Itinerary
- Day 1
Tokyo
You'll land in Tokyo and head to a welcome meeting at 6 pm where you'll connect with your group. If your flight gets in early, there's time to walk through an urban adventure tour or wander Memory Lane in Shinjuku before meeting everyone. After the meeting, your leader takes you on an orientation walk through the neighborhood, and then you can grab dinner with other travelers if you're interested.
Included Activities
- Welcome meeting in Tokyo
- Orientation walk in Tokyo
Optional Activities
- Urban Adventure Tour in Tokyo
- Walk down Shinjuku's Omoide Tokocho (Memory Lane)
- Dinner at local restaurants
- Tsukiji Fish Market
- Shinjuku-gyoen (JPY500)
- Yoyogi Park
- Imperial Palace
Landmarks Omoide Tokocho Shinjuku Tsukiji Fish Market Shinjuku-gyoen Yoyogi Park Imperial Palace 
- Day 2
Tokyo
Start in historic Asakusa by visiting Senso-ji temple, which has stood for close to 1400 years, then browse through the shopping street Nakamise Dori. From there, you'll head to Shibuya to see one of the world's busiest crossings and check out a depachika underground food hall. Next comes Meiji Shrine surrounded by forest, followed by quirky Harajuku. The afternoon from there is yours to do whatever you want.
Included Activities
- Visit Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa
- Browse Nakamise Dori shopping street
- Shibuya walking tour
- Visit depachika (underground food hall) in Shibuya
- Visit Meiji Shrine
Optional Activities
- Explore Harajuku district at leisure
Landmarks Senso-ji Temple Asakusa Nakamise Dori Shibuya Meiji Shrine Harajuku - Day 3
Tokyo to Kawane/Gotemba
Take a local train to Kanaya station and board a scenic mountain train through Kawane's gorges (or to Gotemba depending on your departure). On clear days you might catch views of Mt. Fuji along the way. In the afternoon, you'll visit a local tea farm where you can try picking tea and learn how to brew it properly. Your host welcomes you to their home for dinner featuring home-cooked food with seasonal vegetables from their garden.
- Meals
- Dinner (Home-cooked feast using seasonal vegetables from host's garden)
Included Activities
- Scenic train ride through Kawane mountains and gorges
- Visit local tea farm
- Tea picking experience
- Learn tea brewing
- Homestay experience with home-cooked dinner
Optional Activities
- For Gotemba departures: help pick vegetables from host's garden
- For Gotemba departures: learn about countryside life
Landmarks Mt. Fuji Kanaya Station - Day 4
Kawane/Gotemba to Kyoto
After a home-cooked Japanese breakfast, you'll take a bus and then the Shinkansen bullet train to Kyoto. Once you arrive, spend the afternoon walking through Nishiki Market, known as Kyoto's Kitchen, where you can explore regional pickled vegetables and ornate Kyo-wagashi sweets. As evening approaches, head to Gion, the city's cultural heart and geisha district, where you might see geisha in traditional dress moving between teahouses.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Home-cooked Japanese-style breakfast)
Included Activities
- Travel by Shinkansen bullet train to Kyoto
- Visit Nishiki-Koji Market
- Gion District walk
Landmarks Nishiki-Koji Market Gion District 
- Day 5
Kyoto
Visit Fushimi Inari Taisha, one of Kyoto's most photogenic shrines with thousands of scarlet torii archways lining the path. The shrine honors Inari, god of rice. The rest of your day is free to explore on your own. You could walk the Path of Philosophy, wander through the Old Town with its wooden structures, or visit Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion temple.
Included Activities
- Visit Fushimi Inari-Taisha shrine
Optional Activities
- Visit Path of Philosophy (Tetsugaku-no-Michi)
- Explore Old Town and wooden houses
- Visit Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) - JPY500
- Visit Ryoanji Zen Garden - JPY600
- Visit Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
- Visit Gion Corner cultural centre - JPY5500
- Visit Imperial Palace
- Visit Kyoto Tower - JPY900
- Bike hire (per day) from JPY1200
- Find a local restaurant for dinner
Landmarks Fushimi Inari Taisha Path of Philosophy Kinkaku-ji Ryoanji Zen Garden Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Gion Corner Imperial Palace Kyoto Tower - Day 6
Kyoto to Hiroshima
Travel by express train and Shinkansen to Hiroshima. Depending on when you arrive, you might visit Hiroshima's Peace Park this afternoon or save it for tomorrow morning. You'll see the Genbaku A-Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Museum, which mark the events of August 1945. The dome's shape was preserved just meters from the blast center and stands as a symbol of peace. Later in the evening, try okonomiyaki with your leader, a savory pancake with egg, cabbage, soba noodles, and your choice of meat or seafood.
- Meals
- Dinner (Okonomiyaki (savory pancake with egg, cabbage, soba noodles, and meat or seafood))
Included Activities
- Travel by express train and Shinkansen to Hiroshima
- Visit Hiroshima Peace Museum
- Visit Hiroshima Peace Park and A-Bomb Dome
- Okonomiyaki dinner with leader
Landmarks Genbaku (A-Bomb) Dome Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum Hiroshima Peace Park - Day 7
Hiroshima to Miyajima Island
Head to nearby Miyajima Island and its famous 'floating' torii gate. Once there, climb Mt. Miyajima for 360-degree views of the Inland Sea or take the cable car up instead. Watch for the deer that wander the streets. Later, visit Saijo Sake Brewery Street to taste locally made sake. The rest of your day is free to explore Hiroshima, whether that's Hiroshima Castle or the serene Shukkeien Garden with its teahouses and waterfalls.
Included Activities
- Visit Miyajima Island with 'floating' torii gate
- Visit Saijo Sake Brewery Street with tasting
Optional Activities
- Climb to top of Mt. Miyajima
- Take cable car to top of Mt. Miyajima
- Visit Hiroshima Castle
- Visit Shukkeien Garden
Landmarks Miyajima Island Miyajima Torii Gate Mt. Miyajima Saijo Sake Brewery Street Hiroshima Castle Shukkeien Garden - Day 8
Hiroshima to Osaka
Board a morning train to Osaka, Japan's unofficial food capital. Your leader gives you an orientation walk when you arrive, then you're free to explore the city on your own. Later in the evening, meet back up for a street food walking tour through Dotombori District and Kuromon Market to wrap up your last night together.
Included Activities
- Orientation walk in Osaka
- Dotombori and Kuromon Street Food Walking Tour
Optional Activities
- Explore Osaka at leisure
Landmarks Dotombori District Kuromon Market - Day 9
Osaka
Your trip ends today with breakfast provided. No other activities are scheduled. If you want to stay longer in Osaka, contact your booking agent before the trip to add extra nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Extend stay in Osaka
