Bask in world-renowned centers of culture, history, and fine dining during your 9-day Japan tour immersing you in the splendors of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Explore cultural tradition with a customary Geisha ceremony and witness the majesty of pristine nature along Mount Fuji’s slopes. Architectural masterpieces, artisan crafts, and ancient samurai tombs will reveal the contrasts of preserved heritage and modern vibrancy in Japan during your custom-tailored luxury tour.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Tokyo – Your Adventure Begins!
With your plane touching down at Narita International Airport in the early morning, there is plenty of daylight to get to know Japan’s capital. Your expert guide meets you at baggage claim and transfers you to central Tokyo.
Arriving in the city, you board Tokyo’s famous (and efficient) metro system to Harajuku, the center of the latest fashion trends and Japanese cosplay. Just outside the station, you are bound to see young men and women dressed in unique and exciting ways, or perhaps even a local band performing at the edge of Yoyogi Park. While there, enjoy Yoyogi Park’s natural beauty. Other sites of interest include Yoyogi National Stadium, which hosted many of the events during the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Just a quick metro ride away from Harajuku is Akihabara, regarded as a Mecca for fans of Japanese anime and video games. Wandering through the district’s back alleys, you can find hundreds of stores selling everything from manga comics to electrical components for obsolete computers.
In the late afternoon, you arrive in the Ginza, Tokyo’s premier shopping district. From high-class bags at Hermes to all manner of stationary supplies at Ito-Ya, just about anything can be found along the Ginza’s main boulevard. For technology lovers, visit the Sony Showroom, where the company displays its latest inventions not yet released in the West.
Every day, over 3,640,000 commuters travel through Shinjuku Station, making it the busiest in the world. Get caught up in the energy as you explore Japan’s urban core. Depending on your budget, your guide can arrange a fine dining experience at a Michelin star restaurant, or a laid back meal at an izakaya, a traditional Japanese restaurant that offers a variety of small comfort food dishes paired with alcohol.
If you’re not feeling too tired after dinner, soak in Shinjuku’s neon glory with a stroll through the district. Or perhaps stop at a pachinko parlor, where the loud sound and flashing lights rival any casino in Las Vegas.
When you decide to turn in, your guide sees you to your hotel.
What's Included:
Day 2
Tokyo – Ancient Traditions
Day 3
Tokyo to Mt. Fuji to Tokyo – Natural Beauty
Day 4
Tokyo to Kyoto – From the Future into the Past
Day 5
Kyoto – A Day of Religion and Cuisine
Day 6
Kyoto to Nara to Kyoto – Harmony Between Man and Nature
Day 7
Kyoto to Osaka – Ancient to Modern
Day 8
Osaka - Bright Lights Big City
Day 9
Osaka – So Much More to See
Trip Highlights
- Private tour of Tsukiji Fish Market followed by a fresh sushi breakfast
- Experience Nikko, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its architectural and decorative masterpieces
- Visit Hakone and Mt. Fuji’s 5th Station, the gateway to climbing the mountain
- Ride the famous Shinkansen, the world-famous high-speed bullet train
- Take part in a traditional geisha ceremony in Kyoto, dining upon cuisine once reserved for the Imperial Court
Detailed Description
Japan has so much to offer the modern traveler. A country roughly the size of California, a short trip by the Shinkansen reveals completely new sights and adventures. In this 9-day tour, do as much as possible, but have the time to fully appreciate the experience.
Your time in Japan begins in Tokyo, Japan’s capital and the largest city in the world. For two days, you mix modern and ancient as you tour high-tech Akihabara before visiting Japan’s ancient samurai tombs. Get lost in the whirlwind of Shibuya, just steps away from the most serene parks in the country.
Your time in Tokyo includes side trips to Mt. Fuji and Nikko, two locations that are both deeply beautiful and spiritually important to Japan’s native religion, Shinto. These trips are the perfect opportunity to reflect on your time in the big city, as greater things await you.
In Kyoto, learn all about Japan’s traditions through a geisha ceremony, and dine on cuisine once reserved for the Imperial Court. Your guide helps you avoid the crowds as you visit some of the country’s most renowned cultural treasures. Your time in Kyoto includes a day trip to Nara, Japan’s capital in the 8th-century. Feel humble in the presence of the Daibutsu, the largest bronze Buddha in Japan, before seeing some of the finest examples of Japanese art.
Your tour ends in Osaka, Japan’s center of merchant life. In this lively city, indulge in some of Japan’s finest food and drink, and take in local attractions such as Osaka Aquarium and the city’s shopping district.
A tour perfect for couples or families, it is best taken in spring or fall, when Japan’s weather is nearly perfect. Extending the tour is possible, along with customizing any of the events described in the detailed itinerary.
Starting Price
$5,900 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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