Itinerary
- Day 1
Tokyo
Your trip to Japan kicks off when you arrive in Tokyo. By mid-afternoon, you'll be able to check into your hotel and spend some time getting your bearings in Japan's bustling capital.
- Day 2
Tokyo
The day focuses on Tokyo's cultural side. You'll start at Meiji Shrine, a 20th-century Shinto site set within a man-made forest, then participate in a traditional tea ceremony. After that, head to the historic Asakusa Kannon Temple and walk through the Nakamise shopping arcade. By evening, you'll join your group for a welcome dinner hosted by your Tour Director.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Welcome dinner hosted by Tour Director)
Included Activities
- Visit Meiji Shrine
- Tea ceremony
- Visit Asakusa Kannon Temple
- Nakamise shopping arcade
- Welcome dinner with Tour Director
Landmarks Meiji Shrine Asakusa Kannon Temple Nakamise shopping arcade - Day 3
Tokyo
This entire day is yours to do what you want. You could wander through neighborhoods like Ginza or Shibuya, try street food markets, or take a full day excursion out to the Five Lakes area and Mt Fuji if you're interested in seeing that.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Ginza district
- Explore Shibuya district
- Dine at street food markets
- Full day excursion to Five Lakes region and Mt Fuji
- Day 4
Tokyo to Hiroshima
You'll board Japan's famous shinkansen bullet train for a comfortable ride to historic Hiroshima. Once you arrive, a local guide takes you through Shukkeki-en Garden, a 400-year-old space where natural landscapes get represented in miniature form. The garden shows how traditional Japanese designers compressed entire scenic views into smaller spaces, and walking through it gives you a real sense of that philosophy.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Shinkansen (bullet train) ride to Hiroshima
- Guided visit to Shukkeki-en Garden
Landmarks Shukkeki-en Garden 
- Day 5
Hiroshima
Your Local Guide leads you through Hiroshima's most important locations. You'll start at Peace Memorial Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site from August 6, 1945, and visit both the Memorial Museum and Memorial Hall. Later, take the ferry over to Miyajima Island to see Itsukushima Shrine and its famous floating Torii Gate, another UNESCO site. The evening is free for you to rest.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Peace Memorial Park
- Visit Peace Memorial Museum
- Visit Peace Memorial Hall
- Ferry to Miyajima Island
- Visit Itsukushima Shrine
Landmarks Peace Memorial Park Itsukushima Shrine Miyajima Island - Day 6
Kurashiki - Himeji - Kyoto
Drive north to Kurashiki and spend some free time in the Bikan Historical Quarter with its white-washed stone-lined canals from the Edo period. Along the way, stop in Himeji to see Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that's one of the best surviving examples of early 17th-century Japanese castle architecture. Then continue on to Kyoto.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Free time in Bikan Historical Quarter, Kurashiki
- Visit Himeji Castle
Landmarks Bikan Historical Quarter Himeji Castle 
- Day 7
Kyoto
This morning you'll visit Fushimi Inari Shrine to see its thousands of brightly colored Torii Gates, then head to Kiyomizu Temple for views over Kyoto. After that, you'll learn about traditional Yuzen dyeing and create your own souvenir using this kimono decoration technique. By afternoon, you'll join a Japanese cooking class with a local chef where you'll make miso soup, teriyaki chicken, and sushi rolls from scratch.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Japanese cooking class - miso soup, teriyaki chicken, and makizushi (sushi rolls))
Included Activities
- Guided visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine
- Guided visit to Kiyomizu Temple
- Yuzen Handmade Corner experience - learn and create souvenir using traditional Yuzen dyeing technique
- Japanese cooking class for lunch - learn to make miso soup, teriyaki chicken, and makizushi (sushi rolls)
Landmarks Fushimi Inari Shrine Kiyomizu Temple Higashiyama District 
- Day 8
Kyoto to Nara
Travel to Nara and visit Kasuga Shrine and Todaiji Temple, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites within Nara Park. Check out the thousands of stone and bronze lanterns at Kasuga Shrine, then see the massive Daibutsu inside Todaiji Temple's main hall. That evening, your Tour Director hosts a farewell dinner celebrating what you've experienced.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner hosted by Tour Director)
Included Activities
- Visit Kasuga Shrine
- Visit Todaiji Temple
- Farewell dinner with Tour Director
Landmarks Nara Park Kasuga Shrine Todaiji Temple - Day 9
Nara to Osaka
Take another shinkansen bullet train to Osaka, known for food and nightlife. Your Local Guide shows you around Osaka Castle and its park, then you'll explore Minami, the entertainment district with Shinsaibashi and Namba. Grab lunch featuring okonomiyaki, Osaka's famous pancake dish, and then walk around the area on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Okonomiyaki, a delicious pancake dish famous in Osaka)
Included Activities
- Shinkansen (bullet train) to Osaka
- Visit Osaka Castle and park
- Explore Minami district (Shinsaibashi and Namba)
- Explore Dontonbori Street
Landmarks Osaka Castle Minami Dontonbori Street 
- Day 10
Osaka
You have a full free day in Osaka. Head back to Minami if you want more time there, or check out the Open-Air Museum of Japanese Farmhouses. Museums, shopping, theater, and restaurants are all available for you to explore at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Return to Minami district for further exploration
- Visit Open-Air Museum of Japanese Farmhouses
Landmarks Open-Air Museum of Japanese Farmhouses - Day 11
Osaka
After breakfast this morning, your tour comes to an end. You'll head home with plenty of memories from your time exploring Japan.
- Meals
- Breakfast
