We Love —
- Immersing in Tokyo's vibrant city life, exploring its bustling streets, high-tech wonders, and rich cultural heritage.
- Staying overnight in a monastery for a unique cultural immersion and experiencing the tranquility of a traditional Japanese Ryokan.
- Discovering Kyoto's ancient temples, stunning gardens, and traditional tea houses, and indulging in Osaka's culinary delights, from street food to fine dining.
Customer reviews —
Your itinerary in brief —
Set off on a captivating journey through the cultural heartlands of Japan on this 12-night tour. Experience the bustling metropolis of Tokyo, where ancient traditions blend seamlessly with futuristic marvels.
Immerse yourself in Kyoto's timeless beauty, wandering through serene temples and graceful gardens. Discover the vibrant energy of Osaka, renowned for its gastronomic delights and lively entertainment. You will even have a chance to spend a tranquil night in a traditional monastery.
Your itinerary:
Day 1 - 4: Tokyo
Day 5: Tokyo - Kyoto
Day 6: Kyoto - Nara
Day 7: Nara - Kyoto
Day 8 - 10: Kyoto
Day 11: Kyoto - Mount Koya
Day 12: Mount Koya - Kyoto
Day 13: Kyoto - Osaka - Departure
Please note: your itinerary may have minor adjustments, but your overall trip experience will remain the same.
Your itinerary in detail —
DAY 1-4: TOKYO
Tokyo, the bustling capital of Japan, is a vibrant metropolis renowned for its ultramodern skyline, rich cultural heritage, and technological innovations. With a unique blend of traditional Shinto shrines, serene gardens, futuristic skyscrapers, and an exceptional culinary scene, Tokyo offers visitors an immersive experience, showcasing the harmony between tradition and innovation.
- Transfer by shared shuttle bus to your hotel (your room will be available from 3 pm)
- Breakfast included
- Free days for exploration
- Night at Hotel Sotetsu Fresa Inn Nihombashi-Ningyocho 3*
DAY 5: TOKYO - KYOTO
- Breakfast included
- Train ticket Tokyo - Kyoto included
- Night at Hotel Il Verde Kyoto 3*
DAY 8 - 10: Kyoto
Immerse yourself in the timeless beauty of Kyoto, where rich traditions and cultural treasures await your exploration. Enjoy your free days to wander through this captivating city at your own pace.
- Breakfasts included
- Night at Hotel Il Verde Kyoto 3*
Suggestions:
- Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Tenryu-ji Temple: Begin your journey with a peaceful stroll through the iconic bamboo grove and visit the historic Tenryu-ji Temple.
- Gion District: Meander through the enchanting streets of Gion, where you might spot Geishas, and experience the vibrant atmosphere of Nishiki Market, known for its culinary delights.
- Fushimi Inari Shrine: Marvel at the stunning Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its thousands of striking red torii gates nestled within the forest.
- Higashiyama Exploration: Discover the beauty of southern Higashiyama, including Kiyomizu-dera Temple, picturesque Maruyama Park, and the serene Chion-in Temple.
- Nanzen-ji Temple: Visit the renowned Nanzen-ji Zen Temple, a tranquil oasis just north of the city centre.
- Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion): Conclude your day at the breathtaking Kinkaku-ji, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and stroll to Ninna-ji Temple through the scenic Hontsuji Dori, passing the serene Ryoan-ji rock garden.
DAY 11: KYOTO - MOUNT KOYA
Enjoy a leisurely day exploring at your own pace before making your way to Osaka Namba Station. With your World Heritage Pass (included in your package), embark on a journey to the tranquil Mount Koya, where you can immerse yourself in the serene atmosphere of a Japanese monastery.
- Breakfast
- Dinner at the monastery
- Night at the monastery
Highlights:
- Visit the Monastery: Explore the historic site and its beautiful surroundings.
- Traditional Vegetarian Meal: Savour a meal prepared by the resident monks, embracing their culinary traditions.
- Daily Life of Monks: Experience the unique rhythm of monastic life, including relaxing in an onsen and meditating in the peaceful monastery gardens.
- Unwind on a Futon: Enjoy a restful night on a traditional Japanese futon.
- Morning Prayer: Start your next day by participating in the morning prayer for a truly memorable experience.
Please note: Accommodation is traditional and authentic, located within the heart of the temples, featuring shared bathrooms and toilets but with private sleeping quarters.
DAY 12: MOUNT KOYA - KYOTO
- Breakfast at the monastery
- Return transfers to Kyoto
- Enjoy your last free day in Kyoto
- Lunch & dinner at your leisure
- Night at Hotel Il Verde Kyoto 3*
DAY 13: KYOTO - OSAKA - DEPARTURE
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Depending on your flight schedule, transfer to the airport for your return flight
Important information about your tour and visits: The hotels, which comply with local standards, are indicative and may be changed locally for hotels of a similar category. The itinerary is subject to changes due to compelling reasons such as delayed flights, weather conditions or other cases of force majeure. The order of visits is also subject to change.
Your hotels —
Hand-picked just for you
Maximum room capacity
At each of your stops, you will be staying in comfortable rooms in thoughtfully chosen hotels.
Your hotels:
Tokyo: Hotel Sotetsu Fresa Inn Nihombashi-Ningyocho 3*
Kyoto: Hotel Il Verde Kyoto 3*
Mount Koya: Fugen In
Nara: Ryokan Nara Hakushikaso 3*
Please note: The accommodation category is based on local standards.
If the hotels listed above are unavailable, you will be provided with comfortable accommodation in similar hotels. Local standards apply.
Please note:
- Staying at a monastery: Please note that monastery accommodation is traditional and authentic, located in the heart of the temples and offers only shared bathrooms and toilets.
- Overnight at a Ryokan: Experience an authentic Japanese inn stay. Japanese hotel rooms often feature narrow spaces and small beds. Check-in typically occurs in the mid-afternoon, around 3 to 4 pm.
Your dining choices
Throughout your tour, enjoy meals as per your itinerary which includes breakfasts and two dinners (excluding drinks) during your stay at the monastery and the ryokan in Nara.
Your optional extras —
eSIM with 2GB internet
Enjoy easy access to the internet with a handy 2GB, bookable at the next stage of the booking process. Install your eSIM before departure in just a few taps.
Note: please check that your phone is eSIM-compatible before departure.
Your journey to Japan —
Flights:
You will be able to choose your airline and flight times when you make your booking. This flight may include one or more stopovers. The stopover may be technical (without a change of aircraft) or transit (with a change of aircraft).
Luggage information
Luggage, meals and other services on board may be subject to an additional fee on certain airlines. It is possible to view details of luggage allowances when you choose your flights at the next stage of the booking process. If luggage is not included with your flight, please go to the airline's website before your departure to purchase your luggage for an additional fee.
For domestic flights, airlines do not always offer the option of reserving luggage. In this case, you will need to pay for it at the airport counter.
You will receive all the information you need to check in for your flights after you have made your reservation.
Your destinations —
Tokyo
One of the world’s most cutting-edge capitals, Tokyo is a city of contrasts. Famous for its modernity, neon-lit landscape and towering skyscrapers, it is also home to sprawling parkland, peaceful shrines and temples and lovingly tended gardens.
Despite its love affair with manga pop culture, fashion, high-tech trends and conspicuous consumption, below the surface is a city that has its roots in ancient heritage. Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples stand close to skyscrapers as a reminder of a more contemplative time, and at the heart of the hyperactive centre lies the serene Imperial Palace, the home of the ruling emperor that provides a tangible link to the city’s historical past.
Behind the shopping, entertainment and commercial emporia can be found quaint wooden houses, private gardens with meticulously clipped bonsai trees and the Zen-like calm of the Hamarikyu Gardens. Discover the fascinating and exquisite culture of Japan, where the ancient and modern worlds collide. The city’s reputation as a mega-expensive metropolis is ill-conceived, and visitors can take advantage of inexpensive izakaya bars and neighbourhood cafés that serve delicious noodles and rice dishes.
Kyoto
If you're looking for old Japan, Kyoto is a must: tranquil gardens, sublime temples and colourful shrines can be found in abundance. While the rest of Japan has embraced modernity, Kyoto still keeps traditions alive.
Take a stroll through the Nishijin district and spy some of the older residents emerging from the machiya (traditional townhouses) to ladle water onto their porch. If you go by an old shōtengai (shopping street) you can admire the ancient speciality shops: tofu sellers, fishmongers, pickle vendors and tea merchants.
Osaka
Explore Japan's second city and enjoy the lively neighbourhoods of Namba and Dotombori, try an izakaya, Japanese bar-restaurants! Enjoy the local specialities: okonomiyaki, savoury cabbage pancake, or takoyaki, small octopus dough balls.
Continue your adventure with a trip to Osaka Castle Park with its 300 Yoshino cherry trees or to Shi-Tennoji Temple which is the oldest in Japan.
