Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Tokyo
You'll land in Tokyo today and get yourself settled into your accommodation. Spend some time adjusting to the time zone and preparing for what's ahead. This is more about getting oriented than doing a lot of sightseeing, so take it easy and maybe grab a meal nearby if you're not too tired from traveling.
- Day 2
Tokyo
Your representative meets you at the airport and takes you to your hotel using the public transport system. From there, you'll have the rest of the day to wander around Tokyo and get a feel for the city. Walk through some neighborhoods, check out the energy of the place, and start getting your first real impressions of Japan's capital.
Included Activities
- Transfer from airport to hotel by public transport
- Day 3
Tokyo
You can explore Tokyo on your own or join the optional tour. If you go with the group, you'll see Asakusa's historic streets and Sensoji temple, check out Tokyo Skytree, walk through Meiji Shrine, catch the famous Shibuya intersection, and take in panoramic views from a viewing platform. There's also an optional sumo dinner with matches included if that interests you.
Included Activities
- Visit Asakusa district and Nakamise-dori pilgrim street
- Visit Sensoji temple with red pagoda
- View Tokyo Skytree
- Visit Meiji Shrine
- Visit Shibuya intersection
- Panoramic view from Tokyo viewing platform
Optional Activities
- Sumo dinner with professional wrestler performances, training observation, wrestling matches, optional challenger match, Chanko-nabe meal, and photo opportunity with wrestlers
Landmarks Sensoji Temple Tokyo Skytree Meiji Shrine Shibuya Crossing - Day 4
Tokyo to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park
Start at the former Tsukiji market's outdoor area checking out fresh seafood and local foods. Then travel by bus down the Pacific coast to Kamakura, visiting Hasedera Temple and the Great Buddha. Later you'll head through bamboo and cedar forests toward Mount Fuji (3776m/12,388 ft), arriving in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park where you'll stay at a hotel with its own onsen for soaking.
Included Activities
- Visit former Tsukiji wholesale market outdoor area
- Visit Hasedera Temple with gardens and Kannon figures
- Visit Great Buddha of Kamakura
- Travel through Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park
Landmarks Hasedera Temple Great Buddha of Kamakura Mount Fuji Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park - Day 5
Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park to Takayama
Walk up to Chureito Pagoda hill in the morning for views of Mount Fuji if the weather cooperates. Then move on to Matsumoto to see one of Japan's most well-preserved castles, called 'Crow Castle' because of its black exterior and dating back to the 16th century. By late afternoon, you'll reach Takayama, a cozy mountain town where you can stroll the old streets and see the mountain views.
Included Activities
- Walk to Chureito Pagoda hill with Mount Fuji views
- Visit Matsumoto Castle
- Stroll through Takayama old town with sake breweries and miso stores
Landmarks Chureito Pagoda Matsumoto Castle - Day 6
Takayama to Kanazawa
Start at Takayama's morning market looking at regional products, then visit the old provincial administration building to learn about the Tokugawa shogunate period. Travel to Shirakawa-go, a mountain village with distinctive thatched-roof farmhouses (UNESCO World Heritage Site). You'll reach Kanazawa in the late afternoon. Your main luggage gets sent ahead to Kyoto by courier, so pack light for the next two nights.
Included Activities
- Visit Takayama morning market
- Visit old provincial administration
- Explore Shirakawa-go village
Landmarks Shirakawa-go - Day 7
Kanazawa to Kyoto
Begin at Kenrokuen Landscape Garden, one of Japan's three most beautiful gardens. Stroll through the Omicho market sampling local delicacies, then explore Higashi-Chaya geisha district with its teahouses and shops. Try gold leaf production at a traditional workshop. Later, take the Shinkansen super express to Kyoto. At the station, you'll see the modern concourse designed by architect Hara Hiroshi and can view the city from the roof.
Included Activities
- Visit Kenrokuen Landscape Garden
- Stroll through Omicho fish and vegetable market
- Explore Higashi-Chaya geisha district
- Gold leaf production experience at traditional manufactory
- Shinkansen journey Kanazawa to Kyoto
- Visit Kyoto Station concourse and roof viewing platform
Landmarks Kenrokuen Garden Omicho Market Higashi-Chaya District Kyoto Station - Day 8
Kyoto
Head to the famous bamboo grove in Arashiyama and explore Tenryuji Zen Temple with its gardens and tea areas. Cross the Katsura River to the monkey park where Japanese macaques live in the hills. See Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion, one of Japan's most iconic symbols. In the afternoon, visit Fushimi-Inari Shrine with its rows of vermilion torii gates leading up the hillside.
Included Activities
- Visit Arashiyama bamboo grove
- Explore Tenryuji Zen Temple with gardens and teahouses
- Visit monkey park with Japanese macaques
- Visit Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion
- Visit Fushimi-Inari Shrine with vermilion gate galleries
Landmarks Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Tenryuji Temple Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion Fushimi-Inari Shrine - Day 9
Kyoto
Explore Kyoto on your own or join the optional trip to Himeji and Nara. If you go with the group, you'll take the Shinkansen to Himeji to see 'White Heron Castle' (UNESCO World Heritage Site), then train to Nara, Japan's first imperial capital. You'll see the Daibutsu, the world's largest bronze Buddha, in Todaiji Temple, and observe the friendly sika deer around the temples. Return to Kyoto by early evening.
Optional Activities
- Shinkansen journey to Himeji
- Visit Himeji Castle (White Heron Castle) - UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Train journey to Nara
- Visit Todaiji Temple and view Daibutsu (largest bronze Buddha statue in the world)
- Observe sika deer in Nara
- Return train journey to Kyoto
Landmarks Himeji Castle Todaiji Temple - Day 10
Departure from Kyoto
You'll have leisure time in the morning before heading to Kansai Airport. Your representative will help with your transfer to the airport. After checking in, you'll depart on your return flight to Germany.
Included Activities
- Transfer to Kansai Airport (KIX) with local representative
- Day 11
Arrival in Germany
You arrive back in Germany, ending your Japanese adventure with all your experiences and memories from the two weeks.
