Itinerary
- Day 1
Tokyo
After you clear customs, a shared shuttle bus takes you to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day settling in and getting comfortable at your accommodation. Tour details come your way in the afternoon so you know what to expect for the days ahead.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Shinagawa Prince Hotel)
- Day 2
Tokyo
Your guided morning tour runs five hours and covers Tokyo's main highlights. You'll see Zojoji Temple, walk through the famous Shibuya Crossing, visit Meiji Shrine and Omotesando Avenue, pass by the Imperial Palace, check out Akihabara, and head up Tokyo Skytree for views across the city. Later in the day you'll see Sensoji Temple and browse Nakamise Street. By evening, you're in Shinjuku for dinner with the group.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at a local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Shinagawa Prince Hotel)
Included Activities
- Guided city tour including Zojoji Temple, Shibuya Crossing, Meiji Shrine, Omotesando Avenue, Imperial Palace and gardens, Nijubashi Bridge, Akihabara, Tokyo Skytree (admission included), Sensoji Temple, and Nakamise Street
- Evening walk through Shinjuku
- Dinner at local restaurant
Landmarks/POIs Zojoji Temple Tokyo Tower Shibuya Crossing Meiji Shrine Omotesando Avenue Imperial Palace Nijubashi Bridge Tokyo Skytree Sensoji Temple Nakamise Street Shinjuku 
- Day 3
Tokyo to Kyoto
The bullet train gets you from Tokyo to Kyoto in just over two hours, covering nearly 500 kilometers. Once there, you'll explore Kyoto's preserved sites including Fushimi Inari Shrine with its distinctive red gates, the Imperial Palace, and Kinkakuji Temple. You'll have free time to wander through Gion, the traditional district known for its old wooden machiya houses and geisha culture.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (New Miyako Hotel)
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Kyoto including Fushimi Inari Shrine, Imperial Palace, and Kinkakuji Temple
- Stroll through Gion traditional district
Landmarks/POIs Fushimi Inari Shrine Imperial Palace Kinkakuji Temple Gion 
- Day 4
Kanazawa
After breakfast, you visit a small shrine located by one of Japan's largest lakes. From there, you head to Eihei-ji, a temple-monastery founded in 1244 that's central to Zen Buddhist practice. In Katsuyama, you explore the Dinosaur Museum at Japan's biggest fossil site and have time for lunch. Before reaching Kanazawa by evening, you see the Great Buddha of Echizen and its temple complex, including a five-story pagoda you can climb.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Shirahige Ginra shrine by the lake
- Guided tour of Eihei-ji temple-monastery (admission included)
- Visit Dinosaur Museum with free time for lunch and exploration
- Visit Great Buddha of Echizen and its temple with five-story pagoda accessible for panoramic views
Landmarks/POIs Shirahige Ginra Shrine Eihei-ji Dinosaur Museum Great Buddha of Echizen 
- Day 5
Kanazawa
Your guided morning tour covers Kanazawa's castle area with its impressive stone walls and the historic Nagamachi samurai neighborhood where old residences still line the streets. You then visit Kenrokuen, one of Japan's three most beautiful gardens. At Omicho market, a lively traditional spot, you'll grab lunch and see fresh local goods. Your afternoon is free to explore on your own.
Included Activities
- Guided city tour including castle area and Nagamachi samurai neighborhood
- Admission to Kenrokuen Garden
- Visit Omicho traditional market
Landmarks/POIs Kanazawa Castle Nagamachi Neighborhood Kenrokuen Garden Omicho Market - Day 6
Takayama
You travel through mountain landscapes and traditional villages in the UNESCO sites of Gokayama and Shirakawago. The villages here feature distinctive steeply-roofed houses built to handle heavy snow loads. You'll have time to stroll around and eat lunch. After that, the Hida Folk Village Museum shows over 30 traditional Edo Period houses, then you explore Takayama's charming old town with its well-preserved streets.
Included Activities
- Visit Ainokura village
- Visit Shirakawa-go Ogimachi village with time to stroll and lunch
- Guided tour of Hida Folk Village Museum
Landmarks/POIs Ainokura Village Shirakawa-go Ogimachi Hida Folk Village Museum 
- Day 7
Tokyo
Following breakfast, you walk through Hida Furukawa's historic old town and visit its museum displaying UNESCO-recognized festival floats, traditional costumes, and drums. You cross through the Japanese Alps known for snow-covered peaks and valleys. In Matsumoto, you see the impressive 16th-century castle called the 'Crow Castle' because of its black exterior. You'll have free time for lunch and exploring before heading back to Tokyo, where you arrive by the end of the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Shinagawa Prince Hotel)
Included Activities
- Stroll through Hida Furukawa old town
- Admission to Hida Furukawa festival museum
- Guided tour of Matsumoto Castle
Landmarks/POIs Hida Furukawa Matsumoto Castle 
- Day 8
Tokyo
After breakfast, your Japan tour concludes. You'll depart with memories of temples, gardens, bullet trains, and the mix of modern cities and traditional villages you've experienced throughout the week.
- Meals
- Breakfast
