Itinerary
- Day 1
Tokyo
You'll clear customs and take a shared shuttle bus to your hotel. After you settle in, the rest of the day is yours to relax and get comfortable. In the afternoon, you'll get the tour details so you know what's coming up over the next week.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Shinagawa Prince Hotel), Hotel (Moxy Tokyo Kinshicho), Hotel (Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba)
- Day 2
Tokyo
This morning you have a full 5-hour guided tour covering Tokyo's main highlights. You'll see Zojoji Temple with its views of Tokyo Tower, the busy Shibuya Crossing, Meiji Shrine, Omotesando Avenue, the Imperial Palace gardens, Nijubashi Bridge, Akihabara, and Kokugikan sumo arena. Lunch is included at a local spot. Later at 6:30 p.m., meet your guide to head into Shinjuku by metro for dinner and evening exploration.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at local restaurant), Dinner (Dinner at local restaurant in Shinjuku)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Shinagawa Prince Hotel), Hotel (Moxy Tokyo Kinshicho), Hotel (Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Tokyo (approximately 5 hours)
- Visit Zojoji Temple
- Visit Shibuya Crossing
- Visit Meiji Shrine
- Drive along Omotesando Avenue
- View Imperial Palace and gardens
- View Nijubashi Bridge
- Pass through Akihabara district
- View Kokugikan sumo wrestling arena
- Visit Sensoji Temple
- Visit Nakamise Street
- Lunch at local restaurant
- Metro tour to Shinjuku district (tickets included)
- Stroll through Shinjuku streets
- Dinner at local restaurant in Shinjuku
Landmarks Zojoji Temple Tokyo Tower Shibuya Crossing Meiji Shrine Omotesando Avenue Imperial Palace Nijubashi Bridge Akihabara Kokugikan Sensoji Temple Nakamise Street Shinjuku 
- Day 3
Tokyo to Kyoto
Start early and take the bullet train to Kyoto, traveling nearly 500 km in just over 2 hours. You'll spend the full day checking out Kyoto's major temples and sites, including Fushimi Inari Shrine, the Imperial Palace, and Kinkakuji Temple with its famous gardens. After that, you have free time to wander through Gion, the traditional district where you'll see geishas and experience the local atmosphere.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (New Miyako Hotel), Hotel (Miyako Kioto Hachijyo)
Included Activities
- Bullet train travel to Kyoto
- Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine
- Visit Imperial Palace
- Visit Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion)
- Stroll through Gion traditional district
Landmarks Fushimi Inari Shrine Imperial Palace Kinkakuji Temple Gion 
- Day 4
Kyoto to Kanazawa
After breakfast, you'll drive along one of Japan's largest lakes and stop at Shirahige Ginra shrine. Next comes Eihei-ji, a major Zen monastery founded in 1244. Later in Katsuyama, you can explore the Dinosaur Museum at Japan's biggest fossil site. You'll have free time for lunch and looking around the exhibits, then visit the Great Buddha of Echizen and climb its five-story pagoda for views. You'll arrive in Kanazawa by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mystays Premier Kanazawa)
Included Activities
- Visit Shirahige Ginra shrine
- Visit Eihei-ji temple-monastery
- Visit Dinosaur Museum
- Visit Great Buddha of Echizen
- Climb five-story pagoda
Landmarks Shirahige Ginra Eihei-ji Temple Dinosaur Museum Great Buddha of Echizen 
- Day 5
Kanazawa
You'll have a guided morning tour of Kanazawa starting with the castle area and its historic walls. Then walk through the Nagamachi neighborhood where samurai lived, with traditional houses and narrow alleys. You'll get admission to Kenrokuen garden, one of Japan's three most beautiful. End at Omicho market where there are lunch options and local energy. The afternoon is free to do what you want around town.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mystays Premier Kanazawa)
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Kanazawa
- Visit castle area
- Stroll through Nagamachi neighborhood
- Visit Kenrokuen garden
- Visit Omicho market
Landmarks Kanazawa Castle Nagamachi neighborhood Kenrokuen Garden Omicho Market - Day 6
Kanazawa to Takayama
Today you'll drive through mountain landscapes and villages in the Gokayama and Shirakawago UNESCO areas. You'll visit Ainokura village and the larger Shirakawa-go Ogimachi with time to walk around and grab lunch. After that, head to Takayama and see the Hida Folk Village Museum, an open-air collection of over 30 traditional Edo Period houses. You have free time to explore the old town with its wooden buildings and traditional shops.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Hida Takayama)
Included Activities
- Explore Gokayama region
- Visit Shirakawago region
- Visit Ainokura village
- Visit Shirakawa-go Ogimachi village
- Visit Hida Folk Village Museum
Landmarks Gokayama Ainokura Shirakawa-go Ogimachi Hida Folk Village Museum 
- Day 7
Takayama to Nagano
After breakfast, go to Hida Furukawa for a stroll through the old town and visit a museum about the city's UNESCO-listed festival with its large drums and decorated floats. Cross the Japanese Alps with snow-covered peaks around you. When you reach Matsumoto, you'll see the impressive 'Crow Castle' from the 16th century. You have free time for lunch and exploring, then head to Nagano for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Metropolitan Nagano), Hotel (Kokusai 21), Hotel (Dormy Inn Nagano)
Included Activities
- Stroll through Hida Furukawa old town
- Visit Hida Furukawa museum
- Cross Japanese Alps
- Visit Matsumoto Castle
Landmarks Hida Furukawa Japanese Alps Matsumoto Castle 
- Day 8
Nagano to Ikaho
Visit Zenko-ji, a pilgrimage temple with Japan's first Buddhist image, and take part in the included Gomakuyo ceremony. Travel into the Japanese Alps to Jigokudani Monkey Park, have lunch, and walk through forests where you'll see Japanese macaques bathing in hot springs. Climb to high mountain scenery at 2,172 meters and pass semi-active volcanoes. Later, get to the spa town of Kusatsu with its open-air onsen, then continue to Ikaho, another spa town with historic stair-stepped streets. Tonight stay at a traditional ryokan and enjoy a traditional Japanese dinner.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at Jigokudani Monkey Park), Dinner (Traditional Japanese dinner at ryokan)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Moriaki Ryokan), Hotel (Kishigon Ryokan)
Included Activities
- Visit Zenko-ji
- Gomakuyo ceremony
- Visit Jigokudani Monkey Park
- Stroll through forests and rivers
- Visit hot springs in Jigokudani
- Visit Kusatsu spa town
- Stroll through Kusatsu city park
- Visit open-air onsen in Kusatsu
- Explore Ikaho spa town
- Experience traditional Japanese dinner at ryokan
Landmarks Zenko-ji Temple Jigokudani Monkey Park Japanese Alps Kusatsu Ikaho 
- Day 9
Ikaho to Tokyo
Head to Nikko and visit the impressive Nikko-Toshogu Temple, known for its 'room with the sound of a dragon.' You'll also explore the Taiyuinbyo Mausoleum and take a walk along the Kanmangafuchi Abyss where hundreds of Jizo statues line the riverbanks. You have free time to check out the town before heading back to Tokyo, arriving around 6:30 p.m.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Shinagawa Prince Hotel), Hotel (Moxy Tokyo Kinshicho), Hotel (Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba)
Included Activities
- Visit Nikko-Toshogu Temple
- Visit Taiyuinbyo Mausoleum
- Stroll along Kanmangafuchi Abyss
- Free time to explore Nikko town center
Landmarks Nikko-Toshogu Temple Taiyuinbyo Mausoleum Kanmangafuchi Abyss 
- Day 10
Tokyo
After breakfast, your trip ends here. You're heading home with the memories from the past week of exploring Japan.
- Meals
- Breakfast
