Japan Discovery Tour (12 Days)
On this Japan Discovery Tour (12 days) Join-in small group experience, visit the most iconic locations in Japan that is the ideal trip for first-time travelers with an English-speaking tour guide. Stay in 3 – 4 Star overnight accommodations and travel in style with Shinkansen (bullet-train) with combination of private bus or vehicle*. This tour is for a small group of 16 to 26 people (for a private experience for your group only, visit the Japan Discovery Private Tour page).
ItineraryDay 1: Day 1 – Depart for TokyoPass By: Haneda Airport International Terminal Observation Deck, Haneda Airport, Ota 144-0041 Tokyo Prefecture
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.
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 2: Day 2: Arrive in TokyoPass By: Haneda Airport International Terminal Observation Deck, Haneda Airport, Ota 144-0041 Tokyo Prefecture
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
Meals included:
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No accommodation included on this day.
Day 3: Day 3: Tokyo (Tsukiji Fish Market, Sushi Demonstration, Akihabara, Ginza)Stop At: Tsukiji Fish Market, 4-14-2, Tsukiji, Chuo 104-0045 Tokyo Prefecture
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. At night, meet your Tour Manager and the rest of the group at a designated izakaya, a Japanese style pub, where you will have dinner.
Overnight: Tokyo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Duration: 10 hours
Meals included:
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No accommodation included on this day.
Day 4: Day 4: Hakone (Hakone National Park, Itchiku Kubota Art Museum, Mt. Fuji area)Stop At: Itchiku Kubota Art Museum, 2255 Kawaguchi, Fujikawaguchiko-machi, Minamitsuru-gun 401-0304 Yamanashi Prefecture
Day 4: Hakone (Hakone National Park, Itchiku Kubota Art Museum, Mt. Fuji area)
On this early morning, we’ll drive south to Hakone, known for its breathtaking views of Mt. Fuji. Along the way, we’ll stop and visit the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum, a museum located near Lake Kawaguchi and showcases some of the textile artist’s kimono creations with various themes of nature and the seasons. Continue along the scenic road to the gondola which takes you on the Hakone Ropeway overlooking Owakudani Valley’s extraordinary volcanic zone. Eggs are cooked in the sulfur-rich hot pools here and are said to prolong a peron’s life by seven years. Later, take a cruise around the peaceful Lake Ashi. Spend the last part of the day enjoying the drive along Cedar Avenue, a historic site of Hakone Old Tokaido Road that linked Tokyo and Kyoto during the Edo Period. We return to Tokyo, where you’ll enjoy sampling different foods on a local walking food tour.
*Due to local conditions, the Mt. Fuji sightseeing might be altered. Details will be provided locally by your Tour Manager.
Overnight: Tokyo
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
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No accommodation included on this day.
Day 5: Day 5: Tokyo (Imperial Palace, Asakusa, Meiji Shrine, Harajuku) Stop At: The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace (Edo Castle Ruin), 1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda 100-0001 Tokyo Prefecture
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
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
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No accommodation included on this day.
Day 6: Day 6: Kanazawa (Kenrokuen Garden, Kagaonsen Ryokan Experience)Stop At: Kanazawa Castle, 1-1 Marunouchi, Kanazawa 920-0937 Ishikawa Prefecture
Begin this early day by boarding the famous Shinkansen (bullet-train) that takes you to Kanazawa, known for its well-preserved Edo-era districts with Samurai residences, Geisha houses, and lavish gardens. Visit Kenrokuen Garden, celebrated for its classic landscape designs, before continuing to the Nomura Family House, where Samurai once lived. After the Kanazawa City tour, enjoy the evening and overnight stay at a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) at Kaga Onsen, a highly-rated onsen destination with four hot spring towns just south of Kanazawa. Here, you’ll dress in yukata (casual kimono), enjoy a kaiseki dinner (traditional Japanese multi-course meal with seasonal foods) and bathe in an onsen (hot spring spa). The overnight stay at the ryokan will consist of an authentic Japanese room with tatami mats and sleep on a traditional futon mattress bed.
Overnight: Kaga Onsen
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
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No accommodation included on this day.
Day 7: Day 7: Shirakawa-go and TakayamaStop At: The Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go Gassho Style Houses, Ogimachi, Shirakawa-mura, Ono-gun 501-5627 Gifu Prefecture
From Kaga Onsen, 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. Have lunch at a local restaurant before driving 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 Takayama Jinya, the historic government headquarters under the Tokugawa shogunate that has been converted to a museum. Then, visit the Yatai Kaikan Hall housing intricate hand-carved floats used only for major bi-annual festivals. Enjoy free time for dinner. In the evening, arrive at a scenic mountain resort for an overnight stay. Enjoy dinner with the famous hida beef that is renowned in this area.
Overnight: Takayama
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
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No accommodation included on this day.
Day 8: Day 8: Takayama, Nagoya, Kyoto (Bullet-train to Kyoto)Stop At: Takayama Jinya, 1-5 Hachikemmachi, Takayama 506-0012 Gifu Prefecture
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 morning market along the Miya River. 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
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
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No accommodation included on this day.
Day 9: Day 9: Kyoto (Kiyomizudera Temple, Tea Ceremony, Rickshaw)Stop At: Kiyomizu-dera Temple, 1-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0862 Kyoto Prefecture
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 Kiyomizudera Temple (Pure Water Temple), the most celebrated temple in Kyoto. Have lunch in this area on your own before meeting your Tour Manager 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
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
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No accommodation included on this day.
Day 10: Day 10: Kyoto (Arashiyama, Nijo Castle, Rickshaw, Kimono Dressing)Stop At: Arashiyama, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto 616-0007 Kyoto Prefecture
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 before taking a ride on a traditional Japanese rickshaw. Later, visit the Kinkaku-ji Temple (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
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
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No accommodation included on this day.
Day 11: Day 11: Kyoto, Nara (Imperial Nara, Great Buddha Statue, Deer Park, Kasuga Grand Shrine, Maiko Dinner)Stop At: Heijo Palace Museum, 2-9-1 Sakicho, Nara 630-8577 Nara Prefecture
Wake up early to travel by private bus to the 8th century Imperial capital of Nara, known as Japan’s first permanent capital with some of Japan’s oldest and largest temples that are considered UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Arrive at Todai-ji Temple (Great Eastern Temple), to see the great Daibutsu (Great Buddha) bronze statue. Later, have fun at the Nara Deer Park to see and feed the 1,000 tame and wild deer with shika senbei (deer crackers). At the east of Nara Park, you will visit the 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. This afternoon, return to Kyoto and enjoy some leisure time before the Maiko Dinner (this is also the Farewell Dinner), showcasing the most traditional dance performances of Geisha.
Overnight: Kyoto
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
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No accommodation included on this day.
Day 12: Day 12: Depart Japan from OsakaPass By: Osaka City Air Terminal, 1-4-1 Minatomachi, Naniwaku, Osaka 556-0017 Osaka Prefecture
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
Meals included:
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No accommodation included on this day.
Informacion Adicional
"Not wheelchair accessible"
"Stroller accessible"
"Near public transportation"
"Infants must sit on laps"
"Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level"
"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 Manager 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, transportation within the cities will be public transportation instead. 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). If we have 15 or less guests confirmed for this tour, the tour will still proceed, but with public transportation only (no private bus as local transport). There will be different Tour Managers within different regions/areas on your tour in Japan for tours with 15 or less guests (three Tour Managers in the three different regions of Kanto, Chubu, and Kansai)."
"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"
"Availability: November 27th – December 8th, 2022"
"December 18th – December 29th, 2022"
"January 15th – January 26th, 2023"
"February 12th – February 23rd, 2023"
"March 5th – March 16th, 2023"
"March 19th – March 30th, 2023 (Cherry Blossoms Discovery Tour)"
"April 9th – April 20th, 2023"
"May 14th – May 25th, 2023"
"June 4th – June 15th, 2023/ June 18th – June 29th, 2023"
"July 2nd – July 13th, 2023/ July 16th – July 27th, 2023/ July 30th – August 10th, 2023"
"August 6 – August 17th, 2023 / August 20th – August 31st, 2023"
"September 3rd – September 14th, 2023"
"October 8th – October 19th, 2023/ October 22nd – November 2nd, 2023"
"November 5th – November 16th, 2023"
"November 26th – December 7th, 2023 (Japan Autumn & Illuminations Discovery Tour)"
"December 10th – December 21st, 2023""
"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."
"This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers"
"Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability"
Start Time:
12 Days Private Group
8/10/2023 - 12/31/202412 Days: Join-in Group
8/18/2023 - 12/31/2024
Duration: 12 Days
Start location: Tokyo, Japan
Cancellations and refunds:
All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties.