Description
Day 1 Arrive Osaka
Arrival in Osaka’s Kansai airport or Itami Airport, you are met and transferred by airport bus to the hotel.
Moderate
- Hotel Hanshin Annex Osaka
Superior
- ANA Crowne Plaza Osaka
Luxury
- Hotel Hankyu International
Day 2 Osaka (B)
Get a closer look at some of Osaka’s top attractions on foot during a 8 hour guided walking tour with public transportation that also includes a scenic river cruise. It’s a great way to get an introduction to the history, culture and scenery of one of Japan’s largest cities.
Begin your walking tour by meeting your guide in the morning at your Hotel. Visit Osaka Castle. This massive stone fortress, first constructed in 1583, contains a variety of historical artifacts from Osaka and the Toyotomi inside its imposing walls. Moving on from the Castle, head next to the river banks where you’ll board your vessel, the Aqua Liner, for a 1-hour cruise around the island of Nakanoshima, situated in the middle of one of several rivers running through Osaka. Admire fantastic views of several Osaka attractions from the water, including Osaka Castle, the Twin Towers and City Hall, which is situated on Nakanoshima Isle.
Continue by a subway ride from Osakajo-Koen station to Higashi-Umeda station and on foot to the city’s Umeda Sky Building for a 1-hour visit to its Floating Garden Observatory. This open-air viewing platform links the two towers of this sky-high landmark together, offering guests panoramic views of the surrounding cityscape of Osaka, nearby Awaji Island and Mount Ikoma. Take a break to for a tasty Japanese lunch before continuing to Abeno Harukas.
Explore on foot and see the Abeno Harukas – commercial building opened 2014. Stop at Shitennoji Temple which is founded by prince Shotoku in 593. It is sometimes regarded as the first Buddhist and oldest officially administered temple in Japan. Visit Namba Yasaka Shrine – the lion shrine, large lion shaped statue, and walk through Shinsekai. Walk though Kuromon Market with over 180 stores, authentic street food and end at Dotonbori, Osaka’s tourist neighborhood with bright neon lights.
Tonight, participate ROR Comedy show on your own and when the show finished, take subway back Namba Station to Osakajo-Koen and walk back to your hotel.
Day 3 Osaka – Kyoto (B)
This morning, you are picked up from the hotel in Osaka and transferred to Kyoto.
The balance of the day explore Kyoto on your own.
Moderate
- Kyoto Tokyu Hotel
Superior
- Rihga Royal Hotel
Luxury
- Okura Hotel
Day 4 Kyoto /Nara/Kyoto (B/L)
Morning sightseeing includes visiting the Golden Pavilion, Nijo Castle noted for its gorgeous interiors and Kyoto Imperial Palace
Lunch at Kyoto Handicraft Centre. After lunch, continue to Nara and visit Todaiji Temple that houses a great image of Buddha and the colourful Kasuga Shrine with 3,000 lanterns.
Day 5 Kyoto (B)
Full day to explore Kyoto on own.
Day 6 Kyoto – Takayama (B)
Travel by bullet train to beguiling Takayama, a treasure chest of Japanese architecture and traditions. Discover this fascinating town’s myriad of narrow streets, shrines and sake stalls.
See the Yatai Kaikan Hall, Kusakabe Folk Craft Museum and historic wooden houses in Kami Sannomachi Street of Japan’s most atmospheric towns.
Moderate
- Takayama Green Hotel
Superior
- Hida Hotel Plaza – Standard
Luxury
- Hida Hotel Plaza – Deluxe
Day 7 Takayama/Kanazawa (B)
Wander the morning market and soak up the atmosphere of the old town followed by a drive through Lake Miboro.
This afternoon, travel by vehicle to Shirakawago and visit Gassho-Zukuri – large thatch roof dwellings, a unique architectural style which is another Japan’s UNESCO World Heritage. Afterward, we proceed to Kanazawa.
Moderate
- Intergate Kanazawa Hotel
Superior
- Hotel Kanazawa
Luxury
- Hotel Nikko Kanazawa
Day 8 Kanazawa/Tokyo (B)
A former castle town and samurai headquarters, Kanazawa is also home to one of Japan’s most famous gardens. Beautiful Kenrokuen garden is considered to be one of the Top Three Japanese gardens.
You will explore the garden and visit Kutaniyaki Pottery Kiln, Higashi geisha district and the interesting old Samurai Residence. Travel by train to Tokyo.
Moderate
- Shiba Park Hotel
Superior
- Keio Plaza Hotel
Luxury
- Cerulean Tower Hotel
Day 9 Tokyo (B)
A morning tour shows you the highlights of this fascinating metropolis. Starting from the Tokyo Tower, we ascend to the observatory level for a commanding view of the city. Then it’s on to the Imperial Palace Plaza and the picturesque Meiji Shrine setting amidst a forest of evergreen trees with a harmonious melding of design and spirituality.
The afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps you’d like to take a cruise on Tokyo Bay, or just browse the remarkable modern electronics at Akiharbara.
Day 10 Tokyo (B)
Full day at leisure to explore Tokyo on your own.
Perhaps choose an optional tour to explore the UNESCO heritage of Nikko and the shrine on its ground or to wind through the labyrinth of the Tsukiji Fish Market.
Day 11 Tokyo Departure (B)
Transfer from hotel to the airport in Tokyo for your onward flight.
Moderate From
- Single Supplement: $ 995
Superior From
- Single Supplement: $ 1155
Luxury From
- Single Supplement: $ 1550
Above prices are leading prices based on 2 guests travelling together. Rate may change at the time of tour quote. High season and holiday supplement applicable for travelling between March 15 to May 31, and September 20 to November 30. We offer a wide selection of hotels and customized itineraries. Click the button to request a specific quote based on the number of guests, their interests and budget.
Sheila –
Dear SHEILA,
We got back yesterday after a wonderful experience ??. The whole trip went off like clockwork. No delays anywhere, no rushing, no worries, no waiting, messages for us waiting at hotels, picked up and dropped at the proper counters or places. Every one involved saw to it that we got to the right spot at the right time and were also satisfied. They went out of their way doing so, we felt. But, I guess that is normal for them. Language did not seem to be much of a barrier. The personal guides were very knowledgeable and the best, with so much of patience and understanding. Very efficient.
This was a long, complicated trip, with so many steps and people involved. Our only contact was you. Yet, there was no hitch anywhere and you were always there for us. Thank you also for Chris, another name you mentioned. Thank you ? so much for a great ? time, very efficiently managed. This is from both of us.
All the best, Sheila, in everything you do.
Sylvia –
Hello Marita and Chris. just returned wanted to let you both know that our trip went very well. We enjoyed our personalized tours. The only comment that I would like to share is that in Japan, the gardens at the Imperial Palace are closed on Mondays that being the case, I wish the order of the tours would have been reversed that we would have done the group tour that we did on Monday on Tuesday and then the personalized tour with Seiko on Monday that way we would have been able to see the gardens. The group tour on Monday was so so, the guide was very nice and we enjoyed getting to know him, the Japanese culture, but he spent a little too much time speaking about his personal life than about the history of what we were seeing. Other than that it was good. Thanks for your assistance in making it a memorable experience for my husband and me.
Sylvia