Highlights
- Meet the robots at Tokyo's Maraikan Museum
- Cruise along a picturesque lake below the iconic Mount Fuji
- See Kyoto's famous Golden Pavilion and gorgeous Nijo Castle
- Enjoy endless views of Osaka from the top of the Umeda Sky Building
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Tokyo, Tour TeamLab Planets & Miraikan Museum | Tokyo |
| Day 2 | Tokyo City Tour with Senso-ji Temple, Explore Akihabara District | Tokyo |
| Day 3 | Day Trip to Kamakura | Tokyo |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Fujikawaguchiko via Mount Fuji with Lake Cruise | Fujikawaguchiko |
| Day 5 | Train to Kyoto, Tour Kinkaku-ji Temple & Nijo Castle | Kyoto |
| Day 6 | Tour the Natural & Cultural Sights of Kyoto | Kyoto |
| Day 7 | Train to Osaka via Nara, Nara City Tour | Osaka |
| Day 8 | Explore Osaka, Dotonbori Food Tour | Osaka |
| Day 9 | Depart Osaka |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo, Tour TeamLab Planets & Miraikan Museum
Welcome to Japan! After you arrive at Tokyo International Airport, a guide will be waiting to lead you to your hotel shuttle, which will whisk you to the city center. Settle in, then join your guide to explore the glittering, bustling Tokyo, where modernity competes with centuries-old culture, from skyscrapers to temples.
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 divided into three zones focused on humanity's connection to science, nature, and technology. Learn about cutting-edge advancements and future technologies in an interactive and enjoyable setting, marveling at the mesmerizing Geo-Cosmos LED globe, interacting with the famous robot residents, or experiencing life inside the International Space Station.
Day 2: Tokyo City Tour with Senso-ji Temple, Explore Akihabara District
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).
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 3: Day Trip to Kamakura
Take a day trip outside of Tokyo today to discover the scenic seaside town of Kamakura. Meet your guide at your hotel, then take the train down the coast. Once you arrive, your guide will take you to the renowned Buddhist temple of Kotoku-in to stand in awe of the 36-foot tall (11 m) Great Buddha (Daibutsu) statue. From here, embark on an easy 60-90 minute hike along the stone path of the Kamakura Daibutsu Hiking Trail. As you go, enjoy the epic ocean views and make stops at the pretty Genjiyama Park and Kuzuharaoka Shrine, where locals pray for luck in love.
End the hike at the 13th-century Hokoku-ji temple, and explore the peaceful grounds before enjoying matcha tea in the traditional teahouse tucked into the enchanting bamboo forest. After your hike, you'll visit downtown Kamakura, considered one of the most beautiful towns in Japan. Sample local food and buy souvenirs on Komachi Street or ride a traditional rickshaw along the picturesque roads before heading back to Tokyo.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 4: Transfer to Fujikawaguchiko via Mount Fuji with Lake Cruise
Meet your guide this morning for your transfer to the Fuji Five Lakes region, where you'll be met with prime views over the iconic Mount Fuji. After a two-hour trip, you'll arrive at Kawaguchi-ko, a lovely lake situated below the mountain. Jump on a cruise across the lake, passing charming lakeside villages set against Mount Fuji reflected in the water. Then, savor the sights while riding on the Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway. Hop off at the observation deck under Mount Tenjo, which provides incredible panoramas of Fuji and the surrounding area.
In the afternoon, you'll visit 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. Walk down to the enchanting historic village and open-air museum of Iyashi no Sato to glimpse Japan's past, then wander among the thatched-roof houses, purchase traditional pottery or weavings, and pop into one of the museums.
End the day in the onsen (hot springs) town of Fujikawaguchiko. Stay in a ryokan (traditional inn), old family-run businesses that usually feature locally-made meals along with Japanese-style design and furniture. Lounge in yukata (kimono pajamas), enjoy the legendary omotenashi (Japanese hospitality), and savor the lake and mountain views.
Day 5: Train to Kyoto, Tour Kinkaku-ji Temple & Nijo Castle
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 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 another UNESCO-listed site, Nijo Castle, home to the Edo period's first shogun (military leader). As you explore the castle grounds, your guide will provide insights into the architectural grandeur and lavish decor of the Ninomaru Palace. Inside, see the walls adorned with intricate nature and Japanese folklore paintings. At the end of the day, you'll check into your Kyoto ryokan and rest up for tomorrow's adventures.
Day 6: Tour the Natural & Cultural Sights of Kyoto
Today your guide will lead you on a memorable morning hike at the famous Fushimi Inari-taisha shrine. Walk through the 10,000 red gates and 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 before reaching the historic Tofuku-ji temple.
Inside, see the hondo (main hall), with a beautiful seated Buddha statue and intricately carved wooden ceilings. Another highlight is the Tsutenkyo Bridge, a picturesque covered walkway that connects to the Kaizando Hall. Make your way to the many sub-temples within the complex, including the Reiun-In, featuring a traditional Japanese rock garden, and the Ryoginan, known for its courtyard teahouse.
Refresh back at your hotel before an afternoon 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 in the ritual of matcha led by a knowledgeable tea master. After the ceremony, walk to the Samurai Ninja Museum to learn about these legendary warriors. Browse the collection of authentic samurai artifacts to gain insight into the lives of the samurai and ninja. Before you leave, try on a full samurai armor for a commemorative photo.
Day 7: Train to Osaka via Nara, Nara City Tour
This morning starts with 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 unique 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 (Daibutsu) sitting in the main hall. Visit the UNESCO-listed Kasuga-taisha next, a Shinto shrine adorned with intricate details and surrounded by the Kasugayama Primeval Forest. As you walk through the grounds, look out for the playful deer, who bow in exchange for food.
End your tour of Nara with an invigorating climb up Mount Wakakusa for panoramic views. Take in the breathtaking scenery and snap some photos before descending back down and jumping aboard a 30-minute train ride to your hotel in the ancient port city of Osaka.
Day 8: Explore Osaka, Dotonbori Food Tour
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.
Get to know the neighborhood with a self-guided street food tour of its incredible cuisine. Sample conveyor belt sushi and grilled crabs, then dive into beef shabu at a hotpot experience. Try taiyaki (fish-shaped dessert filled with sweet red bean paste), takoyaki (octopus balls), kushikatsu (skewered meat with vegetables), and okonomiyaki, a savory pancake. Your guide will show you the best local food, so make sure you come with an empty stomach!
Day 9: Depart Osaka
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