Speedy Highlights of Japan (9 days, 8 nights)

Who is this for?
This tour is perfect for first-time visitors to Japan who have limited time but want to experience the highlights. Designed for travelers seeking a well-rounded introduction, see cultural landmarks, natural beauty, iconic cities, and culinary variety across Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka in just over a week

- This is a private tour. Only you and your group will participate. 
- This trip can be tailored according to your preferences. Please feel free to inquire about any specific requests ahead of time. 

Physical Activity: Medium
Length of Trip:  9 days, 8 nights
Capacity:  2-20 people 

Visualize yourself:
- Sampling and savoring flavorful street food where the locals eat
- Strolling throw narrow alleys where wooden facades hold generations of craft
- Slipping into Kimono and wandering the bamboo forest 
-  Squeezing through crowds and flashing signs where every second feels alive

TOKYO   |    3 nights
Day 1: Travel Day
Arrive in Tokyo. Then into a private vehicle for a transfer to a hotel recommended by us in the city. Use this day to rest up or take some time to explore Tokyo. 


Day 2: The Quintessential Tokyo Experience 
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Begin the day at Meiji Shrine, a quiet wooded sanctuary in the heart of Tokyo, before heading to Harajuku and Shibuya for sharp contrasts in architecture, fashion, and subcultures.  Then head to Asakusa’s historic streets and Sensoji Temple. At night, finish with a sweeping view of the city’s vast scale from above.

Day 3:Day to Hakone or Nikko
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Spend the day outside the city with a choice of one of two day trips: travel to Hakone for  views of Mt. Fuji, a ropeway ride over volcanic ridges, and open-air landscapes; or head north to Nikko to learn about the deep history and cultural significance of Toshogu Shrine and feel the spray near Kegon Falls before returning to Tokyo. Both routes offer a full day of natural scenery.

KYOTO    |    2 nights
Day 4: Gateway to Kyoto
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Take the shinkansen west to Kyoto in the morning, arriving in time to walk beneath the vermilion torii of Fushimi Inari Taisha. Then climb to Kiyomizu Temple for hillside temple views  and explore all the shops and alleyways of Ninenzaka and Sanenzaka. The day ends in the old alleys of Gion. 

Day 5: Bamboo, Kimono, and Gold
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Begin the day in Arashiyama with a walk through the Bamboo Grove and a visit to Tenryu-ji’s temple grounds, then step into a kimono for a change in perspective before heading to the gleaming Kinkakuji and wrapping up with a taste of Kyoto’s daily life at Nishiki Market and a stroll through the lantern-lit alleys of Pontocho. The day connects nature, ritual, and rhythm in motion.

OSAKA    |    3 nights
Day 6: Hiroshima Day Trip
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 
Take an early shinkansen to Hiroshima and board a ferry to Miyajima to see the famed Itsukushima Shrine standing in the sea. Return to the city to visit the Peace Park, Museum, and Atomic Bomb Dome. It's a day shaped by memory and resilience, offering space to take in the weight of history. In the evening, take a bullet train back to Osaka for the night.

Day 7: Osaka Highlights 
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Start the day at Katsuoji Daruma Temple, known for its colorful lucky dolls to make a wish. Then visit the historic Osaka Castle before exploring the lively streets of Dotonbori. The day ends with guided tasting of local street food, showcasing Osaka’s famous culinary scene. 

Day 8: Nara Day, Osaka Night
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Visit  Nara’s Todaiji Temple, home to a giant bronze Buddha, followed by a stroll through Deer Park where friendly deer roam freely. Return to Osaka for an evening of leisure, perfect for shopping and picking up souvenirs. 

Day 9: Osaka
Included meals: Breakfast
Your next destination? Home sweet home. But remember, it's not sayonara yet, it's "See you soon!" The question is, where to from here?

OR EXTEND YOUR TRIP!
Add another trip of ours on top of this journey and we will be happy to send you off.