Itinerary
- Day 1
Tokyo
You'll arrive in Tokyo and head to Hotel East 21 Tokyo on your own. The rest of the day is yours to wander around the city at whatever pace feels right, getting a feel for the energy and layout of this massive metropolis.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Explore Tokyo independently
- Day 2
Tokyo
Today you'll see Tokyo's contrasts by visiting Meiji Shrine, then heading to the modern Mori Tower with its observation deck offering city views. Stop by the Imperial Palace for photos, then move through the upscale Ginza district. After that, walk through traditional Asakusa to see Kannon Temple, and later stroll along the Sumida River where you can see Tokyo Skytree from the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Meiji Shrine
- Observation deck at Mori Tower with panoramic view of Tokyo
- Photo stop at Imperial Palace on Nijubashi Bridge
- Explore Ginza district
- Visit Kannon Temple in Asakusa
- Walk along Nakamise-dori to Thunder Gate
- Walk along Sumida River with views of Tokyo Skytree
Landmarks Meiji Shrine Mori Tower Imperial Palace Nijubashi Bridge Ginza district Kannon Temple Nakamise-dori Thunder Gate Tokyo Skytree Sumida River - Day 3
Tokyo
You have the day free to do as you like around Tokyo, or you can join an optional coach trip to Nikko. That excursion includes the UNESCO World Heritage shrine and temple area with Toshogu Shrine known for its wood carvings and Rinnoji Temple. If it's cherry blossom season, consider checking out hanami in the evening at Sumida Park or Ueno Park instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Coach excursion to Nikko including Toshogu Shrine, Rinnoji Temple, and Nikko National Park
- Explore Tokyo independently
- Cherry blossom viewing at Sumida Park or Ueno Park (seasonal - cherry blossom season)
Landmarks Toshogu Shrine Rinnoji Temple Nikko National Park Sumida Park Ueno Park 
- Day 4
Fuji-Hakone-Izu
By bus you'll travel to Kamakura on the Pacific coast, the first shogunate's seat. You'll see Hasedera Temple with its thousands of Jizo statues and the Great Buddha. Then through bamboo forests and rice fields to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park for a scenic boat tour with views of Mount Fuji and the Hakone mountains. End the day soaking in a traditional onsen at your hotel. Pack light luggage since your main bags go ahead to Hiroshima.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Included Activities
- Bus ride to Kamakura (approximately one hour)
- Visit Hasedera Temple
- View the Great Buddha
- Boat tour through Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park
- Onsen (hot spring bath) at hotel
Landmarks Hasedera Temple Great Buddha Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park Mount Fuji-san Hakone Mountains - Day 5
Himeji - Hiroshima
Head by bus to Mishima, then board the Shinkansen super express to Himeji, nearly 525 kilometers in less than 3 hours. Your coach meets you at the station. You'll check out White Heron Castle, Japan's largest and most beautiful castle after its recent restoration. From there, continue to Hiroshima for the evening. Try okonomiyaki at a local restaurant if you'd like.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Included Activities
- Bus transfer to Mishima
- Shinkansen super express train from Mishima to Himeji (reserved seats, 2nd class)
- Visit White Heron Castle (Himeji Castle)
Optional Activities
- Dine at okonomiyaki restaurants in Hiroshima
Landmarks White Heron Castle 
- Day 6
Miyajima
Start in Hiroshima exploring Japan's wartime history at the memorials and Peace Park, including the Atomic Bomb Dome, then visit the Peace Museum. Later, take a bus and ferry to Miyajima, the sacred island in the Inland Sea. At high tide you'll see the famous red gate of Itsukushima Shrine, one of Japan's most beautiful Shinto sites. You'll return to Hiroshima by early evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit memorials in Hiroshima
- Walk through Peace Park
- Visit Atomic Bomb Dome
- Visit Peace Museum
- Bus and ferry transfer to Miyajima
- Visit Itsukushima Shrine
Landmarks Peace Park Atomic Bomb Dome Peace Museum Itsukushima Shrine Miyajima - Day 7
Kyoto
Travel to Nara, Japan's first capital back in the 8th century and cradle of its culture. Walk through Nara Park and see the free-roaming deer. You'll visit the Daibutsu, the world's largest bronze Buddha statue, inside the Great Buddha Hall at Todaiji Temple. Check out the 42-meter-high pagoda at Kofukuji Temple and the rebuilt Golden Hall. Arrive at your Kyoto hotel in the late afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walk through Nara Park
- Observe free-roaming deer
- Visit Daibutsu (Great Buddha) at Todaiji Temple
- Visit Kofukuji Temple and its 42-metre-high pagoda
- Visit Golden Hall
Landmarks Nara Park Todaiji Temple Daibutsu Kofukuji Temple 
- Day 8
Kyoto
In Kyoto, you'll walk through the famous bamboo grove of Arashiyama and explore Tenryuji Zen Temple with its gardens. See the Golden Pavilion at Kinkakuji and Nijo Castle. Spend the afternoon shopping on Shijo and Kawaramachi streets, then browse the traditional Nishiki-dori market. If interested, visit an illuminated temple garden in the evening (spring and autumn only).
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walk through Arashiyama bamboo grove
- Visit Tenryuji Zen Temple
- Visit Kinkakuji Temple and Golden Pavilion
- Visit Nijo Castle
- Explore Shijo shopping streets
- Explore Kawaramachi shopping streets
- Visit Nishiki-dori market street
Optional Activities
- Evening visit to artistically illuminated temple garden (spring: mid-March to end of April, fall: October/November)
Landmarks Arashiyama bamboo grove Tenryuji Temple Kinkakuji Temple Golden Pavilion Nijo Castle Shijo Kawaramachi Nishiki-dori 
- Day 9
Kyoto
You can spend the day exploring Kyoto on your own, or join an optional guided tour. The tour goes to Silver Pavilion and the Philosophers' Walk where cherry blossoms appear seasonally. You'll continue to Heian Shrine and Nanzenji Temple with its famous rock garden reflecting Zen Buddhism. Visit the shrine gate galleries at Fushimi-Inari and see the 1,001 wooden Buddhist statues in Sanjusangendo temple. Optional evening includes geisha dances and shabushabu dining.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Guided Kyoto excursion including Silver Pavilion (Ginkakuji), Philosophers' Walk, Heian Shrine, Nanzenji Temple, Fushimi-Inari Shrine, and Sanjusangendo temple hall
- Japanese evening with geisha dances and shabushabu food
- Explore Kyoto independently
Landmarks Silver Pavilion Philosophers' Walk Heian Shrine Nanzenji Temple Fushimi-Inari Shrine Sanjusangendo - Day 10
Departure
Arrange your own transport to the airport and depart, taking your memories of Japan with you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Transfer to airport
