Day 01: TOKYO

• Arrive in Japan, clear customs procedures

• Transfer to your hotel by shared shuttle bus

• Afternoon at leisure to relax or explore Tokyo

• Check-in at the hotel usually from afternoon.; early check-in requires booking an extra night

• Meet your guide in the afternoon for tour details

• Evening free to rest or explore the city independently

• The guide may adjust the itinerary to enhance your experience

Day 02: TOKYO

• Morning guided tour: Zojoji Temple for Tokyo Tower views

• Visit Shibuya Crossing and Meiji Shrine

• Bus ride along Omotesando Avenue, see Imperial Palace gardens and Nijubashi Bridge

• Drive past Akihabara (Electric Town) and Kokugikan Sumo Arena

• Explore Asakusa with Sensoji Temple and Nakamise Street

• Lunch included at a local restaurant

• Evening metro ride and dinner in Shinjuku; small groups use a Hop-On Hop-Off bus

Day 03: TOKYO, MOUNT FUJI, KAWAGUCHIKO

• Morning departure from Tokyo to Mount Fuji region

• Visit Kawaguchiko, Arakurayama Sengen Park, and Fuji Sengen Shrine

• Boat ride on Kawaguchiko Lake

• Afternoon ascent to Mount Fuji’s Fifth Station (2,305 m)

• Return to Kawaguchiko by evening., check into a Ryokan (traditional inn)

• Opportunity to enjoy an onsen (public bath) at the Ryokan

• Dinner included at the Ryokan

Day 04: KAWAGUCHIKO, IYASHI NO SATO NENBA, SHIRAITO FALLS, TOYOTA, KYOTO

• Depart along scenic Kawaguchi and Saiko Lakes

• Explore Iyashi no Sato Nenba open-air museum

• Visit Shiraito Falls, 20-meter cascades

• Lunch break at a highway service area

• Admission to the Toyota Museum 

• Arrive in Kyoto for hotel check-in

• Evening at leisure in Kyoto

Day 05: KYOTO

• Full-day Kyoto tour: Arashiyama area with Togetsukyo Bridge

• Visit Tenryuji Temple and stroll through the bamboo forest

• Explore Fushimi Inari Shrine, Imperial Palace, and Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion)

• Lunch break in the city

• Transfer to Gion, Kyoto’s lively geisha district

• Time to explore Gion at leisure

• Return to hotel independently (taxi advice from guide)

Day 06: KYOTO, TSUMAGO, MATSUMOTO, NAGANO

• Departure from Kyoto via scenic rural landscapes

• Arrive in Tsumago for free time and lunch

• Depart for Matsumoto

• Visit Matsumoto Castle, “The Crow,” and explore the town

• Depart for Nagano

• Arrive in Nagano and check into hotel

• Evening free in Nagano

Day 07: NAGANO, MONKEY PARK, KUSATSU, IKAHO

• Morning visit to Zenkoji Temple with Gomakuyo ceremony

• Depart for Monkey Park to see bathing macaques (lunch included)

• Depart through mountain and volcanic scenery

• Arrive in Kusatsu to explore the onsen park

• Depart for Ikaho

• Arrival and check into Ryokan in Ikaho

• Dinner included at Ryokan, traditional Japanese bath optional

Day 08: IKAHO, NIKKO, SENDAI

• Depart from Ikaho Onsen

• Arrive in Nikko to visit Toshogu Shrine, Hall of the Crying Dragon, Taiyuinbyo Mausoleum

• Stroll along Kanmangafuchi Abyss, lunch and free time in Nikko

• Depart for Sendai

• Arrive in Sendai, hotel check-in

• Evening free to explore Sendai’s bustling center

• Dinner at your leisure in lively local districts

Day 09: SENDAI, MATSUSHIMA, HIRAIZUMI, MORIOKA

• Depart for Matsushima

• Tea house visit with bay views, followed by a 50-minute cruise

• Lunch included before departure from Matsushima

• Visit Hiraizumi’s Takkoku no Iwaya, Chusonji, and Motsuji with Zen ceremony

• Depart for Morioka

• Arrival and hotel check-in

• Evening at leisure in Morioka

Day 10: MORIOKA, HIROSAKI, AOMORI, HAKODATE

• Depart for northbound

• Arrive in Hirosaki for visit to castle and cherry tree park

• Depart for Aomori

• Nebuta Museum visit, lunch included

• Ferry to Hokkaido

• Arrival in Hakodate, evening free

• Explore Hakodate’s pedestrian-friendly historic center

Day 11: HAKODATE, ONUMA, NOBORIBETSU, SAPPORO

• Morning visit to Hakodate fish market and Goryokaku Tower

• Depart for Onuma for scenic stroll and lunch

• Afternoon in Noboribetsu at Jigokudani (Hell Valley) and Lake Oyunuma foot bath

• Depart for Sapporo

• Arrival and hotel check-in

• Evening at leisure in Sapporo

• Enjoy the vibrant city atmosphere

Day 12: SAPPORO, HILL OF BUDDHA, OTARU, SAPPORO

• Sapporo tour: Clock Tower, Odori Park, TV Tower, Hokkaido Jingu Shrine with Kito prayer

• Visit Hill of Buddha and Moai statues

• Depart for Otaru

• Lunch in Otaru’s canal-side historic area

• Return to Sapporo

• Afternoon free in Sapporo

• Evening at your leisure to enjoy local cuisine and nightlife

Day 13: SAPPORO, END OF TOUR

• After breakfast, check out of hotel

• Independent transfers and farewells

• Tour ends with warm memories of Japan