Itinerary
- Day 1
Flight to Osaka
Your journey to Japan starts with a flight from Germany on Emirates, Qatar Airways, or another major carrier heading to Osaka. You'll spend most of the day traveling, so pack your entertainment and settle in for the long flight ahead.
- Day 2
Osaka to Kyoto
After landing in Osaka, you'll take the train or bus to Kyoto with your German-speaking tour guide. Once you settle into your hotel, the rest of the day is yours to explore the city and get your bearings at your own pace.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Walk through Kyoto to gather first impressions
- Day 3
Kyoto
This morning you're heading out to see Kyoto's cultural landmarks using public transport like a local. Start at the Golden Pavilion at Kinkakuji Temple, then move on to traditional textile production at Orinasukan in Nishijin. Walk through Gosho Imperial Palace and its gardens, and wrap up your afternoon at the lively Nishiki market for dinner and browsing.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji Temple)
- Tour of traditional textile production at Orinasukan weaving mill in Nishijin district
- Walk through Gosho Imperial Palace and gardens
- Visit Nishiki market
Landmarks Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion) Orinasukan Weaving Mill Nishijin District Gosho Imperial Palace Nishiki Market 
- Day 4
Kyoto
You can explore Kyoto on your own today or join an optional excursion to Nara and Wazuka. If you go, you'll see the Great Buddha at Todaiji Temple and Kofukuji Temple, spend time with the sacred sika deer, check out tea plantations in Wazuka, then end at scenic Gion district. This is your last night in Kyoto.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Optional day trip to Nara and Wazuka: Visit Todaiji Temple and Great Buddha Hall (world's largest wooden building)
- Visit Kofukuji Temple with restored Golden Hall and 5-storey pagoda
- Interact with tame sika deer roaming Nara
- Visit tea plantations in Wazuka hills with tea cultivation introduction and tasting
- Visit Fushimi-Inari Shrine with thousands of red torii gates and fox statues
- Walk through Gion district in the evening
Landmarks Todaiji Temple Kofukuji Temple Fushimi-Inari Shrine Gion District Wazuka Tea Plantations - Day 5
Kyoto to Kanazawa
Travel from Kyoto toward Kanazawa, stopping in the historic town of Omihachiman along the way. You'll visit a Buddhist shrine for views of Lake Biwa, walk through the canal lined with preserved merchants' houses, and see local revitalization efforts. By evening you'll arrive in Kanazawa and check out the impressive station building.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Buddhist shrine in Omihachiman with views of Lake Biwa
- Walk along picturesque old town canal with preserved 18th/19th century merchants' houses
- Visit revitalization projects in Omihachiman
Optional Activities
- Explore Kanazawa highlights if arriving early
Landmarks Omihachiman Lake Biwa Kanazawa Central Station 
- Day 6
Kanazawa to Nagano
Start your Kanazawa day at Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan's three most beautiful landscape gardens. Then you'll make your own Japanese sweets in a traditional wagashi workshop, tour the Nomura Samurai Villa, and stroll through the Higashi-Chaya geisha district. After browsing Omicho market, you'll board the Shinkansen Super Express to Nagano and visit the illuminated Zenkoji Temple in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Kenrokuen Garden
- Participate in public wagashi (Japanese sweets) workshop with local experts
- Tour Nomura Samurai Villa
- Stroll through Higashi-Chaya geisha district
- Walk through Omicho market
- Visit Zenkoji pilgrimage temple (main shrine) in the evening
Landmarks Kenrokuen Garden Nomura Samurai Villa Higashi-Chaya District Omicho Market Zenkoji Temple 
- Day 7
Nagano to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park
Today you're traveling past the Japanese Alps with a stop in Matsumoto. Visit Matsumoto Castle to experience samurai history, then head into alpine forests to reach Jigokudani Monkey Park where Japanese macaques soak in hot springs. Later you'll discover Lake Kawaguchi and might spot Mount Fuji in the distance. Tonight you'll stay at a hotel with its own onsen.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Matsumoto Castle
- Visit Jigokudani Monkey Park with wild Japanese macaques
- Experience Lake Kawaguchi with possible Mount Fuji-san views
Landmarks Matsumoto Castle Jigokudani Monkey Park Lake Kawaguchi Mount Fuji-san 
- Day 8
Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park to Tokyo
Start with the Fuji World Heritage Center to learn about the active volcano's geology and history, then visit the UNESCO World Heritage Fuji-Hongu-Sengen Shrine. Stop at scenic Shiraito waterfalls before heading to Tokyo. Check into your hotel in the Asakusa district and settle in for your final leg.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Fuji World Heritage Center
- Visit Fuji-Hongu-Sengen Shrine (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Photo stop at Shiraito waterfalls
Landmarks Fuji World Heritage Center Fuji-Hongu-Sengen Shrine Shiraito Waterfalls 
- Day 9
Tokyo
You have flexibility today in Tokyo or can join an optional day trip to Nikko's UNESCO World Heritage Sites. If you go to Nikko, you'll see the magnificent Toshogu Shrine with gold-plated buildings and Rinnoji Temple with its three large cult images. Back in Tokyo for the evening, there's an option to enjoy a traditional Japanese dinner with a geisha visit.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Optional day trip to Nikko: Visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Toshogu Shrine and Rinnoji Temple (approximately 4-5 hours travel, 300 km)
- Optional evening: Traditional Japanese dinner with geisha visit
Landmarks Toshogu Shrine Rinnoji Temple 
- Day 10
Tokyo to Germany
Spend today exploring Tokyo on your own schedule. Consider the Meiji Shrine in its wooded park, the famous Shibuya intersection, or the historic Asakusa pilgrimage district with Sensoji Temple. Your guide can offer insider tips if you want them. Later, you'll take the train to Tokyo airport for your flight back to Germany.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Meiji Shrine in wooded park
- Explore Shibuya district and world's busiest intersection
- Visit Asakusa pilgrimage district with Sensoji Temple and Nakamisedori street
Landmarks Meiji Shrine Shibuya Crossing Sensoji Temple Nakamisedori Street - Day 11
Arrival in Germany
You land back in Germany, ending your two-week journey through Japan with memories of temples, mountains, hot springs, and city life.
