Itinerary
- Day 1
Departure to Tokyo
Your trip kicks off as you board your flight to Tokyo, Japan's bustling capital and host city of the Olympics.
Landmarks/POIs Tokyo - Day 2
Tokyo
After landing in Tokyo, you'll head to your hotel in the city center. The rest of the day is open for you to get a feel for this massive metropolis on your own schedule.
Optional Activities
- Airport limousine bus transfer (approximately 30 EUR per person, can only be booked on site)
Landmarks/POIs Tokyo - Day 3
Tokyo
Meet your tour guide for a briefing, then you'll check out Tokyo's main highlights. The day includes Meiji Shrine, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building for views across the city, and the trendy Harajuku district with its famous Takeshida Dori shopping street and Omotesando Boulevard. You'll finish with dinner and get oriented for what's coming next.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner with tour guide and Japanese cuisine explanation)
Included Activities
- Detailed tour guide briefing and travel documents
- Sightseeing tour of Tokyo
- Visit to Meiji Shrine in Shibuya district
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observation deck (approximately 200 meters high)
- Harajuku district exploration including Takeshida Dori
- Omotesando Boulevard stroll with avant-garde Japanese architecture
- Dinner with tour guide and Japanese cuisine explanation
- Entrance fees
Landmarks/POIs Meiji Shrine Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Takeshida Dori Omotesando Boulevard - Day 4
Tokyo
Today you have the freedom to explore Tokyo on your own using the efficient public transport system. Options include taking a boat to Odaiba island and its beach, then heading by boat to Asakusa, visiting Skytree at 634 meters high, wandering through the busy Ameyoko market in Ueno, or checking out Akihabara's electronics district. An optional sumo show with traditional chanko-nabe food is available in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Boat trip to Odaiba artificial island and Tokyo city beach
- Boat trip to Asakusa
Optional Activities
- Visit Tokyo Skytree observation deck
- Ameyoko market exploration and lunch at noodle restaurants or sushi bars
- Ueno Park stroll or landscape garden visits (Koishikawa Korakuen, Rikugien)
- Akihabara electronics district exploration
- Evening sumo show with professional wrestlers and traditional chanko-nabe food, and photo opportunity with favorite wrestler
Landmarks/POIs Odaiba Asakusa Tokyo Skytree Ameyoko Market Akihabara Ueno Park Koishikawa Korakuen Rikugien - Day 5
Tokyo
Another independent exploration day with two good choices. You can take the train about 120 km north to Nikko National Park to see the UNESCO World Heritage shrine and temple area, or head to Hakone on the edge of Fuji-Hakone National Park via Odawara instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Train excursion to Nikko - visit Taiyuin Temple and Toshogu shrine
- Train excursion to Odawara and Hakone via Odakyu Railway, funicular, cable car, boat and bus through Fuji-Hakone National Park, past Owakudani sulphur fumaroles and across Lake Ashi with views of Mount Fuji
Landmarks/POIs Nikko National Park Taiyuin Temple Toshogu Shrine Odawara Fuji-Hakone National Park Owakudani Lake Ashi Mount Fuji - Day 6
Tokyo to Kanazawa
You'll board the Shinkansen Super Express for the 2-hour ride to Nagano. With your tour guide, you'll visit the famous macaque monkeys bathing in hot springs at Jigokudani Valley of Hell. After the guide departs, you'll see Zenkoji, an impressive pilgrimage temple in Nagano. Later, an afternoon Shinkansen takes you to Kanazawa, and it's just a short walk from the station to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Shinkansen Super Express journey to Nagano
- Jigokudani Valley macaque monkeys excursion with tour guide
- Zenkoji pilgrimage temple visit
Landmarks/POIs Nagano Jigokudani Zenkoji Temple Kanazawa - Day 7
Kanazawa to Hiroshima
The morning is spent in Kanazawa exploring Kenrokuen Landscape Garden, one of Japan's three most famous gardens, and the Nomura family samurai mansion in the historic Nagamachi samurai quarter. Then you'll take the Shinkansen to Hiroshima, a roughly 4.5-hour journey. You'll arrive in early evening and check out okonomiyaki restaurants for this region's local specialty.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Kenrokuen Landscape Garden stroll
- Nagamachi samurai quarter visit
- Nomura family samurai mansion visit
- Shinkansen journey from Kanazawa to Hiroshima via Shin-Osaka
Optional Activities
- Okonomiyaki (Japanese pizza) at local restaurants
Landmarks/POIs Kenrokuen Landscape Garden Nagamachi Samurai Quarter Nomura Family Mansion Hiroshima - Day 8
Hiroshima (Miyajima Excursion)
You have options for the day in Hiroshima. You can stay local or take a regional train and ferry to the sacred island of Miyajima. There you'll see the famous Itsukushima Shrine gate, ideally at high tide. If interested, you can ride a cable car up Mount Misen at 535 meters or hike for summit views and Buddhist temples. You'll return to Hiroshima by ferry and regional train by late afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Miyajima sacred island by regional train and ferry
- Itsukushima Shrine gate visit at high tide
- Mount Misen cable car ride (535 meters high)
- Mount Misen summit hike with views of surrounding islands and Hiroshima
- Hiking trails along hidden Buddhist temples
Landmarks/POIs Miyajima Island Itsukushima Shrine Mount Misen - Day 9
Hiroshima (Iwakuni Excursion)
This day focuses on Japan's more recent history as you visit the Peace Museum and Peace Park at the Atomic Bomb Dome, marking where the first atomic bomb was dropped on August 6, 1945. An optional excursion goes to Iwakuni to see the famous 17th-century Kintai Bridge with its five wooden arches, plus Kikko Park and Iwakuni Castle. You'll return to Hiroshima by bus and regional train in the late afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Peace Museum visit
- Peace Park walk
- Atomic Bomb Dome visit
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Iwakuni by regional train and bus (approximately 50 minutes train and 20 minutes bus)
- Kintai Bridge visit
- Kikko Park exploration
- Iwakuni Castle visit
Landmarks/POIs Peace Museum Peace Park Atomic Bomb Dome Kintai Bridge Nishiki River Kikko Park Iwakuni Castle - Day 10
Hiroshima to Koya-san
You'll travel by Shinkansen toward Koya-san with a stop at Himeji to see Japan's largest and most beautiful castle, the White Heron Castle, which was restored and expanded in the 17th century. From there, continue by Shinkansen to Shin-Osaka where your tour guide will meet you. A coach then takes you to Koya-san Temple Mount, arriving late in the afternoon. You'll have vegetarian dinner and sleep overnight in a traditional Japanese temple guesthouse with the monks.
- Meals
- Dinner (Vegetarian dinner at temple)
Included Activities
- Shinkansen journey to Himeji with castle visit
- Himeji White Heron Castle visit
- Shinkansen journey from Shin-Osaka to Koya-san
- Coach transfer to Koya-san Temple Mount
- Vegetarian dinner
- Overnight stay in temple guesthouse with monks
- Tour guide explanation of Buddhist life at Koya-san
Landmarks/POIs Himeji Castle Koya-san - Day 11
Koya-san to Kyoto (Nara)
You'll participate in an early morning Shingon ritual prayer, then have vegetarian breakfast. Afterward, you'll visit the main shrines on Temple Mount and walk through Japan's most famous cemetery with its ancient tombs before reaching the Kobo Daishi memorial. A coach takes you to Nara, Japan's first capital. You'll see the Daibutsu, the world's largest bronze Buddha statue, in Todaiji Temple and walk past thousands of lanterns to Kasuga Shrine. The tame red deer roaming Nara Park are quite the sight. You'll arrive at your Kyoto hotel in the late afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Vegetarian breakfast)
Included Activities
- Shingon ritual prayer participation
- Vegetarian breakfast
- Main shrines of Temple Mount visit
- Japan's most famous cemetery walk with ancient tombs
- Kobo Daishi memorial visit
- Coach journey to Nara
- Daibutsu (world's largest bronze Buddha statue) visit at Todaiji Temple
- Walk to Kasuga Shrine through thousands of stone and bronze lanterns
- Nara Park walk observing tame red deer
- Coach journey to Kyoto
Landmarks/POIs Koya-san Nara Todaiji Temple Daibutsu Kasuga Shrine Nara Park Kobo Daishi Memorial Kyoto - Day 12
Kyoto
Kyoto, the former imperial city, has so much to offer culturally. Start your morning at Fushimi-Inari Shrine with its endless shrine gate galleries. Then check out the Zen temple Tofuku-ji with its famous entrance gate and gardens. After grabbing lunch at Kyoto Central Station, you'll visit Sanjusangendo with its 1,001 wooden Kannon statues. Next comes Heian Shrine and its grounds. You'll finish by strolling through shops along Shijo, Kawaramachi, and Teramachi streets in the city center.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Fushimi-Inari Shrine visit with endless shrine gate galleries
- Zen temple Tofuku-ji visit with famous entrance gate and gardens
- Lunch at Kyoto Central Station
- Sanjusangendo temple visit with 1,001 wooden Kannon statues
- Heian Shrine and gardens visit
- Shopping stroll along Shijo, Kawaramachi, and Teramachi streets
Landmarks/POIs Fushimi-Inari Shrine Tofuku-ji Temple Sanjusangendo Heian Shrine Kyoto Central Station Shijo Kawaramachi Teramachi - Day 13
Kyoto to Osaka (Return)
For your final day adventure, you have several routes. Head to dynamic Osaka to explore its castle complex or marine aquarium and browse the colorful Umeda, Namba, and Shinsaibishi shopping districts. Or go west to the Takao mountain region for autumn foliage and Jingoji Temple, then continue to Arashiyama for its bamboo forests and Tenryuji Zen temple gardens. Alternatively, stay in Kyoto and explore by bicycle instead. Evening brings your departure for home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Osaka castle complex
- Osaka marine aquarium visit
- Osaka Umeda district exploration
- Osaka Namba district exploration
- Osaka Shinsaibishi district exploration
- Bus excursion to Takao mountain region west of Kyoto for autumn foliage
- Jingoji Temple visit on wooded mountain
- Kiyotaka River course walk to Arashiyama
- Arashiyama bamboo forest exploration
- Tenryuji Zen temple landscape garden visit
- Kyoto bicycle rental and leisurely city ride
Landmarks/POIs Osaka Castle Osaka Marine Aquarium Umeda Namba Shinsaibishi Takao Mountain Region Jingoji Temple Arashiyama Kiyotaka River Tenryuji Temple - Day 14
Return Home
Your eventful journey comes to an end as you head to the departure airport for your flight home.
Landmarks/POIs Osaka-Kansai International Airport
