below about your experience.

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Tag: Japan