Highlights of Japan Tour
Japan’s Iconic Destinations
9 Days / 8 Nights
Tokyo / Hakone / Kyoto / Nara / Osaka
From USD 1,200 per person per day (double occupancy)
- A tailor-made itinerary crafted personally for you
- English-Speaking resident tour director and local guides
- Hand-Selected Luxury accommodations
- Large choice of exclusive experiences
- Airport Meet and Greet with private transfers
- Internet access
- Thoughtful customer service
- And more !
Toyosu Fish Market Insider
training-sumo-beya
Kill Bill - Understanding the Katana
Katsunuma Winery - Home of Koshu Wine
Day 1 – Tokyo Arrival
Yokoso 日本へようこそ！– Welcome to Japan !
After clearing customs and immigration, transfer by private car to your ideally located hotel.
Then you’ll likely spend your first day in Japan just getting settled.
You might want to lock down some of the best food in Tokyo and enjoy a truly unique meal! A multi-course kaiseki, an omakase sushi experience…
Or follow the lead of our food-obsessed expert and spend an early evening hopping between Izakaya! and discover the delights of small-plate dining and sake.
Day 2 – Tokyo
Tokyo seamlessly blends futuristic innovation with traditional Japan, offering experiences for every traveler. While most visitors explore famous destinations like Asakusa, Shibuya, and Meiji Shrine, the city’s true magic lies in its quieter corners.
Beyond the tourist trails, Tokyo reveals intimate neighborhoods with village-like atmospheres tucked away from urban chaos. These hidden streets harbor elegantly designed shops, cozy cafes, and intimate bars that showcase the city’s understated charm and authentic Japanese character.
Explore Tokyo at your own pace with a private guide who will adapt the itinerary to your interests, uncovering both iconic landmarks and these enchanting hidden gems.
Day 3 – Tokyo
Begin your day witnessing the ancient ritual of morning training at a Tokyo Sumo Stable, where rishiki (sumo wrestlers) dedicate their lives to the sport, living and training in these traditional quarters.
Follow this with a hearty bowl of Chanko-nabe, the protein-rich stew that fuels sumo wrestlers—a flavorful broth brimming with vegetables, tofu, and your choice of seafood, chicken, pork, or beef.
Alternatively, choose from these curated Tokyo experiences:
- Join a sushi chef at Toyosu Fish Market for an insider’s perspective
- Participate in the meditative art of Chanoyu (Japanese Tea Ceremony)
- Become part of the immersive digital artworks at teamLab Planets
- Take in panoramic city views from Shibuya Sky’s observation deck
- And much more…
Day 4 – Tokyo / Hakone
Travel by shinkansen (bullet train) or Romance Car to Hakone.
Much of the area surrounding Hakone is part of a national park with spectacular views of Mount Fuji (if the weather permit). It is a resort town that boasts a number of museums including the Hakone Open Air Museum with its Picasso exhibit.
You will be charmed by the magnificent scenery of this spa resort, Lake Ashi and its view of Mount Fuji (in good weather!). Not forgetting the volcanic site of Owakudani, accessible by cable car.
At night at the ryokan, you will be treated to a tasty traditional Japanese dinner before retiring to your room and your private hot spring bath.
Day 5 – Hakone / Kyoto
If you haven’t already, enjoy a rejuvenating soak in one of Hakone’s natural hot spring baths before transferring to Odawara for your shinkansen journey to Kyoto.
This evening, explore Gion with your guide—Kyoto’s historic geisha district in the Higashiyama area. Wander narrow lantern-lit streets lined with traditional wooden machiya houses, exclusive ochaya teahouses, and refined restaurants.
As twilight falls, you may catch a glimpse of a Geiko or Maiko apprentice gliding gracefully to an evening appointment, their exquisite kimonos adding mystique to this timeless neighborhood
Day 6 – Kyoto
Kyoto, Japan’s ancient capital for over a millennium, is renowned as the country’s most beautiful city—though its treasures require discovery beyond first impressions.
The modern glass-and-steel train station and surrounding urban sprawl may surprise visitors, exemplifying how this tradition-steeped city navigates the modern world. Yet unlike Tokyo, Kyoto preserved Old Japan‘s customs and traditions, having been spared from WWII bombing and major natural disasters.
Venture beyond the city center to uncover Kyoto’s hidden beauty: magnificent temples and serene parks that reveal why this UNESCO World Heritage site captivates those who take time to explore its deeper layers.
Day 7 – Kyoto
Continue exploring Kyoto’s highlights and begin your morning at Nishiki Market, Kyoto’s historic “Kitchen,” or explore the ethereal moss gardens of Saiho-ji Temple.
Don’t miss Fushimi Inari-Taisha, where thousands of vermillion torii gates create tunnels up the sacred mountain—one of Japan’s most iconic sights.
Continue exploring Kyoto’s highlights or slow the pace with Zen meditation and souvenir shopping. The city beautifully contrasts past and present, from ancient temples to stylish boutiques in historic streets.
For dinner, choose from traditional kaiseki cuisine, innovative modern Japanese restaurants, or the rare experience of dining with a Maiko apprentice geisha.
Day 8 – Nara / Osaka
Today visit Nara, Japan’s first permanent capital in the 8th century, home to the magnificent Todai-ji Temple—the world’s largest wooden structure containing the Great Buddha in its towering Daibutsuden hall.
Continue to Osaka in the evening, Japan’s culinary capital where locals live by the motto kuidaore—”eat until you drop.”
We never get bored in Osaka and this vibrant city truly comes alive after dark through its bustling street life, neon-lit districts, and countless arcades and markets where locals gather for exceptional food, sake, and good times.
Day 9 – Final Day – Osaka & Departure
Depending on your departure time, enjoy some final shopping in Osaka—a shopper’s paradise offering everything from cutting-edge fashion and electronics to gourmet food products, home goods, and unique souvenirs.
Whether seeking bargain finds or luxury brands, Osaka’s diverse shopping districts have something for every taste and budget.
Transfer by private car to Kansai International Airport for your departure flight.
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