Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Tokyo
Your flight arrives in Tokyo and a driver meets you at the airport for the transfer to your hotel. An English-speaking guide will be with you throughout the trip to help navigate everything.
- Day 2
Tokyo
Start at Senso-Ji, Tokyo's oldest temple standing for over 1,400 years. Your guide takes you to Tsukiji Fish Market where you'll sample fresh sushi, fried fish cakes, sake, and tea. Later, head to teamLab Planets Tokyo for an immersive art experience with cutting-edge projection technology filling the galleries.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Senso-Ji temple
- Explore Tsukiji Fish Market with guide and food sampling
- Visit teamLab Planets Tokyo
Landmarks/POIs Senso-Ji Tsukiji Fish Market teamLab Planets Tokyo - Day 3
Tokyo
See the Hachiko statue in Shibuya, the famous dog monument everyone knows about. From there, head up to Shibuya Sky Observation Deck for views across the entire cityscape. After that, walk through Meiji Jingu Shrine, Tokyo's largest spiritual site, and wander the forested paths around Yoyogi Park nearby.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Hachiko statue in Shibuya
- Visit Shibuya Sky Observation Deck
- Visit Meiji Jingu Shrine
Landmarks/POIs Hachiko Statue Shibuya Sky Observation Deck Meiji Jingu Shrine - Day 4
Fuji Area
Travel to the Fuji region and see West Lake Village with its traditional thick-thatched roof cottages and views of Mount Fuji in the distance. Check out Oshino Hakkai, eight pristine springs with crystal-clear water from hardened lava. Walk through the Narusawa Hyoketsu Ice Cave, formed over 1,150 years ago. End at Arakurayama Sengen Park with panoramic Mount Fuji views, especially beautiful in spring with cherry blossoms.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit West Lake Village
- Visit Oshino Hakkai springs
- Explore Narusawa Hyoketsu Ice Cave
- Visit Arakurayama Sengen Park
Landmarks/POIs West Lake Village Oshino Hakkai Narusawa Hyoketsu Ice Cave Arakurayama Sengen Park - Day 5
Nagano
Spend time at Lake Suwa, Nagano Prefecture's largest lake, decorated with cherry blossoms in spring and hosting summer fireworks. Try lake activities like pleasure cruises or amphibious bus tours depending on the season. Then head to Jigokudani Monkey Park where wild Japanese Macaques soak in natural hot springs in their natural habitat.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Lake Suwa
- Visit Jigokudani Monkey Park
Optional Activities
- Pleasure cruise on Lake Suwa
- Amphibious bus tour on Lake Suwa
- Fishing on Lake Suwa
Landmarks/POIs Lake Suwa Jigokudani Monkey Park 
- Day 6
Nagano
Visit Zenko-ji, a historic Buddhist temple founded over 1,000 years ago known for its mysterious wooden statue with supposed mystical powers. Then see Matsumoto Castle, one of Japan's original preserved castles famous for its elegant black structures and unique combination of a secondary donjon with an adjoining turret.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Zenko-ji temple
- Visit Matsumoto Castle
Landmarks/POIs Zenko-ji Matsumoto Castle - Day 7
Gifu to Kanazawa
Head to Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the mountains between Gifu and Toyama Prefectures. See traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some over 250 years old, and walk through the rich cultural heritage and landscapes. End your day at Takayama Jinya, a former government office from the Edo period that now operates as a museum about historical governance.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Shirakawa-go UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Visit Takayama Jinya
Landmarks/POIs Shirakawa-go Takayama Jinya 
- Day 8
Kanazawa
Explore Kanazawa's cultural heritage from when it rivaled Kyoto and Edo as the seat of the Maeda Clan, the second most powerful feudal clan. Visit Kanazawa Castle, Kenrokuen garden, Higashi Chaya District, and Nagamachi Samurai District where traditional buildings blend with the modern atmosphere.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Kanazawa Castle
- Visit Kenrokuen
- Visit Higashi Chaya District
- Visit Nagamachi Samurai District
Landmarks/POIs Kanazawa Castle Kenrokuen Higashi Chaya District Nagamachi Samurai District - Day 9
Kanazawa to Kyoto
Take the Shinkansen bullet train to Kyoto, roughly 2 hours and 26 minutes. Check in at your hotel independently since it's nearby. The rest of the day is yours to explore Kyoto at your own pace and get oriented.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 10
Kyoto
Visit Kodai-ji Temple in Higashiyama District, established in 1606 with lavish interiors and beautiful Zen gardens. Stroll along Nene no Michi, a historic street preserving traditional architecture with no garish signs. Stop at Yasaka Shrine, famous for hosting the annual Gion Matsuri festival in July. Experience geisha culture in Hanamikoji Geisha District, then watch a one-hour traditional performing arts show at Gion Corner Theater.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Kodai-ji Temple
- Visit Nene no Michi
- Visit Yasaka Shrine
- Explore Hanamikoji Geisha District
- Attend performance at Gion Corner theater
Optional Activities
- Digital tablet with translations at Gion Corner (optional rental)
Landmarks/POIs Kodai-ji Temple Nene no Michi Yasaka Shrine Hanamikoji Geisha District Gion Corner Theater - Day 11
Kyoto
See Higashi Honganji Temple built in 1602, home to the Goeido, one of the world's largest wooden structures, and the nearby Amidado Hall. Walk through Sanjusangendo with its 1,001 statues of Kannon, including a central 1000-armed statue flanked by 500 human-sized ones. Browse Nishiki Market's five blocks with over 100 shops selling fresh seafood, produce, Japanese sweets, and sushi. Finish with a Kimono and Tea Ceremony experience learning tradition and etiquette from an expert tea master.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Higashi Honganji Temple
- Visit Sanjusangendo
- Explore Nishiki Market
- Kimono and Tea Ceremony experience
Landmarks/POIs Higashi Honganji Temple Sanjusangendo Nishiki Market - Day 12
Kyoto to Okayama
Visit Himeji Castle, also called White Heron Castle for its elegant white appearance. It's considered Japan's most spectacular castle for its imposing size and beauty, one of the twelve original castles, a UNESCO World Heritage Site never destroyed by war, earthquake, or fire.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Himeji Castle
Landmarks/POIs Himeji Castle - Day 13
Okayama to Hiroshima
See the Atomic Bomb Dome, the last standing remnant from original Hiroshima. Walk through Peace Memorial Park covering over 120,000 square meters with serene trees and paths contrasting sharply with downtown. Visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum with authentic photos, realistic models, and salvaged objects offering reflection on peace and human suffering.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Atomic Bomb Dome
- Visit Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park
- Visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
Landmarks/POIs Atomic Bomb Dome Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum 
- Day 14
Hiroshima
Head to Itsukushima (Miyajima), an island filled with forests, temples, and wild deer. Explore the centuries-old Itsukushima Shrine famous for its iconic floating torii gate appearing to float when the tide rises. Later, see Kintai Bridge in Iwakuni, a historic wooden arch bridge built in 1673 with five enormous arches spanning the Nishiki River at the base of Mt. Yokotama with Iwakuni Castle above.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Itsukushima Shrine
- Visit Itsukushima island
- Visit Kintai Bridge
Landmarks/POIs Itsukushima Shrine Itsukushima Kintai Bridge - Day 15
Hiroshima to Fukuoka
Take the Shinkansen bullet train to Fukuoka in roughly 1 hour and 6 minutes. When you arrive, the rest of the day is free to explore Fukuoka at your own pace and settle in.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 16
Fukuoka
Visit Dazaifu's Tenmangu Shrine, the most important among hundreds of Tenmangu Shrines throughout Japan, dedicated to Sugawara Michizane, a Heian Period scholar. Check out the Kyushu National Museum opened in 2005 as Japan's fourth national museum with distinctive glass architecture. See Nanzoin Temple housing possibly the world's biggest bronze statue, the Reclining Buddha at 41 meters long, 11 meters high, and 300 tons. End at Canal City Hakata with around 250 shops, cafes, restaurants, theater, cinemas, and a game center.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine
- Visit Kyushu National Museum
- Visit Nanzoin Temple
- Visit Canal City Hakata
Landmarks/POIs Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine Kyushu National Museum Nanzoin Temple Canal City Hakata - Day 17
Fukuoka to Nagasaki
Visit Nagasaki Peace Park dedicated to the August 9, 1945 atomic bombing, consisting of two serene parks and a museum. Learn about the bombing's effects at the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum. Step back in time at Glover Garden, an open-air museum with Western merchant mansions from the late 19th century. Explore Shinchi Chinatown, Japan's oldest, with shops and restaurants serving Chinese-influenced dishes. Ascend Mt. Inasayama Observation Deck for 360-degree views of Nagasaki's landscape.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Nagasaki Peace Park
- Visit Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum
- Visit Glover Garden
- Visit Shinchi Chinatown
- Visit Mt. Inasayama Observation Deck
Landmarks/POIs Nagasaki Peace Park Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum Glover Garden Shinchi Chinatown Mt. Inasayama Observation Deck - Day 18
Nagasaki to Kumamoto
Visit Yanagawa in southern Fukuoka Prefecture, known as the city of water and the Venice of Kyushu because of its 930 kilometers of waterways originally built for irrigation. Enjoy slow scenic cruises in traditional flatboats called donkobune poled by boatmen in traditional wear. See Kumamoto Castle, one of Japan's most impressive with large grounds offering a complete experience. Explore Suizenji Garden, a spacious Japanese landscape garden built in the 17th century reproducing the 53 post stations of the Tokaido in miniature. End at Kumamon Square, the office of the famous Kumamon mascot of Kumamoto Prefecture.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Scenic boat cruise at Yanagawa in donkobune
- Visit Kumamoto Castle
- Visit Suizenji Garden
- Visit Kumamon Square
Landmarks/POIs Yanagawa Kumamoto Castle Suizenji Garden Kumamon Square 
- Day 19
Kumamoto to Fukuoka
Visit Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine recognized as the most important among hundreds of Tenmangu Shrines throughout Japan, dedicated to Sugawara Michizane. Explore the Kyushu National Museum from 2005, Japan's fourth national museum, distinguished by its glass walls reflecting sky and mountains. Experience the vibrant Canal City Hakata shopping and entertainment complex with around 250 shops, cafes, restaurants, theater, cinemas, and a game center.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine
- Visit Kyushu National Museum
- Visit Canal City Hakata
Landmarks/POIs Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine Kyushu National Museum Canal City Hakata 
- Day 20
Departure from Fukuoka
Your guide arrives to escort you to Fukuoka airport for your departing flight, concluding your trip through Japan.
