GRAND TOUR OF JAPAN
Highlights | Sample Itinerary
Highlights
13 DAYS
GRAND TOUR OF JAPAN
Embark on a 13-day adventure through Japan's diverse landscapes, from Hokkaido's charming Otaru to Kyoto's ancient temples. Explore the vibrant seafood markets of Hakodate, soak in the serenity of Hakone's hot springs, and marvel at the iconic Mount Fuji. Immerse yourself in history at Nijo Castle and Nara's Todaiji Temple, witness the "floating gate" of Miyajima Island, and pay respects at Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park. Discover cultural treasures like the Gion district and Matsumoto Castle, indulge in sake tastings and traditional tea ceremonies, and savor delicious local cuisine throughout your journey. This whirlwind tour of breathtaking scenery, rich history, and unique experiences promises an unforgettable Japan adventure.
Sample Itinerary
DAY 1: SAPPORO ARRIVAL
Arrive at New Chitose Airport, meet your guide, and check into your hotel in Sapporo. Welcome dinner at a local restaurant to savor Hokkaido's culinary delights.
DAY 2: OTARU
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Embark on a scenic journey to Otaru, a charming port city known for its picturesque canal. Take a leisurely stroll along the Otaru Canal, admiring the historic buildings and quaint shops. Later, explore The Kitaichi Glass Shop, a haven for exquisite glass art. Immerse yourself in the melodies of the Music Box Museum. Savor a delicious lunch at your own pace.
In the afternoon, visit Tanaka Shuzo, a traditional sake brewery, for a taste of Hokkaido's sake culture. Enjoy some free time to explore Otaru further or relax at the hotel. Enjoy a special course dinner at a restaurant before returning to your hotel.
DAY 3: OTARU - HAKODATE
Fuel up with breakfast at the hotel and check out. Take the train from Susukino Station to Sapporo Station and then to Hakodate Station. Grab lunch at Hakodate Station before heading to Goryoukaku Park, a star-shaped fort offering scenic walks and historical significance. Take the Hakodate Ropeway up Mount Hakodate for breathtaking panoramic views of the city and harbor. Check into your hotel and enjoy some free time or dinner on your own.
DAY 4: HAKODATE - TOKYO
Enjoy breakfast and check out of your Hakodate hotel. Explore the bustling Hakodate Morning Market, a must-visit for fresh seafood and local delicacies. Purchase a bento box (lunch box) for your onward journey. Take the Shinkansen bullet train from Hakodate to Tokyo, stopping at Shin Hakodate Hokuto Station for a quick leg stretch. Check into your Tokyo hotel and enjoy some free time until dinner. Have an authentic Japanese dinner at a restaurant before returning to your hotel.
DAY 5: TOKYO
Have breakfast at the hotel and head to Asakusa. Visit the iconic Sensoji Temple and stroll through the vibrant Nakamise Shopping Street. Travel to Ueno for free time and lunch. Immerse yourself in the grandeur of the Imperial Palace Nijubashi and explore the Imperial Palace Gaien Square. Pay your respects at Meiji Jingu, a Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meij. Return to your hotel and enjoy free time for dinner.
DAY 6: TOKYO - HAKONE
Enjoy breakfast and check out of your Tokyo hotel. Take a bus to MotoHakone Port and board a pirate cruise on Lake Ashi. Ascend Mount Hakone by ropeway to Owakudani, a volcanic valley with steaming hot springs and sulfurous fumes. Enjoy free time and lunch amidst the otherworldly landscape. Visit the Hakone Open Air Museum for stunning sculptures and panoramic views. Check into your Hakone hotel and enjoy a delicious dinner.
DAY 7: HAKONE - MATSUMOTO
Start your day with breakfast at the hotel and check out. Learn about Mount Fuji at the Fujisan World Heritage Centre. Take the Subaru Line to the 5th station of Mount Fuji for breathtaking views (weather permitting). Travel to Matsumoto and visit Matsumoto Castle, one of Japan's oldest wooden castles, with the help of a volunteer guide. Check into your Matsumoto hotel and enjoy free time or dinner on your own.
DAY 8: MATSUMOTO - KYOTO
Fuel up with breakfast and check out of your Matsumoto hotel. Travel to Kanbayashi Onsen and soak in the rejuvenating hot springs. Visit Jigokudani Monkey Park, where wild Japanese macaques bathe in geothermal hot springs. Explore the historic Zenkouji Temple with a volunteer guide and enjoy lunch on your own. Take the train from Nagano Station to Nagoya Station and then to Kyoto Station. Check into your Kyoto hotel and enjoy free time or dinner on your own.
DAY 9: KYOTO
Start the day with breakfast at the hotel. Visit the iconic Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion) and admire its magnificent gold leaf-covered exterior. Immerse yourself in history at Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former residence of the Tokugawa Shogun. Explore the serene Kodaiji Temple and participate in a traditional tea ceremony for a truly cultural experience. Stroll through the charming Kiyomizu-dera temple complex and take in the panoramic views from Sannenzaka street. End the day by exploring the Gion district, known for its geishas and traditional teahouses.
DAY 10: KYOTO – NARA - HIROSHIMA
Bid farewell to Kyoto with breakfast at the hotel and check-out. Visit the majestic Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine, known for its thousands of vermilions torii gates. Explore Nara Park, home to many tame deer and the Todaiji Temple, housing a giant bronze Buddha statue. Take the train from Shin-Osaka Station to Hiroshima Station and check into your hotel. Enjoy free time until dinner at a local restaurant.
DAY 11: HIROSHIMA – MIYAJIMA
Refuel with breakfast at the hotel. Take a ferry from Miyajimaguchi to Miyajima Island and visit the Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its "floating gate" in the sea. Explore the island at your own pace, perhaps enjoying lunch or trying local specialties. Return to Miyajimaguchi and visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park to pay respects to the victims of the atomic bomb. Learn about the history and impact of the bombing at the Peace Memorial Museum.
DAY 12: HIROSHIMA – FUKUOKA - DAZAIFU
Enjoy a final breakfast at the hotel and check out. Take the train from Hiroshima Station to Hakata Station and then to Dazaifu. Visit the Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, dedicated to the scholar Sugawara no Michizane. Discover the serene Koumyou Zenji Temple and explore the Kyushu National Museum for a glimpse into Japanese history and culture. Take a tour of the Ishikura Shuzo sake brewery and learn about the traditional sake-making process. Check into your hotel and relax before another delicious dinner at a local restaurant.
DAY 13: DEPARTURE
Enjoy a final breakfast at the hotel and check out. Enjoy some free time until your transfer to the airport. Depart from Fukuoka Airport and say goodbye to Japan!
Arrive at New Chitose Airport, meet your guide, and check into your hotel in Sapporo. Welcome dinner at a local restaurant to savor Hokkaido's culinary delights.
DAY 2: OTARU
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Embark on a scenic journey to Otaru, a charming port city known for its picturesque canal. Take a leisurely stroll along the Otaru Canal, admiring the historic buildings and quaint shops. Later, explore The Kitaichi Glass Shop, a haven for exquisite glass art. Immerse yourself in the melodies of the Music Box Museum. Savor a delicious lunch at your own pace.
In the afternoon, visit Tanaka Shuzo, a traditional sake brewery, for a taste of Hokkaido's sake culture. Enjoy some free time to explore Otaru further or relax at the hotel. Enjoy a special course dinner at a restaurant before returning to your hotel.
DAY 3: OTARU - HAKODATE
Fuel up with breakfast at the hotel and check out. Take the train from Susukino Station to Sapporo Station and then to Hakodate Station. Grab lunch at Hakodate Station before heading to Goryoukaku Park, a star-shaped fort offering scenic walks and historical significance. Take the Hakodate Ropeway up Mount Hakodate for breathtaking panoramic views of the city and harbor. Check into your hotel and enjoy some free time or dinner on your own.
DAY 4: HAKODATE - TOKYO
Enjoy breakfast and check out of your Hakodate hotel. Explore the bustling Hakodate Morning Market, a must-visit for fresh seafood and local delicacies. Purchase a bento box (lunch box) for your onward journey. Take the Shinkansen bullet train from Hakodate to Tokyo, stopping at Shin Hakodate Hokuto Station for a quick leg stretch. Check into your Tokyo hotel and enjoy some free time until dinner. Have an authentic Japanese dinner at a restaurant before returning to your hotel.
DAY 5: TOKYO
Have breakfast at the hotel and head to Asakusa. Visit the iconic Sensoji Temple and stroll through the vibrant Nakamise Shopping Street. Travel to Ueno for free time and lunch. Immerse yourself in the grandeur of the Imperial Palace Nijubashi and explore the Imperial Palace Gaien Square. Pay your respects at Meiji Jingu, a Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meij. Return to your hotel and enjoy free time for dinner.
DAY 6: TOKYO - HAKONE
Enjoy breakfast and check out of your Tokyo hotel. Take a bus to MotoHakone Port and board a pirate cruise on Lake Ashi. Ascend Mount Hakone by ropeway to Owakudani, a volcanic valley with steaming hot springs and sulfurous fumes. Enjoy free time and lunch amidst the otherworldly landscape. Visit the Hakone Open Air Museum for stunning sculptures and panoramic views. Check into your Hakone hotel and enjoy a delicious dinner.
DAY 7: HAKONE - MATSUMOTO
Start your day with breakfast at the hotel and check out. Learn about Mount Fuji at the Fujisan World Heritage Centre. Take the Subaru Line to the 5th station of Mount Fuji for breathtaking views (weather permitting). Travel to Matsumoto and visit Matsumoto Castle, one of Japan's oldest wooden castles, with the help of a volunteer guide. Check into your Matsumoto hotel and enjoy free time or dinner on your own.
DAY 8: MATSUMOTO - KYOTO
Fuel up with breakfast and check out of your Matsumoto hotel. Travel to Kanbayashi Onsen and soak in the rejuvenating hot springs. Visit Jigokudani Monkey Park, where wild Japanese macaques bathe in geothermal hot springs. Explore the historic Zenkouji Temple with a volunteer guide and enjoy lunch on your own. Take the train from Nagano Station to Nagoya Station and then to Kyoto Station. Check into your Kyoto hotel and enjoy free time or dinner on your own.
DAY 9: KYOTO
Start the day with breakfast at the hotel. Visit the iconic Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion) and admire its magnificent gold leaf-covered exterior. Immerse yourself in history at Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former residence of the Tokugawa Shogun. Explore the serene Kodaiji Temple and participate in a traditional tea ceremony for a truly cultural experience. Stroll through the charming Kiyomizu-dera temple complex and take in the panoramic views from Sannenzaka street. End the day by exploring the Gion district, known for its geishas and traditional teahouses.
DAY 10: KYOTO – NARA - HIROSHIMA
Bid farewell to Kyoto with breakfast at the hotel and check-out. Visit the majestic Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine, known for its thousands of vermilions torii gates. Explore Nara Park, home to many tame deer and the Todaiji Temple, housing a giant bronze Buddha statue. Take the train from Shin-Osaka Station to Hiroshima Station and check into your hotel. Enjoy free time until dinner at a local restaurant.
DAY 11: HIROSHIMA – MIYAJIMA
Refuel with breakfast at the hotel. Take a ferry from Miyajimaguchi to Miyajima Island and visit the Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its "floating gate" in the sea. Explore the island at your own pace, perhaps enjoying lunch or trying local specialties. Return to Miyajimaguchi and visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park to pay respects to the victims of the atomic bomb. Learn about the history and impact of the bombing at the Peace Memorial Museum.
DAY 12: HIROSHIMA – FUKUOKA - DAZAIFU
Enjoy a final breakfast at the hotel and check out. Take the train from Hiroshima Station to Hakata Station and then to Dazaifu. Visit the Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, dedicated to the scholar Sugawara no Michizane. Discover the serene Koumyou Zenji Temple and explore the Kyushu National Museum for a glimpse into Japanese history and culture. Take a tour of the Ishikura Shuzo sake brewery and learn about the traditional sake-making process. Check into your hotel and relax before another delicious dinner at a local restaurant.
DAY 13: DEPARTURE
Enjoy a final breakfast at the hotel and check out. Enjoy some free time until your transfer to the airport. Depart from Fukuoka Airport and say goodbye to Japan!
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