Itinerary
- Day 1
Departure
Your trip to Japan kicks off with your flight today. Depending on when you depart, you might have meals available during the flight to help pass the time.
- Day 2
Sapporo
After getting through immigration, you'll catch a connecting flight to Sapporo on Hokkaido. Your tour guide meets you at the airport and drives you to your hotel to settle in.
Included Activities
- Airport transfer and hotel check-in
- Day 3
Sapporo to Hakodate
You'll start with a cable car ride up to Lake Toya's viewpoint, where you can see the lake stretching out with mountains in the background. After that, head to Lake Hill Farm to try their local ice cream and cream puffs made from fresh farm milk. Later, you'll board the South Hokkaido Railway for a scenic train journey from Tobetsu to Goryokaku, with mountain and coastal views along the way. Once you arrive in Hakodate, you'll drive through the Hachiman-zaka road to reach your hotel. The evening is yours to do what you like, so consider heading up to Mount Hakodate or checking out Goryokaku Tower if you want to catch the sunset.
Included Activities
- Cable car ride to Lake Toya viewpoint
- Visit to Lake Hill Farm with local produce sampling
- South Hokkaido Railway train journey from Tobetsu to Goryokaku
Optional Activities
- Sunset viewing from Mount Hakodate
- Sunset viewing from Goryokaku Tower
Landmarks Lake Toya Lake Hill Farm Goryokaku Hachiman-zaka Mount Hakodate Goryokaku Tower - Day 4
Hakodate to Ichinoseki
Start your morning at Hakodate's market, where you can walk through and see the local trade and colorful fresh produce. From there, check out the historic red department stores, which are architectural reminders of the city's industrial past. Later, you'll take a train to Shin Hakodate Hokuto and board the Shinkansen high-speed train. As you travel via Morioka to Ichinoseki, you'll get to experience Japan's technological innovation while enjoying beautiful landscapes from your seat.
Included Activities
- Visit to local morning market in Hakodate
- Tour of historic red department stores
- Shinkansen high-speed train journey from Shin Hakodate Hokuto via Morioka to Ichinoseki
Landmarks Hakodate Morning Market Shin Hakodate Hokuto Station - Day 5
Hiraizumi to Naruko Onsen
You'll walk through a wooded path to reach Chusonji Temple, then head to Motsuji Temple to see its meditative gardens. The afternoon takes you to Takkokunoiwaya Bisharmondo, a sacred cave, followed by a walk along the Genbikei River to check out rock formations and waterfalls. By evening you arrive at Naruko Onsen and stay in a traditional ryokan. Your guide will show you the proper way to relax in the public baths.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional dinner at ryokan)
Included Activities
- Visit Chusonji Temple
- Visit Motsuji Temple
- Explore Takkokunoiwaya Bisharmondo cave
- Walk along Genbikei River
- Overnight stay in traditional ryokan with access to public baths
Landmarks Chusonji Temple Motsuji Temple Takkokunoiwaya Bisharmondo Genbikei River - Day 6
Naruko Onsen to Tokyo
After a Japanese breakfast, you'll take a bus toward Sendai. Stop at the Kanbai whiskey distillery to see how they make the region's specialty, then explore Zuiganji Temple and its gardens. Later you'll go on a boat through Matsushima Bay with its small islands, then board the Shinkansen from Sendai for a 370 km journey that takes just over two hours.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Japanese breakfast)
Included Activities
- Breakfast - Japanese style
- Visit Kanbai whiskey distillery
- Visit Zuiganji Temple
- Boat trip on Matsushima Bay
- Shinkansen train journey to Tokyo
Landmarks Kanbai whiskey distillery Zuiganji Temple Matsushima Bay - Day 7
Tokyo
You'll start at Meiji Shrine, surrounded by thousands of trees in a quiet oasis where you might see wedding couples taking photos. From there, stroll along trendy Omote Sando Boulevard and check out Harajuku's modern shopping district, including Tokyo's oldest wooden train station. Take a ride on the fully automated Yurikamone Line elevated train, then head to Odaiba to experience TeamLab's multimedia art exhibition where you'll walk barefoot through flower meadows and wade through water.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Meiji Shrine
- Walk along Omote Sando Boulevard
- Explore Harajuku shopping district
- Ride on Yurikamone Line automated train
- Visit TeamLab multimedia art exhibition (subject to ticket availability)
Landmarks Meiji Shrine Omote Sando Boulevard Harajuku TeamLab (Odaiba) - Day 8
Tokyo
Visit Tokyo Skytree for views from the 350-meter platform looking out over the city's endless streets. Walk through the Buddhist Kannon Temple and traditional shopping streets, crossing the Thunder Gate along the way. Explore the beautifully restored Marunouchi Station building at Tokyo Central, then navigate the underground shops and restaurants with your guide before heading to the Imperial Palace to photograph its walls and double arch bridge.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Tokyo Skytree viewing platform (350 meters)
- Visit Buddhist Kannon Temple
- Walk through traditional shopping streets
- Cross Thunder Gate
- Visit Marunouchi Station building (Tokyo Central Station)
- Walk to Imperial Palace
Landmarks Tokyo Skytree Kannon Temple Thunder Gate Tokyo Central Station Imperial Palace - Day 9
Tokyo to Hakone
Starting from Shinjuku Station, you'll board the Romance Car train heading toward the Hakone mountains with great views of the Pacific and surrounding peaks. Use the cog railroad and cable car to head up toward Mount Fuji, where weather permitting, you can capture photos. You'll see the volcanic activity and steaming ground in Hell Valley before relaxing at your ryokan for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Ride on Romance Car train
- Ride on cog railroad toward Mount Fuji-san
- Ride on cable car to Mount Fuji-san viewpoint
- Visit Hell Valley (volcanic area)
- Overnight stay in ryokan with dinner and access to public baths
Landmarks Mount Fuji-san Hell Valley (Hakone) - Day 10
Hakone to Cape Irago
Travel to Ebina for an excursion to heights. The 400-meter-long Mishima Sky Walk crosses a gorge with views of Mount Fuji if the weather cooperates. Visit the Mt. Fuji World Heritage Center, an interesting architectural building, then continue to Cape Irago at the westernmost point of the Atsumi Peninsula on Ise Bay for your overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cross Mishima Sky Walk (400-meter gorge)
- Visit Mt. Fuji World Heritage Center
Landmarks Mishima Sky Walk Mt. Fuji World Heritage Center Cape Irago - Day 11
Cape Irago to Osaka
Early risers can greet the new day by the sea in Japan's 'Land of the Rising Sun'. You'll take a ferry to Ise National Park and visit Mikimoto pearl island to learn about traditional pearl farming. See the sacred Meoto Iwa rocks and explore Ise Jingu Shrine, the highest shrine of Shintoism. Later, board the luxury Shimakaze train to Osaka, which features massage chairs and seat service.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ferry trip to Ise National Park
- Visit Mikimoto pearl island
- View Meoto Iwa rocks
- Visit Ise Jingu Shrine
- Ride on luxury Shimakaze train to Osaka
Landmarks Ise National Park Mikimoto pearl island Meoto Iwa rocks Ise Jingu Shrine - Day 12
Osaka to Takamatsu
Head to Shikoku, Japan's fourth largest island, passing the small island of Awajishima. Visit Awaji Yumebutai, a complex with beautifully designed gardens and monuments. Continue to Takamatsu to explore Ritsurin Koen, one of Japan's most beautiful gardens, which has a unique feature where the landscape shifts with every step you take.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Awaji Yumebutai gardens and monuments
- Visit Ritsurin Koen garden
Landmarks Awaji Yumebutai Ritsurin Koen - Day 13
Takamatsu to Okayama to Kurashiki
Take the train to Okayama in the morning and visit Okayama Castle, known as 'Crow Castle' for its color, sitting on the Asahi River. Cross to explore Korakuen Garden directly across the river. Continue by train to Kurashiki and walk through its historic district with mixed architectural styles. Check out the Ohara Museum, built in 1930 as Japan's first museum of Western art, then return to Okayama by train.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Okayama Castle ('Crow Castle')
- Visit Korakuen Garden
- Explore Kurashiki Bikan historic district
- Visit Ohara Museum
Landmarks Okayama Castle Korakuen Garden Kurashiki Bikan historic district Ohara Museum - Day 14
Okayama to Hiroshima to Miyajima
Travel by train to Hiroshima, a city that was largely destroyed after the atomic bomb in 1945. Spend time at the Peace Museum and walk through Peace Park to reflect on this tragic history. Take a ferry to Miyajima island in Hiroshima Bay. After lunch, visit Itsukushima Shrine, one of Japan's most beautiful places of worship, before returning to Hiroshima.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Peace Museum
- Walk through Peace Park
- Ferry trip to Miyajima island
- Visit Itsukushima Shrine
Landmarks Peace Museum Peace Park Miyajima island Itsukushima Shrine - Day 15
Hiroshima to Koya-san
Travel by Shinkansen to Himeji and visit the 'Castle of the White Heron' with Kokoen Garden nearby. Continue by bus to Koya-san, a sacred mountain temple complex, where you'll stay inside the temple itself. You'll share a vegetarian dinner with monks and sleep in a traditional temple guesthouse, experiencing the spiritual atmosphere of this sacred place.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Vegetarian dinner at temple)
Included Activities
- Visit Himeji Castle ('Castle of the White Heron')
- Explore Kokoen Garden
- Overnight stay in temple guesthouse on Koya-san
- Vegetarian dinner at temple
Landmarks Himeji Castle Kokoen Garden Koya-san - Day 16
Koya-san to Kyoto
Take part in a morning Shingon Buddhist prayer service. Explore Danjo Garan temple complex, founded for secret instruction in esoteric Buddhism, then visit Okuno-In Temple, the most sacred area on Koya-san, surrounded by Japan's largest cemetery. Travel to Kyoto and see the Golden Pavilion, one of the city's most beautiful temples reflected in water with simple elegance and clever landscape integration.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Participate in morning Shingon prayer service
- Explore Danjo Garan temple complex
- Visit Okuno-In Temple and cemetery
- Visit Golden Pavilion temple in Kyoto
Landmarks Danjo Garan temple complex Okuno-In Temple Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji) - Day 17
Kyoto
You'll travel through the countryside around Kyoto aboard a retro diesel locomotive on a leisurely journey that winds through mountains and along the scenic Hozukyo Gorge. After arriving, take time to walk through the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, explore old houses, and cross the iconic Togetsukyo Bridge. Next, visit the Tenryuji Zen Temple, one of Japan's oldest and most significant landscape gardens. Before the day ends, head to the locomotive museum to learn about Japan's railway heritage.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Retro train excursion through Kyoto countryside along Hozukyo Gorge
- Walk through Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
- Visit to Togetsukyo Bridge
- Visit to Tenryuji Zen Temple and landscape garden
- Visit to locomotive museum
Landmarks Hozukyo Gorge Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Togetsukyo Bridge Tenryuji Zen Temple - Day 18
Kyoto to Osaka
You'll begin at Kiyomizu Temple, which sits high above Kyoto and offers wonderful panoramic views on clear days. Then take a walk through the charming, historic alleys of Ninenzaka and Sannedzaka, filled with traditional shops and local character. In the afternoon, head to Sanjusangendo Temple, famous for its 1001 Kannon statues and the impressive 120-meter wooden hall, the longest in Japan. After that, wander through the countless shrine gate galleries at Fushimi Inari Shrine. Later, you'll drive to your hotel in Osaka near the airport and enjoy a farewell dinner where you can reflect on your journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner reviewing the past few days)
Included Activities
- Visit to Kiyomizu Temple
- Stroll through Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka alleys
- Visit to Sanjusangendo Temple
- Visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine
Landmarks Kiyomizu Temple Ninenzaka Sannenzaka Sanjusangendo Temple Fushimi Inari Shrine - Day 19
Departure
Early this morning you'll be driven to the airport to begin your journey back home, saying goodbye to Japan with Sayonara Nippon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Airport transfer
