Itinerary
- Day 1
Tokyo
You'll arrive in Tokyo and have a welcome meeting at your hotel at 6 pm. After that, you'll join your travel companions for dinner at a local restaurant where you can try regional Japanese dishes like handmade soba noodles, crispy tempura, and yakitori. If you get there early, you can walk around Tokyo's museums, shopping districts, and neighborhood backstreets on your own.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner at a local restaurant featuring handmade soba noodles, crispy tempura and yakitori)
Included Activities
- Welcome dinner at a local restaurant
Optional Activities
- History museums
- World-class shopping
- Explore neighbourhood backstreets with hole in the wall eateries and bars
- Experience Tokyo's vibrant nightlife and visit a local izakaya
- Day 2
Tokyo
Your leader shows you both old and new Tokyo today. You start in Asakusa at Senso-ji, the city's oldest temple, then browse the Nakamise dori shopping street. Next you head to Shibuya to see one of the world's busiest intersections and check out a depachika food hall. Then it's on to quirky Harajuku, and you'll finish at Tokyo Skytree where you can take in panoramic city views.
Included Activities
- Asakusa area exploration
- Senso-ji Temple visit
- Nakamise dori shopping street
- Shibuya intersection viewing
- Depachika (underground food hall) exploration
- Harajuku district visit
- Tokyo Skytree visit
Landmarks/POIs Senso-ji Temple Tokyo Skytree Shibuya Crossing - Day 3
Tokyo
This morning you're at the famous Tsukiji Outer Market learning about fresh seafood and Japanese cuisine. After that, you'll take a sushi making class where you learn to make nigiri sushi, hand-rolled sushi, or temari sushi, then you'll have your creations for lunch. A walking tour in Ginza comes next, and the rest of the afternoon is yours to explore museums, shopping, kabuki theatre, or karaoke.
- Meals
- Lunch (Fresh sushi creations prepared during sushi making class)
Included Activities
- Tsukiji Outer Market visit with leader insight
- Sushi making class
- Ginza walking tour
Optional Activities
- Yayoi Kusama Museum (advance reservation required)
- High-end shopping in Ginza
- Kabuki theatre experience
- Karaoke
Landmarks/POIs Tsukiji Outer Market Yayoi Kusama Museum Ginza - Day 4
Tokyo to Hakone
You'll depart Tokyo by train for the mountainous onsen town of Hakone. In the afternoon, take a cable car up the mountains to Owakudani's sulphur vents where you might spot Mt Fuji in the distance. Walk through the volcanic landscape and try the famous black eggs. By evening you check into your Feature Stay ryokan, relax in your private onsen, and enjoy a traditional Japanese dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner (Feast of classic Japanese dishes at on-site ryokan restaurant)
Included Activities
- Cable car/Ropeway to Owakudani
- Owakudani volcanic landscape walk
- Black eggs tasting
- Dinner at ryokan
Landmarks/POIs Owakudani Mount Fuji - Day 5
Hakone to Takayama
Travel to Takayama via shinkansen bullet train with a few changes along the way. This charming Edo-period town in the Japanese Alps has traditional inns and sake breweries. You'll join a walking tour exploring traditional architecture and learning about the town's unique culinary scene. Sample Hida beef sushi or skewers, then visit Jinya, a Nationally Designated Historical Site showing what Edo-period life was like.
Included Activities
- Leader-led walking tour of Takayama old town
- Hida beef sushi or skewers tasting
- Jinya Museum and Garden visit
Landmarks/POIs Jinya - Day 6
Takayama
You start at Takayama morning market where local women have been selling high-altitude vegetables for over 600 years. Browse colorful pickles, miso, genkotsu ame, preserved fish, and other local treats. Then head to Shirakawa-go village to see charming thatched-roof cottages and learn about ancient countryside life with the Japanese Alps as your backdrop. You'll return to Takayama and have free time for the rest of the day.
Included Activities
- Takayama morning market with leader guidance
- Shirakawa-go village visit
- Gassho-zukuri thatched-roof cottages exploration
Optional Activities
- Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall
Landmarks/POIs Takayama Morning Market Shirakawa-go - Day 7
Takayama to Hiroshima
Travel by train to Hiroshima, a cosmopolitan city known for its distinctive cuisine and commitment to peace. Your leader gives you an orientation walk to help you get familiar with the city. Later you head to a local restaurant for dinner where you can try Hiroshima's signature dishes including fresh oysters and okonomiyaki, a savory pancake.
- Meals
- Dinner (Okonomiyaki and other Hiroshima signature dishes at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Leader-led orientation walk
- Okonomiyaki dinner at a local restaurant
Landmarks/POIs Hiroshima - Day 8
Miyajima Island
You'll visit the Genbaku A-Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Park and Museum to learn about the atomic bombing of August 1945. Your leader shares the story of this historic site which now represents peace. Then take a short ferry to the island of Miyajima to visit Itsukushima Shrine with its iconic orange torii gate rising from the sea. You'll explore Momiji Park and can optionally walk or take the cable car to Mt Misen.
Included Activities
- Genbaku A-Bomb Dome visit
- Peace Memorial Park visit
- Peace Museum visit
- Ferry to Miyajima Island
- Itsukushima-jinja Shrine visit
- Miyajima Island exploration
Optional Activities
- Momiji Park walking
- Cable car or walk to Mt Misen summit
Landmarks/POIs Genbaku A-Bomb Dome Peace Memorial Park Itsukushima Shrine Mount Misen Momiji Park - Day 9
Himeji - Kyoto
Speed north to Kyoto on shinkansen, stopping at Himeji to check out Japan's most impressive samurai castle. Built in the mid-16th century and restored to full glory in 2015, you'll learn about the 10,000 samurai families who once lived here. You'll arrive in Kyoto mid-afternoon and explore Gion, the famous geisha district, with your leader. See old wooden teahouses and maybe spot geikos or maikos in their elaborate dress.
Included Activities
- Himeji Castle visit and tour
- Kyoto Gion District walking tour
Optional Activities
- Return to Gion in the evening when it springs to life
- Spot geikos or maikos on their way to events
Landmarks/POIs Himeji Castle Gion District - Day 10
Kyoto
Begin with a city tour visiting the extravagantly decorated Kinkakuji Temple made famous in a novel. You'll visit Daitokuji Temple, the head temple of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism built 800 years ago. Participate in a guided meditation session and enjoy green tea while speaking with a monk about Zen philosophy. The rest of the day is yours, so you might explore the Nishiki Market, locally called Kyoto's kitchen.
Included Activities
- Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) visit
- Daitokuji Temple visit
- Zen Buddhism meditation session with monk
- Green tea with monk
Optional Activities
- Nishiki Market exploration
Landmarks/POIs Kinkaku-ji Daitokuji Temple Nishiki Market - Day 11
Kyoto
Head to Fushimi Inari Shrine, well-known for its Path of the Red Gates. You can appreciate the quieter corners and enjoy city views from the halfway point if you're feeling up for it. A short train ride takes you to a sake brewery where you'll explore every aspect of sake creation with historical artifacts and taste different types. Celebrate the end of your trip over dinner with travel companions at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Dinner (Final celebration dinner with travel companions at a local restaurant sharing authentic flavours of Kyoto)
Included Activities
- Fushimi Inari-Taisha visit
- Sake brewery tour and tasting
- Final celebration dinner
Landmarks/POIs Fushimi Inari-Taisha - Day 12
Kyoto
There are no activities planned for this day. You're free to depart at any time after check-out. Luggage storage is available at the hotel if you're leaving later. If you'd like to extend your stay in Kyoto, contact your booking agent ahead of time.
