Itinerary
- Days 1 - 2
Tokyo
This is your first full day in Tokyo, and you have total flexibility with how to spend it. Some people head out early to neighborhoods like Shibuya or Shinjuku, while others take it slow and rest at the hotel. You could grab coffee at a local café, wander through side streets, or visit a shrine nearby. The goal is to adjust to Tokyo time and get comfortable with how things work here before diving into bigger activities.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Explore Tokyo neighborhoods and local culture
- Day 3
Tokyo
Start by heading up Tokyo Skytree for those high views across the city. From there, make your way to Senso-ji temple in Asakusa, walk through the shops on Nakamise street picking up souvenirs, and check out the Imperial Palace Plaza nearby. In the afternoon, stroll through Hamarikyu Gardens where you can grab tea overlooking the pond. Later, head to Tokyo Bay for a dinner cruise and watch the city light up from the water as evening settles in.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner during Tokyo Bay cruise)
Included Activities
- Ascend Tokyo Skytree, Japan's tallest tower
- Visit Senso-ji temple
- Browse Nakamise shopping street
- Drive by Imperial Palace Plaza
- Stroll through Hamarikyu Gardens
- Cruise Tokyo Bay
- Dinner during Tokyo Bay cruise
Landmarks/POIs Tokyo Skytree Senso-ji Temple Nakamise shopping street Imperial Palace Plaza Hamarikyu Gardens Tokyo Bay 
- Day 4
Tokyo to Mt Fuji to Mishima
You'll drive from Tokyo toward Mt Fuji, heading up to the 5th Station at about 2,400 meters (weather permitting, though sometimes it's closed and you'll visit the Fuji Visitor Centre instead). After that, continue to Hakone and take a cruise on Lake Ashi where you'll see the red torii gates poking out of the water. Ride the Komagatake Ropeway up to the summit for more Mt Fuji views, then settle into your accommodation in Mishima for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Ascend Mt Fuji to 5th Station (weather permitting)
- Visit Fuji Visitor Centre (if 5th Station road closed)
- Cruise Lake Ashi
- Ride Komagatake Ropeway to Mt Komagatake summit
Landmarks/POIs Mt Fuji Fuji Visitor Centre Lake Ashi Mt Komagatake Komagatake Ropeway 
- Day 5
Mishima to Kyoto
After breakfast, walk to Mishima Station and jump on the bullet train heading to Kyoto, which takes about 2 hours. You'll arrive in the afternoon and head straight to Fushimi Inari Shrine. Walking through those red torii gates stacked one after another is something you won't forget, and the hillside pathways are quiet and peaceful compared to how crowded it can get earlier in the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bullet train from Mishima to Kyoto
- Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine
- Walk through vermilion torii gates and shrine complex
Landmarks/POIs Fushimi Inari Shrine Mishima Station 
- Day 6
Kyoto
Start your morning at Ryoan-ji Temple checking out the famous rock garden, which is pretty meditative if you give it time. Then head to Kinkaku-ji Temple where the whole building is covered in gold leaf and it reflects in the pond in front. After grabbing lunch somewhere nearby, you'll participate in a calligraphy session and watch a traditional tea ceremony. Just remember to take your shoes off before entering the tea house.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Ryoan-ji Temple and view Zen garden
- Visit Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion)
- Japanese calligraphy session
- Traditional tea ceremony demonstration
Landmarks/POIs Ryoan-ji Temple Kinkaku-ji Temple - Day 7
Nara to Osaka
Travel to Nara, a city that has serious cultural heritage nearly matching Kyoto. Visit Todai-ji Temple to see the massive 15-meter bronze Buddha statue inside, then walk through Isui-en garden with its Meiji era landscaping. After that, continue to Osaka and explore the loud, energetic Dotonbori district with its neon signs and food stalls. You'll also learn about Osaka Castle's complicated history, which is pretty interesting if you're into that sort of thing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Todai-ji Temple
- View the Daibutsu bronze Buddha statue
- Stroll through Isui-en garden
- Explore Dotonbori district
- Learn about Osaka Castle history
Landmarks/POIs Todai-ji Temple Daibutsu Isui-en garden Dotonbori district Osaka Castle 
- Day 8
Osaka to UK
Fly from Osaka back to the UK. Depending on your flight time and the time zones involved, you'll either arrive home the same day or the next day. It's a long journey back, so bring something to keep you entertained on the plane and expect to sleep when you get home.
