Wonders of Nippon

Arrive in Tokyo and self-transfer to the hotel. Tokyo is a dazzling metropolis rich in history and tradition. Once settled at the hotel, the rest of the day is free to start discovering this exciting city of contrasts and its delicious cuisine. We recommend heading to one of the many food markets where you can sample lots of different dishes for bargain prices! Overnight stay in Tokyo.

Today, take a half-day tour of the city of Tokyo including the most important sights in the city. Begin at the famous 'Love' statue in Shinjuku and drive past Harajuku and the Meiji Jingu Shinto Shrine. See the National Diet Building and the Imperial Palace among other highlights before stopping in the historic neighbourhood of Asakusa, home to the Senso-ji Temple Kaminari-mon Gate and the Nakamise shopping avenue. End the tour at Tokyo Station. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight stay in Tokyo.

Spend the day exploring Tokyo's fascinating city-scape at your leisure. Why not stroll through leafy Korakuen Garden or soak up the atmosphere of non-stop Harajuku? We recommend an optional excursion to Mount Fuji, an unmissable icon of Japan.* Overnight stay in Tokyo. 

* Optional Mount Fuji Excursion: Come face-to-face with legendary Mount Fuji. Head up to the 5th Station, stopping at the market and viewing area of Michi no Eki Subashiri. At this height, you will be amazed by the breathtaking views from above the clouds. After lunch at Mount Fuji View Restaurant, visit Ashi Crater Lake and admire the superb view of Mt. Fuji whilst sailing on the lake. Afterwards, head to Hakone to enjoy the views from the Ropeway and be amazed by the volcanic Owaku-Dani Valley. Return to Tokyo with the option of ending the excursion at Odawara station.

Please note: If road conditions or unforeseen circumstances restrict the ascent to the 5th station, you will instead travel the highest elevation possible considering the circumstances. The same also applies for the cruise on Ashi Crater Lake; if conditions or circumstances prevent sailing on the lake, alternative visits and experiences will be taken to replace the activity.

Enjoy a day exploring Tokyo at your leisure, getting to know the shopping districts, discovering new parts of the city or simply soaking up the culture and sampling the cuisine. Overnight stay in Tokyo.

Today, travel by bus to Kyoto, the capital of the Japanese Empire for 11 centuries. We recommend visiting Mount Hiei and its main temple in the Buddhist school of Tendaishū or exploring Pontocho, an emblematic neighbourhood known for its traditional architecture and geishas. Overnight stay in Kyoto.

Set off this morning on an exciting half-day Kyoto tour to see the beautiful and historical districts of Sagano, riding the Sagano Romantic Train (trolley train), enjoying a walk through the enchanting Sagano bamboo grove where bamboos cover the area, and Arashiyama's Tenryuji Temple, admiring their famous statues and pagodas. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight stay in Kyoto.

Spend today at your leisure, exploring the delights of Kyoto at your own pace. Perhaps explore the iconic Bamboo Forest, the perfect backdrop for budding photographers, or walk through the tranquil Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine. We recommend an optional afternoon excursion to the peaceful sanctuary of Nara.* Overnight stay in Kyoto. 

* Optional Nara Excursion: Head to Nara on the Kintetsu Express Train, for a tour of two World Heritage Sites: Todai-Ji Temple and Kofukuji Temple. Encounter wild deer up close while walking through Nara Park, a rarity in Japan and worldwide and discover Todai-Ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's largest wooden structures.

Today, take a local train to travel to Osaka. Upon arrival, the rest of the day is free to discover this charming city. We recommend visiting the Kuromon local market and its Floating Garden Observatory in the Umeda Sky Building, from which there is an unforgettable panoramic view of the city. Overnight stay in Osaka.

Spend the day on a self-guided tour of the sights of Osaka. You will have at your disposal an Osaka Metro + City Bus card to scroll around the city on your own. Also an admission ticket for the Abeno Harukas 300 Observatory. Go onto the observatory which is 300m far from the ground at the highest building in Japan to enjoy the borderless day & night scenery of Osaka. It also includes the ticket for Osaka Castle, where you have the chance to learn about the history of Japan's most famous landmarks. This castle played a major role in the unification of Japan during the Azuchi-Momoyama period. Overnight stay in Osaka.

Spend the day at your leisure. exploring the cultural delights of Osaka. Get to know the local area and sampling the iconic local cuisine. Overnight stay in Osaka.

At the indicated time, self-transfer to the airport for a flight* back to the US. Night on board.

* If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.