Itinerary
- Day 1
Osaka to Kyoto
You'll land at Kansai International Airport and head to your hotel in Kyoto. After settling in, wander around the nearby streets to get a feel for the area. Later this evening, you'll meet your tour leader and fellow travelers at a welcome dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner with tour group)
Included Activities
- Door-to-door airport transfer from Kansai International Airport
- Welcome dinner with tour group
Optional Activities
- Explore nearby area at leisure
- Day 2
Kyoto
Your guide takes you through Kyoto's cultural sites, visiting UNESCO temples throughout the day. You'll have tea and meet an authentic Geisha. March brings cherry blossoms while November features the Gion Odori festival.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of UNESCO temples
- Exclusive meeting with authentic Geisha over tea
Landmarks/POIs Gion District - Day 3
Kyoto
This is your free day to plan however you like. Walk through ancient temples, check out nearby spots in the Kansai region, wander hidden side streets, or catch local festivals. Your tour leader can point you toward things you might enjoy.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Continue exploration of ancient sites in Kyoto
- Day trip to Kansai region attractions
- Explore hidden alleys
- Attend local festivals
- Day 4
Kyoto to Kyotango
You'll travel to Ine village in Kyotango to see the traditional boat houses. Check into your ryokan and settle in for a Kaiseki dinner with local seafood and regional dishes that connect to the area's maritime history.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Kaiseki dining experience)
Included Activities
- Visit Ine village with boat houses
- Kaiseki dinner at ryokan
Landmarks/POIs Ine Village - Day 5
Kyotango
Spend the day learning about local crafts. Visit kimono silk weavers, watch a traditional swordsmith create tools, and tour a rice vinegar distillery. You'll learn directly from artisans who've kept these practices alive for generations.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit kimono silk weavers
- Visit traditional swordsmith
- Tour rice vinegar distillery
- Day 6
Kyotango to Kobe
Head to Kobe and check into your hotel near Kobe Port Tower. The evening is yours to explore. Walk along Harborland Megacomplex, shop in Sannomiya, visit Chinatown, or grab Kobe Wagyu beef and sake at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hotel check-in next to Kobe Port Tower
Optional Activities
- Explore Harborland Megacomplex waterfront shopping and dining
- Shop and dine in Sannomiya
- Visit Chinatown
- Sample Kobe Wagyu beef
- Sample sake from Nada
Landmarks/POIs Kobe Port Tower Harborland Megacomplex Sannomiya Chinatown - Day 7
Kobe
Your guide takes you through the Nada district's sake breweries and then to the peaceful Nunobiki Herb Gardens. You'll also visit a ceramics artist's studio. The day wraps up with a Kobe Beef dinner by the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Kobe Beef dining experience by the harbour)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Nada district sake breweries
- Visit Nunobiki Herb Gardens
- Visit ceramics master potter
- Kobe Beef dining experience by the harbour
Landmarks/POIs Nada District Nunobiki Herb Gardens - Day 8
Kobe to Hiroshima to Miyajima
Take the Shinkansen bullet train to Hiroshima. Start with guided tours of the A-bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Museum. After lunch, you'll ferry out to Miyajima Island to see the iconic floating torii gate at Itsukushima Shrine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Shinkansen bullet train to Hiroshima
- Guided tour of A-bomb Dome
- Visit Peace Memorial Museum
- Ferry ride to Miyajima Island
- Visit Itsukushima Shrine
Landmarks/POIs A-bomb Dome Peace Memorial Museum Itsukushima Shrine Miyajima Island - Day 9
Hiroshima to Fukuoka
Travel toward Fukuoka with a stop at nostalgic Moji Port in Kitakyushu. In April, you can visit the Kawachi Fujien Wisteria Garden. Check out Tanga Market and the waterfront. Then continue to Fukuoka and explore spots like Canal City Hakata.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Moji Port in Kitakyushu
- Visit Tanga Market
Optional Activities
- Visit Kawachi Fujien Wisteria Garden (seasonal - April)
Landmarks/POIs Moji Port Kawachi Fujien Wisteria Garden Tanga Market Canal City Hakata - Day 10
Fukuoka to Nagasaki
Arrive in Nagasaki and spend your day exploring independently. Walk through the city and discover its history and international connections. Meet back up with your group this evening to see the city lights from Mount Inasayama.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Mount Inasayama night views with group
Optional Activities
- Self-guided exploration of Nagasaki
Landmarks/POIs Mount Inasayama - Day 11
Nagasaki
Tour Nagasaki's historic locations including Nagasaki Peace Park and the Atomic Bomb Museum. Wander through Glover Garden and visit Dejima, the old Dutch trading post that shows Nagasaki's importance as a gateway to Western culture.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Nagasaki Peace Park
- Visit Atomic Bomb Museum
- Explore Glover Garden
- Visit Dejima
Landmarks/POIs Nagasaki Peace Park Atomic Bomb Museum Glover Garden Dejima - Day 12
Nagasaki to Unzen Onsen
Head to Unzen Onsen hot spring resort in Unzen-Amakusa National Park. Walk around and see azaleas and maple leaves depending on the season. Visit the Unzen Hell geothermal fields and relax in the therapeutic volcanic springs. Dinner is Kaiseki at your ryokan.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Kaiseki dinner at ryokan)
Included Activities
- Visit Unzen Hell geothermal fields
- Therapeutic hot spring bath
- Kaiseki dinner at ryokan
Optional Activities
- Explore Mount Unzen's eight mountains
- Observe wild birds and highland plants
Landmarks/POIs Unzen Hell Mount Unzen Unzen-Amakusa National Park - Day 13
Unzen Onsen to Kumamoto
Travel to Kumamoto City and explore the Kumamoto Castle complex. Visit Suizenji Garden, which recreates the Tokaido landscape with a mini Mount Fuji. Stop by Lafcadio Hearn's house and take in views of Mount Aso's volcanic caldera.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Kumamoto Castle
- Visit Suizenji Garden
- Visit Lafcadio Hearn's residence
Optional Activities
- View Mount Aso volcanic caldera
Landmarks/POIs Kumamoto Castle Suizenji Garden Mount Aso - Day 14
Kumamoto
Spend the day at Mount Aso, an active volcano with great views. See Takachiho Gorge and go on a rowboat ride under towering cliffs with waterfalls. Visit Amano Iwato Shinto shrine, which sits inside a sacred cave.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Mount Aso
- Visit Takachiho Gorge
- Rowboat ride through Takachiho Gorge
- Visit Amano Iwato Shinto Shrine
Landmarks/POIs Mount Aso Takachiho Gorge Amano Iwato Shinto Shrine - Day 15
Kumamoto to Yakushima
Travel to Yakushima, pausing first at Ibusuki Onsen for a sand bath. Take a high-speed boat to this subtropical island known for its 7,000-year-old cedar forest and white beaches. Settle into your ryokan and prepare to explore the island.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Ibusuki Onsen sand bath
- High-speed boat to Yakushima
Landmarks/POIs Ibusuki Onsen Yakushima Island - Day 16
Yakushima
Early on, you'll hike through Yakushima's ancient cedar forest with a guide. See enormous native cedars over 1,000 years old and visit the ancient Jomonsugi cedar. Walk through mossy terrain alongside streams. Spend the afternoon at your beachfront hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided morning hike in ancient cedar forest
- Visit Jomonsugi cedar tree
Optional Activities
- Enjoy beachfront area near hotel
Landmarks/POIs Jomonsugi Cedar - Day 17
Yakushima
Take a free day to explore Yakushima however you want. Try a demanding hike, cycle scenic trails, or relax on the beach. The island offers quiet spaces to recharge. From May through August, you might spot sea turtles along the shore.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Challenging hike through the island
- Cycle through scenic trails
- Relax by the shore
- Sea turtle spotting (May-August seasonal)
- Day 18
Yakushima to Tokyo
Fly out of Yakushima and head to Tokyo. After checking into your hotel, step outside and feel the energy of the city. It's a big shift from the nature-focused days you just had.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Domestic flight from Yakushima to Tokyo
- Hotel check-in in Tokyo
Optional Activities
- Explore Tokyo at leisure upon arrival
- Day 19
Tokyo
Your guide shows you Tokyo's different sides today. Visit Meiji Shrine for quiet moments, stroll through gardens, and explore historic Asakusa and Senso-ji Temple. Finish with panoramic city views from an observation deck.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Tokyo
- Visit Meiji Shrine
- Explore serene gardens
- Visit Asakusa district
- Visit Senso-ji Temple
- Panoramic view from observation deck
Landmarks/POIs Meiji Shrine Asakusa Senso-ji Temple - Day 20
Tokyo
Your last full day is open for what interests you most. Shop for electronics or clothes, find local spots that caught your eye, or revisit favorite places. Your tour leader has recommendations. You'll gather in the evening for a farewell dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner)
Included Activities
- Farewell dinner with group
Optional Activities
- Shop for electronics or fashion
- Discover under-the-radar local spots
- Revisit favorite places in the city
- Day 21
Tokyo
The tour officially ends today. Head to the airport for your flight home, or extend your stay if you want more time in Tokyo. You're leaving with memories from quiet Kyoto temples to lively Tokyo streets.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Extend stay in Tokyo
- Explore additional Tokyo attractions
