14 day private tour
Visit Tokyo, Nagano, Kyoto Osaka and Nara
Add-ons available
Local tour leaders
Tour Highlights
Tokyo: Japan’s Vibrant Heart
Explore the vibrant streets of Tokyo’s iconic districts, from the fashion-forward Harajuku to the bustling Shibuya Crossing, and step into tranquility at the historic Meiji Jingu Shrine, nestled within a lush urban forest.
Matsumoto: Castles and Culture
Discover Matsumoto’s majestic 16th-century castle, one of Japan’s few original structures, and stroll through the charming, Edo-era merchant streets. Don’t miss the opportunity to sample authentic miso dishes at a local brewery.
Kyoto: The Soul of Tradition
Experience the spiritual beauty of Kyoto with a visit to the Fushimi Inari Shrine, where thousands of red torii gates create a mesmerizing path up the sacred mountain. Dive into Japan's Zen culture with visits to ancient temples and a traditional tea ceremony.
What's Included?
Accommodation
Hotels in Tokyo, Kanazawa and Kyoto.
Japanese Ryokan in Matsumoto and
Kyoto (feature stay).
Meals
Transportation
Guided days by experienced
English-speaking local tour leaders.
Guides
Bullet trains, public trains and buses.
Private transfers to and from the airport.
Activities
• Tokyo - Shibuya • Tokyo - Meiji Jingu Shrine • Tokyo - Harajuku District • Tokyo - Tsukiji Fish Market • Tokyo - Fire Ritual Temple • Tokyo - Akihabara Electric Town • Matsumoto - Matsumoto Castle • Matsumoto - Matsumoto Museum • Matsumoto - Miso Brewery • Kyoto - Nishiki Market • Kanazawa - Geisha District • Kanazawa - Kenroku-en Traditional Japanese Gardens • Kanazawa - Zen Museum • Kanazawa - 21st Century Museum of Art • Kyoto - Zen Temple • Kyoto - Geisha Districts • Kyoto - Tea Ceremony • Kyoto - Fushimi Inari • Kyoto - Fushimi Sake District • Kyoto - Arashiyama • Kyoto - Tenryuji Temple • Osaka - Dotonbori Walking Tour • Nara - Sacred Deer Park • Tokyo - Shimokitazawa • Tokyo - Koenji • Tokyo - Kichijoji
Optional add-ons
13 breakfasts at the hotel.
Buddhist Monk cuisine lunch.
• Osaka - Osaka Castle ($4)
• Nara - Todai ji ($6)
What's Not Included?
All flight services.
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary.
Snacks, drinks or any other personal shopping expenses.
Entrance tickets to museums, temples, etc. not mentioned in the itinerary.
Itinerary
Discover the adventures awaiting you on this ultimate 14-day tour through Japan.
Arrive at the airport and transfer to hotel via private car.
Arrive at the airport and transfer to hotel via private car.
Check-in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the night in.
Day 1: Tokyo
Arrival in Japan
Activities
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No activities planned on this day
Accommodation
Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza Gochome (4*) or similar
Day 2: Tokyo
Shibuya and Harajuku
Follow the backstreets of Shibuya and arrive at the famous Omotesando Shopping Boulevard. Pass by high-brand shops, local boutiques, and some of the city’s most impressive architectural feats.
Pass under an impressive Torii Gate and enter an inner-city forest as you approach the Meiji Jingu Shrine. Learn about the customs associated with Shinto belief and the historical significance of the Shrine.
Then head to the buzzing Harajuku District, famous for its colourful street art, youth fashion, and Instagrammable street desserts.
Activities
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Shibuya
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Meiji Jingu Shrine
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Harajuku District
Accommodation
Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza Gochome (4*) or similar
Day 3: Tokyo
Tsukiji Fish Market and Akihabara
Go explore Tsukiji Fish Market to experience the hustle and bustle of Tokyo’s legendary Fish Market. Enjoy wandering around the fish market at your own pace.
Visit a temple with your guide and observe an Esoteric Fire Ritual dedicated to the God of Justice. The ceremony, involving powerful chanting and drumming in front of open flames..
Have lunch nearby and then take a trip to Akihabara Electric town, Tokyo's pop culture and electronics hub, and pop into anime-themed shops, retro game arcades, and anything in between.
Return to your hotel and relax.
Activities
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Tsukiji Fish Market
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Fire Ritual Temple
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Akihabara Electric town
Accommodation
Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza Gochome (4*) or similar
Day 4: Matsumoto
Matsumoto Castle
Check-out of your accommodation and take an express train from Shinjuku Station to Matsumoto, a charming town at the foot of the Japanese Alps famous for its samurai history. (approximately 2.5 hours)
Start with a lunch of soba buckwheat noodles, Matsumoto’s local specialty, before exploring the town’s most scenic spots.
Explore the famous Matsumoto Castle and the garden. One of only 12 original castles remaining in the country, its 16th Century five-storied main tower is the oldest surviving castle tower in Japan. The castle is particularly beautiful in spring when pink and white blossoms color the grounds.
Activities
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Matsumoto Castle
Accommodation
Matsumoto Jujo (3*) or similar
Japanese Ryokan (feature stay)
Day 5: Matsumoto
Matsumoto Museum and Miso Brewery
Explore a picturesque street lined with traditional merchant houses, charming shops, and cozy cafes, offering a glimpse into Matsumoto’s Edo-era past and wander down a lively alley, full of quirky shops and cafes. Known for its frog-themed items, this whimsical street invites you to enjoy a playful and unique side of Matsumoto.
Head over to the Matsumoto Museum, located near the Miso Brewery, to see Yayoi Kusama’s remarkable artwork. Featuring rotating exhibits of her bold polka dots, infinity mirror rooms, and avant-garde creations, the museum offers insight into her creative journey and influence on modern art..
Walk to the Miso Brewery to learn about the unique process of making miso. Dine on the region's best miso dishes for lunch and even try some miso ice cream if you’re adventurous!
Activities
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Matsumoto Museum
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Miso Brewery
Accommodation
Matsumoto Jujo (3*) or similar
Japanese Ryokan (feature stay)
Take a special express train to Nagano Station and transfer to the bullet train for Kanazawa, a city that is famous for amazing seafood, Samurai history, and a beautifully preserved Geisha district.
Walk through the dimly lit geisha district before dinner.
Day 6: Kanazawa
Alternative Geisha District
Activities
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Geisha District
Accommodation
Mitsui Garden Hotel Kanazawa (4*) or similar
Day 7: Kanazawa
Visit Kanazawa’s famous Omicho fish market for lunch before then visit one of Japan’s most famous gardens, Kenroku-en.Take some time to rest in the tranquil tea house on site and enjoy premium Matcha Green Tea.
Later, enjoy some tranquillity at a contemporary Zen Museum, featuring rock gardens, educational exhibits, and contemplative spaces. If time permits, visit the 21st century Museum of Art.
Explore Kanazawa
Activities
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Kenroku-en Traditional Japanese Gardens
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Zen Museum
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21st century Museum of Art
Accommodation
Mitsui Garden Hotel Kanazawa (4*) or similar
Day 8: Kyoto
Zen temple and Geisha districts
Check out of your hotel and board an express train to Tsuruga Station. Change trains and board the Thunderbird train to Kyoto
Arrive at Kyoto Station. Take a taxi to your hotel and then go out to explore Higashiyama’s best cultural sites including Kyoto’s most historic Zen temple, explore Kyoto’s Geisha districts and learn about the city's fascinating history.
Arrive at a 400 year old tea house and participate in an authentic tea ceremony.
Activities
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Zen Temple
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Geisha Districts
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Tea Ceremony
Accommodation
Hotel Tanakaya Kyoto Karasuma (3*) or similar
Japanese Ryokan (feature stay)
Day 9: Kyoto
Fushimi Inari Shrine and Fushimi Sake District
Start early and beat the crowds to visit the famous Fushimi Inari Shrine. Be amazed by the thousands of red torii gates snaking up the mountain. Learn about the folklore surrounding the sacred mountain, the rice-related rituals performed there, and Inari’s significance to agriculture and the local community.
Venture into Kyoto’s historic Fushimi Sake District to visit historic sake breweries. Try some sake and enjoy learning about the importance of this area.
Activities
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Fushimi Inari
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Fushimi Sake District
Accommodation
Hotel Tanakaya Kyoto Karasuma (3*) or similar
Japanese Ryokan (feature stay)
Day 10: Kyoto
Arashiyama and Tenryuji Temple
Meet your guide and travel west to Arashiyama, an area famous for its bamboo forest.
Visit Tenryuji Temple for a lunch of ‘Shojin Ryori’ Vegetarian Buddhist cuisine, a cooking method that became popular during the 13th century when Zen Buddhism began to spread throughout Japan. Enjoy a healthy plant-based meal and learn about Buddhist culture. Follow the Katsura River to Kameyama Park before visiting the exquisite Okochi Sanso Zen Garden and villa.
Activities
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Arashiyama
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Tenryuji Temple
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Buddhist monk cuisine
Accommodation
Kyoto Okura Hotel (5*) or similar
Day 11: Osaka
Osaka day trip
Take the Shinkansen to Osaka, a lively city famous for its street food and nightlife.
Then, visit Osaka Castle. Learn about the history of the castle as well as the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi, one of the great unifiers of Japan, who intended the castle to be the centre of the new Japanese ruler at the time of its construction in 1583. Take in views over Osaka City from the sprawling castle gardens.
Visit some of Osaka’s best neighbourhoods and markets for street food and shopping. Learn about the city’s distinct culture!
Activities
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Osaka Castle
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Dotonbori walking tour
Accommodation
Kyoto Okura Hotel (5*) or similar
Enjoy breakfast at your accommodation.
Walk through Nara Deer Park and visit the sacred Todai-ji Temple, one of Japan’s most historically significant temples, to see the giant golden Buddha. Explore other beautiful temples and gardens in the area. Take a train back to Kyoto.
Day 12: Nara
Nara day trip
Activities
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Todai ji
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Sacred Deer Park
Accommodation
Kyoto Okura Hotel (5*) or similar
Day 13: Tokyo
Shimokitazawa, Koenji and Kichijoji
Enjoy breakfast at your accommodation.
Check out of your hotel and transfer to Kyoto Station by taxi. Board a bullet train for Shinagawa Station.
Go vintage shopping on your last day - Shimokitazawa, Koenji and Kichijoji are all great areas. Walk around Inokashira Park before heading to dinner.
Activities
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Shimokitazawa
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Koenji
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Kichijoji
Accommodation
Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza Gochome (4*) or similar
Day 14: Tour ends
Departure from Japan
Check out of your hotel and take a private car to the airport. Finally, board your flight and depart Japan!
Important Notes
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The first and last day of the tour are reserved for arrival and departure, with no scheduled activities.
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More hidden gems will be revealed in the final itinerary provided after booking.
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Itinerary details, including activities, inclusions, and timings, may change based on weather conditions and availability.
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Please inform us of any dietary restrictions, allergies, or any other medical conditions to be aware of prior to the tour departure.
Cancellation Policy
We understand plans can change. Our cancellation policy is as follows:
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90+ days before departure: 80% refund, 20% deposit held as credit.
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60-89 days before departure: 50% refund.
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7-59 days before departure: 20% refund.
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Less than 7 days before departure: No refund.
Once a tour is booked, no refund of deposit (20% of the total charge).
Failure to make full payment within 30 days of your tour start date may result in cancellation without refund of the deposit.
If your tour is canceled due to severe weather or unforeseen circumstances, we will refund all payments except the deposit.
If inclement weather (e.g., a typhoon) disrupts your trip, we offer a ¥20,000 contribution to cover unexpected hotel or transport costs.
