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Upon your arrival at Tokyo Airport, one of our representatives will meet you and assist you with boarding the right train or shared shuttle to your hotel.

The rest of the day is at leisure.

Overnight in Tokyo

Distance and journey time (approximation):

Narita International Airport (NRT) to Central Tokyo: 1.5 h

Haneda International Airport (HND) to Central Tokyo: 50 min

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This morning your guide will meet you at your hotel and take you to Hamarikyu, a Japanese garden that once served as a private villa of a powerful feudal lord during the Edo period. Its wide collection of seasonal flowers makes it one of the most visited gardens in Tokyo but what makes it more attractive is a teahouse called Nakajima-no-Chaya.

Have a break in the teahouse and a cup of freshly made green tea while your guide shares interesting facts about chado (tea ceremony).

From the park, take the scenic river cruise to Asakusa, a part of Tokyo’s shitamachi or old town. Asakusa is the city’s oldest Geisha district and also home to Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple. The streets around Senso-ji feature many traditional shops and are a delight to wander through.

The tour ends with a visit to Meiji Jingu, Tokyo’s most famous shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and a popular venue for traditional Shinto weddings.

The shrine is also home to around 120,000 trees, making one forget that just outside its grounds are two of the city’s popular shopping districts, Harajuku and Omotesando.

Note: The order of this itinerary may change depending on the location of your hotel.

Overnight in Tokyo

Time:

Start (guided tour): 09:00

Duration: 8 h

*including pick-up/drop-off and transit times

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Suggested Self-Guide Itinerary:

You have the rest of the day to explore this amazing city. You can choose to make an early start to visit the electronics district of Akihabara or discover Tokyo’s world-class museums and art galleries.

Alternatively, you can make an excursion outside of Tokyo to one of the following places:

Kamakura

One of Japan’s former capitals, Kamakura is a delightful seaside town home to many ancient shrines, temples, and other structures like the Daibutsu, a giant bronze Buddha that stands at 13-meter tall.

Distance and journey time (approximation):

JR Tokyo Station to JR Kamakura Station: 50 min

Nikko

Located north of Tokyo, Nikko is a city that lies in the mountainous area of Tochigi Prefecture well-known for its national park. Some of the popular places in the park include the Toshogu Shrine complex and the Tamozawa Imperial Villa.

Note: Toshogu Shrine is currently undergoing partial renovations.

Distance and journey time (approximation):

JR Tokyo Station to JR Nikko Station: 2 h

Note: Round trip train tickets to Kamakura or to Nikko can be arranged at an additional cost.

Overnight in Tokyo

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Travel to Matsumoto, a small castle town surrounded by rice fields, vineyards, wasabi farms, and the great Japan Alps.

Suggested Self-Guide Itinerary:

The afternoon can be spent with a stroll around the city.

Visit Matsumoto Castle, one of the only twelve remaining original castles in Japan. It is well-distinguished for its black exterior, red arch bridge, and a view of Japan Alps in the background.

Right outside the castle grounds is Nakamachi-dori, a historical merchant district line with well-preserved old buildings, including some storehouses characterized by their thick, white-painted walls.

Overnight in Matsumoto

Distance and journey time (approximation):

Tokyo Station to Matsumoto Station: 3 h

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Suggested Self-Guide Itinerary (1):

This morning, you can travel to Yamanouchi and visit Jigokudani Park for the famous Snow Monkeys, which live in large social groups and are particularly numerous during the colder months (December-April and less likely to be spotted in autumn).

It requires a bit of walking from the bus stop to the park, so it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes.

Notes:

• Roundtrip train tickets from Matsumoto to Yudanaka can be added in the package (advance booking and supplementary charges required).

• Bus tickets to and from the park can only be purchased on spot.

Distance and journey time (approximation):

Matsumoto Station to Yudanaka Station: 2 h 50 min

Yudanaka Station to Kanbayashi Onsen Bus Stop: 15 min

Bus stop to Jigokudani Park: 30 min (on foot)

Suggested Self-Guide Itinerary (2):

Make an early start and travel to Kamikochi, a popular nature trail in the valleys of Matsumoto. It is known for the pristine Azusa-gawa River and the surrounding Japan Alps.

Start from Taisho-ike Pond, with its mirror-like waters reflecting the Hotaka Mountain Range and Mt. Yakedake, an active volcano that stands at 2,455 meters above sea level.

Continue walking towards the bus terminal, passing by Tashiro Marsh, to secure your seats on the bus departing on your desired time. Restrooms and food stalls are available for a quick break.

Just nearby is Kappa-bashi Bridge, one of the places in Kamikochi that offers the most picturesque views of the area.

From this point, another hour of trekking brings you to Myojin-bashi Bridge, the gateway to Hotaka-jinja Shrine and Myojin-ike Pond. There is a small dining place here called Kamonji-goya that serves grilled freshwater fish and soba.

The trail from Myojin area back to the opposite side of Kappa-bashi is another hour of nature trekking that takes you through the serene woods of this well-protected national park.

Notes:

• This is an easy-to-moderate course that can be accomplished in around 4 hours, including short restroom and meal breaks.

• Roundtrip tickets from Matsumoto to Kamikochi can be added in the package (advance booking and supplementary charges required).

• Kamikochi is only open from mid-April to mid-November, when the roads are not closed due to heavy snow.

Distance and journey time (approximation):

Matsumoto Station to Shin-Shimashima Station: 30 min

Shin-Shimashima Station to Taisho-ike Bus Stop: 1 h

Overnight in Matsumoto

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Get ready for your journey to Takayama, a small town nestled high in the Hida Alpine region of Gifu Prefecture.

The bus ride from Matsumoto to Takayama takes around 2.5 hours and passes through mountains and a few hot spring resorts.

Suggested Self-Guided Itinerary:

We recommend strolling in Takayama’s shitamachi, where the streets are lined with century-old merchants’ homes and sake breweries. Stop by one of the breweries for a taste of the local drop or queue for the famous Hida beef sushi in one of the special food stalls.

In Takayama, experience a stay in a ryokan, the traditional Japanese-style inn furnished with low tables and chairs, sliding shoji doors, and tatami flooring.

Distance and journey time (approximation):

Matsumoto Bus Terminal to Takayama Bus Terminal: 2.5 h

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Optional Tour: Food & Culture Walk

Explore some of the food shops in Takayama with a knowledgeable guide, learning about the town’s colorful history and familiarizing your taste buds with some of the local delicacies. Your walking tour includes visits to a tofu seller, a rakugan shop (traditional Japanese candies), and even a sake brewery (some stores may close in certain days). Food and sake tastings are also included.

Make your way to the designated meeting place, which will also be the disband point after the tour.

Time:

Start: 09:30

Duration: 2.5 h

Around noon, travel by bus to Shirakawago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its gassho-zukuri farmhouses.

Gassho-zukuri means "constructed like hands in prayer," which is represented through the farmhouses' steep thatched roofs. This architectural style developed over many generations – the roofs were constructed without any nails but are intricately designed to withstand large amounts of snow.

These houses are private homes of the locals but some are open to the public, such as Wada House, a legacy left behind by the Wada Family who used to be the richest family and village leader in Ogimachi.

While in Shirakawago, experience a stay in a minshuku, the traditional Japanese-style inn usually owned and run by families. The amenities are basic but the experience is sure to be one of a kind.

Distance and journey time (approximation):

Takayama Bus Terminal to Shirakawago Bus Stop: 50 min

Overnight in Shirakawago

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Start early and get on the bus to Kanazawa, the castle town that thrived as the center for culture and the arts in the 17th century.

Suggested Self-Guided Itinerary:

Start with the pristine Kenroku-en Garden, which is ranked as one of Japan’s top three gardens. Here you will find the oldest water fountain in the country, a couple of teahouses, and a large villa that used to be the retirement home of one of the richest clans in Kanazawa.

Adjacent to the garden is Kanazawa Castle, easily accessed through the Ishikawa-mon Gate, a designated Important National Cultural Asset.

If time allows, have lunch in one of the local restaurants in Omicho Market, known throughout Japan for its fresh seafood and fine sushi.

In the afternoon, travel by limited express train to Kyoto, Japan’s cultural capital and home to around 2,000 shrines and temples, including 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Overnight in Kyoto

Distance and journey time (approximation):

Shirakawago Bus Stop to Kanazawa Eki-mae Bus Terminal: 75 min

Kanazawa Station to Kyoto Station: 2 h and 15 min

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Guests are requested to make their way to the designated meeting point in Kyoto to meet their guide and to pick up their bicycles for the tour.

Start with a visit to Nishi Honga-ji Temple, one of the largest temple complexes in the city just nearby the main train station.

Cycle towards Nijo Castle, one of the few remaining original castles in Japan well-known for its Momoyama-style architecture, decorated sliding doors, and “chirping nightingale” floors.

After a quick lunch, continue onwards to Kinkaku-ji Temple, also known as the Golden Pavilion. Originally built as a retirement villa of a shogun, it was later reopened as a Zen Buddhist temple.

Right next to Kinkaku-ji is another Zen Buddhist temple called Ryoan-ji, which is famous for its amazing rock garden.

Finish the tour in the scenic Arashiyama, well-visited for its serene bamboo forest, massive temples, and vibrant dining and shopping alleys.

Overnight in Kyoto

Time:

Start: 09:15

Duration: 8 h

Journey: approx. 20 km

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Travel by train to Hakone, a popular hot spring destination from Tokyo frequented by most tourists who wish to get a sight of Mt. Fuji.

Suggested Self-Guide Itinerary:

Spend the rest of the day exploring Hakone with your included transport pass, which serves as your ticket to the numerous forms of transportation in the area.

You can take the Hakone Tozan switchback train that zigzags through the mountains and offers views of the surrounding valleys. Afterwards, you can ride the Guinness World Record-holder ropeway all the way up to Mt. Owakudani, passing over sulfurous fumes and hot springs.

From the mountain you can take the ropeway bound for Togendai, where you can ride a replica of a pirate ship that cruises along Ashinoko, a body of water that was formed after a volcanic eruption that occurred more than 3,000 years ago.

Note: The ropeway that goes to Mt. Owakudani has resumed operations but for safety reasons, hiking on the mountain is still prohibited.

Suggested Alternative Itinerary:

We suggest heading to Togendai to aboard a replica of a pirate ship that will take you across Ashinoko, a lake that was formed after a volcanic eruption that took place more than 3,000 years ago.

Disembark at Hakone-machi and walk towards Hakone Shrine, probably the most photographed spot in Hakone for its iconic “floating” torii gate. The approach to the main shrine buildings is via a set of ninety-or-so stairs that go through the forested mountain.

In Hakone, experience another stay in a ryokan, a classic Japanese-style accommodation furnished with futon beds, tatami flooring, paper sliding doors, and hot spring baths.

Enjoy a traditional multi-course meal for dinner, which usually includes small servings of sushi, sashimi, and tempura.

Overnight in Hakone

Distance and journey time (approximation):

Kyoto Station to Hakone-Yumoto Station: 2 h 40 min

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Take one last soak in the onsen before returning to Tokyo.

The rest of the day is at leisure – you can choose to further explore Tokyo, engage in a cultural experience or do some last-minute shopping in Shibuya, Shinjuku, Harajuku or in Ginza.

Note: Activities and tours are subject to availability and must be booked in advance (supplementary charges apply).

Overnight in Tokyo

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The rest of the day is at leisure until the scheduled transfer by train or shared shuttle back to Tokyo Airport.