Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Tokyo
You'll fly into Tokyo and get picked up at the airport by a private driver who takes you to your hotel. An English-speaking guide will be with you throughout the trip to help with directions, translations, and any questions that come up.
- Day 2
Tokyo
Start at Senso-Ji, Tokyo's oldest temple built over 1,400 years ago, then head to teamLab Planets Tokyo to walk through their immersive art installations with cutting-edge technology. After lunch, you'll spend two hours at a sushi cooking class learning to make nigiri, inari, hosomaki, and other styles from a professional instructor.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Senso-Ji Temple
- Visit teamLab Planets Tokyo
- Sushi Cooking Class (two-hour group class)
Landmarks Senso-Ji teamLab Planets Tokyo - Day 3
Tokyo
This morning you'll visit Meiji Jingu Shrine, the largest spiritual site in Tokyo, which sits next to Harajuku Station with peaceful forested walking paths. From there, head to Zojo-ji Temple, the main temple of the Jodo sect, standing right beside Tokyo Tower. Climb up to Tokyo Tower's two observation decks for 360-degree city views, then finish by checking out Akihabara, known as 'Electric Town,' where you can find electronics, anime, and manga shops.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Meiji Jingu Shrine
- Visit Zojo-ji Temple
- Tokyo Tower viewing tickets (150m observation deck included)
Optional Activities
- Explore Akihabara district
Landmarks Meiji Jingu Shrine Yoyogi Park Zojo-ji Temple Tokyo Tower Akihabara - Day 4
Hakone
Travel to Hakone and board the scenic Hakone Pirate Ship at Lake Ashino for views of Mount Fuji and the lake. Afterward, ride the Hakone Ropeway up to Owakudani, a volcanic site where white smoke rises from the ground and you can purchase the local black jade eggs that are said to extend your lifespan.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hakone Pirate Ship at Lake Ashino
- Hakone Ropeway ride
- Visit Owakudani volcanic site
Optional Activities
- Purchase legendary black jade eggs at Owakudani
Landmarks Lake Ashino Mount Fuji Owakudani 
- Day 5
Izu Peninsula to Kyoto
Walk along the Jogasaki Coast on the Izu Peninsula's eastern side, where a hiking trail takes you past jagged cliffs and rock formations. Next, climb Mt. Omuro, a 580-meter mountain with green landscapes all around. Stop at Shuzenji Temple, built in 807, to see the museum and the death mask of shogun Minamoto no Yoriie. Later, board the Shinkansen bullet train from Atami to Kyoto (2 hours 50 minutes), then make your way to your hotel near the station.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hike Jogasaki Coast
- Visit Mt. Omuro
- Visit Shuzenji Temple
Landmarks Jogasaki Coast Mt. Omuro Shuzenji Temple 
- Day 6
Kyoto
Begin at Kodai-ji Temple in Higashiyama District, founded in 1606 with ornate interiors and Zen gardens. Walk down Nene no Michi, a traditional street that keeps Kyoto's old character with distinctive architecture and no commercial signs. Wander through the Hanamiko-ji Geisha District to see the geisha area, then head to Gion Corner theater for a one-hour show featuring seven types of traditional Japanese performing arts including tea ceremony, koto music, flower arrangement, bugaku dance, kyogen comedy, and Kyomai dance.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Kodai-ji Temple
- Walk Nene no Michi street
- Explore Hanamiko-ji Geisha District
- Gion Corner theater performance (one-hour show with seven traditional arts)
Optional Activities
- Digital tablet with detailed information and translations at Gion Corner (available for additional fee)
Landmarks Kodai-ji Temple Nene no Michi Hanamiko-ji Geisha District Gion Corner Theater - Day 7
Kyoto
Visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple, one of Kyoto's oldest monasteries from 778 and a UNESCO World Heritage site, featuring the famous Shimizu stage with surrounding greenery. From there, see Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion from the 14th century, with its gold-covered tiers reflecting in the lake below. End at Nijo Castle, built in 1603 as the Kyoto home of the first Tokugawa shogun, showing fine examples of castle palace architecture.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple
- Visit Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
- Visit Nijo Castle
Landmarks Kiyomizu-dera Temple Kinkaku-ji Nijo Castle - Day 8
Kyoto to Nara to Osaka
Head to Fushimi Inari Shrine in southern Kyoto to walk through thousands of vermilion torii gates and forest trails on 233-meter Mount Inari. Travel to Nara Park to see free-roaming sika deer (national treasures) and feed them with special crackers sold at the park. Walk through Todai-ji Temple with its grand Nandaimon gate and the massive Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall), one of the world's largest wooden buildings. Stop at Nakatanidou to watch a live mochi-pounding demonstration showing how this traditional dessert is made.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine
- Visit Nara Park with sika deer feeding
- Visit Todai-ji Temple and Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall)
- Nakatanidou live mochi-pounding demonstration
Optional Activities
- Purchase deer crackers at Nara Park (required for feeding)
Landmarks Fushimi Inari Shrine Mount Inari Nara Park Todai-ji Temple Nandaimon Gate Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall) Nakatanidou - Day 9
Osaka
Start at Osaka Castle Park, a public urban park with historical significance near the Okawa River in central Osaka. Experience a one-hour Ninja Experience where you'll try shuriken throwing, Kuja-kiri, performance, and meditation while dressed in a ninja outfit for photos. Check out the unique Donki Ferris wheel at the Don Quixote store, then explore Dotonbori, which lights up with neon at night. Try over 10 local flavors including takoyaki, kobe beef, okonomiyaki, yakitori, taiyaki, and yakisoba.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Osaka Castle Park
- Ninja Experience (one-hour)
- Visit Donki Ferris wheel
Optional Activities
- Explore Dotonbori district
- Dine at various restaurants in Dotonbori
Landmarks Osaka Castle Park Don Quixote Donki Ferris Wheel Dotonbori - Day 10
Departure from Osaka
After breakfast this morning, your driver will escort you to Kansai International Airport (KIX) for your departing flight back home. This marks the end of your Japan tour.
