Konnichiwa..<\/em> Here at Black Tomato our Japan experts have been working hard to hone one of our favorite family travel experiences, one that promises to get you under the skin of Japan\u2019s culture and it\u2019s fascinating and mysterious ancient disciplines: the art of Ninja (or shinobi) and Sumo.<\/p>\n History tells us that a Ninja was a covert agent or mercenary in feudal Japan. As time drew on, the abilities of the \u2018shinobi\u2019 became twisted in legend and folklore as claims were made linking them to abilities in invisibility, walking on water, and control over the natural elements. On this 10-night family trip from Tokyo to Kyoto, we will take you through a beguiling clash of old and new, giving you the inside track on this ancient culture and fascinating traditions, all the while exploring Japan\u2019s beautiful landscapes along the way.<\/p>\n By the time you finish your trip to Japan you\u2019ll have fought like a Sumo Wrestler, whipped up tasty Ramen dishes, mastered the art of meditation and explored the most beautiful temples you\u2019ll lay your eyes on.<\/p>\n Starting in Tokyo, and with our expert guides, you\u2019ll get the inside track on the very best that Tokyo has to offer. One of our all-time favorite destinations, this city combines the thrilling vibe of the present with the beautiful traditions of the past. For a gentle introduction to the land of the rising sun, your trip begins with a four-night stay at the Peninsula Tokyo, a luxury urban treat and a perfect start to your Japan family vacation.<\/p>\n On your first day, you\u2019ll be met by our sumo specialist and taken off for a sumo stable tour, where you\u2019ll be able to watch the wrestlers undergoing their morning training. This unique experience allows you to get behind the scenes and truly understand this iconic sport that\u2019s steeped in tradition. For insight like no other, we\u2019ll arrange for your guide to be the premier English language sumo reporter in Japan and a former wrestler himself. His insider access gives you the chance to really get up close and personal and will include the opportunity to chat with the wrestlers and even have a photo taken with them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After your sumo stable tour, you\u2019ll be met by your next guide and taken off for a half day adventure around Tokyo. Unleash your inner tech-geek and visit the electronics culture paradise of Akihabara; wandering through cosplaying crowds and exploring megaplex arcades and \u201cidol stores\u201d. Next, you\u2019ll visit the more relaxed side of Tokyo in the Yanasen District. Strewn with small temples, craft shops, galleries and caf\u00e9s, it\u2019s a great area to wander and experience a different side of the metropolis.<\/p>\n Today we\u2019ll arrange for the most incredible learning experience in which you will receive martial arts lessons from one of Japan\u2019s most legendary sensei. This master has a karate dojo in Tokyo\u2019s smartest neighbourhoods, and it\u2019s here that Yoji Yamamoto and other martial arts legends also train. As a family, you\u2019ll learn about the spiritual side of Ninja, including meditation, ancestor veneration and the concept of Ku (\u201cno-self\u201d). You will have the chance to don an authentic Ninja costume and will study and handle a variety of distinctive Ninja weapons such as throwing stars and blowguns. During your session, you will also have the chance to practice Ninja techniques such as stealthy steps, hardened hands and the \u201cinner eye\u201d (Be sure not to lose any fingers \u2013 you\u2019ll need them for your ramen masterclass in Kyoto).<\/p>\n For your last full day in Tokyo, we\u2019ll show you the best of the city\u2019s temples, food markets and shopping districts. After lunch why not try your hand at making amezaiku candy. Your guide will take you first to visit the Ameshin workshop, where you will join a class in making these incredible confections that resemble works of art. You\u2019ll then explore the streets around the area, which also have a great range of traditional confectioners and bakeries to visit.<\/p>\n At Black Tomato, we like to mix the yin with the yang, so following your stay in the capital we\u2019ll whisk you away (at 260km an hour to be precise) on the legendary bullet train and head southwest for an hour to Hakone National Park. Famed for its hot springs and glorifying views of the one and only Mount Fuji, spend your time relaxing at Ginyu Hakone for two blissful nights. This traditional Japanese retreat is sure to awaken your senses to the natural beauty of the area, with spectacular views over the river and mountains. If you\u2019re feeling more energetic, trace the cobbled remains of Old Tokkaido Road, the ancient highway that joined Tokyo and Kyoto during the Edo period, and is best preserved in this area.<\/p>\n Hop back on the bullet train as you head west to Kyoto for the next step of your family trip. Discover this historical city with a private guide in tow, starting in the western part of the city, Arashiyama, which boasts world heritage temples and beautiful bamboo groves. We love Tenryu-ji, with a breath-taking dragon ceiling and the Sanjusangendo temple, where thousands of statues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, await you. Don\u2019t forget to take an afternoon break in a traditional Japanese tea room to witness the classic ceremony. Your lodgings for your stay in Kyoto is the elegant Four Seasons, set amid tranquil pond gardens in the temple district, perfect for retreating to after a day exploring. There\u2019s even a teahouse on the hotel lake.<\/p>\n You wouldn\u2019t travel to Japan without sampling ramen in Kyoto, so we\u2019ve gone one better and booked you onto a ramen masterclass to try your hand at creating this iconic noodle soup dish to savour after your culture-fuelled day exploring. Spend your last day of your family trip back in Tokyo at Oedo Onsen, a hot spring park that hosts a selection of indoor and outdoor baths for you to choose from. Embark on a Kyushu tradition of being buried up to your neck in warm volcanic sand \u2013 a blessing in this thriving and fast-paced city and the ideal way to relax and unwind before your flight home.<\/p>\n A Japan vacation surprises you at every turn and this is without question a highly original, once in a lifetime family travel experience. Just imagine the stories you\u2019ll tell on your return; \u201cThe bruise? It\u2019s from training with a real-life Japanese Ninja\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The ultimate family tour of Japan Konnichiwa.. Here at Black Tomato our Japan experts have been working hard to hone one of our favorite family travel experiences, one that promises to get you under the skin of Japan\u2019s culture and it\u2019s fascinating and mysterious ancient disciplines: the art of Ninja (or shinobi) and Sumo. History […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":279949,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1456],"tags":[],"country":["Japan"],"class_list":["post-185563","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized-us","country-japan","month-april","month-march","month-may","month-november","month-october","type-experience","feeling-challenged","feeling-distraction","feeling-revitalized","need-to-learn","need-to-discover","what-culture","what-unusual","who-couple","who-family","who-with-friends"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nA Sumo stable tour in Tokyo<\/h2>\n
A visit with a Master Sensei<\/h2>\n
Sweet endings in Tokyo<\/h2>\n
Board the bullet train<\/h2>\n
Learn how to make ramen in Kyoto<\/h2>\n