Itinerary
- Day 1
Tokyo
You'll land at either Narita or Haneda and meet up with your guide who'll get you on the train into central Tokyo. After checking into your hotel, the afternoon is completely free for you to wander around and get your bearings. There's a welcome meeting at 6pm where you'll connect with your guide and the rest of the group.
Optional Activities
- Explore Tokyo at leisure
- Day 2
Tokyo
Head out on the subway to Asakusa and spend time at Sensoji Buddhist Temple, then browse through the souvenir and craft shops in the neighborhood. Grab lunch, then you'll have a guided tour of the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno Park to see various exhibits and Japanese archaeology collections. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore on your own.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Sensoji Buddhist Temple
- Explore Asakusa souvenir and craft stalls
- Guided tour of Tokyo National Museum
Optional Activities
- Further independent exploration of Tokyo
Landmarks/POIs Sensoji Temple Tokyo National Museum Ueno Park - Day 3
Tokyo to Kamakura to Tokyo
Board a train this morning for Kamakura, about an hour away, where you'll see Japan's former feudal capital with its charming waterfront character and Zen temples. You'll check out the iconic bronze Big Buddha and walk through Hokokuji temple to experience its bamboo garden. There's time to have tea at the temple and shop along the cobbled streets for local crafts before heading back to Tokyo.
Included Activities
- Train travel to Kamakura
- Visit Big Buddha
- Visit Hokokuji Zen Temple and bamboo garden
- Tea at temple
- Explore Kamakura cobbled shopping district
- Train return to Tokyo
Landmarks/POIs Big Buddha Hokokuji Temple - Day 4
Tokyo
Head to Harajuku to check out the trendy Takeshita Street where Tokyo's fashion crowd hangs out. Visit Meiji Shrine, then make your way to Shibuya Crossing, one of the world's busiest intersections. You can watch thousands of people cross at once from a Starbucks window. The rest of the day is free. If you're traveling in May or September, there's the option to book a Sumo tournament visit for the evening.
Included Activities
- Visit Meiji Shrine
- Experience Shibuya Crossing and coffee at Starbucks
Optional Activities
- Browse Takeshita Street shops and cafes in Harajuku
- Independent exploration of Tokyo
- Sumo tournament (May and September only, advance booking required)
Landmarks/POIs Meiji Shrine Shibuya Crossing - Day 5
Tokyo to Lake Kawaguchi
Take a highway bus this morning to Lake Kawaguchi at the base of Mt. Fuji in the national park. You'll get views of Mt. Fuji on most days and ride the Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway to the observatory. From April 15 to May 28, there's the Springtime Fuji Shibazakura Festival at Motosu Lake with pink moss and mountain views. Tonight you'll stay at a traditional ryokan with local food and natural hot spring baths.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Local cuisine at ryokan)
Included Activities
- Highway bus travel to Lake Kawaguchi
- Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway and observatory
- Dinner at ryokan
- Natural hot spring bath at ryokan
Optional Activities
- Fuji Shibazakura (Moss Phlox) Festival at Motosu Lake (April 15-May 28)
Landmarks/POIs Lake Kawaguchi Mount Fuji Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway Fuji Hakone Izu National Park - Day 6
Lake Kawaguchi to Kyoto
If you wake early, there are hiking trails around the lake you can explore. Later, take a bus to Mishima and then the bullet train to Kyoto. You'll get a guided tour of Sanjusangen-do Temple with its thousand golden Kannon statues carved from cypress. After that, walk through Gion to see the Geisha District. There's an option to catch a cultural show at Gion Corner Theatre to see a Maiko in action.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Sanjusangen-do Temple
- Walking tour of Gion Geisha District
Optional Activities
- Early morning hike along Lake Kawaguchi foreshores
- Cultural performance at Gion Corner Theatre
Landmarks/POIs Sanjusangen-do Temple Gion Gion Corner Theatre - Day 7
Kyoto
Start with a guided tour of Nijo Castle, a UNESCO site built in 1603 with beautiful Momoyama architecture. Then visit Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), a Zen temple covered in gold leaf overlooking a small lake. The afternoon is free to relax or head to Fushimi Inari Shrine with its thousands of red torii gates, or try a kimono rental or cooking class instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Nijo Castle
- Visit Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion)
Optional Activities
- Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine
- Kimono rental and walk through Kyoto
- Cooking lesson
Landmarks/POIs Nijo Castle Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) Fushimi Inari Shrine - Day 8
Kyoto to Tokyo (Optional)
Your tour ends after hotel checkout. You can either leave from Kyoto or take the train back to Tokyo and spend one more night there before heading to the airport.
Optional Activities
- Train travel from Kyoto to Tokyo for optional overnight stay
