Highlights
- Have a cup of tea in a floating teahouse in Tokyo's lovely Hama-rikyu gardens
- Cruise Lake Ashinoko on a replica pirate ship with epic views of Mount Fuji
- Walk on cobblestone streets among steeped thatched cottages in Shirakawa-go
- Hike through the 10,000 red torii gates of the iconic Fushimi Inari-taisha shrine
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Tokyo, Explore the Capital | Tokyo |
| Day 2 | Tour the Highlights of Tokyo | Tokyo |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Hakone via Mount Fuji, Lake Ashinoko & Hakone Checkpoint | Hakone |
| Day 4 | Train to Takayama, Takayama Festival Hall & Sannomachi Street Tour | Takayama |
| Day 5 | Tour of Miyagawa Market, Old Takayama & Shirakawa-go, Train to Kanazawa | Kanazawa |
| Day 6 | Explore the Gardens, Castles, Streets & Teahouses of Kanazawa, Train to Kyoto | Kyoto |
| Day 7 | Best of Kyoto Tour | Kyoto |
| Day 8 | Day Trip to Nara & Fushimi Inari Shrine | Kyoto |
| Day 9 | Transfer 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 into the capital. Settle in, then explore the glittering Tokyo, where modernity competes with centuries-old culture. Begin in Shibuya, an area known for its trendy boutiques and home to the famous Shibuya Crossing, the busiest pedestrian crosswalk in the world. Take a stroll to Shinjuku Gyoen, one of the best gardens to see cherry blossoms during spring, and continue to one of Tokyo's oldest parks, Shiba, for views of the Tokyo Tower.
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: Tour the Highlights of Tokyo
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. Make your way down Omotesando Street, a broad tree-lined avenue home to the flagship stores of the world's top fashion brands.
Head across town to the ancient Asakusa district, to visit Senso-ji, one of Tokyo's most significant Buddhist temples, built in the seventh century. Pass the giant lanterns on the Kaminarimon, the outer gate, then stroll along the buzzing, shop-lined Nakamise-dori. At the end of the road, you'll 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).
End your day in the Hama-rikyu gardens, a green oasis surrounded by futuristic skyscrapers in the Shiodome district. These former imperial gardens, opened to the public in 1946, are filled with ancient trees, beautiful bridges, a tidal lake, and almost year-round blooms. Have a cup of matcha tea and a traditional Japanese sweet in the iconic teahouse in the middle of the lake, which appears to be floating, then catch a waterbus back to your hotel.Day 3: Transfer to Hakone via Mount Fuji, Lake Ashinoko & Hakone Checkpoint
Say farewell to Tokyo today as your driver takes you away from the city and into the gorgeous countryside around the resort town of Hakone. Your first stop of the day is the Fuji Visitor Center for an overview of the famous mountain's nature and history, followed by a drive up to Mount Fuji's Fifth Station. Situated at an elevation of 7,500 feet (2,300 m), this is the highest point on the peak accessible by car.
Continue with your guide to the scenic Lake Ashinoko (Lake Ashi), formed by a volcanic eruption around 3,000 years ago. Cruise across the lake on a replica pirate ship to enjoy views of the mountain and Hakone-jinja, a Shinto shrine with striking torii gates on the water's edge. Your next stop is the Hakone Checkpoint, along the Tokaido highway, which linked Tokyo with Kyoto during the Edo Period. Tour the gates, a prison chamber, and a lookout tower with your guide.
End the day in the onsen (hot springs) town of Hakone. Stay in a ryokan (traditional inn), family-run businesses that usually feature locally-made meals along with Japanese-style design and furniture. Wander through town between onsen visits to sample saké at one of the many breweries or try local Hakone specialties, including black eggs (hard-boiled in the sulfur hot springs), kamaboko fish cakes, and soba noodles.
Day 4: Train to Takayama, Takayama Festival Hall & Sannomachi Street Tour
This morning, take a train for about one hour to Nagoya, where you'll switch trains and continue for two hours to the charming city of Takayama, nestled in the Japanese Alps. Once you arrive, meet your guide to discover some of Takayama's highlights. Start your tour at the Takayama Festival Exhibition Hall to learn about the town's renowned spring and autumn festivals. In the main hall, you'll be greeted by a dazzling display of parade floats.
Browse the exhibits detailing the history of these masterpieces before heading to Sannomachi Street, located in Takayama's old town, known as "Little Kyoto," thanks to its many historic buildings. Your guide will provide insight into the traditional homes, shops, and saké breweries that line this street. Stop and sample saké, purchase handmade crafts, or snack on local specialties. In the evening, visit one of the many restaurants to try shabu shabu, a Japanese hot pot made from thinly sliced meat and vegetables.
Day 5: Tour of Miyagawa Market, Old Takayama & Shirakawa-go, Train to Kanazawa
Today, take a guided tour to explore more of Takayama's beautifully preserved center. Start the day at the Miyagawa Market along the Miyagawa River, browse the stalls of crafts, produce, and sample street food like mitarashi dango, a sweet rice dumpling. Head to the old merchant district of San-machi Suji to tour the traditional homes of Takayama merchants and saké brewers, which date back many generations.
Next, visit the Takayama Jinya, a former historic government office that's now a local history museum. End the morning at a saké brewery to learn about the sake-making process. In the afternoon, join your guide for a tour of the famous UNESCO village of Shirakawa-go, known for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses. The picturesque cottages, characterized by steep thatched roofs that resemble the hands of Buddhist monks pressed together in prayer, are designed to withstand the yearly heavy snows.
Stroll along the cobblestone streets to see the well-preserved farmhouses up close, some dating back over 250 years, then visit the Wada House to explore the museum within. Browse the collection of artifacts and tools, then continue to the Ogimachi Castle Observation Deck for panoramic views. At the end of the day, enjoy a 1.5-hour transfer to Kanazawa, overlooking the Sea of Japan, where you'll get settled into your hotel.
Day 6: Explore the Gardens, Castles, Streets & Teahouses of Kanazawa, Train to Kyoto
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Spend the day exploring Kanazawa with your guide, beginning at the city's crown jewel, the Kenroku-en garden, which is considered one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan and spectacular in all seasons. Afterward, visit Kanazawa Castle, found directly across from the gardens. From here, head to the nearby Kaga Yuzen Kaikan (museum), home to the world-renowned Kaga Yuzen silk painting technique, for a demonstration of the ornate dyeing method and a chance to browse the attached shop.
Continue your tour with a walk through the samurai district of Nagamachi, with mud-packed walls and tiled roofs that evoke the heyday of the Edo period. Visit the Nomura Samurai House, a traditional Japanese home with a tea ceremony room, an interior courtyard garden, and artifacts from the Edo period. Next, head to Higashi Chaya, the largest geisha district in Kanazawa, now lined with shops. Savor a cup of tea at the beautiful Shima Teahouse before catching the two-hour bullet train onward to Kyoto.
Day 7: Best of Kyoto Tour
Welcome to Kyoto, a cultural powerhouse of a city known for its rich historical traditions, geisha entertainers, temples, gardens, and palaces. Spend the day exploring some of these sites with your guide via the excellent local busy system, starting at the UNESCO-listed Kinkaku-ji, better known as the Golden Pavilion. Stroll through the gardens and marvel at the gold-leaf-covered structure reflected in the surrounding ponds.
Since you can't enter the temple, continue to Nijo Castle, home to the Edo period's first shogun. Explore the castle grounds, then head inside Ninomaru Palace to see the walls adorned with intricate nature and folklore paintings. From here, head to 400-year-old Nishiki Ichiba Market. There are more than 100 stalls crammed into this narrow street, where you can try some of Kyoto's signature dishes, such as yu dofu (boiled tofu), nishin soba (noodles with dried herring), or soy milk doughnuts.
Later in the day, make your way to Kiyomizu-dera (Pure Water Temple), another UNESCO site and one of Japan's most celebrated temples. Constructed on the site of the Otowa Waterfall, enjoy splendid views of the numerous cherry and maple trees, plus Kyoto below. End the day at Sanjusangendo, a temple featuring a central hall, the longest wooden structure in Japan, lined with 1,001 gold-leaf-encrusted statues of Kannon (the goddess of mercy).Day 8: Day Trip to Nara & Fushimi Inari Shrine
This morning, take a short, one-hour train ride to Nara, a quaint city renowned for its picturesque parks, ancient temples, and free-roaming deer. Meet your guide and set off on a full-day tour of the town, starting at Kofuku-ji, a Buddhist temple built in 669 CE. Admire the five-storied pagoda, offering a glimpse into the Nara architectural style, and explore the sprawling temple complex encompassing multiple halls and structures.
Continue to Nara Park to discover another Buddhist temple, Todai-ji. Constructed in 752 CE, this is one of Japan's most historically significant temples, known for the giant bronze Buddha statue sitting in the main hall. Visit the UNESCO-listed Kasuga-taisha next, an intricately detailed Shinto shrine surrounded by the Kasugayama Primeval Forest. As you walk through the grounds, look out for the playful deer, who bow in exchange for food, then stop for saké at a local brewery.
On the way back from Nara, visit the famous Fushimi Inari-taisha for an enchanting hike through the shrine's 10,000 red torii gates. Follow the torii-lined route up to the observation deck atop the mountain 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 return to your hotel in Kyoto for your final night in Japan.Day 9: Transfer to Osaka, Depart
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