Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Tokyo
You'll fly into Tokyo and your driver meets you at the airport for the ride to your hotel. The private vehicle gets you settled in without any fuss, so you can rest up for the days ahead.
- Day 2
Tokyo
This morning you'll check out Tsukiji Fish Market to see the fresh catches and local activity. From there, head to Akihabara to browse the electronics shops and gadgets. You'll walk through Senso-ji Temple to see the historic grounds, and then in the evening you've got a 3-hour sushi-making class in Shinjuku where you'll learn to roll proper sushi and try what you make.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Tsukiji Fish Market
- Explore Akihabara district
- Visit Senso-ji Temple
- 3-hour group sushi cooking class in Shinjuku
Landmarks Tsukiji Fish Market Akihabara Senso-ji Temple Shinjuku - Day 3
Mt. Fuji
You spend the full day around Mt. Fuji and Hakone. Start at Owakudani valley to see the volcanic landscape, then take the ropeway up for views across the region. After that, you'll check out Lake Ashi, walk through Tenjozan Park, and explore the traditional village of Oshino Hakkai. Later you'll visit Sengen-jinja Shrine before heading back.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Mt. Fuji
- Explore Owakudani volcanic valley
- Hakone Ropeway ride
- Visit Lake Ashi
- Explore Tenjozan Park
- Visit traditional village of Oshino Hakkai
- Visit Sengen-jinja Shrine
Landmarks Mt. Fuji Owakudani Hakone Ropeway Lake Ashi Tenjozan Park Oshino Hakkai Sengen-jinja Shrine 
- Day 4
Matsumoto, Lake Suwa, and Takayama
You'll see Matsumoto Castle, one of Japan's original castles and really well preserved. During the day you also visit Lake Suwa, the biggest lake in Nagano Prefecture. After lunch, tour the Takayama Jinya museum and walk through Sanmachi Suji District with its Edo-era buildings, shops, and sake breweries tucked along the streets.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Matsumoto Castle
- Explore Lake Suwa
- Visit Takayama Jinya museum
- Explore Sanmachi Suji District
Optional Activities
- Pleasure cruises on Lake Suwa
- Amphibious bus tours on Lake Suwa
- Fishing on Lake Suwa
Landmarks Matsumoto Castle Lake Suwa Takayama Jinya Sanmachi Suji District - Day 5
Kanazawa
Kanazawa's got a lot of cultural history to see. You'll walk through the Nagamachi Samurai district and spend time in Kenrokuen gardens. Later, check out the Higashi Chaya District and the Geisha District. Throughout the day you'll learn about local craftsmanship like Kutani pottery, lacquerware, and hand-painted Kaga Yuzen silk that the city's known for.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Nagamachi Samurai district
- Explore Kenrokuen gardens
- Visit Higashi Chaya District
- Explore Geisha District
- Visit Kanazawa Shrine
Landmarks Nagamachi Samurai District Kenrokuen Higashi Chaya District Geisha District Kanazawa Shrine - Day 6
Arashiyama and Kyoto
Your morning's in Arashiyama where you'll see Tenryuji Temple with its gardens, walk through the Sagano Bamboo Forest, and cross Togetsukyo Bridge. You'll also visit Okochi-Sanso Villa to see traditional residential architecture and get a complimentary cup of macha tea. Then you board the Shinkansen bullet train to Kyoto, which takes about 2 hours and 26 minutes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Half-day walking tour of Arashiyama
- Visit Tenryuji Temple
- Explore Sagano Bamboo Forest
- Cross Togetsukyo Bridge
- Visit Okochi-Sanso Villa
- Complimentary macha tea at Okochi-Sanso Villa teahouse
- Shinkansen (Bullet Train) from Kanazawa to Kyoto
Landmarks Tenryuji Temple Sagano Bamboo Forest Togetsukyo Bridge Okochi-Sanso Villa - Day 7
Kyoto
In Kyoto's Higashiyama District, you'll visit Kodai-ji Temple established in 1606 with its nice interiors and Zen gardens. Walk along Nene no Michi to see traditional architecture, then check out Yasaka Shrine. Later you'll stroll through the Hanamikoji Geisha District in the evening and catch a one-hour show at Gion Corner featuring tea preparation, music, flower arrangement, dance, and comedy.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Kodai-ji Temple
- Explore Nene no Michi
- Visit Yasaka Shrine
- Evening stroll through Hanamikoji Geisha District
- One-hour traditional performing arts show at Gion Corner theater
Optional Activities
- Digital tablet rental for show translations and detailed information
Landmarks Kodai-ji Temple Nene no Michi Yasaka Shrine Hanamikoji Geisha District Gion Corner Theater 
- Day 8
Kyoto and Nara
You'll head to Kiyomizu-dera Temple for city views, then explore Yasaka Shrine and browse Hanamikoji Dori shopping street. After that, you'll go to Nara Park to see the free-roaming deer and feed them with crackers. You'll walk through Todai-ji Temple and see the Daibutsuden, one of the world's largest wooden buildings. Later stop at Nakatanidou to watch mochi-pounding.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple
- Explore Yasaka Shrine
- Stroll Hanamikoji Dori shopping street
- Visit Nara Park and see free-roaming sika deer
- Feed sika deer with specially sold crackers
- Visit Todai-ji Temple
- Pass through Nandaimon (Great Southern Gate)
- Explore Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall)
- Watch live mochi-pounding demonstration at Nakatanidou
Landmarks Kiyomizu-dera Temple Yasaka Shrine Hanamikoji Dori Nara Park Todai-ji Temple Nandaimon (Great Southern Gate) Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall) Nakatanidou - Day 9
Osaka
You'll start at Kuromon Ichiba Fish Market where there's fresh seafood and Japanese treats. Next, see Osaka Castle Park for its history. Later you do a ninja-themed activity in Asakusa with shuriken throwing training. You'll check out the Donki Ferris wheel, then explore Dotonbori for shopping and neon lights while trying takoyaki, kobe beef, and okonomiyaki. End with the Osaka Museum of History and views from Umeda Sky Building.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Kuromon Ichiba Fish Market
- Tour Osaka Castle Park
- Ninja-themed experience in Asakusa with Shuriken throwing
- Visit Donki Ferris wheel
- Explore Dotonbori entertainment and shopping district
- Visit Osaka Museum of History
- Visit Umeda Sky Building observation deck
Optional Activities
- Sampling diverse Dotonbori cuisines including Takoyaki, Shioyaki, Kobe Beef, Okonomiyaki, Yakitori, Taiyaki, Yakisoba, and Ikayaki
Landmarks Kuromon Ichiba Osaka Castle Park Asakusa Donki Ferris Wheel Dotonbori Osaka Museum of History Umeda Sky Building - Day 10
Departure
Your final morning your guide arrives to take you to Kansai International Airport for your departing flight. You'll have time to head out and catch your plane home.
