Itinerary
- Day 1
Tokyo
You'll touch down in Tokyo and head to your hotel for check-in. The afternoon is yours to settle in and get your bearings in Japan's bustling capital. This gives you time to grab a bite, rest up, or take a quick walk around your neighborhood to get oriented before things kick off tomorrow.
- Day 2
Tokyo
Start early at Meiji Shrine, walking through the peaceful man-made forest. Then you'll work with a calligraphy master on traditional techniques and participate in a tea ceremony to understand the ritual. Next comes Asakusa, where you can browse the Nakamise shopping arcade before gathering with your group for a welcome dinner and meeting your travel companions.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Welcome dinner hosted by Tour Director)
Included Activities
- Visit to Meiji Shrine
- Calligraphy lesson with a master calligrapher
- Tea ceremony
- Visit to Asakusa Kannon Temple and Nakamise shopping arcade
- Welcome dinner hosted by Tour Director
Landmarks Meiji Shrine Asakusa Kannon Temple Nakamise shopping arcade - Day 3
Tokyo
The day is completely yours to shape. Head to Ginza's upscale shops and galleries, check out Shibuya's crossing and youthful energy, or wander through street food markets trying local snacks. Some people catch a baseball game at Tokyo Dome. It's your time to discover what interests you most about the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit to Ginza district
- Visit to Shibuya district
- Street food market dining
- Game at Tokyo Dome
Landmarks Ginza district Shibuya district Tokyo Dome - Day 4
Tokyo to Mt Fuji Area
Bullet train takes you south to the Five Lakes region near Hakone. You'll ride a cable car up into the mountains for incredible views of Mount Fuji, then board a scenic lake cruise on Lake Ashi. The mountain scenery from the water is the main draw here, with Fuji often visible on clear days (weather permitting).
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Bullet train ride from Tokyo to Odawara station
- Cable-car ride in Hakone for panoramic views of Mount Fuji
- Cruise on Lake Ashi
Landmarks Mount Fuji Lake Ashi Hakone - Day 5
Mt Fuji Area to Matsumoto to Takayama
Journey to Matsumoto, which sits at the entrance to the Japanese Alps. You'll visit a working wasabi farm to learn how they cultivate it and try wasabi-flavored ice cream (yes, really). After exploring Matsumoto Castle, a striking 16th-century structure, you'll have a traditional Japanese dinner at your hotel to wrap up the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional lunch), Dinner (Japanese-style dinner at hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit to local wasabi farm with sampling of wasabi ice cream
- Visit to Matsumoto Castle
Landmarks Matsumoto Castle 
- Day 6
Takayama
Morning starts at the local farmers market watching vendors sell fresh produce and flowers. Then you tour Takayama Jinya, a preserved government building from the Edo Period and the only one remaining in Japan. From there, you'll taste sake in the San-Machi Suji district before spending your afternoon freely exploring the town's narrow historic streets at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Morning market visit
- Visit to Takayama Jinya
- Sake tasting in San-Machi Suji historic district
Optional Activities
- Overnight stay at traditional Japanese ryokan (additional fee and pre-booking required, includes traditional Japanese dinner and breakfast)
Landmarks Takayama Jinya San-Machi Suji historic district - Day 7
Takayama to Shirakawa to Kanazawa
The drive through Shokawa Valley takes you to Shirakawa, where you'll see traditional Gassho-Zukuri thatched farmhouses (a UNESCO site you won't find anywhere else). Then it's on to Kanazawa to walk through Kenroku-en Garden, one of Japan's three great gardens. Later, you'll take a gold leaf class where you craft your own decorative bento box as a keepsake.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Scenic drive through Shokawa Valley
- Exploration of Gassho-Zukuri style thatched houses in Shirakawa
- Visit to Kenroku-en Garden
- Gold leaf class with bento box creation
Landmarks Shirakawa Kenroku-en Garden Kasumigaike pond 
- Day 8
Kanazawa to Kyoto
Drive south to Kyoto and visit Kinkakuji, the gold-covered temple that's one of the country's most famous landmarks. You'll learn Yuzen dyeing (a traditional fabric technique) and make your own souvenir. The day wraps up at Sanjusajendo Temple, known for its 1,001 gold statues representing Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of compassion.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Kinkakuji (Temple of the Gold Pavilion)
- Yuzen dyeing technique lesson with souvenir creation
- Visit to Sanjusajendo Temple
Optional Activities
- Walking tour through Gion with Tour Director
- Visits to additional historic temples (available for purchase with MyGlobus)
Landmarks Kinkakuji Sanjusajendo Temple Gion 
- Day 9
Kyoto
Start with Fushimi Inari Shrine and its thousands of red torii gates (a fairly surreal sight walking through them). Next is Kiyomizu Temple in Higashiyama District. You'll join a cooking class where you prepare miso soup, teriyaki chicken, and sushi rolls for lunch, then try on a traditional kimono afterward for photos and fun.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Japanese cooking class lunch including miso soup, teriyaki chicken, and sushi rolls)
Included Activities
- Visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine
- Visit to Kiyomizu Temple
- Japanese cooking class
- Opportunity to try on traditional kimono
Landmarks Fushimi Inari Shrine Kiyomizu Temple Higashiyama District - Day 10
Kyoto to Nara Excursion
Short trip to Nara to see two UNESCO sites: Kasuga Shrine with its thousands of stone and bronze lanterns, and Todaiji Temple housing the massive 49-foot bronze Buddha. You'll walk through Nara Park and see the free-roaming deer. Then back to Kyoto for a farewell dinner celebrating what you've experienced throughout the tour.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner hosted by Tour Director)
Included Activities
- Visit to Kasuga Shrine
- Visit to Todaiji Temple
- Exploration of Nara Park
- Farewell dinner hosted by Tour Director
Landmarks Kasuga Shrine Todaiji Temple Nara Park 
- Day 11
Kyoto to Osaka
Bullet train carries you to Osaka, a city known for great food and nightlife. A local guide shows you Osaka Castle and its park, then leads you through Minami's entertainment districts including Shinsaibashi and Namba. You'll have lunch featuring okonomiyaki (a savory pancake specialty) and explore the bustling area on foot with your guide.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Okonomiyaki, a savory pancake dish famous in Osaka)
Included Activities
- Visit to Osaka Castle and surrounding park with Local Guide
- Exploration of Minami entertainment district (Shinsaibashi and Namba)
- Walking tour with Local Guide through entertainment district
Landmarks Osaka Castle Minami Dontonbori Street Shinsaibashi Namba 
- Day 12
Osaka
This day is open for you to decide. Some people return to Minami for more shopping and exploring, while others check out the Open-Air Museum of Japanese Farmhouses. Either way, you've got the flexibility to dive deeper into Osaka or revisit something you loved from earlier in the tour.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Further exploration of Minami
- Visit to Open-Air Museum of Japanese Farmhouses
Landmarks Open-Air Museum of Japanese Farmhouses - Day 13
Osaka
Tour finishes after breakfast this morning. It's time to say goodbye to Japan, leaving with memories of temples, gardens, mountain views, and the cultural experiences you've gathered over these past two weeks.
- Meals
- Breakfast
