Flights Los Angeles-Tokyo, Osaka-Los Angeles
DAY 1, Depart for Japan
Depart for Japan
DAY 2, Arrive in Tokyo
Arrive in Tokyo; transfer to your hotel. Attend an orientation meeting at approximately 7 PM with your Tour Manager on the adventure that awaits you in Japan, followed by a Welcome Dinner and drinks with your fellow travelers
Overnight: Tokyo
Meals: Dinner
DAY 3, Tour of Tokyo
During the day take a guided tour of Tokyo. In the evening discover on your own why Tokyo is one of the best cities in the world for nightlife
Overnight: Tokyo
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4, Full Day in Tokyo
Spend the day at leisure to explore Tokyo on your own, or, participate in the optional full-day tour to Mt. Fuji and Hakone.
Optional: Full day Mt. Fuji & Hakone with lunch
Overnight: Tokyo
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5, Bullet Train to Kyoto, Kinkaku-ji Temple, Gion District
At the Shinagawa Station, board the world-famous shinkansen, or "bullet train" that whisks you to Kyoto - a unique experience! Upon arrival, your sightseeing of Kyoto begins with a visit to the celebrated gold-gilded Kinkaku-ji Temple, known as the "Golden Pavilion." Afterward, enjoy a traditional tea ceremony, where you participate in the ritualized art of preparing, serving, and drinking green tea. After lunch on your own, conclude the city tour with a walk in Gion, Kyoto's most famous Geisha district; visit the shops, restaurants, and tea houses. Later, check in to your hotel and spend the evening at leisure
Overnight: Kyoto
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6, Full Day in Kyoto
Discover Kyoto on your own, or, join the optional tour to Hiroshima and Miyajima Island.
Optional: Full day Hiroshima & Miyajima Tour
Overnight: Kyoto
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7, Kyoto City Tour, Drive to Osaka
Embark on a tour of historic Kyoto. Start with a stop at Fushimi Inari Taisha, an impressive Shinto shrine that sits at the foot of Mount Inari. Marvel at the ten thousand vermilion torii gates that line the paths up the mountain. Later, depart Kyoto and drive south to cosmopolitan Osaka, Japan's third largest city, known for its cuisine and nightlife. Begin your exploration at Kuromon Market, an Osaka landmark, with vendors selling fresh food and fast food Japanese-style. Stop for lunch, or just try the tasty snacks. Then, free time to wander along the iconic Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori shopping streets with an array of the fabulous selection of fashionable boutiques. Conclude the tour with a visit to dramatic Osaka Castle, built as a display of power in the 16th century, strategically looming over the surrounding park and moat. Inside, see an excellent collection of art, armor, and collectibles. Check in to your hotel.
Overnight: Osaka
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8, Full Day in Osaka
Morning at leisure. In the afternoon, enjoy this city on your own, or, embark on the optional tour to the 8th century Imperial capital of Nara. In the evening, gather together for a Farewell Dinner
Optional: Imperial Capital of Nara (AM)
Overnight: Osaka
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9, Depart Japan
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast
PASSPORT & VISA INFORMATION*:
Passports should be valid for a minimum of 6 months from your scheduled return date. We recommend that you have at least 3 free pages in the Visas section of your passport.
If paying separately from your roommate, select 1 traveler and indicate your roommate.
9 Day Classic Japan without airfare
Choose this option if you do not plan to fly out of LA or don't plan to fly to LA to take the flight included in this itinerary.
If paying separately from your roommate, select 1 traveler and indicate your roommate.
9 Day Classic Japan with airfare out of LAX
per person pricing
Travel along the scenic roads of rural Japan with its striking natural scenery. Ascend to the 5th Station of Mt. Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan and one of the most beautiful conical volcanoes in the world. Stop to admire the gorgeous landscape of the park and Lake Ashi. After lunch, enjoy a relaxing cruise around placid Lake Ashi. Ascend to the summit using a cable car, to marvel at sweeping views of Hakone National Park and gain a whole new appreciation of this iconic mountain. Spend time at leisure to explore the surrounding area on your own before returning to your hotel in Tokyo.
per person pricing
Spend a day exploring the historical highlights of Hiroshima and discovering the idyllic Miyajima Island. Depart on board the bullet train for your ride to Hiroshima. Upon arrival, visit the Hiroshima Memorial Park, a historical site near where the atomic bomb exploded. See exhibitions that show the carnal destruction the bomb caused and marvel at how the city recovered. Take a moment to reflect on the heartbreaking history of the region. Continue to the iconic Atomic Bomb Dome (Genbaku Dome), a structure that miraculously survived the 1945 attack. Afterwards, board a ferry to the majestic Miyajima Island, an area known as one of Japan’s most beautiful landscapes. Disembark and explore the island to learn the history of the iconic red Itsukushima Shrine that appears to float on the water at high tide*. Reboard the ferry and head back to Hiroshima to take the bullet train for your return journey.
per person pricing
Travel via the Nara Keinawa expressway to the 8th century Imperial capital of Nara, a repository of Japan's cultural heritage, with eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a wealth of historic treasures. Arrive at the exquisite Todai-ji Temple, one of the world’s largest wooden structures and home of the impressive Great Buddha bronze statue, rising over 50 feet high. You then continue to Nara Park to see the over 1,000 tame deer roaming freely in the peaceful park. The tour concludes with a visit to the famous and beautiful Kasuga Taisha Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, displaying over 3,000 antique hanging bronze lanterns.
per person pricing
Cancel for Any Reason Waiver Benefit: You may cancel up to 72 hours before your scheduled departure for any reason not otherwise covered in the Travel Protection Plan and receive a future travel credit equal to the full cost of your trip, less the cost of the initial deposit, airline-assessed fees, amendment fees, and insurance premium.