Plan your trip in Japan with us!

Want to visit Japan but don’t feel comfortable traveling alone? Then why not join us? I work for a travel agency in Tokyo and we can organize a customized, hassle-free vacation for you. On this tour, we’ll explore classic Japan, from the sprawling metropolis of Tokyo to the more traditional city of Kyoto, the city of temples.

Classic Tour: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka
Important Information
Extra Activities

Classic Tour: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka

Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo

Upon arrival in Tokyo, our private driver will escort you to your hotel, and you’ll have the afternoon and evening free to relax or explore the city on your own.

Day 2: Tokyo, Asakusa, Odaiba, Team Lab Planet

Our English-speaking guide will meet you at the hotel to start the day in Asakusa, one of the city’s historic districts. Travel will be by public transportation, so it is vey important to wear comfortable shoes and clothing. Our first stop is Senso-ji Temple, one of the most popular temples among tourists and locals alike. After visiting the temple, there will be time for a stroll along Nakamise (the pedestrian shopping street) and, of course, a chance to try some local street food. Next, you’ll embark on a short cruise along the Sumida River; you’ll sail through the city and arrive directly at Odaiba, Tokyo’s man-made island. From here, the views of the city are exceptional. There will be more free time for shopping, then you’ll board the Yurikamome monorail and reach Team Lab Planet, one of the city’s most beautiful digital museums. After the visit, you’ll return to the hotel.

Day 3: Tokyo Shibuya, Meiji Jingu, Harajuku

You will depart with our English-speaking guide for Meiji Jingu, an important shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji. After visiting the park and shrine, there will be time to stroll along the famous Takeshita Dori (Harajuku), the shopping street for gamers and cosplayers. The afternoon will be dedicated to visiting the dynamic Shibuya district and its famous and busy intersection. Here too, there will be free time for shopping, and those who wish can also visit the PARCO shopping center with its Pokemon store and Nintendo Store. At the end of the day, your guide will take you back to your hotel, but if you wish, you can also stay in Shibuya to enjoy the evening at a bar and return to your hotel on your own.

Day 4: Ueno Park, Ameyoko Market, Akihabara

Continuing with your guide, you’ll explore Ueno Park, one of the city’s most famous parks. Inside the park, you can visit Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines; weather permitting, it’s also a pleasant stop at one of the cafés for a coffee outdoors. Around lunchtime, you’ll reach Ameyoko Market, where you can sample street food and shop for all kinds of items. In the afternoon, you’ll visit Akihabara, the city’s electronics district. This area of the city is particularly beloved by anime and video game fans, but not only: at Yodobashi Camera, a large electronics store, you can find some interesting purchases featuring the latest in technology.

Day 5: Mount Fuji, Oshino Hakkai, Arakurayama

Ready for a new destination? Your driver and guide will be waiting for you in the hotel lobby; today you’ll leave Tokyo. Your first stop will be Lake Kawaguchi; here you’ll embark on a short cruise on the lake and, on clear days, you’ll be able to admire the majestic Mount Fuji. After the tour (about 25 minutes), you’ll head to the second stop of the day: Arakurayama Park, famous for its views of Mount Fuji and the fiery red pagoda perched atop the hill. Around lunchtime, you’ll finally reach the small village of Oshino Hakkai, where you can enjoy local specialties, fruit, and street food. In the late afternoon, you’ll be taken to your hotel in the area, where you’ll spend the night.

Day 6: Owakudani, lake Ashi, Hakone Shrine, Kyoto

Accompanied by your guide and driver, you’ll set off for Owakudani. You’ll board the cable car that will take you up to the volcanic valley and observe the steam and sulfur springs bubbling up from the ground. You’ll then take the cable car back to Togendai and board the pirate ship that crosses Lake Ashi. The journey takes about 25 minutes; your driver will be waiting to escort you to the last stop of the day: Hakone Shrine. After your visit, you’ll reach Odawara Station and board the Shinkansen, the bullet train that will take you to Kyoto. Arrive at your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Day 7: Kyoto, Higashiyama, Gion

In the morning, our guide will meet you at your hotel, and together you’ll head to Higashiyama to visit Kiyomizudera Temple and stroll through the small shopping streets of Sannenzaka and Ninnenzaka. There will be a chance to shop for souvenirs and stop for lunch. You’ll then walk through Maruyama Park to Yasaka Pagoda and Yasaka Shrine. In the late afternoon, you’ll stroll through the charming Gion district and, if you’re lucky, you might encounter a geiko or maiko. Return to the hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Day 8: Arashiyama, Bamboo forest, Tenryu-ji Temple

In the morning, your guide will accompany you to the Arashiyama district to visit Tenryu-ji Temple and its gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their beauty. You’ll then visit the bamboo forest and stroll along the main street for shopping and local food. In the afternoon, you can experience a tea ceremony and wear a kimono, the traditional japanese dress (the tea ceremony must be booked in advance). After the ceremony, you’ll return to the hotel and have the evening at leisure.

Day 9: Fujimi Inari Taisha, Nara, Osaka

Today you’ll leave Kyoto; your guide and driver will meet you in the lobby and you’ll head to visit the shrine of 10,000 red torii gates: Fujimi Inari Taisha. You’ll explore the main shrine and walk through the forest where hundreds of other smaller shrines nestle. Around lunchtime, you’ll hop back in the car to reach Nara Park, where you can enjoy feeding the deer that have roamed freely for centuries. Finally, you’ll visit Todai-ji Temple and the Great Buddha of Nara. In the late afternoon, you’ll reach your hotel in Osaka and have the evening free.

foresta-bambù1 — Torii gates at Fujimi Inari

Day 10: Osaka, Castles park, Dotonbori

Your last day in Japan; your guide will accompany you to visit Osaka Castle Park, followed by a visit to Dotonbori, the famous shopping street in the heart of the city. Here, you’ll have free time to explore, do some last-minute shopping, and sample the street food along the canal near the river. You’ll return to your hotel in the late afternoon.

Day 11: Return home

Your driver will meet you in your hotel lobby and take you to Kansai International Airport. From there, you’ll board your flight back home on your own. Enjoy your trip!

Important information

All activities offered on this tour can be modified according to the client’s requests. A private car with driver is only available when specified; otherwise, all transportation will be by trains, bus and/or on foot. Our agency does not book flights or airline tickets; this is the client’s responsibility. The hotels we select are always centrally located and convenient for travel; we always look for budget accommodations, but for those looking for luxury hotels, just ask us. Please note that most hotel rooms in Japan are very small.

Extra activities

The agency I work for handles on-site ticket bookings (such as the bullet train, Team Lab, Universal Studios, etc.). Many activities require advance reservations. Here’s what you can do: