Dear Smith Family,

We are thrilled to share this exciting, custom trip plan with you.

Your journey begins in Tokyo, where ancient temples sit alongside neon-lit streets. Over five days you’ll explore historic Asakusa, learn to make sushi with a local chef, catch a glimpse of sumo, take a day trip to the hot springs of Hakone with views of Mt Fuji, and enjoy some of the city’s best restaurants along the way.

From there, the bullet train carries you to Kyoto, Japan’s cultural heart. Expect early-morning walks through Fushimi Inari’s torii gates and the Arashiyama bamboo grove, a private dinner with a maiko in Gion, and quiet moments of Zen meditation. May brings fresh greenery and pleasant weather, making it a wonderful time for the whole family to explore.

This will be an epic adventure, designed especially for you. We hope you enjoy the proposal and we will look forward to your thoughts.

Regards,

The Safari Portal Team

Tokyo is a city of superlatives. The population of the metro area around this Japanese metropolis is an astounding 37 million people, making it the largest on the planet. It has the world’s tallest tower, the Tokyo Skytree. Shinjuku Station is the world’s busiest train station. Showa Memorial Park is the largest of its kind in an urban area.

But there’s no need to be intimidated by this Godzilla-sized city. Tokyo is a wonder of the world and everyone should see and experience it at least once. It’s unique, uber-technically advanced, and just … different. (In a very good and fun way.) Each neighborhood has its own distinct vibe, as if you just wandered into a different village.

There are extravagant spectacles in Tokyo but the beauty of this megalopolis is that there’s wonder, fascination, and in intrigue in even the smallest details—from the flurry of pedestrians crossing a busy intersection to the way some subcultures of teenagers dress to the types of an animal that might qualify as “sushi” to the never-in-your-wildest-dreams” items for sale in a vending machine.

And besides that, there are the big-ticket items too: the world-class museums, the singular shopping scene, and some of the best restaurants in the world (and not just for Japanese cuisine, either). This is a city of superlatives—too many to even count.

A private, guided walk through Asakusa and Senso-ji offers an unhurried look at Tokyo’s traditional heart. Your guide leads you through the lantern-lined streets and into the temple grounds at a comfortable pace, sharing history and local etiquette as you move between key viewpoints. Afterward, you board a Sumida River cruise for a different perspective of the city, with skyline views that shift gently as the light changes along the water.

A Tsukiji Outer Market tasting tour offers a memorable first look at Tokyo’s culinary culture, with curated stops for seasonal bites and prized seafood specialties. Your experience can be paired with either a hands-on sushi-making class, where you learn preparation techniques and build your own rolls, or a private omakase dinner featuring chef-selected courses that highlight the freshest flavors of the day. Both options are paced for a relaxed, guided flow through the market’s most interesting storefronts, with time to savor and ask questions as you go.

A private tea ceremony and kimono dressing experience offers a graceful introduction to Japan’s refined traditions. You begin with assistance selecting and wearing a beautifully tailored kimono, with careful guidance to help you achieve an authentic fit. Next, you participate in a host-led tea ceremony that covers the meaning behind each step, from the preparation to the presentation and etiquette. The experience is paced for a calm, hands-on flow, with time to take photos and ask questions while you enjoy tea in a serene setting.

A private kaiseki or Michelin-starred tempura experience offers a refined, multi-course approach to Japanese cuisine, paced for complete immersion in seasonality and technique. Expect precise preparation, elegant presentation, and attentive service that lets each dish and ingredient speak clearly. For dessert or finale, flavors remain deliberately balanced and quietly memorable.

Later, enjoy cocktails in a classic Ginza bar with a master bartender, who customizes pours around your preferences and explains the reasoning behind each balance of spirit, citrus, and botanical notes. The setting is polished and intimate, with measured conversation and a focus on craft. The evening is an easy way to pair culinary artistry in the kitchen with precision artistry at the bar.

In the year 794 Kyoto was chosen as the imperial seat by Emperor Kanmu. And with that, this historic city began life as the most charming big city in Japan. The city was designed and built up along Chinese feng shui models. And Japanese emperors would then rule from here for the next eleven centuries until the mid 19th century.

Considered the cultural capital of Japan, this city of 1.5 million denizens is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Kyoto landscape is sprinkled with ancient Buddhist temples, centuries-old Shinto shrines, plus-sized places, and impressive imperial villas.

There’s a lot to see and do in Kyoto. In fact, it’s been estimated that 20 percent of Japan’s national treasures exist within the city’s boundaries. There are dozens of museums and an estimated 2,000 Buddhist and shinto places of worship.

It’s also a great culinary center. Since it’s an inland city, far from the sea, as well as a center for Buddhist study, the cuisine of Kyoto evolved into one that is very vegetable forward and friendly.

An early-morning private visit to Fushimi Inari lets you experience the torii gates at their calmest, before tour groups arrive. Your timing offers quieter pathways for slow, attentive walking through the shrine’s iconic network, with natural light making the orange gates feel especially vivid. A knowledgeable guide shares the site’s history and etiquette, helping you move smoothly between key viewpoints while keeping the visit unhurried. Morning departures also tend to make it easier to pair Fushimi Inari with a relaxed coffee and breakfast afterward.

A day trip to Nara offers an easy, rewarding change of pace from Tokyo. You’ll visit Nara Park to meet the deer in their natural setting and enjoy a slow walk through the peaceful grounds. The highlight is Todai-ji, home to the Great Buddha, where your guide can explain the site’s history and what to look for in the architecture and atmosphere.

Alternatively, a private sake brewery tour in Fushimi focuses on craft and character. You’ll explore the brewing process, learn how local water and seasonal rice contribute to different styles, and enjoy guided tastings that help you compare aromas and finishes. The experience is paced for a small group, with time to ask questions and savor sake in a relaxed setting.

An early-dawn visit to the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove offers a peaceful introduction to Kyoto’s most iconic grove, with soft morning light and minimal crowds. Your guide leads you through the pathways as the sounds of the city fade, creating a calm, unhurried pace for photography and quiet viewing. Afterward, you’ll enjoy a private boat ride on the Hozu River, gliding through dramatic gorge scenery and watching the landscape shift with the morning. The timing is ideal for clear views and a comfortable start to your day of sightseeing in western Kyoto.

A private Kaiseki dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant is an intimate way to experience Japan through seasonality, restraint, and craftsmanship. Courses are presented artfully and served at a measured pace, with each dish designed around the freshest ingredients of the day, from delicate appetizers to a refined main course and a final, thoughtfully balanced dessert. Your host can guide you through the story of each plate, including subtle flavors, textures, and techniques that are hallmarks of traditional Kaiseki. The evening is ideal for travelers who prefer unhurried service and a tasting experience that feels both ceremonial and deeply personal.

May is an ideal time to visit Japan, balancing comfortable weather with a calendar full of seasonal moments. In many regions, cherry blossoms have begun to fade while fresh greenery takes over, creating a softer, more breathable atmosphere for walking, cycling, and sightseeing. Tokyo and Kyoto are especially lively, with temple and garden grounds at their most vibrant and outdoor dining feeling particularly pleasant.

May also lands between peak spring crowds and the busier summer travel period, so you can often find better availability at high-end hotels and ryokan. Depending on where you go, you may catch early seasonal festivals, riverside views in full bloom, and a wider range of day-trip options without the intensity of mid-year humidity.