A beautiful, intricately designed puzzle, Japan is a country that has refined just about every aspect of life into an art form. Smitten (or, as the Japanese say, otaku, merrily obsessed) with Japan, we are especially captivated by the Japanese talent for integrating its proud ancient culture with its equally proud embrace of the modern. We take loving pride in our journeys to this amazing enigma, where insider’s knowledge and attention to detail pay off so rewardingly.
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.
Classic Japan - Kyushu Island
Highlights: Kyushu Island, Beppo, Mount Aso, Kumamoto gardens and castles, Yufuin, Nagasaki, Imari
Classic Japan - Naoshima and Shikoku Island
Highlights: Shikoku Island, Naruto, Iya Valley, Alex Kerr's Chiirori Project, Benesse Art Site Naoshima, Shingon Buddhist pilgrimage route
Kyoto: The Soul of Japan
Highlights: Kyoto, Silver Pavilion, Philosophers' Walk, Nanzen-ji Zen Temple, Rengei-ji Temple and gardens, Miho Museum, Gold Pavilion, Nijo Castle of the Tokugawa shoguns
Custom Journeys in Japan
Highlights: Kyoto’s Imperial Palace; Tokyo’s Ueno Park (March); Asakusa Shrine Festival (May)
