Itinerary
- Day 1
Tokyo
You'll arrive in Tokyo and settle in at your own pace. There's an optional welcome meeting at 6:30pm at your hotel if your timing works out, and if you make it, you'll have dinner included at a local izakaya restaurant. After that, you're welcome to explore the neighborhood or just rest up from your journey. The main briefing will happen tomorrow morning, so don't worry if not everyone's here yet.
- Meals
- Dinner (Izakaya style Japanese cuisine at a nearby local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sunroute Asakusa Hotel), Hotel (The Kanzashi Tokyo Asakusa Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Welcome meeting at hotel reception (if arriving in time)
- Dinner at local izakaya restaurant
Optional Activities
- Early check-in to hotel (available at additional cost, subject to availability)
- Day 2
Tokyo
Start early with a walk to Sensoji, Tokyo's oldest temple where you'll find crowds and energy. Then you'll board a boat that takes you along the Sumida River, where you can watch the city drift by from a different angle. There are apartments, gardens, and warehouses lining the water. After that, head to Hamarikyu Gardens to walk around. Your afternoon opens up, so you might check out Meiji Shrine or wander through Shinjuku's shops packed with electronics and gadgets if you're into that sort of thing.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sunroute Asakusa Hotel), Hotel (The Kanzashi Tokyo Asakusa Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Visit Sensoji Temple
- Boat journey along Sumida River
- Visit Hamarikyu Gardens
Optional Activities
- Visit Meiji Shrine
- Explore Shinjuku area
Landmarks Sensoji Temple Sumida River Hamarikyu Gardens Meiji Shrine Shinjuku - Day 3
Tokyo to Kanazawa
Board the Shinkansen bullet train early from Tokyo and head to Nagano in the Japanese Alps. Your main luggage gets forwarded ahead to Osaka, so you'll only carry an overnight bag. Once you arrive, you'll head to Jigokudani Onsen where the famous snow monkeys hang out in hot springs. The forest walk takes about 30 minutes to get there, mostly flat but with some steep stairs and tight sections. You'll spend roughly an hour watching the monkeys do their thing. Later, travel to Kanazawa, a former samurai city that still feels traditional.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Amanek Kanazawa), Hotel (Hotel Amanek Kanazawa (or similar))
Included Activities
- Shinkansen bullet train journey from Tokyo to Nagano
- Visit Jigokudani Onsen to observe snow monkeys
- Forest walk to hot springs (30 minutes)
Landmarks Jigokudani Onsen Kenrokuen Gardens - Day 4
Kanazawa to Osaka
Morning in Kanazawa starts at Omicho market where fresh fish, crab, and vegetables arrive daily from the Sea of Japan. Grab lunch and try chirashi-zushi with all the toppings. Then walk through Kenrokuen Gardens, one of Japan's most beautiful and took nearly 200 years to build. A 2-hour train ride gets you to Osaka. Your tour leader will walk you through Namba's covered arcades and canals at night, taking you through historic back streets while you sample takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and ramen at a sit-down meal that's included.
- Meals
- Dinner (Sit-down meal featuring local street food specialties including takoyaki (octopus balls), okonomiyaki (savoury cabbage-based pancake), kushikatsu (deep-fried skewered meat and vegetables), and ramen (pulled noodles in meat or fish-based broth))
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Shin-Osaka Washington Hotel Plaza), Hotel (Karaksa Hotel Grande Shin-Osaka Tower (or similar))
Included Activities
- Explore Omicho Market
- Visit Kenrokuen Gardens
- Train journey to Osaka
- Guided walk through Namba district
- Sit-down meal with local street food specialties
Landmarks Omicho Market Kenrokuen Gardens Namba - Day 5
Osaka to Miyajima
Your main luggage heads to Kyoto; you'll travel with just an overnight bag. Train to Hiroshima, a city that was destroyed in 1945 but has rebuilt into a thriving, welcoming place. Then take a ferry out to Miyajima island to see the famous floating red torii gate. Deer walk around freely through the streets. You can hike optional trails if you want, or take a cable car up Mount Misen for views. Check out various shrines before heading back to the mainland.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Mielparque Hiroshima), Hotel (MYSTAYS Hiroshima Peace Park (or similar))
Included Activities
- Train journey to Hiroshima
- Ferry to Miyajima Island
- View of floating torii gate
Optional Activities
- Hiking trails on Miyajima
- Cable car to Mount Misen
- Visit shrines on Miyajima
Landmarks Miyajima Island Torii Gate of Itsukushima Shrine Mount Misen - Day 6
Hiroshima to Kyoto
This morning you'll visit Peace Memorial Park and its museum at the 1945 A-bomb site. It's a serious place with heavy history, but the message focuses on hope. Then a 2-hour train ride takes you to Kyoto, Japan's imperial capital for over 1,000 years with thousands of temples and shrines spread throughout. You'll see Nijo Castle, a 1603 Shogun palace with impressive gardens and those famous nightingale floors that chirp when you walk on them. Your afternoon is free to check out Ryoan-ji Temple's Zen gardens, the Golden Pavilion, or other spots that interest you.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Via Inn Prime Kyotoeki Hachijoguchi), Hotel (Miyako City Kintetsu Kyoto Station (or similar))
Included Activities
- Visit Peace Memorial Park
- Museum visit at A-bomb hypocentre
- Train journey to Kyoto
- Visit Nijo Castle
Optional Activities
- Visit Ryoan-ji Temple with Zen gardens
- Visit Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji)
Landmarks Peace Memorial Park Nijo Castle Ryoan-ji Temple Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji) - Day 7
Kyoto
Start your morning with a traditional tea ceremony, then walk through Kyoto's charming streets to get a feel for the city. By mid-morning, head to Nishiki covered food market where you'll grab lunch from local vendors selling everything from fresh seafood to pickled vegetables. After lunch, make your way to Kenninji, the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto, where you can wander the grounds and soak in the quiet atmosphere. From there, head to Yasaka Pagoda in the Higashiyama district and check out the surrounding area. Later, explore the traditional Japanese street of Ninenzaka with its shops and craft stores. If you've got time before evening, swing by Gion district to catch sight of geishas heading to appointments. Finish the day with dinner somewhere that lets you reflect on what you've seen, maybe trying some local Kyoto specialties.
- Meals
- Lunch (Free time to choose from local vendors at Nishiki covered food market), Dinner (Final dinner reflecting on the trip across Japan)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Via Inn Prime Kyotoeki Hachijoguchi), Hotel (Miyako City Kintetsu Kyoto Station (or similar))
Included Activities
- Traditional tea ceremony
- Explore Kyoto's charming streets
- Visit Nishiki covered food market
- Visit Kenninji (oldest Zen temple in Kyoto, constructed in 1202)
- Visit Yasaka Pagoda
- Explore Ninenzaka traditional Japanese street
- Final dinner
Optional Activities
- Head to Gion district to see geishas heading to appointments
Landmarks Kenninji Yasaka Pagoda Nishiki covered food market Ninenzaka Gion district - Day 8
Kyoto
Trip wraps up after breakfast at your hotel. You're free to leave Kyoto whenever you want. If your flight is later in the day, the hotel has luggage storage available. You're also welcome to extend your stay and keep exploring this cultural capital if your schedule allows.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast at hotel
