Tour Essential Japan and Hakone end Tokyo - 11d - 2027

TOKYO 14ºC - 16ºC

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.

TOKYO 14ºC - 16ºC

In the morning, we’ll take a long guided tour—about seven 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, that we will see from the bus. It is known as the busiest intersection in the world. Then we’ll visit Meiji Shrine, dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife.

Then we’ll head to Tokyo Skytree (admission included up to Tembo Deck at 350 meters high), 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 the famous Nakamise Street. Afterwards, we’ll return to the hotel passing by Akihabara district, the "Electric City", known as the center of Japanese manga and anime culture; and Ginza district.

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 14ºC - 16ºC - KAMAKURA 15ºC - 16ºC - ENOSHIMA - ODAWARA 14ºC - 16ºC

We’ll leave TOKYO and head to KAMAKURA, an “oasis of peace” that served as Japan’s capital for two centuries and is home to numerous shrines, temples, and gardens.

At the Hokoku-ji Zen Temple, we’ll stroll through its beautiful bamboo forest (admission included) and enjoy a cup of green tea. Before we visiting the Great Buddha (Daibutsu)—admission included.

Our route then continues along a scenic coastal road following 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.

We’ll then continue to ODAWARA, where admission to the castle is included—an impressive medieval fortress (restored in the 20th century) from the Edo period and one of Japan’s most important castles.

Overnight stay.

ODAWARA 14ºC - 16ºC - MOUNT FUJI - KAWAGUCHIKO

Our day will be spectacular as we travel toward the beautiful Hakone area, a region of lakes and mountains near Mount Fuji. We’ll begin the day by heading up to OWAKUDANI, the “Valley of Hell,” a volcanic crater with steam vents, bubbling mud, and sulfurous gases.
(Note: Access to Owakudani is occasionally closed due to high volcanic activity or toxic gases. If this happens, we will instead visit Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine.)

After that, we’ll continue to OSHINO HAKKAI, a small and picturesque village with eight ponds and beautiful views of Mount Fuji. We then move on to KAWAGUCHIKO, an idyllic town of small houses, flowers, and mountains beside a stunning lake, where we’ll enjoy a lovely boat ride on Lake Kawaguchiko.

Later, we’ll ascend Mount Fuji via the road that takes us to the “Fifth Station.” Driving through spectacular forests and scenic landscapes, we’ll reach an altitude of 2,305 meters (7,562 feet).

Note: In winter, the route up Mount Fuji is often closed due to snow or weather conditions; during those times, we’ll go as far as we’re allowed.

We’ll return to Kawaguchiko and stay at a Ryokan (traditional Japanese inn), where you can relax and enjoy the Onsen (public hot spring bath). Dinner included.

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.

KAWAGUCHIKO - IYASHI NO SATO NENBA - TOYOTA 18ºC - 20ºC - KYOTO 18ºC - 18ºC

In the morning, we’ll follow a scenic road that winds around picturesque lakes to visit Iyashi no Sato Nenba, a small village that was destroyed by a typhoon in 1966 and later restored as an open-air museum. Its traditional houses have been converted into arts and crafts shops, restaurants, and cultural exhibits, offering a glimpse into Japan’s past.

Next, we’ll visit the breathtaking Shiraito Falls, one of Japan’s most stunning natural attractions, with cascading water that spans a height of 20 meters.

From there, we’ll continue to Nagoya, where we’ll visit the Toyota Museum (admission included), a must-see destination for car enthusiasts and those curious about automotive innovation.

Finally, we’ll proceed to Kyoto for our overnight stay.

KYOTO 18ºC - 18ºC

We’ll spend the entire day exploring Kyoto, Japan’s capital from 794 to 1868 and home to the Imperial Court. Remarkably, Kyoto was the only major Japanese city spared from bombing during World War II, allowing it to retain its rich artistic heritage. Notably, the Kyoto Protocol, aimed at limiting greenhouse gas emissions, was signed here in 1997.We’ll include a visit to Kyoto’s most iconic landmarks. Our tour will begin in Arashiyama, where we’ll admire the Togetsukyo Bridge, or “Bridge over the Moon.” This spot offers a breathtaking panorama of the surrounding landscape.We will stroll through one of Japan’s most important Zen gardens: Tenryu-ji. Designed around a quiet pond, it combines rocks, pines, and maples with the surrounding mountains as a backdrop, creating a harmonious view that changes colors with every season of the year. Afterward, we will walk through its mystical bamboo grove. We’ll explore the magnificent Fushimi Inari Shrine; the Imperial Palace; and the Kinkakuji Temple, also known as the “Golden Pavilion", surrounded by its spectacular gardens (the order of the visits may vary).After the tour, you can enjoy some time to stroll through Gion, Kyoto’s vibrant traditional district, known for its lively atmosphere and geishas.

KYOTO 18ºC - 18ºC - NARA 19ºC - 21ºC - OSAKA 16ºC - 21ºC

We’ll depart for NARA, the ancient capital of Japan to visit the magnificient Todaiji Temple, and its Great Buddha before walking around its park where friendly deers roam freely together with visitors. We continue to OSAKA, and take a panoramic tour of the vibrant Dotonbori district. You will have free time for lunch and later we will admire Osaka Castle, built at the end of 16th century, and still one of the country’s most emblematic historic monuments. We will continue to Umeda neighborhood where Umeda Sky Building is located.

OSAKA 16ºC - 21ºC - HIMEJI 18ºC - 18ºC - KORAKUEN GARDEN - OKAYAMA 19ºC - 19ºC

We’ll depart for Himeji, where admission to its immense complex, showcasing the architecture of Japanese castles, will be included. After lunch at a local restaurant (included), we’ll continue to Okayama, where we’ll visit Korakuen, one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan, with its lakes, waterfalls, and traditional teahouses. By crossing a pedestrian bridge over the river, you’ll have the opportunity to visit Okayama Castle, a sixteenth-century Japanese fortification rebuilt in 1966 after being destroyed in a World War II bombing (visit inside the castle not included). Afterward, you’ll have free time to explore the city, an active provincial capital with just over 700,000 inhabitants.

Note: On some dates, we may stay in Fukuyama or Kurashiki. The visit to Kurashiki may take place on the same day in the afternoon.

OKAYAMA 19ºC - 19ºC - KURASHIKI 19ºC - 19ºC - ITSUKUSHIMA - HIROSHIMA 18ºC - 18ºC

We’ll set out for Kurashiki, a city renowned for its beautifully preserved historic center. You’ll have time to enjoy a leisurely stroll through its charming streets, where the atmosphere of the past is still alive.
Our journey will then take us to Hiroshima, a city forever marked by the atomic bomb that devastated it in 1945. We’ll through the Peace Memorial Park, the Atomic Bomb Dome, and visit the Peace Memorial Museum (admission included), where the history and resilience of this city are powerfully remembered.
Seeking for peace after these reflections, we´ll board a ferry to the island known as the place "where men and Gods coexist". We will stroll until we arrive in front of the emblematic Great Torii Gate of Itsukushima, which rises out of the sea and stands as one of Japan´s most iconic images. You will have free time to visit the Itsukushima Shrine, explore the island, and have lunch. We will then return to our hotel in Hiroshima. Dinner is included.

Note: The order of visits in Hiroshima may vary without affecting the itinerary´s content.

HIROSHIMA 18ºC - 18ºC - TOKYO 14ºC - 16ºC

After breakfast, we´ll provide a transfer to the station to take the bullet train to Tokyo. It takes four hours to travel the 800 kilometers between both cities. Arrival in Tokyo will be at around 2:00 pm.

TOKYO 14ºC - 16ºC

After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.