Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Tokyo
You'll fly into Tokyo and your driver meets you at the airport for a private transfer to your hotel. An English-speaking guide joins you for the remainder of your trip, so you'll have support throughout.
- Day 2
Tokyo
Start at Meiji Jingu Shrine and then walk through the peaceful grounds of Yoyogi Park nearby. Head over to Harajuku to see the vibrant street culture and fashion scene, then stroll down Omotesando with its upscale shops. Finish the day at Senso-Ji Temple, Tokyo's oldest temple built over fourteen centuries ago.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Meiji Jingu Shrine
- Explore Harajuku district
- Stroll Omotesando avenue
- Visit Senso-Ji Temple
Landmarks Meiji Jingu Shrine Yoyogi Park Harajuku Omotesando Senso-Ji Temple - Day 3
Tokyo
Begin at Tsukiji Fish Market where you can check out the fresh seafood and local energy. Later, you'll head to Odaiba Seaside Park to enjoy the views of Rainbow Bridge and explore the Statue of Liberty replica there. By afternoon, take the elevator up Shibuya Sky Observation Deck for panoramic city views, then find the famous Hachiko statue before heading back.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Tsukiji Fish Market
- Explore Odaiba Seaside Park
- Visit Shibuya Sky Observation Deck
- Visit Hachiko statue
Landmarks Tsukiji Fish Market Odaiba Seaside Park Rainbow Bridge Shibuya Sky Observation Deck Hachiko statue - Day 4
Matsumoto and Lake Suwa
You'll visit Matsumoto Castle, one of Japan's original castles still standing with its distinctive secondary donjon and adjoining turret. After that, head to Lake Suwa in Nagano Prefecture and see Suwa Taisha, one of the country's oldest shrines located at Japan's geographical center.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Matsumoto Castle
- Explore Lake Suwa
- Visit Suwa Taisha (Suwa Grand Shrine)
Landmarks Matsumoto Castle Lake Suwa Suwa Taisha - Day 5
Mount Fuji Region
This morning you'll explore West Lake Village with its thick-thatched roof cottages and views toward Mount Fuji in the distance. Then move on to Oishi Park along Lake Kawaguchiko's shores, where there are seasonal floral displays throughout the year. Later, check out Oshino Hakkai's eight crystal-clear springs and the Narusawa Hyoketsu Ice Cave, which formed over 1150 years ago. Finish at Arakurayama Sengen Park for panoramic Mount Fuji views as the day ends.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit West Lake Village
- Explore Oishi Park
- Visit Oshino Hakkai springs
- Visit Narusawa Hyoketsu Ice Cave
- Visit Arakurayama Sengen Park
Landmarks West Lake Village Oishi Park Lake Kawaguchiko Oshino Hakkai Narusawa Hyoketsu Ice Cave Arakurayama Sengen Park Mount Fuji 
- Day 6
Takayama and Shirakawa-go
Start at Miyagawa Morning Market where you'll find fresh local produce and traditional crafts that have been sold here for two centuries. Next, head to Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses over 250 years old. From there, check out Takayama Jinya museum, which once served as a government office during the Edo period. End your day at Sanmachi Suji District, known locally as 'Little Kyoto' for its well-preserved Edo-era buildings and charm.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Miyagawa Morning Market
- Explore Shirakawa-go
- Visit Takayama Jinya
- Explore Sanmachi Suji District
Landmarks Miyagawa Morning Market Shirakawa-go Takayama Jinya Sanmachi Suji District 
- Day 7
Kanazawa to Kyoto
You'll walk through Kenrokuen, one of Japan's Three Great Gardens, created over nearly two centuries with seasonal flowering trees throughout the grounds. Then explore Kanazawa's cultural districts including the Nagamachi Samurai area, Higashi Chaya District, and the Geisha District, where you can see traditional craftsmanship like Kutani pottery and Kaga Yuzen silk. After lunch, take the Shinkansen bullet train to Kyoto (2 hours 26 minutes) and check into your hotel on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Kenrokuen Garden
- Explore Nagamachi Samurai district
- Explore Higashi Chaya District
- Explore Geisha District
- Shinkansen (Bullet Train) to Kyoto
Landmarks Kenrokuen Kanazawa Castle Nagamachi Samurai District Higashi Chaya District Kanazawa Shrine - Day 8
Kyoto
This morning head to Kiyomizu-dera, one of Kyoto's oldest temples with its iconic Shimizu stage surrounded by seasonal foliage and offering views over the city. Then visit Kinkaku-ji, the famous Golden Pavilion dating to the 14th century with its shimmering gold exterior reflecting in the pond below. Finish at Nijo Castle, built in 1603 as the Kyoto residence of the first Tokugawa shogun.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Kiyomizu-dera
- Visit Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
- Visit Nijo Castle
Landmarks Kiyomizu-dera Kinkaku-ji Nijo Castle - Day 9
Nara and Kyoto
Start at Fushimi Inari Taisha, headquarters of about 30,000 Inari shrines across Japan with history going back to the 8th century. Then head to Nara Park where over 1,200 deer roam freely, and visit Todai-ji Temple, a World Heritage temple complex and one of Japan's Seven Great Temples. End your day at Nakatanidou, a popular mochi shop where you can watch live daily demonstrations of mochi-pounding.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Fushimi Inari Taisha
- Explore Nara Park
- Visit Todai-ji Temple
- Visit Nakatanidou mochi shop
Landmarks Fushimi Inari Taisha Nara Park Todai-ji Temple Nakatanidou - Day 10
Arashiyama, Kyoto
Spend your day in Arashiyama, a destination with over 1000 years of history and natural beauty. On a half-day walking tour, visit Tenryu-ji Temple with its sprawling gardens and views, walk through the towering Sagano Bamboo Forest, and cross Togetsukyo Bridge. Then see Okochi-Sanso Villa, one of Kyoto's finest traditional residential complexes, and enjoy complimentary matcha tea at the teahouse there.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Tenryu-ji Temple
- Explore Sagano Bamboo Forest
- Cross Togetsukyo Bridge
- Visit Okochi-Sanso Villa
Landmarks Arashiyama Tenryu-ji Temple Sagano Bamboo Forest Togetsukyo Bridge Okochi-Sanso Villa - Day 11
Osaka to Hokkaido
Your driver takes you to Osaka International Airport for your flight to Hokkaido. Once you land, your driver meets you and transfers you to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 12
Hokkaido
Spend a full day in Hokkaido starting at Asahiyama Zoo to see polar bears, wolves, big cats, and the penguin exhibit with its underwater glass tunnel. Then visit Shirogane Blue Pond with its distinctive azure water and unique colors, followed by a stop at Shirahige Falls.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Asahiyama Zoo
- Explore Shirogane Blue Pond
- Visit Shirahige Falls
Landmarks Asahiyama Zoo Shirogane Blue Pond Shirahige Falls - Day 13
Mt. Showa Shinzan and Lake Toya
You'll see Mt. Showa Shinzan, an active volcano that was born from Mt. Usu's eruption with volcanic smoke still rising from the peak. The views overlook Lake Toya and Nakajima with Mt. Usu visible in the distance. Then visit Sairo Observation Deck for panoramic views of Lake Toya, Japan's non-freezing northern lake, and you can pick up some local Hokkaido sweets. End at Lake Shikotsu, Japan's northernmost ice-free lake surrounded by mountains.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Mt. Showa Shinzan
- View Lake Toya and Nakajima
- Visit Sairo Observation Deck
- Explore Lake Shikotsu
Landmarks Mt. Showa Shinzan Lake Toya Mt. Usu Nakajima Island Sairo Observation Deck Lake Shikotsu - Day 14
Sapporo and Otaru
Begin at Hokkaido Shrine, built during the Meiji restoration and known as one of Japan's best spots for cherry blossom viewing. Then visit Shiroi Koibito Park, a sweets-themed park celebrating the iconic Hokkaido biscuit with exhibits on candy history, art collections, and production line tours. Later, explore historic Otaru with its scenic canal, old brick buildings, and warehouses that were important to Hokkaido's maritime development.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Hokkaido Shrine
- Visit Shiroi Koibito Park
- Explore Otaru Canal
Landmarks Hokkaido Shrine Shiroi Koibito Park Otaru Canal - Day 15
Departure
Your final day in Japan. Your guide escorts you to New Chitose Airport for your departing flight back home.
