Japanese gardens can be categorized into four types of gardens: dry-landscape gardens, paradise gardens, tea gardens and stroll gardens. Many gardens originated around Shinto shrines and are representative of the Shinto love of nature and the Buddhist ideal of paradise. The following suggested itinerary is just a glimpse into some of the beauty and serenity to be discovered in Japan.

THE SUGGESTED ITINERARY Garden Tour

DAY Arrive in Osaka and check into your hotel OSAKA

DAY Depart Osaka for Kyoto. Visit the Murin-an Garden in Kyoto (one of Nanzanji's subtemples) and Ryoan-ji Temple, famous for it's serene rock garden. KYOTO

DAY Morning in Kyoto (Myoshin-Ji Temple option). This afternoon take the train to Nara and visit the meiji-era garden of Isui-en garden. KYOTO

DAY Depart Kyoto for Yasugi, Shimane by train Visit Aadachi Museum of Art ranked as the best Japanese Garden by the US Journal of Japanese Gardening, Yushien Garden Matsue Castle, and Horikawa Moat Boat Cruise. Stay at Ryokan with beautiful inner garden SHIMANE

DAY Visit Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine, and experience traditional art of Japanese gardening and craft making. SHIMANE

DAY Morning in Shimane. Afternoon train to Osaka for your final night in Japan. OSAKA

DAY Depart Osaka for the US USA