Itinerary
- Day 1
Tokyo
You'll arrive at Tokyo airport where a private driver meets you in the arrival hall and takes you to your hotel. After checking in, you'll settle into your accommodation and get a feel for the area.
- Day 2
Tokyo
Start your day at Meiji Shrine to see the golden leaves lining Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue. Then check out architect Kengo Kuma's work at the Meiji Jingu Inner Garden and Museum. From there, head to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden for chrysanthemum exhibitions and autumn foliage. If it's late October or early November, you can grab food and samples at the Tokyo Ramen Show at Komazawa Olympic Park.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Meiji Shrine with Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue
- Explore Meiji Jingu Inner Garden and Meiji Jingu Museum
- Visit Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden with chrysanthemum exhibitions
Optional Activities
- Attend Tokyo Ramen Show at Komazawa Olympic Park (available late October and early November)
Landmarks/POIs Meiji Shrine Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue Meiji Jingu Inner Garden Meiji Jingu Museum Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden Komazawa Olympic Park - Day 3
Tokyo
Begin at Senso-ji Temple and walk through Kaminarimon Gate to see the red lanterns. Explore Nakamise-dori Street and try some local snacks along the way. Head to Tsukiji Outer Market for lunch and try making sushi with a chef there. Later in the afternoon, walk through Rikugien Garden to see the autumn colors and take some photos of the peaceful scenery.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Senso-ji Temple with Kaminarimon Gate
- Explore Nakamise-dori Street
- Visit Tsukiji Outer Market
- Sushi-making experience with a chef
- Explore Rikugien Garden
Optional Activities
- Try lot-drawing at Senso-ji Temple
Landmarks/POIs Senso-ji Temple Kaminarimon Gate Nakamise-dori Street Tsukiji Outer Market Rikugien Garden - Day 4
Tokyo to Hakone
You'll have a 2.5-hour drive to the Kawaguchiko area. Once there, check out Oshino Hakkai and watch colorful fish swim through the emerald ponds. Climb the steps to Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine for views of the Chureito Pagoda with Mount Fuji in the background. Finish up with either a boat tour on Lake Kawaguchi or a ropeway ride for possible views of Mount Fuji's reflection in the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive to Kawaguchiko area (approximately 2.5 hours)
- Visit Oshino Hakkai
- Climb Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine with views of Chureito Pagoda
Optional Activities
- Boat tour on Lake Kawaguchi
- Panoramic ropeway ride for Mount Fuji views
Landmarks/POIs Oshino Hakkai Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine Chureito Pagoda Mount Fuji Lake Kawaguchi - Day 5
Hakone to Kyoto
Spend your morning exploring Hakone at your own pace. Take a cruise on Lake Ashi for nice views or ride a cable car to Owakudani to try the local black eggs. If interested, stop by the EVA themed store near Hakone Yumoto Station. In the afternoon, head to the railway station and take the bullet train to Kyoto.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Bullet train journey to Kyoto
Optional Activities
- Cruise Lake Ashi
- Cable car ride to Owakudani
- Try black eggs at Owakudani
- Visit EVA themed store near Hakone Yumoto Station
Landmarks/POIs Lake Ashi Owakudani Hakone Yumoto Station - Day 6
Kyoto
Start your day at Nijo Castle where you'll see chrysanthemum decorations and detailed crane carvings. Grab lunch at Nishikidori Market, also known as Kyoto's Kitchen, and sample different snacks there. End the day at Kiyomizu-dera temple where red maple leaves create a beautiful background for the wooden stage.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Nijo Castle
- Visit Nishikidori Market for lunch
- Visit Kiyomizu-dera
Landmarks/POIs Nijo Castle Nishikidori Market Kiyomizu-dera - Day 7
Kyoto
Start at Jojakko-Ji Temple surrounded by red maples and golden ginkgo trees. Walk through the Sagano Bamboo Grove where tall bamboo forms a quiet corridor around you. Then explore the peaceful gardens at Tenryuji with ponds and red leaves throughout. Finish with a traditional boat cruise past Togetsukyo Bridge and the autumn-covered mountains.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Jojakko-Ji Temple
- Stroll through Sagano Bamboo Grove
- Explore Tenryuji gardens
- Traditional cruise with views of Togetsukyo Bridge
Landmarks/POIs Jojakko-Ji Temple Sagano Bamboo Grove Tenryuji Togetsukyo Bridge - Day 8
Kumano Kodo
Head to Kii Tanabe Station and stop at the Tanabe Tourist Information Center. Take a local bus (about 40 minutes, pay on-site) to Takijiri where your hike begins. Walk through lush greenery on ancient stone paths covered in moss. You'll pass historical sites, stone monuments, hot springs, and waterfalls along the way to Takahara Kumano-jinja Shrine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Train to Kii Tanabe Station
- Visit Tanabe Tourist Information Center
- Unguided and self-led hike from Takijiri to Takahara on Kumano Kodo
Landmarks/POIs Kii Tanabe Station Tanabe Tourist Information Center Takijiri Takahara Takahara Kumano-jinja Shrine - Day 9
Kumano Kodo
Continue hiking from Takahara to Tsugizakura-Oji on this roughly 13-kilometer trek taking 6 to 8 hours. You'll mostly stick to established paths and see valley views along the way. Visit Chikatsuyu and Tsugizakura-oji shrines, with the latter surrounded by tall cedars that create a sense of natural power.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Unguided and self-led hike from Takahara to Tsugizakura-Oji (approximately 13 kilometers, 6-8 hours)
Landmarks/POIs Tsugizakura-Oji Chikatsuyu Shrine - Day 10
Kumano Kodo
Hike from Tsugizakura-Oji to Kumano Hongu Taisha using one of three route options ranging from 2 hours to 11 hours. When you reach the grand shrine at the top, the effort feels worth it. Explore the Kumano Hongu Heritage Center and then visit Osaihara where giant torii gates frame the red autumn colors. A short local bus ride (about 10 minutes) takes you to Yunomine Onsen.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Unguided and self-led hike from Tsugizakura-Oji to Kumano Hongu Taisha (multiple route options from 2-11 hours)
- Visit Kumano Hongu Heritage Center
- Visit Osaihara
Landmarks/POIs Kumano Hongu Taisha Kumano Hongu Heritage Center Osaihara Yunomine Onsen - Day 11
Kumano Kodo to Osaka
Your pilgrimage wraps up today. Take a local bus from Yunomine Onsen to Tanabe-Kii (roughly 100 minutes) where you'll catch a train to your next destination.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Local bus journey from Yunomine Onsen to Tanabe-Kii
Landmarks/POIs Yunomine Onsen Tanabe-Kii - Day 12
Osaka
Visit the UNESCO-listed Himeji Castle with its white stucco walls. If you're up for it, climb and descend the historic staircases inside the castle. Then head to Kobe to try the famous Kobe beef. Take an aerial cable car for 360-degree views of Kobe City, see the herb garden and observation deck at the top, then return to Osaka for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit UNESCO-listed Himeji Castle
- Aerial cable car ride in Kobe with 360-degree panoramic views
Optional Activities
- Explore internal structure of Himeji Castle by ascending and descending staircases
- Savor Kobe beef
- Visit herb garden in Kobe
Landmarks/POIs Himeji Castle Kobe - Day 13
Osaka
Today is yours to shape in Osaka. Check out Osaka Castle views from Nishinomaru Garden or head up to the fifth floor of Tsutenkaku for panoramic views across the city. Explore the food scene in Shinsekai or try the TOWER SLIDER, a 22-meter descent to the first basement floor if you're feeling adventurous.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Enjoy views of Osaka Castle from Nishinomaru Garden
- Ascend to fifth floor of Tsutenkaku for panoramic vistas
- Explore culinary delights of Shinsekai
- TOWER SLIDER descent from 22 meters to first basement floor
Landmarks/POIs Osaka Castle Nishinomaru Garden Tsutenkaku Shinsekai - Day 14
Osaka Departure
Your Japan trip ends today. Head to the airport using the airport express line and board your departing flight home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
