Itinerary
- Intro
Introduction
- Day 1
Arrival to Japan
Arrival to Japan - Day 2
Osaka to Kyoto
Osaka to Kyoto
- Day 3
Kyoto
Kyoto- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at traditional izakaya restaurant (first round included))
Included Activities
- Visit Sanjusangendo Buddhist temple with 1,001 wooden statues of Kannon
- Explore Heian Shrine and gardens with Japan's largest shrine gate
- Visit Silver Pavilion
- Walk through Fushimi-Inari Shrine shrine gate galleries
- Dinner at traditional izakaya restaurant (first round included)
Optional Activities
- Geisha dance performance in Kyoto (€170 - Japanese evening with Maiko, minimum 10 participants, booking only up to 6 weeks before departure)
- Kyoto optional excursion (€145 - minimum 4 participants, booking only up to 6 weeks before departure)
- Gion Festival visit in Kyoto on 17.07. (subject to availability; may replace Silver Pavilion visit)
Landmarks Sanjusangendo Heian Shrine Silver Pavilion Fushimi-Inari Shrine - Day 4
Kyoto
Kyoto- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
- Explore Tenryuji Temple with Zen garden
- Visit Golden Pavilion
- Stroll through Nijo Castle and imperial gardens
- Visit Kodaiji Temple
Optional Activities
- Walk through Ninenzaka cobblestone street to Kiyomizu Temple
- Stroll through Gion old town district
- Japanese evening with shabu-shabu meat fondue dinner and Kyoto geisha (maiko) performance with souvenir photos - €170 per person (minimum 10 participants, booking required up to 6 weeks before departure)
Landmarks Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Tenryuji Golden Pavilion Nijo Castle Kodaiji Temple Ninenzaka Kiyomizu Temple Gion - Day 5
Kyoto to Koya-san
Kyoto to Koya-san- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Vegetarian dinner)
Included Activities
- Visit Todaiji Temple and large bronze Buddha statue
- Walk through Koya-san cemetery
- Visit Kongobuji Temple
- Overnight stay at traditional temple guesthouse
- Vegetarian dinner
Landmarks Todaiji Temple Koya-san Kongobuji Temple - Day 6
Koya-san - Himeji - Oita
Koya-san - Himeji - Oita- Meals
- Breakfast (Vegetarian breakfast)
Included Activities
- Witness Shingon ritual prayers of monks
- Visit Himeji Castle (UNESCO World Heritage Site - "White Heron Castle")
Landmarks Himeji Castle - Day 7
Oita - Aso-Kuju National Park - Kumamoto
Oita - Aso-Kuju National Park - Kumamoto- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit "Sea Hell" hot spring in Beppu
- Drive through Aso-Kuju National Park
- Visit active Nakadake volcano crater rim
- Visit Kumamoto castle complex
Landmarks Aso-Kuju National Park Nakadake Volcano Kumamoto Castle Sea Hell - Day 8
Kumamoto to Nagasaki
Kumamoto to Nagasaki- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Nagasaki city
- Visit Chinatown
- Visit Teramachi temple town
- Visit Sofukuji Temple
- Explore Urakami Christian village
- Stroll through Glover Park
Landmarks Sofukuji Temple Glover Park - Day 9
Nagasaki to Hiroshima to Miyajima
Nagasaki to Hiroshima to Miyajima- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Japanese pizza)
Included Activities
- Visit Peace Museum
- Walk through Peace Park
- Visit Miyajima island shrine
- Meal featuring Japanese pizza
Landmarks Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park Itsukushima Shrine Miyajima - Day 10
Hiroshima to Takayama
Hiroshima to Takayama- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Hida Beef)
Included Activities
- Dinner with Hida Beef
Optional Activities
- Evening soak in onsen hot spring baths with etiquette guidance from tour guide
Landmarks Takayama - Day 11
Takayama - Shirakawago
Takayama - Shirakawago- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Takayama morning market
- Visit old provincial administration building
- Explore sake breweries and miso stores in Takayama old town
- Stroll through Shirakawago UNESCO World Heritage village
Landmarks Shirakawago - Day 12
Shirakawago - Matsumoto - Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park
Shirakawago - Matsumoto - Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Matsumoto Castle - originally preserved black castle from 16th century
- Evening hot spring bath at Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park
Optional Activities
- Easy hike in Kamikochi (Japanese Alps) on dates 09.05. to 17.07. (Matsumoto not included; minimum fitness level required)
Landmarks Matsumoto Castle Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park Fuji-san - Day 13
Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park to Tokyo
Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park to Tokyo- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Lake Kawaguchi and Mount Fuji views
- Visit Kamakura
- View bronze Buddha statue
Optional Activities
- Sumo wrestling show evening dinner with professional wrestlers, introduction to ritual wrestling history, Chanko-nabe stew (traditional sumo wrestler meal), and souvenir photos with wrestlers - €135 per person (minimum 4 participants, booking required up to 6 weeks before departure)
Landmarks Lake Kawaguchi Mount Fuji Kamakura Great Buddha of Kamakura 
- Day 14
Tokyo to Nikko
Tokyo to Nikko- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Nikko National Park excursion including Toshogu Shrine, Kegon waterfall, and Lake Chuzenji - €135 per person (minimum 4 participants, booking required up to 6 weeks before departure)
Landmarks Toshogu Shrine Nikko National Park Kegon waterfall Lake Chuzenji - Day 15
Tokyo
Tokyo- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Tokyo excursion including Meiji Shrine, boat trip along Tokyo banks, Kannon Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree ascent to 450 meters with panoramic views, and Shibuya Crossing visit - €135 per person (minimum 4 participants, booking required up to 6 weeks before departure)
Landmarks Meiji Shrine Kannon Temple Tokyo Skytree Shibuya Crossing - Day 16
Tokyo to Home
Tokyo to Home
