Tokyo

Our guide will meet you outside the customs at the Narita or Haneda Airport The rest of the day you can have a rest or explore the city on your own.

Meiji Jingu Shrine

Our guide will be waiting for you in the lobby after breakfast. We will start with the Meiji Jingu Shrine to experience the long and profound Shinto history of Japan.

Imperial Palace

Next, we’ll head to the Imperial Palace, the residence of the Emperor of Japan, to visit the Kokyo Gaien National Garden, the large East Gardens, and the most photogenic Nijubashi Bridge.

Senso-ji Temple

Next, we’ll explore the Asakusa area. Go through the Kaminarimon Gate and you will witness Nakamise-dori Street, Tokyo’s busiest street, packed with shops selling snacks and handicrafts, as well as visitors from all over the world who come to worship at the Senso-ji Temple.

Finally, the guide will escort you to the Asakusa Pier for a Sumida River Cruise, which will show you a different side of Tokyo. You’ll enjoy the gorgeous cityscape of central Tokyo, including the Skytree, Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Bay, and various bridges like Kiyosu Bridge, Chuo-Ohashi Bridge, and Rainbow Bridge.

Mount Fuji

Our guide will meet you at the hotel lobby, and then we’ll get to the Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal to take an express bus for 2 hours to the Lake Kawaguchi, right at the foot of Mt. Fuji. You will take the Lake Kawaguchi cruise and Mount Fuji Panorama Ropeway to see the mountain from different angles, and the guide will arrange the specific order according to the flow of people and waiting time. Also, be treated to a relaxing 20-minute cruise on a pirate ship. Feel the cool wind through your fingertips and hair, and enjoy the snow-capped Mount Fuji from different angles. Completing the visit, our guide will escort you to return by express bus to Tokyo for the night.

Takayama

Today, you will take the bullet train leaving the metropolis Tokyo for Takayama. Our guide will greet you at the Takayama Station and accompany you to drop off your luggage in the hotel.

Sanmachi Suji

First, we’ll visit the Sanmachi Suji District in the Takayama Old Town. Pass the Nakabashi Bridge, and then step back in time at the Takayama Jinya (Old Governor's House) and Takayama Showa Kan Museum.

Hida Kokubun-ji Temple

The final stop will be the Hida Kokubunji Temple, which features lucky Sarubobo dolls blessing a harmonious marriage and healthy children. In the evening, the guide will accompany you back to the hotel.

The Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go Gassho Style Houses

Today, our guide will pick you up from the hotel lobby for a scenic bus ride to Shirakawa-go. Visit the Wada House to have a glimpse into the utensils and lifestyle of the villagers in the past. Climb up to the Ogimachi Castle Observation Deck and look down on the entire village

Kanazawa

Around noon, we’ll take a 1.5-hour bus ride to Kanazawa. Upon arrival, our guide will take you to check into the hotel

Kenrokuen Garden

A visit the Kenroku-en Garden, which is also known as the Six Attributes Garden, because it meets the 6 essential qualities of a perfect garden.

Kanazawa Castle Park

From here, we’ll walk all the way to the Kanazawa Castle Park to learn about the city’s feudal past, and later have time spent at the Higashichaya Old Town (geisha district) and Nagamachi Samurai District, both of which are steeped in history and culture. Finally, return to the hotel with our guide.

Kyoto

We will reserve the train tickets to Kyoto for you in advance. You will take the train for about 2 hours to Kyoto

Admire the Kyoto Tower just outside the train station, and then we’ll visit the Gion Street, venture to the Yasaka Shrine at the end of the street, appreciate its Buden Stage hung with lanterns. Take a photo at the landmark five-story Yasaka Pagoda of the Hokan-ji Temple, and then wander from Ninenzaka to Sannenzaka, where the wooden buildings and traditional shops would evoke the familiar feel of a typical ancient Japanese capital. Eventually, we will climb all the way up to the Pure Water Temple, one of the most revered temples in all of Japan. Finally, you’ll be led to a renowned teahouse in Gion. Witness a wonderful tea ceremony with Japanese maiko performance. Afterwards, take in the vibrant night view of Gion before taking a taxi at your own expense to your hotel in 10 minutes.

Nara Park

. Take a 40-minute train ride to Nara to experience the best of the old capital. Step into the vast greenery of Nara Park to visit the quaint temples and shrines scattered throughout. Visit the time-honored Kofuku-ji Temple to appreciate its well-preserved Buddhist architecture and a national treasure hall. Next, enjoy a quiet moment in the Isuien Garden, whose name literally means ‘garden built on water’. Walk along the worshiping path lined with stone lanterns to the Kasuga Taisha Shrine. Later, head to the Great Eastern Temple dating back to the mid-8th century, where you’ll be struck by the grandness of its Great Buddha Hall housing the giant bronze Buddha statue.

Naramachi Townhouse of Traditional Lifestyle

Take an afternoon stroll with our guide who knows well the local neighborhood, passing by the Gango-ji Temple, Goryo Shrine, and diving into the secret paths of Naramachi to feel the real life atmosphere. Visit the Naramachi Lattice House hidden in the back alley. Finally, our guide will accompany you back to your hotel in Kyoto for the night.

Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

Your day begins with a visit to the Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto’s most iconic Shinto shrine. ur guide will take you on an interesting climb up the mountain, through the Senbon Torii – thousands of vermilion torii gates.

Sanjusangendo Temple

Next, immerse yourself in the tranquility of the Sanjusangendo Temple, a Buddhist site boasting the longest wooden building in the world and an amazing group of Kannon statues.

Nishiki Market Shopping District

At noon, the guide will take you to the Nishiki Market, a 400-year-old market teeming with a variety of Japanese snacks, including Dango (dumplings), Tempura, Croquette, and Matcha Ice Cream.

Nijo Castle

In the afternoon, we will visit the World Heritage site Nijo Castle, built by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1603. In addition to admiring its stone walls and moat, you can ascend its observation platform offering a view of half of Kyoto.

Afterwards, we’ll head to the Temple of the Golden Pavilion. Linger before its main building, the fascinating three-story pavilion covered in dazzling gold leaf that glows over a green pond.

Hiroshima

Finally, the guide will accompany you back to your hotel to retrieve your luggage, see you off at the Kyoto Station for a bullet train to Hiroshima (tickets reserved and included).

Miyajima

In the morning, our Hiroshima guide will greet you in the hotel lobby. We’ll start by a boat trip to the idyllic Miyajima Island, enjoying the view of the Hiroshima Bay and the morning breeze from the sea. As we approach the shore, You will see the symbol of the Itsukushima Shrine, Japan’s most distinctive Shinto shrine, whose base is submerged by the sea at high tide.

Hiroshima

Back in downtown, the guide will lead you to visit the Atomic Bomb Dome, the only building that survived the atomic bomb dropped on the city in 1945. Cross the bridge over the Motoyasu River and take a walk in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, where you can browse the monuments erected in memory of those who died in the bombing. The Peace Memorial Museum is not to be missed, where you can see many shocking photographs and relics documenting the horrific aftermath of the bombing and its long-term impact on people’s lives.

Osaka

Late in the afternoon, the guide will take you to Hiroshima Station for a train to Osaka (train tickets reserved and included) about 2 hours. You can take subway or taxi to your hotel in Osaka,

Osaka

In the morning, pack up and store your luggage at the hotel, We’ll first arrange a special stop for you to visit the 190-year-old Kuromon Market (close on Sunday), known as ‘Osaka’s Kitchen’ and a must-see for foodies. Next, our guide, well versed in Japanese history and culture, will show you the 450-year-old Osaka Castle and the park that surrounds it. If time permits, we’ll visit Shinsekai commercial area and see its landmark tower Tsutenkaku. You are suggested to book an evening flight leaving Osaka. Please make your own way to the airport for your flight home.