Day 1: Tokyo Airport Pick-up
Inclusions: Tokyo Narita Airport or Haneda Airport pickup by shared car, accommodation in Tokyo
Itinerary Details:
Welcome to Japan! After landing in Tokyo, our English-speaking assistant will guide you to a shared car before 20:30, which will take you to our handpicked hotel in central Tokyo.
► Suggested Activities for Early Arrivals
During your free time, if you want an initial glimpse of the city, consider taking 1-3 metro stops to Ginza. Beyond being a luxury paradise, Ginza epitomizes Tokyo’s identity through its visually striking architecture, each symbolizing a blend of commerce, art, and ambition.
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Day 2: Tokyo
Scheduled Attractions: Tsukiji Outer Market, Meiji Jingu Shrine, Imperial Palace, Senso-ji Temple with Kaminarimon Gate and Nakamise-dori Street, a distant view of Tokyo Skytree
Inclusions: Hotel breakfast, morning pickup & evening return escort, full-day guide, entrance fees to all scheduled attractions, public transport passes, accommodation in Tokyo
Itinerary Details:
Today, your guide will pick you up at the hotel for an eco-friendly Tokyo tour using public transportation. Our first stop is Tsukiji Outer Market, which showcases Tokyo’s traditional cuisine and street culture. As we walk through the narrow alleys of this food paradise, you’ll discover many time-honored restaurants serving sushi, seafood bowls, and tamagoyaki omelets. In Japan, eating while walking is considered unseemly because it can create a mess. Therefore, it’s best to finish your food at the designated areas in front of each shop. The next destination is the Meiji Jingu Shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife. After his death in 1912, there was a strong desire to build a shrine in his honor. Why was it ultimately located in the Yoyogi area of central Tokyo? It is believed that Emperor Meiji once considered creating a natural garden there because of its peaceful setting. The Japanese name Yoyogi also reflects local aspirations for forests, aligning with Emperor Meiji’s vision. Over the years, approximately 120,000 trees from across Japan and abroad have been planted, transforming what was once barren land into a lively city park today. Later, let’s move on to the Imperial Palace, where you can see traditional Japanese architecture, with spacious courtyards, ponds, and elegant bridges, in contrast to the modern skyline across the road. After lunch, we’ll visit Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, a historic Shitamachi neighborhood with a lively, authentic atmosphere. At the entrance, take photos of Kaminarimon Gate, built about 1,000 years ago by a general to pray for peace, prosperity, and a good harvest. Walking down Nakamise-dori Street with the Tokyo Skytree in view, you’ll see the main hall of Senso-ji. The incense smoke in the courtyard is believed to ease pain, and worshippers often fan it toward themselves to pray for healing. Ultimately, your guide will escort you back to the hotel. Rest early tonight and look forward to viewing Mt. Fuji tomorrow.
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Day 3: Tokyo - Hakone and Mt. Fuji - Tokyo
Scheduled Attractions: Hakone Owakudani Valley, a distant view of Mt. Fuji, Lake Ashi cruise passing by Hakone Shrine Peace Torii
Inclusions: Hotel breakfast, morning pickup & evening return escort, full-day guide, entrance fees to all scheduled attractions, tasting of Hakone black eggs, all-inclusive Hakone transport (including Tokyo-Hakone round-trip express trains, Hakone Mountain Tozan Train, Panoramic Ropeway, and Lake Ashi cruise ship), accommodation in Tokyo
Itinerary Details:
This morning, your guide will meet you at your hotel and accompany you on an exciting trip to Hakone. After riding the bullet train to Odawara Station, let’s transfer to the Hakone Tozan Train, which climbs the steep incline with unobstructed views of the Hakone mountains. Connected by a ride on the cable car and ropeway, we’ll reach Owakudani Valley, where the scenery shifts from lush greenery to white smoke slowly rising from cracked rocks. From the observation deck, enjoy a close-up view of the volcanic landscape. During our next ride on the ropeway to Togendai Port, enjoy a bird’s-eye view of Lake Ashi and, on clear days, see the majestic Mt. Fuji in the distance. Upon arrival, join your guide for a pirate-ship cruise that offers a unique perspective on Mt. Fuji and Lake Ashi, along with the red Hakone Shrine Peace Torii by the lakeside. A mysterious legend holds that the Nine-Headed Dragon God enshrined at Hakone Shrine was once an evil dragon in the ancient lake. A monk eventually subdued it and transformed it into the lake’s guardian. As today’s Hakone tour concludes, your guide will escort you back to your hotel in Tokyo by train.
★ Why Choose Our Mt. Fuji Tour: Flexible Date ExchangeMany visitors hope to see Mt. Fuji, but it’s visible only about 80 days each year, mainly from October to February. Regardless of when you visit, we offer an exclusive date-exchange service to maximize your chances of viewing Mt. Fuji, right up to the last moment. The guide will check the weather forecast for your two days in Tokyo and advise whether to adjust your itinerary to boost your chances of seeing Mt. Fuji by 50%. While reserved tickets for express or bullet trains—must be booked a month in advance—can be changed to unreserved seats, we appreciate your understanding as we try to assist you in viewing Mt. Fuji. Rest assured, unless it’s peak season, the likelihood of not finding a seat is only about 5%.
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Day 4: Tokyo - Kyoto
Scheduled Attractions: Golden Pavilion, Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka, Pure Water Temple, Gion geisha district
Inclusions: Hotel breakfast, Tokyo-to-Kyoto bullet train ticket, Kyoto guide, entrance fees to all scheduled attractions, public transport passes in Kyoto, evening return escort, accommodation in Kyoto
Itinerary Details:
Pure Water Temple This morning, you’ll begin with a nearly 2.5-hour train ride to Kyoto on your own, using the reserved tickets we’ve already booked for you. Please walk 9 minutes from the 3-star hotel or 7 minutes from the 4-star hotel to catch the train. Upon arriving at Kyoto Station, your local guide will escort you to your hotel for a brief rest. Afterward, let’s begin the cultural tour at the Temple of the Golden Pavilion. As you admire its gold-covered exterior and its reflection in the mirror pond, you might overlook the dramatic history behind it. In 1950, this over-700-year-old national treasure was destroyed by a jealous monk, inspiring Yukio Mishima to write his renowned novel, ‘The Temple of the Golden Pavilion,’ which further increased the temple’s popularity. Later, we will stroll along the narrow stone slopes of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka to reach the Pure Water Temple, Kyoto’s oldest temple, enjoying the city’s traditional charm. After taking in a panoramic view of Kyoto from the renowned Pure Water Stage, your guide will lead you to explore the nearby Gion district, known for its geisha culture and featured in the Oscar-winning film “Memoirs of a Geisha.” Finally, your guide will escort you back to your hotel, or you may experience Gion’s vibrant nightlife on your own based on our travel expert’s suggestions. ► FYI: Secret Route to Meet Genuine Geishas Search “Crown Restaurant” on Google Maps, and within a hundred meters at around 9:00 PM, you’ll see geisha gracefully heading to teahouses, wearing intricate kimonos and high-heeled okobo sandals. Official descriptions in Japan often portray geisha as performers showcasing traditional culture, but in reality, they serve more as service professionals, engaging in activities such as chatting with guests and serving wine. As a tourist, don’t expect romantic encounters, since the Japanese government prohibits geisha from offering special services to foreigners. After exploring, take a taxi for a 15-minute ride back to your hotel, or walk a short distance to catch the 207 City Bus from Shijo Keihan-mae Station to Subway Kujo Station near your hotel, which takes about half an hour.
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Day 5: Kyoto - Nara - Kyoto
Scheduled Attractions: Fushimi Inari Shrine, Nara Park, Great Eastern Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine (Goryo Shrine & Naramachi Lattice House if time permits)
Inclusions: Hotel breakfast, morning pickup & evening return escort, full-day guide, entrance fees to all scheduled attractions, Kyoto-Nara round-trip trains, other public transport passes, accommodation in Kyoto
Itinerary Details:
Today, your guide will pick you up from your hotel for a visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine, dedicated to the god of harvest and wealth, and serving as the headquarters for over 30,000 Inari shrines throughout Japan. As you admire the breathtaking Senbon Torii, a sacred trail lined with tens of thousands of vermilion gates leading to the mountain top, feel free to take plenty of photos—just like the heroine in the film “Memoirs of a Geisha”! Afterward, our trip continues with a short train ride to Nara. Once at Nara Park, no one can resist getting close to the deer. Nara residents regard the deer as messengers of the deity, believing that those with white hair on their hind feet bring good luck. Let’s watch for these rare, fortunate deer as we explore the park! Next, follow your guide to the Great Eastern Temple to see how Buddhism flourished in Nara. After its introduction from China in the 8th century, Buddhism spread throughout Japan, making Nara a center of temple construction. Records show that more than 2.5 million people helped build the temple, gathering materials and providing food for 350,000 workers. This effort produced the Great Buddha of Nara, one of the world’s largest bronze Buddha statues, but it nearly bankrupted Japan. Later, walk to the nearby Kasuga Taisha Shrine, flanked by stone lanterns and frequented by roaming deer. Thanks to the tradition of rebuilding every 20 years, the red-and-white main hall will always show you its timeless, majestic appearance. * If time permits, we will pay a brief visit to Goryo Shrine and the Naramachi Lattice House in the traditional neighborhood. By the end of the day, your guide will join you for a return train ride to Kyoto. Since we’re staying at the same hotel in Osaka for the next two nights, if you have heavy luggage, consider asking the hotel staff to help you send it to Osaka today.
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Day 6: Kyoto - Osaka
Scheduled Attractions: Nijo Castle, Osaka Castle, Dotonbori & Shinsaibashi, Hozen-ji Temple
Inclusions: Hotel breakfast, morning pickup & evening return escort, full-day guide, entrance fees to all scheduled attractions, Kyoto-to-Osaka bullet train, other public transport passes, accommodation in Osaka
Itinerary Details:
After meeting your guide at the hotel, our Kyoto tour concludes with a visit to Nijo Castle, once the residence of the Tokugawa shoguns. Following Japan’s unification in 1603, the Tokugawa shogunate maintained over 260 years of peace and prosperity. The imposing stone walls, grand gates, and splendid main halls remain enduring symbols of Tokugawa authority. In 1867, Nijo Castle quietly witnessed the last Tokugawa shogun surrender power to the emperor, marking the end of the shogunate era. Osaka Castle Dotonbori River, Osaka
Later, your guide will accompany you on a train trip to Osaka. After checking into the hotel, we’ll visit Osaka Castle. The original castle took around 15 years to construct and was 4-5 times larger, but it has been demolished multiple times over the last 300 years. Therefore, when it was rebuilt in 1931, a golden fish sculpture was added to the main keep to ward off evil spirits and prevent fires. You can enjoy the mascot and get a panoramic view of Osaka from the top floor. Finally, we’ll reach the Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori areas, Osaka’s version of Times Square, where neon-lit buildings fill the skyline and restaurants along the Dotonbori River display eye-catching billboards, creating a vibrant retro-futuristic vibe. Your guide will also briefly show you around the quiet Hozen-ji Temple, hidden in the busy area, then either escort you back to the hotel or leave the rest of your time here free. ► To experience Osaka’s vibrant nightlife on your own, try takoyaki (octopus balls), freshly cooked ramen, or okonomiyaki pancakes at local stalls, and enjoy Japan’s lively retail atmosphere along Shinsaibashi Street. If you enjoy shopping, feel free to spend hours there, since your hotel is only a 10-minute walk away.
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Day 7: Osaka - Hiroshima - Osaka
Scheduled Attractions: Miyajima Island, Itsukushima Shrine with Grand Torii Gate, Atomic Bomb Dome, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Museum
Inclusions: Hotel breakfast, Osaka-Hiroshima round-trip trains, Hiroshima guide, entrance fees to all scheduled attractions, ferry to Miyajima Island, other public transport passes, accommodation in Osaka
Itinerary Details:
Atomic Bomb Dome, Hiroshima This morning, please take the bullet train from Shin-Osaka Station to Hiroshima Station on your own, using the tickets your guide provided the day before. Walk 3 minutes from the hotel to Shinsaibashi Metro Station, then take the Midosuji Line for 12 minutes to Shin-Osaka Station. It’s best to leave the hotel 1 hour before the departure time. After a 1.5-hour journey, your Hiroshima guide will meet you at the train station, followed by a ferry to Miyajima Island, one of Japan’s Three Scenic Views. Historically, the island has been regarded as a sacred place where gods reside, with its shape resembling the sleeping posture of the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Among numerous sacred sites nestled within the ancient forests, the Itsukushima Shrine, which we will visit, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The shrine’s vermilion architecture reflects beautifully in the blue sea and the greenery of Mount Misen, representing the golden age of classical Japanese culture. Situated where the tides rise and fall, the Grand Torii Gate appears to float on the water at high tide, while at low tide, visitors can walk closer to admire its detailed craftsmanship. In the afternoon, return to downtown Hiroshima with your guide to reflect on its tragic history tied to the atomic bombing. Hiroshima, the first city in the world to be struck by an atomic bomb in 1945, saw tens of thousands die in the explosion. Our first stop, the Atomic Bomb Dome, was instantly engulfed in flames. Yet the main structure surprisingly remained intact and now stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, advocating against nuclear weapons and promoting peace. At the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum, you’ll see documents, photos, and relics from victims of the tragedy. Despite the exhibit’s tendency to overlook Japanese militarism as the root cause of the disaster for both Japanese citizens and other Asian countries, the materials deepen everyone’s understanding of peace. We sincerely wish for “No More Hiroshimas.” Finally, your guide will escort you to Hiroshima Station, where you’ll catch the train back to Osaka with the provided tickets, then make your own way to your hotel.
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Day 8: Departure from Osaka
Inclusions: Hotel breakfast
Itinerary Details:
Bid farewell to Japan at the end of your tour today. For your own transfer to Osaka Airport, the most cost-effective options are the airport shuttle bus or the JR train, while taxi fares range from USD 110 to 140. We’re also happy to assist if you need help booking train or air tickets back to Tokyo.
► Where to Leave Your Last Memory of Osaka
It’s recommended to take a 10-minute taxi ride from your hotel to Kuromon Market on your own. Although it’s become a touristy spot with higher prices, when you see shops selling fresh fish, pufferfish, miso pickles, and Japanese sweets, accompanied by enticing aromas and a lively atmosphere, you can still catch a hint of the erstwhile Osaka Kitchen style. Afterward, it’s about a 10-minute walk to Nankai Namba Station to catch the express train, which takes 35 minutes to reach Osaka Kansai International Airport.
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