Itinerary
- Day 1
To Tokyo
Your Japan adventure starts with a flight to Tokyo. During the flight, you'll want to read up on Japanese culture using some recommended travel literature to help you get oriented before you land.
Landmarks Tokyo - Day 2
Tokyo
After landing, you'll take about a 25 km drive to your hotel. Once you check in and get settled, the rest of your evening is yours to either relax or take a walk around the neighborhood near your accommodation.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Day 3
Tokyo
Today you can explore Tokyo on your own or join the full-day optional tour. The tour includes Meiji Shrine in its large park, the upscale Ginza district and the new Ginza Six department store, traditional Asakusa with Kannon Temple and Thunder Gate, and Tokyo Skytree where a high-speed elevator takes you up 450 meters for panoramic city views and possibly Mount Fuji on clear days.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Discover Tokyo full-day sightseeing tour including Meiji Shrine, Ginza shopping district with Ginza Six department store, Asakusa district with Kannon Temple and Thunder Gate, Tokyo Skytree with high-speed elevator to 450 meters
Landmarks Meiji Shrine Ginza Ginza Six Asakusa Kannon Temple Thunder Gate Nakamise Dori Tokyo Skytree Mount Fuji - Day 4
Tokyo to Fuji-Hakone
An early morning bus takes you to Kamakura, about 120 km away, the historic center where shoguns once ruled. You'll see Hasedera Temple and the Great Buddha, then browse the small Komachidori shopping street. By evening you'll arrive at Fuji-Hakone National Park where your hotel has an onsen for a traditional Japanese bath.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Bus excursion to Kamakura
- Visit to Hasedera Temple
- Visit to the Great Buddha (Daibutsu)
Optional Activities
- Stroll through Komachidori shopping street in Kamakura
- Onsen (traditional Japanese hot bath) at hotel in Fuji-Hakone
Landmarks Kamakura Hasedera Temple Great Buddha (Daibutsu) Komachidori shopping street Fuji-Hakone National Park - Day 5
Tokyo to Nagano
You'll travel by coach through the Five Lakes region, which offers potential Mount Fuji views on clear days. Stop at Matsumoto to see the famous black Crow Castle with its distinctive wing-like roofs, then continue through the Japanese Alps to Nagano. The drive covers 320 km total.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Matsumoto Crow Castle visit
- Five Lakes region drive with Mount Fuji-san views (weather dependent)
Landmarks Five Lakes region Mount Fuji Matsumoto Crow Castle Japanese Alps - Day 6
Nagano to Takayama
Start your day at Jigokudani Monkey Park where you'll see macaque monkeys soaking in the natural hot springs at Yamanouchi. After that, you'll continue through the Japanese Alps to Takayama and walk through the charming old town with its narrow alleyways, traditional sake breweries, and miso stores. This leg covers 220 km.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Jigokudani Monkey Park visit with macaque monkey observation
- Takayama old town stroll through alleyways with sake breweries and miso stores
Landmarks Jigokudani Monkey Park Yamanouchi hot springs Takayama - Day 7
Takayama to Kanazawa
Your coach heads to Shirakawago, a UNESCO World Heritage village with about 100 thatched farmhouses where you'll learn about historic village life and the distinctive steep-roofed architecture. Later you'll continue north to Kanazawa to visit Kenroku-en Park, one of Japan's three most beautiful gardens with great photo spots, and explore the Nagamachi samurai district. Journey is 130 km.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Shirakawago old village visit - UNESCO World Heritage Site with ~100 thatched farmhouses
- Kenroku-en Park landscape garden visit
Landmarks Shirakawago Kanazawa Kenroku-en Park Nagamachi samurai district - Day 8
Kanazawa to Kyoto
You'll head toward Kyoto with a stop in Hikone on Lake Biwa to visit one of Japan's oldest castles still in its original state and enjoy views over Japan's largest inland lake. Then you'll board the Shinkansen high-speed train to reach Kyoto by early evening. In Gion, take an evening stroll through the historic district where geishas are traditionally trained. The journey covers 280 km.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hikone Castle visit - one of Japan's oldest preserved original castles with Lake Biwa panoramic views
- Shinkansen high-speed train journey to Kyoto
Optional Activities
- Evening stroll through Gion district to observe geishas in the traditional entertainment district
Landmarks Hikone Castle Lake Biwa Kyoto Gion district - Day 9
Kyoto
Explore Kyoto on your own or join the optional tour of spiritual and cultural landmarks. You can visit Ryoanji Temple to meditate in its Zen garden, see the Golden Pavilion, and check out Kiyomizu Temple. Head to Nishiki-dori market street to discover the variety of Japanese cuisine and taste local specialties.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Kyoto temples and gardens optional tour including Ryoanji Temple with Zen garden meditation, Golden Pavilion, Kiyomizu Temple, and Nishiki-dori traditional market street
Landmarks Ryoanji Temple Golden Pavilion Kiyomizu Temple Nishiki-dori market street - Day 10
Kyoto
You have the choice to explore Kyoto independently or join the optional excursion to Nara. The tour includes Fushimi-Inari Shinto shrine known for its many red toriis, then continues to Nara, Japan's first capital. In Nara Park you'll see tame red deer, visit the Daibutsu at Todaiji Temple, and walk past thousands of stone and bronze lanterns on the way to Kasuga Shrine. The trip covers 92 km.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Nara and Fushimi-Inari Shrine optional excursion including Fushimi-Inari Shinto shrine with red toriis, Nara Park with tame red deer, Daibutsu bronze Buddha statue, Todaiji Temple, and Kasuga Shrine with stone and bronze lanterns
Landmarks Fushimi-Inari Shinto shrine Nara Nara Park Todaiji Temple Kasuga Shrine - Day 11
From Kyoto
Your Japan journey ends today with your return flight from Osaka to Germany. You'll depart Kyoto and head to the airport with unforgettable memories of Japan's temples, castles, culture, and natural beauty.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Osaka
