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13 Day itinerary in Japan, Asia

The Golden Route

Discover the essential places of this beautiful country, starting with the Japanese metropolis where you will discover the most important neighborhoods such as Shibuya, the fashionable center of Harajuku and the elegant streets of Ginza. Then we continue to more traditional destinations such as the... Read More

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ColasChristineIrishNancyMyaenClaudia

By Colas, Christine, Irish, Nancy, Myaen and Claudia

Overview

Physical Difficulty

Light
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Recommended Age

Everyone

Operated in

English, Spanish

GUIDANCE

On Some Day Trips

starting point

Tokyo

trip type

Private

trip attributes

Visit markets

Historic & cultural landmarks

Beach & Sea

Classic Sights

Start/End

Night

Highlights

1

Discover the streets of Asakusa and the magnificent Sensoji temple, full of history and tradition

2

Visit the Great Buddha of Kamakura

3

Walk the streets of Kyoto like a local and enjoy a traditional tea ceremony

4

Explore the Japanese Alps and spend the night in a traditional Ryokan

Itinerary

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Day 1

place Arrival in Tokyo

Upon arrival at Narita or Haneda airport, change your JR pass and transfer to Tokyo city. After checking-in at the hotel. As you exit the international arrivals you will meet your arrival attendant who will help you by answering your questions and collect your JR passes, currency exchange etc. It's time to explore the city! Head to Shinjuku to start your adventure and enjoy your first Japanese dinner!

Day 2

place Tradition and modernity in Tokyo

After having breakfast, we recommend visiting the Tsukiji market located in front of Toyosu and enjoying the local life. Next, visit the Imperial Palace, the Emperor's current residence in Japan, and enjoy a walk in the magnificent Japanese garden. At the end we will go to Asakusa, this place still retains the atmosphere of an old Tokyo, with traditional craft shops and street food stalls along Nakamise street, near the old Sensō-ji temple, which is a symbol of this neighborhood. Another essential visit in the afternoon is the area around the Shibuya area where you will find the famous Shibuya crossing, the Hachiko statue and the "Shibuya scramble square" tower where you can have a spectacular view of Shibuya. We also recommend visiting the Omotesando area with its various cafes, shops and restaurants, Harajuku known for being the center of Japanese fashion, takeshita street and its countless fashion and dessert shops (especially crepes!) and the Meiji shrine. with its great wall of Sake barrels found before reaching the Sanctuary.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 3

place The Magic of Kamakura

After breakfast, start your day trip to the beautiful seaside city of Kamakura, the ancient capital of Japan, a small city but with an important place in Japanese history. In Kamakura, you will find a wide variety of impressive monuments, such as the 13-meter-high bronze Buddha statue or the historic Hachimangu Shrine, which is the largest and most important Shinto site in the prefecture. The nearby island of Enoshima, connected to the mainland by a bridge, gives you the opportunity to have lunch in some small restaurants but with great views. In the afternoon, return to Tokyo.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 4

place Modern art and traditional magic in Kanazawa

This morning, using your JR pass, set out for Kanazawa, home of history, culture, and art. Spend the day visiting top destinations including Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Garden, considered one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan. The Ninjadera Temple is also worth a visit with its hidden passages and secret chambers, designed in due time to escape and defend against enemy attacks. Let yourself fall in love with this ancient town which maintains its atmosphere of ancient Japan!

Meals: Breakfast

Day 5

place Shirakawago UNESCO World Heritage

Head to Shirakawago by bus today! Which is located in the Ono district of Gifu prefecture and is easily accessible from Kanazawa for a day trip. Stroll through the Myozenji Temple Museum and the temple, founded in 1748, which is located on the north side of Shirakawago village, registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. The main attraction of the village lies in its gassho-zukuri farms (a traditional building style unique to today's visit).

Meals: Breakfast

Day 6

place Among the most famous and beautiful temples in Kyoto

In the morning after having your breakfast it is time to go to Kyoto. And it will be dedicated to visiting the western part of Kyoto, in particular Arashiyama! Take a walk across Togetsukyo Bridge and, if you're feeling energetic, head up to Iwatayama Monkey Park for a panoramic view of Kyoto! After that, visit the famous bamboo forests, before heading to Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavilion. In the evening, take a walking tour of Kyoto's local districts and sample local Kyoto cuisine.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 7

place Hiking at Fushimi Inari Shrine

Today, start with the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, the area with over 10,000 torii gates, made famous by the movie Memoirs of a Geisha. Then continue to Nishiki Market where you will enjoy traditional and authentic Kyoto foods such as pickled vegetables or matcha sweets. Head to Kiyomizudera Temple and see the beautiful views of Kyoto from the temple.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 8

place Visiting Nara

Just an hour's train ride from Kyoto, Nara is a laid-back city in Japan known for its friendly deer. Stroll through Nara Park and watch the deer bow to you for your offering. Visit Todaji Temple to marvel at one of Japan's Giant Buddhas. For lunch, try some local Nyumen Somen (Noodles) and at the end of your visits today head back to Kyoto for the night.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 9

place Osaka: Japan's Food Metropolis

Today you will take a day trip to Osaka. Visit some of the most famous places, such as Osaka Castle, the Umeda Sky Building, and Shin-Sekai. At night, head to the bustling Dotonbori area, where the lights are bright and the food signs are fantastic sights. We recommend trying some of the must-try foods in Osaka, Takoyaki (ball-shaped snack), Kushikatsu (Japanese fried skewered meat and vegetables), and Okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake). At the end, return to Kyoto to sleep.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 10

place Welcome to Hiroshima

Today you will arrive in Hiroshima! Leave your bags at your accommodation this afternoon we recommend visiting the most important sites in the city: the famous Peace Park with the Atomic Bomb Monument and the Peace Memorial Museum and the Shukkeien Japanese garden. After the visits, you can go and enjoy the center of Hiroshima, in particular Hondori Street, a traffic-free street full of shops and excellent restaurants where you must try Okonomiyaki, the main dish of the city (slightly different from Okonomiyaki in Osaka )

Meals: Breakfast

Day 11

place Visiting Miyajima Island

Today take the ferry from Hiroshima which will take you to the fantastic island of Miyajima. Relax by immersing yourself in a magical atmosphere at Itsukushima Shrine, one of the most famous symbols of Japan in the world, as it is built to look like it is floating on water. Dine on Miyajima's main street, Omotesando Street (otes 表参道商店街(清盛通り), where you can try Japanese steamed dumplings and grilled oysters, Miyajima's most popular dishes. The rest of the day you can enjoy a visit to the Daisho-in Buddhist temple and stroll along the beautiful trails scattered around the island, such as the one in Momijidani Park. Then take the cable car up Mount Misen which offers a great view from the top! At the foot of the mountain you will also find the beautiful Daisho-in Buddhist temple. Return to Hiroshima at the end of the day.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 12

place Transfer to Tokyo

Have some free time in the morning before transferring to Tokyo via Shinkansen. On your day off in Tokyo, we recommend buying some souvenirs for your loved ones! If time allows visit the Ueno area where you can visit the beautiful Ueno Park, Tokyo National Museum and Toshogu Shrine after your tours head back to your hotel to rest and have your last Japanese dinner! Another alternative is to visit the Nippori street market, a neighborhood with low houses, narrow streets and a touch of the old town, and Rikugien Park, one of the most beautiful landscape gardens in Tokyo, which is highly recommended for its beautiful trees. If you prefer to end the day in silence, visit a wonderful authentic onsen near Sugamo station, which also has a very nice restaurant, so you can end the day relaxing.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 13

place Departure from Tokyo

Transfer to the airport to catch your flight home. We hope you have enjoyed your time in Japan!

Meals: Breakfast

What’s Included

Meals expand_less

  • Breakfast (12)

Transport expand_less

  • JR Ordinary Passes of 14
  • Kanazawa-Shirakawago Bus Round Tickets

Activities expand_less

  • As per itinerary

Extras expand_less

  • 6 "Pocket Wifi"
  • PDF with suggestions and routes for daily visits

Not Included expand_less

  • Other meals / drinks
  • Remittance fee
  • Personal expenses
  • Anything not specified in the "What's Included" section of this proposal
  • Tours and guides
  • International / Domestic flights
  • Transportation costs unless covered by the Japan Rail Pass

About Colas

TEAM LEAD

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Expertise: 

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Visit markets

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Outdoors & Nature

Classic Sights

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Travel with Purpose

Beach & Sea

Traveling to Japan was a child dream I could finally fulfill in my 20s. This then dream evolved into living in Japan, and doing so is a whole new travel experience that constantly develops as I still learn new things on Japan everyday after 5 years.

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FROM PRICE PER TRAVELER

$2,695.00 USD