Itinerary
- Day 1
Tokyo
You'll arrive in Tokyo and head to your hotel to settle in. After getting situated, you can either relax or take a walk through the surrounding neighborhoods if you have the energy. The city's busy streets are right there whenever you feel like exploring.
- Start point
- Japan (Tokyo)
Optional Activities
- Stroll through vibrant streets of Tokyo
- Day 2
Tokyo
Start at Meiji Shrine and walk through the forested grounds past the large torii gates. If you're interested, you can participate in Shinto rituals. From there, head to the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace where you'll find wide open spaces and stone bridges to check out. Later in the day, make your way to Senso-ji Temple and grab some street food while taking in the historic atmosphere.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Meiji Shrine
- Explore East Gardens of the Imperial Palace
- Visit Senso-ji Temple
Optional Activities
- Participate in Shinto rituals at Meiji Shrine
- Obtain amulets at Meiji Shrine
- Sample street food at Senso-ji Temple
Landmarks Meiji Shrine East Gardens of the Imperial Palace Senso-ji Temple - Day 3
Tokyo to Hakone
Travel to Oshino Hakkai to see the eight springs and catch views of Mt. Fuji. Next, climb up to Arakurayama Sengen Shrine for wide views over Lake Kawaguchiko and Mt. Fuji. You'll have a choice between a calm lake cruise or the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway, then continue on to Hakone for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Oshino Hakkai
- Visit Arakurayama Sengen Shrine
Optional Activities
- Enjoy a cruise on Lake Kawaguchiko
- Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway experience
Landmarks Oshino Hakkai Arakurayama Sengen Shrine Lake Kawaguchiko Mt. Fuji - Day 4
Hakone to Kyoto
Spend a relaxed morning in Hakone before boarding a train headed to Kyoto. The journey takes you through changing landscapes as you move toward Japan's old imperial center, where you'll arrive later in the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Hakone in the morning
- Day 5
Kyoto
Begin at Kinkakuji Temple with its gold-covered pavilion reflected in the water below. Next, visit Nijo Castle to see the former shogun's decorated rooms with paintings and gold details. Explore Fushimi Inari Shrine with its many red torii gates creating a tunnel effect. In Gion, you'll wear a kimono and have a traditional tea ceremony, ending with a multi-course kaiseki dinner at a traditional townhouse.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Kaiseki multi-course dinner at a charming townhouse in Gion district)
Included Activities
- Visit Kinkakuji Temple
- Visit Nijo Castle
- Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine
- Traditional tea ceremony in Gion district with kimono
- Kaiseki multi-course dinner
Landmarks Kinkakuji Temple Nijo Castle Fushimi Inari Shrine Gion district - Day 6
Kyoto to Kanazawa
Spend your morning exploring Kyoto on your own, whether that means checking out the pathways up to Kiyomizu Temple or walking through the bamboo forest in Arashiyama. In the late afternoon, take a two-hour train ride to Kanazawa.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Stroll along pathways to Kiyomizu Temple
- Explore Kiyomizu Temple grounds
- Venture into bamboo grove in Arashiyama
- Explore heritage sites along the Oi River in Arashiyama
Landmarks Kiyomizu Temple Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Oi River - Day 7
Kanazawa
Start your day at Kenroku-en garden with its ponds and seasonal plants throughout the grounds. Then head to Kanazawa Castle for views related to samurai history. Walk through the Higashi Chaya geisha district where old teahouses line the streets, and later wander the narrow lanes of Nagamachi Samurai District.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Kenroku-en
- Visit Kanazawa Castle
- Explore Higashi Chaya district
- Explore Nagamachi Samurai District
Optional Activities
- Visit teahouses in Higashi Chaya district
Landmarks Kenroku-en Kanazawa Castle Higashi Chaya Nagamachi Samurai District - Day 8
Kanazawa to Takayama
Travel to the mountain villages of Shirakawago and view thatch-roofed farmhouses from an observation point above. Go inside preserved gassho-style homes like Wada-ke and Kanda-ke to see how they're built and designed. Later that day, head to Takayama.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Shirakawago villages
- View thatch-roofed farmhouses from panoramic observation deck
- Tour gassho-style houses (Wada-ke and Kanda-ke)
Landmarks Shirakawago Ogimachi Wada-ke Kanda-ke - Day 9
Takayama
Start at Miyagawa River Morning Market browsing stalls with local items for sale. Walk through the Old Township alleys to find historic sake breweries, merchant homes, and buildings with lattice windows from the Edo era. Stop at Nakabashi Bridge for photos, then visit Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine and the Takayama Matsuri Yatai Kaikan to see the detailed woodworking.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Miyagawa River Morning Market
- Explore Old Township of Takayama
- Visit Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine
- Visit Takayama Matsuri Yatai Kaikan
- Visit Nikkoukan
Optional Activities
- Photograph Nakabashi Bridge
Landmarks Miyagawa River Morning Market Takayama Old Township Nakabashi Bridge Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine Takayama Matsuri Yatai Kaikan Nikkoukan - Day 10
Takayama to Matsumoto
Do a self-guided hike in Kamikochi for about 1.5 hours starting at Taisho Ike Pond with views of the Yake volcano. Walk through old cypress and cedar forests along the Azusa River until you reach Kappa Bridge. After finishing the hike, travel to Matsumoto.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Self-guided hike in Kamikochi
Landmarks Kamikochi Taisho Ike Pond Yake Volcano Azusa River Kappa Bridge - Day 11
Matsumoto
Travel the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route using cable cars, ropeways, and trolley buses to cross the mountains. You'll see the Kurobe Dam, Japan's tallest, and Mt. Tate at 3,015 meters. If you're visiting April through June, you'll see the famous Snow Walls cutting through the high elevations.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route experience
Landmarks Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Kurobe Dam Mt. Tate - Day 12
Matsumoto to Tokyo
Spend your morning walking around Matsumoto and visiting Matsumoto Castle and the city's art museum featuring works by local artist Yayoi Kusama. If you're into art, the Japan Ukiyo-e Museum has an excellent collection nearby. In the afternoon, take a train to Nagano, then board the Shinkansen back to Tokyo, arriving around 3 hours later.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Matsumoto Castle
- Visit Matsumoto City Museum of Art
Optional Activities
- Visit Japan Ukiyo-e Museum
Landmarks Matsumoto Castle Matsumoto City Museum of Art Japan Ukiyo-e Museum - Day 13
Tokyo
You'll depart Japan with memories of the landscapes and places you've explored, plus the connections you've made along the way.
- End point
- Japan (Tokyo)
- Meals
- Breakfast
