TOKYO, KYOTO, MT. FUJI, HAKONE, TAKAYAMA, KANAZAWA, AND OSAKA
Experience true beauty in the “Land of the Rising Sun” on this guided Japan tour. All around Tokyo you’ll explore ancient architecture and amazing cultural sights. Discover Japan’s scenic countryside as you travel through Hakone and stop to admire the splendors of Mt. Fuji. In Takayama, enjoy this small town’s quaint history, colorful markets, and stunning views of the Japanese Alps. Take a picturesque drive to visit the historic villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama, then head to Kanazawa where you’ll delight in even more traditional charms. Take a beautiful and exciting journey through Kyoto—admire serene temples, wander through Japanese gardens, and take in all this extraordinary culture has to offer. Spend the tour’s last days in Osaka, often called Japan’s “kitchen” for all its delicious foods. Here, you’ll visit famous sites like Osaka Castle and Dotonbori District as well as enjoy a full-day excursion to Himeji and Kobe, two nearby cities rich with historical and cultural relevance. 4/5 stars on Tripadvisor!
Shorten Your Trip! Enjoy our Discover Japan tour visiting Japan’s highlights from Tokyo to Kyoto.
Itinerary at a Glance
2026 Tour Itinerary:
4 nights in Tokyo
2 nights in Takayama
1 night in Kanazawa
3 nights in Kyoto
2 nights in Osaka
Tour Highlights
Meiji Shrine (Tokyo)
Sushi-making class (Tokyo)
Lake Ashi boat ride with views of Mt. Fuji
Ancient town in Takayama
Sake Tasting at the oldest sake brewery in Japan
Shirakawago (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Kenrokuen Garden
Exploring Kyoto
Tea Making & Tea Tasting Experience
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Cherry blossoms (seasonal)
Dotonbori District
Umeda Sky Garden Observatory
Himeji Castle
Your Tour Includes
Ground transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle
Super-Express "bullet" train between Tokyo and Nagoya
Accommodations at first class hotels
16 Meals: 12 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 3 dinners
Comprehensive sightseeing tours as indicated in the itinerary
Experienced, English-speaking Tour Director and local guides
Welcome to Japan, the "Land of the Rising Sun". Tokyo is a mix of ancient Japanese culture and modern, dazzling architectural landmarks which we'll be able to explore over the next few days. This evening, our Tour Director hosts an orientation and welcome dinner.
Accommodations: Keio Plaza Hotel or similar Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Tokyo
After breakfast, our full-day exploration of Tokyo starts with a visit to Meiji Shrine, dedicated to the deified spirits of the former emperor and his wife and one of the most famous Shinto shrines in Japan. We'll stop at the Imperial Palace Plaza for a photo before we enjoy a sushi-making class with a sushi chef, and eat our sushi for lunch. Our tour continues with a visit to Asakusa Kannon Sensoji, Tokyo's most spectacular and sacred Buddhist temple. Narrow alleys filled with small shops, restaurants, and tranquil gardens surround the temple. Stroll along Nakamise Street nearby, filled with stores stocking treasure troves of traditional Japanese wares and crafts.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3: Mt. Fuji & Hakone Excursion
Japan's pastoral countryside unfolds as we depart Tokyo today for Mt. Fuji and Hakone. The main attraction here is majestic Mt. Fuji, a dormant volcano that last erupted almost 300 years ago. The mountain's perfectly shaped cone has inspired artists and poets for centuries. Weather permitting, we'll drive up to the fifth station of the snow capped peak for panoramic vistas. Next, we'll embark on a scenic boat ride on tranquil Lake Ashi before we enjoy a gondola ride for a sweeping view of Hakone and Mt. Fuji. We'll return to Tokyo late this afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Tokyo at Leisure
Spend a day at leisure to explore Tokyo from our conveniently located hotel. For a real taste of Japan, get up early and head for the colorful wholesale fish market! Or consider an optional tour to Nikko, a magnificent complex of shrines dedicated to the first Tokugawa shogun and adorned with some of the finest woodcarvings in all of Japan.
Note: Baggage will be transported separately from Tokyo to Takayama. Please arrange a small bag for 1 night in Tokyo.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5: Tokyo – Takayama
This morning we'll take the super-express bullet "Shinkansen" train to Nagoya then transfer to a train to Takayama, a town nestled in the Japanese Alps with traditional-style architecture, ancient culture, and fascinating customs that have been proudly preserved. After settling in, we'll visit the Folkcraft Museum, formerly a private residence and prime example of Meiji Era architecture. We'll see huge floats decorated with intricate carvings, gilded wood, and detailed metalwork. This evening, we'll enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodations: Hida Hotel Plaza or similar Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6: Takayama
After breakfast, we'll join our guide for a stroll through the fascinating Miyagawa Morning Market in the old town. This 200-year-old market bustles with farmers selling fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, and traditional local crafts. We'll enjoy a sake tasting at the oldest sake brewery in Takayama while we learn more about how sake is made. We'll proceed to Takayama Jinya, a complex of 17th-century buildings that once housed Tokugawa Shogunate officials. Today, it is a museum with historical displays from the time of the direct rule to the Meiji Era. The balance of the day is free to explore Takayama's quaint old town, explore the charming Kami-Sannomachi District for shopping, or relax in a soothing traditional hot spring bath!
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Takayama – Shirakawago – Kanazawa
Today we'll enjoy a scenic drive through the picturesque countryside to the rural region of Shirakawago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where we'll discover fascinating examples of old steep thatched roof houses. This unique architectural style, harmonized into the magnificent mountain landscape, was developed over 100 years ago to survive the harsh winters. We’ll visit one of these houses and learn more about daily life in this remote area. We'll continue to the village of Gokayama where we can enjoy a demonstration of traditional Japanese papermaking techniques. We'll have an opportunity to make three postcards with Washi paper with the guidance of a local expert. Later this afternoon we'll arrive in Kanazawa, blending modern living with traditional heritage.
Accommodations: ANA Crowne Plaza Kanazawa Hotel or similar Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Kanazawa – Kyoto
Today we'll see several of Kanazawa's famous sites before continuing to Kyoto. We'll be whisked back in time to the Edo period with a visit to Nagamachi district, a small neighborhood of narrow, cobblestone streets where brave samurai warriors once lived. Here we'll see the Nomura Family house's stone lanterns and bridges in the garden as well as the cypress-wood ceiling in the residence. We'll visit Kenrokuen Garden, one of the finest gardens in Japan, with its waterfalls, ponds and charming tea-houses. Next, we'll visit the historic Omicho Market, a busy and colorful market that has some 200 shops selling seafood, vegetables, fruits, flowers, regional specialties and more and have time for lunch on our own. Then, we'll stroll through the charming Higashi Chaya Geisha district followed by a gold leaf experience. Afterward, we'll take a train to splendid Kyoto which embodies Japan's rich culture and complex history.
Accommodations: RHIGA Royal Hotel Kyoto or RIHGA Gran Kyoto Hotel or similar Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Kyoto
The capital of Japan from 794 to 1868, Kyoto is a world-class gem and true oasis. Our first stop is one of Kyoto's most inspiring sights—the Temple of the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji). Built on pillars magnificently suspended over a lake, the top two floors of this fabled pavilion covered in gold leaf. Next, we'll visit the famous Arashiyama bamboo grove for a stroll along the forested path with relaxing sunlight dappling the ground. Afterward, we'll enjoy a tea making and tea tasting experience where we'll learn more about Japanese tea traditions. Next, we'll visit 17th-century Nijo Castle, which symbolized the power and riches of what was the newly established Edo-based Shogun. This evening, we'll enjoy dinner together at a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10: Kyoto at Leisure
Today we have a free day to explore ancient Kyoto's grace and beauty independently or join an optional tour. We can join an optional excursion to Hiroshima by bullet train where we'll visit the Atomic Bomb Dome and Hiroshima Castle.
Note: Baggage will be transported separately from Kyoto to Osaka. Please arrange a small bag for 1 night in Kyoto.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11: Kyoto – Osaka
After breakfast, we'll transfer to Osaka for a full day of sightseeing. We'll visit the lively Dotonbori District with its colorful neon signs. At Kuromon Market, we'll taste some local snacks from the market's food stalls before continuing to the Umeda Sky Building, one of Osaka's most recognizable buildings, where we'll visit the Garden Observatory. After the day's sightseeing, we'll check into our hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Accommodations: Centara Grand Hotel Osaka or similar Meals: Breakfast
Day 12: Himeji Excursion
Today we'll enjoy another full day of sightseeing with a visit to Himeji. We'll board the iconic Shinkansen bullet train for a 30-minute ride. After breathtaking views of the Mt. Shosha Ropeway, we'll arrive at the historic Shoshazan Temple complex. We'll continue to Himeji Castle, one of Japan's most magnificent castles with its well-preserved castle grounds. Afterward, we'll return to Osaka by train where the rest of the day is at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 13: Depart Osaka
Our tour comes to an end after breakfast this morning.
Meals: Breakfast
Guided Tour Pricing
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Rates are per person based on double occupancy. Single supplement applies when not sharing a room. Select a date above to see the rates for that specific departure.
For more information on this tour, please contact us here or call us during business hours (Monday-Friday from 9:00 am - 5:30 pm Eastern) at 1.800.337.7773.
Reservations and Payments Reservations can be made online or by phone (1.800.337.7773) and will be confirmed upon receipt of your non-refundable, non-transferable deposit, which must be received at the time of reservation. Deposits are $300 per person. Full payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Space and prices subject to availability. Please see the smarTours Terms and Conditions for complete booking information.
Featured Accommodations
Keio Plaza Hotel
2-2-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-Ku, Tokyo 160-8330 Japan
Enhance your trip with these optional tours. Indicated optional tours are available to pre-book when you reserve your trip and can be added to your reservation up to final payment. This is the best option to guarantee your spot on your preferred optional tour! Optional tours require a minimum number of participants. Optional tours are non-refundable unless they do not operate.
Some optional tours can be purchased in-destination and may cost extra. The payment methods and currency information to purchase tours in-destination will be provided on final documentation.
Nikko Excursion
$270 per person
Day 4 Full-Day Tour
Today we'll travel by train to the World Heritage Site of Nikko, a magnificent complex of shrines dedicated to the first shogun. Our first visit in Nikko is Toshogu Shrine located high up in the mountains. This shrine is famous for its complex of colorful structures and superb 17th-century craftsmanship. Next, we'll drive about an hour to visit Lake Chuzenji, which was created by one of Mt. Nantai's eruptions. We'll see the impressive Kegon Falls which formed when the Daiya River was rerouted by lava flow.
Note: This optional tour leaves at 7:00am from the hotel and ends around 8:10pm at the hotel. In the case of unexpected complications with viewing Kegon Falls, our Nikko guide will be ready with alternatives.
MUST BE PRE-BOOKED!
This tour must be pre-booked prior to final payment as it is not available to book in-destination.
Hiroshima Excursion
$599 per person
Day 10 Full-Day Tour
We'll travel to Hiroshima by bullet train and begin at the world-famous Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. We'll visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, established in 1955 and dedicated to documenting the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in World War II. Next, we'll stop at the Atomic Bomb Dome, a UNESCO World Heritage Site then walk by Shima Hospital, Hiroshima's ""ground zero."" We'll enjoy an Okonomi-yaki making experience for lunch and afterward, visit Hiroshima Castle before returning to Kyoto by bullet train.
Note: This optional tour starts at 8 AM and ends around 6:40 PM at our hotel. The timing of this optional activity conflicts with the Nara optional tour. Travelers may select either this tour or the Nara tour, but cannot book both.
MUST BE PRE-BOOKED!
This tour must be pre-booked prior to final payment as it is not available to book in-destination.
What to Expect
Max Group Size: 30 travelers
Activity Level: Level 2
Expect most included touring to require walking and standing periods up to 4 hours at a time (up to 2 times per day). Included touring may feature light hiking, and/or stairs on some hilly and/or uneven terrain. Learn More
Pacing Level: Moderate
Expect full-day tours most days with some limited free time at specific sites, for meals, and/or in the evenings. You can expect several early mornings and/or long travel days by bus (don’t worry—there are always comfort stops!), and you may expect to stay in most accommodations for 2+ nights (with limited 1-night stays). Learn More
No Additional Entry Requirements for U.S. Passport Holders
A valid passport is required for international tours. Currently, there are no additional entry requirements for U.S. passport holders, but this can change at any time. Before travel, both U.S. and non-U.S. passport holders should visit our Passports & Visas page to reconfirm entry requirements.
Travelers will encounter some uneven surfaces, stairs, steps, and significant slopes walking through city streets, within temples and through markets.
The World Expo 2025 will be held in Osaka, Kansai, Japan from April 13, 2025 through October 13, 2025.
For more detailed information about this tour and destination, visit our Before You Depart section.
