Itinerary
- Day 1
Tokyo
You'll arrive in Tokyo whenever works for your flights. If you get in early enough, there's a welcome meeting at 6:30pm where you'll meet your tour leader, and dinner afterward is optional. You'll receive a Suica transport card that's already loaded with money for the sightseeing trips included in your tour. Early check-in is possible if you need it, though that'll cost extra.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Kanzashi Tokyo Asakusa Hotel), Hotel (The Kanzashi Tokyo Asakusa Hotel (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Welcome meeting and dinner with tour leader (if arriving by 6:30pm)
- Early hotel check-in (available for extra fee, subject to availability)
- Day 2
Tokyo
This day involves a lot of walking and metro travel around Tokyo. Start in Asakusa to see Senso-ji Temple and its Thunder Gate, then head to Fukagawa Fudo-do Temple for the morning fire service where you'll hear sacred chanting and taiko drums. After grabbing lunch, you'll go to Meiji Jingu shrine for some quiet time, followed by Shibuya's famous crossing and shopping areas. Plan on being on your feet for about 7 to 8 hours, so wear comfortable shoes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Kanzashi Tokyo Asakusa Hotel), Hotel (The Kanzashi Tokyo Asakusa Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Visit Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa
- Attend morning fire ceremony at Fukagawa Fudo-do Temple
- Visit Meiji Jingu Shinto shrine
- Explore Shibuya district
Optional Activities
- Continue exploration to Shinjuku skyscraper district in the afternoon
- Additional exploration of Asakusa or other Tokyo neighborhoods
Landmarks Senso-ji Temple Thunder Gate (Senso-ji) Fukagawa Fudo-do Temple Meiji Jingu Shibuya Crossing 
- Day 3
Tokyo
You have the whole day to explore Tokyo however you like. Check out trendy Harajuku, head to quirky Akihabara with its themed cafés, or go up Tokyo Skytree for views across the city. A Sumida River cruise is another option if you prefer relaxing. If nature appeals to you, Hamarikyu Gardens, Hakone National Park, Nikko, or Kamakura are all within reach as optional visits. Mount Fuji might be visible from Hakone if the weather cooperates, and early morning or late afternoon gives your best chance. During peak seasons like March through April or October through November, getting reservations for these spots can be really tough.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Kanzashi Tokyo Asakusa Hotel), Hotel (The Kanzashi Tokyo Asakusa Hotel (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Visit Tokyo Skytree for city views
- Sumida River cruise
- Walk through Hamarikyu Gardens
- Day trip to Lake Kawaguchi in Hakone National Park for Mount Fuji views (cable car and walking trails available)
- Day trip to Nikko to visit Toshogu shrine and explore the national park with forests, lakes, waterfalls and hiking trails
- Day trip to Kamakura to visit temples, shrines and the Great Buddha statue, with beach access
Landmarks Tokyo Skytree Hamarikyu Gardens Harajuku Akihabara Lake Kawaguchi Mount Fuji Toshogu Great Buddha of Kamakura 
- Day 4
Tokyo to Matsumoto
An express train heads north toward Matsumoto, taking about 3 hours and passing through the Japanese Alps. Once there, you'll explore Crow Castle, which has been standing for 500 years and remains one of Japan's oldest and most elegant castles. Inside you'll find original wooden details, a moon-viewing pavilion, hidden samurai floors, and defensive booby traps built into the structure. Climbing the steep wooden stairs inside is completely optional. The rest of your afternoon is free to relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Tabino Hotel), Hotel (Tabino Hotel Lit Matsumoto (or similar))
Included Activities
- Express train journey to Matsumoto
- Visit Matsumoto Castle (Crow Castle)
Optional Activities
- Climb additional stories of Matsumoto Castle interior (steep wooden steps)
Landmarks Matsumoto Castle 
- Day 5
Matsumoto to Nagano
You'll travel by express train and private bus to Jigokudani Onsen to watch Japan's famous snow monkeys soaking in hot springs. The walk along forest trails takes about 30 minutes and is mostly flat, though there are some steep stairs and narrow spots to navigate. You'll spend roughly 30 minutes watching the macaques, then head to Nagano. Before settling in, you'll visit Zenkoji Temple, one of Japan's oldest Buddhist temples dating from the 7th century. Afterward, you'll check into traditional temple lodgings where you'll sleep on futons, walk across tatami mats, and use shared facilities for an authentic Japanese stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Monastery (Zenkoji Yakuo In), Monastery (Zenkoji Yakuo In (or similar))
Included Activities
- Observe snow monkeys at Jigokudani Onsen
- Visit Zenkoji Temple
- Stay in traditional temple lodgings (shukubo)
Optional Activities
- Explore Nagano town at leisure
Landmarks Jigokudani Onsen Zenkoji Temple 
- Day 6
Nagano to Kanazawa
Rise early to start at the temple before sunrise. You'll walk through fragrant incense smoke as part of the purification process, then enter the main hall to receive a sacred blessing from the head monk while watching morning rituals with monks chanting ancient sutras. Later, an express train takes you to Kanazawa in about 90 minutes. Spend your afternoon walking through the atmospheric samurai district with its narrow lanes and earthen walls, learning about the legendary warrior class that once lived there.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Torifito Kanazawa), Hotel (Hotel Torifito Kanazawa (or similar))
Included Activities
- Join monks for morning prayers and blessing at Zenkoji Temple
- Watch monks perform morning rituals
- Express train to Kanazawa
- Explore samurai district of Kanazawa
Optional Activities
- Visit Nomura Samurai House
Landmarks Zenkoji Temple Nomura Samurai House 
- Day 7
Kanazawa
Kanazawa is yours to explore at your own pace today. Much of the old town with its 19th-century buildings survived World War II intact. Wander through Omicho Fish Market where you can see the fresh daily catch and local vegetables, and try chirashi-zushi if you're hungry. Stop by a traditional teahouse in either Higashi Chaya or Kazuemachi Chaya districts. Make sure to visit the Kenrokuen Gardens, which many consider one of Japan's best landscaped gardens.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Torifito Kanazawa), Hotel (Hotel Torifito Kanazawa (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Explore Omicho Fish Market
- Try chirashi-zushi at the market
- Visit traditional teahouse in Higashi Chaya district
- Visit traditional teahouse in Kazuemachi Chaya district
- Visit Kenrokuen Gardens
Landmarks Omicho Market Higashi Chaya District Kazuemachi Chaya District Kenrokuen Gardens - Day 8
Kanazawa to Takayama
A train takes you to Takayama, a traditional town that kept its authentic character from feudal times when it was controlled by the Shogun. The town was known for its highly skilled carpenters. You'll explore the Sanmachi Suji district where narrow streets are lined with dark wooden merchants' houses that are 300 to 400 years old. You can tour a traditional sake brewery and taste some of Takayama's famous brew, which has a strong reputation because of the pure mountain water and cold winters in the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Tokyu Stay Hida Takayama (or similar))
Included Activities
- Train journey to Takayama
- Explore Sanmachi Suji district
- Tour sake brewery and taste local sake
Optional Activities
- Visit Hida No Sato thatched roof village (open-air museum with original Edo period houses)
- Try high quality Japanese hida beef for dinner
- Further exploration of Takayama town
Landmarks Sanmachi Suji District Hida No Sato 
- Day 9
Takayama to Hiroshima
Two scenic train journeys bring you to Hiroshima. First, you'll travel along the icy blue Hida River past shrines, bamboo groves, and traditional fishermen to reach Nagoya. From there, the famous Shinkansen bullet train covers 400 kilometers to Hiroshima in roughly 2.5 hours, getting you there early in the afternoon. You'll visit the Peace Memorial Park and museum at the 1945 A-bomb hypocentre. By evening, try okonomiyaki, a local savory pancake cooked on a hot plate, and you'll notice Hiroshima's style uses layered ingredients rather than mixing everything together.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Mielparque Hiroshima), Hotel (MYSTAYS Hiroshima Peace Park (or similar))
Included Activities
- Train journey along Hida River to Nagoya
- Shinkansen bullet train to Hiroshima
- Visit Peace Memorial Park
- Visit Peace Museum
Optional Activities
- Evening okonomiyaki meal in Hiroshima
Landmarks Peace Memorial Park Peace Museum 
- Day 10
Hiroshima to Miyajima Island
After breakfast, a local train and small ferry transport you to Miyajima Island off Hiroshima's coast. The relaxed island has freely roaming deer in its streets and the iconic red torii gate that looks like it's floating on water when the tide comes in. Visit the Buddhist Daisho-in Temple to climb steps and spin prayer wheels that are believed to provide spiritual blessings. Check out the 16th-century Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built over the sea. If you enjoy hiking, Mt. Misen offers 2 to 2.5 hour walks with sea views and wild monkeys, or take the cable car for a quicker 20 to 30 minute walk up to the observatory.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Mielparque Hiroshima), Hotel (MYSTAYS Hiroshima Peace Park (or similar))
Included Activities
- Local train and ferry journey to Miyajima Island
- Visit Buddhist Daisho-in Temple
- Visit Itsukushima Shrine
Optional Activities
- Hike to top of Mt. Misen (2 to 2.5 hours with views of Inland Sea and monkeys)
- Cable car up or down Mt. Misen
- 20-30 minute walk from cable car upper station to observatory
Landmarks Miyajima Island Torii Gate (Miyajima) Daisho-in Temple Itsukushima Shrine Mt. Misen 
- Day 11
Hiroshima to Kyoto
After breakfast, the bullet train heads to Kyoto, arriving around midday after about 1.5 hours. Kyoto served as the imperial capital for over 1,000 years and has more than 2,000 temples and shrines set in manicured gardens. This afternoon, you'll explore Nijo Castle, a Shogun palace built in 1603 with impressive grounds, elaborate gates, famous nightingale floors that squeak when you walk on them, and beautifully manicured viewing gardens.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Elcient Kyoto Hachijoguchi), Hotel (Miyako City Kintetsu Kyoto Station (or similar))
Included Activities
- Bullet train to Kyoto
- Visit Nijo Castle
Landmarks Nijo Castle 
- Day 12
Kyoto
A private morning tea ceremony teaches you the traditional Zen-rooted method of preparing and drinking matcha green tea in a tatami-floored tearoom. The tea master will guide you through making your own tea and explain the process. Your afternoon is free to explore Kyoto's temples, gardens, and geisha district on your own. Consider visiting Fushimi Inari Shrine early to get ahead of the crowds who come for the thousands of red torii gates. You could also browse Nishiki Food Market for exotic foods or walk the Philosopher's Path that goes past the Silver Pavilion and various temples.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Miyako City Kintetsu Kyoto Station (or similar))
Included Activities
- Private tea ceremony with matcha green tea preparation
Optional Activities
- Early morning visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine
- Explore Nishiki Food Market
- Walk the Philosopher's Path
- Visit Silver Pavilion
- Visit Eikando Temple
- Visit Nanzenji Temple
Landmarks Fushimi Inari Shrine Nishiki Food Market Philosopher's Path Silver Pavilion Eikando Temple Nanzenji Temple 
- Day 13
Kyoto to Arashiyama
A guided day trip takes you to Arashiyama, which is about 20 minutes by train. Arrive at 8am during peak seasons to avoid crowds. You'll visit Tenryu-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was a former imperial villa, and its garden is great for quiet reflection. Walk through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove with its towering green stalks, then cross Togetsukyo Bridge over the Oi River for nice views. After lunch, explore the Main Shopping Street's traditional textiles and artisan crafts, or if you prefer, cycle through rural areas and temples in Sagano. Back in Kyoto for dinner, you can reflect on everything you've seen during your Japanese trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Miyako City Kintetsu Kyoto Station (or similar))
Included Activities
- Day trip to Arashiyama
- Visit Tenryu-ji Temple
- Explore Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
- Cross Togetsukyo Bridge
- Return to Kyoto by train
Optional Activities
- Browse Arashiyama Main Shopping Street for textiles and crafts
- Sample local sweets (matcha treats, yatsuhashi cinnamon rice crackers)
- Explore rural Sagano area
- Rent local bike and cycle through rural residential areas
- Visit Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple
- Final dinner in Kyoto to reflect on the journey
Landmarks Tenryu-ji Temple Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Togetsukyo Bridge Arashiyama Main Shopping Street Sagano Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple 
- Day 14
Kyoto
Your tour finishes after breakfast at the hotel in Kyoto. You're free to leave whenever your flights are scheduled. Luggage storage is available if you need it because your flights leave later in the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
