Itinerary
- Day 1
Germany to Osaka
Tonight you'll board your overnight flight from Germany to Osaka. You can choose between Emirates, Qatar, or Turkish Airlines for your departure. This gives you the evening to finalize any last-minute preparations before heading to the airport.
- Day 2
Osaka to Kyoto
You'll land in Osaka and connect with your German-speaking tour guide. From there, you'll take public transport, either a train or bus, to get to your hotel in Kyoto. The rest of the day is yours to settle in and get a feel for Japan without any scheduled activities.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Leisurely walk around Kyoto to explore the city
- Day 3
Kyoto
Today you'll explore Kyoto by bike, starting at Kinkakuji, the golden temple covered in over 20 kilos of gold leaf. You'll cycle through the Nishijin weaving district, check out the city garden, and visit the rebuilt Gosho Imperial Palace with its gardens. Along the route, you'll pass numerous temples and traditional wooden machiya houses, stop at Kiyomizu Temple for views from its wooden terrace, then cycle back to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Bike tour of Kyoto
- Visit Kinkakuji (Golden Temple)
- Explore Orinasukan weaving mill in Nishijin district
- Visit Kyoto city garden
- Visit Gosho Imperial Palace
- Visit Kiyomizu Temple (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Landmarks/POIs Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) Kiyomizu Temple Gosho Imperial Palace - Day 4
Kyoto
This day is open for you to explore Kyoto at your own pace. If you'd prefer a guided experience, there's an optional day trip where you can see sika deer in Nara and visit the tea plantations around Wazuka. It's your choice how to spend the time.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Optional day trip to Nara (sika deer)
- Optional day trip to Wazuka tea plantations (Nikko & Nara/Wazuka excursion package)
- Day 5
Kyoto to Kanazawa
You'll travel from Kyoto toward Kanazawa with a stop in Omihachiman's old town. There's a short walk up to a Buddhist shrine that offers unique views over Lake Biwa, Japan's largest inland lake. You'll stroll past beautifully preserved merchants' houses from the 18th and 19th centuries and see revitalization projects in historic buildings. Later you'll arrive at Kanazawa Central Station and explore the striking post-modern building before heading to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Buddhist shrine in Omihachiman with views of Lake Biwa
- Walk along Omihachiman old town canal
- Explore revitalization projects in Omihachiman
Landmarks/POIs Lake Biwa - Day 6
Kanazawa to Nagano
In Kanazawa, you'll visit Kenrokuen, one of Japan's three most beautiful landscape gardens, then explore the Nomura Samurai Villa to learn about samurai history. You'll walk through the Higashi-Chaya geisha district with its sweets factories and restaurants, and check out the colorful Omicho market. After that, you'll board the Shinkansen Super Express train to Nagano, covering roughly 240 km in about 90 minutes. Once there, you'll visit the illuminated Zenkoji pilgrimage temple before settling into your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Kenrokuen Garden
- Visit Nomura Samurai Villa
- Explore Higashi-Chaya geisha district
- Browse Omicho market
- Visit Zenkoji pilgrimage temple (evening visit)
Landmarks/POIs Kenrokuen Garden Higashi-Chaya District Omicho Market Zenkoji Temple - Day 7
Nagano to Mount Fuji Area
You'll pass through the Japanese Alps with a stop in Matsumoto to see the castle known as 'Crow Castle' for its dark appearance. You'll explore this historic samurai and feudal lord site, then head to Jigokudani Monkey Park to watch Japanese macaques bathing in the wild. By late afternoon, you'll reach Lake Kawaguchi where you might catch a view of Mount Fuji, Japan's 3,776-meter/12,388-foot sacred mountain, weather permitting. Your hotel has its own hot spring onsen.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Matsumoto Castle (Crow Castle)
- Visit Jigokudani Monkey Park
- View Mount Fuji from Lake Kawaguchi
Landmarks/POIs Matsumoto Castle Jigokudani Monkey Park Lake Kawaguchi Mount Fuji - Day 8
Mount Fuji Area to Tokyo
You'll take a bus to the architecturally impressive Fuji World Heritage Center to learn about the active volcano's geology and history and its five lakes. Nearby, you'll visit Fuji-Hongu-Sengen Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the mountain's patron deity has been worshipped for centuries. Next, you'll stop at Shiraito Waterfalls to photograph hundreds of thin waterfalls creating a silvery curtain against black volcanic rock. Then you'll continue to Tokyo and settle into your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Fuji World Heritage Center
- Visit Fuji-Hongu-Sengen Shrine (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Photo stop at Shiraito Waterfalls
Landmarks/POIs Fuji World Heritage Center Fuji-Hongu-Sengen Shrine Shiraito Waterfalls - Day 9
Tokyo
You have the full day to discover Tokyo on your own terms. If you want a guided experience, there's an optional day trip to Nikko available. Otherwise, it's your time to wander and find what interests you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Optional day trip to Nikko
- Day 10
Tokyo to Germany
Your morning and afternoon are free until your late afternoon airport transfer by public transport. You could visit the Meiji Shrine in a wooded park, head to the Shibuya district to see the world-famous busy intersection, or explore the historic pilgrimage district of Asakusa with Sensoji Temple, its giant paper lantern, and the lively shopping street Nakamisedori. Your tour guide has additional insider tips for what to see. You'll depart for Germany on your evening return flight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Meiji Shrine
- Explore Shibuya district and its famous intersection
- Visit Asakusa pilgrimage district
- Visit Sensoji Temple
- Stroll along Nakamisedori shopping street
Landmarks/POIs Meiji Shrine Shibuya Crossing Sensoji Temple - Day 11
Arrival in Germany
You'll arrive back in Germany after your overnight flight, concluding your trip through Japan.
