Departure flight to Tokyo.

Arrive in the vibrant city of Tokyo, the economic capital of Japan and the world's largest megalopolis with over 40 million people. 

As you leave the airport, you'll find our local representatives directing you to your shuttle to transfer you to your Tokyo hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax or start exploring the city. In the evening, explore the sophisticated Roppongi district for an unforgettable nightlife experience with its refined restaurants and cocktail bars.

Breakfast at the hotel. Around 9:00 AM, meet your guide and begin your exploration of Tokyo like a local by using the city’s efficient public transportation network.

Your first stop will be the Asakusa district also known as the old town, which is home to Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple: Senso-ji (outside visit). Afterwards, you will pass by the Kokugikan, the main venue for sumo competitions. Here, you will have the opportunity to see a ‘dohyo’ up close, the famous ring used for sumo wrestling in Japan. In the afternoon, your guide will take you to a local restaurant for a delicious sushi lunch, and then you will head to the Tsukiji Outer Market, a culinary paradise where visitors can taste fresh products.

Enjoy a guided walk through the famous Ginza district, a luxury shopping haven adorned with art galleries and numerous high-end restaurants and cafes, earning it the nickname "Japanese Champs-Élysées." Towards the end of the day, you will visit the Shibuya district, known as one of the most popular areas with numerous restaurants, karaoke, and bars. Overnight in Tokyo. (Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner)

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, you will have a free day to continue exploring Tokyo. Being a vast metropolis, Tokyo is composed of different and unique neighborhoods. You can start your day with a visit to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, a 51-story, 243-meter-high building that offers breathtaking views of Tokyo, followed by a stroll in Harajuku, a fashion mecca. You may continue your visit to Omotesando, known for its architectural elegance, or Odaiba, an artificial island in Tokyo Bay. Dinner on your own and overnight in Tokyo. (Breakfast)

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, you will head to Kawaguchiko, a charming mountain town located at the foot of the majestic Mount Fuji.

In the morning, you will explore Tokyo, with a stop by bus in front of the Imperial Palace, the main residence of the Emperor; while it is not possible to visit, the majestic gates in front of Nijubashi Bridge are worth seeing. Next, you will visit the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum, where you’ll have the opportunity to discover, through a culinary activity, the secrets behind making one of Japan’s most famous dishes. The activity will conclude with lunch.

Upon your arrival in Kawaguchiko, you will go on a cruise on Lake Kawaguchi, one of the five lakes in the Mount Fuji region; this lake offers a stunning view of the iconic mountain. You will then enjoy a walk along the lakeshore to admire the magnificent Mount Fuji, the highest peak in Japan and a sacred symbol for the Japanese people. Around 5:00 PM, you will check in to your hotel. Dinner and overnight in Kawaguchiko. (Breakfast–Lunch–Dinner)

Breakfast at the hotel, then you will head to Matsumoto, a city located in the heart of the Japanese Alps. Upon arrival, you will visit Matsumoto Castle, designated as a national treasure, which offers beautiful views of the surrounding pond and the Japanese Alps. You will then visit a miso factory, an essential element of Japanese cuisine, where you will learn more about this ingredient. A miso-based lunch will be served at the factory.

Around 1:15 PM, departure for the city of Azumino, where you will visit the Daio Wasabi Farm. This farm, which has been cultivating wasabi for centuries, is the largest in all of Japan. You will then be transferred to Takayama, an old feudal town nestled in the Japanese Alps, known for its rich historical heritage and traditional buildings that preserve the atmosphere of the Edo period. Dinner at leisure and overnight in Takayama. (Breakfast–Lunch)

*Please note that the climb to the castle is very physical, requiring you to remove your shoes and carry them yourself in a plastic bag provided, as the steps are very high, small, and slippery. We do not recommend the climb for people with mobility difficulties.

Breakfast at the hotel, then depart for the Miyagawa market, where you will discover local products and find the famous amulets of the region: sarubobo. Visit Takayama Jinya, the old town, and its iconic Sannomachi street. Next, you will visit a sake brewery, where you will learn about the brewing process, followed by a tasting at the end of the visit.

Around 12:00 PM, depart for Shirakawago, a village crossed by a river and surrounded by rice fields, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Take a stroll through the village of Shirakawago, where you will find the main "Gassho Zukuri" houses, wooden homes with steep, thatched roofs shaped like triangles. Enjoy a delicious lunch featuring Hida beef.

In the afternoon, you will have free time to enjoy the landscapes and browse the souvenir shops. You will then visit the Kanda House, a magnificent example of Gassho-zukuri architecture with 160 years of history. You will be able to observe numerous inscriptions left on the roof's beams, showcasing the meticulous craftsmanship of the time, before heading to Gifu for an overnight stay. Dinner at a local restaurant. (Breakfast–Lunch–Dinner)

** Please note that if the brewery or the Kanda House is closed, an equivalent visit will be offered.

Breakfast at the hotel, then depart for a visit to the Geku Shrine, dedicated to the goddess Toyouke, the protector of food and dwellings. Next, you will explore Okage Yokocho, a district created to celebrate gratitude. This place invites visitors to wander through its lively streets, lined with small shops and traditional restaurants. Lunch at a local restaurant, followed by a walk around Meoto Iwa, the famous sacred rocks connected by a shimenawa (a sacred braided rice straw rope marking a holy site in the Shinto tradition).

Around 3:00 PM, you will take the road once more to Kii-Katsuura, where you will spend the night. In the early evening, enjoy a Kaiseki dinner, a sequence of culinary art dishes such as soups, sashimi, fish, meat, and more. Overnight in a Japanese-style room at Kii-Katsuura. (Breakfast–Lunch–Dinner)

Early in the morning, you will meet your guide to visit the Kii-Katsuura market, the largest supplier of tuna in Japan. You will then return to your hotel for a savory breakfast before heading to visit the Kumano Nachi Taisha. This remarkable site will allow you to trace the history of the harmonious coexistence of Japan's two main religions, before contemplating the country’s tallest waterfall: Ichinotaki, also known as Nachinotaki.

Around 12:00 PM, you will enjoy a lunch of local specialties by the river. Then, you will head towards Kumano Kodo, the famous pilgrimage route in the heart of the Kii Mountains. A long stone staircase will lead you to the sacred grounds of Kumano Hongu Taisha. In the evening, you will take the road once again to Mount Koya (Koya-san), a renowned Buddhist pilgrimage site famous for its magnificent temples and mystical atmosphere, which serves as both the starting and ending point of the 88-temple pilgrimage route in Shikoku. Enjoy a vegan dinner and overnight stay at the monastery in a Japanese-style room. (Breakfast–Lunch–Dinner)

**Please note that you will need to pack an overnight bag for your stay at the monastery, as larger luggage will remain in the bus storage.

At sunrise, the monastery's gong will invite you to attend the morning prayer (optional) before enjoying a vegan breakfast. You will then take a walk through the Okuno-in cemetery. Surrounded by a forest of centuries-old cypress trees stretching as far as the eye can see, this site is also home to the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi, a majestic pavilion marking the starting point of the famous 88-temple pilgrimage in Shikoku.

Around 9:30 AM, you will depart for Nara, a city founded in the 8th century. Upon arrival, you’ll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. You'll begin your tour of Nara with a visit to Todai-ji, an immense complex of religious buildings, the most remarkable of which is the Daibutsu-den, the tallest wooden structure in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll then take a walk through Nara Park, where you’ll encounter freely roaming deer.

Afterwards, you will head to Osaka to explore the lively Dotombori district, well known for its many shops and vibrant nightlife. Around 6:00 PM, you'll have the opportunity to dress in traditional Japanese attire before dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Osaka. (Breakfast–Lunch–Dinner)

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, you will leave Osaka and head to Okayama with a light travel bag (your suitcase will be returned the next day at your hotel in Kyoto). Upon arrival, you will visit Korakuen Garden, considered one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan. Built around a large pond, this stunning landscaped garden features grassy lawns, a bamboo grove, rice fields, and tea plantations.

Lunch at a local restaurant, then departure for the famous city of Hiroshima, known as the first target of the atomic bomb in 1945 and now a symbol of peace. You will visit the Peace Memorial Park, along with its memorial and museum, which retrace the timeline of this world-changing event, minute by minute. Dinner at leisure and overnight in Hiroshima. (Breakfast–Lunch)

Breakfast at the hotel, then departure around 8:00 AM to the pier, where you will take a ferry to Miyajima, an island with a unique atmosphere and legendary beauty, considered one of the three most scenic spots in Japan. According to Shinto tradition, Miyajima is the island of the gods, so much so that birth and death are forbidden there. Enjoy a walking tour of the village before visiting the magnificent Itsukushima Shrine, famous for its “floating” torii gate. At high tide, the base of the gate is submerged in water, creating the illusion that the entire structure is floating on the sea.

Lunch at a local restaurant. You will then return by ferry to Miyajimaguchi to catch the train to Hiroshima, followed by a Shinkansen (high-speed train) ride to Kyoto. In the late afternoon, join the group for an introduction to the beautiful city of Kyoto. You will walk through the lively Shijo Karasuma district, then make your way to Pontocho, a narrow alley running alongside the Kamo River. With its many wooden houses, boutiques, geisha houses, and tightly packed restaurants, the street offers a true journey back in time. Continue to the Gion district, historically associated with the world of geishas, known as Geiko in Kyoto. Stop for a photo in front of Yasaka Jinja Shrine, located at the heart of the neighborhood. Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight stay in Kyoto. (Breakfast–Lunch–Dinner)

After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll meet your guide to continue your exploration of Japan’s former capital. Your first visit of the day will be the magnificent Fushimi Inari Shrine. This iconic site reveals its beauty through a scenic walk along a forested valley, where you’ll pass through over a thousand vibrant red torii gates. You will then have some free time at the Kyoto Handicraft Center to do a bit of shopping, before enjoying lunch at a local restaurant.

Next, your guide will take you to the Nishiki Market, a feast for the senses. Dating back to the 14th century, the market is renowned for the exceptional quality of its products, making it a favorite destination for local food lovers and top chefs alike.

Later, you’ll visit Kinkaku-ji, commonly known as the Golden Pavilion, famous for its stunning gold leaf-covered façades. Towards the end day, enjoy a walk through the Arashiyama district in western Kyoto, including a peaceful stroll through the famed Bamboo Grove. Return to the hotel for your final dinner. Overnight stay in Kyoto. (Breakfast–Lunch–Dinner)

After breakfast, meet your shuttle located right next to your hotel at the time indicated by our local representatives and transfer to Osaka Airport for your return flight. (Breakfast)

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*** Please note that traditional Japanese rooms have a futon on a tatami floor. During your overnight stay at the monastery, the bathroom will be shared. 

*** If you wish to take this package on a single-occupancy basis, please note that when staying in Japanese rooms, you will be paired with one or two people of the same gender. (maximum 3)