Best Japan Tour

Welcome to Japan! When your flight lands in Tokyo, we will offer you a worry-free airport-hotel transfer by shared car. Our English-speaking assistant will hold a paging board to welcome you, show you the way to the well-prepared car which runs directly to the hotel. You will stay in our handpicked hotel, which is conveniently located in central Tokyo.

Accommodation: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Ginza Premier (4 stars) in Tokyo

► If you want to upgrade your airport-hotel transfer to a private car with driver for an additional fee, please contact our travel consultant to make arrangements for you in advance. If you want to save money, as pick-up service in Japan is notoriously expensive, then you can take public transport to your hotel. The Airport Limousine Bus, rail transit and taxi are all good choices. For more tips on how to get to your hotel by public transport, please refer to ‘Our Insights’ below the itinerary details.

Our guide will be ready early in the morning waiting for you in the hotel lobby. Follow the guide to experience Tokyo’s well-developed public transport. Half an hour’s rail transit will take you to the first destination of the day, Asakusa. Passing through the busy Nakamise-dori Street, which connects the iconic Kaminarimon Gate to the main hall of the Senso-ji Temple, our guide will show you around this oldest temple in Tokyo, built in 628 AD and full of typical Edo culture. You can draw an Omikuji fortune slip like the locals do. If you get an ominous one, just tie it to a nearby railing to relieve the bad luck.

► Tip: If you like, you can take a short rickshaw ride around the bustling alleys in Asakusa at your own expense. If you would like to try the traditional Japanese dress to take photos, there are plenty of kimono rental shops near the Senso-ji Temple.

Next, pay a visit to the Imperial Palace, the residence of the Emperor and Japanese Imperial Family. Instead of a simple tour of the Front Gardens arranged by other travel agencies, we will specially take a route off the beaten track to the front square and the secluded East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. Our guide, who is well versed in Japanese history and architecture, will give you a thorough understanding of this elegant and classical building from the Showa Period. Let’s walk along the scenic moat and take pictures at the remarkable Niju-bashi Bridge.

★ Travel Different: Food Tour to Tsukiji Outer Market
At noon, we’ll have a special visit to the famous Tsukiji Outer Market. Built in 1935, it was once one of the world’s largest fish markets and is now home to many Japanese seafood restaurants and a popular destination for a feast of sushi. If you want to try the authentic Japanese sushi, sashimi or teppanyaki, our guide would be happy to give you recommendations on acclaimed sushi restaurants and other popular eateries.

Later, walk to the nearby Ginza, the most representative business district in Japan. A dazzling array of the world’s top brand stores would let you know the modern and prosperous side of Tokyo. Later, we will explore the Akihabara Electric Town, filled with models, toys, garage kit figures, animation products and game equipment, making it an anime fans’ paradise and the best place to experience the otaku culture of Japan. Finally, our guide will accompany you to the city landmark Tokyo Tower and show you the best places around to view the red and white tower with a height of 333 meters (1,093 feet). The guide will give you tickets to the tower and leave. Climb the tower yourself for a panoramic view of the city from the observation deck, and even the Mt. Fuji on a clear day. Enjoy your free time to watch sunset and the night scene, and stay as long as you like as it doesn’t close until 23:00 at night.

After a fulfilled day feeling the clash of classic and modern Tokyo, return to the hotel by yourself. A taxi takes 15 minutes and costs USD 15, while the rail transit takes 20 minutes and costs USD 2 per person. You need to walk 12 minutes east to Daimon Station, take the Asakusa Line for 3 minutes (2 stops) to Higashi-ginza Station, and walk 5 minutes north to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Ginza Premier (4 stars) in Tokyo

Today will be the highlight of your Japan tour, as we’ll make a pilgrimage to the Mount Fuji, one of the largest active volcanoes in the world and a symbol of Japan.

Express Bus Ride Accompanied by Private Guide: In the morning, our guide will pick you up from your hotel and lead you to the Tokyo Tourist Information Center, aka Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal, from where we’ll take an express bus out of the hustle and bustle of Tokyo and head west to the Lake Kawaguchi. After a 2 hours’ scenic drive, we’ll arrive at the Lake Kawaguchi right at the foot of the Mount Fuji, which is the best place to see the mountain.

★ Beyond Usual Service: Adjustable Date to Visit Mt. Fuji
We are the first Japan tour operator to offer this service. The Fuji area has a lot of overcast and rainy days, which means you may not see the mountain on a fixed day of your planned trip. Our unique service will solve your concerns. Discuss with our guide in advance to adjust the order and visit the Mt. Fuji on a fine day if possible.

► From Our Guest: Patricia Jones (United States) , April 9, 2023
"I went to Japan this March, and the weather forecast was good before I left, but as soon as our flight landed in Tokyo, we got totally stunned…RAIN!!! We planned to stay in Tokyo for 3 days and went to Mount Fuji on the second day. Looked like my Fuji trip was going to be ruined. Luckily the AgateTravel staff was so kind to ask me if I would like to move my city tour from the third day to the second day to wait for a possible fine weather on the third day to see Mount Fuji. What a surprise! I never thought it would be possible to do such a hasty rescheduling. We were really amazed by the efficiency and coordination of AgateTravel’s service. The next day, we visited the indoor Tokyo National Museum, and walking around the Senso-ji Temple in the drizzle was surprisingly pleasant and rewarding. The third day, the morning had been cloudy, though, when we took the cable car up, thankfully the weather turned out to be clear! It is said that Mount Fuji is visible for only 80 days a year. Couldn’t be luckier! Really a WOW honeymoon trip for us."

★ We Give Your More:
1. Secret photo locations: Our veteran guide, who visits here more than 100 times a year and is familiar with different views of the Mount Fuji, will take you on a walk by the lake and point out some of the best photo spots.
2. Sightseeing cruise: Different from other travel agencies that offer only a distant travel by bus, we would treat our guests with a relaxing cruise on the Lake Kawaguchi, to enjoy the Mt. Fuji from different angles. On a clear day, you may catch a glimpse of the mountain covered in snow, just like a postcard landscape.

3. Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway: We have generously included this ropeway in the cost of your tour, making it easy for you to go up to the Fujimidai Station near the peak of the Mount Tenjo, where there is an observation point with stunning panoramic views of the Mount Fuji and the Lake Kawaguchi below.

Finally, the guide will accompany you on an express bus back to Tokyo for the night.

► Regional Food of Fuji for Your Reference: Hoto Noodles
If you want to try the Fuji food, the traditional local restaurant Hoto Fudo is highly recommened, featuring the signature Hoto Noodles. Originated in Yamanashi of Japan, it is a type of flat udon noodles stewed with vegetables in miso soup. The perfectly cooked noodles in the broth would be worth the possible wait we might need. What a treat, especially in the cold autumn or winter!

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Ginza Premier (4 stars) in Tokyo

Today, enjoy a special experience of riding the Japanese Shinkansen bullet train by yourself. We will reserve the train tickets from Tokyo to Kyoto for you in advance and the guide would advise you on the matters needing attention.

Around 8:30, please check out, take your luggage, leave half an hour ahead of the scheduled departure time of the train, and walk 10 minutes northwest to Tokyo Station; or you can take a taxi there if you have big luggage. Follow the signs to find the right bullet train platform. It would be an extraordinary experience on the Shinkansen bullet train, traveling 470 km (292 mi) from Tokyo to Kyoto in just 2.5 hours.

On arrival at around 11:30, our guide will pick you up at the Kyoto Train Station and escort you to the hotel within 8 minutes’ walk. Once you’ve put your luggage down and finished your lunch, our guide will be eager to show you the attractions of Kyoto. As the old imperial capital of Japan for over a thousand years and the spiritual home of the Japanese people, Kyoto boasts a large number of ancient shrines and has been listed as a World Heritage Site since 1994. Our guide will first show you around the Fushimi Inari Taisha, a shrine honoring the kami of rice and agriculture, who blesses the prosperity of commerce and crops. Climb up the mountain through the striking path lined with thousands of vermilion traditional torii gates, known as Senbon Torii, which is one of the top sights of Kyoto. Next, we’ll visit the ancient Pure Water Temple (Kiyomizu-dera Temple), a great place for appreciating cherry blossoms in spring and maple leaves in autumn. Take in the beautiful view of the Mount Otowa from the temple’s veranda.

★ Gion Walking Tour with Geisha (Maiko) Show
Step out of the Pure Water Temple and follow the guide to wander through the Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka, which are distinctive walking ramps lined with traditional wooden houses and shops selling a variety of Japanese snacks, groceries and souvenirs. We will then visit the lively Yasaka Shrine and the famous Gion on its doorstep, the largest geisha district in Kyoto. Here you might bump into a geisha with elaborate makeup on the Hanamikoji Street.

Be curious about these graceful geisha girls with amazing skills? We will arrange a geisha (maiko) show especially for you. Our guide will take you to a handpicked tea house and leave, and here you will stay 1 hour in a traditional tatami room and enjoy 2 dried sweets and matcha green tea served by lovely maikos from Gion or Miyagawa, who will also perform the traditional dance and tea ceremony for you. Have a pleasant chat, take commemorative photos with a maiko, and get a senjafuda gift, which is the special business card of a maiko. What an unforgettable time!

After the show, you can wander around the colorful Gion area before getting back to the hotel on your own expense. A bus takes half an hour and costs USD 2 per person. Take the bus Shiei 206 (Higashiyama Shichijo/Kyoto Eki Yuki) from Gion. Ride for 21 minutes (10 stops) to Kyoto-ekimae and walk 8 minutes west to the hotel. Otherwise, you can take a taxi back in about 10 minutes at a cost of USD 10.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Rigah Royal Kyoto (4 stars)

Morning Excursion to Nara: In the morning, our guide will pick you up from your hotel and lead you to Nara by Kintetsu Railway, within an hour. Nara is the birthplace of the ancient Japanese culture, boasting a history longer than Kyoto. Our guide will take you through Nara’s antique shrines, temples and elegant gardens. First, we’ll visit the Kofuku-ji Temple, built in 669 AD, and see the Five-storied Pagoda (Gojunoto) inside, which is the symbol of Nara. Next, take a walk in the Nara Park, where more than 1,000 deer roam freely. If you buy some deer crackers, you will be surprised to find a herd of deer suddenly surrounding you. Please be careful not to be bitten by the deer. Head to the Ukimido Pavilion, and overlook the lush foliage and beautiful waterscape from the well-located gazebo. Finally, we will visit the Kasuga Taisha Shrine and then the Great Eastern Temple (Todai-ji Temple), where we will be deeply impressed by the magnificent bronze Buddha statue. At noon, we will take the train back to downtown Kyoto.

Heritage Tour in the Afternoon: Follow the guide to visit the Temple of the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji Temple), also known as the Deer Garden Temple (Rokuon-ji). With a special ticket of the temple, a lucky charm with a message of blessing and a temple stamp on it, you will enter the temple to see the iconic 3-story Sarira Hall covered with gold leaf, with its ornate reflection in the Mirror Pond surrounded by lush gardens. Later, we will visit the Nijo Castle. Built in 1603, this castle offers a glimpse into Japan’s history. Once the home of Japan’s first Tokugawa shogun, its opulent architecture had surpassed the imperial palace, which is an illustration of the Tokugawa family’s rising and the emperor’s waning power at that time. Finally, our guide will escort you back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Rigah Royal Kyoto (4 stars)

Pack your luggage and have breakfast at the hotel. At around 9:00, meet our guide in the lobby who will accompany you on the half-hour train ride to Osaka. Check into a local hotel, and then the guide will lead you to the 450-year-old Osaka Castle, which is one of the three great castles in Japan and plays an important role in the history of Japanese samurai. We’ll take a look at the Main Tower of the castle from the outside and stroll through the beautiful Osaka Castle Park that surrounds it. Next, visit the nearby Osaka Museum of History, where you can not only see a magnificent model of the Namba Palace, gain insight into the city’s history through various artifacts, but also try on the traditional kimonos to take photos.

At noon, the guide will take you to the Kuromon Market, a covered market where, upon entering, you'll be amazed at the bustle of the local life. You’ll find delicious seafood and Japanese street food served in a relaxed space, with plentiful choices while at reasonable prices. The seafood here is always incredibly fresh, which is why it’s nicknamed the ‘Kitchen of Osaka’. Afterwards, visit Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi, Osaka’s most popular business and gourmet districts. Learn about the Dotonbori River’s original role as a canal built by wealthy Japanese merchants 400 years ago to transport goods, and enjoy its current bustling scene as a foodies’ paradise beside the waterway. Stroll along the riverside packed with varied restaurants, and get dazzled by giant billboards that that give a sense of the vibrancy of Japanese pop culture. Follow the guide to see the unique mossy Buddha statue of the Hozenji Temple hidden in the nearby but little-known narrow alleyways of Hozenji Yokocho. Finally, our guide will accompany you back to your hotel.

► Free Time in Dotonbori:
It is also recommended to stay here longer, as Dotonbori area is very busy at night, and it is close to your hotel, about a 10-minute walk. When night falls, the izakayas and small restaurant bars in Hozenji Yokocho come alive. Stroll to the canal and admire the flashing shop signs and colorful neon lights on both sides of the river. A cruise on the canal would be a good pastime after dinner.

► Dinner Recommendations:
1. Sushitetsu Shinsaibashiten: Located in the Shinsaibashi area to the north of the canal, this restaurant features exquisite omakase sushi.
2. Takoyaki Dotonbori Kukuru: The giant octopus relief on the south bank of the Dotonbori River will make you notice it. The specialty is Takoyaki, Osaka’s soul food. With a satisfying bite of takoyaki, you can also learn about the history of this snack at the Konamon Museum on the second floor.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Namba Oriental Hotel (4 stars) in Osaka

After breakfast,  you are free to arrange your last hours in Osaka. We hope you enjoy this best Japan tour! If you are leaving on a night flight, please call hotel front desk for a late check-out approval.

Meals: Breakfast

Transfer to Osaka Airport by Yourself:
Please leave for Osaka's Kansai International Airport according to the scheduled departure time of your flight. Walk 6 minutes south to Namba Station to take the train Nankai Line for 45 minutes to the airport, costing USD 7 per person; or take a taxi for 45 minutes at a cost of USD 130.

► Tip: If your flight is at night, you may consider a day trip to the Universal Studios in Osaka. If you would like to extend your trip to more destinations in Japan or other countries, please feel free to contact our travel consultants.