Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Fukuoka
You'll arrive in Fukuoka and check into your luxury hotel in the city center. There's a welcome reception to kick things off, so you'll get to meet your group and settle in for the next couple of weeks exploring Kyushu and beyond.
- Day 2
Fukuoka
Start with Fukuoka's cultural sites including the city's first Zen temple and a shrine, then head to the folk museum to see how people lived during the Meiji and Taisho periods. You can choose between taking a canal cruise through Yanagawa or spending time at Fukuoka Tower and the castle ruins. By evening, grab dinner at the famous Yatai food stalls where locals eat open-air along the street.
Included Activities
- Visit Shofukuji Temple, Japan's first Zen Temple
- Visit Kushida Shrine
- Visit Hakata Machiya Folk Museum
Optional Activities
- Cruise the canals at Yanagawa, the 'Venice of Kyushu', and visit Yanagawa Ohana villa
- Visit Fukuoka Tower with 360-degree observation deck
- Explore Edo Period ruins of Fukuoka Castle in Maizuru Park
- Dinner at Fukuoka's Yatai open-air food stalls - choose from Yakitori, Oden or Hakata Ramen
Landmarks/POIs Shofukuji Temple Kushida Shrine Fukuoka Tower Fukuoka Castle Yanagawa - Day 3
Kitakyushu to Hiroshima
Drive up Mount Sarakura early for panoramic views across Kitakyushu, then visit the TOTO Museum. After that you'll hop on the Shinkansen bullet train heading to Hiroshima. Once there, spend time at Peace Park and Museum, create an origami donation at Orizuru Tower, and finish the day with okonomiyaki (savory Japanese pancakes) for dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner (Okonomiyaki, a savoury Japanese-style pancake and specialty of the region)
Included Activities
- Visit Mount Sarakura for panoramic views
- Visit TOTO Museum
- Visit Peace Park and Museum
- Create personal origami crane offering at Orizuru Tower
Landmarks/POIs Mount Sarakura TOTO Museum Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park Orizuru Tower - Day 4
Hiroshima
Take a ferry out to Miyajima Island and visit Daisho-in Temple along with the iconic floating Torii Gate at Itsukushima Shrine. You'll have free time back in Hiroshima later, then in the evening attend a Kagura performance, which is a traditional Shinto ritual dance that's quite different from what most visitors see.
Included Activities
- Ferry to Miyajima Island
- Visit Daisho-in Temple
- Visit floating Torii Gate at Itsukushima Shrine
- Attend Kagura performance
Landmarks/POIs Daisho-in Temple Itsukushima Shrine - Day 5
Hiroshima to Osaka
Board the Shinkansen heading to Kobe where you'll tour the Kirin Beer Factory, grab lunch there and do some tastings. From Kobe it's on to Osaka for a two-night stay with Club Floor access. That evening you'll head up to the Floating Garden Observatory at Umeda Sky Building (170 meters up) for dinner with views across the city.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at Kirin Beer Factory)
Included Activities
- Visit Kirin Beer Factory for lunch, tasting and tour
- Enjoy 360-degree night-time views from Umeda Sky Building Floating Garden Observatory
- Dinner with a view at Umeda Sky Building
Landmarks/POIs Kirin Beer Factory Umeda Sky Building - Day 6
Osaka
You can spend the morning either shopping at Shinsaibashi-suji or checking out Kuromon Ichiba Market, or swap that for the Osaka Museum of History and Osaka Castle instead. The afternoon is yours to relax and enjoy Club Floor amenities. Later head into Dotonbori and Hozenji Yokocho food alley to explore the entertainment district and grab something to eat.
Optional Activities
- Visit Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street, dating back almost 400 years
- Explore Kuromon Ichiba Market, known as Osaka's kitchen
- Visit Osaka Museum of History
- Tour Osaka Castle, one of Japan's most famous sites
- Explore Dotonbori entertainment area
- Explore Hozenji Yokocho food alley
Landmarks/POIs Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street Kuromon Ichiba Market Osaka Museum of History Osaka Castle Dotonbori - Day 7
Osaka to Nara
Drive to Asuka, where the Japanese state was born. You'll wander through terraced rice fields, cross the historic Tobiishi stone bridge, and see Ishibutai Tumulus, Japan's largest megalithic structure. There's a private sumo demonstration at the Sumo Museum before heading on to Nara for the night.
Included Activities
- Visit ancient village of Asuka
- Explore Inabuchi terraced rice paddy fields
- Visit Tobiishi stone bridge
- Visit Ishibutai Tumulus, seventh century tomb
- Private visit to Sumo Museum in Kehayaza with welcome ceremony
- Watch Jinku traditional folkloric songs demonstration
- Watch sumo wrestlers in action in the dohyo
Landmarks/POIs Asuka Ishibutai Tumulus Sumo Museum - Day 8
Nara to Kyoto
Start at Todaiji Temple, a World Heritage site with a massive 15-meter bronze Buddha inside. Walk through Nara Park where tame deer roam freely, then travel to Kyoto to check out Fushimi Inari Shrine with its thousands of vermilion torii gates covering the hillside. Stop at a sake brewery to taste and learn how it's made, then settle into Kyoto Brighton Hotel for three nights with an authentic teppanyaki dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner (Authentic teppanyaki dinner)
Included Activities
- Visit Todaiji Temple
- See deer in Nara Park
- Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine
- Stop at sake brewery for tasting and learning
- Authentic teppanyaki dinner
Optional Activities
- Ryokan Upgrade - traditional Japanese Inn with tatami mat flooring, futon beds, private facilities, dinner and breakfast (at additional cost, must be pre-booked)
Landmarks/POIs Todaiji Temple Nara Park Fushimi Inari Shrine - Day 9
Kyoto
Explore Kyoto's ancient atmosphere by choosing between wandering historic preservation districts or visiting the Silver Pavilion and walking the Philosopher's Path. You'll participate in a Japanese tea ceremony dressed in a traditional kimono, which is a hands-on cultural experience. The afternoon is free to explore Nishiki Market on your own. Special highlight is dinner hosted by a Geisha and Maiko.
Included Activities
- Japanese tea ceremony while dressed in traditional Japanese kimono
- Private group dinner hosted by a Geisha and Maiko with interaction and learning about Geisha and Japanese hospitality
Optional Activities
- Immerse in historic districts of Kyoto - seven historic areas preserving cultural traditions and architecture
- Visit Silver Pavilion, a 15th century Shogun villa
- Stroll along Philosopher's Path through Kyoto's Higashiyama district (approximately two kilometres)
- Free time in Nishiki Market, known as 'Kyoto's kitchen', with over 100 stalls
Landmarks/POIs Silver Pavilion Philosopher's Path Nishiki Market - Day 10
Kyoto
Visit Nijo Castle, built as the residence of the first shogun. After that you'll take a traditional rickshaw through Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, then have a vegetarian meal at Tenryu-ji Temple (a World Heritage site). Finish with the golden gardens of Kinkaku-ji, and for dinner choose between Funatsuru Restaurant or Junsei Restaurant.
- Meals
- Lunch (Vegetarian meal at Tenryu-ji Temple)
Included Activities
- Visit Nijo Castle
- Traditional rickshaw ride through Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
- Vegetarian meal at Tenryu-ji Temple
Optional Activities
- Dine at Funatsuru Restaurant, known for mix of Kyoto cuisine and French dishes
- Dine at Junsei Restaurant for Japanese Shabu Shabu
Landmarks/POIs Nijo Castle Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Tenryu-ji Temple Kinkaku-ji - Day 11
Kyoto to Fuji Five Lakes
Head out via Shinkansen to Hakone. After lunch you'll spend time at Chokokuno Mori Open Air Museum looking at artworks and sculptures. Then drive to the Fuji Five Lake district at the base of Mt Fuji and check into your hotel where you can see the mountain from your room.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Chokokuno Mori (Hakone Open Air Museum)
Landmarks/POIs Chokokuno Mori Fuji Five Lakes - Day 12
Fuji Five Lakes to Tokyo
Spend the morning at Itchiku Kubota Art Museum, which focuses on Japanese textile art and traditional tsujigahana dyeing techniques. Drive to Tokyo for lunch, then dive into the immersive teamLab Borderless Digital Art Museum. Check into your exclusive 5-star luxury hotel and choose dinner at a ninja-themed restaurant, traditional izakaya bar, or Nobu Tokyo.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Itchiku Kubota Art Museum
- Visit teamLab Borderless Digital Art Museum
Optional Activities
- Dine at ninja-themed restaurant
- Experience traditional Japanese evening Izakaya bar scene with Yaki-tori and Kushiyaki
- Dine at Nobu Tokyo restaurant
Landmarks/POIs Itchiku Kubota Art Museum teamLab Borderless Digital Art Museum Hie Jinja Shrine Imperial Palace - Day 13
Tokyo
Explore Asakusa, Tokyo's historic low city with traditional shopfronts, food stalls and temples. Pay respects at Sensoji Temple, the city's oldest Buddhist temple built way back in 645. For the afternoon you can either visit Meiji Shrine and see Shibuya's famous crossing with the Hachiko statue, or explore Shinjuku-Gyoen Gardens and the evening entertainment district instead.
Included Activities
- Visit Asakusa district
- Pay respects at Sensoji Temple
Optional Activities
- Visit Imperial Shinto Meiji Shrine
- Walk across Shibuya pedestrian crossing, world's busiest
- See famous Hachiko dog statue
- Wander through Shinjuku-Gyoen Gardens
- Witness Shinjuku entertainment district at dusk
Landmarks/POIs Sensoji Temple Meiji Shrine Shibuya Crossing Shinjuku-Gyoen Gardens Shinjuku - Day 14
Tokyo
Get a bird's eye view of Tokyo from Tokyo Sky Tree, at 634 meters it's the world's tallest tower. You'll participate in an interactive private Taiko drum demonstration led by masters in the field. Walk through Takeshita Street in Harajuku for colorful street art, fashion shops and dessert spots. End the night with a farewell dinner cruise on a yakatabune traditional houseboat on Tokyo Bay with free flow drinks.
- Meals
- Dinner (Farewell dinner cruise on yakatabune with free flow drinks)
Included Activities
- Visit Tokyo Sky Tree with panoramic views from 634 metres
- Interactive private group Taiko drum demonstration with renowned Taiko masters
- Evening farewell dinner cruise on yakatabune traditional houseboat on Tokyo Bay with free flow drinks
Optional Activities
- Wander Takeshita Street in Harajuku for street art, fashion, and dessert
Landmarks/POIs Tokyo Sky Tree Takeshita Street - Day 15
Departure
It's time to depart Japan with memories from your 15-day journey through Kyushu, Hiroshima, Kobe, Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Hakone and Tokyo.
