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Tour Code: 238-19975

8-Day Essential Japan and Hakone Tour from Tokyo, Osaka out

 

Our Price: from

$2050
￥14439
€1745
C$2823
(per person, based on double occupancy) Available: Fri Depart from: Tokyo, 13
Overview
Visit Tokyo (Akihabara, Nijubashi, Senso-ji), Kawaguchiko, Kyoto (Fushimi Inari Taisha, Gion, Kinkaku-ji), Mount Fuji (Fifth Station), Nara (Todaiji), Osaka, Hakone (Owakudani), Nagoya, Iyashi No Sato Nenba, Kamakura (Great Buddha of Kamakura, Hokokuji Temple, Sugimoto-dera), Odawara (Odawara Castle), Oshino Hakkai, Shizuoka.

Day 1: Tokyo

Welcome to Japan! After completing customs procedures, you’ll be transferred to your hotel by shared shuttle bus. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. In the afternoon, you’ll receive details about the start of your tour.

One of the 47 prefectures of Japan and has been the capital since 1869. The Greater Tokyo Area is the most populous metropolitan area in the world. It is the seat of the Emperor of Japan, the Japanese government and the National Diet.

Dulexe Hotel: Shinagawa Prince Hotel or similar

Meal: Excluded

Day 2: Tokyo

In the morning, we take part in a 5-hour trip with our guide to see this amazing city, with its hustle and bustle and extremely modern districts that coexist with quiet, peaceful areas. Brief stop at the Zojoji Temple to make a beautiful photograph of the Tokyo Tower. Pay attention to the hundred of Jizos, stone traditional protecting deities who guide us on our travels, give power to those who are weak (such children) and those in dangerous places, and who are dressed including hats, robes and windmills. Then we head to the junction of Shibuya, a junction that is said to be the most crowded in the world. The Meiji Temple is dedicated to the Emperor Meiji, his wife, and their spirits. We continue on our bus along the elegant street of Omotesando. We will edge the most beautiful part of the Imperial Palace and the gardens. Stop to visit the famous Nijubashi Bridge. We will pass through the district of Akihabara, the “electric town” with icons from the popular Japanese Manga and Anime culture. Then we’ll head to Tokyo Skytree (admission included), Japan’s tallest structure, where we’ll enjoy an unmatched panoramic view of the city. We’ll end our visit in Asakusa, where we’ll explore Sensoji Temple and the famous Nakamise Street. Afterwards, we’ll return to the hotel.
Free time in the afternoon.
At 6:30 p.m., we'll meet our guide in the hotel lobby and take the metro (tickets included) to the lively Shinjuku district. Here, we'll enjoy a stroll through its bustling streets, renowned for their vibrant nightlife, as we head to a local restaurant for dinner (included). Afterward, we'll return to the hotel by metro, accompanied by our guide.

NOTE: The order of the visits may vary depending on the admission time for Tokyo Skytree. In case of bad weather or other exceptional circumstances, access to Tokyo Skytree may be limited. In that case, an alternative visit to another iconic city viewpoint will be offered.

One of the 47 prefectures of Japan and has been the capital since 1869. The Greater Tokyo Area is the most populous metropolitan area in the world. It is the seat of the Emperor of Japan, the Japanese government and the National Diet.

  • Founded in approximately 628 AD, this Buddhist temple in Tokyo is the city's oldest as well as one of its most important. The street leading to the temple is called the Nakamise-dori and features many retail shops and kiosks.

    Duration: Approx. 40 Minutes

  • Meaning "Double Bridge" in Japanese, this bridge is one of the most famous in Japan. Though there are two separate bridges, when you look at them from the right angle, they appear to be a single two-storied bridge,

  • This district in the Chiyoda Ward of Tokyo became the city's major shopping center for household electronic goods, giving it the nickname "Electric Town." It is a center of otaku culture and seeks to replicate the anime world.

    Duration: Approx. 1 Hour

  • Shibuya is a popular shopping and entertainment area found around Shibuya Station. In this regard, Shibuya is one of Tokyo's most colorful and busy districts, packed with shopping, dining and nightclubs. Shibuya is also a center for youth fashion and culture. Its streets are the birthplace to many of Japan's fashion and entertainment trends. Numerous department stores and shopping malls can be found around the area catering to all types of shoppers.

  • As the target of Tokyo, the Tokyo Clear Sky Tower is 634 meters high, which is the highest tower in the world. Tokyo Clear Sky Tower is located on the east side of Tokyo near Asakusa, Jinshicho and two countries. It used to be a handicraft area in Tokyo, leaving behind the traditional Edo culture and retaining the handmade technology of traditional Japanese crafts. It is an area that promotes the unique development of Tokyo.

Dulexe Hotel: Shinagawa Prince Hotel or similar

Breakfast: Included|Lunch: Excluded|Dinner: Included

Day 3: Tokyo - Kamakura - Odawara (28508 km)

We'll depart Tokyo for Kamakura, a serene "oasis of peace" that served as Japan's capital for two centuries. This charming city is home to numerous sanctuaries, temples, and gardens.

At the Hokoku-ji Zen Temple, we'll take a peaceful walk through its enchanting bamboo forest (admission included) where you can enjoy a traditional green tea. We'll also visit Sugimoto-dera, the city's oldest temple, founded in 734. There will be time to explore the delightful city center before heading to the iconic Great Buddha (Daibutsu) (admission included).

Our journey will continue along a scenic route by the Pacific Ocean to Enoshima, a picturesque island connected to the mainland by a bridge. You'll have free time to enjoy lunch and a leisurely stroll.

We'll then proceed to Odawara, where we'll visit the impressive Odawara Castle, a medieval fortress from the Edo era, restored in the 20th century (admission included).

Overnight stay in Odawara.

Kamakura is pure Japan. Often called “the little Kyoto”, Kamakura has hundreds of temples scattered around the hilly, green city and is only 1 hour from Tokyo by train.

  • A serene 14th-century Zen temple renowned for its enchanting bamboo grove, offering peaceful meditation walks and authentic matcha tea experiences in a traditional tea house. Known as "Bamboo Temple," its tranquil atmosphere provides a perfect spiritual retreat.

  • Founded in 734, Kamakura's oldest temple exudes timeless serenity with its moss-covered stone paths, ancient Jizo statues, and tranquil forest setting. The atmospheric main hall houses sacred Kannon images while towering cedars whisper centuries of Buddhist devotion.

  • The city of Kamakura in Japan's Kanagawa Prefecture is home to one of the most poetic and paradoxical works of Buddhist sculpture. The statue of the Great Buddha, or Daibutsu, a giant bronze figure of Amida Buddha measures 11.3 meters in height at Kotoku-in, a temple of the Jodo-shu branch of Pure Land Buddhism. The elegant Buddha is seated in the lotus position with his hands in the gesture of meditation, his eyes cast downward in peaceful contemplation.

Odawara is a town situated on Sagami Bay along the Tokaido Line coast, fairly close to Mt. Fuji. It is best know for the beautiful Odawara Castle, and for being the gateway to the Hakone hot springs resort area, and the Fuji-Hakone National Park.

  • This magnificent reconstructed 15th-century fortress showcases samurai history through its impressive main tower, authentic armor displays, and traditional castle architecture. The sprawling grounds feature picturesque moats and transform into spectacular cherry blossom viewing spots in spring, offering visitors a perfect blend of Japanese history and natural beauty.

Standard Hotel: Tenseien Odawara Station or similar

Breakfast: Included|Lunch: Excluded|Dinner: Excluded

Day 4: Odawara - Hakone - Oshino Hakkai - Mount Fuji - Kawaguchiko (136 km)

Today's journey promises breathtaking scenery as we travel to the stunning Hakone region, known for its lakes and mountains near the iconic Mount Fuji.

We'll begin the day by ascending Owakudani, the "Valley of Hell," famous for its steaming vents, bubbling mud pools, and sulphurous gases (access may be restricted due to volcanic activity or toxic gases; if so, we will visit the Arakurayama Sengen Park instead).

Next, we'll visit Oshino Hakkai, a charming village with eight ponds and picturesque views of Mount Fuji. From there, we'll continue to Kawaguchiko, a storybook town of quaint houses, flowers, mountains, beside its beautiful lake. Here, you'll enjoy a delightful boat ride to take in the area's beauty.

Later, we'll ascend Mount Fuji via the scenic road leading to the Fifth Station at 2,305 meters above sea level.

We'll return to Kawaguchiko, where you'll still have time to enjoy a stroll along its picturesque lake. Tonight, we'll stay in a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn, where you can relax and unwind in the onsen (Japanese public bath). Dinner will be included.

Note: In winter, the route up to Mount Fuji is closed due to snow or other adverse weather conditions; during this season, we will ascend as far as the authorised point.
Return to Kawaguchiko, with time to stroll near the lake. We will stay at a Ryokan (a traditional Japanese hotel), and have the chance to enjoy its Onsen (public baths). Dinner included.

Hakone, in Japan's Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park west of Tokyo, is a mountainous town known for its hot springs resorts (onsen) and views of the iconic volcano Mount Fuji.

  • A dramatic volcanic valley in Hakone where sulfurous steam vents and hot springs create an otherworldly landscape. Famous for its "kuro-tamago" (black eggs) boiled in mineral-rich waters - local legend says eating one adds seven years to your life. The ropeway offers breathtaking views of Mount Fuji on clear days.

This town in Japan is famous for its eight springs formed by the subsoil water from Mount Fuji. It is a popular tourist destination.

Duration: Approx. 1 Hour

Mount Fuji is the most iconic mountain in Japan. Its snow-capped peak has become am unmistakable image in the skyline of the surrounding regions. It is an active stratovolcano, though it has not erupted since 1707.

Duration: Approx. 1 Hour

  • Located around the midsection of Mount Fuji, the Fifth Station offers a good place to rest and an even better scenic viewpoint, about halfway along the Yoshida Trail. There is a lodge with shops and restaurants.

Dulexe Hotel: Fuji View Hotel Kawaguchiko/Fuji Kawaguchiko Resort or similar (some rooms are in Japanese style, with accommodation on tatamis, and others are in western-style. Accommodation may sometimes be in a western type hotel)

Breakfast: Included|Lunch: Excluded|Dinner: Included (Typical Japanese style food. Water and tea included.)

Day 5: Kawaguchiko - Iyasi no Sato Nenba - Toyota - Kyoto (337 km)

In the morning, we continue along the pretty road bordered by lakes to Iyashi No Sato Nenba, a tiny village destroyed by a typhoon in 1966 and later restored as a traditional open-air mountain village and museum. Its traditional houses have been transformed into arts and crafts shops, restaurants and traditional museums. We then have the opportunity to admire the Shiraito Falls, considered done of the most attractive sites in Japan, with a waterfall height of 150 metres. We will then continue to Nagoya, the third most important city of Japan, on the shores of the Pacific. Here we will visit the Toyota Museum (admission included), a must-see for motor lovers. We continue to Kyoto, accomodation.

Iyashi no Sato stands on the site of a former farming village on the western shores of Lake Saiko. Known as “Healing Village,” the community is comprised of 22 traditional thatched roof houses that depict old-time scenery of the Showa Period (1926-1989). Each house highlights traditional Japanese culture through hands-on experiences such as crafts, sampling of local produce, and an opportunity to dress up in armor or kimono. In winter, snowfall transforms the village into a magical, fairytale-like landscape that commands a magnificent view of Mt. Fuji like no other!

The capital of the Japaneses prefecture of the same name, Shizuoka has been populated since prehistoric times. It rests in the shadow of Mt. Fuji, the iconic Japanese peak.

  • The Shiraito Falls are located in the southwestern foothills of Mount Fuji. Ranked among the most beautiful waterfalls in Japan, the 150 meter wide cascade is fed by the volcano's spring water and flows off the edge of a 20 meter high cliff in thin white streams that resemble hanging threads of silk - hence its name.

The largest city in the Chubu region of Japan, Nagoya is an industrial shipping center. The main industry in the area is automotive, and many car companies, like Lexus, have their headquarters here.

Dulexe Hotel: Miyako Kioto Hachijyo or similar

Breakfast: Included|Lunch: Excluded|Dinner: Excluded

Day 6: Kyoto

We spend all day in the city that was the capital of Japan from the year 794 to 1868 and home to the Imperial Court. During World War II the city was the only major Japanese to escape the bombardments, and so it still preserves its wealth of artistic heritage; the famous protocol restricting greenhouse gas emissions was signed in Kyoto in 1997. We head for the outskirts of Kyoto to Arashiyama, where we cross the Togetsukyo Bridge (¨bridge over the moon¨), which has fantastic views. We will visit the Tenryuji temple, one of the ¨five major Zen temples of Kyoto¨ and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, followed by a walk through its mystic bamboo forest. The visit includes a trip to one of the most important parts of the city. We will see the marvellous Shinto Shrine of Fushimi Inari, the Imperial Palace and Kinkakuji temple, “the golden pavilion” and its wonderful gardens.

Free time before visiting GION, a busy traditional quarter famous for its Geisha. Free time.

For over 1,000 years, Kyoto was the imperial capital of Japan. Today, its economy is based around information technology. It is home to the Nintendo headquarters, one of the world's most popular video game corporations.

  • Arashiyama is the second-most important sightseeing district in Kyoto. It’s filled with temples and shrines, but the star attraction is the famed Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.

  • The name of this Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto translates to the "Temple of the Golden Pavilion." It sits on a beautiful, tranquil lake. It was originally built in 1397 and rebuilt after a 1950 arson.

    Duration: Approx. 40 Minutes

  • Fushimi Inari Shrine is an important Shinto shrine in southern Kyoto. It is famous for its thousands of vermilions torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings. The trails lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari, which stands at 233 meters and belongs to the shrine grounds. Fushimi Inari is the most important of several thousands of shrines dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice. Foxes are thought the Inari's messengers, resulting in many fox statues across the shrine grounds.

  • Gion is the most famous district of Kyoto which reserves many old streets and architectures to feel the old Japanese culture.

Dulexe Hotel: Miyako Kioto Hachijyo or similar

Breakfast: Included|Lunch: Excluded|Dinner: Excluded

Day 7: Kyoto - Nara - Osaka (77 km)

We leave for Nara and visit Todaiji, a magnificent Buddhist temple built in 752, which has a giant Buddha and where passengers can take photos and touch and feed the deer that wander through the park. Lunch included. After the visit, we will see Horyuji Buddhist temple, a World Heritage Site that includes a seminary, monasteries and temples. Its main pagoda temple is one of the oldest wooden buildings in the world and is the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan and an important place of worship.

We continue to Osaka, where we arrive in the evening. Accommodation in this modern city (Japan’s second city). We will visit Dotonbori, a colourful district filled with nightlife.

This Japanese city has a rich history. From 710 to 794 BCE, it was the country's capital. There are many deer in the area, and it is said that if you bow to them, they will return the gesture.

  • This Buddhist temple in Nara was once among the Seven Great Temples. It houses the world’s largest bronze Buddha statue. Visitors can see deer, seen as the messengers of the gods in Shinto, freely roaming the grounds.

  • Horyuji Temple housing several important cultural properties and designated as Japan's first UNESCO World Heritage It was founded in 607 by Prince Shotoku and contains the world's oldest surviving wooden structures.

Osaka is a designated city in the Kansai region of Japan. It is the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and the largest component of the Keihanshin Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Japan.

  • Dotonbori is one of the most prosperous business districts in Osaka and a landmark food stronghold. Almost all the specialties of Osaka are included here, including ramen noodles, octopus roast, teppanyaki, revolving sushi, puffer fish cuisine, etc. The most famous ones are "Osaka King General" and "Crab Road Music". In the night when neon lights are flashing, there is even more excitement here.

Dulexe Hotel: Candeo Osaka Namba/Holiday Inn Express Osaka City Centre - Midosuji or similar

Breakfast: Included|Lunch: Included (Buffet More than 20 Westen set menu less than 20)|Dinner: Excluded

Day 8: Osaka

After breakfast, end of our services.

Osaka is a designated city in the Kansai region of Japan. It is the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and the largest component of the Keihanshin Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Japan.

Breakfast: Included|Lunch: Excluded|Dinner: Excluded

 

Price Includes:

Price Excludes: