Itinerary
Day 1-2: Tokyo
Arrive at Tokyo. Our representative will welcome you and assist you in getting to your hotel. Take a break and then explore the city, its bustling streets, restaurants, and more.
Visit the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, which has beautiful Japanese gardens and a Western section. Continue your tour at Tsukiji fish market, a place filled with energy where locals go to shop for quality products and where you can sample fresh sushi and many other specialties! In the afternoon, explore Akihabara, a popular center for electronic stores and Japanese manga, and a significant part of the country's culture. Afterwards, you can visit the majestic Zojo-ji Temple at the foot of Tokyo Tower, with its amazing atmosphere of peace and reflection. Towards evening, continue to Odaiba, where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Tokyo Bay, the Rainbow Bridge, and even a replica of the Statue of Liberty. You should also visit Oedo Onsen Monogatari, Tokyo's largest onsen, if you like Japan's famous and relaxing onsen * (thermal baths). You can sample different types of thermal waters here and eat typical Japanese food. The facility was constructed in a style reminiscent of the old Edo period in Japan.
Accommodation: Mitsui Garden Gotanda or similar class
Day 3: Tokyo-Hakone (Mt. Fuji)
Get away from Tokyo's hustle and bustle for a day at Hakone, the gateway to Japan's tallest mountain, Mt. Fuji, and the surrounding national park. Spend a day exploring Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park in your own vehicle as well as Hakone's experiential forms of transportation. Take a ride on the second-longest cable car in the world up Mount Owakudani, and enjoy the sulfurous fumes, hot springs, and hot rivers in this active volcanic area. You'll also want to try Hakone's famous black eggs, the Owakudani. Local legend has it that eating one of these eggs will add seven years to your life. The eggs are hard-boiled in Hakone's sulfuric hot springs. Sail across Lake Ashinoko, a lake formed by a volcanic eruption 3000 years ago, aboard a majestic pirate ship. There is a chance to see Mt. Fuji throughout the day, but please note that she is a notoriously shy mountain and good weather is required. Return to Tokyo in the evening.
Accommodation: Mitsui Garden Gotanda or similar class
Day 4: Kanazawa
Start your day early in Kanazawa, home to culture, history, and art. Enjoy lunch at Omicho Market. Enjoy a day exploring the most important places in Kanazawa, including the Kenrokuen Garden, which is considered one of Japan's three best gardens. Take a stroll through the small districts and tea houses, including the popular Higashi Chaya district, which offers a glimpse of ancient Japan. You will also find beautiful souvenir shops where you can find local handicrafts made from special golden leaves. Let Kanazawa enchant you!
Accommodation: Mitsui Garden Hotel Kanazawa or similar class
Day 5: Shirakawa-go
You can visit Ninjadera Temple in the morning, which was built at the time to defend and escape from enemies. From Kanazawa, take a bus to Shirakawago, a charming village that has been declared a UNESCO heritage site more than twenty years ago thanks to its unique wooden houses that are more than 250 years old, built in such a way that they have the strength to withstand the harsh winters in Japan. Some of the houses can be viewed from inside, which allows you to relive the daily life of Japan in the past. Afterwards, you will return to Kanazawa.
Accommodation: Mitsui Garden Hotel Kanazawa or similar class
Day 6: Kyoto
Walk through the quaint streets of the old Gion geisha district, famous throughout the world for its beautifully preserved wooden buildings and the small boutiques of local sweets leading to the Kiyomizudera Temple, one of the most impressive and well-known in all of Japan. Experience Japanese culture with a traditional tea ceremony in Gion! In the evening, explore the Pontocho district, where you will find small restaurants serving traditional Japanese food.
Accommodation: Hotel Resol Kyoto Shijo Muromachi or similar class
Day 7: Kyoto
Start exploring Kyoto with your guide at the hotel. A visit to the Ginkakuji will allow you the opportunity to see how an old shogun's residence was converted into a Zen temple. The temple has a lovely Japanese garden and several maple trees that are perfect for admiring in autumn. Afterwards, you can stroll along the nearby "Philosopher's Path", which is particularly spectacular in autumn thanks to the many trees that display a multitude of bright and unforgettable colors. Then you will go to the Eikando Temple (15 minutes on foot or 5 minutes by taxi from the Ginkakuji), which is made up of several buildings that are connected by wooden corridors. Also inside the temple area is a beautiful pond and a stone garden. It has hills with more than 3,000 maple trees, a perfect place to view autumn leaves. Depending on the weather and time, you can also explore the world-famous Arashiyama area and stroll through the famous bamboo forest trails.
Accommodation: Hotel Resol Kyoto Shijo Muromachi or similar class
Day 8: Kyoto & Nara
Begin the day at the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, an unforgettable icon of Kyoto with its 10,000 vermilion gates marking the path that will take you to the summit of the mountain. Continue to Nara, where you can see the famous deer of Nara Park and visit the giant Todaiji temple, another treasure of Japan with its Great Hall of the Buddha. In the evening, return to Kyoto.
Accommodation: Hotel Resol Kyoto Shijo Muromachi or similar class
Day 9: Koyasan
Koya-san is the center for Shingon Buddhism in Japan. Through temples and small shrines, you will walk along the pilgrimage paths. Staying in a ryokan tonight in a temple will provide you with an opportunity to experience local life and to taste the typical vegetarian Buddhist fare.
Accommodation: Koyasan Temple
Day 10: Koyasan -Osaka
Today you will attend morning Buddhist meditations and prayers, then enjoy Koyasan's magical atmosphere further, always accompanied by the guide who will stay in Koyasan until the end of the day. It is a pilgrimage route that goes to the Okunoin Temple, which has a famous shrine known as Kukai's Mausoleum. There are some secular tombs and tombs of important families and famous people in this area, which is considered one of the most sacred places in Japan.
You will then travel to Osaka in the afternoon. Upon checking into your hotel, explore the Shinsekai district, a neighborhood full of restaurants and entertainment areas, and an important hub in Osaka.
Accommodation: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Osaka-Shinsaibashi
Day 11: Hiroshima
As of today, you will be in Hiroshima. Check out the most important attractions in the city, including the Peace Memorial, Peace Park, Shukkeien Park, and Hiroshima Castle, after leaving your luggage at your accommodation. Afterward, enjoy downtown Hiroshima, notably Hondori Street, a traffic-free street filled with shops and excellent restaurants where you should try the okonomiyaki, the local specialty, a wonderful savory pancake with numerous toppings.
Accommodation: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Hiroshima
Day 12: Miyajima
Utilize your JR Pass to travel to Miyajima today, which is a fantastic island. Relax in a magical atmosphere at the Itsukushima shrine, one of the most famous symbols of Japan in the world as it appears to float in the water. Take a break for lunch on the main street of Miyajima, Omotesando street. The most popular dishes of Miyajima are steamed ravioli and grilled oysters. Spend the rest of the day visiting a Buddhist temple such as Daisho-in and taking a stroll along one of the island's beautiful paths, like Momijidani Park. In the evening, return to Hiroshima.
Accommodation: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Hiroshima
Day 13-14: Tokyo
You will take the 4-5 hour bullet train back to Tokyo today. You can continue the day by exploring the Imperial Palace and its beautiful interior gardens after checking into the hotel. In the evening, you can visit the spectacular Japanese garden Rikugien, another gem among traditional gardens in the capital. If you want to see a 360-degree view of Tokyo, go to Roppongi Hills observatory, where you can see skyscrapers in the midst of the city.
The next day, you'll say "Sayōnara" ("Good-bye" in Japanese) to Japan. We'll transfer you to the airport.
Accommodation: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Hiroshima
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