ITINERARY
DAY 1: OSAKA
Welcome to Japan! Upon arrival at Kansai International Airport, our staff will welcome you and assist you in boarding the chartered transport to your hotel. Following your check-in at the hotel and a short rest, we will take you to the lively, colorful downtown of Osaka - the Dotonbori area, where a wide variety of delicious flavors of Japan can be sampled. We will serve you a welcome dinner at the 'Kitchen of Japan,' Osaka. After a hearty dinner and a walk, we will take you to your hotel for a good night's rest.
Accommodation: Hotel Integrate Osaka Umeda 4* or similar
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: OSAKA EXPO
Osaka’s Expo site is in Yumeshima, an artificial island built on the waterfront. You may take subway or shuttle bus to get to the Expo site. Take a look at some of the most amazing inventions and innovations of the world and experience spectacular cultural experiences with our free Expo Day Pass.
Accommodation: Hotel Integrate Osaka Umeda 4* or similar
Meals: Dinner
Day 3: OSAKA - KYOTO
Our first stop today is the impressive symbol of Osaka - the Osaka Castle, which was struck by lightning back in 1665. Throughout its history, the castle has been rebuilt and modernized. It now has an elevator on the top floor, which makes it easy to access it. From the observation deck, one can admire the surroundings in a picturesque manner.
In addition to the Castle and nearby Nishinomaru Garden, you will visit the oldest temple in Japan, Shittenoji Temple, during your tour of Osaka. Japan is a beautiful country that combines old and new in an interesting way. As you explore the traditional sights of Osaka, you'll climb the Umeda Sky Building - an exceptional example of contemporary architecture. You can view the beautiful skyline of Osaka from its floating observatory.
In the afternoon, we will transfer to Kyoto, the former capital of Japan, where we will visit various Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, and many other traditional sites.
Accommodation: Hotel Keihan Kyoto Ekiminami 4* or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: KYOTO
Today, you will visit the Temple of the Golden Pavillion, one of Kyoto's most famous landmarks. It is also known as the Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion.
Following that, you'll visit Fushimi Inari Taisha, a Shinto shrine. Ten thousand crimson-colored shrine gates, known from the film "Memories of a Geisha," surround the shrine. We will have Buddhist cuisine for lunch, called 'shojin ryori' in Japanese. We then move on to Kiyomizudera, a Buddhist temple with a wooden observation deck offering stunning views of Kyoto. Enjoy strolling through the temple grounds and quaint streets of the area that bring you all the charm of traditional, historical Japan.
We finish this day in Gion, in downtown Kyoto, one of the most widely recognized geisha districts in the country.
Accommodation: Hotel Keihan Kyoto Ekiminami 4* or similar
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Day 5: KYOTO - TOKYO
On the last morning in Kyoto, you will have the option of participating in optional activities. You can either choose to go on a scenic cycling tour around Kyoto's Arashiyama area where you can admire bamboo forest groves, or you can participate in a traditional tea ceremony and sample Kyoto green tea.
Having concluded our visit to Western Japan, we will board the so-called 'shinkansen' bullet train and reach Tokyo in just a little over 2 hours. Upon our arrival at Tokyo Station, we will explore and walk around the fashionable, elegant, and vibrant Ginza area before reaching your hotel for a well-deserved overnight rest.
Accommodation: Dai-chi Hotel Tokyo 4* or similar
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 6: Tokyo
Experience Tokyo on a one-day tour and explore the city guided by a local expert.
First on the itinerary is a visit to the Edo Tokyo Museum and Imperial Palace. The country's history, culture, and traditions are vividly exhibited in these vibrant and diverse places. Moving on, we will stop at the city's old downtown district, Shitamachi, or Asakusa, where ordinary people lived and traded for centuries. We will then embark on a cruise along the Sumida River - surely one of the most enjoyable ways to see and appreciate the greatness of Tokyo.
After the cruise, we will visit the Tokyo Tower. At the end of the tour, we will take you to Harajuku and Omotesando so you can experience Japan's funky, colorful, and stylish side.
Accommodation: Dai-chi Hotel Tokyo 4* or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7: TOKYO
Depending on your departure time, you may have some free time to go shopping or take a stroll alone. We will transfer you to the airport in a private vehicle.
Meals: Breakfast
Happy New Year! Free Airport-Cruise Port Transfer!
We offer free Tokyo airport to Yokohama port transfer for all 2023, 2024, and 2025 cruise passengers!