Essential Japan
9 days - Tokyo, Kamakura, Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka
9 days - Tokyo, Kamakura, Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka
Traverse Japan's golden route on this 9-day trip through the main island of Honshu. The tour begins in Tokyo, Japan's vibrant capital city where modern skyscrapers and ancient temples peacefully co-exist in the many neighborhoods and wards that comprise the sprawling city. On your full-day tour enjoy a panoramic view of the city from atop Tokyo Tower, browse the colorful shops that line Nakamise arcade on your approach Sensoji Temple, and learn the art of a Japanese tea ceremony at Happo-en Garden. Located south of Tokyo is Kamakura, a coastal town once a powerful political center ruled by the Kamakura Shogunate established in 1192. Enjoy the day visiting Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu, the city's most important shinto shrine, Hase Kannon Temple, and spend some time walking along Komachi street lined with many restaurants and shops. Hakone, a respite for Tokyo city-dwellers, is famous for hot springs, natural beauty, and it's view of nearby Mt. Fuji. Activities include a drive up Mt. Fuji to it's fifth station, a boat ride on Lake Ashi, and a cable-car ride for beautiful views of the lake and Mt. Fuji on a clear day. Then it's off by high-speed bullet train to Kyoto, Japan's world-famous ancient capital replete with temples, shrines, and national treasures. You will visit some of the best and most beautiful on a full-day tour; such as the vermilion-colored Heian Shrine, the glistening Golden Pavilion, Kinkaku-ji, and magnificent Kiyomizu Temple. We finish the tour in the neighboring city of Osaka; the country's third largest city, known by foodies as the Japan's "food capital." During your touring program you will visit Osaka Castle, truly of of Japan's most famous and impressive castles.
Itinerary
Day 1: Tokyo. Arrive at Narita Airport and transfer by private car to your hotel in Tokyo.
Day 2: Tokyo. Full-day motor coach tour of Tokyo visiting Tokyo Tower Observatory, Imperial Palace Plaza, Asakusa Kannon Temple and Nakamise shopping arcade. Also included today is a tea ceremony experience at Happo-en Garden, a Sumida River cruise, and barbecue-style lunch. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 3: Kamakura/Tokyo. Enjoy a full-day walking tour of Kamakura. Travel by local train from Tokyo to Hase via Kamakura Station and visit Hase Kannon Temple, and the magnificent Great Buddha (daibutsu) at Kotokuin Temple. Following lunch ride a rickshaw to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, symbol of the first Shogun Minamoto; and walk along wakamiya-oji, famous for the hundreds of cherry trees that line it leading up to the shrine. There is time afterwards to stroll along Kamakura's famous shopping street, Komachi-dori, before returning by local train to Tokyo Station where the tour finishes. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 4: Mt. Fuji/Hakone. Depart by motor coach for Mt. Fuji and Hakone. Upon arrival at Mt. Fuji stop at the Fuji Visitor Center to view the exhibits before driving up to the 5th station on Mt. Fuji and enjoy the view from 7,500 feet above sea level. After lunch take a short boat ride on Lake Ashi and ride an aerial cableway up and down Mt. Komagatake for sweeping views of Hakone National Park. Finish at Odawara Station and drive by private car to your hotel in Hakone. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 5: Kyoto. Transfer by private car to Odawara Station and travel by bullet train to Kyoto. Upon arrival enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before proceeding by car to your hotel. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 6: Kyoto. Join a motor coach tour for a full-day of sightseeing in Kyoto. Visits include Nijo Castle, Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), Kyoto Imperial Palace, Heian Shrine, Sanjusangendo, and Kiyomizu Temple. Note: substitutions will be made for Nijo Castle and Kyoto Imperial Palace when these sites are closed. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 7: Kyoto. A free day to explore as you wish. (breakfast).
Day 8: Osaka. Depart Kyoto by local train and join a walking tour of Osaka. Visits include the Floating Garden Observatory at the Umeda Sky Building, Osaka Castle, and a boat ride on the Aqua Liner for passing views of Osaka Castle, Twin Towers, City Hall and Nakanoshima Isle. Later transfer by taxi to your hotel in Osaka. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 9: Depart Japan. Transfer by private car to Kansai International Airport. (breakfast).
Meals: breakfast daily (8), and six lunches.
Cost per person, double occupancy from $4,820.
Transfers between airports, hotels, and train stations by private car. Sightseeing by bus and local train.
Day 1: Tokyo. Arrive at Narita Airport and transfer by private car to your hotel in Tokyo.
Day 2: Tokyo. Full-day motor coach tour of Tokyo visiting Tokyo Tower Observatory, Imperial Palace Plaza, Asakusa Kannon Temple and Nakamise shopping arcade. Also included today is a tea ceremony experience at Happo-en Garden, a Sumida River cruise, and barbecue-style lunch. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 3: Kamakura/Tokyo. Enjoy a full-day walking tour of Kamakura. Travel by local train from Tokyo to Hase via Kamakura Station and visit Hase Kannon Temple, and the magnificent Great Buddha (daibutsu) at Kotokuin Temple. Following lunch ride a rickshaw to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, symbol of the first Shogun Minamoto; and walk along wakamiya-oji, famous for the hundreds of cherry trees that line it leading up to the shrine. There is time afterwards to stroll along Kamakura's famous shopping street, Komachi-dori, before returning by local train to Tokyo Station where the tour finishes. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 4: Mt. Fuji/Hakone. Depart by motor coach for Mt. Fuji and Hakone. Upon arrival at Mt. Fuji stop at the Fuji Visitor Center to view the exhibits before driving up to the 5th station on Mt. Fuji and enjoy the view from 7,500 feet above sea level. After lunch take a short boat ride on Lake Ashi and ride an aerial cableway up and down Mt. Komagatake for sweeping views of Hakone National Park. Finish at Odawara Station and drive by private car to your hotel in Hakone. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 5: Kyoto. Transfer by private car to Odawara Station and travel by bullet train to Kyoto. Upon arrival enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before proceeding by car to your hotel. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 6: Kyoto. Join a motor coach tour for a full-day of sightseeing in Kyoto. Visits include Nijo Castle, Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), Kyoto Imperial Palace, Heian Shrine, Sanjusangendo, and Kiyomizu Temple. Note: substitutions will be made for Nijo Castle and Kyoto Imperial Palace when these sites are closed. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 7: Kyoto. A free day to explore as you wish. (breakfast).
Day 8: Osaka. Depart Kyoto by local train and join a walking tour of Osaka. Visits include the Floating Garden Observatory at the Umeda Sky Building, Osaka Castle, and a boat ride on the Aqua Liner for passing views of Osaka Castle, Twin Towers, City Hall and Nakanoshima Isle. Later transfer by taxi to your hotel in Osaka. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 9: Depart Japan. Transfer by private car to Kansai International Airport. (breakfast).
Meals: breakfast daily (8), and six lunches.
Cost per person, double occupancy from $4,820.
Transfers between airports, hotels, and train stations by private car. Sightseeing by bus and local train.
Our deluxe Japan tours are carefully designed to provide a unique experience in the destination, promote cultural understanding and exchange, flow smoothly from place to place, allow time for relaxation and exploration on your own, provide maximum value, and very importantly to be enjoyable. The itinerary can be modified to suit your tastes, time frame, budget, and special interests.
