Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Tokyo
Your flight lands at either Tokyo Narita or Haneda Airport. A driver will be waiting in the arrival hall to pick you up and take you to your hotel by private vehicle, so you won't need to worry about transportation.
- Day 2
Tokyo
Start the day at Meiji Jingu Shrine, one of Tokyo's most important spiritual locations. After that, head to Tokyo Ramen Street in Tokyo Station for lunch and try some ramen. From there, check out the Imperial Palace and walk through its East Gardens. End your day at Tokyo Tower where you'll have access to the viewing deck and see the city spread out below you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Meiji Jingu Shrine
- Explore Tokyo Ramen Street with dining at one of 8 neighboring shops
- Visit Imperial Palace and Imperial East Gardens
- Tokyo Tower viewing deck access
Landmarks Meiji Jingu Shrine Tokyo Ramen Street Imperial Palace Tokyo Tower - Day 3
Tokyo
Begin at Senso-Ji, Tokyo's oldest temple that's been standing for over fourteen centuries. You'll join an Asakusa street food tour sampling takoyaki, yakisoba, monjayaki, and taiyaki as you walk through the neighborhood. Later, take a scenic one-hour water bus cruise along the Sumida River with views of Tokyo Sky Tree and the Rainbow Bridge. Finish the evening with a walk at Odaiba Seaside Park and ride the Yurikamome automated transit across the Rainbow Bridge.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Senso-Ji Temple
- Asakusa street food tour with local specialties
- Sumida River Cruise (Asakusa to Odaiba or vice versa)
- Stroll at Odaiba Seaside Park
- Yurikamome automated transit ride
Landmarks Senso-Ji Temple Tokyo Sky Tree Tsukiji Bridge Rainbow Bridge Odaiba Seaside Park - Day 4
Tokyo to Fuji Area
Head to the Fuji region and explore West Lake Village, where you'll see traditional thick-thatched roof cottages with Mount Fuji visible in the distance. Stop at Oishi Park on Lake Kawaguchiko's shore to see the seasonal flowers and Mt. Fuji reflections in the water. End the day at Narusawa Hyoketsu Ice Cave, a two-tunnel cave formed over 1150 years ago from Mount Fuji's lava flow.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit West Lake Village with traditional gassho-zukuri cottages
- Visit Oishi Park with seasonal flowers and Mt. Fuji views
- Explore Narusawa Hyoketsu Ice Cave
Landmarks West Lake Village Lake Kawaguchiko Oishi Park Mount Fuji Narusawa Hyoketsu Ice Cave - Day 5
Fuji Area to Nagano
Visit Matsumoto Castle, one of Japan's original castles with its distinctive black exterior and elegant design. Make your way to Lake Suwa, Nagano's largest lake, where you can see cherry blossoms in spring or fireworks in summer depending on when you visit. Wrap up at Suwa Taisha, one of Japan's oldest shrines located at the country'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 6
Nagano to Kanazawa
Travel to Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some over 250 years old. Spend time walking through the village and learning about its cultural heritage and mountain surroundings. Later, head to Takayama Jinya, a former government office from the Edo period that now works as a museum showing what historical governance was like.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Shirakawa-go UNESCO World Heritage Site with gassho-zukuri farmhouses
- Visit Takayama Jinya museum
Landmarks Shirakawa-go Takayama Jinya 
- Day 7
Kanazawa
Explore Kanazawa's cultural side by visiting the Nagamachi Samurai District, Kenrokuen Garden, Higashi Chaya District, and the Geisha District. You'll discover local craftsmanship like Kutani pottery, Kanazawa lacquerware, and hand-painted Kaga Yuzen silk. Stop at Kanazawa Shrine to see how traditional arts blend with modern elements in the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Nagamachi Samurai District
- Visit Kenrokuen Garden
- Visit Higashi Chaya District
- Visit Geisha District
- Visit Kanazawa Shrine with tour of traditional arts
Landmarks Nagamachi Samurai District Kenrokuen Garden Higashi Chaya District Kanazawa Shrine 
- Day 8
Kanazawa to Kyoto
A driver picks you up for a private transfer to Kanazawa Station. Then you'll board the Shinkansen bullet train for a 2 hour 26 minute journey to Kyoto. When you arrive, check in at your hotel, which is conveniently positioned near the station.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 9
Kyoto
Start at Kodai-Ji Temple in Higashiyama District, built in 1606 to honor Toyotomi Hideyoshi. You'll see the ornate interiors and peaceful Zen gardens. Walk along Nene no Michi, a traditional street that keeps Kyoto's historical feel with old-style architecture and no commercial signs. Visit Yasaka Shrine, known for hosting the famous annual Gion Matsuri festival. Later, head to the Hanamikoji Geisha District for a chance to see geisha in the evening. Finish with a one-hour show at Gion Corner featuring seven traditional Japanese performing arts.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Kodai-Ji Temple
- Walk along Nene no Michi
- Visit Yasaka Shrine
- Evening stroll through Hanamikoji Geisha District
- Gion Corner theater performance with traditional Japanese arts
Optional Activities
- Digital tablet rental at Gion Corner for detailed information and translations
Landmarks Kodai-Ji Temple Higashiyama District Nene no Michi Yasaka Shrine Hanamikoji Geisha District Gion Corner - Day 10
Kyoto
Start at Higashi Honganji Temple, built in 1602 with the Goeido, one of the world's largest wooden structures inside. Head to Sanjusangendo temple, which has 1001 statues of Kannon and features a wooden 1000-armed Kannon statue. Browse through Nishiki Market, a five-block shopping area called 'Kyoto's Kitchen' with over 100 shops selling seafood, produce, crafts, and regional specialties. End the day with a traditional kimono fitting and tea ceremony led by an expert tea master.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Higashi Honganji Temple with Goeido and Amidado Hall
- Visit Sanjusangendo (Rengeo-in) temple
- Explore Nishiki Market
- Traditional Kimono and Tea Ceremony with expert guidance
Landmarks Higashi Honganji Temple Sanjusangendo Nishiki Market - Day 11
Kyoto to Okayama
Spend your day at Himeji Castle, known as the White Heron Castle for its white appearance. It's Japan's most well-preserved castle and a UNESCO World Heritage site. This castle is special because it survived wars, earthquakes, and fires that destroyed many other Japanese castles.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Himeji Castle
Landmarks Himeji Castle - Day 12
Okayama to Hiroshima
Visit Okayama Castle, nicknamed the 'crow castle' because of its black exterior. It was rebuilt in 1966 after World War II damage, though the original moon viewing tower still stands. Take a walk along the Asahi River moat, which is particularly nice during cherry blossom season. Then explore Korakuen, one of Japan's Three Great Gardens. After that, drive to Hiroshima to see the Atomic Bomb Dome, the last remaining structure from the original city. Finish with a walk around Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park, which covers over 120,000 square meters.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Okayama Castle
- Explore Korakuen Garden
- Visit Atomic Bomb Dome
- Stroll Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
Landmarks Okayama Castle Korakuen Atomic Bomb Dome Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park 
- Day 13
Hiroshima to Iwakuni
Visit Itsukushima (Miyajima), an island with forests, temples, and wild deer roaming around. The main attraction is Itsukushima Shrine and its iconic torii gate that looks like it's floating in the water when the tide comes in. From there, travel to Iwakuni to cross the Kintai Bridge, a historic wooden arch bridge built in 1673 with five enormous wooden arches spanning the Nishiki River at the base of Mt. Yokotama.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Itsukushima (Miyajima) Island
- Visit Itsukushima Shrine with iconic torii gate
- Visit Kintai Bridge
Landmarks Itsukushima Itsukushima Shrine Kintai Bridge Mt. Yokotama - Day 14
Iwakuni to Okayama
Check out Shukkeien Garden, a 'shrunken-scenery garden' with tiny versions of valleys, mountains, and forests. Walk through Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter along the Kurashiki River where you'll see white-walled buildings and riverside willows. Notable spots include the red-bricked Ivy Square, Kurashiki Museum of Folkcraft, and traditional boat tours. You can try on a kimono or yukata if you'd like. Finish at the Ohara Museum of Art, Japan's first Western art museum, with works by Picasso, El Greco, Gauguin, and others.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Shukkeien Garden
- Explore Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter
- Visit Ohara Museum of Art
Optional Activities
- Traditional boat tour of Kurashiki Canal
- Try on kimono or yukata
Landmarks Shukkeien Garden Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter Kurashiki River Kurashiki Ivy Square Kurashiki Museum of Folkcraft Ohara Museum of Art 
- Day 15
Okayama to Osaka
With an English-speaking guide and your own vehicle, visit the Umeda Sky Building, completed in 1993 with unique observation decks. Check out Osaka Castle Park to see the castle and learn about shogunate history. Spend the afternoon in retro Shinsekai, designed to look like Paris and Coney Island, where you can see the Tsutenkaku Tower with its open-air deck and 60-meter slide.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Umeda Sky Building observation deck
- Visit Osaka Castle Park
- Explore Shinsekai district
- Visit Tsutenkaku Tower
Optional Activities
- Tsutenkaku Tower open-air deck access
- Tsutenkaku Tower 60-meter slide
Landmarks Umeda Sky Building Osaka Castle Park Tsutenkaku Tower Shinsekai - Day 16
Osaka Free Day
This day is free for you to explore Osaka on your own. You might visit Kuromon Market for fresh food and local products, check out Osaka Castle Park again, shop and eat in Dotonbori, browse Shinsaibashi, or ride the Hep Five Ferris Wheel if you haven't already.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Kuromon Market
- Visit Osaka Castle Park
- Explore Dotonbori
- Shop at Shinsaibashi
- Ride Hep Five Ferris Wheel
- Day 17
Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trek Day 1
Meet your guide in the hotel lobby at 7 AM. Board a reserved train seat from Shin-Osaka to Kii-Tanabe Station, arriving at 9:58 AM. You'll transfer to the Kurisu River and begin your pilgrimage trek with a free meal at Plateau Kiri no Sato around noon. Trek through several areas including Prince Daimon, Prince Tojo, Former Prince Osaka, and the Gyuba-doji Mouth areas. Reach Yunomine Onsen by evening where dinner waits at your accommodation.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Free meal at Plateau Kiri no Sato), Dinner (Included dinner at Yunomine Onsen Hotel)
Included Activities
- Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trek Day 1 segments: Kurisugawa to Kumano Shrine plateau to Prince Daimon to Prince Tojo to Former Prince Osaka to Gyuba-doji Mouth
Landmarks Kumano Kodo Kii-Tanabe Station 
- Day 18
Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trek Day 2
After breakfast at your hotel, meet your guide in the lobby at 7:40 AM. Transfer to the Hosshinmon Prince trailhead, arriving at 8:50 AM. Trek through Prince Hosshinmon, Prince Mizunomi, Prince of worship, Sangenjaya style areas, and finish at Hongu Taisha. Rest and walk around the main shrine starting at 11:30 AM. Grab lunch on your own, then leave Hongu Taisha at 12:40 PM. You'll reach Kii-Tanabe Station at 2:48 PM where your guide's services end. Depart on the 3:31 PM train back to Shin-Osaka Station, arriving at 5:50 PM.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at hotel), Lunch (Free meal (lunch))
Included Activities
- Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trek Day 2 segments: Hosshinmon Prince to Mizunomi Prince to Prince of worship through Sangenjaya style to Hongu Taisha
Landmarks Hongu Taisha - Day 19
Osaka Free Day
Another free day in Osaka. Use the time however you'd like to explore the city or rest up before your final day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 20
Departure from Osaka
It's your last day in Japan. Your driver will arrive to transfer you to Kansai International Airport (KIX) for your departing flight home.
