Tokyo

Welcome to Japan! After completing customs procedures, you’ll be transferred to your hotel by shared shuttle bus. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. In the afternoon, you’ll receive details about the start of your tour.

IMPORTANT:
- Please note that hotel check-in time is usually at around 03:00 p.m. If you require earlier room availability, consider booking an additional night at the beginning of your trip.

- The schedules provided in this itinerary are indicative. The guide may adjust them as needed to enhance the trip experience.

Tokyo

In the morning, we’ll take a long guided tour—about five hours—through this simply stunning city! Its vibrant energy and cutting-edge neighborhoods coexist with areas full of peace and tranquility.

We’ll make a short stop at Zojoji Temple to capture the most beautiful view of the Tokyo Tower. You’ll notice hundreds upon hundreds of Jizo statues, stone-carved deities considered guardians of children, adorned with knitted hats, bibs, and pinwheels.

Next, we’ll head to the famous Shibuya Crossing, said to be the busiest intersection in the world. Then we’ll visit Meiji Shrine, dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife.

We’ll continue our tour by bus along the elegant Omotesando Avenue, explore the most scenic part of the Imperial Palace and its gardens, and stop to visit the famous Nijubashi Bridge.

We’ll drive through Akihabara, the “Electric City,” known as the center of Japanese manga and anime culture. Then we’ll head to Tokyo Skytree (admission included), Japan’s tallest structure, where we’ll enjoy an unmatched panoramic view of the city.

We’ll end our visit in Asakusa, where we’ll explore Sensoji Temple and the famous Nakamise Street. Afterwards, we’ll return to the hotel.

6:30 p.m. – We’ll meet our guide in the hotel lobby and take the subway (tickets included) to the Shinjuku area. From there, we’ll enjoy a walk through this lively district before heading to a local restaurant for dinner (included). We’ll return to the hotel by subway, accompanied by our guide.

Note: The order of the visits may vary depending on the admission time for Tokyo Skytree. In case of bad weather or other exceptional circumstances, access to Tokyo Skytree may be limited. In that case, an alternative visit to another iconic city viewpoint will be offered.

Tokyo - Nikko - Sendai

Total distance covered: 425 km.

Scenery: Beautiful natural scenery, including river views and historic sites.

Note: We recommend bringing comfortable shoes, as walking will be required in Nikko.

08:00 a.m. - Departure from Tokyo. We’ll travel to Nikko.
10:30 a.m. - Nikko. Arrival in this fantastic city, where we’ll visit the impressive Nikko Toshogu Shrine, famous for its "Crying Dragon" room. We’ll also explore the Taiyuinbyo Mausoleum, located in a peaceful, scenic setting. Afterward, we’ll take a walk near the river in Kanmangafuchi, a serene area lined with hundreds of Jizo statues.
Free time in the city center for lunch and a stroll.

03:30 p.m. - Departure from Nikko.
07:45 p.m. - Sendai. Arrival in this modern, bustling city with over 1 million inhabitants. Passengers will have time to explore the city and enjoy dinner in its vibrant center.

Sendai - Matshushima - Hiraizumi - Morioka

Total distance covered: 217 km.

Scenery: Forests, mountains, and the breathtaking scenery of the Thousand Islands area.

08:00 a.m. - Departure for the marvelous city of Matsushima.
08:30 a.m. - Matsushima. Arrival in this picturesque city on the "Thousand Islands" Bay in the Pacific Ocean, considered one of the most beautiful locations in Japan. We’ll visit a magnificent tea house overlooking the sea, where we’ll enjoy a cup of traditional tea as our guide shares insights about the city. Afterward, we’ll embark on a 50-minute cruise (included).

11:00 a.m. - Departure. Lunch will be included.
02:00 p.m. - Hiraizumi. We’ll visit its historic temples, starting with the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Takkoku no Iwaya, carved into the rock in 801. We’ll then explore the magnificent Buddhist temples of Chusonji and enjoy a peaceful moment in the gardens of Motsuji Temple, where passengers can participate in a Zen ceremony (admission included).

05:15 p.m. - Departure for Morioka.
06:45 p.m. - Morioka. Arrival in the pleasant capital of Iwate Province. We’ll check into our hotel and have free time to explore the city.

Morioka - Hirosaki - Aomori - Hakodate

Total distance covered: 197 km.

Note: We recommend bringing warm clothing to enjoy the ferry´s open deck.

07:30 a.m. - Departure. We’ll travel north through a region of beautiful landscapes.
09:30 a.m. - Hirosaki. Arrival in this former cultural capital during the Edo period. From the outside, we will see its castle, located in a beautiful park where more than 2,500 cherry trees bloom in spring

10:30 a.m. - Departure from Hirosaki.
11:40 a.m. - Aomori. Arrival in the provincial capital on Mutsu Bay. We’ll visit the Nebuta Museum to learn about Japan’s vibrant festival traditions, reminiscent of carnivals, featuring beautifully painted and illuminated floats. Lunch will be included at a local restaurant.

Afterward, we’ll board a ferry to cross to Hokkaido Island. The ferry is scheduled to depart at 02:20 p.m. Enjoy a scenic journey of just over three and a half hours.

06:00 p.m. - Hakodate. Free time to explore the charming pedestrian-friendly historic center, where we can admire the city´s cultural influences, including the Russian Orthodox Church and various Christian churches.

Hakodate - Onuma - Noboribetsu - Sapporo

Total distance covered: 338 km.
Scenery: Beautiful landscapes and stunning volcanic areas.
Note: We recommend wearing comfortable shoes for walking in Hell Valley.

In the morning, we’ll visit the impressive and bustling fish market. We’ll also go up Goryokaku Tower, where we’ll enjoy breathtaking panoramic views and appreciate the star-shaped layout of Hakodate’s historic fortress. You’ll have free time to explore the castle grounds before we continue our journey.

11:00 a.m. - Departure.
11:45 a.m. - Onuma. Free time to explore this magnificent tourist area, known for its countless small islands. You can take a boat ride or walk across the bridges connecting the islands. Lunch will be included at a local restaurant.

01:45 p.m. - We’ll continue our journey along the coastline.
04:15 p.m. - Noboribetsu. We’ll visit this spectacular volcanic area, walking among the steaming fumaroles of Jigokudani (Hell Valley), admiring the boiling waters of Lake Oyunuma.

05:30 p.m. - Departure.
07:15 p.m. - Sapporo. Arrival in the beautiful capital of northern Japan at the end of the day.

Sapporo - Hill of Buddha - Otaru - Sapporo

Total distance covered: 120 km.

08:30 a.m. - We’ll start the morning with a city tour of Sapporo, making brief photo stops at the Clock Tower and Odori Park Avenue, dominated by the towering TV Tower. We’ll then spend an hour exploring the beautiful Hokkaido Jingu Shinto Shrine, where we’ll take part in a Kito, a traditional ceremonial prayer to give thanks for our journey.

11:00 a.m. - Just outside Sapporo, we’ll visit the Hill of Buddha, a striking example of modern architecture inaugurated in 2015. This lavender-covered hill houses a massive Buddha statue. The complex also features replicas of the Moai statues from Easter Island.

12:15 p.m. - We’ll continue to Otaru.

01:00 p.m. - Otaru. Arrival in this charming town with a distinctly European feel, known for its lively commercial streets, historic canal, and small museums. Lunch will be included at a local restaurant.

03:30 p.m. - Return to Sapporo, arriving at 04:30 p.m. The rest of the afternoon will be free to explore the city at your own pace.

Sapporo - Toyako Onsen - Mount Usu - Ferry Tomakomai-Sendai

Total distance covered: 266 km

Scenery: Beautiful landscapes in the island’s interior. Snow-covered peaks. Volcanic areas.
Note: We recommend wearing comfortable shoes for walking in the upper area reached by cable car. Bring warm clothing. Prepare a small overnight bag so you don’t have to bring your main luggage onto the overnight ferry.
07:30 a.m. – Sapporo. Departure heading south on the island of Hokkaido.

09:00 a.m. – Upopoy. Stop at the Upopoy Museum (admission included), whose name means “singing together in a group” in the Ainu language. This museum is a symbolic space dedicated to celebrating, preserving, and revitalizing the culture of the Ainu people, an Indigenous group of Eskimo origin.
10:45 a.m. – Toyako. Located at the foot of an impressive volcano and on the shore of a beautiful lake that occupies an ancient crater. Free time to stroll along the lakeside. We will visit the Volcanology Museum, which recalls the eruptions that have occurred in this region. Afterward, we’ll take the cable car to the summit of Mount Usu, where you’ll have time to walk through volcanic landscapes and enjoy magnificent views. Lunch included at a local restaurant. We then continue along the coast.

5:15 p.m. – Tomakomai. Boarding a modern overnight ferry. Departure is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Dinner included. Accommodation in double cabins with private bathrooms. Overnight sailing across the Pacific Ocean.

Sendai - Yamadera - Yonezawa - Aizuwakamatsu

Total distance covered: 215 km.

Landscapes: Mountainous scenery, forests, and lush green landscapes.

Note: Wear comfortable footwear and bring a waterproof jacket for Yamadera.

10:00 a.m. - Arrival at Sendai Port. We’ll continue our journey.
11:30 a.m. - Yamadera. We’ll arrive at this stunning temple complex, founded over 1,000 years ago, nestled in the mountains and surrounded by towering ancient trees. The scenery is breathtaking, but reaching the temples requires climbing 1,000 steps. You’ll have time to explore this magical place. Lunch will be included.

2:30 p.m. - Departure from Yamadera.
3:45 p.m. - Yonezawa. We’ll arrive in one of Japan’s top sake-producing regions and visit the Sake Museum, which features a small distillery.

4:45 p.m. - Departure from Yonezawa. We’ll travel through picturesque landscapes.
6:00 p.m. - Aizuwakamatsu. Free time to explore this vibrant city.

Note: During winter, as night falls earlier, the climb to Iimoriyama will take place upon arrival in Aizuwakamatsu instead of on Saturday.

Aizuwakamatsu - Ouchijuku - Tokyo

Total distance covered: 345 km.

In Aizuwakamatsu, we’ll visit the Samurai Mansion, a historic residence where we’ll learn about the life and traditions of the samurai warriors. Afterward, we’ll take a stroll through the castle garden, from where we’ll be able to see the castle in the distance, standing out with its red roof tiles. We’ll then head up to Iimoriyama, where we’ll see the sculptures donated by Mussolini and hear the story of the young martyrs of this city.

11:00 a.m. - We’ll travel south through beautiful green landscapes, making a stop along the way for lunch.
2:00 p.m. - Mito. We’ll stop in this charming city and visit Kairakuen Gardens (admission included), considered among the most beautiful in Japan, featuring over 3,000 cherry trees. You’ll have free time to explore the city center before we continue our journey to Tokyo.

3:30 p.m. - Departure from Mito.
6:45 p.m. - Tokyo. Arrival at the end of the day.

Tokyo - Kamakura - Enoshima - Odawara

Total distance: 120 km
Scenery: Beautiful landscapes along the Pacific Ocean.

08:00 a.m. – Tokyo – Departure
09:00 a.m. – Kamakura – Arrival
This “oasis of peace” served as Japan’s capital for two centuries and is home to numerous shrines, temples, and gardens. We’ll visit the Hokoku-ji Zen Temple and stroll through its bamboo forest (admission included), where we’ll also enjoy a cup of green tea. We’ll then visit Sugimoto-dera, founded in 734, the oldest temple in the city.

10:45 a.m. – Departure from Sugimoto-dera.
Afterwards, we’ll have some free time to explore this pleasant area of the city center.

11:40 a.m. – Kotoku - In – Arrival.
Admission included to the Great Buddha (Daibutsu), a bronze statue dating back to the 13th century and the second tallest Buddha in Japan.

12:20 p.m. – Kamakura – Departure
1:00 p.m. – Enoshima – Arrival.
Our route offers beautiful coastal views along the Pacific Ocean. We’ll have free time for lunch and a walk on Enoshima, a small island connected to the mainland by a bridge.

2:35 p.m. – Enoshima – Departure.
3:40 p.m. – Odawara – Arrival.
Here we’ll visit the Odawara Castle (admission included), an impressive medieval fortress (restored in the 20th century) from the Edo period and one of Japan’s most important castles. This historic site houses a museum inside, and one of the highlights of the visit is the opportunity to enjoy panoramic views of Odawara city from the castle’s upper floor.

5:15 p.m. – Arrival at the hotel in Odawara. Overnight stay.

Odawara - Owakudani - Oshino Hakkai - Kawaguchiko - Mount Fuji - Tokyo

Total distance covered: 195 km
Scenery: Beautiful mountain landscapes and stunning views during the ascent to Mount Fuji.

Notes: Please bring warm clothing, as it can be cold on Mount Fuji. In winter, the road leading up the mountain is often closed due to snow or weather conditions; during those times, we will go as far as permitted.

08:15 a.m. – Odawara – Departure.
Today’s stage is truly spectacular as we travel toward the beautiful Hakone region, an area of lakes and mountains near Mount Fuji.

09:00 a.m. – Owakudani – Arrival.
Known as the “Valley of Hell,” this area is famous for its volcanic steam vents, bubbling mud, and sulfur gases. We’ll begin our walk from the parking area, where you can observe the region’s geothermal activity. Visitors also have the chance to try the famous black eggs, boiled in the hot volcanic springs.

Note: Occasionally, access may be closed due to high volcanic activity or toxic gases. In that case, we will visit Arakurayama Sengen Park instead.

09:50 a.m. – Owakudani – Departure.
11:00 a.m. – Oshino Hakkai – Arrival.
We’ll visit this small and picturesque village known for its eight ponds and beautiful views of Mount Fuji.

12:00 p.m. – Oshino Hakkai – Departure.
12:30 p.m. – Kawaguchiko – Arrival.
We’ll arrive in this idyllic town of small houses, flowers, and mountains beside its beautiful lake. Here we’ll enjoy a scenic boat ride on Lake Kawaguchiko. Afterward, we’ll begin our ascent to Mount Fuji along the road leading to the Fifth Station, located at an altitude of 2,305 meters (7,562 feet), surrounded by spectacular forests and panoramic views.

Note: In winter, the road leading up Mount Fuji is often closed due to snow or other weather conditions; during those times, we will go as far as permitted.

3:45 p.m. – Kawaguchiko – Departure.
6:30 / 6:45 p.m. – Tokyo – Arrival.

End of our services. Please check your flight time to see if you’ll need an additional night in Tokyo. Airport transfer is not included; your guide will advise you on the best public transportation options for your departure.

 

Our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories. Please check your flight time in case you require an additional night. While the departure transfer to the airport is not included, our guide will provide recommendations for the best public transportation options to suit your journey.