Itinerary
- Day 1
Tokyo
You'll arrive in Tokyo today. An optional airport transfer can get you to your hotel if you'd like, or you can arrange your own way there. After checking in, you have the evening to settle in and get oriented to Japan's capital.
Optional Activities
- Airport transfer
- Day 2
Tokyo
Start with a walking tour near Tokyo Station, taking in the Imperial Palace Gardens and Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa. From there, you'll head to Meiji Jingu Shrine, then move through Harajuku district and catch the famous Shibuya Crossing. Lunch is free, so you can grab something wherever you'd like during the day.
Included Activities
- Walking tour near Tokyo Station
- Imperial Palace Gardens visit
- Senso-ji Temple visit
- Meiji Jingu Shrine visit
- Harajuku district exploration
- Shibuya Crossing viewing
Landmarks/POIs Imperial Palace Gardens Nijubashi Bridge Nakamise-dori Street Senso-ji Temple Meiji Jingu Shrine Harajuku Shibuya Crossing - Day 3
Tokyo
Drive out to Oishi Park for views of Lake Kawaguchi and Mount Fuji. You'll see the Chureito Pagoda at Arakurayama and check out Oshino Hakkai's crystal-clear ponds. Later you'll go up to the 5th Station for mountain views across the landscape. Lunch is on your own, and there's time for souvenir shopping in Fujiyoshida.
Included Activities
- Oishi Park visit
- Lake Kawaguchi and Mount Fuji viewing
- Arakurayama visit
- Chureito Pagoda visit
- Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine visit
- Oshino Hakkai exploration
- 5th Station visit
Landmarks/POIs Oishi Park Lake Kawaguchi Mount Fuji Chureito Pagoda Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine Oshino Hakkai Mount Fuji 5th Station - Day 4
Nikko
Start your day in Nikko with a guided tour through Nikko Toshogu Shrine, where you'll see the famous Three Wise Monkeys carving. After that, you'll drive the Irohazaka Winding Road, which has about 20 hairpin turns as it climbs the mountain, so expect some switchbacks but great views. Later, head to Kegon Falls, one of Japan's three best waterfalls, where you can see water drop 318 feet into a misty gorge. Spend some time walking around Lake Chuzenji for a quieter moment, then make your way back to Tokyo for the evening.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Nikko Toshogu Shrine including the Three Wise Monkeys
- Visit Kegon Falls
- Drive through Irohazaka Winding Road
- Walk around Lake Chuzenji
Landmarks/POIs Nikko Toshogu Shrine Kegon Falls Irohazaka Winding Road Lake Chuzenji - Day 5
Tokyo
This is your free day in Tokyo. You can walk through local shrines, check out markets, or go to museums based on what interests you. It's a good chance to go at your own pace and find those spots you really want to see.
Optional Activities
- Local shrines exploration
- Local markets exploration
- Museums exploration
- Day 6
Tokyo
Focus on Tokyo's food scene today. You'll go to Tsukiji Hongwan-ji Temple to observe purification rituals, then join a food tour through the Tsukiji Outer Market where vendors have traditional seafood and meat to try. End your day at Namiyoke Shrine, which is a guardian site for merchants in the area.
- Meals
- Lunch (Tsukiji Market food tour with 4-5 traditional food tastings including seafood and savory meat)
Included Activities
- Tsukiji Hongwan-ji Temple visit and purification ritual observation
- Tsukiji Outer Market food tour
- Traditional food tastings (4-5 tastings)
- Namiyoke Shrine visit
Landmarks/POIs Tsukiji Hongwan-ji Temple Tsukiji Outer Market Namiyoke Shrine - Day 7
Tokyo to Kyoto
Take the bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto. Once there, walk through the historic Gion geisha district, checking out Pontocho Alley and Hanamikoji Street to see traditional tea houses and architecture. Stop at Yasaka Shrine and learn about the Statue of Izumo-no-Okuni and kabuki's origins.
Included Activities
- Bullet Train from Tokyo to Kyoto
- Pontocho Alley exploration
- Statue of Izumo-no-Okuni viewing
- Gion geisha district exploration
- Yasaka Shrine visit
- Hanamikoji Street exploration
Landmarks/POIs Pontocho Alley Gion Yasaka Shrine Hanamikoji Street - Day 8
Nara - Kyoto
Drive to the Golden Pavilion at Kinkaku-ji Temple, then walk through the serene Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine with its many red torii gates (lunch is free during the day). Later, travel to Nara to see Todai-ji Temple and the Great Buddha, then spend time in Nara Park with the friendly Sika deer. Return to Kyoto for the night.
Included Activities
- Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji Temple) visit
- Arashiyama Bamboo Forest exploration
- Fushimi Inari Shrine visit
- Red torii gates viewing
- Todai-ji Temple visit
- Great Buddha viewing
- Nara Park exploration
Landmarks/POIs Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji Temple) Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Fushimi Inari Shrine Todai-ji Temple Great Buddha Nara Park - Day 9
Kyoto to Osaka
Take the train to Osaka and dive into the city's food culture. You'll stop at several local eateries to try traditional dishes, and complimentary drinks come with the tour. Head back to your hotel in Osaka for the evening.
- Meals
- Lunch (Osaka food tour with multiple local eateries serving authentic cuisine and complimentary drinks)
Included Activities
- Train from Kyoto to Osaka
- Osaka food culture learning
- Local eateries sampling
- Traditional cuisine tasting with complimentary drinks
- Day 10
Osaka
Explore Osaka's entertainment district in Namba and Dotonbori, then see the historic Hozenji Temple from the 17th century. Browse the vibrant Kuromon Ichiba Market and walk through the diverse neighborhoods of Shinsekai. Visit Osaka Castle and shop in the famous Shinsaibashi and Nipponbashi districts.
Included Activities
- Namba and Dotonbori entertainment district exploration
- Hozenji Temple visit
- Kuromon Ichiba Market exploration
- Shinsekai neighborhoods discovery
- Osaka Castle viewing
- Shinsaibashi shopping district exploration
- Nipponbashi exploration
Landmarks/POIs Namba Dotonbori Hozenji Temple Kuromon Ichiba Market Shinsekai Osaka Castle Shinsaibashi Nipponbashi - Day 11
Departure
Your time in Osaka ends today as you depart. Optional transfers are available to Kansai Airport (KIX) or to Tokyo city center if you need help arranging your onward travel.
Optional Activities
- Transfer to Kansai Airport (KIX)
- Transfer to Tokyo city center
