Day One & Two
Fly to Tokyo, Japan from LAX non-stop. Arrive in the late afternoon and rest in your hotel.

Day Three

Hama-rikyu Gardens in Tokyo is a tranquil 17th-century retreat with a tidal pond, traditional teahouse, and lush landscapes. Winding paths and seasonal blooms offer peace, while nearby skyscrapers create a striking contrast, blending old and new Japan. It is the perfect example of a traditional Japanese garden.

 

Next, you will visit the iconic Senso-ji, which burned during World War II and was later rebuilt. The streets around Senso-ji feature many traditional shops that sell Japanese crafts and souvenirs and are a delight. Wander through Nakamise Street which connects the main gate of Senso-ji temple (Kaminarimon gate) and the main hall. 

Your last stop will be at Meiji Jingu, Tokyo’s most famous Shinto shrine dedicated to the spirit of the late Emperor Meiji. The park that surrounds the shrine has around 120,000 trees, making you forget that just outside the shrine grounds are two of the city’s popular shopping districts, Harajuku and Omotesando.​

Day Four

Dubbed the most-visited single artist museum in the world, you will enjoy the modern TeamLabs Borderless museum! Opened in early 2024, this jaw-dropping museum has no routes. Wander through museum at your own pace, discover rooms with stunning artwork that changes throughout the day. 

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Next, you are off to the 10th tallest observatory in the world, the SkyTree tower. Enjoy stunning views and feel the magnitude of the most populated city on earth. 

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Finally, you are off to Shibuya Crossing, the busiest intersection in the world.  Join in and be one of the 2.4 million people that cross daily!  ​

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Day Five

Today is a free day in Tokyo! Visit Disneyland Tokyo or DisneySea Tokyo. Or, take a taxi to the Ginza District for some upscale malls and shopping. Take a day trip to Mt. Fuji, seek a kabuki show-the possibilities are endless in one of the cleanest, safest cities on earth!

Day Six
This morning, transfer to the airport to take a short flight to Osaka. This afternoon, you will visit Osaka Castle. It is Osaka's best known sight and the symbol of the city. The construction started in 1583 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s order, however the castle suffered several destructions throughout its history. It was not until 1931 that the present ferro- concrete construction of the castle tower was built. During the war it miraculously survived the city wide air raids. The castle tower is surrounded by secondary citadels, gates, turrets, impressive stone walls and moats. 

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Day Seven

Today, we will enjoy nearby Kyoto, starting with Arashiyama, the district famous for the vast bamboo grove and the majestic Hozugawa River. Enjoy a morning stroll in the bamboo groves before heading to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tenryu-ji. The most captivating spot inside the temple grounds is the landscaped garden that features a pond surrounded by rocks and pine trees set against the great Arashiyama Mountains. 

Kinkaku-ji, or the Golden Pavilion, is a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan, renowned for its stunning architecture and serene surroundings. Officially named Rokuon-ji, it was originally built in 1397 as a retirement villa for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. Its top two floors are covered in gold leaf, reflecting beautifully on the adjacent pond, creating a picturesque scene. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, symbolizing the blend of aristocratic and Zen aesthetics, and is surrounded by meticulously landscaped gardens.

 

Finally, we enjoy Nijo Castle, an ornamental castle that was originally built to serve as the private villa of a powerful feudal lord. The main building was completed in the early 1600s and has since then been known for its Momoyama-style architecture, decorated sliding doors, and “chirping nightingale” floors. 

Day Eight
Today we will head to Nara. Established in 1880, it is the location to many of Nara's main attractions including Todaiji, Kasuga Taisha, Kofukuji and the Nara National Museum. It is also home to hundreds of freely roaming deer. Considered the messengers of the gods, Nara's over 1000 deer have become a symbol of the city and have even been designated as a natural treasure. Deer crackers are for sale around the park, and some deer have learned to bow to visitors to ask to be fed. Nara's deer are surprisingly tame, although they can be aggressive if they think you will feed them, so make sure not to tease them with food.

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Todai-ji is the landmark of Nara that was built in the 8th century to serve as the head Buddhist temple in Japan. The most notable part of the temple is the Daibutsu-den, the largest wooden building in the world where you can find a 15-metre tall bronze Buddha.

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Take a short walk to Kasuga Taisha, a historic Shinto shrine established in 768 CE, renowned for its vibrant vermilion architecture and serene forested setting. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is famous for its thousands of bronze and stone lanterns, donated by worshippers over centuries, which are lit during the biannual Lantern Festivals. Dedicated to deities protecting the city, the shrine reflects deep spiritual and cultural significance, with its elegant halls and surrounding deer-filled park drawing visitors worldwide.

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This late afternoon, enjoy Fushimi Inari-taisha, a revered Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari, the deity of rice, prosperity, and business. Established in 711 CE, it is famous for its thousands of vibrant red torii gates forming the iconic Senbon Torii path, winding through Mount Inari’s sacred slopes.

Day Nine
Take the bullet-train from Kyoto station to Hiroshima station. While on board the bullet train, keep an eye out for Himeji Castle, also known as the ‘White Egret Castle’, and the Seto Ohashi Bridge, the longest two-tiered suspension bridge in the world that stretches 13 kilometers long and links Honshu to Shikoku.

 

First visit will be at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Museum. The area where the park now lies used to be ground zero after the bombing in 1945. The Memorial Park was built as a commemoration for those who lost their lives in the attack. 

Following the guide, stroll through the park and pass by Genbaku Dome (A- Bomb Dome), the ruins of the former Industrial Promotion Hall of Hiroshima and one of the very few World Heritage Sites that remind us of the negative effects of war. Continue onwards and stop by the Children’s Peace Monument, where the guide will share the story behind it and the thousands of paper cranes.

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Next, you will visit Miyajima by ferry. Enjoy views of the spectacular Torri Gate just offshore. 

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Transfer back via bullet train to Kyoto.

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​Day Ten
Fly from Osaka to LAX with a connection in Tokyo. Thank you for traveling with us, welcome home!

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