Itinerary
- Day 1
Tokyo
You'll arrive in Tokyo and your tour leader will meet you at the hotel reception at 6:30pm for a welcome meeting, assuming your flight gets in on time. If you're coming in on a later flight, the full briefing happens the next day instead. Early check-in is available if you need it, though there's an extra fee. You'll get a Suica transport card loaded with credit that covers your included sightseeing journeys around the city.
Optional Activities
- Welcome dinner with tour group
- Day 2
Tokyo
Today you'll explore Tokyo on foot and by metro, starting in Asakusa to see Senso-ji Temple through the Thunder Gate. Then you'll head to Fukagawa Fudo-do Temple for a morning fire service with sacred chanting and taiko drums. After lunch, it's off to Meiji Jingu, a quiet Shinto shrine, then Shibuya for the busy crossing and shops. Plan on being on your feet for 7-8 hours.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Senso-ji Temple visit
- Morning fire service at Fukagawa Fudo-do Temple
- Meiji Jingu shrine visit
- Shibuya exploration
Optional Activities
- Return to Asakusa by metro
- Explore Shinjuku skyscraper district
Landmarks/POIs Senso-ji Temple Thunder Gate (Kaminarimon) Fukagawa Fudo-do Temple Meiji Jingu Shibuya Crossing - Day 3
Tokyo
This day is free to explore Tokyo however you like. You could check out trendy Harajuku or the quirky cafes in Akihabara, or head to Tokyo Skytree for city views. Other options include a Sumida River cruise or wandering through Hamarikyu Gardens. If you want a day trip, Lake Kawaguchi offers Mount Fuji views, Nikko has temples and waterfalls, or Kamakura has ancient temples and the Great Buddha. Your tour leader will give you local advice.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Harajuku district exploration
- Akihabara themed cafes visit
- Tokyo Skytree visit
- Sumida River cruise
- Hamarikyu Gardens walk
- Day trip to Lake Kawaguchi for Mount Fuji views (cable car and walking trails)
- Day trip to Nikko National Park (approximately 2 hours by train) - temples, forests, lakes, waterfalls, hot springs, hiking paths
- Day trip to Kamakura (approximately 1 hour by train) - temples, shrines, Great Buddha statue, sandy beaches
Landmarks/POIs Tokyo Skytree Hamarikyu Gardens Sumida River Lake Kawaguchi Mount Fuji Nikko National Park Toshogu Shrine Kamakura Great Buddha of Kamakura - Day 4
Tokyo to Matsumoto
You'll take an express train north through the Japanese Alps to Matsumoto, a 3-hour journey. There you'll see Matsumoto Castle, known as 'Crow Castle' because of its black exterior, and explore the original wooden interior with its moon-viewing pavilion and hidden samurai floor. The wooden steps are steep, so move at your own pace. You'll have free time in the late afternoon, and your main luggage gets forwarded to Kanazawa while you travel with just a day bag.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Express train journey to Matsumoto
- Matsumoto Castle interior and grounds exploration
Landmarks/POIs Matsumoto Castle Japanese Alps - Day 5
Matsumoto to Nagano
Today you'll travel by express train and private bus to Jigokudani Onsen to see snow monkeys bathing in hot springs. The walk along a forest trail takes about 30 minutes, mostly flat with some steep stairs, then you'll spend around 30 minutes watching the macaques. After that, it's an afternoon journey to Nagano to visit Zenkoji, one of Japan's oldest Buddhist temples from the 7th century. You'll stay overnight at a temple lodging with tatami mats and futons.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Traditional Japanese meal at shukubo temple lodging)
Included Activities
- Journey to Jigokudani Onsen
- Snow monkeys observation (approximately 30 minutes)
- Forest trail walk (approximately 30 minutes)
- Zenkoji Temple visit
- Shukubo (temple lodging) overnight stay with traditional Japanese dinner
Landmarks/POIs Jigokudani Onsen Zenkoji Temple - Day 6
Nagano to Kanazawa
You'll wake at sunrise for an early temple visit at Zenkoji, walking through the giant incense burner for purification before entering the main hall. A head monk gives you a sacred blessing while you watch morning rituals with sutra chanting and taiko drums. Then it's a 90-minute express train to Kanazawa. This afternoon, you'll wander through the samurai district with its narrow lanes and earthen walls, with an option to visit Nomura Samurai House.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Zenkoji Temple sunrise visit and purification ritual
- Sacred blessing from head monk
- Morning monk rituals observation
- Express train journey to Kanazawa
- Samurai district exploration
Optional Activities
- Nomura Samurai House visit
Landmarks/POIs Zenkoji Temple Nomura Samurai House - Day 7
Kanazawa
This day is free to explore Kanazawa at your own pace. Head to Omicho Market for colorful stalls of fresh fish, crab, and vegetables, or try chirashi-zushi for lunch. You could visit a traditional teahouse in Higashi Chaya or Kazuemachi Chaya areas or walk through the historic 19th-century buildings. The top recommendation is Kenrokuen Gardens, one of Japan's most beautiful landscaped gardens that began in 1632.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Omicho Market visit and food tasting
- Traditional teahouse (chaya) experience
- Kenrokuen Gardens visit
- Historic building exploration
Landmarks/POIs Omicho Market Higashi Chaya District Kazuemachi Chaya District Kenrokuen Gardens - Day 8
Kanazawa to Takayama
You'll travel by train to Takayama, a city with a traditional feel. Walk through Sanmachi Suji district with its dark wooden merchants' houses, many 300-400 years old. Tour one of the traditional sake distilleries and taste the local brew, or visit Hida No Sato thatched roof village with original Edo-period houses. You'll stay overnight at a ryokan with tatami mats, futon beds, and a traditional Japanese dinner included. Main luggage goes ahead to Hiroshima.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Traditional Japanese meal at ryokan (on some departures, meal in town if accommodation cannot provide dinner))
Included Activities
- Train journey to Takayama
- Sanmachi Suji district exploration
- Sake distillery tour and tasting
- Ryokan overnight stay with traditional Japanese dinner
Optional Activities
- Hida No Sato thatched roof village visit (open-air Edo-period museum)
- Additional town exploration
Landmarks/POIs Sanmachi Suji District Hida No Sato - Day 9
Takayama to Hiroshima
You'll take two scenic train journeys to Hiroshima. First, follow the icy blue Hida River past shrines and bamboo groves to Nagoya, then switch to the Shinkansen bullet train for 400 kilometers in about 2.5 hours. In Hiroshima, visit Peace Memorial Park and museum at the 1945 A-bomb center. By evening, try okonomiyaki, a savory pancake where Hiroshima style layers the ingredients rather than mixing them.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Scenic train journey via Hida River valley to Nagoya
- Shinkansen bullet train to Hiroshima (approximately 2.5 hours)
- Peace Memorial Park visit
- Peace Memorial Museum visit
Optional Activities
- Okonomiyaki dinner experience
Landmarks/POIs Hida River Peace Memorial Park Peace Memorial Museum - Day 10
Hiroshima to Miyajima
After breakfast, take a local train and small ferry to Miyajima island off Hiroshima's coast. Deer roam freely through the streets, and you'll see the iconic red torii gate that looks like it floats on water at high tide. Options include a 2-2.5 hour hike to Mt. Misen or a cable car up or down with a 20-30 minute walk. Check out Daisho-in Temple with prayer wheels or Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO site with a Shinto mythology performance stage. Return by ferry.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Local train and ferry journey to Miyajima
- Torii gate viewing
- Buddhist Daisho-in Temple visit
Optional Activities
- Mt. Misen hike to summit (2-2.5 hours) for Inland Sea views and monkey observation
- Mt. Misen cable car (up, down, or both options)
- Observatory walk from upper cable car station (20-30 minutes)
- Itsukushima Shrine visit (16th-century Shinto shrine, UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Landmarks/POIs Miyajima Island Itsukushima Shrine Torii Gate Itsukushima Shrine Daisho-in Temple Mt. Misen - Day 11
Hiroshima to Kyoto
After breakfast, take the public tram to the train station and catch the Shinkansen to Kyoto, a 1.5-hour journey arriving around midday. Start with Nijo Castle, built in 1603 as a Shogun palace, where you can see the nightingale floors that creak when walked upon and beautifully manicured gardens. Travel with a day bag; main luggage gets forwarded to Osaka.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Public tram journey to train station
- Shinkansen bullet train to Kyoto
- Nijo Castle visit
Landmarks/POIs Nijo Castle - Day 12
Kyoto
This day is free to explore Kyoto. An early morning visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine is recommended to beat crowds walking through thousands of red torii gates up the hillside. Head to Nishiki Food Market for lunch with exotic foods like octopus stuffed with quail eggs, green tea popcorn, and matcha tea ice cream. Walk the Philosopher's Path to see the Silver Pavilion and temples. Your tour leader can help you navigate Kyoto's efficient public transport.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Early morning visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine with thousands of red torii gates
- Nishiki Food Market lunch
- Philosopher's Path walk
- Silver Pavilion (Ginkakuji) visit
- Eikando Temple visit
- Nanzenji Temple visit
Landmarks/POIs Fushimi Inari Shrine Nishiki Food Market Philosopher's Path Silver Pavilion (Ginkakuji) Eikando Temple Nanzenji Temple - Day 13
Kyoto to Osaka
Explore Kyoto early before heading to Osaka. Visit Kiyomizu Temple and walk along cobblestone streets to Kodaiji with its towering bamboo and Zen rock garden. Alternatively, take the train to Arashiyama and walk along the Oi River to Tenryuji Temple. Then catch a local train to Osaka arriving afternoon. Explore Namba district with covered arcades and canals. Try takoyaki, Osaka's favorite snack. Early check-in is unlikely, so consider depositing luggage first.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Local train journey to Osaka
- Namba area exploration
Optional Activities
- Early morning Kiyomizu Temple visit
- Kodaiji Temple walk along cobblestone streets
- Bamboo grove and Zen rock garden at Kodaiji
- Arashiyama Oi River walk
- Tenryuji Temple visit (UNESCO World Heritage Zen temple)
- Osaka Castle visit
- Umeda Sky Building visit for 360-degree city views
- Octopus balls (takoyaki) tasting
Landmarks/POIs Kiyomizu Temple Kodaiji Temple Arashiyama Oi River Tenryuji Temple Namba Osaka Castle Umeda Sky Building - Day 14
Osaka
Your trip ends after breakfast at the hotel in Osaka. You'll depart at any time based on your flight schedule, with luggage storage available if you're leaving later. Transfers to the airport are by train or shared shuttle bus; your tour leader will provide tickets and advise on timing. Travel unescorted from the hotel to the train station or bus pickup. Flights leave from Kansai International Airport (about 1 hour by train) or Osaka International Airport (about 1 hour by shuttle).
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Kansai International Airport Osaka International Airport
