Itinerary
- Day 1
Tokyo
You'll arrive in Tokyo, Japan's capital, with time to settle in. Hotel check-in happens in the mid-afternoon, so you can get to your room, freshen up, and start getting oriented to the city. This evening is yours to relax or explore nearby neighborhoods if you have the energy.
- Day 2
Tokyo
Meet your tour director and fellow travelers this morning before heading out for sightseeing. You'll start at Meiji Shrine, a 20th-century Shinto monument set within a man-made forest. From there, head to Shinjuku Gyoen Garden, where about a thousand cherry blossom trees create a peaceful setting. Next stop is Asakusa Kannon Temple, followed by wandering through the Nakamise shopping arcade. The rest of your afternoon is free to do whatever you'd like around the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Meiji Shrine
- Visit Shinjuku Gyoen Garden
- Visit Asakusa Kannon Temple
- Browse Nakamise shopping arcade
Landmarks Meiji Shrine Shinjuku Gyoen Garden Asakusa Kannon Temple Nakamise shopping arcade 
- Day 3
Tokyo
Today is completely yours. Tokyo is a sprawling metropolis with plenty to discover on your own terms, whether that's checking out neighborhoods, shopping districts, museums, or just grabbing food and walking around. You'll have the full day without any scheduled activities or tour group obligations.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 4
Tokyo to Mount Fuji Area
You'll leave Tokyo and head south along the coast toward the Five Lakes region. Once you arrive, take a cable-car ride that gives you panoramic views of Lake Kawaguchi and Mount Fuji rising in the distance. Later, head to Chureito Pagoda, where you'll get that classic photo opportunity with the iconic pagoda and Mount Fuji together in one frame.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Cable-car ride for views of Lake Kawaguchi and Mount Fuji
- Visit Chureito Pagoda
Landmarks Lake Kawaguchi Mount Fuji Chureito Pagoda 
- Day 5
Mount Fuji Area to Osaka
Board Japan's famous bullet train heading to Osaka. When you arrive, your tour director will lead a walking tour through Minami, the fashionable shopping and entertainment district that includes Shinsaibashi, Namba, and Dotonbori. After that tour wraps up, your evening is free to walk around and get a feel for the city on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Bullet train journey to Osaka
- Walking tour in Minami district
Landmarks Shinsaibashi Namba Dotonbori 
- Day 6
Osaka
Start the morning at the Open-Air Museum of Old Japanese Farm Houses, where traditional thatched-roof buildings from the Edo period have been carefully restored. Then you'll head to Osaka Castle. Your afternoon and evening are free, and many people like to head back to Dotonbori to try local street food and see the neon signs lighting up after dark.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Open-Air Museum of Old Japanese Farm Houses
- Visit Osaka Castle
Optional Activities
- Return to Dotonbori for local cuisine and entertainment
Landmarks Open-Air Museum of Old Japanese Farm Houses Osaka Castle - Day 7
Osaka to Kurashiki to Hiroshima
Drive south to Okayama and visit Koraku-en, one of Japan's Three Great Gardens, which features ponds, plum groves, and tea fields. You'll have free time in Kurashiki's Bikan Historical Quarter, where white-washed stone buildings line the canals, reflecting the Edo period atmosphere. From there, continue on to Hiroshima.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Koraku-en garden
- Explore Bikan Historical Quarter in Kurashiki
Landmarks Koraku-en Bikan Historical Quarter 
- Day 8
Hiroshima
This full day focuses on two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You'll start at Peace Memorial Park, where you'll see the Atomic Bomb Dome preserved from August 6, 1945, and visit both the Memorial Museum and Memorial Hall. Lunch features okonomiyaki, a Japanese-style savory pancake. After that, travel to Miyajima Island to visit Itsukushima Shrine, known for its beautiful floating Torii Gate.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Okonomiyaki, a Japanese-style savory pancake)
Included Activities
- Visit Peace Memorial Park
- Visit Atomic Bomb Dome
- Visit Memorial Museum
- Visit Memorial Hall
- Lunch featuring okonomiyaki
- Visit Itsukushima Shrine
- See floating Torii Gate
Landmarks Peace Memorial Park Atomic Bomb Dome Memorial Museum Itsukushima Shrine - Day 9
Hiroshima to Kyoto
Drive north to Bizen to visit a traditional pottery workshop and learn about Bizen-yaki, one of Japan's six ancient pottery styles with roots going back over 1,000 years. Next, stop in Himeji to see Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that showcases early 17th-century Japanese castle architecture. Then head on to Kyoto. There's an optional traditional Japanese ryokan available if you book in advance and pay the extra fee.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit traditional pottery workshop
- Learn about Bizen-yaki pottery
- Visit Himeji Castle
Optional Activities
- Overnight stay at a traditional Japanese ryokan with traditional Japanese dinner and breakfast included (additional fee, pre-booking required)
Landmarks Bizen pottery workshop Himeji Castle 
- Day 10
Kyoto
Begin at Kinkakuji, the Temple of the Gold Pavilion, where shimmering gold leaf covers the building. Walk through Nishiki Market, a five-block shopping street with over one hundred shops and restaurants. You'll participate in a traditional tea ceremony, then visit Sanjusajendo Temple, which houses 1,001 statues of Kannon. Next is Fushimi Inari Shrine with its thousands of brightly colored Torii Gates. Take a walking tour through Gion, Kyoto's famous geisha district, and try a local Japanese treat. An optional afternoon trip to Nara Park is available if you want to see the free-roaming deer.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Kinkakuji Temple
- Walk through Nishiki Market
- Participate in a tea ceremony
- Visit Sanjusajendo Temple
- Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine
- Walking tour through Gion
- Sample a local Japanese treat
Optional Activities
- Optional afternoon trip to Nara Park to see free-roaming deer amid shrines and temples
Landmarks Kinkakuji Nishiki Market Sanjusajendo Temple Fushimi Inari Shrine Gion Nara Park - Day 11
Kyoto
Your day is completely free to explore more of Kyoto's historic sites and shrines at your own pace. With so many temples and neighborhoods to check out, you can focus on whatever interests you most or simply wander and see what catches your attention.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 12
Kyoto
Your tour ends this morning after breakfast. You'll head to the airport or your next destination, taking the memories and experiences from your Japan journey with you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
