Itinerary
- Day 1
Flight to Tokyo
You'll depart on a flight with ANA or another major airline heading to Tokyo. This is your starting point for the journey ahead.
- Day 2
Tokyo
You arrive in Tokyo and meet your tour guide at the airport for the transfer to your hotel. Check-in happens in the afternoon, giving you time to settle in and catch your first glimpses of the city's energy.
Included Activities
- Airport reception and transfer to hotel
- Day 3
Tokyo
This is a flexible day where you can explore Tokyo on your own or join the optional 'Unknown Tokyo' tour. The guided option covers St. Mary's Cathedral, Akihabara's pop culture scene, a robot café, Nakamise-dori street, Sensoji Temple, and Tokyo Skytree. You'll have a group dinner in the evening. Your larger bags are sent ahead to Osaka tonight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner with travel group)
Included Activities
- Group dinner
Optional Activities
- Excursion 'Unknown Tokyo' - St. Mary's Cathedral by Kenzo Tange visit
- Akihabara electronics and anime district with Akiba Culture Zone tour
- Visit to Second Harvest Japan food bank
- Lunch at robot café (optional)
- Nakamise-dori pilgrimage street visit
- Sensoji Buddhist temple visit
- Tokyo Skytree viewing platform
Landmarks/POIs St. Mary's Cathedral Akihabara Sensoji Temple Tokyo Skytree - Day 4
Tokyo to Nagoya
Board the famous Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagoya and watch the countryside roll past. You might catch a view of Mount Fuji along the way. Once there, check out the SCMAGLEV and Railway Park to learn about Japan's high-speed rail, then head to Nagoya Castle with its golden roof and reconstructed palace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Shinkansen train journey Tokyo to Nagoya (2nd class reserved seats)
- SCMAGLEV and Railway Park visit with museum exhibits and simulator
- Nagoya Castle visit including Hommaru Palace and castle grounds
Optional Activities
- Evening excursion - Hitsumabushi (grilled eel on rice) dinner at traditional restaurant
Landmarks/POIs SCMAGLEV and Railway Park Nagoya Castle Mount Fuji - Day 5
Kiso Valley Excursion
Start with a soba cooking class where chefs teach you to knead, roll, and cut buckwheat noodles by hand, then eat what you've made. Later, hike about 8 km along the historic Nakasendo trade route between Magome and Tsumago post towns through rural landscapes. If hiking isn't your thing, take the bus instead and explore the towns at your own pace before returning to Nagoya.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Soba cooking class with handmade noodles and broth
- Hike approximately 8 km along Nakasendo between Magome and Tsumago (or alternative bus option)
Landmarks/POIs Kiso Valley Nakasendo Historic Trail Magome Tsumago - Day 6
Nagoya to Osaka
Travel from Nagoya to Osaka. Visit the Umeda Sky Building and its viewing platform for panoramic views across the city. Stop at Shinsekai district to see the famous Tsutenkaku tower and neon streets, then go to Isshinji Temple. You'll also learn about sumo wrestling from former or active wrestlers who provide a demonstration.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Umeda Sky Building visit with Sky Garden viewing platform
- Shinsekai district photo stop
- Isshinji Temple visit
- Sumo wrestling demonstration with former or active wrestlers
Landmarks/POIs Umeda Sky Building Shinsekai Tsutenkaku Tower Isshinji Temple - Day 7
Aizumi to Takamatsu to Zentsuji
Head to the quiet town of Aizumi to try traditional indigo dyeing, where you'll dye a scarf yourself at the Ai no Yakata museum and workshop. Continue to Takamatsu and walk through the famous Ritsurin Garden with its carefully maintained ponds, bridges, and pine trees. Visit Zentsuji Temple, an important pilgrimage site and birthplace of Kobo-Daishi. You'll spend the night in a traditional temple hostel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Ai no Yakata indigo dyeing workshop - dye a scarf using traditional method
- Ritsurin Garden tour with free guided tour of history and Japanese garden design philosophy
- Zentsuji Temple visit including large pagoda and pilgrimage route information
Landmarks/POIs Ai no Yakata Ritsurin Garden Zentsuji Temple - Day 8
Mount Konpira to Iya Valley to Kochi
Climb 785 stone steps up to Kotohiragu Shrine on Mount Konpira, passing through traditional torii gates and ornate buildings with views over the Setonai Inland Sea. Later, head into the remote Iya Valley to cross the famous vine suspension bridge over the river. In the evening, visit Kochi Castle, one of Japan's few castles still in its original wooden state, seen beautifully lit at night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Kotohiragu Shrine visit with 785 stone steps to Hongu main shrine
- Iya Valley exploration
- Vine winch bridge (Kazurabashi) crossing
- Kochi Castle visit with nocturnal viewing
Landmarks/POIs Kotohiragu Shrine Mount Konpira Iya Valley Kazurabashi Vine Bridge Kochi Castle - Day 9
Nakatsu Valley to Uchiko to Matsuyama
Walk through Nakatsu Valley with its bright turquoise water to reach Uryu no Taki waterfall. Move on to Uchiko, a charming town where you'll explore historic streets and see a former wax factory. Soak in Dogo Onsen, one of Japan's oldest and most famous hot springs. Dinner back at the hotel features regional specialties.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Regional specialties dinner at hotel)
Included Activities
- Nakatsu Valley walk to Uryu no Taki (Rain Dragon Waterfall)
- Uchiko historic town tour including old wax factory
- Dogo Onsen (hot spring bath) visit
Landmarks/POIs Nakatsu Valley Uryu no Taki Uchiko Dogo Onsen - Day 10
Shikoku to Okayama
Visit Maegamiji Temple, an important site on the Henro Pilgrimage Route, for a quiet goodbye to Shikoku. Cross the spectacular Kurushima Kaikyo Suspension Bridge spanning the Setonai Inland Sea with great views. Then see Korakuen Garden in Okayama, one of Japan's three most famous landscape gardens. Finish with a short walk through Kurashiki's old town with its traditional kura storehouses.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Maegamiji Temple visit
- Kurushima Kaikyo Suspension Bridge crossing
- Korakuen Garden visit with guided tour
Landmarks/POIs Maegamiji Temple Kurushima Kaikyo Suspension Bridge Korakuen Garden Kurashiki - Day 11
Naoshima
Take a short ferry from Kurashiki to Naoshima, an island where art and nature blend together. Visit the Chichu Art Museum with works by Monet, Turrell, and De Maria built into the building and landscape itself. Explore the Benesse House Museum by the sea, which combines an art gallery with a hotel and features contemporary art plus outdoor sculptures overlooking the inland sea.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ferry to Naoshima
- Chichu Art Museum visit
- Benesse House Museum visit
Landmarks/POIs Naoshima Chichu Art Museum Benesse House Museum - Day 12
Kurashiki to Kyoto
Travel to Kyoto and head straight to Fushimi-Inari Shrine, famous for thousands of red torii gates stacked up the mountain. Tour the Kizakura Brewery to learn about traditional sake brewing and taste different varieties. If you're interested, there's an optional Japanese evening with shabu-shabu dinner and geisha dancing.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Fushimi-Inari Shrine visit with torii gate walkway
- Kizakura Brewery guided tour and sake tasting
Optional Activities
- Japanese evening with shabushabu dinner and geisha dancing
Landmarks/POIs Fushimi-Inari Shrine Kizakura Brewery - Day 13
Kyoto
You can explore Kyoto independently or join the optional 'Kyoto' tour. The guided option includes a calligraphy class at Tondaya where you create your own characters with brush and ink, a visit to the Golden Pavilion with its gold exterior reflected in still water, and a tea ceremony at a side temple of Kodaiji Temple for a taste of this solemn tradition.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Calligraphy course at Tondaya
- Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) visit
- Tea ceremony at Kodaiji Temple side temple
Landmarks/POIs Kinkaku-ji Kodaiji Temple - Day 14
Kyoto to Osaka/Kansai Airport
Spend your final morning in Kyoto exploring freely before transferring to Osaka or Kansai Airport. Say goodbye to Japan and board your return flight to Germany.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Free time in Kyoto
- Transfer to Osaka/Kansai Airport
- Day 15
Arrival in Germany
You arrive back in Germany, completing your journey through Japan.
