Japan Discovery Tour (12 Days)

Day 1: Day 1 – Depart for Tokyo

1. Haneda Airport Terminal 3 Observation Deck
   Pass by
   Depart from your home country to Japan. Please select a flight in which you will arrive no later than 2:30 PM at one of the Tokyo Airports on Day 2 of the itinerary. For guests that are already in Japan, please note that accommodations are not included on Day 1.

Day 2: Day 2: Arrive in Tokyo

1. Tokyo
   Pass by
   Arrive in Tokyo and transfer to your hotel at your own leisure. You will officially meet your Tour Manager and other guests for the first time after arriving at the hotel. This evening, there will be a Welcome Dinner at 6:30 PM in which you will receive an orientation from your Tour Manager of what to expect, and you can also meet and have some drinks with fellow travelers that will be going on this same tour with you.
   Overnight: Tokyo
   Meals: Dinner

Day 3: Day 3: Tokyo (Tsukiji Fish Market, Sushi Demonstration, Akihabara, Ginza)

1. Tokyo
   8h
   Day 3: Tokyo (Tsukiji Fish Market, Sushi Demonstration, Akihabara, Ginza)
   
   On this morning, wake up early for your first full-day tour of Tokyo. You’ll begin by walking through Tsukiji Fish Market, known for its sprawling fish market and is famous for the popular tuna auction that used to take place here. After visiting this busy area, you can see a culinary demonstration of sushi or sashimi-making by a professional Sushi Chef and enjoy the meal for lunch afterward. After lunch, visit Akihabara, famous for its electronic shops and is considered the center of Japan’s otaku (diehard fan) culture with many shops and establishments devoted to anime and manga. Explore Akihabara and Ginza district, Tokyo’s most celebrated upscale shopping, dining and amusement area. To conclude the day, you will enjoy dinner at a a designated izakaya, a Japanese style pub.
   
   Overnight: Tokyo
   
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Day 4: Hakone (Itchiku Kubota Art Museum, Hakone Ropeway, Lake Ashi, Mt. Fuji area) and local dinner in Tokyo

1. Tokyo
   10h
   Day 4: Hakone (Itchiku Kubota Art Museum, Hakone Ropeway, Lake Ashi, Mt. Fuji area) and local dinner in Tokyo
   
   On this early morning, we’ll embark on a journey to Hakone, renowned for its breathtaking views of Mount Fuji. Your first stop will be the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum, this museum showcases the stunning kimono creations of the renowned textile artist, inspired by the beauty of nature and the changing seasons. After that, continue along the scenic road which takes you to the Hakone Ropeway which offering panoramic views of the Owakudani Valley’s volcanic landscape and Hakone National Park. Following this, you’ll enjoy a relaxing cruise on Lake Ashi, taking in the picturesque scenery and perhaps catching a glimpse of Mount Fuji. Spend the last part of the day enjoying the drive along Cedar Avenue. Returning to Tokyo, you will enjoy sampling different foods in a local restaurant.
   
   Overnight: Tokyo
   
   Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5: Day 5: Tokyo (Imperial Palace, Asakusa, Meiji Shrine, Harajuku)

1. Tokyo
   8h
   Day 5: Tokyo (Imperial Palace, Asakusa, Meiji Shrine, Harajuku)
   
   We’ll start by visiting Imperial Palace and its East Garden, a scenic part of the inner palace area. After the Imperial Palace, we’ll visit Asakusa area to see Sensoji (Asakusa Kannon Temple) with its iconic gigantic paper lantern leading towards the temple. Walk along Nakamise-dori, an old shopping street with many Edo-style crafts and souvenirs. Then, we’ll visit the famous Meiji Shrine, nestled in a forested area, dedicated to the deified spirits of the first Emperor Meiji and his Empress. Finally, we’ll head to Harajuku, renowned for its colorful street art and fashion scene, with quirky vintage clothing stores and cosplay shops along Takeshita Street, and more traditional, upmarket boutiques lining leafy Omotesando Avenue. Enjoy free time strolling through the busy streets and alleys of Harajuku and Omotesando area at your leisure.
   
   Overnight: Tokyo
   
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6: Day 6: Kanazawa (Kenroku-en, Nomura Family House, Myouryu-ji)

1. 12h
   Day 6: Kanazawa (Kenroku-en, Nomura Family House, Myouryu-ji)
   
   Begin your day by boarding the Shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo to Kanazawa, a city renowned for its well-preserved Edo-era districts with Samurai residences, Geisha houses, and exquisite gardens. Your first stop will be Myouryu-ji, also known as the Ninja Temple, where you’ll explore its hidden tunnels, secret rooms, traps, and labyrinth of corridors and staircases from the 1600s. Next, you’ll visit the Nomura Family House, a historic Samurai residence that offers a glimpse into the lives of the samurai class. Afterward, you’ll immerse yourself in the beauty of Kenroku-en, one of Japan’s most celebrated landscape gardens. Conclude the day with a local dinner.
   
   Overnight: Kanazawa
   
   Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7: Day 7: Shirakawa-go and Takayama

1. 12h
   Day 7: Shirakawa-go and Takayama
   
   From Kanazawa, we’ll travel to Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its village of thatched gassho-zukuri (praying hands) farmhouses. Explore Ogimachi, the largest village and main attraction of Shirakawa-go, and the ruins of its castle that dates back to the 1300s. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before heading to Takayama, a city in the mountainous Hida region of Gifu Prefecture, and retains an especially traditional atmosphere in its old town. You’ll visit the Yatai Kaikan Hall housing intricate hand-carved floats used only for major bi-annual festivals. Enjoy dinner with the famous hida beef that is renowned in this area.
   
   Overnight: Takayama
   
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Day 8: Takayama, Nagoya, Kyoto (Bullet-train to Kyoto)

1. Kyoto
   12h
   Day 8: Takayama, Nagoya, Kyoto (Bullet-train to Kyoto)
   
   On this morning, enjoy a walking tour of Takayama’s well-preserved Edo-period shops and houses in the Sanno-machi Historic District and the Miyagawa Morning Market. Across the river lies Sanmachi-Suji, a group of three main streets that are lined with sake breweries, cafes, and iconic architecture that creates a nostalgic atmosphere. Transfer to Nagoya before boarding the bullet-train to Kyoto.
   
   Overnight: Kyoto
   Meals: Breakfast

Day 9: Day 9: Kyoto (Tea Ceremony, Kiyomizu-dera, Gion, Heian Shrine)

1. Kyoto
   12h
   Day 9: Kyoto (Tea Ceremony, Kiyomizu-dera, Gion, Heian Shrine)
   
   At the very start of the day, enjoy a traditional Tea Ceremony, where you’ll participate in the ancient art of preparing and serving tea while learning the precise rules and etiquette of this traditional art. Next, stroll through the ancient streets of Sannen-zaka and Ninen-zaka with old wooden storefronts and tea houses and visit the famous Kiyomizu-dera (Pure Water Temple), the most celebrated temple in Kyoto. Have lunch in this area on your own before meeting your Tour Guide and transfer to Gion to walk around and learn about Kyoto’s geisha district. Afterward, visit the impressive Heian Shrine, a Shinto shrine built on the 1100th anniversary of Kyoto’s foundation (when the capital was transferred from Nara to Kyoto) and has a giant torii gate on the approach to the shrine.
   
   Overnight: Kyoto
   
   Meals: Breakfast

Day 10: Day 10: Kyoto (Rickshaw at Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji, Nijo Castle)

1. Kyoto
   8h
   Day 10: Kyoto (Rickshaw at Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji, Nijo Castle)
   
   On this day, discover the cultural aspects of the beautiful and traditional Kyoto, as you start by visiting the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. Stroll through the bamboo forest and taking a ride on a traditional Japanese rickshaw. Later, visit the Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion), a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf. Have lunch at a local restaurant before continuing Nijo Castle, which was the residence of the Tokugawa shoguns in Kyoto who had ruled over Japan for over 260 years. Spend the rest of the day and evening at your leisure.
   
   Overnight: Kyoto
   
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 11: Day 11: Kyoto, Nara ( Fushimi Inari Taisha, Todai-ji, Nara Park, Maiko Dinner)

1. Nara
   12h
   Day 11: Kyoto, Nara ( Fushimi Inari Taisha, Todai-ji, Nara Park, Maiko Dinner)
   
   Begin your day with a visit to the iconic Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, renowned for its thousands of vibrant vermilion torii gates. Embark on a 60-80 minute hike through this stunning shrine, immersing yourself in its spiritual atmosphere. Next, head to the majestic Todai-ji (Great Eastern Temple), to see the great Daibutsu (Great Buddha) bronze statue. Continue your exploration of Nara Park, having fun and feeding the 1,000 tame and wild deer with shika senbei (deer crackers). After that, visit the historic Kasuga Grand Shrine which rests at the foot of Mt. Mikasa—a spiritual mountain where a god is thought to dwell, and boasts over 3,000 stone and bronze lanterns.
   
   In the afternoon, return to Kyoto and enjoy some leisure time before before the Maiko Dinner (this is also the Farewell Dinner), showcasing the most traditional dance performances of Geisha.
   
   Overnight: Kyoto
   
   Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 12: Day 12: Depart Japan from Osaka

1. Osaka City Air Terminal
   Pass by
   Say “Sayonara” to the friends you made on this small group tour before transferring to Osaka for your departure flight. You also have the option to transfer to Tokyo at no additional cost.
   
   Meals: Breakfast

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• For children (Age 12 and below), the children must stay in the same room as adults.
• For guests age 13 and up, guests may stay in a separate room, or may share a room with parents at request
• Passports may be required to verify age on the day of the tour.
• It is each traveler’s responsibility to have a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the dates of travel and a visa if required.
• Guests are provided with the tour guides’ phone number before the tour and you can call the tour guide if you need to meet the group in the next location.
• All guests arrive at the location at least 10 minutes before the designated meet-up time.
• Children must be accompanied by an adult.
• Bring comfortable walking shoes, a sweater, clothes you can layer and an all-weather jacket. Some religious sites may require modest dress to enter: No shorts or short skirts, knees must be covered by long pants or a long skirt. No sleeveless tops, shoulders must be covered and a shawl or scarf is frequently not accepted as a cover.
• The tour operates in all weather conditions (except when there is a typhoon or other extreme situations). Please dress appropriately for all weather conditions. In such case, please note that the tour may change slightly to accommodate for the weather.
• What if I’m late to meet up with Tour Guide during the tour? - We ask that all guests arrive at the location at least 10 minutes before the designated meet-up time. Since this is a group tour, we may not be able to wait for you if you are late. The tour will begin without the late guests and you can meet the rest of the group at the next location. Guests are provided with the tour guides’ phone number before the tour and you can call the Tour Guide if you need to meet the group in the next location.
• How fit do I need to be for this tour? - This active tour covers a good amount of ground each day. Expect to walk about two to four hours on some touring days. Although the pace is moderate, you may encounter some uneven surfaces, stairs, steps and significant slopes on this tour and there are some areas in the open air and with no shade. There may also be changes in set drop-off and pick-up locations due to driving conditions and regulations, which may require additional walking between the different locations.
• Is this an ideal tour for first-time visitors to Japan? - Yes, this tour is ideal for first-time visitors to Japan. While this introductory Discovery Tour will visit many of the most iconic locations in Japan, there are also other places you’ll visit that are not the main landmarks. This will provide you with a better idea of what life in Japan is like for locals, as well as visit to some of the main attractions that Japan has to offer.
• What is the difference between this tour and the Japan Autumn & Winter Illuminations Discovery Tour in late November to early December? - The Japan Autumn & Winter Illuminations Discovery Tour is an extension of the Japan Discover Tour. The tour will cover the same cities as the Japan Discovery Tour, but will include Kobe City and other scenic spots for Autumn Foliage and Winter Illuminations throughout the route (the time at some attractions in the Japan Discovery Tour will be shortened to accommodate additional attractions on this tour).
• Small groups of maximum 26 travelers guaranteed. The tour with private mini bus within some cities will still operate with a smaller group of 16 people. If there are 15 people or less, we will be unable to conduct the Standard Tour. For small groups or private tours (available at request), or in some cases larger groups, there may be multiple tour guides based on availability and scheduling.
• Booking Confirmation based on number of guests: The tour will be confirmed within 30 days of the start date of the tour.
• A minimum number of 16 guests in total is required to operate this tour with private bus for local transfers within some cities (transportation from major cities will always be with bullet train). The Tour Manager will be the same throughout the tour with 16 or more guests (with some exceptions in peak seasons).
• Trip Preparation: It is each traveler’s responsibility to have a passport valid for at least six months beyond the dates of travel and a visa if required. All travelers should familiarize themselves with local conditions, such as high altitude or required immunizations, which could affect their health. We recommend you consult with your personal healthcare provider, the Centers for Disease Control and/or the World Health Organization for their recommendations.
• Strict Cancellation Policy:
• We will charge a cancellation fee of 100% if booking is cancelled 7 days or less before event
• We will charge a cancellation fee of 75% if booking is cancelled 14 days or less before event
• We will charge a cancellation fee of 50% if booking is cancelled 30 days or less before event
• We will charge a cancellation fee of 25% if booking is cancelled 45 days or less before event
• How far in advance should I book?
• Preparing a customized tour requires some time, especially if reservations for restaurants or other venues are required. We recommend making a reservation as early as possible. Ideally, it should be 3 months before your travel date, or 1 month before the travel date at the very least. For Custom Tour bookings that are requested with less than 7 days before the travel date, we may not be able to arrange your custom tour in time so your booking request may be cancelled and you will receive a full refund.
• Why am I charged a service fee if I make a cancellation after you started planning the trip?
• Organizing and planning a trip requires a lot of time and if we have made reservations on your behalf, it may be very challenging to cancel some booking requests. Once we receive your booking and your answers from the Custom Tour form, we will begin putting together your Itinerary Sheet and will start arranging your tour guide, buying tickets, making reservations at venues for your tour, etc.
• If you cancel the tour any time after we have sent you the custom Itinerary Sheet, the service fee of 15% of your total tour cost will be nonrefundable.
• Japan Awaits is a licensed tour operator in Japan, with hundreds of registered and vetted tour guides nationwide. We offer tours in any location in Japan and manage all details, including transportation and tickets. Visit Japan Awaits to learn more about our tours or inquire about a custom experience today.
• Availability:
• June 8th – June 19th, 2025
• Jun 15th – Jun 26th, 2025
• July 6th – July 17th, 2025
• Aug 17th – Aug 28th, 2025
• Sept 7th – Sept 18th, 2025
• Oct 19th – Oct 30th, 2025
• Nov 9th – Nov 20th, 2025 (Japan Autumn & Illuminations Discovery Tour)