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Destination
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Trip duration
12 days, 11 nights
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Price
From 2090 $
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Availability period
24 May. 2024 - 29 Oct. 2024
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Min/Max travelers
15-20 pax
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Accommodation
Well-selected hotels
This 12-day highlights tour will guide you through the most renowned destinations in Japan, including Tokyo, Hakone, Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Kyoto, and Osaka. Along the journey, you will be captivated by iconic landmarks such as Mt. Fuji, Meiji Shrine, Senso-Ji Temple, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Osaka Castle, and much more.
Day 1
Arrive Tokyo
Welcome to Tokyo! Upon arrival at Narita International Airport today, you will be met by our representative and assisted in boarding the transfer to your hotel (standard check-in time is 14:00. Early check-in is subject to availability). Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Food
-/-/-
Accommodation
Tokyo
Day 2
Tokyo
Start your Tokyo city tour from Meiji Jingu, built in 1920 to honour Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Despite its central Tokyo location near Harajuku, the shrine's serene forest ambiance prevails, especially at the Yoyogi entrance marked by a massive torii gate. Explore the Meiji Jingu Museum to view shrine treasures then experience Japan's culinary culture at Tsukiji Outer Fish Market. Conclude your tour at the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, open to the public with scenic features and the historic Senso-ji Temple, adorned with vibrant Nakamise-dori shops.
Food
B/-/-
Accommodation
Tokyo
Day 3
Tokyo
Today is yours to explore this charming city at your own pace. Apart from numerous historic spots, you can step into some popular neighborhoods for a glimpse of Japanese daily life. Ramble around the Harajuku district - the center of teenage fashion and cosplay culture, or enjoy shopping at Ginza where the streets are lined up with high-end fashion boutiques, art galleries, and designer brand stores.
Food
B/-/-
Accommodation
Tokyo
Day 4
Tokyo - Mt. Fuji - Hakone
Meet your guide in the hotel lobby and head to Mount Fuji. Enjoy a cruise on Lake Kawaguchi for a distant view of the mountain. Then, ride the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway to a deck near Mount Tenjo's peak for a panoramic view of the lake and Mt. Fuji. In the afternoon, visit Arakurayama Sengen Park to capture its pagoda against Mt. Fuji. Explore Oshino Hakkai's beauty, eight ponds fed by snowmelt from nearby Mt. Fuji. Transfer to Hakone for an overnight stay in a ryokan with hot springs, with dinner served in your hotel.
Food
B/-/D
Accommodation
Hakone
Day 5
Hakone - Takayama
With an easy guide and map on hand, make your way to Odawara Station (Hakone), from where you'll board the Shinkansen to Nagoya Station (1h20min), and then change to an Express Train to Takayama Station (2h50min). Upon arrival in Takayama, go to the hotel by yourself and have the rest of the day at leisure.
Food
B/-/-
Accommodation
Takayama
Day 6
Takayama
Start your day at the Morning Market, immersing yourself in local life, browsing stands with crafts, snacks, and fresh produce. Then stroll to Nakabashi, a traditional crimson bridge over Miyagawa River, especially picturesque during cherry blossom season. In the afternoon, explore the Kusakabe Folk Museum, an Edo period merchant's house now exhibiting Hida ceramics and folk crafts. Afterwards, wander through Kami-Sannomachi, Takayama's old town, with traditional homes, shops, and sake breweries along narrow streets.
Food
B/-/-
Accommodation
Takayama
Day 7
Takayama - Shirakawa-go - Kanazawa
A one-hour drive will take you to Shirakawa-go, the fairy tale world made of traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses hidden in the valley. Take off your shoes and explore the living room, guest room, butsuma, and more inside Wada House to get an idea of how people lived back then. Afterwards, check out the great view of this area at the Shirakawa-go Observation Deck. Before going to Kanazawa, you'll explore more farmhouses in gassho style at the Gasshozukuri Minkaen Outdoor Museum.
Food
B/-/-
Accommodation
Kanazawa
Day 8
Kanazawa - Kyoto
This morning, visit Kenrokuen Garden to appreciate its water features, bridges, teahouses, trees, flowers, and stones. Just a few steps from the garden is the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art. Spend time according to your interest inside the museum and then visit the reconstructed Kanazawa Castle. After the tour, your guide will drop you off at Kanazawa Station, from where you can take the Shinkansen to Kyoto Station. Find your way to the hotel upon your arrival and have the evening at leisure.
Food
B/-/-
Accommodation
Kyoto
Day 9
Kyoto
Today, venture to Arashiyama renowned for its natural beauty. Begin at Jojakko-Ji Temple embracing its tranquil Japanese garden and spiritual aura. Wander through the Sagano Bamboo Grove capturing its iconic beauty then sail on a Yakatabune, enjoying views of Togetsukyo Bridge. Later relax on the Sagano Scenic Railway, savouring countryside vistas and the Hozugawa River. Conclude the day as your guide escorts you back to the city.
Food
B/-/-
Accommodation
Kyoto
Day 10
Kyoto - Osaka
Explore the landmarks of Kyoto, including the Kinkaku-ji Temple with the top two floors completely covered in gold leaf and the Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates. Later, depart for Osaka and visit Osaka Castle, which is arguably Osaka's most prominent landmark and belies bloody power struggles leading up to the 1603 foundation of the Edo era. Afterwards, go to the Shinsaibashi shopping district.
Food
B/-/-
Accommodation
Osaka
Day 11
Osaka
In the morning, meet your guide and head to Nara. Visit Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Nara’s most celebrated Shinto shrine, established at the same time as the capital and dedicated to the deity responsible for the city's protection. Then explore Nara Park, a large park in central Nara, also home to hundreds of freely roaming deer. If time and energy allow, visit Wakakusa Mountain, a 342m high mountain located in Nara Park, near Todaiji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine, where the bright green lawn covering the mountain shines beautifully. Afterwards, return to Osaka.
Food
B/-/-
Accommodation
Osaka
Day 12
Depart Osaka
Have some leisure time until your driver escorts you to the airport for your departure flight.
Food
B/-/-
Tokyo
The b Ginza/asakusa hotel or similar
Hakone
Hakone Hotel Kowakien or similar
Takayama
Mercure Hida Takayama or similar
Kanazawa
Hotel Mystays Premier Kanazawa or similar
Kyoto
Grand Park Otaru & Park Hotel Kyoto or similar
Osaka
Shin-Osaka Esaka Tokyu REI Hotel or similar
Create the experience of your dream with our travel experts
Make your own trailIncluded
- 10 nights accommodation in twin sharing room at listed hotels or similar (1 night accommodation in Ryokans in a traditional Japanese guesthouse).
- English-speaking tour guide (the service time is usually 9:00-17:00 totalling 8 hours, except on day 6, which is 10 hours).
- Daily breakfast and one dinner included as stated in the itinerary.
- Transportation by bus, boat, or train as stated in the itinerary.
- Arrival and departure transfers in a private 28-seater coach. If individuals from the group arrive on different flights, multiple pick-up arrangements will need to be made. Please note that separate fees may apply for each pick-up, which will need to be inquired about separately.
- Entrance fees as stated in the itinerary.
- Service charge, government taxes, consumption tax, and service fees.
Not Included
- International or domestic air tickets.
- Sightseeing activities not listed in the itinerary.
- Personal exspenses such as laundry, drinks, fax, telephone calls, optional activities, or meals, which are not listed in the itinerary.
- Visa fees.
- Any meals which are not specified with 'B', 'L', or 'D' in the itinerary.
- Gratuity to guides, drivers, and bellboys are not mandatory and are dependant on their service and your willingness.
- Hot spring tax and city tax must be paid as necessary directly at the lodging
- Tokyo accommodation tax (currently up to JPY 200 per guest per night)
- Osaka accommodation tax (currently up to JPY 300 per guest per night)
- Kyoto accommodation tax (currently up to JPY 1,000 per guest per night)
- For lodgings with hot springs (around JPY 150 per guest per night)
Payment and Cancellations
- Full payment is due 75 days prior to departure. A deposit of 30% of the cost of the tour is required at the time of booking. Once you put down the deposit, we will be able to move forward with confirmations for hotels, transfers, and activities for your trip. Please note the deposit is non-refundable. Once the booking is confirmed, you will receive a confirmation letter that includes hotels and a detailed itinerary. If any conditions should change after your confirmation, we reserve the right to make adjustments and offer you similar alternatives. We reserve the right to release all services in case of payment default.
- Intermediate bank charges and fees are the responsibility of the client.
- Cancellation by you: You may cancel your booking at any time prior to the commencement of the tour by notifying us in writing, which must be signed by the person that signed the Reservation Form. Depending on the type/style of tour you have booked the cancellation charges will be as follows. In light of this we recommend that you purchase travel insurance to protect your travel investment:
• Land & Air Inclusive Tours: Amount of cancellation charges: 100% non-refundable/non-transferrable
• Cruise & Air Inclusive Tours: Amount of cancellation charges: 100% non-refundable/non-transferrable
• Cruise-Only Tours: Amount of cancellation charges: 100% non-refundable/non-transferrable
• Land-Only Tours: Amount of cancellation charges: 60 days or more before the first day of the tour – your deposit is non-refundable/non-transferrable. Less than 60 days before arrival 100% non-refundable/non-transferrable. - Cancellation by us: We reserve the right to cancel the tour and/or to make changes to the travel arrangements. Such cancellations and/or changes are sometimes necessary due to circumstances beyond our control. If your tour is cancelled or changed or an alternate departure date is offered, we will notify you in writing at the earliest possible date and will offer you a credit for the amount you have paid to us to be used for an alternate date or changed tour. Our liability in such a case is limited to a credit to you of any amounts you have paid us to be used on a later date.
Important notes
Few important details to frame the experience:
- If the tour exceeds eight hours, please pay an additional fee of JPY 4,000 per hour to the guide and JPY 10,000 per hour to the driver for overtime. Even if you are willing to pay for extra hours, Japanese law prohibits them from working more than 12 hours a day, and the tours must end before 21:00. We hope you understand that both the driver and guide are tired after a whole day of driving and guiding, and they also need enough rest for the following tours. This way, they can provide you with better service in the following days.