This itinerary outlines a comprehensive journey through Japan, starting with Tokyo, where travelers will explore cultural sites like Meiji Shrine and Senso-ji Temple, and enjoy culinary delights such as Japanese curry and sushi. The tour then moves to Hakone for views of Mount Fuji and a traditional onsen experience, before heading to Kyoto for visits to iconic sites like Kinkaku-ji and Fushimi Inari Shrine. Stops in Himeji, Hiroshima, Miyajima, and Mie offer historical insights and natural beauty, including the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Ise Jingu Shrine. The trip concludes in Osaka with a city tour and farewell dinner, providing a rich exploration of Japan’s culture, cuisine, and landmarks.
Departure September 29th to October 13th 2024
Starting from $6169 based on a minimum of 12 passengers (land only)
INCLUDED
Private English speaking guide service for the whole duration
Hotel accommodation (Superior category) including breakfast and VAT tax
Lunch and dinner included as per itinerary stated
Transportation either by private vehicle or public transport per itinerary
Admissions included as per itinerary stated
Wifi router for the whole duration in Japan (per room basis – 2 persons) 3GB/day
Japan rail pass 7 days ordinary class
Luggage handling 1 checked luggage per person (Not more than 20kg per piece) as per itinerary stated total of 3 shippings
Hands on experience – Japanese Calligraphy, Tea ceremony
EXCLUDED
International airfare, taxes and fuel surcharges.
Travel insurance
Tipping to driver, guide, hotel porter, and restaurant staff
Personal incidental charges (Long distance phone calls, laundry, mini bar, paid TV, drinks) Please note that in Japan and Korea, access to swimming pool and sauna require additional charges and not included in our package)
Excess baggage handling and shipping charges
Porter services
Other meals that not included in this itinerary
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Destination
1
Day 1: Departure from Toronto
Fly to Tokyo. In-flight meals and entertainment are served at the discretion of the airlines. You will lose 1 day when flying across the International day line.
2
Day 2: Arrival in Tokyo
Welcome to Tokyo! Our airport representative will meet and give you a warm welcome at the airport. Your private vehicle will transfer you to the hotel. Check-in at your hotel room. Balance of the day is at leisure.
Each room ( room basis) will be given a wifi router package for the whole duration for the trip in Japan
3
Day 3: Tokyo
A full day city tour of Tokyo (Approx 8 hours)
This morning, try your hand by practicing Japanese calligraphy with your instructor, learn the history, and tools they have been using and how to appreciate a great calligraphy art.
Visit the Meiji Shrine. The most ancient shrine in Tokyo dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken, one of the must visit Shrine in Tokyo. This shrine also houses over 80 wall paintings depicting the lives of the Emperor and Empress, as well as sports facilities.
Then, walk along Omotesando shopping street where you see the modern and beautiful side of Tokyo. This place is full of beautiful shops, funky cafes and great restaurants.
Spice up your taste palate by having a Japanese curry or Ramen lunch.
After lunch, you will visit the Senso-ji temple, the iconic buddhist temple located right at the city center of Asakusa, Tokyo. Along with that is the Nakamise souvenir street where you can shop lots of great souvenir homes.
Return back to Shinjuku.
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Day 4: Tokyo
A half day city tour of Tokyo (Approx 6hours)
Then visit the Tsukiji Outer fish market. Although this market is no longer a market for seafood auction, there are still lots of restaurants and trace of this auction business history around the area.
Enjoy fresh sushi lunch after the walk.
This afternoon is free at leisure for some shopping in Tokyo.
This evening, free time at leisure to visit the famous Kabukicho on your own.
Note: Please pack a small overnight bag for Hakone, and let us ship your checked luggage to Kyoto where you will claim it back on Day 6.
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Day 5: Tokyo - Hakone
A full day Hakone & Mt Fuji Tour (Approx 11 hours)
Today, your private coach will bring you straight to Hakone and the nearby area. Upon arrival, visit Hakone/ Lake Ashi/ Mt Fuji 5th station. Tour starts
at Lake Ashi with the backdrop of snow capped mountains and greenery , Red Tori gate sitting at the middle of the lake. You will have an opportunity to ride on scenic boat (weather permitting). No visit to Japan
visit is complete without seeing Mt. Fuji and the Mt Fuji 5th station is one popular visitor center on Mount Fuji. From here, you can have the closer look of the mighty Fuji mountain, enjoy a cup of coffee or some souvenir shopping. After the tour, depart for Kawaguchi Lake and check-in at the Onsen.
When you check-in at the onsen resort, feel free to change to Japanese Yukata during your resort stay.
Tonight enjoy the beautifully present Kaisei seafood dinner at the onsen.
(Seafood includes lobster, abalone and some seasonal produce.
Vegetarian meal can be requested)
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Day 6: Hakone - Kyoto
Breakfast at hotel. Free time to enjoy the onsen (Hot spring) at the resort until time to check-out.
Your will be transferred by taxi to the train station and take the bullet train to Kyoto.
Upon arrival, check in at the hotel. Balance of the day at leisure.
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Day 7: Kyoto
A full day excursion walking tour to Sagano by public transportation (Approx 8 hours)
Prepare a long day today, take public transportation to Saga Arashiyama where you can visit a few of the famous Kyoto attractions by walking.
First visit the Bamboo Grove and nearby Tenryu Ji Tenryu-ji is an impressive temple complex in the Arashiyama district of Kyoto and its walkway runs through the famous bamboo grove. Historically first among the five most important Zen temples in Kyoto, Tenryu-ji today is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best to visit in Kyoto.
Enjoy a soba meal which is famous in this area.
After lunch, proceed to take the Romantic Sagano scenic train to see some beautiful gorges of Kyoto.
After a long walk of the day, enjoy a quick break at the onsen foot bath right at the train station where the Kimono forest is right next to it.
Last, get the impressive view of the TogetsuKyo Bridge and return back to the Kyoto station where we don’t want you to miss this raman street, a place where you find ramens from different regions of Japan.
Note: Please pack a small overnight bag for tomorrow night in Kyoto, and let us ship your checked luggage to Kurashiki where you will claim it back on Day 9.
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Day 8: Kyoto
A full day tour in Kyoto (Approx 8 hours)
Breakfast at hotel. Full day tour of Kyoto includes visiting to the magnificent Kinkaku-ji where you can embrace the peace and zen of these beautiful places. The afternoon is to visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine
of which the place where over thousands of red torii gates built along the trails behind its main buildings. The trails lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari, which stands at 233 meters and belongs to the shrine grounds. Later this afternoon, enjoy some sake tasting at the sake brewery. (3 Sake tasting is included)
After tour, return to hotel.
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Day 9: Kyoto - Himeji - Kurashiki
A full day city tour of Himeji by public transportation (Approx 8 hours)
Breakfast at hotel. This morning, hop on to the train again and bound to Himeji. Approximate one hour 30 min train ride, you arrive at Himeji city, the main street brings you to the Himeji Castle, which is believed to be one of the most beautiful castles during the cherry blossom time. The castle is designated both a national treasure and a UNESCO World heritage site.
Lunch will be served a local restaurant
After the tour, take a train to Kurashiki via Okayama. Upon arrival at Kurashiki. Free time to enjoy the beautiful Bikan Historical area at night.
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Day 10: Kurashiki - Hiroshima - Miyajima - Kurashiki
A full day tour of Hiroshima and Miyahima by public transportation (Approx 8 hours)
Breakfast at hotel. Depart for Okayama by train and connect the train to Hiroshima. The highlight of today is to visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial park and Miyajima island
Pay respect at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, a memorial park in the center of Hiroshima, Japan. It is dedicated to the legacy of Hiroshima as the first city in the world to suffer a nuclear attack at the end of World War II, and to the memories of the bomb's direct and indirect victims.
Then process to the Miyajimaguichi ferry and take the ferry to Miyajima island. The highlight is to visit the Itsukushima Shrine and its famous picturesque the Great Torii gate.
After tour, return to hotel. Balance of the day at leisure.
Note: Please pack a small overnight bag for 2 nights in Mie, and let us ship your checked luggage to Osaka where you will claim it back on Day 13.
11
Day 11: Kurashiki - Okayama - Osaka - Mie
A half day city tour of Okayama by public transportation (Approx 8 hours)
Breakfast at hotel Check-out today.
Depart for Okayama by train. The highlight of today is to visit Okayama Castle and the KoraKuen Garden.
Compared to the visited Himeji Castle which is all in white, Okayama Castle may give you a different spectives, a more glamorous castle than you have seen before.
The KoraKuen garden is considered one of the top three beautiful Japanese gardens in Japan. Rewarded by Michelin Green guide Japan as a 3 star attraction. The garden was completed in 1700 and it still has kept its original appearance.
While you enjoy this beautiful garden view, enjoy a green tea / ice cream inside the garden.
After the tour, take the train to Osaka and connect the train to Mie. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for check-in.
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Day 12: Take - Ise - Shima
Breakfast at hotel. Continue touring at the Ise - Shima. First visit the Meotoiwa rock, which is famous as a symbol of marriage.
After that, head out to the Pearl farm and try your luck at the Pearl Extraction Experience center. Learn the process of make cultured pearls and then try to get your own pearl (Pearl size, color and shape is all
pending on your luck that we cannot guarantee due to the nature)
Continue visit to Mikimoto Pearl Island is the first island in the world where Kokichi Mikimoto succeeded in culturing pearls and visit the museum where you can learn about pearls, and you can not only learn but also enjoy shopping for pearl products.You can also see the ama's diving demonstration (Weather permitting).
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Day 13: Ise - Shima - Osaka
After breakfast, continue your visit at Ise-Shima. Ise-Shima was the first place in the world to successfully cultivate pearls. The inlet of the ria coast, a characteristic of the sea of Ise-Shima, has deep waters, warm water and gentle tie, make all these excellent conditions for producing high quality pearls. Upon arrival, you first visit the Ise Jingu Shrine, of
which there are more than 1500 rituals conducted here every year. This shrine is one of Shinto's holiest and most important sites for believers to pray for the prosperity of the Imperial family, the peace of the world and the huge harvest. Then, scroll along the Okage Yokocho where you find replica Edo-period wooden buildings housing craft stores and restaurants.
After tour, transfer to train station and take train back to Osaka. Upon arrival, check-in at hotel.
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Day 14: Osaka
A half day city tour of Osaka (Approx 6 hours)
Today enjoy a guided walking tour in Osaka. Walk to the Floating Garden Observatory. The open-air observatory overlooks the city of Osaka, Awaji
Island and Mt. Ikoma. Enjoy panoramic views from 170 meters above the city.
Tour around the area brimming with the atmosphere of an older downtown area while riding Osaka’s only street tram. In the Shinsekai neighborhood, where you can see Tsutenkaku Tower - the symbol of
Osaka - looming in the distance, enjoy the lively and energetic atmosphere brought about by flashy signs and high-spirited barkers. Enjoy Osaka’s soul food, Kushikatsu (deep-fried meat or vegetables on
skewers). The tour will also visit Sumiyoshi Taisha Grand Shrine, famous for the large crowds that come to Osaka's leading shrine on New Year's Day for Hatsumode.
Return back to the hotel after local delicacies, such as Okonomiyaki or Tenpenyaki .
The rest of the day is free at leisure.
After tour, free at leisure for some souvenir--shopping at the Shinsaibashi- Suji Street.
This evening, brings you to see the walk the busiest street Dotonbori, a place located at the south distract of Osaka, where you can see this place filled with neon signs, clubs, bars and restaurants serving
up local specialities. Enjoy the farewell dinner tonight.
15
Day 15: Departure
Today you will be picked up and transferred to the airport for your next destination.
Extension in Korea available. Contact us