Bamba TripsJapan TripsExplorer Trips9 Day Independent Japan

Japan

Tailor-Made

9 Day Independent Japan

9 days

Trip Snapshot

Ready to say Konnichiwa to Japan? Famed for futuristic cities, ancient traditions, drool-worthy food, and outstanding natural beauty, Japan is a country that will bring all your senses to life and send you home wanting more. Over 9 days visit Tokyo, Odawara, Hakone, Kyoto, and Osaka, where you’ll see the most preserved historical buildings, including 1000-year Buddhist temples and castles. This itinerary provides a blend of historical sites, natural wonders, and modern Japanese culture, ideal for a comprehensive and enriching travel experience.

Trip Type:Tailor-Made

Fully customized trips designed around your unique interests and needs.

Travel Theme:Explorer Trips

Go off the beaten path and dive into real, raw adventure.

Departure City:Tokyo

End City:Osaka

Operated in:English / Spanish

Physical Difficulty:Light

Travel Styles: Meet local people.

Things you will do

Tokyo - Tokyo is the capital of Japan and one of the largest urban area in the world.

Hakone - Odawara - a city located southwest of Tokyo and who does not enjoy much reputation

Kyoto - a beautiful vibrant city where modern life meets old traditional Japan

Osaka - the central metropolis of the Kansai region and the largest of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto trio

Itinerary

Day 1: Tokyo Arrival: Embracing the Vibrancy of Japan's Capital

Day 2: Panoramic Tokyo a Day Bus Tour with Bay Cruise (Bus Tour)

Day 3: Tokyo Leisure Day: Embrace the City's Charm at Your Own Pace

Day 4: Hakone free pass (2 days)

Day 5: Transfer from Hakone to Kyoto: Seamless Travel with the Hakone 2-Day Pass

Meals

None

Accommodation

THE POCKET HOTEL Kyoto-Shijokarasuma

Begin your day by checking out from your accommodation in Hakone. Take a moment to enjoy the serene surroundings and bid farewell to the scenic beauty of this mountainous region.

With the Hakone 2-Day Pass in hand, you have the flexibility to explore Hakone's attractions at your own pace. Depending on your interests, you can choose from a variety of transportation options included in the pass, such as the Hakone Tozan Train, Hakone Tozan Cable Car, Hakone Ropeway, Hakone Sightseeing Cruise, and Hakone Tozan Bus.

When you're ready to depart from Hakone, use your Hakone 2-Day Pass to access the included transportation services for your journey to Kyoto. Whether you choose to travel by train, bus, or a combination of both, the pass provides convenience and flexibility for your transfer.

Upon arrival in Kyoto, make your way to your accommodation and settle in for your stay in Japan's cultural capital. Take some time to relax and unwind after your journey, and perhaps freshen up before heading out to explore the city.

For over a thousand years Kyoto was the capital of Japan and it is probably the best preserved of all its cities. It’s a beautiful vibrant city where modern life meets old traditional Japan. The city is surrounded by the mountains of Western Honshu and is a perfect base when visiting the Kansai region. The city is rich in heritage sites and culture, it has a great variety and number of restaurants and is fairly easy to navigate around. Its rich culture and heritage permeates from each and every architecture and customs. Kyoto has thousands of temples and shrines, including the spectacular golden Kinkaku-ji, Ryoanji with its Zen garden, the popular Kiyomizu-dera, Sanjusangendo with its life-size statues of Kannon and the more tranquil Tenryu-ji in Arashiyama. Also in Arashiyama, there is the famous Bamboo Grove. A wonderful thing to do in Kyoto is a walking tour of Gion, one of the main Geisha districts. Its wooden buildings and lamps create the perfect ambiance. Kyoto is one of the greatest historical cities in the world, filled with temples, shrines, teahouses and imperial residences. Kyoto is a city steeped in culture and heritage it’s a must for anyone with an interest in Japanese history and culture.

Day 6: Kyoto Day Tour (Tenryu-ji Temple, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kinkaku-ji Temple, Fushimi Inari Taisha

Meals

None

Accommodation

THE POCKET HOTEL Kyoto-Shijokarasuma

☆See Kyoto’s most famous sites in one day on comfortable bus tour.

☆About 2 hours free times in Arashiyama, Bamboo Forest area.

☆Multi-language audio guide in English, Chinese and Korean are available on board.

Operating period:

Plan

<BF> Kyoto Day Tour (Tenryu-ji Temple, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kinkaku-ji Temple, Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine)

★With English・Chinese・Korean audio guide★

Duration: about 6 hours

*Lunch is not included in the tour. Instead passengers can enjoy their lunch around Arashiyama area of their own choice.

[You will ride together with the BE course.]

9:50 Meet at JR Kyoto Station Karasuma Exit Kyoto Sightseeing Bus Terminal

* Please arrive at least 20 minutes before departure and show your voucher either by mobile or by paper device for exchange boarding ticket. Please give yourself extra time to exchange the ticket.

*You cannot board the bus with a mobile or paper voucher.

10:10 departure

◇ Stroll around Tenryu-ji Temple, bamboo grove, and Arashiyama (140 minutes, including time to visit Tenryu-ji Temple)

Have lunch around Arashiyama and visit the Tenryu-ji Garden on your own (admission fee included)

*You can only visit the garden of Tenryu-ji Temple.

You will get the following discounts when walking around Arashiyama.

(1) Discounts on admission to Arashiyama Music Box Museum (there are closed days)

(2) Discounts on rickshaw rides/yakata bune

(3) Discounts on footbath using

(4) Discount prices for meals, drinks, and shopping

◇Kinkakuji (40 minutes)

The official name of Kinkakuji is Rokuonji, which is symbolic of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu's Kitayama culture era and is famous for its shimmering lacquered gold-leaf relic hall. The reflection of Kinkakuji on the lake's surface shows each season's different faces.

◇Fushimi Inari Shrine (70 minutes)

Fushimi Inari Taisha is the head shrine of the 30,000 Inari Taisha shrines nationwide. It is also the No. 1 sightseeing spot that foreigners visiting Japan want to see, and the "Senbon Torii," a row of vermillion torii gates, is a must-see. You can enjoy a mysterious Japanese space that feels like entering another world.

16:15 Arrive at JR Kyoto Station Karasuma Exit Kyoto Sightseeing Bus Terminal (planned) , tour end.

Available Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

Starting times10:10:00

Included

Bus fare Japanese guide Admission fee On-board audio guide (English,Chinese,Korean)

Not included

Lunch

Meeting point

Address: 600-8216 Higashishiokojicho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto. Kyoto Station.

This tour is fully booked from 20 MAR 2024 to 10 APR 2024. So we will operate the tour "Sky Hop Bus Kyoto (Hop-on Hop-off Bus Kyoto)" instead.

Day 7: Journey from Kyoto to Osaka: Gateway to Kansai Adventure

Day 8: Private Osaka Tour with a Local, Highlights & Hidden Gems 100% Personalised

Day 9: Osaka Leisure Day: Immerse Yourself in Vibrant Urban Culture

What's Included

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"My name is Angie, and I'm passionate about traveling around the world. With over 5 years of experience in the travel business, I specialize in designing dream trips that connect people with authentic local experiences, creating unforgettable memories" — Angie Tran

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