Meet Japan: Self-Guided Land of the Rising Sun

Arrival at your departure airport ready to check-in for a flight to Tokyo. 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.

2nd Day: Tokyo

Arrive in Tokyo, a dazzling metropolis rich in history and tradition. You will be met at the airport by our representative who will talk you through your itinerary, deliver your travel documents, provide helpful information and recommendations for your free time and assist you with your self-transfer to the hotel. 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 at bargain prices! Overnight stay in Tokyo.

3rd Day: Tokyo

Today, take a full-day tour of the city of Tokyo by bus including the most important sights in the city. Self-transfer to the famous 'Love' statue in Shinjuku from where the tour will depart at 7.50AM*. Drive past Harajuku shopping district and stop to visit the Meiji Jingu Shinto Shrine. See the Imperial Palace area 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. Enjoy a Matcha tasting experience and a Japanese lunch at a local Izakaya restaurant and climb the Tokyo Skytree tower, from which you will admire the infinite Tokyo skyline. In the afternoon, board a river cruise that will take you through the Tokyo Bay to the Odaiba island and end the tour back at Shinjuku. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight stay in Tokyo.

* Warning: Please leave your hotel with time and plan your self-transfer ahead. The bus will leave at 8AM with no exceptions. 

4th Day: Tokyo

On this day, come face-to-face with legendary Mount Fuji. Depart by bus at 7.45AM from the same meeting point in Shinjuku than the day before and head up to the Fuji's 5th Station. At this height, you will be amazed by the breathtaking views from above the clouds. After strolling around this area from which mountaineers start their journey to the summit, you will stop for a lunch at the Oshino Shinobu ninja-themed village. 

After lunch break, the bus will take you to Owakudani valley, also known as "Hell Valley". Here you can see hot springs and volcanic activity and even try the famous "black eggs", boiled in the sulfur pits. From there, you will ride the Hakone ropeway down to Lake Ashi, where you will be able to get a stunning view of Fuji's silhouette whilst sailing on this pristine lake. Finally, return by bus to Shinjuku Station and overnight stay in Tokyo.

* Warning: Please leave your hotel with time and plan your self-transfer ahead. The bus will leave according to schedule with no exceptions. 

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.

5th Day: Tokyo

Enjoy a day exploring Tokyo at your leisure, getting to know the shopping districts of Akihabara, known for its anime culture and camera bargains, or Shibuya, where you can see its iconic crosswalk and eclectic restaurants. 

6th Day: Tokyo - Kanazawa

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 the historic Higashi Chaya district, filled with traditional tea houses where you will be able to see the celebrated geishas perform. Overnight stay in Kanazawa.

* This is the first day you will use your JR Pass in your itinerary. You will need to activate it at a JR office of Tokyo station before using it for the first time. The Pass allows you to book any JR train or bullet train free of charge (except for Mizuho and Nozomi trains and except for Superior class seats). You will be able to choose the train departure time or combination on that day that best suits you but be aware that there might exist different train combinations (direct, changing trains once, changing trains twice, etc) depending on your departure time, which can affect the entire trip duration. 

You will need to self-transfer from your hotel to Tokyo station and from Kanazawa station to your hotel. 

7th Day: Kanazawa

Spend the day at your own pace using the 24h Kanazawa bus pass to visit the city highlights. We recommend stopping at Kenrokuen to admire one of Japan's most beautiful landscaped gardens. You can also soak up the artistic atmosphere at a traditional Gold-Leaf handcraft center where you can discover this traditional decorative art that has evolved to even be included in Kanazawa's culinary delicacies.

8th Day: Kanazawa - Hiroshima

Today, travel to Hiroshima using your Japan Rail Pass. Arrive in the modern city of Hiroshima, sadly destroyed in the most part in 1945 by the first atomic bomb ever, making it a moving destination to explore. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight stay in Hiroshima.

You will need to self-transfer from your hotel to Kanazawa station and from Hiroshima station to your hotel. 

9th Day: Hiroshima

Today you will have the opportunity to be your own guide with a 24h tram pass that you can use to move around the city at your own pace. 

We strongly recommend taking advantadge of the 24h tram pass and the JR Pass to catch a tram and board a ferry free of cost to get yourself to Miyajima island. 

Immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of this island, where deer roam free and where the Great Torii and Itsukushima shrine seem to float during high tide. From here you can also enjoy an included night cruise around Miyajima island to relax yourself on the deck feeling the salty sea breeze. Overnight stay in Hiroshima.

10th Day: Hiroshima - Kyoto

Using your Japan Rail Pass, travel to Kyoto, the capital of the Japanese Empire for 11 centuries. We recommend exploring the emblematic neighborhood of Gion, known for its traditional architecture and admired geishas. Overnight stay in Kyoto.

You will need to self-transfer from your hotel to Hiroshima station and from Kyoto station to your hotel. 

11th Day: 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.

12th Day: Kyoto

Spend today at your leisure, exploring the delights of Kyoto at your own pace. Why not discover the historic Nijo Castle or the Philosopher's Walk, a beautiful footpath along a cherry-tree-lined canal? We recommend an optional afternoon excursion to the peaceful city of Nara.* Overnight stay in Kyoto.

* Optional Nara Excursion: Head to Nara 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.

13th Day: Kyoto - Osaka

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.

* The local train transfer Kyoto - Osaka does not have a fixed schedule. Passengers can exchange their ticket at any time during the transfer day and choose the departure time that best suits their plans. The local train departs from Kyoto station. 

14th Day: Osaka

Spend the day at your own pace for a self-guided visit of Osaka. You will have at your disposal an Osaka Metro + City Bus card to discover the city's main areas. You will also have an admission ticket for the Osaka Castle, where you have the chance to learn about the history of one of Japan's most famous landmarks. Overnight stay in Osaka.

15th Day: Osaka

Spend the day at your leisure exploring the cultural delights of Osaka. Get to know the local area and sample the iconic local cuisine. In fact, the street food markets of Osaka are said to be the best in the country! Overnight stay in Osaka.

16th Day: Osaka - Night on board

Sadly it's time to say goodbye to the Land of the Rising Sun. On this day, use your Airport shuttle bus ticket to transfer from Osaka to the Osaka airport*. Night on board.

*Airport transfer only included for flights departing from 9AM. For earlier departures it's the client responsibility to self-transfer to the Osaka airport.