Japan Cities & Countryside Tour: Tokyo, Kanazawa & Kyoto - 7 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo, Self-Guided City Tour

Welcome to Japan! Your flight lands in the capital city of Tokyo, a blend of modern and traditional, with ancient temples backed by neon-lit skyscrapers and a rich culture. Your private transfer will collect you from the airport, and once you've checked in at your hotel and had a chance to regroup, you're free to head out and explore some of what this great city has to offer.

Start at Tokyo Skytree. Towering at 2,080 feet (634 m), you'll find endless city views from its 360-degree observation deck, with glimpses as far as Mount Fuji on a clear day. Then, make your way to Senso-ji, which dates back to the seventh century and is considered one of Tokyo's most significant Buddhist temples. Visit the main hall, and if you like, you can pray to the Kannon enshrined there or pick up an omikuji (fortunes written on strips of paper). Walk along Nakamise-dori, a street adjacent to the temple that's lined with shops and food stands, and look for souvenirs.

Step next door to the Asakusa Shrine to gain insight into the differences between Shinto and Buddhist belief systems, then end with a walk to Shibuya, home to the famed Shibuya Crossing. See the frenetic action of the crossing (and dive in if you dare!) and have dinner at one of the many restaurants and cafés in this lively district. 

Day 2: Highlights of Tokyo: Odaiba District, Harajuku & Meiji Jingu 

Start the day with a guided tour of Odaiba, a shopping and entertainment district that serves as a hotspot for futuristic fun. This artificial island started as a small group of fort islands built during the Edo period to protect the country against attacks by sea. Today, it's a high-tech hub where visitors can explore new technology, art, and food. The island can be reached via the sleek Yurikamome train, a cruise through Tokyo Bay, or by crossing the neon lights of the Rainbow Bridge. 

Meet up with your guide and start at TeamLab, an interactive art exhibition on the island that gives new meaning to the term "modern art"—be prepared to follow art as it moves along the walls. The nearby Miraikan Museum (officially the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation) is a fantastic place to learn about everything in future tech in a fun and interactive way. 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. 

Next up is trendy Harajuku. Known for its colorful street art and edgy youth fashion, you can check out vintage clothing stores and cosplay shops, and you might even catch a glimpse of the famed "Harajuku Girls." Walk along Takeshita Street, and be sure to stop by the rainbow cotton candy and crêpe stands, as well as the many costume galleries and character cafés. After all that hustle and bustle, finish with a peaceful stroll through Meiji Jingu, one of Tokyo's most spiritually significant temples, with forested grounds tucked beside modern Tokyo—a perfect representation of the city's diversity. 

Day 3: Transfer to Kanazawa, Kenroku-en Garden & Omicho Market

Your next destination is the city of Kanazawa, a quiet slice of greenery with traditional Edo-era districts, museums, and a wealth of artisan handicrafts. After you've arrived and checked in at your accommodations, start your exploration with a walk through Kenroku-en Garden, constructed during the Edo period. This beautifully preserved space features tranquil pathways with bridges, fountains, and other water features, teahouses, and flowers, all designed to reflect the traditional attributes of the perfect Japanese landscape garden.

After your stroll, visit the adjacent Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Traditional Arts and Crafts. Kanazawa is considered the epicenter of traditional Japanese crafts, and this museum showcases more than 36 kinds of art. See Wajima-nuri lacquerware and wagasa umbrellas (a traditional umbrella made with a special paper) and learn about the art of kaga yuzen (silk dyeing and gold-leaf-pasting). Prepared to be dazzled by this deep dive into the region's timeless art and the sophisticated skills required to create it! 

Make a stop at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, which was designed by Japanese architects Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa and showcases the works of contemporary artists from Japan and all over the world, then finish your day with a meal at Omicho Market. This covered shopping district features more than 200 shops and food stalls, with food options that are sure to appeal to any palate.

Day 4: Day Trip to Historic Shirakawa-go

Today's excursion takes you back in time as you visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shirakawa-go. This historic village is most known for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, which are characterized by steep thatched roofs that resemble the hands of Buddhist monks pressed together in prayer. Some of these charming cottages date back more than 250 years, and you'll have the opportunity to learn more about the community's history and customs as you visit what remains a relatively unspoiled landscape.

Wander the streets of the village and stop at the Myozen-ji Temple Museum, which houses a Buddhist temple that dates back more than 200 years. Tour the monk's residence bell tower gate, and main hall, then return to Kanazawa in time for dinner at a local restaurant. 

Day 5: Transfer to Kyoto, Gion District, Yasaka Pagoda & Geisha Performance 

You're off to Kyoto, a cultural powerhouse of a city that's known for its rich historic traditions, geisha entertainers, temples, gardens, and palaces. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel, then spend some time getting to know Japan's former capital. 

Start with a walk through the charming Gion district, also known as the "geisha district," where you'll find traditional wooden merchant houses, ochaya (teahouses), and of course, geishas (female Japanese performing artists) and maikos (geishas in training) strolling around the area. Visit one of the many shops and restaurants here, or head to a teahouse for a traditional tea ceremony. Otherwise known as chanoyu or sado, this highly ritualized tradition was born and curated in Kyoto and is hosted by local geishas. Enjoy a formal introduction to the ceremonies while sipping flavorful tea.

Stop at Yasaka Pagoda, otherwise known as Hokan-ji, a five-story structure with lovely views of the city, then finish your tour with a traditional Japanese arts show. See a performance by a maiko, and learn about the various skilled artists, including ikebana (flower arrangers), puppeteers, koto (Japanese harp players), and court musicians, that make this hourlong show so remarkable. Tonight, take a walk through the bustling streets of Pontocho. Located next to the Kamogawa River, this district is home to a wide range of restaurants and bars.

Day 6: Explore the Torii Gates of Fushimi Inari, Nishiki Market & Nijo Castle

Visit one of Kyoto's most famous sites today, the captivating Fushimi-Inari Taisha. Featured in the movie "Memoirs of a Geisha,” this shrine has more than 10,000 picturesque red torii gates, all donated by individuals and businesses as a sign of appreciation to the god Inari for the blessings received. Meet with your guide in the morning and tour the shrine, then take a light hike along the torii-lined route up the mountain for sweeping views of the surrounding countryside.

From here, head to 400-year-old Nishiki Ichiba Market. There are more than 100 stalls and shops crammed into this narrow street, selling anything and everything. Watch the daily thrum of market life and get in line with the locals to try some of Kyoto's signature dishes, such as yu dofu (boiled tofu) and nishin soba (noodles with dried herring), as well as delicious soy milk doughnuts, sticky rice cake, or homegrown pickles.

Wrap up your exploration of Kyoto with a visit to Nijo Castle, once the home of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo Period, and if you have time, stop at the Kiyomizu-dera temple, originally founded in 780 with a wooden stage that offers beautiful sunset views of the city. 

Day 7: Return Train to Tokyo, Depart 

Sadly, it's time to say goodbye to beautiful Japan. In the morning, make your way to the train station and board a bullet train to Tokyo, where you'll connect to the airport and your flight home. Safe travels!

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