Itinerary
- Day 1
Flight to Tokyo
You'll depart on a flight with EVA Air, Emirates, or another airline heading to Tokyo. This is the start of your journey to Japan.
- Day 2
Tokyo Arrival
After landing at Tokyo Airport, your tour guide will meet you for the transfer to your hotel. You'll check in during the afternoon and have time to wander around the vibrant city streets on your own, getting a feel for Japan's capital.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Explore Tokyo's vibrant city life on your own
- Day 3
Tokyo
Your day covers several of Tokyo's different neighborhoods and sites. Start with a photo stop at the Imperial Palace's Nijubashi Bridge, then head to Meiji Shrine tucked away in the woods. From there, walk through Harajuku's fashion district along Takeshita Street, and after that move to the traditional Asakusa area to see Sensoji Temple. You'll walk through the Thunder Gate and browse the Nakamise shopping street before heading to one of Tokyo's viewing platforms like Mori Tower or Azabudai Hills for views across the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Photo stop at Imperial Palace Nijubashi Bridge
- Visit Meiji Shrine
- Explore Harajuku fashion district and Takeshita Street
- Visit Sensoji Temple in Asakusa
- Walk through Thunder Gate and Nakamise-dori shopping street
- View Tokyo Sky Tree television tower
- Visit one of Tokyo's viewing platforms (Mori Tower in Roppongi or Azabudai Hills)
Landmarks Imperial Palace Meiji Shrine Takeshita Street Sensoji Temple Tokyo Sky Tree Mori Tower Azabudai Hills - Day 4
Tokyo
You can explore Tokyo at your own pace, or join an optional bus trip to Nikko about an hour away. This UNESCO World Heritage area features temples, shrines, and impressive wood carvings. If you're interested, there's also an optional evening experience with a traditional Japanese dinner and geisha visit available.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Optional excursion to Nikko including Toshogu Shrine, Rinnoji Temple, and Nikko National Park
- Optional Japanese evening with traditional Japanese dinner and geisha visit
Landmarks Toshogu Shrine Rinnoji Temple Nikko National Park - Day 5
Kamakura to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park
Taking the bus for about one hour gets you to Kamakura on the Pacific coast, a former shogunate center from the 12th century. You'll see Hasedera Temple with thousands of statues, Japan's largest Kannon statue, and the well-known Great Buddha. Then you'll head by boat tour toward Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, moving through bamboo forests and rice fields. On a clear day, you'll get views of the sacred Mount Fuji-san at 3,776 meters.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Hasedera Temple and gardens with thousands of statues
- View the largest Kannon statue in Japan
- Visit the Great Buddha of Kamakura
- Boat tour through Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park (weather permitting)
- View Mount Fuji-san
Landmarks Hasedera Temple Great Buddha of Kamakura Mount Fuji Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park 
- Day 6
Matsumoto to Nagano
The bus takes you to Matsumoto to visit one of Japan's best-preserved castles, known as 'Crow Castle' due to its black paint and dating back to the 16th century. Later in the afternoon you'll continue by bus to Nagano, site of the 1998 Winter Olympics, where you'll visit Zenkoji Temple, a popular Buddhist pilgrimage location.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Matsumoto Castle (Crow Castle)
- Visit Zenkoji Temple in Nagano
Landmarks Matsumoto Castle Zenkoji Temple 
- Day 7
Jigokudani Monkey Park to Takayama
Early morning brings a bus ride to Jigokudani Monkey Park in Yamanouchi hot springs in Nagano Prefecture where you can watch snow monkeys soaking in natural hot springs. Later in the afternoon you'll reach Takayama at the base of the Japanese Alps. On a clear day, you'll see panoramic views of the 3,000-meter mountain range.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Jigokudani Monkey Park and observe snow monkeys in hot springs
Landmarks Jigokudani Monkey Park Japanese Alps 
- Day 8
Takayama to Shirakawa-go
Start at Takayama's morning market to see regional products on sale. You'll visit the old provincial administration building to learn about life under the Tokugawa shogunate, then walk through the old town streets with traditional sake breweries and miso stores. The afternoon bus ride takes you to Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage mountain village with traditional thatched farmhouses. After walking through the village, you'll head back to Takayama for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Takayama morning market
- Visit old provincial administration in Takayama
- Stroll through Takayama's old town with sake breweries and miso stores
- Visit Shirakawa-go village and walk through UNESCO World Heritage Site
Landmarks Shirakawa-go 
- Day 9
Takayama to Ise to Kyoto
Several hours by bus takes you via Nagoya to the Pacific coast and Ise, where you'll see the Naiku Shrine, the most important shrine in the Shinto religion dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami. Continuing in the afternoon, you'll reach Kyoto and have the evening free to explore the old imperial city and try different foods.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Naiku Shrine in Ise
Optional Activities
- Explore old imperial city of Kyoto and make culinary discoveries in the evening
Landmarks Naiku Shrine 
- Day 10
Kyoto
Your Kyoto day includes UNESCO World Heritage temples and cultural sites. You'll see Ryoanji Temple with its famous Zen garden, the Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji), and the Nijo residence of the Tokugawa shogunate. In the afternoon you'll head to the popular Fushimi-Inari Shrine with its long corridors of shrine gates. Before finishing up, you'll walk through the Shijo and Kawaramachi shopping streets and Nishiki-dori, a traditional market street, to sample Japanese cuisine.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Ryoanji Temple with famous Zen garden
- Visit Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji)
- Visit Nijo residence (Tokugawa shogunate)
- Visit Fushimi-Inari Shrine with shrine gate galleries
- Explore Shijo and Kawaramachi shopping streets
- Explore Nishiki-dori market street
Landmarks Ryoanji Temple Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) Nijo Castle Fushimi-Inari Shrine Nishiki Market Street - Day 11
Kyoto
You can spend the day exploring Kyoto on your own, or join an optional excursion to Uji and Nara. This option includes the UNESCO World Heritage Byodoin Phoenix Hall and the town of Uji, known for tea cultivation, plus Nara's UNESCO sites with the world's largest bronze Buddha in Todaiji Temple and its Great Buddha Hall, Nara Park, and the impressive Kofukuji Temple pagoda.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Optional excursion to Uji featuring Byodoin Phoenix Hall with Amida Buddha statue and paradise garden
- Optional excursion to Nara including Todaiji Temple with Daibutsu (world's largest bronze Buddha statue) and Great Buddha Hall
- Optional visit to Nara Park to observe tame red deer
- Optional visit to Kofukuji Temple with 42-meter-high pagoda and rebuilt Golden Hall
Landmarks Byodoin Phoenix Hall Todaiji Temple Nara Park Kofukuji Temple - Day 12
Kyoto to Himeji to Hiroshima
Leaving Kyoto by bus toward Hiroshima, you'll stop in Himeji to see the 'White Heron Castle,' Japan's largest and most beautiful castle that was expanded in the 17th century and recently restored. You'll reach Hiroshima by late afternoon on the Inland Sea. Note that you should travel with only hand luggage on this day as your main bags will be sent by courier to Osaka.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Himeji Castle (White Heron Castle, UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Landmarks Himeji Castle - Day 13
Hiroshima to Miyajima to Osaka
In Hiroshima, you'll confront Japan's wartime history by visiting memorials and walking through Peace Park to see the Atomic Bomb Dome (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the Peace Museum. About one hour by streetcar and ferry gets you to the sacred island of Miyajima in the Inland Sea to see the famous red gate of Itsukushima Shrine (UNESCO World Heritage Site) reflected in the water at high tide. Later in the afternoon you'll take the Shinkansen Super Express bullet train to Osaka, arriving in about 90 minutes. This high-speed rail is known for its punctuality, cleanliness, and comfort.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Hiroshima Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Dome
- Visit Hiroshima Peace Museum
- Visit memorials in Hiroshima
- Visit sacred island of Miyajima
- Visit Itsukushima Shrine with famous gate
- Travel on Shinkansen Super Express bullet train to Osaka
Landmarks Atomic Bomb Dome Hiroshima Peace Park Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum Itsukushima Shrine 
- Day 14
Osaka
You have a free day to explore Osaka on your own. Check out the castle complex, stroll through the city garden, and wander the lively Shinsekai district. As evening approaches, you'll be transferred by bus to Osaka/Kansai Airport for your flight back to Germany.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Osaka Castle complex
- Stroll through Osaka city garden
- Explore Shinsekai district
Landmarks Osaka Castle Shinsekai - Day 15
Arrival
You'll arrive back in Germany, concluding your Japan trip.
