Itinerary
- Day 1
Tokyo
You'll arrive at either Narita or Haneda Airport and meet your local guide for the transfer to your Tokyo hotel. After checking in, head to a local restaurant for your welcome dinner where you'll try authentic regional dishes and get oriented to what's ahead on your trip.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome Dinner at a charming local restaurant featuring authentic regional dishes)
Included Activities
- Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant with orientation
- Day 2
Tokyo
Start in the Asakusa District and walk through Senso-ji Temple with its vibrant energy. From there, head to the peaceful Meiji Shrine, then spend time in the trendy Omotesando and Harajuku neighborhoods. By evening you'll participate in a traditional tea ceremony to wrap up the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa District
- Visit Meiji Shrine
- Stroll through Omotesando and Harajuku districts
- Traditional tea ceremony experience
Landmarks Senso-ji Temple Meiji Shrine Omotesando Harajuku - Day 3
Tokyo to Mito City
Travel by bullet train to Ibaraki Prefecture, then by private vehicle to Kairakuen Garden, one of Japan's three most important gardens. You'll visit the historic Kodokan samurai school and walk around Lake Senba in Senba Park before checking into your hotel for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner at your hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Kairakuen Garden
- Visit Kodokan historic samurai school
- Stroll around Lake Senba in Senba Park
- Dinner at hotel
Landmarks Kairakuen Garden Kodokan Lake Senba Senba Park - Day 4
Mito City
Head by private vehicle to Kashima Shrine, about 45 km away (roughly 50 minutes to an hour drive), one of Japan's oldest shrines. Return to Mito City for lunch, then visit the Ibaraki Prefectural Museum of History. Finish at Hitachi Seaside Park (about 15 km from Mito) known for its flower gardens, then have dinner back at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit Kashima Shrine
- Visit Ibaraki Prefectural Museum of History
- Visit Hitachi Seaside Park
- Dinner at a local restaurant
Landmarks Kashima Shrine Ibaraki Prefectural Museum of History Hitachi Seaside Park - Day 5
Mito City to Mount Tsukuba
Travel by private vehicle to Mount Tsukuba (around 40 km from Mito City) and take a scenic cable car ride with panoramic views. You'll see Tsukuba Shrine at the base, a site with over 1,000 years of worship history. After lunch in Tsukuba, you'll have time to shop and explore before returning to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Scenic cable car ride up Mount Tsukuba
- Visit Tsukuba Shrine
Optional Activities
- Shopping and local exploration in Tsukuba
Landmarks Mount Tsukuba Tsukuba Shrine - Day 6
Mito City to Aizu-Wakamatsu
Check out and travel by private vehicle to Fukushima Prefecture (about 150 to 170 km, roughly 2 to 2.5 hours). Visit the historic post town of Ouchi-juku with its thatched-roof houses to learn about Edo-period life. You'll have lunch featuring local soba noodles on a traditional tray, then continue to Aizu-Wakamatsu for dinner at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Local soba noodles served on a traditional wooden tray), Dinner (Dinner at hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit historic post town of Ouchi-juku
- Lunch featuring local soba noodles on traditional wooden tray
- Dinner at hotel
Landmarks Ouchi-juku - Day 7
Aizu-Wakamatsu
Start at Aizu Bukeyashiki, an open-air museum with samurai history and local specialty products. Head to Mt. Iimori, a historically significant site with graves of 19 teenage samurai and Sazaedo, a unique spiral pagoda. After lunch, explore Tsurugajo Castle and its history museum. End with shopping on Nanokamachi-dori Street for traditional crafts before dinner at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner at hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Aizu Bukeyashiki open-air museum
- Visit Mt. Iimori with samurai graves and Sazaedo pagoda
- Visit Tsurugajo Castle with history museum
- Explore Nanokamachi-dori Street
- Dinner at hotel
Optional Activities
- Shopping for yukata, kimono, and antique Japanese goods at Nanokamachi-dori Street
Landmarks Aizu Bukeyashiki Mt. Iimori Sazaedo Tsurugajo Castle Nanokamachi-dori Street - Day 8
Aizu-Wakamatsu to Takayu Onsen
Check out and travel by private vehicle to Bandai-Asahi National Park for a scenic hike around Goshikinuma Ponds (about 1.5 hours with minimal elevation change). Drive along the Bandai-Azuma Skyline with mountain and valley views. Check into Takayu Onsen for a relaxing evening soaking in hot springs with dinner at your accommodation.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at your accommodation)
Included Activities
- Scenic hike around Goshikinuma Ponds
- Drive along Bandai-Azuma Skyline
- Relax in hot springs at Takayu Onsen
- Dinner at accommodation
Landmarks Bandai-Asahi National Park Goshikinuma Ponds Bandai-Azuma Skyline Takayu Onsen - Day 9
Takayu Onsen to Dake Onsen
Check out and visit Nihonmatsu Castle Ruins and Kasumigajo Park. Travel to the Adatara Highlands for a leisurely nature walk with landscape views. Finish the day at Dake Onsen, a quiet spot known for its healing waters where you can soak and relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Nihonmatsu Castle Ruins
- Visit Kasumigajo Park
- Nature walk in Adatara Highlands
- Visit Dake Onsen
Landmarks Nihonmatsu Castle Ruins Kasumigajo Park Adatara Highlands Dake Onsen - Day 10
Dake Onsen to Nikko
Check out and transfer by private car to Tochigi Prefecture (roughly 150 to 160 km, about 2 to 2.5 hours). Visit Nikko Toshogu Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site with significant architecture and cultural importance. After lunch, explore Kegon Falls and scenic Lake Chuzenji in Nikko National Park, then check into your hotel for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner at hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Nikko Toshogu Shrine UNESCO World Heritage site
- Visit Kegon Falls
- Visit Lake Chuzenji in Nikko National Park
- Dinner at hotel
Landmarks Nikko Toshogu Shrine Kegon Falls Lake Chuzenji Nikko National Park - Day 11
Nikko
Visit Mashiko Yuwakan Gozasho, a historical site connected to Japan's imperial heritage, then see the Peace Gallery with its harmony exhibits. After lunch, learn the traditional art of Kumihimo braid-making from skilled artisans and create your own. You'll also wear an authentic Yuki Tsumugi Kimono at the Oyama Honba Yuki Tsumugi Craft Museum before heading back to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Mashiko Yuwakan Gozasho (Imperial Chamber)
- Visit Peace Gallery
- Kumihimo Braid-making experience with skilled artisans
- Experience wearing authentic Yuki Tsumugi Kimono at Oyama Honba Yuki Tsumugi Craft Museum
Landmarks Mashiko Yuwakan Gozasho Peace Gallery Oyama Honba Yuki Tsumugi Craft Museum - Day 12
Nikko to Mashiko
Check out and travel to Mashiko, a town known for traditional pottery. Participate in a hands-on pottery workshop to learn Mashiko-yaki ceramics techniques. After lunch, see the Mashiko Pottery Museum to understand the craft's history, then visit local shops with handmade ceramics. Later you'll transfer back to your hotel after dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hands-on pottery-making workshop learning Mashiko-yaki ceramics
- Visit Mashiko Pottery Museum
- Visit local artisan shops for handmade pottery and ceramics
- Dinner
Landmarks Mashiko Pottery Museum - Day 13
Mashiko to Tokyo
Check out and return to Tokyo. Visit the teamLab Borderless digital art museum with interactive exhibits. Explore the iconic Shibuya Crossing and vibrant Shinjuku area, both known for their energy. After lunch, you'll have free time for shopping in these busy districts to pick up souvenirs and experience Tokyo's urban atmosphere.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit teamLab Borderless digital art museum
- Explore Shibuya Crossing
- Explore Shinjuku area
Optional Activities
- Shopping in Shibuya and Shinjuku districts
Landmarks teamLab Borderless Shibuya Crossing Shinjuku - Day 14
Tokyo
You'll have a free day in Tokyo to explore at your own pace with no scheduled activities, so the city is entirely yours to discover.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 15
Tokyo Departure
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight home. This marks the end of your Japan Silver Route Tour.
- Meals
- Breakfast
