Welcome to Tokyo! You will be met at the arrival gate by our representative holding a name sign.

Enjoy a Food and Sake Tour of Tokyo starting with a trip to the Sawanoi Ozawa Sake Brewery. One of the Tokyo area's oldest breweries. We enjoy a tour of the brewery and taste their premium products. Then, have a lunch at the brewery consisting of healthy Japanese cuisine with sake accompaniment.

Next to Gotokuji Temple, the birthplace of the Maneki-neko, (Welcoming Cat). Hundreds of the cats can be seen waving his cute paw in welcome and is sold in the temple shop.

Next, teamLab Borderless. A popular exhibition space for their enormous digital art displays, teamLab borderless astounds visitors with interactive digital art exhibits that create an imaginative illusion of a borderless world.

Then, taste delicious ramen dishes on an Ikebukuro Ramen Tasting Tour. Ikebukuro is the birthplace of the Tsukemen "dipping ramen", and has become an area known for its variety of ramen shops.

The tour begins with the Toyosu Fish Market's tuna auction observation, he Tuna Auction was moved from Tsukiji to Toyosu, where it continues to be one of the largest fish auctions in the world. After watching the energetic auction, we go to one of the local eateries to try some fresh-caught seafood.

You will have some free leisure time to relax until midday, when we take a stroll along the Togoshi Ginza Shopping Street. Togoshi Ginza is a shotengai - a community street market frequented by locals for their weekly shopping. Because of this, the shops sell many common items and conveniences rather than souvenirs, although Togoshi Ginza is also known for its variety of street food. While there, find a lunch on your own to suit your taste.

The afternoon includes Shibuya's iconic "Scramble Crossing". On one corner of the crossing is the statue of the faithful Akita dog, Hachiko, who is celebrated for his enduring loyalty., followed by Shinjuku Gyoen's diverse gardens.

The day concludes with an izakaya-hopping tour in Shinjuku's Golden Gai and Omoide Yokocho, showcasing Japanese pub culture.

We visit Tsukiji Outer Market – a bustling outdoor street market known for its fresh and delicious seafood, produce, and kitchenware. From there, we drive by the Imperial Palace, which offers splendid views of the meticulously maintained front lawn and garden areas, the moat, and the old stone walls. Next, enjoy a fun and simple Sushi-Making Experience, where you can enjoy creating your own sushi, and eating it afterwards!

Then, we visit Tokyo’s oldest temple complex – Asakusa Sensoji Temple, featuring the Kaminarimon Gate, in which hangs an enormous red lantern. Leading up to the temple is Nakamise Street, which is lined with shops selling all manner of Japanese souvenirs. At the end of the day, we ascend Tokyo Skytree to the observation deck (Tembo Deck), which offers a panoramic 360-degree view of the Tokyo cityscape.

We will depart from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji on our private coach. Along the way, enjoy the changing scenery, from thick vegetation to lowlands to rolling clouds. Stop at Mt. Fuji 5th Station (depending on weather) to admire the world-famous peak.

Next, we will travel to Hakone, which is among Japan's most popular hot spring resorts, and view the forested slopes of Hakone National Park. We will take a 20-minute ropeway ride from Togendai to Owakudani. Most of the area around Owakudani is considered an active volcanic zone since its creation from the eruption of Mount Hakone some 3,000 years ago.

Now, you can experience hot springs and hot rivers there, where sulfurous fumes still linger. Owakudani also has splendid views of Mount Fuji in good weather. Next, take a Shinkansen bullet train ride for experience, which can reach speeds of up to 300 km/hr. We will stay at an Onsen Hotel, where you can soak in the therapeutic waters of a spa bath and enjoy dinner in the comfort of your hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, our group will visit the Miho Museum, a stunning architecture that accentuates the surrounding nature while exhibiting a variety of items from different ancient civilizations. It was designed by the renowned architect I. M. Pei, and is named after Koyama Mihoko, one of the richest women in Japan and the founder of the museum. Moreover, the museum has been listed as one of the "1000 Places To See Before You Die."

We will then continue to Kyoto, a historical city that was spared from air raids and saved from the atomic bomb during World War II for its cultural and historical value. We will visit the famous Kiyomizu Temple, best known for its wooden stage that juts out from its main hall, 13 meters above the hillside below. The stage affords visitors a nice view of the numerous cherry and maple trees below that erupt in a sea of color in spring and fall, as well as of the city of Kyoto in the distance.

We will stay two nights in Kyoto.

In the morning, we explore Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site from Japan’s feudal era and former residence of the Tokugawa shogun. While you walk around the stately Edo-period buildings, listen for the chirping of the “nightingale” floors.

The tour continues to Kinkakuji Temple (also called the Golden Pavilion), one of Kyoto’s most coveted sights. Shimmering walls wrapped in gold leaf are reflected in the Mirror Pond below; look carefully to see the dainty phoenix sitting on the roof.
Next, we travel to the Arashiyama district to see the Sagano Bamboo Forest, where towering stalks of bamboo packed close together create an otherworldly feeling of mystery and awe.

Then experience a traditional Green Tea Ceremony – an elegant ritual of hospitality once accorded only to the social elite, made even more special as it is hosted by a Maiko (an apprentice Geisha).

We end our day in the Gion Geisha District, where stone-paved streets are lined with exclusive ochaya (teahouses). While admiring the old-fashioned buildings, the fortunate visitor may spot Geisha or Maiko walking between these establishments.

After, we enjoy a Walking Food Tour of Gion and Pontocho. Pontocho shares the classical Japanese ambience of Gion, offering a row of wooden eating establishments by the Kamo River. Explore these two historic districts and immerse yourself in their old-fashioned atmosphere, trying traditional dishes and sake with your guide. Keep an eye out for passing Geisha along the way!

We travel to Fushimi Inari Shrine – the chief shrine of the thousands throughout the country dedicated to Inari, the Shinto deity of economic prosperity, rice, and foxes. What sets this shrine apart is the sight of thousands of bright vermillion torii gates that form long pathways through the forest covering sacred Mount Inari.

Next, we will travel to the ancient city of Nara, where we will visit one of Japan’s most famous temples and an icon of the city: Todaiji Temple, home to the Great Buddha of Nara – a massive, seated image of Rushana-butsu, known as the “Cosmic Buddha”.
Outside the temple, spend some time with the friendly wild deer of Nara Deer Park. These adorable creatures are largely accustomed to interacting with people, and some have even learned to bow when asking for the special deer crackers, which can be bought around the park.

We go from there to Osaka to visit the colorful, neon-lit entertainment district of Dotonbori. This area is popularly known for being the heart of Osaka’s food culture. Osaka is known as the city of “Kuidaore” or “to eat until you drop”, and you will find Dotonbori to be filled with numerous eateries underneath large, eye-catching billboards, including the famed Glico “Running Man”.

Lastly, make your way to Shinsaibashi, the largest shopping district in Osaka. Originally established during the Edo period, this historic district is now home to various modern retailers including jewelers, trendy boutiques, western clothing and footwear stores, and even traditional kimono tailors.

Today we take a 2-hour ride by private coach to Himeji to visit the Himeji Castle. It is known as "White Egret Castle" and "White Heron Castle" because of its brilliant white exterior, resembling a bird taking flight. Himeji Castle is the largest and most visited castle in Japan, and is one of the few remaining original castles. This splendid example of traditional architecture was declared one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Japan.

Next is a visit to Kurashiki. In merchant days, this scenic town thrived as a port for rice shipments. Several old rice granaries and examples of historic architecture still remain, in addition to the stone-lined canal.

In the afternoon, we will continue our journey to Hiroshima.

We will visit the Peace Memorial Park and Atomic Bomb Museum. After lunch, we will take a short ferry ride to the island of Miyajima. At high tide, the famed vermilion torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine looks like it’s floating in the middle of the sea. The shrine complex is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Miyajima has been selected as one of Japan’s three most scenic places (Nihon Sankei).

In the afternoon, we will drive through the Shimanami Kaido to Shikoku Island. The Shimanami Kaido is a 60-kilometer toll road that connects Japan’s main island of Honshu to the island of Shikoku, passing over six small islands in the Seto Inland Sea. It is also known as the Nishiseto Expressway.

We continue our journey to Oboke Gorge, one of three hidden mountain regions of Japan. Oboke is the valley located upstream of the Yoshino-gawa River. “Boke” means “dangerous to walk along,” and Oboke (“big boke”) was named for its jagged V-shaped rocks and narrow path which, no matter how carefully or slowly you walk, makes walking dangerous. Enjoy a relaxing boat ride and take in the panoramic view of the valley.

In Takamatsu, we will visit Ritsurin Park, a masterpiece of Japanese landscape 100 years in the making. This sprawling park features beautiful ponds and pavilions, with Mt. Shiun as the perfect backdrop.

From there, our private coach takes us across Awaji Island through a series of spectacular bridges.

In the evening, we continue to Kobe, where we will savor the world-famous Wagyu beef.

We visit Kuromon Market, a covered shopping arcade sometimes called "Osaka's Kitchen", filled with fresh seafood and produce, with restaurants and street stalls selling seafood-based rice bowls and other foods.

We go from there to the Cup Noodles Museum, which tells the story of culinary innovator Momofuku Ando, who invented the international phenomenon known as Cup Noodles. You can learn the history of Cup Noodles, see the different flavors distributed worldwide, and even make your own individual Cup Noodle.

Then, we end the day with a Kuidaore Street Food Tour of the Shinsekai District. Kuidaore is part of a Japanese proverb that means "to bankrupt oneself with food", and no one knows how to indulge in delicious food like the people of Osaka. Taste the foods that Osaka is famous for, including Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki, Kushikatsu, and more.

While there, visit Tsutenkaku Tower, the symbol of the Shinsekai District, where guests can enjoy delightful views of the Osaka cityscape from the observation deck.

After breakfast, our tour officially ends. Checkout time is 11 am and Osaka Kansai Airport can be reached in a three minute walk.