Itinerary
- Day 1
Tokyo Arrival
An English-speaking assistant meets you at either Narita or Haneda Airport with your airport bus ticket in hand. They'll point you toward the correct stop, and the bus takes you directly to your hotel or within about a 10-minute walk from it. You'll have the evening to settle in and rest up, with your welcome briefing scheduled for tomorrow.
Included Activities
- Airport arrival transfer by shared bus
- Day 2
Tokyo
After breakfast, you'll meet your tour group and guide at 9:00 for the welcome briefing. From there, you're exploring Tokyo's main attractions using the rail system: the peaceful Meiji Jingu Shrine with its 12-metre-high torii gate surrounded by 200 acres of forest, the colorful and quirky shops along Takeshita Dori in Harajuku, the famous Shibuya scramble crossing where hundreds of people cross at once, and one of Tokyo's department store food halls with its incredible selection. You'll head back to your hotel by evening, which is yours to spend as you like.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Meiji Jingu Shrine
- Walk through Takeshita Dori in Harajuku
- Explore Shibuya scramble crossing
- Browse Tokyo department store food halls
Landmarks/POIs Meiji Jingu Shrine Takeshita Dori Shibuya Scramble Crossing - Day 3
Tokyo
Your day starts at Senso-ji, Tokyo's oldest temple, where you'll learn about Buddhism's role in Japanese culture. If there's time, you can check out the specialist kitchenware shops and plastic food displays at nearby Kappabashi Dori. Next, you're heading up Tokyo Skytree's observation deck 450 metres high for sweeping city views. In the afternoon, you'll wander through Yanaka Old Town's nostalgic streets, walk around Yanaka Cemetery's quiet atmosphere, and optionally visit Nippori Fabric Town if you're interested in textiles.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Senso-ji Temple
- Ascend Tokyo Skytree's 450-metre observation deck
- Explore Yanaka Old Town
- Stroll through Yanaka Cemetery
Optional Activities
- Visit Kappabashi Dori
- Visit Nippori Fabric Town
Landmarks/POIs Senso-ji Temple Kappabashi Dori Tokyo Skytree Yanaka Old Town Yanaka Cemetery Nippori Fabric Town - Day 4
Tokyo to Hakone
Meet your guide at the hotel lobby after packing an overnight bag since your main luggage heads to Takayama separately. You'll take the scenic Romance Car train to Hakone, then switch to a train and cable car to reach Sounzan Station. From there, you're taking a ropeway to Owakudani, a volcanic valley with steaming vents where you can explore the natural hot springs at your own pace. The ropeway continues to Togendai where you'll board a Lake Ashi cruise to Motohakone, and if the weather's clear, you'll catch views of Mt Fuji across the water. A bus brings you to your hotel for check-in and dinner with the group.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic train ride aboard Romance Car to Hakone
- Take cable car to Sounzan Station
- Ropeway to Owakudani volcanic valley
- Lake Ashi cruise to Motohakone
- Dinner
Landmarks/POIs Owakudani Lake Ashi Motohakone Mt Fuji 
- Day 5
Hakone to Takayama
You're boarding the Hikari bullet train to Nagoya Station, then continuing on a scenic limited express train to Takayama, a mountain town. Once there, you'll spend the afternoon exploring Sanmachi Old Town, a beautifully preserved historic area known for its traditional wooden merchant houses, craft shops, inviting cafes, and sake breweries. After checking into your hotel, your day concludes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Travel by Hikari bullet train to Nagoya Station
- Scenic limited express journey to Takayama
- Explore Sanmachi Old Town
Landmarks/POIs Sanmachi Old Town - Day 6
Takayama to Kanazawa
The morning takes you through the Miyagawa Morning Market where you can browse fresh produce, sweets, and local crafts. You'll visit Takayama Jinya, a former government office giving you insight into Japan's feudal period. Then a private coach takes you to Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its gassho-zukuri thatched-roof houses set in mountains and fields, showing what traditional rural life looked like. Later, you'll travel on to Kanazawa where you'll spend the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Browse Miyagawa Morning Market
- Visit Takayama Jinya
- Visit Shirakawa-go UNESCO World Heritage site
- Explore gassho-zukuri thatched-roof houses
Landmarks/POIs Miyagawa Morning Market Takayama Jinya Shirakawa-go - Day 7
Kanazawa
You're exploring Kanazawa, one of Japan's best-preserved cities since it avoided the heavy WWII bombing that damaged many other historic areas. Start at Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan's most celebrated gardens. Then head to Omicho Market, which has been a food hub for over 300 years, and you can sample fresh seafood and local specialties. After lunch, you'll step into the Shima Teahouse, a well-preserved 19th-century geisha house showing traditional geisha culture. Your day ends wandering the Higashi Chaya District's narrow streets lined with Edo-period buildings, teahouses, and shops.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Kenrokuen Garden
- Visit Omicho Market
- Explore Shima Teahouse, 19th-century geisha house
- Walk through Higashi Chaya District
Landmarks/POIs Kenrokuen Garden Omicho Market Shima Teahouse Higashi Chaya District - Day 8
Kanazawa to Osaka
A train takes you to Osaka while your main luggage is sent ahead. You'll only bring an overnight bag for this part of the journey. Upon arrival, you're diving into the Dotonbori district with its neon lights, street food vendors, and lively energy. In the afternoon, you'll see Osaka Castle, one of Japan's most iconic landmarks surrounded by spacious gardens that look especially nice during cherry blossom season. Your evening is free to explore on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Dotonbori district
- Visit Osaka Castle
Landmarks/POIs Dotonbori Osaka Castle 
- Day 9
Osaka to Nara and Return
A scenic train ride takes you to Nara, Japan's first permanent capital. You'll visit Todai-ji Temple to see the 15-metre-tall Great Buddha, one of Japan's largest bronze statues. Then you're strolling through Nara Park where tame sacred deer roam freely. Grab food from the feeding stations and feed the deer if you want, and they'll bow to you in return. Afterwards, you'll continue to Horyu-ji Temple, which contains the world's oldest wooden structures. By evening, you're back in Osaka.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Todai-ji Temple and Great Buddha
- Stroll through Nara Park
- Feed sacred deer in Nara Park
- Visit Horyu-ji Temple
Landmarks/POIs Todai-ji Temple Great Buddha Nara Park Horyu-ji Temple 
- Day 10
Osaka to Hiroshima
Your guide meets you in the hotel lobby, and your main luggage gets sent ahead to your Kyoto hotel while you keep just an overnight bag. You'll board the bullet train to Hiroshima, arriving in time for a traditional okonomiyaki lunch, the city's beloved savoury pancake with noodles and various toppings layered inside. After eating, you're visiting the A-Bomb Dome, the haunting remains of the former Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site symbolizing resilience and peace. The Peace Memorial Museum follows with moving exhibits about survivors' stories and Hiroshima's rebuilding. After reflecting in the memorial parklands, you'll transfer to your hotel and check in for a quiet evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional okonomiyaki, the city's much-loved savoury pancake layered with noodles and various toppings)
Included Activities
- Board bullet train to Hiroshima
- Traditional okonomiyaki lunch
- Visit A-Bomb Dome UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Visit Peace Memorial Museum
- Explore memorial parklands
Landmarks/POIs A-Bomb Dome Peace Memorial Museum 
- Day 11
Hiroshima to Miyajima and Kyoto
A ferry takes you to Miyajima Island, known for its iconic floating torii gate and the peaceful Itsukushima Shrine. You'll explore the island's charming streets filled with cafes, restaurants, and shops selling local specialties. After spending time here, you're returning to Hiroshima and boarding the Shinkansen bullet train to Kyoto for an overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ferry to Miyajima Island
- Visit Itsukushima Shrine
- Explore Miyajima's charming streets
- Shinkansen bullet train to Kyoto
Landmarks/POIs Miyajima Island Itsukushima Shrine 
- Day 12
Kyoto
You're starting at Kiyomizu-dera Temple, which is known for its huge wooden stage overlooking Kyoto and the Otowa Waterfall where visitors sip the water for good luck. Next, you'll participate in a traditional tea ceremony, learning how matcha is prepared and the proper etiquette. Then you're wandering through Ninenzaka's beautifully preserved wooden lanes with time to browse craft shops and grab lunch. The afternoon continues along Gion's Hanami-Koji Street to Kenninji, Kyoto's oldest Zen temple with its tranquil rock gardens and striking twin-dragon ceiling. You'll finish at Sanjusangendo, a remarkable hall housing 1,001 statues of Kannon, the Buddhist deity of compassion.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple
- Traditional tea ceremony with matcha preparation
- Walk along Ninenzaka
- Explore Gion's Hanami-Koji Street
- Visit Kenninji, Kyoto's oldest Zen temple
- Visit Sanjusangendo hall with 1,001 Kannon statues
Landmarks/POIs Kiyomizu-dera Temple Otowa Waterfall Ninenzaka Hanami-Koji Street Kenninji Sanjusangendo - Day 13
Kyoto
Your morning begins at Fushimi Inari Shrine with its thousands of vermilion torii gates winding up the mountainside. After that, you have free time to explore Kyoto at your own pace. In the evening, you're discovering Kyoto's geisha culture with a guided walk through the Gion district, followed by a farewell dinner featuring a traditional Maiko performance. This exclusive experience lets you interact with a Maiko, take photos, and enjoy a nice meal together.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner with traditional Maiko performance)
Included Activities
- Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine
- Guided walk through Gion district
- Farewell dinner with traditional Maiko performance
Landmarks/POIs Fushimi Inari Shrine Gion District - Day 14
Kyoto Departure
Your tour ends after breakfast and you check out of your hotel. There's no included transfer, so you'll arrange your own way to the airport or your next destination.
- Meals
- Breakfast
