Discover the contrasts of dynamic Tokyo. Experience the beauty of Hakone National Park. See Kyoto’s heritage sites rooted in centuries of history and culture. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Miyajima and Hiroshima.
Itinerary Summary
Arrival in Tokyo DAY
Shared transfer from Tokyo’s Narita International Airport or Haneda International Airport to your booked accommodation by air-conditioned vehicle. Narita is located 80 km from downtown Tokyo, so the duration of a transfer will be approximately 60-100 minutes. Meanwhile, Haneda is situated 14 km south of central Tokyo, with a transfer time of 30-60 minutes.
Meet our representative at the Arrivals Hall at Narita or Haneda Airport, who will escort you to your transfer vehicle, after which you will be driven to your hotel in downtown Tokyo.
Note: Our Meet and Greet staff won’t accompany you during your transfer.
- Overnight accommodation in Tokyo included.
Half-Day Tokyo Shared Tour DAY
Explore the highlights of Japan’s capital on this half-day guided tour, designed especially for first-time visitors. Led by a knowledgeable local guide, this experience combines sightseeing with cultural insights, offering the perfect introduction to Tokyo.
This 4-hour tour sets out from a central meeting point and takes you to several of the city’s must-see spots. Along the way, your guide will share engaging stories about Japanese history, traditions, and everyday life, helping you connect with Tokyo on a deeper level.
- Overnight accommodation in Tokyo included. - Breakfast included at the hotel.
Free Day at Leisure in Tokyo DAY
Tokyo boasts a variety of attractions from ancient shrines and pagodas to modern skyscrapers and gaming arcades. It is a place that seems to exist in the past, present and future at the same time. Explore the city at your leisure on this free day, or join our Amazing Tokyo Full Day Tour at an additional cost.
Itinerary Summary
Discover Tokyo’s must-see landmarks in just one day—visit the serene Meiji Shrine, stroll the historic streets of Asakusa, enjoy a traditional matcha experience, and savour a Japanese Izakaya-style lunch. Take in sweeping views from the iconic Tokyo Skytree before ending the day with a relaxing Tokyo Bay cruise (when operational).
Note: For a hands-free journey to Hakone on day 4, you may either send your luggage directly to your hotel in Hakone or pack a small overnight bag and forward the rest of your luggage directly to Kyoto. Please note that clients are responsible for arranging and paying for this service.
- Overnight accommodation in Tokyo included. - Breakfast included at the hotel.
Scenic Hakone Private Tour DAY
Meet your guide at your hotel and take the train to Shinjuku Station, where you will board the Romance Car for a scenic 90-minute journey to Hakone. Upon arrival, drop off your luggage at the hotel before setting out to tour the Hakone region. If you wish to use a luggage forwarding service, make sure to arrange and pay for it at least one day in advance.
Our first stop on this full-day tour is the Hakone Machi-ko, where you’ll board a pirate ship and sail across Lake Ashi to Togendai. A crater formed by a volcano nearly three thousand years ago, these charming waters offer beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and even Mt. Fuji on a clear day.
Next, ride a cable car to the Hakone Ropeway, soaring above the active volcanic site, Owakudani, which translates to the Great Boiling Valley. Watch the steam rising from the mountain, as thermal water grazes just under the rocky façade at extraordinarily hot temperatures. Stop amongst the steamy rocks and see if you can spot Mt. Fuji in the distance before trying kuro-tamago, or a black egg. Boiled in the sulfuric hot springs, each egg turns black as it is cooked; it’s rumoured that eating it will add several years to your life.
Itinerary Summary
Finally, take the Cable car to Gora Station, after which your guide will drop you off at your accommodation in Hakone.
- English-speaking guide included.
- Hakone 2-day Free Pass included.
- Romance car ticket from Tokyo to Hakone Yumoto Station included.
- Overnight accommodation in Hakone included.
- Breakfast and dinner included.
Transfer to Kyoto, Evening Geisha Walk in Gion
After breakfast, make your own way from the Hakone area to Odawara Station, where you will board the Shinkansen for a comfortable and efficient journey to Kyoto. Upon arrival, transfer to your accommodation and check in. Spend the afternoon at leisure before this evening’s guided experience.
In the evening, set off on a journey through Kyoto’s rich heritage, starting in Miyagawa-cho, one of its vibrant geisha districts. Continue along Hanamikoji Street, home to some of Kyoto’s most exclusive geisha houses, before moving into the charming Higashiyama area. Here, the softly illuminated grounds of Yasaka Shrine provide a magical backdrop, with its pagodas and temple structures glowing against the night sky.
Finally, visit North Gion and the iconic Tatsumibashi Bridge, overlooking the Shirakawa River and the former residences of young geisha-in-training. Strolling along the riverbank offers a peaceful end to the evening, accompanied by captivating stories from your guide.
The walk concludes at Gion-Shijo Station, where your guide will be happy to offer dining recommendations or directions for further exploration.
- Shinkansen from Odawara to Kyoto Station.
- English-speaking guide during evening tour included.
- Overnight accommodation in Kyoto included.
- Breakfast included at the hotel.
Itinerary Summary
Kyoto
Perfect
Tour Shared DAY
06
Discover Kyoto’s must-see landmarks and World Heritage Sites in just one day!
We kick off the tour at Kiyomizu-dera temple, enjoying Kyoto’s breathtaking natural surroundings from the terrace. Then say Konnichiwa to one thousand and one Kannon statues at Sanju-San-Gen-Do temple, followed by a visit to the most iconic place in town – the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine. Walk under thousands of Torii Red Gate tunnels and take pictures to make this experience even more memorable. Don’t forget to also explore the green tunnels, Sagano Bamboo Forest, and Kinkaku-ji Temple. Tour includes Japanese buffet style lunch.
- Admission fees and transfers (Wi-Fi available on bus) to listed temples included.
- English-speaking guide included.
- Overnight accommodation in Kyoto included.
- Breakfast and Japanese buffet-style lunch included.
Free Day at Leisure in Kyoto DAY
07
Spend a free day exploring Kyoto’s numerous temples, shrines, and gardens. You can also choose from an optional five-hour trip to Nara, a Kyoto Tree Ceremony Flower Experience (available as a shared or private tour), or an Izakaya Cooking Class (available as a shared or private tour) at an additional cost.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Japan’s first capital city in the 8th century, Nara is a unique blend of historical and natural beauty which will take your breath away. It is home to the awe-inspiring Todaiji Temple, housing the world’s largest wooden building and a colossal bronze Buddha statue. During our tour, we also visit the revered Kasuga Taisha Shrine, renowned for its vibrant vermilion buildings and adorned with centuries-old lanterns. This trip concludes with a stroll through Nara Park, home to over a thousand deer, revered as national treasures and considered messengers of the gods.
Note: For a hands-free journey to Hiroshima on day 8, you may either send your luggage directly to your hotel in Hiroshima or
Itinerary Summary
pack a small overnight bag and forward the rest of your luggage directly to Osaka. Please note that clients are responsible for arranging and paying for this service.
- Overnight accommodation in Kyoto included.
- Breakfast included at the hotel.
DAY
Kyoto – Hiroshima and Miyajima Private Tour
Make your own way to the Kyoto railway station to take the 7:20 am Shinkansen to Hiroshima. In Hiroshima, meet your guide on the station platform and then drop off your luggage at the hotel. If you wish to use a luggage forwarding service, make sure to arrange and pay for it at least one day in advance.
Visit the ancient island of Miyajima, a holy site with stunning Shinto shrines, Buddhist pagodas and temples, spectacular natural beauty, and charming Edo-style walkways emblematic of ancient Japanese culture. Arrive at the main complex of Itsukushima shrine, a lovely family Shinto shrine founded in the 6th century. At high tide, it appears to be floating above the water, along with its floating torii gate –the iconic Otorii. This massive gateway is one of the most photographed structures in Japan.
Wander around the island and see Daisho-in, a Buddhist temple with a trail of hundreds of happy Buddha statues leading the way. Afterwards, stop at the charming souvenir shops in town, or try local delicacies. The island has farmed oysters for over 300 years so be sure to try some; and sample some maple leaf castellas filled with red bean paste – a classic snack unique to the island.
Return to the mainland and visit the Memorial Peace Park to witness Hiroshima’s tribute to its tragic past and hopes for the future. Visit the Peace Memorial Museum next, whose exhibits display artefacts and photographs of the bombing and its aftermath. After your tour, your guide will take you back to your hotel.
- Shinkansen from Kyoto to Hiroshima Station.
- English-speaking guide included.
- Public transportation in Hiroshima included.
- Overnight accommodation in Hiroshima included.
- Breakfast and lunch included.
Itinerary Summary
Hiroshima-Osaka and Osaka Tenma Shared Tour
Make your own way to Hiroshima station to take the 9:33 am Shinkansen to Shin-Osaka Station. Make your own way to your hotel to drop off your luggage. Then meet your guide at 1 pm for your shared tour.
Discover the heart of Osaka’s culinary scene in Tenma, the birthplace of the city’s famed food culture and home to the longest shopping arcade in Japan. Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of the Tenjinbashi shopping street, with over 800 small local shops offering a dazzling array of flavours and aromas. Our tour will take you on a captivating journey through this culinary paradise, starting with a visit to the local market where Osaka’s food culture began. Indulge in a variety of street food delights at the six food stops we visit. Conclude your tour with a trip to the serene Osaka Temmangu shrine, a peaceful oasis amidst the bustling city.
- English-speaking guide included.
- Overnight accommodation in Osaka included.
- Breakfast and snacks during foodie tour.
Free Day at Leisure in Osaka DAY
Enjoy a free day to discover Osaka at your own pace. You could visit the iconic Osaka Castle and its gardens, stroll through the neon-lit streets of Dotonbori to sample local street food, or shop in the lively Shinsaibashi arcade. For a more relaxed experience, you can try exploring Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine or admire city views from the Umeda Sky Building. Families may prefer the impressive Osaka Aquarium or a fun-filled day at Universal Studios Japan.
- Overnight accommodation in Osaka included.
- Breakfast included at the hotel.
Departure from Osaka
Check out from your hotel and get transferred to the airport by shared transportation. Say goodbye to the beautiful Japan and have a safe flight back home. Sayonara!
- Breakfast included at the hotel.
- Transfer included to Osaka Airport.
Hotels and Destinations
Twin Room with Breakfast and Dinner
Twin Room with Breakfast
Twin Room with Breakfast
Twin Room with Breakfast
Hotel Vista Osaka-namba RIHGA Royal Hotel
* Overnight addresses are subject to change based on availability on the booking date. We reserve the right to offer/book suitable alternative accommodation if the mentioned overnight address is unavailable. Alternative accomodation will be sourced at the same or a higher standard at Discova’s expense.
Trip Inclusions
Airport transfers, sightseeing, and day tours as specified in the itinerary.
Overnight stay based on twin share in stated accommodation or similar. Meals as indicated in the itinerary.
Service charges and any government taxes. • • • • Learn more about the destination here: Japan Fast Facts For more information on the tour or for extending your stay, speak to us about our range of pre and post accommodation options, just email our team: agents@discova.com or visit www.discova.com