Highlights
- Learn the art of Japanese cooking class during a traditional workshop in Tokyo
- See views of Mount Fuji from a boat on Lake Kawaguchi
- Walk through the red-gated shrines and bamboo forests of Kyoto
- Bike to a beach known for sea turtles in the Okinawa islands
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Tokyo, Explore the Capital | Tokyo |
| Day 2 | Tokyo Highlights Tour | Tokyo |
| Day 3 | Tour TeamLab Planets & Miraikan Museum, Japanese Cooking Class | Tokyo |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Hakone, Tour Museums & Shrines | Hakone |
| Day 5 | Day Trip to Mount Fuji with Lake Cruise & Whisky Tasting | Hakone |
| Day 6 | Train to Kyoto, Explore Gion District, Traditional Tea Ceremony | Kyoto |
| Day 7 | Guided Tour of Kyoto: Temples, Bamboo & Monkeys | Kyoto |
| Day 8 | Train to Osaka, Afternoon Sightseeing | Osaka |
| Day 9 | Day Trip to Himeji Castle & Kobe | Osaka |
| Day 10 | Fly to Okinawa, Explore Naha City | Okinawa |
| Day 11 | Visit the Ocean Expo Park | Okinawa |
| Day 12 | Island & Beach Hopping Around Okinawa | Okinawa |
| Day 13 | Fly to Osaka, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo, Explore the Capital
Konnichiwa Japan! After you arrive at Tokyo International Airport, your driver will be waiting to whisk you to your hotel in the capital. Settle in, then explore glittering Tokyo, where modernity competes with centuries-old culture. Begin in Shibuya, an area known for its trendy boutiques. Take a stroll to Shinjuku Gyoen, one of the city's best gardens to see cherry blossoms in the spring, and continue to one of Tokyo's oldest parks, Shiba, for iconic views of the Tokyo Tower. Head to the tower and take an elevator up to the main deck for expansive city views.
End the day by exploring the vibrant Akihabara, known as "Electric Town," Japan's pop culture capital. Here, you can immerse yourself in the world of manga, animé, and gaming. Stroll through the streets, where you'll see neon-lit ads and enthusiastic cosplayers. Stop at the multistory Animate store to buy official merchandise, play games at GiGO Akihabara Building 3, and end the night at a maid café, where servers perform in elaborate costumes between serving your food and drinks.
Day 2: Tokyo Highlights Tour
Join your guide this morning for a full day exploring Tokyo's iconic landmarks, starting at the Meiji Jingu Shrine, built in 1920. Step through the towering torii (gate) into the forested grounds and see the ornate Japanese architecture. Continue your tour to the Tsukiji Outer Fish Market, a bustling hub with stalls offering seafood from sushi to grilled scallops. After the market, head to the Imperial Palace. Walk through the picturesque grounds, stopping at tea houses or bridges, including the famous Double Bridge.
Finally, visit Senso-ji, one of Tokyo's most significant Buddhist temples, built in the seventh century. Inside, stroll along the buzzing Nakamise-dori, lined with shops, until you reach the second gate, Hozomon, which leads to the temple's main hall and a five-story pagoda where you can pick up an omikuji (fortune).
Day 3: Tour TeamLab Planets & Miraikan Museum, Japanese Cooking Class
This morning, meet your guide and cross the colorful Rainbow Bridge to the island of Odaiba for futuristic fun in the city, starting at TeamLab Planets, an interactive art exhibit. This immersive experience, designed to engage all your senses, has four separate sections that blur the line between your body and the artwork. Take off your shoes and let your hair down!
Next, your guide will take you to the Miraikan Museum, an engaging museum focused on humanity's connection to science, nature, and technology. Learn about cutting-edge technologies in an interactive setting and experience life inside the International Space Station. You can also stroll along the beach at Seaside Park, ride the Daikanransha Ferris wheel for views of Mount Fuji, or have a bite to eat at one of the many sushi bars along the waterfront.
Later today, learn more about Japanese cuisine with a cooking lesson. Meet with a local chef and make some of the country's most famous dishes from scratch. Discover the secrets of the perfect sushi roll, make soba noodles or ramen, or try your hand at assembling delicious gyoza (pot stickers). Your instructors will share insight into the traditions and history associated with each dish as you enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Day 4: Transfer to Hakone, Tour Museums & Shrines
Your next destination is Hakone, a mountainous resort town located in Japan's Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Your driver will collect you in the morning for the 1.5-hour scenic drive, and once you've gotten settled at ryokan (traditional inn), you're off to tour some of Hakone's top sights.
Meet with your guide and set out, starting at the Hakone Open Air Museum, which blends the beauty of nature with art, showcasing multiple sculptures and other pieces against the backdrop of the surrounding valley and mountains. Next, visit the Hakone Museum of Art, where you'll find displays of Japanese ceramics from prehistoric times through the Edo Period, as well as a pretty moss garden with stone paths that wind through shady maple trees.
Head to the shores of Lake Ashinoko and visit Hakone Shrine, a peaceful, tucked-away Shinto shrine with large lakefront torii gates, and then end your tour in the Owaku-dani Valley, where you can see the hot springs and rivers this region is so known for, alongside excellent views of Mount Fuji. Tonight, relax at one of Hakone's famous hot spring resort areas, most of which have multiple pools, restaurants, and other amenities.
Day 5: Day Trip to Mount Fuji with Lake Cruise & Whisky Tasting
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Continue exploring the Fuji Five Lakes region to see the iconic Mount Fuji from different viewpoints. Meet your guide and head to the famous Arakurayama Sengen Park. Ascend to the Chureito Pagoda perched on the hillside for panoramic views of the snowcapped mountain surrounded by seasonal foliage. Then, stroll around the eight pools of Oshino Hakkai, created by snowmelt from the slopes of Mount Fuji itself.
In the afternoon, join your guide on a cruise at the picturesque lake Kawaguchi-ko. Pass charming lakeside villages set against Mount Fuji reflected in the water. Then, savor the sights on the Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway. Hop off at the observation deck under Mount Tenjo, which provides incredible panoramas of Fuji. Stop at the Fuji Gotemba Distillery, where whisky and saké are produced using water from Fuji's snow melt. Learn about their sake-making process and enjoy tasting the different spirits, then return to Hakone for the evening.
Day 6: Train to Kyoto, Explore Gion District, Traditional Tea Ceremony
This morning, your driver will take you to the train station, where you'll catch the two-hour bullet train to Kyoto. Japan's cultural capital is alive with history and is home to numerous shrines, temples, palaces, and gardens.
Once you've arrived, spend the rest of the day exploring some of these sites, starting in Gion, Kyoto's famous geisha district. Stroll down the stone street of Hanami-koji, bordered by traditional wooden townhouses and shops, and see if you can spot the beautiful geishas as you wander. At the corner of Shijo Street and Hanami-koji, you'll find the legendary Ichiriki Ochaya Teahouse, the 300-year-old establishment that is invite-only but still makes for an iconic photo.
Refresh at your hotel before the tea ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya. When you arrive, change into a kimono and learn about the ceremony, called sado or chanoyu. Sit down on a tatami mat and join the highly ritualized matcha tradition led by a knowledgeable tea master. Enjoy a formal introduction to the history of the ceremonies while sipping fragrant and flavorful tea.
Day 7: Guided Tour of Kyoto: Temples, Bamboo & Monkeys
Today, join your guide for a tour of the famous Fushimi Inari-taisha and an enchanting hike through the 10,000 red gates. Follow the torii-lined route up to the observation deck for panoramic views of the gates and the surrounding forest. Walk back through the forest, discovering smaller shrines, moss-covered animal statues, and ancient stone tablets.
Then head to the UNESCO-listed Kinkaku-ji, the "Golden Pavilion." Stroll through the gardens and marvel at the gold-leaf-covered upper floors, a striking contrast to the wood and white plaster on the lower floors. The tour continues with a drive to the scenic district of Arashiyama, located on the outskirts of Kyoto. Visit Sagano Bamboo Grove, a natural bamboo forest that encompasses more than 3,800 acres (1,537 ha) and has walking paths and trails that take you through the serene greenery of the towering stalks.
You'll also cross the famous Togetsukyo Bridge, known as the "Moon Crossing Bridge," which ends at Iwatayama Monkey Park, home to a troop of more than 100 Japanese macaques. Watch these curious creatures at play (you may even be able to feed them), then make your way back to your hotel after the tour.
Day 8: Train to Osaka, Afternoon Sightseeing
Meet your driver for a transfer to Kyoto's train station for a quick train ride to Osaka. Upon arrival, say hello to one of Japan's most vibrant cities, often described as Tokyo's younger sibling. Today, your guide will help you tick off some of Osaka's famous sights, such as Osaka Castle and its blossom-filled grounds. Delve deep into Osaka's history at the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living, a detailed recreation of the townscape throughout history. As you journey through the exhibits, your guide will provide insights into the culture and lifestyle of the city.
In the afternoon, take the elevator up to the Kuchu Teien Observatory on the rooftop of the Umeda Sky Building, a landmark duo of 40-story towers linked by an atrium-like walkway. After taking in the view, head to the vibrant Shinsaibashi Shopping District, a long arcade filled with shops selling everything from kimonos to jewelry. End the day in the lively Dotonbori, the city's go-to area for entertainment.
Day 9: Day Trip to Himeji Castle & Kobe
See more of Osaka's countryside today with a guided tour of the UNESCO-listed Himeji Castle, a spectacular example of Japanese castle architecture with a network of 83 buildings and advanced defensive systems. You'll have time to explore the castle and grounds, then make a 20-minute trip to the ancient town of Kobe, known for its saké and Wagyu beef.
Your guide will take you through the Nada district, where you'll visit the Hakutsuru Saké Brewery Museum, a saké-brewhouse-turned museum. Afterward, stroll around the waterfront area of Kobe Harborland, featuring shopping malls, restaurants, cafés, and more.
Next, treat yourself to some of the best Japanese Wagyu beef in the country. The meat is extremely rare, as it comes from the strictly-raised, locally bred Tajima-gyu breed of Japanese black cattle. Your guide will take you to one of the best steakhouses in town, where you can enjoy a classically prepared steak grilled on a teppanyaki (iron plate), then it's back to Osaka for the evening.
Day 10: Fly to Okinawa, Explore Naha City
After breakfast, your driver will take you to the airport, where you'll catch a two-hour flight to the island of Okinawa. Here, you'll find a relaxed, beachy feel with blue ocean waters, coral reefs, and a wealth of history and culture. You'll arrive in the capital city of Naha, and after you check in at your accommodations, take a guided tour around the island.
Begin at Shuri Castle, a historic site dating back to the 14th century. Walk the grounds to see the incredible blend of Japanese and Ryukyuan architecture while your guide shares stories and insight into the significance of this important landmark. Make your way to the Okinawa Prefectural Museum, where you'll find a thoughtfully curated collection of Okinawan art that spans ancient to contemporary times.
Finish the tour by exploring Makishi Public Market, a busy covered hall where you'll see residents shopping for freshly caught fish, local produce, and all manner of dried and preserved delicacies. Head up to the top-floor food court to dine at one of a dozen or so tiny restaurants serving udon (thick wheat noodles in broth), sushi, grilled seafood, and other Okinawan specialties.
Day 11: Visit the Ocean Expo Park
Spend another day in Okinawa at the Ocean Expo Park, where you can immerse yourself in the culture, history, and nature of the prefecture. Begin at the spacious Oceanic Culture Museum, just beside the park's central gate, to explore ship replicas and other displays about ocean-based cultures from Asia and the South Pacific.
Nearby, you'll find the Native Okinawan Village, a small open-air museum with over 20 buildings from different periods and regions of Okinawa. Next, explore the gardens at the Tropical Dream Center to wander through the multiple greenhouses home to a wide range of tropical trees and plants.
Finally, visit the park's main attraction, the Churaumi Aquarium, Japan's best aquarium. Inside, see the incredible Kuroshio Tank, one of the largest tanks in the world, which takes its name from the warm Kuroshio current that supports the diversity of marine life in Okinawa's waters. The tank contains various species, including giant whale sharks and manta rays.
Day 12: Island & Beach Hopping Around Okinawa
Make the most of your last day in Japan with some beach time on the famously pristine shores of Okinawa. Start with a visit to Mibaru Beach, where you can take a glass-bottomed boat tour of the shallow offshore reef, soak up some sun, or enjoy a relaxed picnic among local beachgoers. With white sand, turquoise waters, and greenery-topped karst rock formations mushrooming out of the water, picturesque Mibaru offers the perfect setting for relaxing.
Later in the day, take a ferry from Naha to explore several of the idyllic Kerama Islands. Visit Zamami Island to rent a cruising bike and ride along flat roads to Ama Beach, a haven for grazing sea turtles. Snorkel, dive, or take a whale watching tour, depending on the season. For a quiet, remote spot, take the ferry to Aka Island, ideal for snorkeling and swimming thanks to its shallow, clear waters. Hop the ferry back to Naha for dinner and your final night on the island.
Day 13: Fly to Osaka, Depart
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