A Romantic Journey Through History and Culture | April 15-23, 2025
Morning: Arrive at Narita Airport, activate JR Pass, travel to hotel
Afternoon: Gentle walking tour of Asakusa (Sensō-ji Temple, Nakamise Shopping Street)
Evening: Welcome dinner at local izakaya in Asakusa
Morning: Imperial Palace East Gardens walking tour
Afternoon: Meiji Shrine and Yoyogi Park
Evening: Modern Tokyo in Shibuya (Shibuya Crossing, Nonbei Yokocho)
Morning: Kendo Experience at Kobukan Dojo
Afternoon: Japanese Tea Ceremony at Happo-en Garden
Evening: Sumida River cruise
Morning: Shinkansen to Kyoto, check in at ryokan
Afternoon: Arashiyama District (Bamboo Grove, Gioji Temple)
Evening: Kaiseki dinner at ryokan, onsen experience
Morning: Fushimi Inari Shrine (early visit)
Afternoon: Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Higashiyama District
Evening: Gion District exploration
Full Day: Nara Park with deer, Todai-ji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine
Evening: Return to Kyoto, special evening at Philosopher's Path (proposal location)
Morning: Zen Meditation at Kennin-ji Temple
Afternoon: Travel to Osaka
Evening: Final celebration in Dotonbori
Return flight from Kansai International Airport to Seattle
Tokyo's oldest temple, featuring the iconic Kaminarimon ("Thunder Gate") and a vibrant shopping street leading to the main hall.
Hours: 6:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Main Hall)
Access: Asakusa Station (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
A serene Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, surrounded by a lush forest in the heart of Tokyo.
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Access: Harajuku Station (JR Yamanote Line)
A magical path lined with towering bamboo stalks that create a unique atmosphere as sunlight filters through.
Hours: Always open
Access: Arashiyama Station (JR Sagano Line)
Tip: Visit early morning (before 8:00 AM) to avoid crowds
Famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates winding up the mountain, dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice.
Hours: Always open
Access: Inari Station (JR Nara Line)
Tip: Early morning visit avoids crowds; hiking to the top takes about 2-3 hours
Home to over 1,000 free-roaming deer considered sacred messengers of the gods. Visitors can purchase "shika senbei" (deer crackers) to feed them.
Hours: Always open
Access: 5-min walk from Kintetsu Nara Station
Tip: Bow to deer and they often bow back before receiving food
A stone path alongside a canal lined with cherry trees, named after philosopher Nishida Kitaro who meditated while walking this route to Kyoto University.
Hours: Always open
Access: Bus to Ginkaku-ji Temple, then walk
Tip: Best visited in early evening when most tour groups have left
Hello / Good afternoon
Thank you very much
Excuse me / I'm sorry (Multipurpose phrase used to get attention or apologize)
Please (when requesting something)
Yes / No
Where is the bathroom?
How much is it?
Do you speak English?
I don't understand
Delicious (useful when enjoying meals)
Cheers! (when toasting)
Where is the station?
The Philosopher's Path (哲学の道, Tetsugaku no michi) is a stone path that follows a cherry tree-lined canal in Kyoto, between Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) and Nanzen-ji neighborhoods. Named after the philosopher Nishida Kitaro who used this path for daily meditation, it offers a tranquil setting perfect for reflection – and for a memorable proposal.
For your April 21st proposal, we recommend:
Will you marry me?
After the proposal, consider celebrating at one of these nearby options: