An itinerary created for a traveler who seeks excellence, privacy and a custom-built pace. Nippon Exclusive leads through the most refined Japan: from the thousand-year-old temples of Kyushu to the luminous skylines of Tokyo, from the hot springs of Kinugawa to the rarefied atmospheres of the Izu Peninsula, to the ancestral elegance of Kyoto. A journey designed to experience the country with privileged access, executive-level transfers, and hospitality selected from among Japan’s finest facilities.
49.000,00 €
An itinerary created for a traveler who seeks excellence, privacy and a custom-built pace. Nippon Exclusive leads through the most exquisite Japan: from the thousand-year-old temples of Kyushu to the luminous skylines of Tokyo, from the hot springs of Kinugawa to the rarefied atmospheres of the Izu Peninsula and the ancestral elegance of Kyoto. A journey designed to experience the country with privileged access, executive-level transfers, and hospitality selected from among Japan’s finest facilities.
The experience begins in Fukuoka, where arrival is followed by a dedicated welcome and private transfer to the Grand Hyatt Fukuoka. After a kaiseki dinner at the hotel or an elite restaurant, the following day opens with discovery of the historic district, Kushida Temple, and a relaxing river cruise. The journey continues to Yufuin, for two nights at the upscale Bettei Itsuki, nestled in an atmosphere of absolute quiet. Here you experience a slow Japan: flower villages, tea ceremony and a gourmet transfer aboard the iconic Aru Ressha.
You then return to Fukuoka for an additional night before departing by Shinkansen First Class train to Tokyo, where your stay is at the Four Seasons Tokyo Otemachi or Marunouchi. Between the neighborhoods of Asakusa, Odaiba and Ginza-accompanied by dedicated personal shoppers-you discover a metropolis that knows how to combine tradition and the avant-garde with natural elegance.
Day seven leads to Nikko, reached aboard the prestigious Spacia X. You stay at the exceptional The Ritz-Carlton Nikko, the starting point for an immersion in the UNESCO shrines of Toshogu, Rinnoji and Futarasan. The following day is devoted to Tobu World Square and relaxation at a ryokan selected from Asaya or Kinugawa Onsen Hotel.
The journey then returns to Tokyo, before heading to the Izu Peninsula on the luxurious Blue Suite of the Saphir Odoriko train: an exclusive train experience preceding two nights in Izu Kunpu. One day is devoted to Shimoda, between the picturesque Perry Road and a private yacht ride.
The second part of the trip opens with the elegance of Kyoto, reached by Shinkansen First Class and paired with a stay at one of the city’s most prestigious establishments: Six Senses Kyoto, Nishinotoin, or Kikokutei Bekkan. Here we alternate between free days and curated visits to the most iconic temples: Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, Gion, and the Golden Pavilion. The last few days flow by in a contemplative and harmonious atmosphere before the final transfer to the airports in Osak Kansai
– Luxury accommodations with breakfast
– 14 selected lunches/dinners, including kaiseki and Michelin restaurants
– Private transfers with dedicated coach
– Professional guides
– Shinkansen First Class, Aru Ressha, Spacia X, Saphir Odoriko Blue Suite
– Sightseeing and entrance fees as scheduled
– H24 assistance from qualified Italian-speaking staff
individual participation fee from Fukuoka on double basis low season from €uro 51,000
Additional individual participation fee on double basis high season from 12,900 euros
Additional individual participation fee on double high season basis from €uro 25,000
Low season month: January-February-June-July-September-December
High season: May-August-October-November-Christmas-New Year’s Day
Peak season: March- April
Note: Since the program is built on an individual basis, it can be reshaped in duration and customized in every part, keeping the expected standards of excellence unchanged.
The forging of the katana is an art that belongs to the deepest soul of Japan. Originating over a thousand years ago in the Heian era, it has spanned centuries of history, transforming from a simple weapon into a symbol of identity, discipline and refinement. Each katana is the result of ancient knowledge passed down through generations of master blacksmiths(tosho), custodians of a tradition recognized as the country’s cultural heritage.
The process begins with tamahagane, the traditional steel made by melting iron sand in a furnace called a tatara. It is a precious, irregular material that the blacksmith selects carefully, choosing the hardest and softest parts. From this balance comes a blade that must be both strong and elastic, able to withstand impact without breaking.One of the most fascinating stages is bending. The tamahagane is heated, beaten and folded back on itself several times. Each fold removes impurities, evenly distributes the carbon and creates the metal’s inner texture, thehada, a silky pattern that will surface only after polishing. It is a ritual gesture, repeated dozens of times, that transforms the raw material into a harmonious, living structure.
Traditional kobuse technique involves the union of two cores: a softer inner core and a harder outer shell. This gives the katana its dual nature – flexible in the core, relentless in the edge. Once the shape of the blade has been shaped, the clay comes in. It is applied in different layers: thin near the edge, thicker on the back. During tempering, this coating creates a controlled thermal shock that generates the hamon, the characteristic wavy line that runs through the blade. Each hamon is unique, like the signature of the master who made it.
This is followed by polishing, entrusted to the togishi. Using natural stones, he polishes, refines and sculpts the surface until the secrets of the metal are revealed: the reflection of the cutting edge, the texture of the hada, the delicacy of the hamon. It is a phase that takes weeks and an almost meditative level of precision.
Finally, the blade is assembled with handcrafted components – tsuka, tsuba, saya – creating a harmonious whole that combines aesthetics, functionality and tradition. This is how a katana is born: not a simple object, but the material expression of a culture that sees perfection, balance, and beauty as a form of spiritual quest. The cost varies depending on the type of blade you want the forging from €uro 5800.00
