Geographic Expeditions journeys range from Tokyo’s full-tilt modernity (and its underlying embrace of tradition) to the charming mountain towns of Takayama and Hakone, and, of course, Kyoto, the “supreme repository of Japan’s ancient traditions.” Our carefully chosen accommodations vary from ultra-luxurious hotels to traditional ryokans. Our travelers delve into artful Japanese cuisines and tea ceremonies, wander through elegant temple gardens, soak in traditional hot baths, visit studios of calligraphers and other artisans, see Kabuki and Noh dramas, and attend sumo matches. We follow pilgrimage routes on little-known Shikoku Island and discover the riches of Iya Valley. We travel by local trains and buses, hop on the shinkansen (the famed bullet train), and explore by foot—all in the best GeoEx style.