ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival - Osaka
Greetings from Japan! As soon as you arrive at Kansai International Airport, our staff will welcome you and assist you in boarding the private Toyota minivan 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: Prince Park Tower Hotel or Shinagawa Prince Hotel
Day 2: 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: The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike, Autograph Collection
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: 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: The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike, Autograph Collection
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Nara
We are spending this day in Nara, the capital of Japan during the 8th century. Nara is only a short train ride away from Kyoto. We begin our visit at Todaiji, a large Buddhist temple complex. In its Great Buddha Hall, you will find the world's largest bronze statue of Buddha. After Todaiji, we will take a stroll in a meticulously designed and maintained Isuien Garden.
A trip to Nara would not be complete without exploring Nara Park. In the park, you can feed the numerous friendly deer roaming freely, and certainly add more Japanese photos to your growing collection. We will return to Kyoto after visiting the Kasuga Taisha Shinto shrine.
Accommodation: The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike, Autograph Collection
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5: Kyoto and 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: Prince Park Tower Hotel or Shinagawa Prince Hotel
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: Prince Park Tower Hotel or Shinagawa Prince Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7: 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.
Accommodation: Prince Park Tower Hotel or Shinagawa Prince Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Tokyo departure
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
New in 2023! Free Airport-Cruise Port Transfer!
We offer free Tokyo airport to Yokohama port transfer for all 2023, 2024, and 2025 cruise passengers!