Itinerary
- Intro
Introduction
- Day 1
Tokyo
Tokyo- Accommodation
- Hotel 4* (The Gate Hotel, Tokyo)
Optional Activities
- Dinner at local izakaya restaurant
Landmarks Ginza District - Day 2
Tokyo to Kamakura
Tokyo to Kamakura- Meals
- Lunch (Bento box lunch typically including prawn and cheese rolls, glazed prawn, omelette, meat dumplings, vegetable stew, mochi sweet and rice with pickles (vegetarian option available if pre-advised))
- Accommodation
- Hotel 4* (The Gate Hotel, Tokyo)
Included Activities
- Private Zen meditation session led by a monk in a traditional temple (approximately 1 hour)
- Bento box lunch
- Visit Kotokuji Temple
- Visit The Great Buddha of Kamakura (seated bronze statue of Amitabha Buddha)
Optional Activities
- Cafe breaks in town
Landmarks Kotokuji Temple The Great Buddha of Kamakura - Day 3
Tokyo
Tokyo- Meals
- Lunch (Sushi lunch featuring fresh seafood with educational insights into what makes great sushi)
- Accommodation
- Hotel 4* (The Gate Hotel, Tokyo)
Included Activities
- Walk through Ginza to Hamarikyu Gardens
- Visit Tsukiji Outer Market (fish and seafood market)
- Sushi lunch
- Attend Fire Ceremony at Fudo-do Temple (esoteric Shingon sect ceremony with flames, sacred chanting, and taiko drums)
Optional Activities
- Explore food-related shops at Tsukiji Outer Market selling cooking knives, aprons, and other items
Landmarks Hamarikyu Gardens Tsukiji Outer Market Fudo-do Temple - Day 4
Tokyo to Hakone National Park
Tokyo to Hakone National Park- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional Japanese meal)
- Accommodation
- Guesthouse (Hidamari Ichinoyu)
Included Activities
- Visit Owakudani hot sulphur springs (volcanic crater)
- Boat ride on Lake Ashi
- Traditional Japanese dinner
Optional Activities
- Eat eggs boiled in sulphur pools (reputed to increase life expectancy by seven years)
- Relax in lakeside restaurants at Moto Hakone
- Enjoy communal Japanese bath with same-sex guests
Landmarks Mount Fuji Hakone National Park Owakudani Lake Ashi - Day 5
Hakone to Hiroshima
Hakone to Hiroshima- Accommodation
- Hotel 3* (HOTEL INTERGATE Hiroshima)
Included Activities
- Visit Peace Memorial Park
- Visit Peace Museum (on the site of the 1945 A-bomb hypocentre)
Optional Activities
- Okonomiyaki meal (savory pancake with Hiroshima-style layered ingredients)
Landmarks Peace Memorial Park Peace Museum - Day 6
Hiroshima to Miyajima Island
Hiroshima to Miyajima Island- Accommodation
- Hotel 3* (HOTEL INTERGATE Hiroshima)
Included Activities
- Private Japanese tea ceremony at Tokujuji temple
- Omamori (Japanese good luck amulet) making experience
- View floating torii gate
- Visit Daisho-in Temple
- Visit Itsukushima Shrine (16th century Shinto shrine, UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Optional Activities
- Hike to Mt. Misen summit (90 minutes to 2 hours) for views across the Inland Sea and chance to see monkeys
- Cable car to Mt. Misen (up, down, or both options)
Landmarks Miyajima Island Floating Torii Gate Tokujuji Temple Daisho-in Temple Itsukushima Shrine Mt. Misen - Day 7
Hiroshima to Kyoto
Hiroshima to Kyoto- Accommodation
- Hotel 4* (Rihga Gran Kyoto)
Included Activities
- Visit Fushimi Inari Shinto Shrine (famous vermilion torii gates)
Optional Activities
- Walk the Philosopher's Path
- Visit Silver Pavilion
- Visit Eikando Temple
- Visit Nanzenji Temple
- Explore other temples and shrines in Kyoto
Landmarks Fushimi Inari Shinto Shrine Philosopher's Path Silver Pavilion (Ginkakuji) Eikando Temple Nanzenji Temple 
- Day 8
Kyoto
Kyoto- Accommodation
- Hotel 4* (Rihga Gran Kyoto)
Included Activities
- Visit Kinkakuji (Zen Temple with gold-leaf covered structure)
- Visit Ryoanji (Zen Temple with stone garden)
- Geisha dance performance (traditional Japanese culture experience)
Optional Activities
- Lunch at Nishiki Food Market (not included - explore exotic foods)
Landmarks Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) Ryoanji Temple Nishiki Food Market - Day 9
Kyoto
KyotoOptional Activities
- Last-minute shopping in Kyoto
- Last-minute sightseeing in Kyoto
