Tradition & modernity: semi-guided Japan

Arrive in Tokyo, the capital of Japan. Our representative will be waiting for you at the airport to go over your itinerary, give you your travel documents, and accompany you to your hotel via public transport. Once you've checked in, you'll have the rest of the day free to start discovering this exciting city of contrasts, where modernity and tradition coexist in perfect harmony with its respectful society and delicious cuisine. Overnight in Tokyo.

Begin with a full-day tour of Tokyo. Make your own way at 7:50 am* to meet at the "Love" statue, in the Shinjuku district, from where we will depart by bus with our English-speaking guide through the bustling Harajuku district to the popular Meiji Jingu Shrine. Nestled in a lush urban forest, this Shinto shrine is one of the most popular in the country and is dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife.

Continue your bus tour until briefly stopping to see the Imperial Palace. Then head to the Asakusa district, where you'll see the Senso-ji temple, the Nakamise shopping avenue (one of the oldest in the country), and the Kaminari-mon gate. Enjoy a matcha tasting and a Japanese-style lunch.

Afterwards, climb the Skytree tower, from where you can see the infinite skyline of Tokyo. Later, take a river cruise across Tokyo Bay to the trendy island of Odaiba for the bus back to Shinjuku. Overnight in Tokyo.

*Please Note: This circuit includes escorted transfers between cities but self-transfers between hotels and excursion meeting points. Make sure to leave the hotel with plenty of time and plan your self-transfer to the excursion starting point (Meeting at 7.50AM). The bus will leave on time, no exceptions.

Today is a free day to spend as you like in Tokyo. If you aren't sure what to do, we recommend you to take part in a truly unforgettable optional activity: an excursion to Mount Fuji*. Return to Tokyo for your overnight stay.

*Optional excursion to Mount Fuji & Hakone: transfer on your own from the hotel to Shinjuku at 7:45 am, arriving promptly to take the bus to Mount Fuji. Climb up to the Fifth Station at an altitude of 2,000 meters, where you'll enjoy views above the clouds of the mountain's lakes and surroundings. If access to the Fifth Station is not possible, we will visit the Fuji Sengen Shrine at the east entrance of Mount Fuji. Stroll through the souvenir shops and rest areas, famous for being the point from which the most intrepid mountaineers begin their ascent to the summit. Replenish your energy with lunch in the small ninja-themed village of Oshino Shinobu.

Continue by bus to the Owakudani Valley, known as the "Valley of Hell" because of its volcanic activity, its sulphurous wells, and the famous and delicious black eggs that supposedly give those who try them seven more years of life.  From there, take a cable car down the mountain and a boat ride on Lake Ashi to see Mount Fuji from a different perspective. Finally, return by bus to Shinjuku Station in Tokyo.

Important: if any site is closed, an alternative site will be visited. The order of the itinerary is subject to change depending on traffic, weather conditions, and operational reasons.

Today, you have the day free to explore Tokyo at your leisure. You could appreciate its many shopping districts, such as the Akihabara district, famous for its anime culture, video games and electronics offerings. Another option is to stroll around Shibuya and take a photo of the iconic pedestrian crossing after enjoying its varied gastronomic and shopping options. Overnight stay in Tokyo.

Today you will board the legendary bullet train to travel to Kyoto. At the specified time (around 10am) transfer from the hotel to the train station via public transport accompanied by an English-speaking guide.

Board the famous bullet train at around 11:45 (the guide will not be present on the train) and arrive in Kyoto at around 14h. Another guide will be waiting at the station and will accompany you to the hotel. Transfer from the station to the hotel via public transport.

You'll have the rest of the day free to get to know this former Japanese capital. We recommend that you take advantage of this day to visit some izakaya (Japanese taverns) and try the famous local sake of Fushimi, the obanzai tapas, or the essential dishes of yuba and fried tofu. Overnight stay in Kyoto.

Set off this morning on a Kyoto Highlights Full-Day Bus Tour to discover the beautiful and historical ‘cultural capital’ of Japan. On this exciting excursion you’ll visit the Fushimi Inari, the most important of the many shrines dedicated to Inari, the deity of good harvest and success, known for its emblematic red ‘gates’. Next visit the Kiyomizu-Dera Temple, part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto UNESCO World Heritage site. Pay a visit to the Kinkakuji Temple next, known as the temple of the Golden Pavilion as the top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf. Finally, experience the immense natural beauty of the Arashiyama bamboo forest. Lunch included. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight stay in Kyoto.

Travel to Osaka by train. At the appointed time a guide will accompany you from the hotel to Kyoto train station via public transport. Board the train with the guide around 11am to arrive in Osaka around 12:30pm. Afterwards, a guide will also accompany you from Osaka train station to the hotel on public transport.

You have the rest of the day free to discover this charming metropolis. We recommend a visit to the local Kuromon market and the Floating Garden Observatory in the Umeda Sky Building, from which you can see great panoramic views of the city. Overnight in Osaka.

Today, you will be provided with an Osaka Metro & Bus Pass. Admission to Osaka Castle is also included, along with access to the beautiful Nishinomaru Garden, where you can admire this impressive fortress and learn more about the history of one of Japan’s most iconic landmarks.

At the scheduled time (approximately 9:00 a.m.), an English-speaking escort will meet you at the hotel and accompany you to the Osaka Castle entrance using public transportation. Upon arrival, you will exchange your voucher for entrance tickets and enjoy free time to explore Osaka Castle and its surroundings at your own pace.

The afternoon will be free for you to continue discovering the city independently, including its vibrant shopping and dining districts. If you prefer to return to the hotel, the escort will be available to accompany you. Overnight in Osaka.  

Today is your last day in the land of the rising sun. Transfer to the airport by shuttle bus for your flight* back to Canada. Overnight on board.

*For flights departing before 9 a.m. it will be the passenger's responsibility to transfer to Osaka airport on their own. For flights departing before 11 a.m. transfer by shuttle bus will be included but without accompanying guide. For flights departing after 11 a.m. there will be an escort service to the shuttle bus stop. If you have an escort guide, he/she will pick you up at the hotel about 4 hours before your flight time.

Arrive at your destination in Canada and end this extraordinary adventure!