Itinerary
- Day 1
Flight to Osaka
You'll head out on an international flight to Osaka with options like Turkish Airlines, Emirates, or Cathay Pacific. Economy class covers your seat, and airport taxes plus fees are already included in the ticket.
- Day 2
Osaka to Kyoto
Your tour guide meets you at Osaka airport and you'll take the airport express train to Kyoto. Once there, spend the afternoon walking through Kyoto's architecture around the main station area and checking out the food stalls and shops along Nishiki-dori market street. It's a good way to get your bearings and grab some food after traveling.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Walk to Kyoto's architecturally interesting main station
- Stroll through market street Nishiki-dori and explore Japanese cuisine
Landmarks Kyoto Station Nishiki-dori 
- Day 3
Kyoto
After getting your travel documents and briefing from the guide, you'll explore some of Kyoto's major temples and shrines. Start with the famous bamboo forest and Tenryuji Zen temple, then head to Nijo Residence to see the unique nightingale floor that creaks when you walk on it. Later, finish at the Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji). In the evening, meet the other travelers over dinner and learn more about how Japanese food works.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Typical Japanese Izakaya restaurant)
Included Activities
- Train ride from Kyoto Central Station to Arashiyama
- Cross the famous bamboo forest in Arashiyama
- Extensive visit to Zen temple Tenryuji (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Train travel to Nijo Residence
- Visit to Nijo Residence (only surviving palace of the Tokugawa shoguns)
- Cab transfer to Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion)
- Visit to Kinkakuji Temple
Optional Activities
- Walk in Kyoto city center after visiting temples
Landmarks Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Tenryuji Temple Nijo Residence Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion) Kyoto Central Station 
- Day 4
Kyoto
Today you can explore Kyoto on your own schedule. Consider checking out Fushimi-Inari Shrine with its rows of shrine gates, the Zen temple Tofuku-ji, or Sanjusangendo temple with its 1,001 wooden Kannon statues. If you want another way to get around, you can rent a bicycle (around 1,000-1,500 JPY per day) and cycle through the city at your own pace instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Fushimi-Inari Shrine with shrine gate galleries
- Visit Zen temple Tofuku-ji
- Lunch break at Kyoto Central Station
- Visit Sanjusangendo temple with 1,001 wooden Kannon statues
- Visit Heian Shrine with gardens
- Visit Yasaka district temples
- Visit Eikando Temple
- Visit Kiyomizu Temple with imposing terrace
- Cycling through Kyoto (bikes available for around JPY 1,000 - 1,500 daily fee)
Landmarks Fushimi-Inari Shrine Tofuku-ji Temple Sanjusangendo Temple Heian Shrine Eikando Temple Kiyomizu Temple Kyoto Central Station - Day 5
Kyoto
You have choices for another day in the Kyoto area. One option is taking a trip to Osaka to see the castle, aquarium, and shopping areas. Your other choice is heading to Nara for a day to see older Japanese sites like Horyu Temple (founded in 607), the massive bronze Buddha at Todaji Temple, and the thousands of lanterns at Kasuga Shrine.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Day excursion to Osaka
- Visit Osaka Castle
- Visit Osaka aquarium
- Browse Umeda, Namba and Shinsaibashi shopping and entertainment districts
- Day trip to Nara
- Visit Horyu Temple
- Walk through Nara Park and observe tame red deer
- Visit Daibutsu (largest bronze Buddha statue) at Todaji Temple
- Walk to Kasuga Shrine through thousands of stone and bronze lanterns
Landmarks Osaka Castle Horyu Temple Nara Park Todaji Temple Kasuga Shrine - Day 6
Kyoto to Hiroshima
You'll travel on Japan's Shinkansen super express train with your seat already reserved. Stop in Himeji to visit the 'White Heron Castle' which is about a 20-minute walk from the station, then continue on to Hiroshima. Once you arrive in the evening, try okonomiyaki at one of the local restaurants. It's a savory Japanese dish that works like a pizza alternative.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Shinkansen super express train from Kyoto to Himeji
- Visit Himeji Castle (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Shinkansen super express train from Himeji to Hiroshima
- Transfer to hotel by cab or streetcar
Optional Activities
- Evening dining at okonomiyaki restaurants to try local specialty
Landmarks Himeji Castle - Day 7
Hiroshima
In Hiroshima, you'll learn about the city's history after August 6, 1945. You have the option to visit the Peace Museum and walk through Peace Park to see the Atomic Bomb Dome. Alternatively, you could take an optional trip to Miyajima island to see the famous red gate of Itsukushima Shrine. The gate appears to float in the water at high tide, which is pretty special.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Peace Museum
- Walk through Peace Park
- Visit Atomic Bomb Dome
- Excursion to Miyajima island
- Regional train and JR ferry to Miyajima
- Visit Itsukushima Shrine and see the famous red gate
Landmarks Peace Memorial Park Atomic Bomb Dome Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum Itsukushima Shrine - Day 8
Hiroshima to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park
The Shinkansen takes you from Hiroshima through Osaka to Shin-Fuji. Your guide meets you and takes you on a bus tour through the Five Lakes region around Mount Fuji (3,776m). On clear days you'll see good views of the volcano from your hotel. Remember to pack only light hand luggage since your main bags travel separately to Tokyo and arrive on day 10.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Shinkansen Super Express train from Hiroshima to Shin-Fuji
- Bus tour through Five Lakes region around Mount Fuji
Landmarks Mount Fuji Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park - Day 9
Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park to Tokyo
After visiting Arakura Sengen Shrine and the Chureito Pagoda for Mount Fuji views (weather depending), you'll head to Kamakura by train. There you'll see the Great Buddha and Hasedera Temple with thousands of Jizo statues. Later you'll arrive in Tokyo where your guide gives you a briefing about what comes next in your trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Coach transport to Arakura Sengen Shrine
- Visit Chureito Pagoda
- Coach transport to Kamakura
- Visit Great Buddha in Kamakura
- Visit Hasedera Temple with thousands of Jizo patron saints
- Coach transport to Tokyo hotel
- Briefing for remaining days in Japan
Landmarks Arakura Sengen Shrine Chureito Pagoda Great Buddha (Daibutsu) Hasedera Temple - Day 10
Tokyo
Tokyo has different neighborhoods to check out and the metro makes it easy to get around. You might visit the Roppongi Hills Mori Tower for 360-degree views, the peaceful Meiji Shrine with its large park, take a boat to the art-focused island of Odaiba, or go up Tokyo Sky Tree (634m tall). Other options include the busy Asakusa district with its Kannon Temple and the upscale shopping in Ginza.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Roppongi Hills Mori Tower observation deck (238 metres high)
- Visit Meiji Shrine set in a spacious park
- Boat trip to Odaiba island
- Visit Tokyo's city beach
- Visit Tokyo Sky Tree (634 m tall, world's third tallest building)
- Visit Kannon Temple in Asakusa
- Walk along Nakamise-dori shopping street
- Pass through Thunder Gate with 750 kg lantern
- Stroll through upscale Ginza district
Landmarks Roppongi Hills Mori Tower Meiji Shrine Odaiba Tokyo Sky Tree Kannon Temple (Sensoji Temple) Nakamise-dori Ginza District - Day 11
Tokyo
You can use Japan's train system for another day trip or keep exploring Tokyo on your own. One option is heading to Nikko, about 120 km north, where there's an extensive shrine and temple area with UNESCO World Heritage sites. The Taiyuin Temple and wood carvings at Toshogu Shrine (made in the 17th century) are worth seeing. Trains and the Shinkansen get you back to Tokyo by late afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Day trip to Nikko by train
- Visit Nikko National Park
- Visit Taiyuin Temple
- Visit Toshogu Shrine and view wood carvings
- Explore extensive shrine and temple district (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Landmarks Nikko National Park Taiyuin Temple Toshogu Shrine - Day 12
Tokyo
On your last day you could visit Rikugien, one of Tokyo's beautiful landscape gardens, or walk through Ueno Park if the cherry blossoms are out. The Tokyo National Museum shows Japanese cultural history across different periods and styles. In the evening, experience Tokyo's nightlife in areas like Roppongi and Shibuya before heading to Haneda Airport for your flight back home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Rikugien landscape garden
- Walk through Ueno Park
- Observe hanami (cherry blossom viewing)
- Visit Tokyo National Museum
- Explore Roppongi and Shibuya nightlife districts
Landmarks Rikugien Garden Ueno Park Tokyo National Museum Roppongi District Shibuya District - Day 13
Arrival in Germany
After your time in Tokyo, you'll board your return flight and land in Germany, completing the journey back home.
