Grand Japan Explorer

Welcome to Japan. Upon arrival and after completion of customs, you will be transferred to your hotel via a shared shuttle service. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at your leisure. Details regarding the tour’s commencement will be shared with you in the afternoon.

Overnight in Tokyo.

After a wonderful breakfast. Experience the vibrant energy of Tokyo on a comprehensive five-hour guided tour. You will start from Zojoji Temple, home to hundreds of Jizo statues and iconic views of the Tokyo Tower. From there, you visit the world-famous Shibuya Crossing and the serene Meiji Shrine. The tour continues by bus along Omotesando Avenue to the Imperial Palace and its beautiful gardens. After passing through the neon-lit streets of Akihabara, which is the centre of anime culture. Go up the Tokyo Skytree (tickets included up to the Tembo Deck) for incredible city views. Your afternoon ends in Asakusa at the Sensoji Temple. In the evening, join your guide for a subway trip to Shinjuku. Enjoy a guided walk through this lively area followed by a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Note: The schedule may change based on our Skytree entry time. If the weather is bad, we will visit a different viewpoint.

Journey to the stunning Mount Fuji area, starting with the iconic pagoda and breathtaking views at Arakurayama Sengen Park. Continue to the serene lakeside town of Kawaguchiko to explore the spiritual Fuji Sengen Shrine. After a scenic boat ride on the lake, travel up to the Fifth Station (2,305 meters) for incredible forest scenery. Complete your day at a ryokan, a type of traditional Japanese inn that typically features tatami-matted rooms and communal baths in a hot spring onsen, and enjoy a local dinner.

Note: In the planned ryokan, some rooms are Japanese-style with tatami mats, while others are Western-style. Occasionally, accommodation may be provided in a Western-style hotel instead.

Overnight at Kawaguchiko. 

On completion of breakfast. Today, take a scenic drive around the lakes to visit Iyashi No Sato Nenba, an open-air museum where traditional houses now host local crafts and cultural exhibits. Next, experience the beauty of Shiraito Falls, a stunning natural wonder where water cascades down a 20-meter drop. Afterward, head to Nagoya for the Toyota Museum to explore the fascinating history of automotive innovation. The day concludes with a journey to Kyoto for your overnight stay.

Overnight at Kyoto.

Spend a full day exploring Kyoto, Japan’s historic capital and a city that preserved its rich artistic heritage through the centuries. Begin in Arashiyama to admire the scenic Togetsukyo Bridge before visiting the UNESCO-listed Tenryuji Temple and its mystical bamboo forest. The journey continues to the famous Fushimi Inari Shrine, the Imperial Palace, and the stunning Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion). Wrap up your tour with a stroll through the traditional Gion district, famous for its vibrant atmosphere and geisha culture.

Overnight at Kyoto.

After completion of breakfast. Your morning begins in Nara at the magnificent Todaiji Temple, home to a colossal bronze Buddha. While there, enjoy the unique experience of meeting the friendly, free-roaming deer in the park. After an included lunch, you’ll explore Horyu-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site and Japan’s oldest Buddhist temple, featuring an ancient wooden pagoda. You’ll spend the night in the energetic city of Osaka. In the evening, you’ll visit the iconic Dotonbori district, known for its neon signs and incredible street food atmosphere.

Overnight in Osaka.

You head to Himeji to visit its famous castle complex (entry included), a wonderful example of Japanese architecture. After an included lunch at a local restaurant, you travel to Okayama. There, visit Korakuen, one of Japan’s most beautiful gardens, famous for its lakes and teahouses. You can also walk across the bridge to see Okayama Castle from the outside. Afterward, enjoy some free time to explore the city.

Note: Depending on the dates, you may stay in Fukuyama or Kurashiki instead.

Overnight in Okayama.

Start your day in Kurashiki, exploring its beautifully preserved historic district and charming, old-world streets. Afterward, journey to Hiroshima to visit the Peace Memorial Park, the Atomic Bomb Dome, and the Peace Memorial Museum—a moving tribute to the city’s history and resilience. In the afternoon, take a ferry to the sacred island of Miyajima to see the famous Itsukushima Shrine, known for its iconic gate built over the water. After exploring the island and enjoying lunch, return to Hiroshima for an included dinner.

Note: The order of visits in Hiroshima may be adjusted without altering the overall itinerary.

Overnight at Hiroshima.

Today, we take a relaxing two-and-a-half-hour ferry to Shikoku Island. This trip is a great way to see Japan’s many islands. In the city of Matsuyama, we’ll take a cable car to explore the city’s impressive castle, followed by a visit to the sacred Ishiteji Temple. After an included lunch at a local restaurant, the afternoon features a visit to Dogo Onsen, one of Japan’s oldest and most famous traditional bathhouses.

Overnight at Matsuyama.

You travel to Kotohira to visit a famous Shinto shrine on Mount Zosu. To reach it, you will climb 785 steps! Shrine dedicated to the god of sailors. Next, you visit Ritsurin in Takamatsu, which is one of Japan’s most stunning gardens. Lunch is included at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we stop at a massive bridge in Naruto. You can walk across a glass floor to see powerful sea whirlpools 45 meters below! We will then drive across beautiful bridges over the sea until we reach Kobe for the night.

Overnight at Kobe.

In Kobe, you’ll visit the Earthquake Memorial Museum, a place dedicated to remembering the devastating earthquake that struck the city in 1995 and showcasing its remarkable reconstruction (on certain specific dates, the visit to the Earthquake Museum may be replaced by the Sake Museum or a trip up the Kobe Tower). You’ll then continue to Osaka.

Overnight at Osaka.

Following breakfast, it will be time to say goodbye. We hope the lasting memories of this trip stay with you forever. Safe travels!