Tokyo

Flight to Japan. Upon your arrival in Tokyo, your driver will welcome you at your airport’s arrival hall and get you to your hotel in a private vehicle. One of our pro English-speaking guides shall assist you throughout your trip. If you are arriving in a different city in Japan,or the duration of this itinerary does not meet your travel needs, please let us know — we can customize and plan a trip tailored to your preferences.

Our one-day tour begins at Meiji Jingu Shrine, one of Tokyo's most renowned shrines, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his Empress. Experience the traditional Japanese Shinto culture as you stroll through the serene forested grounds and soak in the sacred atmosphere.

Next, you'll head to the Imperial Palace, the official residence of the Emperor of Japan and a symbol of the Japanese monarchy. Here, you'll have the opportunity to admire the splendid palace architecture and the vast Tokyo Imperial Palace East Gardens. Enjoy lunchtime at one of the nearby food streets, sampling authentic Japanese cuisine or opt for a peaceful picnic in the park.

Then, you'll visit Senso-ji Temple, one of Tokyo's oldest and most popular temples. Starting from the magnificent Kaminarimon Gate, you'll stroll down the bustling Nakamise-dori, a traditional shopping street filled with an array of snacks, souvenirs, and handicrafts. Then, explore the main hall and the five-story pagoda of Senso-ji Temple, steeped in centuries of history, and partake in prayers and traditional temple culture experiences. If you have any new ideas or requests for today’s itinerary, please let us know — we are happy to customize and plan the day according to your preferences.

Lake Kawaguchiko

Today, you'll visit Kawaguchiko Tenjozan Park on the east bank of Kawaguchi Lake. Visitors can access this park by taking a cable car to the middle of the mountain. The peaceful, less crowded nature of this park also provides excellent observation decks to see Mt. Fuji and the town below.

Then, you'll explore the beautiful Lake Kawaguchi, one of the Fuji Five lakes surrounding Mt. Fuji, is also a lively resort town with various tourist attractions including hot springs, museums, and access to the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway. Visitors can also hop aboard the excursion boat Appare for a sightseeing cruise.

Next, you'll venture to Oshino Hakkai, a cluster of eight springs in the quaint village of Oshino within the Fuji Five Lake region. Renowned for its crystal-clear and drinkable spring water, sourced from porous layers of hardened lava. If you have any new ideas or requests for today’s itinerary, please let us know — we are happy to customize and plan the day according to your preferences.

Embark on a journey through the renowned Tsukiji Fish Market, a world-famous Japanese seafood market that not only offers fresh seafood but also an array of fruits, chicken, vegetables, and more.

Afterward, take a leisurely stroll at Odaiba Marine Park, offering splendid photo opportunities with attractions such as the Rainbow Bridge, a Statue of Liberty replica, and more, all overlooking Tokyo Bay.

Experience Tokyo from the "Sky Edge" at the Shibuya Sky Observation Deck, which offers an unobstructed view of the Tokyo cityscape from above Shibuya.

Pay homage to the infamous Akita dog Hachiko with a visit to his iconic statue in Shibuya. You'll then board a Shinkansen/Bullet train to Kyoto (2.5 hrs), where you'll then be taken to your hotel. If you have any new ideas or requests for today’s itinerary, please let us know — we are happy to customize and plan the day according to your preferences.

Fushimi Inari Shrine/Red Torii Gates ( Fushimi Inari Taisha) is an important Shinto shrine in southern Kyoto. It is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings. The trails lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari, which stands at 233 meters and belongs to the shrine grounds. Fushimi Inari is the most important of several thousands of shrines dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice. Foxes are thought to be Inari's messengers, resulting in many fox statues across the shrine grounds. Fushimi Inari Shrine has ancient origins, predating the capital's move to Kyoto in 794.

Ujigami Shrine is believed to be the oldest standing shrine in Japan. Although there is no official record of when it was first constructed, experts estimate that Ujigami Shrine was well established by 1060. It was closely linked to Byodoin Temple as its "guardian shrine".

Uji is famous for its green tea. While Kozanji Temple in Kyoto is believed to be the original site of tea cultivation in Japan, Uji's tea became better known for its superior quality in the 1100s.Byodoin Temple's Omotesando street full of matcha, and you can shop here for souvenirs.

Uji

Byodoin Temple is a striking example of Buddhist Pure Land (Jodo) architecture. Together with its garden, the temple represents the Pure Land Paradise and was influential on later temple construction. Byodoin was initially built in 998 as a countryside retreat villa for the powerful politician Fujiwara no Michinaga, not as a temple.Michinaga's son turned Byodoin into a temple and ordered the construction of its most spectacular feature, the Phoenix Hall. Although the building was given another official name, almost immediately after its construction in 1053, it was nicknamed Hoodo ("Phoenix Hall") because of its shape and the two phoenix statues on its roof. The hall is now featured on the back of the Japanese ten yen coin. If you have any new ideas or requests for today’s itinerary, please let us know — we are happy to customize and plan the day according to your preferences.

"Kuromon Ichiba is a lively covered market which stretches for 580 meters in Osaka’s Chuo Ward. Nicknamed “Osaka’s kitchen” because both local homeowners and restaurant chefs get their supplies here, the market is famous for its fresh seafood and has recently become a popular tourist location.

Osaka Castle Park

The construction of Osaka Castle started in 1583 on the former site of the Ishiyama Honganji Temple, which had been destroyed by Oda Nobunaga thirteen years earlier. Toyotomi Hideyoshi intended the castle to become the center of a new, unified Japan under Toyotomi rule. It was the largest castle at the time.

The Osaka Museum of History aims to develop a variety of activities based on the historic and cultural heritage cultivated in this region for people in Osaka as well as for all visitors. In doing so, we will take advantage of our experience over the past five years to present a broader point of view on history in our activities. Our programs will aim to develop a deeper understanding of the city’s history and to think about our present society and culture together with our visitors, while cherishing the “dialogue with history”, in order to help create a better future.

The ultramodern Umeda Sky Building is a landmark of Osaka's Kita Ward. It sprouted up at the end of Japan's economic bubble in 1993. Head to the uniquely designed observation deck for a picture-perfect view of the expansive cityscape. If you have any new ideas or requests for today’s itinerary, please let us know — we are happy to customize and plan the day according to your preferences.

Osaka

Enjoy your final day in Japan until your guide arrives to escort you to KIX airport for your departing flight. If you are departing from a different city in Japan, please let us know — we will do our best to adjust the itinerary accordingly.