Day 1: Sunday – Wake Up In Japan
Welcome to Japan!
Arrival at Tokyo Airport (Narita: NRT or Haneda: HND).
Our airport assistant will greet you in English during customs procedures.
Unaccompanied transfer from the airport to Tokyo: This transfer is by shared shuttle, together with other customers going to the same hotel or a hotel near yours. Shuttles depart between 1.5 and 3 hours after your flight's scheduled arrival time, and may make stops before your hotel.
Check-in at the hotel, rooms available from 3 p.m. At 7 p.m., you will meet your guide in the hotel lobby.
A presentation of the tour will be given during the welcome dinner offered by Japan Experience, scheduled for 7 p.m. on the day of arrival.
Included: Dinner
Day 2: Monday: First Steps In The Capital
Early morning departure for a guided tour of Tokyo:
Asakusa, a traditional neighbourhood and place of pilgrimage
Senso-ji Buddhist temple, one of the oldest in Tokyo, and Nakamise-dori, a narrow traditional street lined with historic shops - A timeless moment during an authentic tea ceremony
Hamarikyu Gardens, a peaceful Japanese garden nestled between skyscrapers and Tokyo Bay
The elegant and fashionable Ginza district
Daily travel by public transport and on foot (approximately 10 km on foot).
Included: breakfast and lunch.
Day 3: Tuesday: Tokyo Tour
Continue your guided tour of Tokyo:
Ueno: Tokyo's iconic park, famous for its cherry blossoms (late March, early April) and lotus pond
Tokyo Sky Tree, with panoramic views of the city
Harajuku: the centre of youth fashion and cosplay culture
Meiji-Jingu: the imperial shrine
Takeshita-dori: a must-see street full of trendy shops and crepe stalls
Shibuya and its iconic giant pedestrian crossing
Daily travel by public transport and on foot (approximately 10 km on foot).
Included: breakfast and lunch.
Day 4: Wednesday: On The Road To Mount Fuji
Bring a small bag for your overnight stay in Hakone – Mount Fuji, as your main luggage will be transferred to Kyoto. Depart for the heights of Hakone for a breathtaking view of Mount Fuji (weather permitting).
Visit the Hakone Open-Air Museum, which displays contemporary sculptures in an exceptional natural setting.
Lake Ashi-no-ko and its Japanese torii gate standing in the water.
The incredible volcanic site of Owakudani (the site may be inaccessible due to volcanic activity).
The Japan Experience signature: a day aboard a minibus with driver to avoid the crowds on public buses.
Daily travel by public transport and on foot (approximately 7 km on foot).
Included: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 5: Thursday: On The Trails Of The Past
Departure by public transport to Odawara Station, then departure for Kyoto by Shinkansen high-speed train (3-hour journey).
Start of guided tour of Kyoto:
Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, with its thousands of red torii gates climbing up the mountain
Gion, Kyoto's historic district, with Sannen-zaka and Ninen-zaka streets
Kodai-ji, Kyoto's temple of maple trees and bamboo
Daily travel by public transport and on foot (approximately 10 km on foot).
Included: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 6: Friday: Treasures Of The Old Capital
Morning tour of Kyoto by minibus, then on foot:
Ryoan-ji Zen Garden
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)
The enchanting Philosopher's Path
The signature of Japan Experience: enjoy matcha tea while admiring the Murin-An Japanese garden
Daily travel by public transport and on foot (approximately 10 km on foot).
Included: breakfast and lunch.
Day 7: Saturday: Free Day
Free day!
Enjoy the many wonders of the ancient capital at your own pace.
Your guide will be happy to give you advice if you wish.
All other meals, transport and activities are not organised by Japan Experience today.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like to book an activity for this day.
Included: breakfast
Day 8: Sunday: Between Temples And Deer
Visit Nara, Japan's first capital in the 8th century. With your guide, you will discover:
Kofuku-ji Temple and its splendid pagoda
Tōdai-ji Temple, with its large bronze Buddha and imposing Nan-Daimon gate
Kasuga Taisha Shrine and its countless lanterns
Departure for Osaka (50 minutes) by train and evening spent exploring the food streets of the lively city of Osaka.
Daily travel by public transport and on foot (approximately 10 km on foot).
Included: breakfast and lunch.
Day 9: Monday: Japan's Sacred Island
Pack a small bag for two nights (Hiroshima and Kanazawa); your main luggage will be sent to Tokyo.
Depart for Hiroshima by Shinkansen, then take the ferry to Miyajima Island to visit the sacred island and its famous large torii gate in the sea (ootorii - Itsukushima Shrine).
In the evening, return to Hiroshima for check-in and a dinner selected by our experts, followed by a peaceful stroll through the illuminated Peace Memorial Park, where natural beauty combines with a moment of quiet reflection.
Daily travel by public transport and on foot (approximately 10 km on foot).
Included: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 10: Tuesday: Historic Cities
Spend the day in Hiroshima, visiting the Peace Memorial Park and Museum, and the Atomic Bomb Dome.
In the evening, once you arrive in Kanazawa, explore the Higashi Chaya district with its traditional teahouses, then relax over dinner in a restaurant with your small group.
Daily travel by public transport and on foot (approximately 10 km on foot).
Included: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 11: Wednesday: The Pearl Of Ishikawa
Discover Kanazawa, a small city nestled between the sea and the Japanese Alps.
Kenroku-en: Kanazawa's beautiful Japanese garden, considered one of the three best gardens in Japan!
Omicho: a huge fish market with fresh produce straight from the Sea of Japan.
Nomura House: once the residence of a samurai, located in a picturesque historic district of the city.
In the late afternoon, departure for Tokyo by Shinkansen and check-in at the hotel.
Daily travel by public transport and on foot (approximately 10 km on foot).
Included: breakfast and lunch.
Day 12: Thursday: Don't Miss A Thing
This is a free day to visit the countless monuments and places of interest in and around the capital: your guide will be happy to give you advice.
Lunch, transport and any activities are at your own expense and are not organised by Japan Experience.
In the evening, Japan Experience will host a farewell dinner.
Included: breakfast and dinner
Day 13: Friday: Sayonara, See You Soon!
It's time to say sayonara!
Transfer to Tokyo Airport (Narita: NRT or Haneda: HND).
This transfer is a shared service with other travellers departing from the same or a nearby hotel.
Included: breakfast
