Itinerary
- Day 1
Tokyo
You'll arrive in Tokyo and get settled at your hostel. Take some time to shake off the flight and rest up before connecting with the group later on.
- Day 2
Tokyo
Start at Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple, then move on to Meiji Shrine. After that, you'll head through the colorful streets of Harajuku and see Shibuya Crossing in person. Come evening, explore Shinjuku's quirky restaurants and small bars to get a feel for Tokyo's nightlife.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Senso-ji Temple
- Visit Meiji Shrine
- Explore Harajuku
- Visit Shibuya Crossing
- Experience restaurants and bars in Shinjuku
Landmarks Senso-ji Temple Meiji Shrine Shibuya Crossing 
- Day 3
Tokyo
Begin the morning with a sushi rolling class from a sushi master, learning the basics hands-on. You'll have free time to explore Tokyo however you like, then head to Akihabara. This is the place for arcades, maid cafes, photo booths, and game centers if that's your thing.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sushi rolling class with a sushi master
- Explore Akihabara
Landmarks Akihabara 
- Day 4
Tokyo to Nagano
Take the bullet train out to Nagano. You'll try origami and then relax in an onsen with natural volcanic hot spring water. The night is spent in a traditional ryokan where you'll sleep on tatami mats with a futon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Bullet train ride to Nagano
- Origami class
- Onsen experience
- Day 5
Nagano
Learn to make soba noodles as part of a cooking experience. Later, head into the mountains to see snow monkeys in their natural environment. You'll also walk around Shiga Kogen National Park with its lakes and forests.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Learn to roll soba noodles
- Spot snow monkeys (Japanese Macaques)
- Explore Shiga Kogen National Park
Landmarks Jigokudani Snow Monkeys Shiga Kogen National Park 
- Day 6
Nagano to Hakone
The bullet train takes you to Hakone, a mountain town known for its views of Mount Fuji when the weather cooperates. It's a nice spot to settle in after traveling.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Bullet train ride to Hakone
Landmarks Mount Fuji 
- Day 7
Hakone to Osaka
Explore Hakone using a pirate ship and cable car to catch views of Mount Fuji from different angles. Then you'll head to Osaka where dinner is included with a BBQ, followed by karaoke later in the evening.
- Meals
- Dinner (BBQ dinner)
Included Activities
- Lake Ashi Pirate Ship Cruise
- Mount Fuji Cable Car experience
- BBQ dinner
Optional Activities
- Karaoke night out
Landmarks Lake Ashi Mount Fuji 
- Day 8
Osaka
Spend the morning relaxing or checking out shops in Osaka if you want. Visit Osaka Castle, which was first built over 400 years ago and holds a lot of Japanese history including samurai stories. Finish up at Dotonbori, Osaka's canal area with lots of good food options.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Osaka Castle
Optional Activities
- Explore Osaka's shopping
- Explore Dotonburi canal region
Landmarks Osaka Castle Dotonburi 
- Day 9
Osaka to Koyasan
Head back to the mountains for something special: you'll stay overnight in a Buddhist temple in Koyasan that's been around for 1000 years. The monks teach meditation and prepare traditional meals. Later, take a walk through Japan's largest cemetery at night.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional Buddhist temple cuisine), Breakfast
Included Activities
- Stay at 1000-year-old Buddhist Temple
- Meditation with monks
- Traditional Buddhist temple cuisine
- Night-time stroll through cemetery
Landmarks Koyasan 
- Day 10
Koyasan to Kyoto
Get up early to watch monks do their morning prayers and fire ceremony. After a traditional breakfast the monks serve, you'll travel to Kyoto. That night, do a tour of Gion district to learn about Kyoto's geisha culture.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Traditional Buddhist breakfast served by monks)
Included Activities
- Morning prayer service and fire ceremony
- Traditional Buddhist breakfast
- Geisha district tour - Gion
Landmarks Gion 
- Day 11
Kyoto
Walk through the Bamboo Forest of Arashiyama where the tall bamboo is perfect for photos. Next, see the Golden Pavilion. Your evening is free so you can find a sushi restaurant, hit a bar, or try bowling or arcade games.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Bamboo Forest of Arashiyama
- Golden Pavilion visit
Optional Activities
- Sushi restaurant
- Bars
- Bowling
- Arcade games
Landmarks Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion 
- Day 12
Kyoto
Start the morning walking through the thousands of red Torii gates at Fushimi Inari shrine. The winding trails take you up the forested mountainside where you'll see fewer crowds the higher you go. It's a good idea to wear comfortable shoes since the paths get steep. After spending a couple hours exploring the shrine grounds, head back down and grab lunch somewhere nearby. In the afternoon, you'll meet with a Samurai master who teaches you traditional sword techniques and talks about the history behind the movements. By evening, the group comes together for your final dinner and drinks in Japan, so it's a nice way to wrap up the trip and reflect on what you've experienced.
- Meals
- Dinner (Final celebration dinner and drinks)
Included Activities
- Fushimi Inari Shrine visit
- Traditional Samurai sword training with a Samurai master
- Final celebration dinner and drinks
Landmarks Fushimi Inari Shrine 
- Day 13
Kyoto
Your 13-day trip through Japan wraps up. Check out and head home, or you could stay longer in Kyoto and keep exploring Japan if you want.
