Morning:
Let’s get ready for your first full day in Japan!
- Start with breakfast at your hotel and get to know your fellow travelers.
- Visit the bustling open-air Tsukiji Fish Market, a foodie paradise.
- Take public transportation to Akihabara, Japan’s “electric town.” This hub of anime and manga stores is also home to Japan’s most famous J-pop group, AKB48.
Optional activity: Experience the “Maid in Tokyo” at one of Akihabara’s maid cafes.
Afternoon:
- Lunch is not included on this day, but your Trip Leader will recommend where and what to eat.
- Head to Asakusa District to visit Sensō-Ji temple, a historic Buddhist temple known for its vibrant atmosphere. You’ll have approximately one hour to experience this temple.
- Explore one of Tokyo’s most famous shopping streets, Nakamise. The shops sell various specialty street foods and snacks, traditional arts and crafts, clothes and accessories, toys, T-shirts, parasols, dolls, and lanterns.
- Return to the hotel to unwind after a full day of exploring Japan’s capital city, or stay longer to explore more.
Evening:
- Dinner is not included tonight, but your Trip Leader can provide local recommendations for you to try.
- You will have free time to explore Tokyo further, shop in the Ginza district or climb the Tokyo Tower for stunning nighttime views.
Morning:
- Enjoy breakfast at the accommodation before setting out for another full day of exploring Tokyo.
- Begin with a guided tour of the Meiji Shrine, one of Tokyo's most important religious and cultural sites.
- Explore Tokyo's lively Harajuku district, known for its trendy fashion boutiques, eclectic cafes, and unique street culture.
- Visit Shibuya Crossing, the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing intersection, and you can find the famous Hachiko Statue nearby.
Afternoon:
- Lunch is not included on this day, but your Trip Leader will recommend where and what to eat.
- This afternoon is yours to explore Tokyo as you please, and you can choose your own adventure.
Suggestions: Visit Zojoji Temple, shop at Kitty Land, and take a leisurely walk through Yoyogi Park.
Evening:
- Dinner is not included tonight, but your Trip Leader can provide local recommendations for great dining experiences.
Morning:
- Pack a day bag before leaving the hotel. Be sure to pack what you’ll need for the day. Bring a change of clothes including warm layers, a rain coat, waterbottle, phone, camera, chargers, any medication needed, and passport. In Japan, it is common for people to carry their toothbrush to freshen up after meals.
- After breakfast, head to the train station for your journey to Hakone, involving multiple trains for approximately 1.5 - 2 hours.
- You will transfer to Odawara, leaving your main luggage in storage. Your luggage will be secured in private lockers, and you’ll retrieve it the next day before taking another train to Kyoto.
Optional Activity: Before beginning the hike, we'll stop near Amazake-chaya Tea House, a tranquil spot founded 400 years ago in a serene Japanese mountain environment. Here, you can enjoy Amazake, a traditional non-alcoholic sweet rice wine made with a time-honored recipe known for its gentle sweetness without added sugar.
Afternoon:
- Hike along the Old Tokaido, once traveled by samurai and merchants alike. The hike takes approximately 1 hour, covering a distance of 1.5 miles (2+ kilometers) with an elevation gain of roughly 400 feet (124 meters). Arrive at Lake Ashi, where you can enjoy views of Mt. Fuji.
- Lunch is not included, but your Trip Leader will provide a few recommendations on where to eat.
- After lunch, meet back and board a sightseeing cruise on Lake Ashi. The boat replicates a pirate ship. If the weather permits, you will have a stunning view of Mt. Fuji from the lake.
- After the boat tour, take the Hakone Ropeway to Owakudani, an active volcanic zone where you can try famous black eggs, which are said to extend your life by up to seven years.
- Return to the vehicle and then drive approximately 1 hour to your next accommodation, a traditional ryokan.
Evening:
- Check into your ryokan, a traditional Japanese guest house. Your room will feature tatami mats on the floor, and your bed will consist of a futon mattress, pillow, and blanket, providing a comfortable and authentic Japanese sleeping experience.
- A traditional dinner will be served at the ryokan this evening.
- Unwind the Japanese way with a visit to the onsen, a natural hot spring to relax.
Notes about the onsen:
- Bathing is fully nude in gender-separated facilities.
Morning:
Welcome to your first morning in Kyoto!
- Breakfast will be served at the accommodation.
- Start the day’s adventure with a serene Hozugawa River cruise to Arashiyama.
- Stroll through the enchanting Bamboo Forest to admire the serene Tenryuji Garden. Then, hike (~30 minutes) up to Monkey Park for panoramic views. Today’s walk is under 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) and involves an elevation gain of 400 feet (120 meters).
Afternoon:
- Lunch is not included on this day, but your Trip Leader will provide recommend some great places to eat.
- Board a train to visit Fushimi Inari Shrine. (~50 minutes travel time)
- Walk through the scenic trails lined with vibrant red torii gates. If you’re up for it, climb the stairs to the top (~1 hour). The walk today is about 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) with an elevation gain of 600+ feet (194 meters). Note that the higher up you go, the fewer crowds there are.
- If you’d rather not hike to the summit, spend time in the lower areas, where you can browse vendor stalls and sample local delicacies.
Evening:
- Dinner is not included, giving you the freedom to explore Kyoto’s plethora of restaurants.
- Sing your heart out and have fun at karaoke–one of Japan’s favorite pastimes.
- Return to your hotel in Kyoto.
Morning:
- Breakfast will be served at the accommodation.
- Head to Daisen-In Temple for a meditation class led by a Zen Buddhist monk. The class will last approximately 45-60 minutes.
- Afterward, you’ll have time to explore the temple grounds before joining an informal tea ceremony with volunteers from the temple.
Afternoon:
- Lunch is not included on this day, but your Trip Leader will guide you on where to find a delicious meal.
- Visit The Golden Pavilion at the Kinkakuji Zen Buddhist Temple, one of the most iconic sites in Kyoto.
- Walk around the lake, where the shimmering golden reflection of the pavilion on the water will mesmerize you.
- After visiting Kinkakuji, you will have free time to explore Kyoto more.
Suggestions: Samurai museum, ninja experience, tea ceremony dressed in kimono.
Evening:
- Dinner is included this evening at a delicious restaurant in Kyoto.
- You have a free evening to explore Kyoto. Options include a dinner or tea ceremony with a Geisha, a ninja experience, or a kimono rental and photoshoot for an unforgettable keepsake.
