Meet your guide late in the morning at your Tokyo hotel and be prepared to board shinkansen bullet train bound for Odawara station by noon – the journey only takes about half an hour if you are on time for your planned train.

Japan lifehack: arrange for and eat your lunch or brunch when riding the superexpress train – like all Japanese do. Later in the afternoon you will be too busy to eat enjoying iconic sites of Japan. Alternatively, ask your contact at Saiyu Travel in advance to arrange for a boxed lunch for you - we need three full days of notice and full information on any food allergies or food restrictions first.

After boarding off the train, arrive at geisha quarters shortly before the performance starts at 1:30 PM, and take your seat. You are more than welcome to take photos and video of geisha’ dance performance and share them on social networks, but be mindful of other guests. A little over half an hour is just enough for you not to get bored with Japan’s cultural icons and not to overinvest thousands of dollars into a lengthy full-fledged banquet with geishas. You may ask geisha a question or two, and take selfies after dance performance (your guide will interpret for you).

Next, visit a unique art site created by one of Japan’s most famous modern artists and world-famous photographer, mixing ancient and modern architecture and art with feng-shui of Japanese gardens amidst ocean panorama. Super-photogenic, Instagrammable spot, its vast grounds and strict reservation-only policy ensure it never gets crowded. You only have to travel for 70 km from central Tokyo, a lot shorter journey compared to 700~ km from Tokyo to far-out Naoshima in Shikoku region.

Take in the panoramic view and unique combination of modern art and ancient architectural objects, breath in the beauty of bamboo grove, massive stones and stone lanterns, lush colors of tangerine trees and ultra-modern elements like glass steps in the tea house. Sense the tranquility of the ocean and beauty of nature on the hills that Hiroshi Sugimoto (no less famous in Japan than Yayoi Kusama) has selected for his signature project. It is easy to spend a couple of hours here absorbing the beauty and tranquility of the place, especially in the season when sakura trees will start to bloom.

You will get to keep the well-illustrated booklet that you will receive upon entering the site grounds.
Leave “mini-Naoshima” by 5pm using a private vehicle.

Take a dip in a hot spring resort nearby, famous for its alkaline thermal water, a blessing from sleeping volcano . Amenities like towels and soap will be provided. Or visit Odawara Castle, famous sakura-viewing spot loved by samurai class - this will make for a memorable a walk at sunset, especially on March 18th, the day which coincides with just announced date of sakura flowering start date.

The guide will assist you getting to the nearest JR train station to take shinkansen bullet train back to Tokyo (less than an hour), or you can wait for your onward shinkansen to Kyoto at Odawara station, exploring its shops and cafes with most open until about 8pm. The tour ends at Odawara station at 8PM.