TOKYO 59ºF - 63ºF

Welcome to Japan! After completing customs procedures, you’ll be transferred to your hotel by shared shuttle bus. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. In the afternoon, you’ll receive details about the start of your tour.

TOKYO 59ºF - 63ºF

In the morning, we’ll take a long guided tour—about five hours—through this simply stunning city! Its vibrant energy and cutting-edge neighborhoods coexist with areas full of peace and tranquility.

We’ll make a short stop at Zojoji Temple to capture the most beautiful view of the Tokyo Tower. You’ll notice hundreds upon hundreds of Jizo statues, stone-carved deities considered guardians of children, adorned with knitted hats, bibs, and pinwheels.

Next, we’ll head to the famous Shibuya Crossing, said to be the busiest intersection in the world. Then we’ll visit Meiji Shrine, dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife.

We’ll continue our tour by bus along the elegant Omotesando Avenue, explore the most scenic part of the Imperial Palace and its gardens, and stop to visit the famous Nijubashi Bridge.

We’ll drive through AKIHABARA, the “Electric City,” known as the center of Japanese manga and anime culture. Then we’ll head to Tokyo Skytree (admission included), Japan’s tallest structure, where we’ll enjoy an unmatched panoramic view of the city.

We’ll end our visit in ASAKUSA, where we’ll explore Sensoji Temple and the famous Nakamise Street. Afterwards, we’ll return to the hotel.

6:30 p.m. – We’ll meet our guide in the hotel lobby and take the subway (tickets included) to the Shinjuku area. From there, we’ll enjoy a walk through this lively district before heading to a local restaurant for dinner (included). We’ll return to the hotel by subway, accompanied by our guide.

Note: The order of the visits may vary depending on the admission time for Tokyo Skytree. In case of bad weather or other exceptional circumstances, access to Tokyo Skytree may be limited. In that case, an alternative visit to another iconic city viewpoint will be offered.

TOKYO 59ºF - 63ºF - KAMAKURA 61ºF - 63ºF - ENOSHIMA - ODAWARA 61ºF - 61ºF

We’ll leave TOKYO and head to KAMAKURA, an “oasis of peace” that served as Japan’s capital for two centuries and is home to numerous shrines, temples, and gardens.

At the Hokoku-ji Zen Temple, we’ll stroll through its beautiful bamboo forest (admission included) and enjoy a cup of green tea. We’ll also visit Sugimoto-dera, founded in 734 and considered the oldest temple in the city.

There will be some free time in the pleasant city center before visiting the Great Buddha (Daibutsu)—admission included.

Our route then continues along a scenic coastal road following the Pacific Ocean. We’ll have free time for lunch and a walk on Enoshima, a small island connected to the mainland by a bridge.

We’ll then continue to ODAWARA, where admission to the castle is included—an impressive medieval fortress (restored in the 20th century) from the Edo period and one of Japan’s most important castles.

Overnight stay.

ODAWARA 61ºF - 61ºF - MOUNT FUJI - KAWAGUCHIKO

Our day will be spectacular as we travel toward the beautiful Hakone area, a region of lakes and mountains near Mount Fuji. We’ll begin the day by heading up to OWAKUDANI, the “Valley of Hell,” a volcanic crater with steam vents, bubbling mud, and sulfurous gases.
(Note: Access to Owakudani is occasionally closed due to high volcanic activity or toxic gases. If this happens, we will instead visit Arakurayama Sengen Park.)

After that, we’ll continue to OSHINO HAKKAI, a small and picturesque village with eight ponds and beautiful views of Mount Fuji. We then move on to KAWAGUCHIKO, an idyllic town of small houses, flowers, and mountains beside a stunning lake, where we’ll enjoy a lovely boat ride on Lake Kawaguchiko.

Later, we’ll ascend Mount Fuji via the road that takes us to the “Fifth Station.” Driving through spectacular forests and scenic landscapes, we’ll reach an altitude of 2,305 meters (7,562 feet).

Note: In winter, the route up Mount Fuji is often closed due to snow or weather conditions; during those times, we’ll go as far as we’re allowed.

We’ll return to Kawaguchiko and stay at a Ryokan (traditional Japanese inn), where you can relax and enjoy the Onsen (public hot spring bath). Dinner included.

Note: In the planned Ryokan, some rooms are Japanese-style with tatami mats, while others are Western-style. Occasionally, accommodation may be provided in a Western-style hotel instead.

KAWAGUCHIKO - IYASHI NO SATO NENBA - TOYOTA 57ºF - 57ºF - KYOTO 57ºF - 57ºF

In the morning, we’ll follow a scenic road that winds around picturesque lakes to visit Iyashi no Sato Nenba, a small village that was destroyed by a typhoon in 1966 and later restored as an open-air museum. Its traditional houses have been converted into arts and crafts shops, restaurants, and cultural exhibits, offering a glimpse into Japan’s past.

Next, we’ll visit the breathtaking Shiraito Falls, one of Japan’s most stunning natural attractions, with cascading water that spans a height of 20 meters.

From there, we’ll continue to Nagoya, where we’ll visit the Toyota Museum (admission included), a must-see destination for car enthusiasts and those curious about automotive innovation.

Finally, we’ll proceed to Kyoto for our overnight stay.

KYOTO 57ºF - 57ºF

We’ll spend the entire day exploring Kyoto, Japan’s capital from 794 to 1868 and home to the Imperial Court. Remarkably, Kyoto was the only major Japanese city spared from bombing during World War II, allowing it to retain its rich artistic heritage. Notably, the Kyoto Protocol, aimed at limiting greenhouse gas emissions, was signed here in 1997.

We’ll include a visit to Kyoto’s most iconic landmarks. Our tour will begin in Arashiyama, where we’ll admire the Togetsukyo Bridge, or “Bridge over the Moon.” This spot offers a breathtaking panorama of the surrounding landscape.

We’ll then visit the Tenryuji Temple, one of Kyoto’s “five great Zen temples” and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, followed by a serene walk through its mystical bamboo forest.

Next, we’ll explore the magnificent Fushimi Inari Shrine; the Imperial Palace; and the Kinkakuji Temple, also known as the “Golden Pavilion,” surrounded by its spectacular gardens. (The order of the visits may vary.)

After the tour, you can enjoy some time to stroll through Gion, Kyoto’s vibrant traditional district, known for its lively atmosphere and geishas.

KYOTO 57ºF - 57ºF - NARA 57ºF - 59ºF - OSAKA 57ºF - 61ºF

We’ll depart for Nara to visit Todaiji, a magnificent Buddhist temple built in 752, home to a giant Buddha statue. Here, you’ll also have the chance to take photos and interact with the friendly deer that roam freely in the surrounding park. Lunch will be included.

Afterward, we’ll visit the Horyu-ji Buddhist Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that encompasses a seminary, monasteries, and temples. Its central pagoda is one of the oldest wooden structures in the world and holds the distinction of being Japan’s oldest Buddhist temple, serving as an important place of worship.

Our journey will then take us to Osaka, where we’ll arrive in the evening. Accommodation will be in this vibrant and modern city, known as Japan’s second-largest urban area. Later, we’ll visit Dotonbori, a lively and colorful district renowned for its bustling nightlife.

OSAKA 57ºF - 61ºF - HIMEJI 57ºF - 57ºF - KORAKUEN GARDEN - OKAYAMA 61ºF - 63ºF

We’ll depart for Himeji, where admission to its immense complex, showcasing the architecture of Japanese castles, will be included. After lunch at a local restaurant (included), we’ll continue to Okayama, where we’ll visit Korakuen, one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan, with its lakes, waterfalls, and traditional teahouses. By crossing a pedestrian bridge over the river, you’ll have the opportunity to visit Okayama Castle, a sixteenth-century Japanese fortification rebuilt in 1966 after being destroyed in a World War II bombing (visit inside the castle not included). Afterward, you’ll have free time to explore the city, an active provincial capital with just over 700,000 inhabitants.

Note: On some dates, we may stay in Fukuyama or Kurashiki. The visit to Kurashiki may take place on the same day in the afternoon.

OKAYAMA 61ºF - 63ºF - KURASHIKI 61ºF - 63ºF - ITSUKUSHIMA - HIROSHIMA 54ºF - 54ºF

We’ll set out for Kurashiki, a city renowned for its beautifully preserved historic center. You’ll have time to enjoy a leisurely stroll through its charming streets, where the atmosphere of the past is still alive.

Our journey will then take us to Hiroshima, a city forever marked by the atomic bomb that devastated it in 1945. We’ll visit the Peace Memorial Park, the Atomic Bomb Dome, and the moving Peace Memorial Museum, where the history and resilience of this city are powerfully remembered.

Seeking serenity after these reflections, we’ll take a ferry to the island known as the place “where men and gods live together.” Here, we’ll visit the famous Itsukushima Shrine, dedicated to the guardian of the seas, and partially built over the water. You’ll have time to explore the shrine, wander through the picturesque town center, and enjoy lunch.

Afterward, we’ll return to our hotel in Hiroshima, where dinner will be included.

Note: The order of visits in Hiroshima may be adjusted without altering the overall tiinerary.

HIROSHIMA 54ºF - 54ºF

After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.