Japan - The Land of The Rising Sun

A Journey Through Tokyo’s Soul

After breakfast, you’ll meet your guide in the hotel lobby and begin a full day of exploration through Tokyo’s most iconic neighborhoods — not by tour bus, but through the rhythm of the city itself, using its efficient and vibrant public transport.

Your first stop is the peaceful Meiji Shrine, a sanctuary of silence nestled in the heart of the city, dedicated to the deified spirit of Emperor Meiji. If you're lucky, you might witness a traditional wedding procession — a sacred glimpse into Japan’s living heritage.

From here, you’ll stroll through Omotesando, Tokyo’s “Champs-Élysées,” where century-old trees meet avant-garde architecture and the world’s top fashion houses. It’s a place where old elegance meets contemporary design.

Next, we contrast tradition with the fresh, urban energy of Miyashita Park — a rooftop garden oasis above the city, dotted with cafés, boutiques, and greenery. A modern playground in the sky.

Then, it's time to feel the pulse of Tokyo in Shibuya, where the famous Shibuya crossing draws waves of people into a synchronized dance of movement and momentum. You’ll meet Hachiko, the statue of the loyal dog who waited for his owner each day — a symbol of devotion that still moves hearts.

As the sun begins to soften, you return to Shinjuku, your home base in Tokyo. Head up to the 45th floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building for panoramic views of the cityscape, then watch as the evening lights up the skyline with a mesmerizing video mapping show.

End your day in the nostalgic glow of Omoide Yokocho, where narrow alleys whisper stories of old Tokyo, and tiny izakayas serve steaming bowls of comfort and flavor.

Overnight in Tokyo: Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku Hotel or similar.

Tokyo → Hakone – Nature Is Calling

After breakfast and check-out, leave the city behind and journey by private coach toward the peaceful region of Shizuoka.

Your first stop is Komyoji Temple, where you’ll experience the ancient art of zazen meditation — the same silent practice that once led the Buddha to enlightenment. With folded legs, upright posture, and gentle breath, you'll be guided into presence and inner stillness. From there, continue to Hakone, where your home for the night is a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn. Here, time slows down. Tatami floors, hot springs, and minimalist beauty invite you into deep rest.

In the evening, you’ll be served a kaiseki dinner, a refined multi-course meal that celebrates Japan’s culinary artistry — seasonal intentional, and beautifully presented.

Overnight in Hakone: Hotel Ryokan Kajikaso or similar.

Hakone ↔ Kawaguchiko

After breakfast, board your private coach and journey toward the scenic lakeside town of Kawaguchiko, one of the best places in Japan to admire the majesty of Mt. Fuji — its perfect silhouette mirrored in the stillness of the lake, if skies allow.

Your first stop is Arakura Sengen Shrine, where the striking red Chureito Pagoda rises before Mt. Fuji — a view so iconic it graces postcards and dreams alike.

Next, explore the Kubota Itchiku Art Museum, a sanctuary of silk and spirit, dedicated to the revival of the ancient Tsujigahana dyeing technique. The museum’s intricate kimonos are more than garments — they are meditations in color and craft. (If closed, the visit will be replaced with the charming Kawaguchiko Music Forest.)

Then, breathe deeply in the open beauty of Oishi Park, where vibrant flowers line the promenade and the lake opens wide to reveal Mt. Fuji’s grandeur. A slow walk here, facing Japan’s highest peak, is a quiet act of renewal. In the evening, return by private coach to Hakone-Yumoto, where a nourishing dinner awaits.

Overnight in Hakone: Hotel Ryokan Kajikaso or similar.

Hakone → Kyoto – Sacred Trails & the Speed of Light

After breakfast, your large luggage will be sent ahead to Kyoto, freeing you to explore Hakone light and unburdened, using the Hakone Free Pass to experience one of Japan’s most scenic circular routes.

Your morning begins at the mystical Hakone Shrine, tucked away in an ancient cedar forest. Once revered by samurai, it remains hidden from view — save for its iconic red torii gate, rising from the mist on the edge of Lake Ashi. From Hakonemachi Port, you’ll board a whimsical pirate ship and sail across Lake Ashi, a vast volcanic crater formed over 3,000 years ago. The journey offers panoramic views and a sense of timeless wonder.

At Togendai, you’ll switch to the ropeway, gliding above steaming valleys toward Owakudani, an active volcanic zone. The air smells of sulfur, and the land bubbles with geothermal energy. Local legend says that the black eggs boiled in these springs can add seven years to your life — a quirky but beloved tradition.

You’ll return via ropeway, funicular, and train to your hotel to collect your small luggage, before heading to Odawara Station to board the legendary Shinkansen. In moments, you’ll be gliding toward Kyoto at nearly 300 km/h — the speed of light in a country rooted in stillness.

The rest of the day is free for you to explore Kyoto at your own rhythm.

Overnight in Kyoto: Hotel Forza Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi

Kyoto – Grace, Stillness & Sacred Paths

Your day begins with a moment of quiet reverence — a private tea ceremony in a traditional Kyoto setting. Dressed in an elegant kimono, you’ll be guided through the graceful rituals of Japanese tea culture, a timeless introduction to the heart of Kyoto’s spirit.

Afterwards, meet your guide and head by public transport to the luminous Kinkaku-ji — the Golden Pavilion — shimmering with gold leaf and perfectly mirrored in its still pond. A Zen temple that reflects harmony between nature and structure.

Continue west to Arashiyama, Kyoto’s scenic district at the edge of the mountains. Visit Tenryu-ji, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its exquisite gardens that seem to breathe with the hills behind them. Then step into the otherworldly Bamboo Forest, where towering stalks whisper in the wind and light filters through in soft green waves.

Leave the crowds behind as you wander into the northern Arashiyama area — quiet, contemplative, and full of hidden treasures. Small temples, stone paths, and gentle rhythms await those who walk slowly and pay attention.

In the late afternoon, return with your guide to central Kyoto.

Overnight in Kyoto: Hotel Forza Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi

Kyoto ↔ Amanohashidate & Miyama – Paths to Heaven and Hidden Villages

This morning, depart Kyoto by private coach with your guide, heading north toward one of Japan’s most poetic landscapes — Amanohashidate, known as one of the country’s “Three Scenic Views.”
Take the ropeway up to the viewpoint, where a narrow, pine-covered sandbar stretches across Miyazu Bay, appearing — when viewed upside down — like a bridge to the heavens. It’s easy to see why this place has long stirred the hearts of poets and painters.
From the sea, head into the mountains and arrive in Miyama, a quiet village where time seems to slow. Known for its beautifully preserved thatched-roof farmhouses, Miyama is a living memory of rural Japan.
Visit the Kayabuki no Sato Folk Museum, where the spirit of the old ways is lovingly preserved, then step into the Little Indigo Museum, a tribute to the craft and symbolism of traditional indigo dyeing.
As you wander through the peaceful streets of the village, you’ll feel the stillness, simplicity, and deep beauty of the countryside.
Return to Kyoto by private coach in the evening.

Overnight in Kyoto: Hotel Forza Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi

Kyoto → Nara → Osaka – Shrines, Deer & the Spirit of the Old Capital

After breakfast and check-out, meet your guide and begin the day with a visit to one of Kyoto’s most iconic landmarks — Fushimi Inari Taisha. Walk part of the sacred trail lined with thousands of vermillion torii gates, winding through forested hills. Each step here feels like a prayer in motion.
Next, travel by train to Nara, Japan’s ancient capital and spiritual heartland. Begin in Nara Park, where gentle, free-roaming deer welcome visitors — believed to be messengers of the gods. Then enter the awe-inspiring Todai-ji Temple, home to a monumental bronze Buddha and one of the largest wooden structures in the world.
Continue to Kasuga Taisha, a Shinto shrine bathed in the soft glow of hundreds of stone and bronze lanterns, nestled within the forest — a place where time seems suspended.
By late afternoon, board the train toward Osaka, Japan’s vibrant culinary capital, where you’ll settle into your new base for the final chapter of the journey.

Overnight in Osaka: The Bridge Hotel Shinsaibashi or similar.

Osaka – Between Lanterns, Castles, and City Lights

This morning, meet your guide and set off by public transport and on foot to explore the vibrant soul of Osaka.
Begin in Dotonbori, the city’s iconic entertainment district, where neon signs, giant billboards, and the scent of street food fill the air. This is Osaka at its liveliest — loud, colorful, and utterly unforgettable.
Just moments away, find calm at Hozen-ji Temple, a hidden gem tucked between narrow lanes. The moss-covered statue of Fudō Myō-ō invites quiet reflection amid the city's buzz.
Continue to the grounds of Osaka Castle, where wide gardens unfold beneath the watchful presence of the castle tower. Depending on the season, cherry blossoms or golden leaves add a painter’s touch to the scene.
Next, step back in time at the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living, where full-scale reconstructions of old streets offer a glimpse into daily life from centuries past.
End your day with a panoramic view from the Umeda Sky Building’s Floating Garden Observatory, where the city stretches endlessly beneath you — glowing in the light of dusk.

Overnight in Osaka: The Bridge Hotel Shinsaibashi or similar.

Osaka – A Day of Freedom

From here, the journey shifts. The theme is no longer direction — but freedom.
Today is yours to shape as you feel. You may choose to stay and explore Osaka, with its vibrant neighborhoods, street food culture, and neon-lit energy. 
Or perhaps venture to Kobe, known for its refined elegance and ocean breeze, or to Himeji, where Japan’s most iconic castle rises in timeless white.
You might even be drawn back to Kyoto, to wander its quieter corners and temples you didn’t yet meet. 
There is no right way — only your way. Let the day unfold with curiosity, intuition, and ease.

Overnight in Osaka: The Bridge Hotel Shinsaibashi or similar.

Osaka → Tokyo – The Journey Comes Full Circle

Enjoy a slow morning in Osaka, savoring one last bite in the city lovingly called “Japan’s Kitchen” — or take time for a final stroll and a bit of shopping before you say goodbye. At midday, board the shinkansen once again for your return to Tokyo. If the skies are kind, you may catch a fleeting glimpse of Mount Fuji from your seat — a silent farewell from the sacred mountain. Upon arrival and hotel check-in, the rest of the day is yours.
Whether you choose to wander nearby streets, visit a final shrine, or simply rest, Tokyo welcomes you back with its familiar rhythm.

Overnight in Tokyo: Tokyu Stay Ginza or similar.

Tokyo or Kamakura – Choose Your Closing Chapter

Stay in Tokyo and uncover more of its vibrant contrasts — from the traditional charm of Asakusa, to the futuristic island of Odaiba, the serene Hamarikyu Gardens, or the contemporary pulse of Roppongi. We’re happy to suggest routes based on your rhythm and mood.
Or, step out of the city for a day trip to Kamakura, the coastal town once Japan’s political and spiritual heart. Stand before the towering Great Buddha of Kōtoku-in, then wander through the peaceful grounds of Hase-dera Temple, perched on a hillside with sweeping ocean views. Stroll down Komachi Street, where local treats and handmade crafts invite you to slow down. Then, arrive at Tsurugaoka Hachimangū, Kamakura’s central shrine, where wide stone steps and seasonal blossoms frame your final reflections. However you choose to spend this day, let it be your own quiet celebration of the journey.

Overnight in Osaka: The Bridge Hotel Shinsaibashi or similar.

Tokyo → Home – Sayōnara, Japan

Enjoy your final breakfast in Tokyo, soaking in the quiet moments of a journey well lived. You’ll have a bit of free time for one last stroll, one last sip of matcha, or a final gaze at the city that welcomed you so fully. When the time comes, a private coach will take you to the airport, where you’ll begin your journey home — carrying with you more than memories: a deeper stillness, stories etched in light, and the quiet magic of Japan.

Sayōnara — until we meet again.