Itinerary
- Day 1
Tokyo
You'll arrive in Tokyo independently and get yourself to the Far East Hotel Ariake. Once you check in, the rest of the day is yours to settle in and explore the neighborhood at whatever pace works for you. It's a good chance to get your bearings and maybe find a spot for dinner nearby.
- Day 2
Tokyo
Today you can either wander Tokyo on your own or join optional tours of the main spots. The Asakusa district has Sensoji Temple and traditional vibes, while SKYTREE gives you modern city views. You'll find the peaceful Meiji Shrine, then head to Harajuku where Takeshitadori street has all the fashion energy. Shibuya crossing is the famous intersection everyone wants to see, and you can learn about Hachiko the legendary dog while you're there.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Nikko excursion - UNESCO World Heritage shrine and temple district including Toshogu Shrine (17th century) and Rinnoji Temple with wooden Buddhist figures
- Tokyo excursion - Subway and train tour of Asakusa historic district, Sensoji Temple with massive scarlet paper lantern, SKYTREE tower views, Meiji Shrine in peaceful cedar park, Harajuku fashion district and Takeshitadori shopping street, Shibuya crossing and Hachiko statue story
Landmarks Sensoji Temple Tokyo SKYTREE Meiji Shrine Harajuku Takeshitadori Shibuya Crossing Toshogu Shrine Rinnoji Temple Nikko National Park - Day 3
Tokyo to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park
Start early heading to Odaiba on the artificial island to see the Tokyo Statue of Liberty and take in the skyline views with Rainbow Harbour Bridge. From there, travel to Kamakura, the old samurai seat, to check out Hasedera Temple's garden and the Great Buddha. After that, you'll pass through bamboo forests and rice paddies into Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. By evening, reach Lake Kawaguchi where you'll have views of Mount Fuji-san (if weather cooperates) and settle into your hotel with its own onsen hot spring to soak in.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Tokyo Statue of Liberty on Odaiba with panoramic Tokyo skyline views
- Explore Hasedera Temple and its garden with thousands of statues
- Visit the Great Buddha of Kamakura
Landmarks Odaiba Tokyo Statue of Liberty Rainbow Harbour Bridge Hasedera Temple Great Buddha of Kamakura Lake Kawaguchi Mount Fuji Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park - Day 4
Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park to Nagano
Head to Matsumoto to see one of Japan's best-kept castles, nicknamed 'Crow Castle' because of its black exterior and dating back to the 1500s. In the afternoon, travel to Jigokudani Monkey Park near Yamanouchi to watch the local snow monkeys soaking in hot springs, one of the most popular photo spots in Japan. Then continue on to Nagano, which hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics. There's an optional evening visit to Zenkoji Temple if you're interested in the Buddhist pilgrimage site, then settle into your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Matsumoto Castle, one of Japan's most beautifully preserved castles from the 16th century
- Visit Jigokudani Monkey Park to observe snow monkeys in hot springs
Optional Activities
- Evening walk to Zenkoji Temple in Nagano, a popular Buddhist pilgrimage destination
Landmarks Matsumoto Castle Jigokudani Monkey Park Zenkoji Temple 
- Day 5
Nagano to Kanazawa
Travel from Nagano to Shirakawa-go, a mountain village with ancient thatched farmhouses and steep gassho roofs. This UNESCO site shows what old rural Japan looked like. Later, head to Kanazawa and see Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan's three most beautiful landscape gardens and particularly nice during cherry blossoms or autumn. Explore the Higashi-Chaya geisha district with its old confectionery shops and restaurants.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Shirakawa-go UNESCO World Heritage village with traditional gassho-style farmhouses
- Visit Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan's three most beautiful landscape gardens
- Explore Higashi-Chaya geisha district with confectionery factories and restaurants
Landmarks Shirakawa-go Kenrokuen Garden Higashi-Chaya District 
- Day 6
Kanazawa to Kyoto
Begin with a morning walk through Omicho market for fresh seafood and local specialties. Leave Kanazawa and stop at Hikone Castle, one of the few castles still in its original 1600s form, with views of Lake Biwa from the hill. From Maibara, take the Shinkansen super express train to Kyoto at over 250 km/h on its own rail line. Once there, catch a regional train to Fushimi-Inari Shrine with its famous vermilion-red shrine gates. Head to your hotel for a 3-night stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Stroll through Omicho market with fresh seafood and regional specialties
- Visit Hikone Castle, a preserved 16th-century original castle
- Take Shinkansen super express train from Maibara to Kyoto
- Visit Fushimi-Inari Shrine with its famous vermilion-red shrine gate galleries
Landmarks Omicho Market Hikone Castle Lake Biwa Fushimi-Inari Shrine 
- Day 7
Kyoto
Explore Kyoto's 1,400-year history as Japan's former imperial capital. Train north to Arashiyama to walk through one of the most famous bamboo forests in East Asia and visit Tenryuji Zen temple, a UNESCO site with curved garden paths and raked gravel areas. Train to Nijo Residence, the only surviving shogun palace from the Edo period, complete with the 'singing' nightingale floor and gold sliding doors. Cab over to Kinkakuji Temple with its famous Golden Pavilion covered in over 20 kilos of gold. Spend the rest of the day exploring on your own, maybe checking out Nishiki market downtown. There's an optional evening with geisha performances and shabushabu dinner if you want it.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walk through famous Arashiyama bamboo forest
- Visit Tenryuji Zen temple (UNESCO World Heritage Site) with extensive gardens
- Visit Nijo Residence, only surviving Tokugawa shogun palace from Edo period with singing nightingale floor and gold-painted sliding doors
- Visit Kinkakuji Temple with Golden Pavilion covered in pure gold
Optional Activities
- Walk through Nishiki market in city center
- Japanese evening with geisha dances and shabushabu food
Landmarks Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Tenryuji Temple Nijo Residence Kinkakuji Temple Nishiki Market 
- Day 8
Kyoto
You can explore Kyoto independently today or join an optional full-day tour to Himeji and Nara. Himeji Castle, the 'White Heron Castle' and a UNESCO site, sits on a hilltop and is Japan's largest castle, recently restored to its 1600s look. Walk through the nearby Kokoen garden with koi ponds and waterfalls. Then travel to Nara, Japan's first imperial capital, and see the Daibutsu, the world's largest bronze Buddha, in Todaiji Temple's massive wooden hall. Feed the tame Sika deer that roam the city using special deer cookies. Head back to Kyoto in the early evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Himeji/Nara excursion package - Visit Himeji Castle (White Heron Castle), UNESCO World Heritage Site, Japan's largest and most beautiful castle from 17th century
- Himeji/Nara excursion package - Explore Kokoen garden with koi carp pond, artfully trimmed trees, and waterfalls
- Himeji/Nara excursion package - Visit Todaiji Temple to see Daibutsu, world's largest bronze Buddha statue in Great Buddha Hall, the world's largest free-standing wooden building
- Himeji/Nara excursion package - Observe and feed hand-tame Sika deer throughout Nara with deer cookies
Landmarks Himeji Castle Kokoen Garden Todaiji Temple Daibutsu (Great Buddha) - Day 9
Kyoto
This is a free day before you leave. You could do last-minute shopping or visit the Ginkakuji Silver Pavilion built in the 1400s as a counterpart to the Gold Pavilion, showing the restrained wabi-sabi style of a shogun's retirement place. Another option is the Manga Museum downtown if you want to learn about Japanese comics. Later, arrange your individual transfer to the airport for departure or organize an extension if you'd like to stay longer.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Ginkakuji Silver Pavilion, 15th-century counterpart to Golden Pavilion with wabi-sabi aesthetic as former shogun's retirement home
- Visit Manga Museum in central Kyoto near Teramachi shopping area to explore Japanese comics history and culture
Landmarks Ginkakuji Silver Pavilion Manga Museum
