Japan Insights

Itinerary :

Day 1: Tokyo: Arrive at Narita Airport & you will be met by a representative and assisted in boarding a reserved taxi. After arrival at the hotel, enjoy free time in Tokyo. Overnight in Tokyo.

Day 2: Tokyo: Today morning, proceed for a Tokyo sightseeing tour which includes a drive-by of the Imperial Palace and the National Diet Building. Later, visit Japan’s No.1 place for seafood, Tsukiji Outer Market, with over 400 shops including fresh fish retailers, grocers, and restaurants. Enjoy shopping and try some local food while exploring this one-of-a-kind location. Then drive by Kabukiza Theater. Later, explore Tokyo SkyTree Town, Senso-ji Temple and Nakamise Shopping Street. Afternoon is free to spend as you like. Overnight in Tokyo.

Day 3: Tokyo – Kamakura – Tokyo: Today proceed for a sightseein tour in Nikko. Experience some of Japan’s famous powdered matcha green tea and enjoy the view of the Jomyo-ji Temple. Visit Hokoku-ji Temple, known as the bamboo temple for its beautiful bamboo grove. Later visit Kotoku-in Temple which houses a towering 13-meter tall Buddha statue. Proceed to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine then after enjoy you lunch and visit Enoshima, a getaway island popular year-round for its cool ocean breezes. Afterward you will be drop-off near Shinjuku Station West Exit to leave for your next destination on your own from Shinjuku. Overnight in Tokyo. (L)

Day 4: Tokyo – Mt. Fuji – Hakone: Today morning, you will be picked up to visit the Mt. Fuji. The bus will head up to the 5th Station along the Subaru Line. The 5th Station is situated at 2,300 meters (7,546 ft) above sea level. At this height, you will be amazed at spectacular, breathtaking views from above the clouds. Enjoy lunch in between. Then visit Lake Ashi Cruise. This crater lake along the southwest wall of the caldera of Mt. Hakone was formed by a powerful volcanic eruption nearly 3,000 years ago, and provides postcard views of Mt. Fuji towering 30 km northwest. Admire the superb view of Mt. Fuji from aboard a ship. Take the Komagatake Ropeway. Take a 7-minute ropeway ride to the peak of Mt. Komagatake. A total of 50 minutes will be spent here, including time to walk around at the peak. Take a cableway ride up to the spiritual Hakone Shrine Mototsumiya (original shrine) that nestles at the mountaintop. Visit Hakone-en. Afterwards, arrive at Hotel in Hakone Area. Overnight in Hakone. (L)

Day 5: Hakone – Takayama: Today proceed to Odawara Station from there head to Nagoya by Shinkansen later from Nagoya Station to Takayama Station. Afterward, sightseeing around Takayama City on foot visit Yatai Kaikan (Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall) later enjoy a visit to Kusakabe Heritage House, a historical Japanese-style townhouse and view a range of exquisite folk art and traditional handicrafts. Afterward proceed to Kami Sannomachi Town, located in Takayama’s old quarter, this street is lined with Edo period buildings, and provides visitors a glimpse into the past. Arrive at Hotel in Takayama City. Overnight in Takayama

Day 6: Takayama – Shirakawago – Kanazawa: Depart from Hotel in Takayama City. Today enjoy walking around the bustling Takayama Morning Market, where a wide array of local specialties and other products are available. Later proceed to Shirakawago Observatory here enjoy an elevated view of the World Heritage-registered thatch-roofed village of Shirakawago. Great for photography. After having your lunch visit Wada Residence (traditional thatch-roofed farmhouse), the one of the thatch-roofed houses also registered as a World Heritage Site. Arrive at Hotel in Kanazawa City. Overnight in Kanazawa (L)

Day 7: Kanazawa – Kyoto: Depart from Hotel in Kanazawa City to Nomura Residence, Nagamachi Samurai District visit a former residence of a Samurai family. Later visit Kenrokuen Garden, this beautiful garden is considered one of the top three Japanese gardens. It offers amazing seasonal views all year round. Visit to Higashi Chaya-gai a wooden-latticed exteriors of teahouses line both sides of the stone-paved street here where something from the Edo period still lingers in the air. Proceed to visit Hakuza Honten where you can feel free to purchase handicrafts, accessories, cosmetics and other items made with gold leaf. Later proceed to Kanazawa Station from there take a train to Kyoto Station and from Kyoto Station to hotels in Kyoto city. Overnight in Kyoto.

Day 8: Kyoto: Today morning, proceed for your full day Kyoto tour. Depart from Hotel for Nijo Castle, a world heritage site. Tour the historical castle completed in 1626, which was built to provide lodging for Tokugawa Shogun and as a palladium for Kyoto Imperial Palace. Next visit Kinkaku-ji Temple, the wooden architecture is covered in thin layers of pure gold and is surrounded by a beautiful pond. See the Kyoto Imperial Palace (except Monday), which was used as the Emperor’s residence until about 150 years ago. Afternoon enjoy a lunch and then you will head to Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, the head shrine of 40,000 inari-jinja shrines located all over Japan. The bright red Senborn Torii gates are a must see attraction. Later visit Sanjusangen-do Hall and Kiyomizu-dera Temple, the view of Kyoto from the World Heritage Site Kiyomizu-dera is superb. From Kiyomizu-dera Temple, you will be proceed to hotel in Kyoto. Overnight in Kyoto. (L)

Day 9: Kyoto: You are free to explore the city from check-out until departure from hotel to Kansai Airport.