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Highlights of Japan

8 days3 cities
Japan1 country
Tour rating: 4.95 / 5, Based on 21 Reviews
Private tour to Japan

Ready to check off the land of the rising sun from your bucket list? Enjoy the best of Japan's treasures: bright culture, mind-blowing architecture, and overwhelming natural beauty during your 8-day private tour. The tour offers stays only at centrally-located hotels, private transfers, guided tours with local pros, and fascinating included activities such as a Sumo Show and a Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony.

8 days3 cities
Japan1 country
From
 $5,188 
Asakusa Temple
3
days
Japan

Being one of the most graceful and charming Asian cities, Tokio will steal your heart for sure. Always changing and full of surprises, the city attracts millions of tourists from all over the world who immediately become its passionate admirers.

Day by day
Hotel
Day-by-day program
1
day
Arrival to Tokyo

Welcome to Tokyo - the ultramodern and the traditional at the same time capital of Japan! An English-speaking assistant meets you at the arrivals hall and takes you to your private driver for the transfer to your hotel.

Upon arrival at the hotel, you check in and have the rest of the day at leisure to relax after your trip or start exploring the vibrant city on your own.

2
day
Highlights of Tokyo

Your first full-day tour of Tokyo begins after breakfast when you meet your private guide. To get around Tokyo, you use the easy-to-use public transportation system.

The first stop on tour is the Imperial Palace, where you can experience the culture of Japanese people and glance at the precious interior of the building. A notable feature of the Imperial Palace is that it has served as the residence of successive Emperors since 1868. It contains His Majesty's Imperial Residence and the Imperial Palace Complex, where He performs official duties. The site hosts a variety of ceremonies and public events as well.
After admiring this marvelous Palace, you will walk through the Nihonbashi district, an area that developed around a bridge of the same name that has linked the Nihonbashi River since the 17th century. Lunch will follow the enjoyment of Nihonbashi's atmosphere.

Afterward, you can visit the Tokyo Sky Tree, the tallest structure in Japan, and a television broadcasting tower. One of the tower's highlights is its observation decks that offer stunning views of Tokyo. Make sure you have a charger for your phone and camera before visiting the deck at 350 meters (1148 feet).

Then you will visit Asakusa Temple, the oldest temple in Tokyo, where you will learn how it was built. Make sure you make a wish at the temple, as it's known to bring luck in almost anything! From the moment you step onto the grounds of the temple, you will feel the traditional Japanese culture. You can find a great selection of souvenirs and local confectionaries on the street known as Nakamise, which leads from the outer gate to the temple's second gate.

Then, you'll take the train to Akihabara, a bustling district of electronic retailers, including stalls and Yodobashi Multimedia Akiba. At Tokyo Anime Center, you can see anime, manga, and video games, as well as toys, trading cards, and collectibles. Local cafes dress their staff as maids and butlers to serve tea and desserts.

Your evening is at leisure after you return from the tour.

3
day
Diverse Tokyo: Meiji Shrine, Harajuku & Shibuya

The first stop on your tour is Meiji Shrine. Travelers are drawn to this shrine because it's located near Harajuku station and Yoyogi Park. This shrine boasts a vast size, as well as a gorgeous, serene forest surrounding the sacred approach. Tokyo's Meiji Jingu Shrine offers you a peaceful atmosphere in the heart of the world's largest city. After that, you visit Harajuku. Due to Harajuku's unique charm, you can fully immerse yourself in the Japanese environment and fully experience its surroundings.

The next stop on the itinerary is Shibuya, Tokyo's paradise for shoppers. Even though the area has a large number of shops, its most famous feature is probably its crosswalk. When the traffic lights turn red, pedestrians may roam wherever they like. Moreover, it is a symbol of modern Japan and of Tokyo itself: action in all directions. There are constant crowds rushing across the street, three large television screens are mounted on the buildings, and there is a lot of lighting throughout the area. Several music videos and newscasts have been filmed at the intersection, including Lost in Translation and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. Therefore, travelers are able to experience this only in Japan. 

After a day exploring Ginza, one of Japan's most expensive real estate districts, you return to your hotel.

Your choice of hotels

We carefully select hotels to ensure your amazing stay. We will recommend the best available properties for your travel dates.

Park Hotel Tokyo

If you're looking for a modern hotel in Tokyo, look no further than Park Hotel Tokyo. It's centrally located and the perfect option for travelers that appreciate the comfort, exceptional service, and outstanding amenities.

train
Tokyo
Hakone
1 hr 10 min

Spend an enjoyable time on board a comfortable Japanese bullet train. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the beautiful landscapes passing by outside the train window.

Mountain Fuji
1
day
Japan

Prepare your cameras as we are heading to one of the most scenic spots in the land of the rising sun, the breathtaking city of Hakone. Believe us, this Japanese gem with its picture-perfect nature, volcanic hot springs, and world-class art-museums is an ideal choice for a blissful escape from the rush of Tokyo.

Day by day
Hotel
Day-by-day program
4
day
Hakone Shrine & Ashi Lake Cruise

In the morning after breakfast and check-out from the Tokyo hotel, you meet your private guide and take a public train ride to the railway station to catch a bullet train to the lovely city of Hakone, one of the most picturesque spots in Japan. This day is full of amazing sceneries and iconic views, so make sure to have your cameras and phones charged!

  • Please note: Direct luggage transfer from Tokyo hotel to Kyoto hotel is arranged. Please take a small bag with you today, only for 1 overnight in Hakone. 

Upon arrival at the Odawara Station, together with your guide, you take a public bus to the Hakone Shrine, a place of rich history, many-sided culture, and ancient traditions. During your visit to the temple. enjoy one of the classic images of Japan: the red shrine gates floating on the sparkling water with the Mountain Fuji in the background.

The high peaks of Hakone symbolized a place where the souls of the dead would go travel to the other side. For this reason, a few temples were built on the surrounding peaks and later were united into the Hakone Shrine, founded over a century ago. Hakone Shrine played a significant role in the history of Japan which you can discover during your visit. 

Then, to appreciate the allure of local nature to the fullest, you enjoy a cruise on Ashi Lake. The lake is beautifully situated in the caldera of Mount Hakone which was formed after the volcano's last eruption 3000 years ago. The cruise gives you an opportunity to take in the best views of Mount Fuji and the lake. 

After the tour, you take a public bus and arrive at your traditional ryokan hotel in Hakone for a check-in. The rest of the day is free. 

Breakfast is included. 

Your choice of hotels

We carefully select hotels to ensure your amazing stay. We will recommend the best available properties for your travel dates.

KAI Sengokuhara

The KAI Sengokuhara offers top-notch amenities and excellent service as well as convenience near all the top landmarks.

train
Hakone
Kyoto
4 hrs 30 min

One of the most convenient ways to travel from Hakone to the picturesque city of Kyoto is taking a train. During the journey, you will travel across some truly authentic sights and towns, so make sure to sit by the window to enjoy the breathtaking views.

Osaka, Japan
4
days
Japan

Having previously served as the capital of the country before 1868, the charming city of Kyoto is one of the ten largest cities in Japan with a population of 1.5 million people. The city is famous for hundreds of its gorgeous Buddhist temples and shrines, scattered along its territory, and is often called Japan’s spiritual heart.

Day by day
Hotel
Day-by-day program
5
day
Arrival in Kyoto

Following breakfast, you have some time at leisure to relax and enjoy the hot spring baths at your Hakone ryokan hotel. Later you meet your private guide and take a public bus to the train station to catch the bullet train to the charming city of Kyoto. 

Upon arrival to the city, you take the hotel shuttle bus to your centrally located hotel. After check-in, you have the evening at leisure.

Breakfast is included. 

6
day
Kyoto City Tour & Tea Ceremony

In the morning after breakfast, you meet your private guide and continue your Kyoto adventure. Your day starts with a tea ceremony experience that provides an engaging induction to this ancient Japanese tradition. During the ceremony, you will have the unique chance to wear traditional kimono robes, taste green matcha tea and locally produced sweets specially made to match the tea's flavor.

After immersing in the Japanese tea culture, you proceed to the Kyoto Imperial Palace, the Imperial Family's residence from 794 until 1868, during the times when the city of Kyoto was the capital of Japan. Explore the elegant palace buildings (from the outside) and the nearby Imperial Park which was just recently opened to the public.

After a break for lunch, you head to the Arashiyama, the second-most important sightseeing district in Kyoto with countless temples and shrines scattered around the area. Here is located one more wonder of the region, the famed Bamboo Forest. Walking through the tunnels of this sprawling bamboo grove and let yourself be enchanted by the beauty of local nature. Definitely an experience not to miss!

After the tour, you return to your Kyoto hotel and have the evening at leisure.

Breakfast is included.

7
day
Visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine & Sanjusangendo Temple

In the mourning after breakfast, you check out your Kyoto hotel, meet your private guide and embark on a full-day trip to the magnificent Fushimi Inari Shrine. You will reach this and all other sights by the convenient system of public trains. 

The spectacular Fushimi Inari Shrine is an important Shinto shrine in the southern part of Kyoto. It is well-known for its thousands of red torii gates leading into the forest of the sacred Mount Inari. The Fushimi Inari is the most significant among the thousands of shrines dedicated to Inari, the god of rice. You can take a hike on the trails and learn how the thousands of torrid gates appeared here. 

Then you continue to the Sanjusangendo Temple which is famous for housing 1001 human-sized statues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. Once inside, you see a large wooden composition of Kannon, equipped with numerous heads and arms which help the goddess of mercy to witness the suffering of humans and save them from their miseries. 

After the tour, you take a train back to Kyoto and have the evening at leisure. 

Breakfast is included. 

8
day
Departure Day

This is the last day of your amazing trip across the land of the rising sun! Following breakfast and check-out, your driver meets you at the hotel lobby for a transfer to the Osaka airport. We wish you a safe flight and hope to work on your future trips!

Breakfast is included.

Your choice of hotels

We carefully select hotels to ensure your amazing stay. We will recommend the best available properties for your travel dates.

Hotel Kanra Kyoto

Situated in the picturesque setting of Kyoto, Hotel Kanra is a luxurious 4-star hotel specializing in warm hospitality and a traditional atmosphere.

What's included

  • Accommodation at remarkable downtown hotels in Tokyo, Kyoto, and a ryokan hotel in Hakone;
  • Airport transfers and all transportation according to the itinerary with private drivers;
  • Breakfasts at the hotels, other meals as per itinerary;
  • Dinner at a Sumo restaurant in Tokyo;
  • Breathtaking sightseeing tours according to the itinerary with a professional English-speaking guide;
  • River cruise in Tokyo;
  • Ashi Lake cruise;
  • Tea Ceremony at Maikoya Kyoto;
  • Regular class bullet train tickets Tokyo - Odawara, Odawara - Kyoto;
  • Direct luggage transfer from Tokyo hotel to Kyoto hotel;
  • Guide assistance throughout the trip: from day 2 to day 7;
  • Support line during the trip.

Note: We include 1 vehicle for your arrival and departure transfers. If multiple vehicles are required additional transfer costs will apply.

Note: Hotels availability is subject to change. In case current hotels are booked out we will provide alternative hotels of an equal value for you.

Not included: international flights, multiple arrival/departure transfers, other meals not mentioned in the program, optional tours and services, all personal expenses.

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Tour Highlights

  • Fully tailor-made program according to your interest;
  • Your own professional local guides and drivers;
  • A panoramic cruise across the Ashi Lake;
  • Dinner at a Sumo Restaurant in Tokyo;
  • Experiencing traditional tea ceremony in Kyoto;
  • Exploring Fushimi Inari Shrine & Sanjusangendo Temple;
  • Enjoying breathtaking bird-eye views from the Tokyo Sky Tree;
  • Traveling to the Nara National Park.

What To Know

  • It's always best to bring some cash in local currency for your trip. You will need Japanese yen for your time in Japan
  • You will be walking quite a bit during your sightseeing tours, so make sure to bring comfortable shoes