Grand Tour Japan

Day 1: Tokyo
Today you will arrive at Tokyo Haneda International Airport, Tokyo is the world’s largest metropolis. This bustling city is the economic and cultural hub of the nation. Spend the afternoon exploring the best of what Tokyo has to offer, and enjoy the endless opportunities for fine dining and entertainment at every turn.

Day 2: Tokyo
After breakfast, you will go and explore more of the hip, vibrant youth culture scene of Tokyo. Young Tokyoites have set trends both in Japan and globally with their avant-garde fashion. Explore the perennially trendy neighborhoods of Shibuya and Harajuku, stopping at Meiji Shrine for a glimpse of the local Shinto traditions, before heading to the ‘Skyscraper District’ of Shinjuku.

Day 3: Tokyo
After breakfast, you will head out to explore the historic and culturally significant areas of the metropolis and see some of Tokyo’s most recognizable sights. From the city’s oldest Buddhist temple, Sensoji, to Ginza, one of Tokyo’s most upscale and famous districts, unravel the mysteries of the past and see how it blends seamlessly with the present day. In the evening, you will get a glimpse into the art of sushi with a hands-on sushi-making class. The best part is eating your delicious creations when you’re done!

Day 4: Tokyo - Kiso Valley
After breakfast and some time at leisure, check out of your hotel and you will take the high-speed bullet train to Nagano. From there continue by express train to picturesque Kiso Fukushima, where you will find yourself stepping back in time to the Edo era. You will enjoy dinner at your hotel. The night skies are particularly beautiful here, so be sure to look up at the stars before retiring to bed.

Day 5: Kiso Valley
After breakfast, experience the serene beauty of Japan’s wilderness with a hike along the Nakasendo, an ancient trail that winds through the Kiso Valley and connects the two charming historical post towns of Magome and Tsumago. Wander around these well-preserved, atmospheric towns to get a feel of what life was like in olden-day Japan. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

Day 6: Kiso Valley - Takayama
After breakfast, you will wave goodbye to the rustic Edo period town in the Kiso Valley and make your way to Takayama, a charming mountain town framed by the majestic Japan Alps. Explore the old town and admire the exquisite local architecture. Be sure to sample the local delicacy, Hida beef, and enjoy each glorious bite.

Day 7: Takayama
After breakfast, you will head out to travel to Hida Furukawa — which is just 15 minutes away from Takayama by train — to join a guide and enjoy a scenic cycling tour of the nearby village of Hida. Start out by riding through the sleepy streets, before heading out to the peaceful countryside. You will be greeted by scenes of rural Japanese life and have plenty of chances to marvel at the photogenic landscapes as you pass by. Spend the rest of the afternoon ambling around Hida, or return to Takayama to continue your explorations.

Day 8: Takayama - Kanazawa
After breakfast and checking out of your hotel, make your way to Kanazawa, a city rich in history, culture, and fine arts and crafts. The city is particularly famous for producing 99% of all gold leaf made in Japan. Hammering gold until it reaches one ten-thousandth of a millimeter in thickness is a true feat of artisanship. It can be found in almost everything here, from chopsticks, to face masks, to ice cream. You’re guaranteed to want to take home plenty of gorgeous souvenirs.

Day 9: Kanazawa
After your breakfast, you will head out to explore all of the highlights of Kanazawa, starting with the exquisitely preserved geisha district of Higashi Chaya. This is where geisha have entertained their clients for centuries. Stop by Shima Geisha House for a glimpse into geisha life. After a visit to Kanazawa Castle, it's just a short walk to one of the three most beautiful landscape gardens in Japan — Kenrokuen. This strolling garden is a truly magical experience in any season. Be sure to visit the samurai district of Nagamachi afterward. With its cobblestone streets, it’s not hard to imagine what life might have been like in feudal Japan. If you are an art lover, make sure you pay a visit to the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art during your stay.

Day 10: Kanazawa - Kyoto
After breakfast, you will leave Kiso Valley and make your way to Kyoto, Japan’s reigning cultural capital. This captivating city and former Imperial capital boast over 2,000 shrines and temples, and 17 registered UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Spend the afternoon strolling around the historical geisha district of Gion and the modern shopping precinct of Shijo.

Day 11: Kyoto
After breakfast, you will head off the beaten path and visit Fushimi Inari Shrine, which is famous for the thousands of blazing red torii gates that line the trails winding through the forests. Legend has it that torii are gateways between the earthly and divine realms. Follow the route to the sprawling and scenic grounds of Tofuku-ji Temple before ambling to Kiyomizudera Temple, one of Kyoto’s star attractions and an exquisite example of the skill displayed in traditional Japanese carpentry.

Day 12: Kyoto
After breakfast, you will head towards the Nanzen-Ji Temple, famous for its magnificent 350-year-old wooden entrance gate known as the Sanmon, and the remarkably Roman-looking red brick aqueduct within its grounds. From here, descend towards Ginkaku-Ji Temple, the Silver Pavilion, and spend the rest of the afternoon beneath the towering cedars of Mt. Hiei, trekking the same trails used by the local ‘marathon monks’ during their ascetic training.

Day 13: Kyoto
After breakfast, you will be heading on an idyllic excursion. Your day begins at Ohara — a remote, rural, and idyllic part of Kyoto. We will hike over to the charming village of Shizuhara for lunch, before continuing up to Kurama, a town steeped in folklore and known as the legendary lair of mountain goblins. Our journey then takes us over the top of Mt. Kurama. Following a serene and tranquil path through the woods, we will descend to Kibune, a quiet village set in a forested valley and spread along the banks of a rushing river.

Day 14: Kyoto - Naoshima
After breakfast, you will be leaving Kyoto and travel to Naoshima, a delightful little island in the Seto Inland Sea. What makes Naoshima so special is a large number of art installations and museums dotted around the island. You are sure to be spellbound by the beauty and magic of this unique gem surrounded by turquoise waters.

Day 15: Naoshima
After breakfast at your hotel, you will spend the day visiting all of the beautiful installations and museums that Naoshima has to offer. If time allows, consider visiting nearby Teshima, a stunning island with rice paddies, magnificent, sweeping coastlines, and its fair share of artwork on display. The art on each island is unique, with each piece being commissioned and crafted with the utmost care and attention to detail.

Day 16: Naoshima - Hiroshima
After breakfast, you will be heading to Hiroshima, which is a vibrant and thriving city that has found a way to honor its past without being solely defined by it. Besides having a number of historically significant sites to explore, it has an exciting food scene with several delicious specialties to offer. In particular, a local favorite is a Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki.

Day 17: Hiroshima
No visit to Hiroshima is complete without a day trip to Miyajima, the sacred island said to be the dwelling place of the gods. Indeed, this sacred island is home to one of the most scenic views in Japan — the ‘Floating Torii Gate,’ of Itsukushima Shrine. The shrine is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 18: Hiroshima - Osaka
After breakfast, you will be heading towards Osaka — Japan’s culinary capital. Renowned for its delectable soul food, it is an essential destination for foodies. In fact, the well-known motto of the city’s exuberant inhabitants is kuidaore or ‘eat until you drop,’ so be prepared to do just that.

Day 19: Osaka
Osaka is a lively city full of things to see and do. Don’t miss Dotonbori, the beating heart of the city, Shinsaibashisuji, a major shopping arcade that shopaholics will adore, and Osaka Castle, where you can follow the evolution of the city from feudal times to the present day.

Day 20: Osaka
After breakfast, you will have a full day to spend in Osaka. Those looking for family-friendly attractions and experiences can opt to visit Universal Studios Japan, one of the most popular and beloved theme parks in the country. If you long for more traditional discoveries, visit Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, Osaka’s great spiritual center, before strolling through the alleys of Shinsekai and its retro shopping arcades frozen in time

Day 21: Osaka
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and make your way to Osaka City Air Terminal. A limousine bus runs from here to Kansai International Airport (KIX) in just under an hour.