Itinerary
- Day 1
Fukuoka
You'll arrive in Fukuoka and check into a luxury hotel right in the city centre. This gives you time to settle in and get your bearings before the adventure kicks off. The hotel is well-positioned for exploring the city over the next couple of days.
- Day 2
Fukuoka
Start by checking out Fukuoka's cultural side with Japan's first Zen temple and a folk museum that shows what life looked like during the Meiji and Taisho periods. You can either take a boat through Yanagawa's canals or head to Fukuoka Tower and the castle ruins, depending on what interests you more. By evening, walk through the open-air food stalls where locals eat and try some regional specialties.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Shofukuji Temple, Japan's first Zen Temple
- Visit Kushida Shrine
- Visit Hakata Machiya Folk Museum
Optional Activities
- Kawakudari boat ride through Yanagawa canals and visit Yanagawa Ohana villa
- Visit Fukuoka Tower 360-degree observation deck
- Explore Fukuoka Castle ruins in Maizuru Park
- Dinner at Fukuoka's open-air food stalls (Yatai) - choose Yakitori, Oden or Hakata Ramen
Landmarks/POIs Shofukuji Temple Kushida Shrine Hakata Machiya Folk Museum Yanagawa Yanagawa Ohana Fukuoka Tower Fukuoka Castle - Day 3
Fukuoka to Hiroshima
Drive over to Moji Port District to see where Japan conducted major international trade historically. Then you'll stop at the TOTO Museum, which focuses on Japan's innovative bathroom fixtures and high-tech toilets. After that, catch the Shinkansen bullet train to Hiroshima, visit the Peace Park and Museum, and fold an origami crane at Orizuru Tower. End with okonomiyaki for dinner, the local Hiroshima specialty.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner (Okonomiyaki, a savoury Japanese-style pancake and specialty of the region)
Included Activities
- Visit Moji Port District
- Visit TOTO Museum
- Visit Peace Park and Museum
- Create personal origami crane offering at Orizuru Tower
Landmarks/POIs Moji Port District TOTO Museum Hiroshima Peace Park Orizuru Tower 
- Day 4
Hiroshima
Take a ferry out to Miyajima Island where you'll see Daisho-in Temple and the iconic floating torii gate at Itsukushima Shrine. You'll have free time in Hiroshima later. If you're visiting between April and December, there's an option to catch a Kagura performance, which is traditional theatrical storytelling with music and dance.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Daisho-in Temple
- Visit floating Torii Gate at Itsukushima Shrine
Optional Activities
- Attend Kagura performance (April-December)
Landmarks/POIs Miyajima Island Daisho-in Temple Itsukushima Shrine - Day 5
Hiroshima to Okayama
Head to Okayama by Shinkansen. Once there, walk through Korakuen Garden, a 300-year-old landscape garden and one of Japan's three most important gardens. You'll learn about local sake production and taste some varieties before heading to your hotel for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Korakuen Garden
- Learn about sake brewing process and sample local sake
Landmarks/POIs Korakuen Garden - Day 6
Okayama to Naoshima
Take a ferry to Naoshima, an island known for its modern art scene. You'll see Yayoi Kusama's giant pumpkin sculpture and walk through the Art House Project, where abandoned buildings have been turned into art installations. After grabbing lunch at Benesse House, visit the Lee Ufan Museum and Chichu Art Museum before ferrying back to Okayama.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Art House Project art installations
- Visit Lee Ufan Museum
- Visit Chichu Art Museum
- Lunch at Benesse House
Landmarks/POIs Naoshima Island Yayoi Kusama Pumpkin Sculpture Art House Project Benesse House Lee Ufan Museum Chichu Art Museum - Day 7
Okayama to Osaka
Travel by Shinkansen toward Osaka, but stop at Himeji Castle on the way. It's Japan's most spectacular original feudal castle and worth the detour. Then continue to Osaka and check in at your hotel, which includes full club lounge access for extra perks.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Himeji Castle
Landmarks/POIs Himeji Castle - Day 8
Osaka
Walk through Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street, which has been operating for nearly 400 years and still buzzes with activity. Then head to Kuromon Ichiba Market for street food and local products. At the Sumo Museum, you'll see a private demonstration and welcome ceremony with wrestlers performing. Later, wander through Dotonbori's bright signs and crowds, then explore Hozenji Yokocho food alley.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Wander through Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street
- Explore Kuromon Ichiba Market
- Private visit to Sumo Museum with welcome ceremony
- Watch sumo wrestler demonstration
- See Jinku traditional folkloric songs performance
Optional Activities
- Explore Dotonbori and Hozenji Yokocho food alley
- Access to Club lounge complimentary refreshments and evening cocktails
Landmarks/POIs Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street Kuromon Ichiba Market Kehayaza Sumo Museum Dotonbori Hozenji Yokocho - Day 9
Osaka to Kyoto
Drive to Todaiji Temple, a World Heritage site from 752 with one of Japan's largest bronze Buddha statues inside. You'll see the friendly deer roaming Nara Park, then head to Kyoto. Try a traditional tea ceremony while wearing a kimono, and settle into your hotel with executive lounge access.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Todaiji Temple
- See deer in Nara Park
- Participate in Japanese tea ceremony dressed in traditional kimono
Optional Activities
- Stay overnight in Ryokan (traditional Japanese Inn with tatami mats, futon beds, shoji doors, private bath, dinner and breakfast included - must be pre-booked)
Landmarks/POIs Todaiji Temple Nara Park - Day 10
Kyoto
Start with Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion that's completely covered in gold leaf. Then take a traditional rickshaw through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, where bamboo stalks tower around you. In the afternoon, you can either visit the Samurai & Ninja Museum with hands-on activities involving armor and weapons, or see Nijo Castle, a UNESCO site showcasing feudal palace architecture.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) gardens
- Traditional rickshaw ride through Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Optional Activities
- Samurai & Ninja Museum - 30-minute guided tour, wear authentic samurai armor, hold sword, throw ninja stars
- Visit Nijo Castle, UNESCO World Heritage Site
Landmarks/POIs Kinkaku-ji Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Samurai & Ninja Museum Nijo Castle - Day 11
Kyoto to Fuji Five Lakes District
Optionally head to Fushimi Inari Shrine early in the morning to avoid crowds and walk under thousands of vermilion torii gates. Then take the Shinkansen to Hakone and check out the Hakone Open Air Museum. Drive on to the Fuji Five Lakes area where you can see Mt Fuji from your hotel on clear days.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Hakone Open Air Museum
Optional Activities
- Early morning visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine to see corridor of thousands of vermilion torii gates
Landmarks/POIs Fushimi Inari Shrine Hakone Open Air Museum Fuji Five Lake District Mt Fuji - Day 12
Fuji Five Lakes to Tokyo
Visit the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum, which displays Japanese textile art and traditional tsujigahana-dyed kimonos. Drive to Tokyo for lunch, then spend time at teamLab Borderless Digital Art Museum with its hundreds of projectors creating interactive displays. Check into your 3-night luxury hotel with views of the Imperial Palace and Hie Jinja Shrine. For dinner, you can choose between Ninja Akasaka, Nobu Tokyo, or traditional izakaya-style dining.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Itchiku Kubota Art Museum
- Explore teamLab Borderless Digital Art Museum
Optional Activities
- Dinner at Ninja Akasaka restaurant with ninja theme
- Dinner at Nobu Tokyo with Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine
- Izakaya Nightlife - Yaki-tori and Kushiyaki dinner with drinks at small local bars
Landmarks/POIs Itchiku Kubota Art Museum teamLab Borderless Digital Art Museum Imperial Palace Hie Jinja Shrine - Day 13
Tokyo
Explore Asakusa, Tokyo's historic 'low city' area with narrow laneways and traditional shopfronts selling food and crafts. Pay respects at Sensoji Temple, the oldest Buddhist temple in the city, built in 645. Afternoon options let you either visit the peaceful Meiji Shrine and see the famous Shibuya Crossing with the Hachiko statue, or head to Shinjuku-Gyoen Gardens and shopping areas instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Asakusa district
- Visit Sensoji Temple
Optional Activities
- Explore Meiji Shrine complex and walk across Shibuya Crossing, see Hachiko dog statue
- Stroll through Shinjuku-Gyoen Gardens and visit Shinjuku shopping and entertainment districts
Landmarks/POIs Asakusa Sensoji Temple Meiji Shrine Shibuya Crossing Hachiko Statue Shinjuku-Gyoen Gardens - Day 14
Tokyo
Take in views of Tokyo from Tokyo Sky Tree at 634 metres, the world's tallest tower. Then participate in a private Taiko drum lesson taught by experienced masters. You'll have time for last-minute shopping, and the day finishes with a farewell dinner with other guests on the tour.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner)
Included Activities
- View Tokyo from Tokyo Sky Tree observation deck
- Private group Taiko drum demonstration and lesson with renowned Taiko masters
Optional Activities
- Last-minute shopping
Landmarks/POIs Tokyo Sky Tree - Day 15
Depart Tokyo
You'll depart Japan today, heading home with memories from your travels through Kyushu, Honshu, and Tokyo. The journey took you from historic temples and castles to modern art museums and vibrant cities.
