Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo
Welcome to Tokyo, the capital and largest city of Japan. You will be greeted by a representative at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you can relax at the hotel or explore the nearby attractions. You can also enjoy a welcome dinner at one of the many restaurants in the city. Some of the luxury hotels you can choose from are Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo, Sofitel Tokyo, or W Hotel Tokyo.
Day 2: Tokyo Sightseeing
Today, you will enjoy a full-day sightseeing tour of Tokyo, covering both the historical and modern aspects of the city. You will visit the Meiji Jingu Shrine, a Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, set inside a spacious park. You will also visit the Harajuku district, a trendy area that is popular among young people and fashion lovers, where you can see colourful shops, cafes, and street art. After lunch, you will visit the Tokyo Skytree, the tallest tower in Japan and the second tallest in the world, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the city from the observation decks. You will also visit the Asakusa district, a historic area that features the Senso-ji Temple, the oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo, and the Nakamise Street, a lively shopping street that sells souvenirs, snacks, and traditional goods.
Day 3: Tokyo to Hakone – Day Trip
Today, you will leave Tokyo and take a scenic train ride to Hakone, a resort town famous for its hot springs and natural beauty. You will visit the Hakone Open-Air Museum, an outdoor museum that displays sculptures, installations, and artworks by various artists in a spacious park. You will also visit the Hakone Shrine, a Shinto shrine that is located on the shore of Lake Ashi and has a torii gate that appears to float on the water. After lunch, you will enjoy a cruise on Lake Ashi12, where you can admire the views of the surrounding mountains and forests. You will also have a chance to see Mount Fuji, the iconic symbol of Japan and the highest mountain in the country if the weather is clear. You will return to Tokyo in the evening.
Day 4: Tokyo to Kyoto – Bullet Train
Today, you will leave Tokyo and take a bullet train to Kyoto, the former capital and cultural heart of Japan. You will check in to your luxury hotel and have some free time to enjoy Kyoto at your own pace. Some of the luxury hotels you can choose from are Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto, The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto, or Park Hyatt Kyoto.
Day 5: Kyoto Sightseeing
Today, you will explore more of Kyoto and its surroundings. You will start with a visit to the Kinkaku-ji Temple, also known as the Golden Pavilion, a stunning Zen temple that is covered with gold leaf and reflects on a pond. You will also visit the Ryoan-ji Temple, a Zen temple that is famous for its rock garden, which consists of 15 rocks arranged on white gravel. After lunch, you will visit the Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was built by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of Japan, and features elaborate architecture and paintings. You will also visit the Gion district, a traditional area that is known for its geisha culture, where you can see wooden houses, tea houses, and lantern-lit streets.
Kyoto, Japan
Day 6: Kyoto to Nara – Day Trip
Today, you will leave Kyoto and take a short drive to Nara, one of the oldest and most historic cities in Japan. You will visit the Todai-ji Temple21, one of the largest wooden structures in the world and home to a giant bronze statue of Buddha. You will also visit the Nara Park, a large park where you can see hundreds of deer roaming freely and begging for food from visitors. After lunch, you will visit the Kasuga Taisha Shrine23, a Shinto shrine that is famous for its thousands of lanterns that are lit during festivals. You will also visit the Nara National Museum, where you can see exhibits of Buddhist art and relics from Nara and other regions. You will return to Kyoto in the evening.
Day 7: Kyoto to Hiroshima – Bullet Train
Today, you will leave Kyoto and take another bullet train to Hiroshima, a city that was devastated by an atomic bomb during World War II but has since rebuilt itself as a symbol of peace and resilience. You will visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, a park that commemorates the victims and survivors of the bombing and promotes the abolition of nuclear weapons. You will also visit the Atomic Bomb Dome, a building that was partially destroyed by the blast and has been preserved as a reminder of the tragedy. After lunch, you will visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, a museum that displays artefacts, photos, and testimonies related to the bombing and its aftermath. You will also visit the Children’s Peace Monument, a monument that honours the children who died or suffered from the bombing, especially Sadako Sasaki, a girl who folded origami cranes in the hope of recovery.
Day 8: Hiroshima to Miyajima – Day Trip
Today, you will leave Hiroshima and take a ferry to Miyajima, an island that is considered one of the most scenic spots in Japan. You will visit the Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is famous for its floating torii gate that appears to rise from the sea at high tide. You will also visit the Daisho-in Temple, a Buddhist temple that is located at the foot of Mount Misen and features various statues, halls, and gardens. After lunch, you will enjoy a cable car ride to the summit of Mount Misen, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the island and the Seto Inland Sea. You will also have a chance to see wild monkeys and deer on the mountain. You will return to Hiroshima in the evening.
Day 9: Hiroshima to Osaka – Bullet Train
Today, you will leave Hiroshima and take another bullet train to Osaka, the second largest city in Japan and a vibrant metropolis with a rich culinary and cultural scene. You will check in to your luxury hotel and have some free time to enjoy Osaka at your own pace. Some of the luxury hotels you can choose from are Conrad Osaka, The Ritz-Carlton Osaka, or InterContinental Osaka.
Osaka, Japan
Day 10: Osaka Sightseeing
Today, you will enjoy a full-day sightseeing tour of Osaka and its surroundings. You will start with a visit to the Osaka Castle, one of the most famous landmarks in Japan and a symbol of Osaka’s history and power. You will also visit the Osaka Museum of History, where you can learn about Osaka’s past, present, and future through interactive exhibits and models. After lunch, you will visit Universal Studios Japan, one of the most popular theme parks in Japan that features attractions based on movies, cartoons, and games. You will also visit the Dotonbori district, one of the most lively and colourful areas in Osaka, where you can see neon signs, giant billboards, street performers, and food stalls.
Day 11: Osaka to Niseko – Flight
Today, you will leave Osaka and take a flight to Niseko, a resort town in Hokkaido that is famous for its powder snow and winter sports. You will check in to your luxury hotel and have some free time to enjoy Niseko at your own pace. Some of the luxury hotels you can choose from are The Pavilions Niseko, The Elephant Stables Niseko, or The Pokhara House Niseko.
Day 12: Niseko Skiing
Today, you will have a full day to enjoy skiing or snowboarding in Niseko, one of the best ski destinations in Japan and the world. You can choose from four ski areas: Grand Hirafu, Hanazono, Niseko Village, and Annupuri, which are connected by lifts and offer slopes for all levels of skiers and snowboarders. You can also enjoy other winter activities such as snowshoeing, snowmobiling, sledging, or ice fishing. In the evening, you can relax in one of the many hot springs (onsen) in Niseko and enjoy the views of Mount Yotei.
Day 13: Niseko to Sapporo
Day Trip Today, you will leave Niseko and take a short drive to Sapporo, the capital and largest city of Hokkaido. You will visit the Sapporo Snow Festival, one of the most famous winter festivals in Japan that features hundreds of snow sculptures and ice sculptures of various sizes and shapes. You will also visit the Sapporo Beer Museum, where you can learn about the history and culture of beer making in Japan and taste some samples. After lunch, you will visit the Odori Park, a large park that runs through the centre of Sapporo and hosts various events and attractions throughout the year.
