DAY 1 TOKYO

Check into your Tokyo hotel.

DAY 2 TOKYO

Drive by National Diet Building
This is the center of the Japanese Government. Don’t let the impressive Western-style architecture fool you–this building is constructed almost entirely out of pure Japanese materials.

Drive by Imperial Palace
Formerly known as Edo Castle, this palace is the residence of the Emperor of Japan.
The grounds are lush with green foliage and provide a relaxing spot for Tokyoites and visitors alike.

Tsukiji Outer Market
Japans no.1 place for seafood with over 400 shops including fresh fish retailers, grocers, and restaurants. Enjoy shopping and try some local food while exploring this one-of-a-kind location.

Drive by Kabukiza
A classic Japanese-style theater where traditional Kabuki performances are held.

Tokyo Skytree Town
Enjoy freely exploring Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Solamachi which features many traditional Tokyo shops, an aquarium, planetarium, and more.

Senso-ji Temple & Nakamise Shopping Street
Senso-ji, Tokyos oldest temple, offers plenty to see including the bright red Kaminarimon Gate, a statue of the god of thunder, and a five-story pagoda. The bustling street known as “Nakamise” stretches for about 250 m from Kaminarimon Gate to Senso-ji Temple and is filled with a plethora of shops.

Stay at a Hotel in Tokyo city.

DAY 3 TOKYO – KAMAKURA – TOKYO

Tokyo to Kamakura by bus.

Matcha Green Tea Experience at Jomyo-ji Temple
Enjoy some of Japan’s famous powdered matcha green tea and confectionery in the highly refined and tranquil atmosphere of a tearoom constructed over 400 years ago, and enjoy the view of the temple’s Japanese rock garden.

Hokoku-ji Temple
Walk through the grounds of Hokoku-ji Temple, known as the bamboo temple for its beautiful bamboo grove.

Kotoku-in Temple and the Great Buddha
Visit Kotoku-in Temple which houses a towering, 13-meter-tall Buddha statue known as one of the three Great Buddha statues in Japan.

Enjoy lunch.

Enoshima Sightseeing
Visit Enoshima, a getaway island popular year-round for its cool ocean breezes. Cross over the 600-meter bridge that connects the island of Enoshima with the mainland and walk along Benzaiten Nakamise Street which is lined with intriguing shops bustling with customers. Afterward, take the Enoshima Escar which will whisk you easily up to Enoshima Shrine. Enjoy the beautiful ocean views from Enoshima Shrine.

Tour will conclude at Shinjuku station. Overnight in Tokyo city.  

DAY 4 TOKYO – NIKKO – TOKYO

Nikko Toshogu Shrine
Tour the UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its lavish decorations and ornate details. This 400-year-old shrine houses the remains of Edo period’s founder, Ieyasu Tokugawa. Enjoy seeing the traditional beauty of the main hall, as well as the sleeping cat and 3 monkey carvings.

Enjoy a Japanese-style lunch.

Lake Chuzenji
Created by an eruption of Mt. Nantai, Lake Chuzenji is a symbol of Nikko.

Kegon Falls
Known as one of Japan’s 3 great waterfalls, Kegon Falls towers an impressive 97 meters and gushes water from Lake Chuzenji.

Hanyu Parking Area
The Hanyu Parking Area is a rest area along the highway which creates a close representation of an Edo Period town.
See the beautiful structures and famous long-established shops dating back to the Edo Period, and enjoy shopping for souvenirs.

Tour will conclude at Shinjuku station. Overnight in Tokyo city.  

DAY 5 TOKYO

Free day.

DAY 6 TOKYO – MT FUJI – HAKONE

Mt. Fuji 5th Station
The bus will head up to the 5th Station along the Subaru Line.
The 5th Station is situated at 2,300 meters (7,546 ft) above sea level. At this height, participants will be amazed at spectacular, breathtaking views from above the clouds.

Enjoy lunch.

Lake Ashi Cruise
This crater lake along the southwest wall of the caldera of Mt. Hakone was formed by a powerful volcanic eruption nearly 3,000 years ago, and provides postcard views of Mt. Fuji towering 30 km northwest. Admire the superb view of Mt. Fuji from aboard a ship.

Komagatake Ropeway
Take a 7-minute ropeway ride to the peak of Mt. Komagatake. A total of 50 minutes will be spent here, including time to walk around at the peak. Take a cableway ride up to the spiritual Hakone Shrine Mototsumiya (original shrine) that nestles at the mountaintop.

Arrive at Hotel in Hakone.

DAY 7 HAKONE – TAKAYAMA

Depart Hakone in the morning and travel to Takayama by train.

Yatai Kaikan (Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall)
This popular facility displays some of the colorfully decorated festival floats used in the famous Takayama Festival. Enjoy seeing the many intricately made floats.

Kusakabe Heritage House
Enjoy a visit to this historical Japanese-style townhouse and view a range of exquisite folk art and traditional handicrafts.

Kami-Sannomachi
Located in Takayama’s old quarter, this street is lined with Edo period buildings, and provides visitors a glimpse into the past.

DAY 8 TAKAYAMA – KANAZAWA

Takayama Morning Market
Enjoy walking around the bustling Takayama Morning Market, where a wide array of local specialties and other products are available.

Shirakawago Observatory
Enjoy an elevated view of the World Heritage-registered thatch-roofed village of Shirakawago. Great for photography!

Lunch at a Thatched Roof House
Taste delicious regional cuisine dishes you can only enjoy in the countryside.

Wada Residence (traditional thatch-roofed farmhouse)
This is one of the thatch-roofed houses, also registered as a World Heritage Site. Look around and be fascinated by the culture and history of the village.

Shirakawago to Kanazawa (Drive-by sightseeing of Miboro Dam)
On the way from Shirakawago to Kanazawa, enjoy seeing rural Japanese scenery such as the manmade Miboro Dam and the Hakusan Mountains. Enjoy sightseeing from the vehicle windows.

Arrive at Hotel in Kanazawa city, early evening.

DAY 9 KANAZAWA – KYOTO

Depart hotel in the morning for sightseeing.

Nomura Residence, Nagamachi Samurai District
Visit a former residence of a samurai family from the Kaga Domain. Admire the traditional architecture and gaze at the beautiful Japanese garden.

Kenrokuen Garden
This beautiful garden is considered one of the top three Japanese gardens.
It offers amazing seasonal views all year round.

Higashi Chayagai
Wooden-latticed exteriors of teahouses line both sides of the stone-paved street here where something from the Edo period (1603-1868) still lingers in the air. This area is an Important Traditional Building Preservation District.

Hakuza Honten
Feel free to purchase handicrafts, accessories, cosmetics and other items made with gold leaf.

Travel from Kanazawa to Kyoto by train. Transfer to Kyoto accommodation.

DAY 10 KYOTO – NARA – KYOTO

Nijo Castle
A World Heritage site. Tour the historical castle completed in 1626, which was built to provide lodging for Tokugawa Shogun and as a palladium for Kyoto Imperial Palace. The impressive, elaborate carvings and decors in the Ninomaru Palace are a must-see.

Visit Kinkaku-ji Temple
A World Heritage site. The wooden architecture is covered in thin layers of pure gold and is surrounded by a beautiful pond.

Kyoto Imperial Palace (Except Mondays)
See the Kyoto Imperial Palace, which was used as the Emperor’s residence until about 150 years ago.

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine (Mondays (and Tuesdays when Monday is a national holiday)
On Mondays (and Tuesdays if a national holiday falls on the preceding Monday), this tour will visit Kitano Tenmangu Shrine instead of the Kyoto Imperial Palace. It is famous for housing the God of scholarship. This shrine’s main hall is a designated national treasure. The shrine is especially great to see during the plum blossom and autumn leaf seasons.

Enjoy lunch.

Travel from Kyoto to Nara by bus.

Todai-ji Temple (Great Buddha)/Nara Park
A World Heritage site. This is the symbol of the Nara Period and one of the world’s largest wooden structures. Its huge main hall and bronze Great Buddha are impressive to behold.

Kasuga Taisha Shrine
This Nara Period shrine is designated as a World Heritage Site. The deer of Nara Park are thought to be the shrine messengers.

Nara Nagomikan
The largest souvenir shop in Nara. Enjoy yourself in this spacious shop and look for the perfect souvenir.

Stay at a hotel in Kyoto city.

DAY 11 KYOTO – HIROSHIMA – KYOTO

In the morning travel from Hiroshima to Miyajima port, then take the ferry to Miyajima island.  

Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima
A World Heritage site. Established in the 6th century, this shrine is one of Japan’s finest,
and is famous for its beautiful Shinden-zukuri style structure (architecture representative of a nobles’ residence in the Heian period). The contrast of the green of Mount Misen behind the lacquered shrine pavilion and the blue of the Seto Sea is beautiful and evocative of the underwater palace of Ryugujo. Lunch is not included.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Museum
This large-scale park was established in 1949 after the Pacific War ended, and is visited by countless visitors as a symbol of peace. The museum within the park is an Important Cultural Property of Japan, and was built to remind future generations of the terror wrought by atomic bombs.

Atomic Bomb Dome
The Atomic Bomb Dome is a symbol of the disastrous atomic bombing during WWII, the first atomic bombs used in human history, and has been preserved as it was to promote peace and elimination of atomic weapons around the world.

Travel by bullet train from Hiroshima back to Kyoto city and overnight.

DAY 12 KYOTO

Free day.

DAY 13 KYOTO

Free day.

DAY 14 KYOTO

Transfer back to Kansai/Itami Airport is included on this day if you are not continuing on in Japan.