Ultimate Land of the Rising Sun

Arrive in the capital of Japan and self-transfer to the hotel. Tokyo is a dazzling metropolis rich in history and tradition. Rest of the day free to start discovering this exciting city of contrasts and its delicious cuisine. Overnight stay in Tokyo.

Today, take a half-day tour of the city of Tokyo including many of the most emblematic sights in the city. See the vibrant neighbourhood of Harajuku, the charming Meiji Shrine and the National Diet Building. Discover the magnificent Imperial Palace, the primary residence of the Japanese Emperor, before passing through the varied districts of the city and arriving in Asakusa. Asakusa retains all the charms of 'old Tokyo', with its traditional architecture, craft shops and food stalls. Here you can marvel at the magnificent Senso-ji temple and Kaminari-mon Gate. End the tour at Tokyo Station and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight stay in Tokyo.

Enjoy a day at your own. We recommend an exciting full-day tour to Mount Fuji and Hakone*. Overnight stay in Tokyo.

* Optional full-day tour to Mount Fuji and Hakone: The bus heads up to the 5th Station along the Subaru Line, at 2,300 metres above sea level. At this height, you will be amazed by the breathtaking views from above the clouds. After lunch at Samurai Restaurant, visit scenic Owaku-dani Valley in Hakone and enjoy a peaceful boat trip on Ashi Crater Lake to admire the superb views of Mt. Fuji. Return to Tokyo by bus with the option to end the tour at Odawara station if you prefer. 

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.

Using your Japan Rail Pass, travel to Kanazawa, a historical jewel of a city and home to some of Japan's most beautiful landscaped gardens. We recommend visiting Kenrokuen, a castle garden originating from the 17th-century. Enjoy strolling in the picturesque landscapes. Overnight stay in Kanazawa.

Spend the day on a self-guided tour of the sights of Kanazawa. Catch the Kanazawa Loop Bus for an overview of the city before admiring the pristine landscaped gardens and Japanese architecture of the Kenrokuen Gardens & Seisonkaku Villa. Soak up the artistic atmosphere at a traditional Gold-Leaf Experience and refresh with tea coupons to redeem at Kikantei. Overnight stay in Kanazawa.

Today, travel to Hiroshima using your Japan Rail Pass. Arrive in the modern city of Hiroshima, largely destroyed in 1945 by an atomic bomb, making it a poignant and moving destination to explore. Spend the day at your leisure, getting to know the numerous city memorials, museums or historic Hiroshima Castle. Overnight stay in Hiroshima.

Today you will have the opportunity to be your own guide with a self-guided tour of the main attractions of Hiroshima. Begin at the Atomic Bomb Dome, passing by Hiroshimajo Castle along the way, for a poignant look at one of the few structures that survived the 1945 atomic explosion. Continue to the Peace Memorial Park and stop for a traditional Okonomiyaki lunch. Afterwards, head to the port for a short ferry ride to Miyajima to see the Otorii Gate and the beautiful Itsukushima Shrine. End the tour with a visit to Daishonin Temple. This tour includes a full-day ticket for Hiroden (tram and bus network in and around Hiroshima, and roundtrip ticket for Miyajima ferry), and a voucher for lunch at Okoromi-mura. The tour will take place in the order that you prefer. Overnight stay in Hiroshima.

Using your Japan Rail Pass, travel 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 Osaka. Upon arrival, the rest of the day is free for you to discover this charming city. We recommend visiting the bustling Kuromon market or the Floating Garden Observatory in the Umeda Sky Building, for unforgettable panoramic views of the city. Overnight stay in Osaka.

Today, set off on a self-guided tour of Osaka. You will have at your disposal an Osaka Metro and City Bus card to move around the city on your own. Also a ticket for the Abeno Harukas 300 Observatory and the entrance to Osaka Castle. You can begin by heading to the observatory, which is 300 meters high, on the tallest building in Japan, to enjoy the borderless day and night scenery of Osaka. Continue to 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. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon. Overnight stay in Osaka.

Spend the day at your leisure, exploring the cultural delights of Osaka, discovering local life and tasting the iconic cuisine of the city. Overnight stay in Osaka.

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