Arrive at Haneda (HND) or Narita (NRT) Airport. You will be welcomed by a  a travel-to-nature Asia representative/guide and transferred by private vehicle to your Tokyo hotel(Approx. drive time: Narita → Tokyo 90 min / Haneda → Tokyo 30 min.) If you arrive before regular check-in the hotel will hold your luggage. Enjoy a short guided orientation walk to stretch your legs and absorb the city’s energy.

Accommodation: Hotel Metropolitan Ikebukuro
Meal: Breakfast

Depart after breakfast for a full day of Tokyo highlights. Visit Meiji Jingu Shrine, then the historic Asakusa district with Kaminarimon Gate, Senso-ji Temple and Nakamise shopping street. Finish with panoramic views from Tokyo Skytree. Return to the hotel in the early evening.

Tokyo City Tour 

Imperial Palace

The current Imperial Palace is located on the former site of Edo Castle, a large park area surrounded by moats and massive stone walls in the center of Tokyo, a short walk from Tokyo Station. It is the residence of Japan’s Imperial Family.

Sensoji Temple

Sensoji is a Buddhist temple located in Asakusa. It is one of Tokyo’s most colorful and popular temples.A shopping street of over 200 meters, called Nakamise, leads from the outer gate to the temple’s second gate. Alongside typical Japanese souvenirs, various traditional local snacks from the Asakusa area are sold along the Nakamise.

Meiji Shrine

Meiji Shrine is a shrine dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consort,Empress Shoken. Meiji Shrine and the adjacent Yoyogi Park make up a large forested area within the densely built-up city. The spacious shrine grounds offer walking paths that are great for a relaxing stroll.

Omotesando

Omotesando is a one kilometer long, tree lined avenue, serving as the main approach to Meiji Shrine. Numerous stores, boutiques, cafes and restaurants, including several leading fashion brand shops, stand along the avenue. This area generally caters to an older and wealthier clientele than Takeshita Dori.

Tokyo Skytree

The Tokyo Skytree is a television broadcasting tower and landmark of Tokyo. With a height of 634 meters it is the tallest structure in Japan and the second tallest in the world at the time of its completion. A large shopping complex with aquarium is located at its base.

Akihabara

Akihabara, also called Akiba after a former local shrine, is a district in central Tokyo that is famous for its many electronics shops. In more recent years, Akihabara has gained recognition as the center of Japan’s otaku (diehard fan) culture, and many shops and establishments devoted to anime and manga are now dispersed among the electronic stores in the district.

Accommodation: Hotel Metropolitan Ikebukuro
Meal: Breakfast

Depart Tokyo for Nikko. Explore the ornate Toshogu Shrine, have lunch locally, travel the scenic Irohazaka switchbacks, and view Kegon Waterfall and Lake Chuzenji before returning to Tokyo.

NIKKO CITY TOUR

Toshogu Shrine

Toshogu Shrine is the final resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate that ruled Japan for over 250 years. The lavishly decorated shrine complex consists of more than a dozen buildings set in a beautiful forest. Countless wood carvings and large amounts of gold leaf were used to decorate the buildings in a way not seen elsewhere in Japan.

Kegon Falls

The almost 100 meter tall Kegon Waterfall is the most famous of Nikko’s many beautiful waterfalls. In fact, it is even ranked as one of Japan’s three most beautiful falls. Kegon Waterfall is also a popular autumn color spot. The trees around the waterfall are usually most colorful from mid to late October.

Accommodation: Hotel Metropolitan Ikebukuro
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast check out and travel to Hakone. Visit Oshino Hakkai springs, ride the Hakone Ropeway to Owakudani to view volcanic fumaroles, and enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Ashi. Arrive at your ryokan/hotel and relax in an onsen (hot spring). Dinner at the hotel.

HAKONE TOUR

Ashi lake cruise

Lake Ashinoko was formed in the caldera of Mount Hakone after the volcano’s last eruption 3000 years ago. Today, the lake with Mount Fuji in the background is the symbol of Hakone.A boat cruise from one end of the lake to the other takes roughly 30 minutes.

Hakone ropeway & Owakudani

The Hakone Ropeway is part of the Hakone Round Course, a popular way to visit Hakone.

Traveling the full length of the ropeway takes around 30 minutes. Along the journey, passengers can enjoy views of the active, sulfuric hot spring sources of the Owakudani Valley.

Oshino Hakkai Village

Oshino Hakkai is a group of eight clear spring ponds located in Oshino Village, near Mount Fuji in Japan.The water comes from melted snow on Mount Fuji that has filtered through underground lava for many years, making it very pure and clean.Each pond has its own unique beauty, and the area is a popular sightseeing spot for its traditional Japanese scenery and views of Mount Fuji.

Accommodation: Hotel Tensei-en
Meal: Breakfast, Dinner

Depart Hakone and travel by bullet train to Nagoya, then continue to to Iseshi station by Kintetsu Express train. Visit Ise Grand Shrine. Ise Grand Shrine is Japan’s most sacred Shinto shrine and dates back to the 3rd Century. It is considered to be the spiritual home of the Japanese and its national religion Shinto.

The shrine is a complex of over 125 shrines located in Ise City, Mie Prefecture. It is centered around the main shrines of Naiku (inner shrine) and Geku (outer shrine).

Ise Grand Shrine:

Considered the spiritual heart of Shinto, Ise’s inner shrine (Naiku) houses the sacred mirror and is rebuilt every 20 years in a tradition reflecting renewal, continuity and reverence for nature.

Accommodation: Grand Mercure Ise-Shima Resort & Spa
Meal: Breakfast, Dinner

Explore coastal traditions: visit a katsuobushi smokehouse and taste dried bonito, experience the story of ama (female free-divers) and enjoy a traditional seafood lunch. Finish at the Ise-Shima Sky Line observatory for coastal panoramas.

Ama divers: Ama are an ancient community of women divers famed for free-diving without modern breathing apparatus to harvest shellfish and seaweed — their skills and rhythms are woven into local festivals and cuisine.

Accommodation: Grand Mercure Ise-Shima Resort & Spa
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Travel by Kintetsu express train to Kyoto.

KYOTO CITY TOUR

Higashiyama District (Ninenzaka/Sannenzaka）

Ninenzaka/Sannenzaka is a great place to experience traditional old Kyoto, especially between Kiyomizudera and Yasaka Shrine, where the narrow lanes, wooden buildings and traditional merchant shops invoke a feeling of the old capital city. You could easily spend half a day or morein the area, visiting the various temples, shrines, shops and cafes along the way.

 Kiyomizu Temple

Kiyomizu temple is one of the most celebrated temples of Japan. It is best known for its wooden stage that juts out from its main hall, 13 meters above the hillside below. The stage affords visitors a nice view of the numerous cherry and maple trees below that erupt in a sea of color in spring and fall, as well as of the city of Kyoto in the distance.

Accommodation: Hotel Elcient Kyoto
Meal: Breakfast

Today’s full day showcases Kyoto’s cultural richness: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Fushimi Inari’s thousand torii gates, a Japanese tea ceremony with kimono options, and an evening Geisha performance with dinner.

Kinkaku-ji:

Kinkakuji is a Zen temple in northern Kyoto whose top two floor are completely covered in gold leaf. Kinkakuji is an impressive structure built overlooking a large pond, and is the only building left of the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu’s former retirement complex.

Fushimi Inari:

Fushimi Inari Shrine is an important Shinto shrine in southern Kyoto. It is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates,which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings. The trails lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari. Foxes are thought to be Inari’s messengers, resulting in many fox statues across the shrine grounds.

Japanese Tea Ceremony with wearing KIMONO: Chado or Sado (referred to as “tea ceremony” and “the way of tea”) is a traditional ritual influenced by Zen Buddhism. Powdered green tea (matcha) is ceremonially prepared by adding hot water and mixing it with a bamboo whisk.

 Beyond just serving and receiving tea, one of the main purposes of the tea ceremony is for the guests to enjoy the hospitality of the host in an atmosphere distinct from the fast pace of everyday life.Feel the authentic atmosphere with all your 5 senses  One of the most traditional clothing representative of Japan is the kimono.In the past, Japanese wore kimono as daily wear, but in recent times, kimono are worn for special occasions.The word “Kimono” in Japanese means a “thing to wear”. Kimono is worn in important ceremonies, festivals or formal moments. Kimono is considered as a very formal clothing.

Just wearing kimono and taking a stroll about the city will become an unforgettable experience.

Accommodation: Hotel Elcient Kyoto Hachijoguchi
Meal: Breakfast , Dinner

Depart early by shinkansen to Hiroshima, take the ferry to Miyajima to see Itsukushima Shrine and its famous “floating” torii,, which appears to stand in the sea during high tide. then return to Hiroshima for Peace Memorial Park & Museum and the Atomic Bomb Dome. In the evening, continue by bullet train to Osaka.

Itsukushima Shrine:

The shrine’s seaside torii gate symbolizes the threshold between the profane and sacred; Miyajima’s island setting has inspired Shinto reverence for landscape and sea.

Hiroshima Peace Park:

Kasuga Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is located in the center of Hiroshima City and is dedicated to the victims of the atomic bombing on August 6, 1945. Built on the site most affected by the bomb, the park serves as a symbol of peace and a reminder of the horrors of nuclear war.The park includes several important landmarks, such as the Atomic Bomb Dome (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Peace Memorial Museum, and the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims. Every year, on August 6, a peace memorial ceremony is held to honor the victims and promote a message of world peace.

Accommodation:  Fairfield by Marriott Osaka Namba
Meal: Breakfast, Dinner

Prepare an overnight backpack; main luggage will be stored in Osaka and forwarded onward. Travel to Mount Kōya by train and cable car. Visit Kongōbu-ji, Okunoin and the Reihōkan Museum. Check in at a temple lodge (shukubō) and enjoy shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine).

Mt. KOYA TOUR

Reihoukan

The Reihokan Museum, located on Mount Koya, is a museum that preserves and displays important Buddhist art and treasures from the temples of Koyasan. It was established in 1921 and features statues, paintings, mandalas, and ritual objects—many of which are National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties.The museum offers a unique opportunity to learn about the history and art of Shingon Buddhism, founded by the monk Kūkai.Visitors can experience over 1,000 years of religious tradition and culture through its beautiful and sacred artworks

Kongōbu-ji

Kongōbu-ji is the head temple of Shingon Buddhism, located on Mount Koya in Wakayama Prefecture. It was originally built in the late 16th century and has been an important spiritual center ever since. The temple serves as the administrative heart of the entire Koyasan temple complex, which includes over 100 sub-temples.

Accommodation: Fukuchi-in
Meal: Breakfast

Rise early for the temple morning ceremony and Zen meditation. After breakfast return to Osaka. Visit Osaka Castle and enjoy the vibrant Dotonbori & Shinsaibashi area with its street food culture.

OSAKACITY TOUR

Osaka Castle

Osaka Castle is a popular tourist spot and a striking historical landmark in the middle of a modern urban cityscape of high-rise concrete blocks. The main central tower is 55 meters high and houses a museum and a viewing platform from which visitors can enjoy fantastic panoramic views of Osaka city.

Dotonbori

One of Osaka’s most popular tourist destinations, this street runs parallel to the Dotonbori canal. It is a popular shopping and entertainment district and is also known as a food destination. At night it is lit by hundreds of neon lights and mechanized signs, including the famous Glico Running Man sign and Kani Doraku crab sign.

Accommodation: Fairfield by Marriott Osaka Namba
Meal: Breakfast

A free day to explore Osaka at your leisure. Recommended experiences: Universal Studios Japan, the Umeda Sky Building observation deck, Kuromon Market food exploration, or day trips to nearby attractions. Our team can arrange optional excursions and reservations.

Accommodation: Fairfield by Marriott Osaka Namba
Meal: Breakfast

After breakfast check out and transfer to Kansai International Airport (KIX) for your departure flight. We wish you a safe journey home and hope the memories of Japan’s harmony of nature, culture and modern life will call you back soon. Have a safe flight!

Meal: Breakfast