
Senso-ji and the illustrious pagoda in Asakusa

The elegant geisha walking the streets of Gion

Itsukushima Shrine and its famous floating torii gate

Kyoto-style lunch in an atmospheric restaurant

Japan Highlights
11 days
Tokyo › Fuji Five Lakes › Kyoto › Arashiyama › Kyoto › Nara › Kyoto › Hiroshima › Miyajima › Osaka
Osaka Castle, always a sight to behold


The famous wild deer of Nara Park

Sushi in Ginza. Classy place, classy meal!
Overview
So you have never been to Japan. You have read a lot about it in travel magazines, or maybe your friends have been sharing their wonderful experience there during their last vacation. You,would really like to see for yourself what the all the buzz is about, but you don’t know where to start. Worry not, we have the right itinerary and service for you to realize this dream!
Japan Highlights is the middle and most balanced of ILJT’s three newcomer-friendly itineraries. In addition to Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, and Mt. Fuji, you will also be visiting the city of Hiroshima and the nearby island of Miyajima. In addition to the iconic views of each city, the scenic floating torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine and the solemn exhibits of Hiroshima’s tragic past make for an enriching experience in Japan.
Also included in this tour is Arashiyama, a picturesque area to the west of Kyoto. Enjoy an unforgettable rickshaw ride across its bamboo groves, and explore both the famous and unknown. With other unique experiences such as an onsen bath and a geisha performance, our Japan Highlights is sure to be a memorable adventure in Japan for first-timers!
Highlights
Outline
Arrival: Narita International Airport
Day 1: Arrival in TokyoTokyo
Arrive in Tokyo. Adventure is about to start!
Day 2: Tokyo TourTokyo
Explore Tokyo, a modern metropolis of tradition, fashion, and action
Meals included : Breakfast / Lunch
Day 3: Mt. Fuji TourFuji Five Lakes
Explore and stay in the Fuji Five Lakes area, where atmosphere meets comfort
Meals included : Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 4: Kyoto TourKyoto
Explore more of Kyoto, including a castle, two temples, and a kimono museum
Meals included : Breakfast / Lunch
Day 5: Kyoto TourKyoto
Explore more of Kyoto, including a castle, two temples, and a kimono museum
Meals included : Breakfast / Lunch
Day 6: Arashiyama TourArashiyama › Kyoto
Explore Arashiyama, and enjoy a rickshaw ride amid its beautiful nature
Meals included : Breakfast / Lunch
Day 7: Nara TourNara › Kyoto
Explore Nara, visit its majestic temple and shrine, and interact with wild deer
Meals included : Breakfast / Lunch
Day 8: Hiroshima TourHiroshima
Explore Hiroshima, and learn all about the city’s most significant historic event
Meals included : Breakfast / Lunch
Day 9: Miyajima TourMiyajima › Osaka
Explore Miyajima, a scenic spot known for its floating torii gate on high tide
Meals included : Breakfast / Lunch
Day 10: Osaka TourOsaka
Explore Osaka, both its landmark castle and busy shopping streets
Meals included : Breakfast / Lunch
Day 11: Leaving JapanOsaka
Leave Japan, and bring home many wonderful memories!
Meals included : Breakfast
Departure: Kansai International Airport
What is included?
Tour Accommodation
Western hotel: 9 nights -- Japanese ryokan: 1 night
Meals
10 breakfasts -- 9 lunches -- 1 dinner
Transport
Airport pickup -- Private car: 9 days -- Bullet train: 3 times (Odawara - Kyoto, Kyoto - Hiroshima, Hiroshima - Osaka)
Tour guide
Airport pickup -- Guided tour: 9 days
Included activities
Tickets for attractions and rides as defined in the itinerary, where necessary
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the tour
You might be also interested in
Trip name | days | |
---|---|---|
Golden Ring Tokyo to Tokyo | 11 | |
Japan Classics Tokyo to Osaka | 15 | |
Tokaido Express Osaka to Tokyo | 7 |
Overview
So you have never been to Japan. You have read a lot about it in travel magazines, or maybe your friends have been sharing their wonderful experience there during their last vacation. You,would really like to see for yourself what the all the buzz is about, but you don’t know where to start. Worry not, we have the right itinerary and service for you to realize this dream!
Japan Highlights is the middle and most balanced of ILJT’s three newcomer-friendly itineraries. In addition to Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, and Mt. Fuji, you will also be visiting the city of Hiroshima and the nearby island of Miyajima. In addition to the iconic views of each city, the scenic floating torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine and the solemn exhibits of Hiroshima’s tragic past make for an enriching experience in Japan.
Also included in this tour is Arashiyama, a picturesque area to the west of Kyoto. Enjoy an unforgettable rickshaw ride across its bamboo groves, and explore both the famous and unknown. With other unique experiences such as an onsen bath and a geisha performance, our Japan Highlights is sure to be a memorable adventure in Japan for first-timers!
Highlights
Outline
Arrival: Narita International Airport
Day 1: Arrival in TokyoTokyo
Arrive in Tokyo. Adventure is about to start!
Day 2: Tokyo TourTokyo
Explore Tokyo, a modern metropolis of tradition, fashion, and action
Meals included : Breakfast / Lunch
Day 3: Mt. Fuji TourFuji Five Lakes
Explore and stay in the Fuji Five Lakes area, where atmosphere meets comfort
Meals included : Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 4: Kyoto TourKyoto
Explore more of Kyoto, including a castle, two temples, and a kimono museum
Meals included : Breakfast / Lunch
Day 5: Kyoto TourKyoto
Explore more of Kyoto, including a castle, two temples, and a kimono museum
Meals included : Breakfast / Lunch
Day 6: Arashiyama TourArashiyama › Kyoto
Explore Arashiyama, and enjoy a rickshaw ride amid its beautiful nature
Meals included : Breakfast / Lunch
Day 7: Nara TourNara › Kyoto
Explore Nara, visit its majestic temple and shrine, and interact with wild deer
Meals included : Breakfast / Lunch
Day 8: Hiroshima TourHiroshima
Explore Hiroshima, and learn all about the city’s most significant historic event
Meals included : Breakfast / Lunch
Day 9: Miyajima TourMiyajima › Osaka
Explore Miyajima, a scenic spot known for its floating torii gate on high tide
Meals included : Breakfast / Lunch
Day 10: Osaka TourOsaka
Explore Osaka, both its landmark castle and busy shopping streets
Meals included : Breakfast / Lunch
Day 11: Leaving JapanOsaka
Leave Japan, and bring home many wonderful memories!
Meals included : Breakfast
Departure: Kansai International Airport
Hotels
What is included?
Tour Accommodation
Western hotel: 9 nights -- Japanese ryokan: 1 night
Meals
10 breakfasts -- 9 lunches -- 1 dinner
Transport
Airport pickup -- Private car: 9 days -- Bullet train: 3 times (Odawara - Kyoto, Kyoto - Hiroshima, Hiroshima - Osaka)
Tour guide
Airport pickup -- Guided tour: 9 days
Included activities
Tickets for attractions and rides as defined in the itinerary, where necessary
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the tour
You might be also interested in
Trip name | days | |
---|---|---|
Kansai Highlights Osaka to Osaka | 7 | |
Japan Express Tokyo to Osaka | 8 | |
Tokaido Express Osaka to Tokyo | 7 |
Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo
Arrival: Narita International Airport
Activities
The first day is a standard affair. Your guide will pick you up at the airport and assist you with preparations for the tour. A private coach will take you to your hotel in the heart of the city. After the check-in procedures are completed, you will have the rest of the day to yourselves.
Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo
Day 2: Tokyo Tour
Schedule
- 09:00 - 10:00 Transfer to Asakusa
- 10:00 - 11:30 Asakusa and Senso-ji
- 11:30 - 12:00 Transfer to Ginza
- 12:00 - 13:30 Sushi lunch
- 13:30 - 14:15 Drive around Ginza, Marunouchi/Otemachi and the Imperial Palace
- 14:15 - 14:45 Transfer to Harajuku
- 14:45 - 15:45 Meiji Jingu
- 15:45 - 16:45 Sightseeing around Takeshita Street
- 16:45 - 17:00 Transfer to Shibuya
- 17:00 - 17:30 Sightseeing around Shibuya
- 17:30 - 18:00 Return to hotel
Meals
Activities



The famous Tokyo has an impressive way of blending both tradition and modernity. A classic example is Asakusa, your first destination of the day, where the city’s oldest temple stands in stark contrast to the towering Tokyo Skytree. You will once again witness this beautiful contradiction in around the Imperial Palace, whose stone walls and great moat feels almost like a different era next to a highly developed business district.
Later in the afternoon, you will be visiting the great shrine Meiji Jingu where they venerate the spirit of Emperor Meiji, as well as the busy Takeshita Street known for its unique fashion boutiques and trendy stores. Your last stop today will be Shibuya, to be visited around the end of the working day. When pedestrian traffic is at its peak, you will witness the renowned scramble crossing getting populated with a sea of humans.
Day 2: Tokyo Tour
Day 3: Mt. Fuji Tour
Schedule
- 09:00 - 11:30 Transfer to Fuji Five Lakes
- 11:30 - 12:30 Arakura Sengen Shrine
- 12:30 - 13:00 Transfer to Iyashi no Sato
- 13:00 - 14:30 Hoto udon lunch
- 14:30 - 15:30 Sightseeing around Iyashi no Sato
- 15:30 - 16:15 Transfer to ryokan
- 16:15 - 18:30 Ryokan check-in >> onsen, free time
- 18:30 - 20:00 Dinner
Meals
Activities





The Fuji Five Lakes area is about a two-hour drive away from Tokyo. Your first destination is a mountainside shrine known for its Chureito pagoda. Together with Mt. Fuji in the background, they form an iconic view that features in many panoramic shots of Japan. Later in the day, you will also see Mt. Fuji from other angles during lunch or when you circle Lake Kawaguchi. Be it looming over a city or reflected in the water, Mt. Fuji is a classic Japanese sight that you cannot miss.
You will enjoy lunch at the scenic Iyashi no Sato, a small village featuring quaint little houses with thatched roofs. The menu itself is a local delicacy, in which udon noodles are cooked with many locally harvested ingredients. Finally, you will be transferred to Kaneyamaen, an onsen ryokan selected for its high-quality open-air baths from which you can see Mt. Fuji in the twilight. In addition to the hot spring experience that the country is so renowned for, you will also enjoy the rich dinner and cozy tatami rooms for a quintessential Japanese experience.
Day 3: Mt. Fuji Tour
Day 4: Kyoto Tour
Schedule
- 09:00 - 10:30 Ryokan check-out >> transfer to Odawara
- 10:30 - 12:30 Transfer to Kyoto by shinkansen
- 12:30 - 14:00 Washoku lunch
- 14:00 - 14:30 Transfer to Nanzen-ji
- 14:30 - 15:45 Nanzen-ji
- 15:45 - 17:00 Sightseeing in Higashiyama
- 17:00 - 17:15 Transfer to Gion
- 17:15 - 18:00 Sightseeing around Gion
- 18:00 - 19:00 Gion Corner (subject to availability)
- 19:00 - 19:30 Transfer to hotel >> check-in
Meals
Activities





Today you will take the famous bullet train along the east coast of Japan, covering more than 500 kilometers in just two hours. Arriving in Kyoto at noon, you will immediately get a traditional taste of the city for lunch. Then you will visit one of the most important temples in Kyoto, Nanzen-ji. As the head temple that presides over the five great Zen temples, Nanzen-ji boasts a massive gate, impressive gardens, and beautiful paintings on gold leaf, among many other things.
Immerse yourself in the preserved traditional atmosphere as you walk through the slopes of Higashiyama. In the evening, you will be sightseeing around the city’s most famous geisha district. The area is full of old wooden houses, shops, and teahouses. If you are lucky, you may be able to catch a glimpse of passing geiko and maiko. To give you a better picture of the geisha culture of Japan, you will watch a cultural show at Gion Corner, where you will learn about various forms of Japanese art performed by apprentice geisha.
Day 4: Kyoto Tour
Day 5: Kyoto Tour
Schedule
- 09:00 - 10:00 Transfer to Nijo Castle
- 10:00 - 11:00 Nijo Castle
- 11:00 - 11:15 Transfer to Nishijin Textile Center
- 11:15 - 12:30 Nishijin Textile Center
- 12:30 - 13:15 Transfer to restaurant
- 13:15 - 14:45 Temari-zushi lunch
- 14:45 - 15:00 Transfer to Kinkakuji
- 15:00 - 15:45 Kinkaku-ji
- 15:45 - 17:00 Ryoan-ji
- 17:00 - 17:30 Return to hotel
Meals
Activities



Classic Kyoto sights await you! You will start the day with a visit to Nijo Castle, a former samurai fortress that also functioned as an interim imperial palace. You will visit the well-preserved palace, hear its squeaking nightingale floors, and see its beautiful decorations. Afterward, you will browse through a gallery of beautiful kimono at Nishijin Textile Center.
After a delightful temari-zushi lunch, you will explore two of the most well-known icons of Kyoto. The first is the golden temple, Kinkaku-ji, whose impressive exterior and reflection in the water are legendary. The second temple features the most renowned “dry landscape” in the country, which is a carefully raked rock garden.
Day 5: Kyoto Tour
Day 6: Arashiyama Tour
Schedule
- 09:00 - 10:00 Transfer to Arashiyama
- 10:00 - 10:45 Adashino Nenbutsu-ji
- 10:45 - 11:30 Otagi Nenbutsu-ji
- 11:30 - 13:00 Sightseeing around Arashiyama (rickshaw ride)
- 13:00 - 14:30 Kyo-ryori lunch
- 14:30 - 15:30 Tenryu-ji
- 15:30 - 17:30 Return to Kyoto hotel
Meals
Activities



Enjoy an exciting trip to the Arashiyama area, a scenic getaway that is very popular among visitors to Kyoto. This place is known for its many iconic landmarks, including the famed bamboo grove and one of the five great Zen temples, Tenryu-ji, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will explore a portion of Arashiyama on a traditional rickshaw, which is a quintessential classic Japanese experience.
In addition, you will visit two lesser known temples in the northern Arashiyama area. Both of the Nenbutsu-ji temples feature stone sculptures numbering in the thousands. The eerie-looking statues, along with the generally quiet ambience, will leave you in awe as you walk around this remote corner of Arashiyama. As for lunch, you will enjoy an authentic kaiseki meal in an atmospheric restaurant by the river.
Day 6: Arashiyama Tour
Day 7: Nara Tour
Schedule
- 09:00 - 10:00 Transfer to Nara
- 10:00 - 11:00 Nara Park
- 11:00 - 11:15 Transfer to restaurant
- 11:15 - 12:45 Irori lunch
- 12:45 - 13:00 Transfer to Todai-ji
- 13:00 - 14:30 Todai-ji
- 14:30 - 14:45 Transfer to Kasuga Taisha
- 14:45 - 15:45 Kasuga Taisha
- 15:45 - 16:30 Manyo Botanical Garden
- 16:30 - 18:00 Return to Kyoto hotel
Meals
Activities



Today’s excursion brings you to Nara, best known for the thousands of wild deer that roam in its park. You will have a great time feeding them the specially sold deer crackers. Some of the deer even picked up the Japanese habit of bowing to you! Near the park is the equally famous Todai-ji, the Great Eastern Temple. It has the largest wooden building and Daibutsu statue in the country.
Afterward, you will visit the grand shrine Kasuga Taisha, which is known for its thousands of lanterns. There is even a dark room within the inner area, where the myriad hanging lanterns are fully lit, making this shrine a magical visit. To conclude the classic Nara experience, you will visit the botanical garden just outside Kasuga Taisha. You will then return to Kyoto for another stay.
Day 7: Nara Tour
Day 8: Hiroshima Tour
Schedule
- 09:00 - 11:30 Hotel check-out >> transfer to Hiroshima by shinkansen
- 11:30 - 12:00 Transfer to restaurant
- 12:00 - 13:30 Okonomiyaki lunch
- 13:30 - 14:00 Transfer to Peace Memorial Park
- 14:00 - 15:30 Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
- 15:30 - 15:45 Transfer to Shukkei-en
- 15:45 - 16:45 Shukkei-en
- 16:45 - 17:30 Transfer to hotel >> check-in
Meals
Activities

After four nights in Kyoto, you will leave the old capital city and take the bullet train to Hiroshima. Hiroshima is most known for being the first unfortunate city in the world to be destroyed by an atomic bomb. However, the historic nightmare did not stop the city from attempting to restore its former glory. The Atomic Bomb Dome, which still stands in its dilapidation among the now modern city, is testament to Hiroshima’s resilience and resolve.
After an enlightening experience in the Peace Memorial Park, which was built right under the center of the explosion, you will visit the beautiful garden of Shukkei-en. While it was heavily damaged during the bombing, it has been reconstructed to be as gorgeous as ever. The garden’s serene atmosphere provides a certain calm in the middle of the memories that this city evokes.
Day 8: Hiroshima Tour
Day 9: Miyajima Tour
Schedule
- 09:00 - 10:00 Hotel check-out >> transfer to ferry port
- 10:00 - 10:30 Take the ferry to Miyajima
- 10:30 - 12:00 Itsukushima Shrine
- 12:00 - 13:30 Oyster lunch
- 13:30 - 14:00 Take the ferry to Hiroshima
- 14:00 - 16:00 Transfer to Osaka by shinkansen
- 16:00 - 17:00 Transfer to hotel >> check-in
Meals
Activities



Checking out of your hotel in the morning, you will be driven to Hiroshima Port. Just a short ferry ride from Hiroshima is the island of Itsukushima, more commonly known as Miyajima (the shrine island) due to its iconic Shinto shrine. Your driver will be waiting for you on this side as you cross the strait to the legendary island.
The floating torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine has been widely ranked as one of Japan’s top three scenic views, and today you will get to see it in all its glory. Depending on the tide, you may even be able to get close to the torii gate for a memorable picture. After a pleasant walk and a delightful lunch in Miyajima, you will take the ferry back to Hiroshima, and from there the bullet train to Osaka.
Day 9: Miyajima Tour
Day 10: Osaka Tour
Schedule
- 09:00 - 10:00 Hotel check-out >> transfer to Osaka Castle
- 10:00 - 11:30 Osaka Castle
- 11:30 - 12:00 Transfer to Namba
- 12:00 - 13:30 Crab lunch
- 13:30 - 15:30 Shopping walk at Shinsaibashi/Amerika-mura
- 15:30 - 16:30 Transfer to Kansai International Airport >> hotel check-in
Meals
Activities


Osaka is a big and lively city, which makes it a great dessert for your classic Japan tour. You will first visit Osaka Castle, which has a classic exterior, but is actually a modern museum in disguise. Then you can enjoy a serving of the city’s most popular crab dishes, and see all the bustle in action on its shopping streets.
In the afternoon, you will be brought to a hotel near Kansai International Airport, which will be your port of exit. Nearby is the Rinku Premium Outlets, which you may want to visit in case you haven’t bought enough for gifts and souvenirs. Enjoy your last night in Japan!
Day 10: Osaka Tour
Day 11: Leaving Japan
Departure: Kansai International Airport
Meals
Activities
You have completed the Japan Highlights tour! We hope that you enjoyed your trip with ILJT! On the last day, you will check out of your hotel and conduct an independent transfer to the airport. Have a safe flight back home, and see you again soon!
Day 11: Leaving Japan
Arrival: Narita International Airport
Activities
The first day is a standard affair. Your guide will pick you up at the airport and assist you with preparations for the tour. A private coach will take you to your hotel in the heart of the city. After the check-in procedures are completed, you will have the rest of the day to yourselves.
Schedule
- 09:00 - 10:00 Transfer to Asakusa
- 10:00 - 11:30 Asakusa and Senso-ji
- 11:30 - 12:00 Transfer to Ginza
- 12:00 - 13:30 Sushi lunch
- 13:30 - 14:15 Drive around Ginza, Marunouchi/Otemachi and the Imperial Palace
- 14:15 - 14:45 Transfer to Harajuku
- 14:45 - 15:45 Meiji Jingu
- 15:45 - 16:45 Sightseeing around Takeshita Street
- 16:45 - 17:00 Transfer to Shibuya
- 17:00 - 17:30 Sightseeing around Shibuya
- 17:30 - 18:00 Return to hotel
Activities



The famous Tokyo has an impressive way of blending both tradition and modernity. A classic example is Asakusa, your first destination of the day, where the city’s oldest temple stands in stark contrast to the towering Tokyo Skytree. You will once again witness this beautiful contradiction in around the Imperial Palace, whose stone walls and great moat feels almost like a different era next to a highly developed business district.
Later in the afternoon, you will be visiting the great shrine Meiji Jingu where they venerate the spirit of Emperor Meiji, as well as the busy Takeshita Street known for its unique fashion boutiques and trendy stores. Your last stop today will be Shibuya, to be visited around the end of the working day. When pedestrian traffic is at its peak, you will witness the renowned scramble crossing getting populated with a sea of humans.
Meals
Open previous day
Schedule
- 09:00 - 11:30 Transfer to Fuji Five Lakes
- 11:30 - 12:30 Arakura Sengen Shrine
- 12:30 - 13:00 Transfer to Iyashi no Sato
- 13:00 - 14:30 Hoto udon lunch
- 14:30 - 15:30 Sightseeing around Iyashi no Sato
- 15:30 - 16:15 Transfer to ryokan
- 16:15 - 18:30 Ryokan check-in >> onsen, free time
- 18:30 - 20:00 Dinner
Activities





The Fuji Five Lakes area is about a two-hour drive away from Tokyo. Your first destination is a mountainside shrine known for its Chureito pagoda. Together with Mt. Fuji in the background, they form an iconic view that features in many panoramic shots of Japan. Later in the day, you will also see Mt. Fuji from other angles during lunch or when you circle Lake Kawaguchi. Be it looming over a city or reflected in the water, Mt. Fuji is a classic Japanese sight that you cannot miss.
You will enjoy lunch at the scenic Iyashi no Sato, a small village featuring quaint little houses with thatched roofs. The menu itself is a local delicacy, in which udon noodles are cooked with many locally harvested ingredients. Finally, you will be transferred to Kaneyamaen, an onsen ryokan selected for its high-quality open-air baths from which you can see Mt. Fuji in the twilight. In addition to the hot spring experience that the country is so renowned for, you will also enjoy the rich dinner and cozy tatami rooms for a quintessential Japanese experience.
Meals
Open previous day
Schedule
- 09:00 - 10:30 Ryokan check-out >> transfer to Odawara
- 10:30 - 12:30 Transfer to Kyoto by shinkansen
- 12:30 - 14:00 Washoku lunch
- 14:00 - 14:30 Transfer to Nanzen-ji
- 14:30 - 15:45 Nanzen-ji
- 15:45 - 17:00 Sightseeing in Higashiyama
- 17:00 - 17:15 Transfer to Gion
- 17:15 - 18:00 Sightseeing around Gion
- 18:00 - 19:00 Gion Corner (subject to availability)
- 19:00 - 19:30 Transfer to hotel >> check-in
Activities





Today you will take the famous bullet train along the east coast of Japan, covering more than 500 kilometers in just two hours. Arriving in Kyoto at noon, you will immediately get a traditional taste of the city for lunch. Then you will visit one of the most important temples in Kyoto, Nanzen-ji. As the head temple that presides over the five great Zen temples, Nanzen-ji boasts a massive gate, impressive gardens, and beautiful paintings on gold leaf, among many other things.
Immerse yourself in the preserved traditional atmosphere as you walk through the slopes of Higashiyama. In the evening, you will be sightseeing around the city’s most famous geisha district. The area is full of old wooden houses, shops, and teahouses. If you are lucky, you may be able to catch a glimpse of passing geiko and maiko. To give you a better picture of the geisha culture of Japan, you will watch a cultural show at Gion Corner, where you will learn about various forms of Japanese art performed by apprentice geisha.
Meals
Open previous day
Schedule
- 09:00 - 10:00 Transfer to Nijo Castle
- 10:00 - 11:00 Nijo Castle
- 11:00 - 11:15 Transfer to Nishijin Textile Center
- 11:15 - 12:30 Nishijin Textile Center
- 12:30 - 13:15 Transfer to restaurant
- 13:15 - 14:45 Temari-zushi lunch
- 14:45 - 15:00 Transfer to Kinkakuji
- 15:00 - 15:45 Kinkaku-ji
- 15:45 - 17:00 Ryoan-ji
- 17:00 - 17:30 Return to hotel
Activities



Classic Kyoto sights await you! You will start the day with a visit to Nijo Castle, a former samurai fortress that also functioned as an interim imperial palace. You will visit the well-preserved palace, hear its squeaking nightingale floors, and see its beautiful decorations. Afterward, you will browse through a gallery of beautiful kimono at Nishijin Textile Center.
After a delightful temari-zushi lunch, you will explore two of the most well-known icons of Kyoto. The first is the golden temple, Kinkaku-ji, whose impressive exterior and reflection in the water are legendary. The second temple features the most renowned “dry landscape” in the country, which is a carefully raked rock garden.
Meals
Open previous day
Schedule
- 09:00 - 10:00 Transfer to Arashiyama
- 10:00 - 10:45 Adashino Nenbutsu-ji
- 10:45 - 11:30 Otagi Nenbutsu-ji
- 11:30 - 13:00 Sightseeing around Arashiyama (rickshaw ride)
- 13:00 - 14:30 Kyo-ryori lunch
- 14:30 - 15:30 Tenryu-ji
- 15:30 - 17:30 Return to Kyoto hotel
Activities



Enjoy an exciting trip to the Arashiyama area, a scenic getaway that is very popular among visitors to Kyoto. This place is known for its many iconic landmarks, including the famed bamboo grove and one of the five great Zen temples, Tenryu-ji, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will explore a portion of Arashiyama on a traditional rickshaw, which is a quintessential classic Japanese experience.
In addition, you will visit two lesser known temples in the northern Arashiyama area. Both of the Nenbutsu-ji temples feature stone sculptures numbering in the thousands. The eerie-looking statues, along with the generally quiet ambience, will leave you in awe as you walk around this remote corner of Arashiyama. As for lunch, you will enjoy an authentic kaiseki meal in an atmospheric restaurant by the river.
Meals
Open previous day
Schedule
- 09:00 - 10:00 Transfer to Nara
- 10:00 - 11:00 Nara Park
- 11:00 - 11:15 Transfer to restaurant
- 11:15 - 12:45 Irori lunch
- 12:45 - 13:00 Transfer to Todai-ji
- 13:00 - 14:30 Todai-ji
- 14:30 - 14:45 Transfer to Kasuga Taisha
- 14:45 - 15:45 Kasuga Taisha
- 15:45 - 16:30 Manyo Botanical Garden
- 16:30 - 18:00 Return to Kyoto hotel
Activities



Today’s excursion brings you to Nara, best known for the thousands of wild deer that roam in its park. You will have a great time feeding them the specially sold deer crackers. Some of the deer even picked up the Japanese habit of bowing to you! Near the park is the equally famous Todai-ji, the Great Eastern Temple. It has the largest wooden building and Daibutsu statue in the country.
Afterward, you will visit the grand shrine Kasuga Taisha, which is known for its thousands of lanterns. There is even a dark room within the inner area, where the myriad hanging lanterns are fully lit, making this shrine a magical visit. To conclude the classic Nara experience, you will visit the botanical garden just outside Kasuga Taisha. You will then return to Kyoto for another stay.
Meals
Open previous day
Schedule
- 09:00 - 11:30 Hotel check-out >> transfer to Hiroshima by shinkansen
- 11:30 - 12:00 Transfer to restaurant
- 12:00 - 13:30 Okonomiyaki lunch
- 13:30 - 14:00 Transfer to Peace Memorial Park
- 14:00 - 15:30 Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
- 15:30 - 15:45 Transfer to Shukkei-en
- 15:45 - 16:45 Shukkei-en
- 16:45 - 17:30 Transfer to hotel >> check-in
Activities

After four nights in Kyoto, you will leave the old capital city and take the bullet train to Hiroshima. Hiroshima is most known for being the first unfortunate city in the world to be destroyed by an atomic bomb. However, the historic nightmare did not stop the city from attempting to restore its former glory. The Atomic Bomb Dome, which still stands in its dilapidation among the now modern city, is testament to Hiroshima’s resilience and resolve.
After an enlightening experience in the Peace Memorial Park, which was built right under the center of the explosion, you will visit the beautiful garden of Shukkei-en. While it was heavily damaged during the bombing, it has been reconstructed to be as gorgeous as ever. The garden’s serene atmosphere provides a certain calm in the middle of the memories that this city evokes.
Meals
Open previous day
Schedule
- 09:00 - 10:00 Hotel check-out >> transfer to ferry port
- 10:00 - 10:30 Take the ferry to Miyajima
- 10:30 - 12:00 Itsukushima Shrine
- 12:00 - 13:30 Oyster lunch
- 13:30 - 14:00 Take the ferry to Hiroshima
- 14:00 - 16:00 Transfer to Osaka by shinkansen
- 16:00 - 17:00 Transfer to hotel >> check-in
Activities



Checking out of your hotel in the morning, you will be driven to Hiroshima Port. Just a short ferry ride from Hiroshima is the island of Itsukushima, more commonly known as Miyajima (the shrine island) due to its iconic Shinto shrine. Your driver will be waiting for you on this side as you cross the strait to the legendary island.
The floating torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine has been widely ranked as one of Japan’s top three scenic views, and today you will get to see it in all its glory. Depending on the tide, you may even be able to get close to the torii gate for a memorable picture. After a pleasant walk and a delightful lunch in Miyajima, you will take the ferry back to Hiroshima, and from there the bullet train to Osaka.
Meals
Open previous day
Schedule
- 09:00 - 10:00 Hotel check-out >> transfer to Osaka Castle
- 10:00 - 11:30 Osaka Castle
- 11:30 - 12:00 Transfer to Namba
- 12:00 - 13:30 Crab lunch
- 13:30 - 15:30 Shopping walk at Shinsaibashi/Amerika-mura
- 15:30 - 16:30 Transfer to Kansai International Airport >> hotel check-in
Activities


Osaka is a big and lively city, which makes it a great dessert for your classic Japan tour. You will first visit Osaka Castle, which has a classic exterior, but is actually a modern museum in disguise. Then you can enjoy a serving of the city’s most popular crab dishes, and see all the bustle in action on its shopping streets.
In the afternoon, you will be brought to a hotel near Kansai International Airport, which will be your port of exit. Nearby is the Rinku Premium Outlets, which you may want to visit in case you haven’t bought enough for gifts and souvenirs. Enjoy your last night in Japan!
Meals
Open previous day
Departure: Kansai International Airport
Activities
You have completed the Japan Highlights tour! We hope that you enjoyed your trip with ILJT! On the last day, you will check out of your hotel and conduct an independent transfer to the airport. Have a safe flight back home, and see you again soon!