Konichiwa! Welcome to Tokyo – Japan!

On arrival, you will be met by a local representative the arrivals hall and transferred to your accommodation.

Spend the remainder of the day at your leisure.

Meal: In-flight meals
Accommodation: Shinjuku Washington Hotel 3* or similar

​Please note:
If purchasing the land only option, please be advised transfers are not included. You will need to make your own way to the joining hotel.  

Depending on the time of your departure flight, the start date of your tour may be the day prior.

Today, you will have a full day to explore Japan’s ultramodern capital – Tokyo.

Visit Meiji Shrine, located within a 170 acre forest in the centre of the city. Constructed of cypress wood and copper, the shrine commemorates Emperor Meiji, Japan’s 122nd emperor, who presided over Japan’s industrial revolution and emergence onto the world stage.

We then visit the Tokyo Skytree and take in the stunning views from its viewing platforms. Next we visit the Asakusa district, and the Sensō-ji Temple – Tokyo’s oldest temple dedicated to Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy. On the approach to Sensō-ji is Nakamise Shopping Street, a centuries-old promenade of shops selling traditional snacks and souvenirs like kimonos and bottles of saké.

Next, spend some time exploring the grounds of the Imperial Palace. Here, we view the two bridges that form one of the entrances to the inner palace grounds. The current Imperial Palace is home to Japan’s Imperial Family and is located in the former site of Edo Castle, surrounded by an imposing stone wall and moat system.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Shinjuku Washington Hotel 3* or similar

Today is a free day to explore Tokyo, the world’s most populous metropolis. With endless options for shopping, entertainment, culture, and dining, you can immerse yourself in the city’s vibrant atmosphere.

Enjoy exploring Tokyo’s diverse neighborhoods, discovering unique shops, savoring delicious local cuisine, and experiencing the city’s rich cultural offerings.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Shinjuku Washington Hotel 3* or similar

After breakfast, depart Tokyo and journey to the picturesque Hakone national park. Upon arrival, enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Ashi, set within the caldera of Mount Hakone and renowned for its views of Mount Fuji. The lake’s western-inspired boats offer scenic rides through this forested area, which has long attracted hikers and sightseers.

Next, travel to Lake Kawaguchiko, the second largest of the Fuji Five Lakes, known for its breathtaking vistas of Mount Fuji. Check in to your hotel and enjoy a delicious dinner. The evening is yours to explore the local nightlife at your leisure.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Route Inn Kawaguchiko (Onsen Hotel) 3* or similar

Today, we depart Kawaguchiko and travel by coach to Mount Fuji’s 5th Station (weather permitting). This point is halfway up Japan’s tallest peak, known as one of the country’s three holy mountains. From here, if the weather is clear, we’ll enjoy views of the majestic summit above the clouds.

Next, we head to Matsumoto to visit Matsumoto Castle, famously known as the “Crow Castle” due to its striking black exterior. Built in the 1500s, it is designated as a National Treasure of Japan.

We then proceed to our final destination, the city of Takayama late this evening.

Meal: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel Associa Takayama Resort 4* or similar

Today is a full free day to explore Takayama at your own pace. This charming city, known for its well-preserved Edo-period architecture and vibrant cultural heritage, offers a range of attractions and experiences. Take time to wander through the historic Sanmachi Suji district, famous for its traditional wooden houses, quaint shops, and local crafts. Don’t miss the morning markets, where you can sample fresh produce and unique local goods.

Meal: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel Associa Takayama Resort 4* or similar

Today, explore the breathtaking Kenrokuen Garden, renowned as one of Japan’s most beautiful gardens. Developed over 200 years starting in 1620, it boasts nearly 9,000 trees and 200 plant species. Next, visit the Nomura Samurai House, the historic residence of the Nomura Samurai clan. This fascinating site offers a glimpse into the samurai lifestyle from the 16th to 19th centuries, showcasing exquisite architecture, gardens, and intricately painted screen doors.

In the afternoon, travel by coach from Kanazawa to Kyoto. Upon arrival, enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure.

Meal: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel MONday Kyoto Marutamachi 3* or similar

Today is a full free day to explore Kyoto, the former capital of Japan. Nestled on the island of Honshu, Kyoto is renowned for its stunning array of classical Buddhist temples, serene gardens, majestic imperial palaces, and historic Shinto shrines. Wander through traditional wooden houses and immerse yourself in the city’s rich cultural heritage. Don’t miss the chance to see beautiful Geisha in the Gion district, known for its traditional charm and vibrant atmosphere.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel MONday Kyoto Marutamachi 3* or similar

This morning, we take a short bus ride to Nara to visit Tōdai-ji (Great Eastern Temple), renowned for its Great Buddha Hall, one of the largest wooden structures in the world. Inside, you’ll find a towering 15-meter bronze statue of the Buddha Vairocana. After exploring the temple, stroll through Nara Park, where over 1,200 tame sika deer roam freely.

Following this, we return to Kyoto and visit Kinkaku-ji Temple, also known as the Golden Pavilion. This Zen temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, features two floors entirely covered in gold leaf, set within a stunning Zen garden. The temple’s architecture beautifully blends Shinden, Samurai, and Zen styles.

Next, visit Heian-jingū (Heian Shinto Shrine), a grand replica of an ancient imperial palace and a symbol of Kyoto’s post-World War II revival. The massive vermillion torii gate is particularly striking.

Meal: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel MONday Kyoto Marutamachi 3* or similar

This morning, embark on a full-day coach tour of Kyoto. Our first destination is Arashiyama, renowned for its stunning bamboo forest, officially designated a Place of Scenic Beauty by the Japanese government.

Next, visit the breathtaking Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its thousands of vibrant vermilion torii gates that form a captivating network of trails behind the main temple. These trails lead into the forested slopes of Mount Inari, a sacred peak standing at 233 meters. As the most important of the many shrines dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice, Fushimi Inari offers incredibly photogenic views.

After the tour, we’ll depart Kyoto and travel to Osaka. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and enjoy a relaxing evening.

Meal: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Osaka Sheraton Miyako Hotel 4* or similar

After breakfast, depart Osaka to visit Himeji Castle, also known as the “White Heron Castle.” This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the largest surviving example of a traditional Japanese castle, consisting of 83 buildings. Its white roof, reminiscent of a heron in flight, gives it its popular name, Shirasagi-jō. Enjoy stunning views of Himeji city from the castle grounds.

Next, travel to Kurashiki, located on Japan’s Seto Inland Sea. Explore the Bikan Historical Quarter, renowned for its well-preserved historic buildings and charming local shops. After your visit, transfer to your hotel in Hiroshima.

Meal: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Grand Prince Hiroshima Hotel 4* or similar

After breakfast, board a ferry for a short trip to Miyajima Island, renowned for its lush forests and ancient temples. On arrival, visit the iconic “floating” torii gate, which appears to be partially submerged at high tide and marks the entrance to Itsukushima Shrine, first built in the 12th century. Nearby, explore the Museum of History and Folklore, housed in a 19th-century merchant’s home and showcasing cultural artifacts. Enjoy a stroll along Omotesando Shopping Street, where you can grab lunch before returning to Hiroshima by ferry.

Upon returning to Hiroshima, visit the Atomic Bomb Dome, or Genbaku Dome, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. This partially ruined building is one of the few structures that survived the 1945 atomic bombing and stands as a powerful symbol of the city’s resilience and the tragedy of war.

Next, tour the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, which features moving and significant exhibits. The eternal flame in the cenotaph symbolizes the city’s hope for the abolition of nuclear weapons, intended to burn until the last nuclear weapon is destroyed.

Meal: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Grand Prince Hiroshima Hotel 4* or similar

This morning, travel from Hiroshima to Osaka via bullet train, arriving at Shin-Osaka Station. Begin your full-day coach tour with a visit to Osaka Castle (entry not included), a key site in Japan’s unification during the 16th century Azuchi-Momoyama period.

Next, explore Kuromon Ichiba, one of Osaka’s main food markets. This lively covered market offers a variety of street food, fresh produce, shellfish, and unique trinkets.

After a lunch break, head to the Minami area, the city’s bustling southern district known for its boutiques, designer outlets, restaurants, and bars.

Later, enjoy a walking tour of the Dōtonbori area, a vibrant entertainment district running along the Dōtonbori canal. Popular for shopping, street food, and nightlife, Dōtonbori is famous for its colorful neon lights and iconic signs, including the famous Glico Man and Kani Doraku crab signs.

Meal: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Osaka Sheraton Miyako Hotel 4* or similar

Today is a full free day to explore Osaka at your own pace. Feel free to ask your guide for recommendations on must-see attractions and dining spots. Whether you choose to visit cultural landmarks, shop in bustling districts, or sample local cuisine, the city offers a wealth of options.

In the evening, join the group for a special dinner at a local restaurant, where you can enjoy a meal together and share experiences from your day.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Osaka Sheraton Miyako Hotel 4* or similar

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. You will have free time to explore or relax until it’s time to head to the airport. We will drive you to Kansai Airport for your flight back home.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: In-flight

Please note: If purchasing the land only option, please be advised airport transfers will not be included and you will need to make your own way to the airport.

Arrive home today. We hope you have enjoyed your journey through Japan trip with AVG Travels.