Best of Japan: Tour 2021-2022

Experience the best of Japan by visiting the best gardens, temples, and modern sites in the country during cherry blossom season.

Spring in Japan shows a wide variety of pale pink cherry blossoms, colorful gardens, and lush green foliage. This tour covers popular must-see attractions in Tokyo and Kyoto, as well as the highlights in the Shikoku and Chugoku regions (Hiroshima and Miyajima). This itinerary caters for a wide variety of interests, from culture, architecture, nature, onsen spa baths, 21st century landmarks, to traditional Japanese cuisine.

Our guides and private drivers will help you navigate through Tokyo’s cultural landmarks, trendy neighborhoods, various shopping districts, and the best cherry blossom viewing spots. Learn how to make your own sushi from a professional chef and enjoy it for lunch. Spend a photo-worthy day at Hakone and Mt. Fuji, then board a Shinkansen (bullet train) ride to gain experience before transferring to the Hamanako Kanzanji Onsen. There, you will stay at an onsen hotel (Japanese-style room), where you can relax in the hot springs (onsen) and dine on gourmet kaiseki cuisine.

Visit Hikone Castle, an attractive hanami (flower viewing) spot during cherry blossom season. Hikone Castle is one of the few original castles left in Japan, meaning that it survived the post-feudal era without suffering severe destruction or remodeling. It is also considered one of the four most beautiful castles in Japan. Visit the Genkyuen Garden, a beautiful Japanese landscaped garden located on the castle grounds. Continue to the Miho Museum, renowned for its architecture that encompasses the surrounding landscape while displaying ancient artifacts. There is also a tunnel that leads from the museum to a road lined with hundreds of cherry blossoms. Designed by I. M. Pei, the museum has been listed as one of the “1000 places to see before you die”.

Spend two days in the historic city of Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan. The gardens and temples you will visit in Kyoto have been chosen for their reputation as the “best places to see cherry blossoms.” Experience a Japanese green tea ceremony, meet a maiko (apprentice geisha), and watch a kimono fashion show. Visit Arashiyama, located on the outskirts of Kyoto, which is famous for its bamboo forest and traditional Zen garden at Tenryuji Temple. In the ancient capital of Nara, you will visit the remarkable Todaiji Temple and a deer park where 1,000 Sika deer will roam freely.

Tour the remarkable Himeji Castle and the city of Kurashiki on the canal. Continue to Hiroshima to visit the Peace Memorial Park and Museum, then head to Miyajima Island and enjoy views of the distinguished torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine. At high tide, the vermilion gate appears to “float” on the surface of the sea. Then drive through the Shimanami Kaido, a 60-kilometer toll road that connects the main island of Honshu in Japan with the island of Shikoku, passing six small islands in the Seto Inland Sea. Overlook views of the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridges from the Kirosan Observatory, along with hundreds of small islands beautifully scattered above the sea.

On Shikoku Island, take a trip to the Ritsurin Garden in Takamatsu, climb 1,368 stone steps to the Kompirasan Shrine, enjoy a boat ride, and reflect on the panoramic views of the Oboke Gorge. Our group will also have a chance to savor the world famous Wagyu beef in Kobe. This itinerary is perfect for those who want to visit the famous regions of Japan.

Detailed itinerary

Day 1
Arrival at Narita airport

Welcome to Tokyo! An OOT representative will meet you at the arrival gate with a “Only One Travel” sign.
Narita Excel Hotel Tokyu or similar class
Tobu Hotel Levant Tokyo or similar class (NOTE 1 and 2)

NOTE 1: If you want to stay in central Tokyo for the first night instead of Narita Excel Hotel Tokyu, we can arrange for you to stay at Tobu Hotel Levant Tokyo (or similar class). In this case, the airport transfer is not included, but we will provide you with directions to get to your hotel in advance.

NOTE 2: If you are flying to Haneda Airport (HND) instead of Narita International Airport (NRT), we can arrange for you to stay in central Tokyo (Tobu Hotel Levant Tokyo or similar class) instead of Narita Excel Hotel Tokyu. In this case, airport transfer and meetings are not included, but we will provide you with full directions to the hotel in advance.

NOTE 3: The meet and greet is ONLY available for flights arriving at Terminal 1 and 2 after 11:00 AM. For guests arriving at Terminal 3, airport pick-up service is not included, but we will provide directions to your hotel in advance.

NOTE 4: If you want to stay more nights before the tour starts, please contact us to book hotel accommodation.

Day 2

Tokyo (Asakusa Sensoji Temple / Ueno Park / Sushi Making Experience / Tsukiji Outer Market / Imperial Palace / Tokyo Tower)

In the morning, you will be taken to the Asakusa Kannon Temple, an active place of worship where you can see the largest paper lantern in Japan. You can also explore the Nakamise Market, which is located just past the outer gates of the temple. It is a traditional style shopping street with several centuries of history. Continue to Ueno Park, famous for its 1,000 cherry trees that line the central paths, making it a great place to look at cherry blossoms. Next, learn how to create your own sushi from a professional sushi chef. Whatever you do, you can eat for lunch! Afterward, head to the Tsukiji Outer Market, packed with shops and restaurants where you can sample fresh produce and other food-related products. Then, we will proceed to the Imperial Palace, the current residence of the Imperial Family of Japan and the former site of Edo Castle. It is surrounded by moats and stone fortifications, located in the heart of Tokyo. In the afternoon, we will visit the tallest self-supporting steel tower in the world, the Tokyo Tower. Here, you can walk 150 meters to the main deck of the observatory and enjoy an aerial view of Tokyo.

Note: For Sushi Making Experience, if you are vegetarian, have gluten-free diets, have a shellfish allergy, or don’t eat raw fish, contact us for other ingredient options.

Breakfast lunch
Tobu Hotel Levant Tokyo or similar class

Day 3

Mt Fuji, Hakone (Hakone Ropeway / Owakudani), Shinkansen Bullet Train Ride

We will depart from Tokyo towards Mt. Fuji in our private coach. Along the way, enjoy the changing scenery, from thick vegetation to lowlands to rolling clouds. Stop at Mt. Fuji 5th station (depending on weather conditions) to admire the world famous peak. Next, travel to Hakone, one of the most popular hot spring resorts in Japan. You will also get to see the forested slopes of Hakone National Park. We will take a 20 minute cable car from Togendai to Owakudani. Most of Owakudani is considered an active volcanic area since its creation since the eruption of Mount Hakone some 3,000 years ago. Visitors will encounter hot springs and bubbling pools in the area, with sulphurous fumes and steam vents. If the weather conditions are in our favor, Owakudani also grants splendid views of Mount Fuji. Then, experience a Shinkansen bullet train ride, which can reach speeds of up to 300km / h. We will stay at the Onsen Hotel at Hamanako Kanzaiji Onsen, where you can soak in the therapeutic waters of a hot tub and enjoy a traditional Japanese Kaiseki banquet dinner.

Breakfast lunch dinner
Hamanako Royal Hotel or similar class

Day 4
Hikone (Hikone Castle – Genkyuen Garden), Koka (Miho Museum)

After breakfast at the hotel, our group will visit Hikone Castle, an attractive place for hanami (flower viewing) during cherry blossom season. Hikone Castle is an original castle, which survived the post-feudal era without suffering destruction and reconstruction. The castle is considered a great impression of what a complete feudal castle looks like. It is also a national treasure, alongside four other castle fortresses in Japan, which is the highest designation a cultural property can achieve. Visitors will have the opportunity to climb to the top floor of the castle, where they can enjoy views of the castle grounds and the city. Then, head to Genkyuen Garden, a tranquil Japanese garden overlooking the castle. From there, head to the Miho Museum, known for its impressive architecture integrated into the surrounding nature. Exhibits works from different ancient civilizations

Day 5

Kyoto (Arashiyama – Tenryuji Temple Zen Garden – Sagano Bamboo Forest / Golden Pavilion / Nishijin Kimono Show / Kiyomizu Temple / Maruyama Park / Gion Geisha District)

Today, we will start our tour of Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan that has invaluable historical values. We will first visit Arashiyama, known for its natural landscapes and is particularly popular during the spring and fall season. Visit the Zen Garden of Tenryuji Temple, the first among the five great Zen temples in Kyoto. Then, enjoy a pleasant walk through the attractive Sagano Bamboo Forest. Head to the Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion), known for its upper two floors covered entirely in 18-karat gold leaf. See the elegant Nishijin Kimono fashion show and learn how kimonos are made. Continue to the famous Kiyomizu Temple, best known for its wooden stage that overlooks the picturesque hillside below. The stage offers visitors a beautiful view of the many cherry and maple trees below, as well as a beautiful scene of Kyoto in the distance. From the Kiyomizu Temple we will go to Maruyama Park, one of the most popular places to see cherry blossoms in Kyoto. Finally, we will visit Gion, the most famous geisha district in Kyoto. It is full of various restaurants and ochaya (tea houses), where maiko and geisha entertain their guests.

Breakfast dinner
Grand Prince Hotel Kyoto or similar class

Day 6

Kyoto (Green Tea Ceremony with Maiko Interaction / Fushimi Inari Shrine), Nara (Todaiji Temple / Venado Park), Osaka (Dotonbori – Shinsaibashi)

The day begins with a green tea ceremony and a meeting with maiko. A maiko is simply an apprentice geisha. You will have photo opportunities and a chance to interact with the maiko. After that, head to the Fushimi Inari Shrine. The shrine is famous for its thousands of impressive vermilion torii that line the length of a 4 km long tunnel, which was even featured in the movie “Memoirs of a Geisha”. This resort surrounds a bamboo desert consisting of mountains, streams, and ponds, making it the perfect setting for a scenic hike. Then we will travel to Nara, where we will go to the Todaiji Temple, the largest wooden building in Japan. The temple also houses one of the largest bronze statues of the Buddha at 16.3 meters tall. Nearby, explore the surrounding Deer Park, filled with more than 1,000 Sika deer. Our last stop of the day will be in Osaka. We will spend time in Dotonbori, a popular shopping, entertainment and food district. It is known for the hundreds of mechanized and neon signs that line its streets. Our group will also pass through Shinasaibashi, one of Osaka’s oldest shopping destinations.

Breakfast lunch
Hotel Elsereine Osaka or similar class

Day 7

Himeji (Himeji Castle), Kurashiki (Canal Area / Ohara Museum of Art)

Today we take a 2 hour private coach trip to Himeji to visit Himeji Castle. It is known as “White Egret Castle” and “White Heron Castle” due to its bright white exterior, which resembles a flying bird. Himeji Castle is the largest and most visited castle in Japan, and is one of the few original castles left in Japan. This splendid example of traditional architecture was declared one of the first UNESCO World Heritage sites in Japan. The following is a visit to Kurashiki. In merchandise days, this picturesque town prospered as a port for rice shipments. Several old rice barns and examples of historic architecture still remain, in addition to the stone-lined canal. We will also visit the Ohara Museum of Art, considered the first Western art museum in Japan. It is a private museum consisting of three adjacent buildings next to the canal. In the afternoon, we will continue our journey to Hiroshima.

Breakfast lunch
Hiroshima Grand Prince Hotel or similar class

Day 8

Hiroshima (Peace Memorial Park / Atomic Bomb Museum / Miyajima – Itsukushima Shrine), Shimanami Kaido (Scenic Observatory / Kirosan)

Today we will visit the Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Bomb Museum. After lunch, we will take a short ferry ride to Miyajima Island. At high tide, the famous vermilion torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine seems to float in the middle of the sea. The shrine complex is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Miyajima has been selected as one of the three most scenic places in Japan (nihon sankei). In the afternoon, we will drive through the Shimanami Kaido to Shikoku Island. The Shimanami Kaido is a 60-kilometer toll road that connects the main island of Honshu in Japan with the island of Shikoku, passing through six small islands in the Seto Inland Sea. It is also known as the Nishiseto Highway. We will stop at the Kirosan Observatory, from where you can see the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridges, which are located among hundreds of beautifully scattered islands in the Seto Inland Sea. The modern observation deck was cleverly designed and built midway into the slope of the hillside so as not to spoil the natural environment.

Breakfast lunch dinner

Imabari Kokusai Hotel or similar class

Day 9

Oboke Gorge (Oboke Gorge Boat Ride), Kotohira (Kotohira-gu Shrine), Takamatsu (Ritsurin Park), Kobe (Wagyu Beef Dinner)

After breakfast, we continue our journey to Oboke Gorge, one of the three hidden mountain regions of Japan. Oboke is the valley located upstream of the Yoshino-gawa River. “Boke” means “dangerous to walk”, and Oboke (large “boke”) got its name from its jagged V-shaped rocks and narrow path that, no matter how carefully or slowly you walk, makes walking dangerous. Enjoy a relaxing boat ride and take in the panoramic view of the valley. Then, climb the 1,368 stone steps to the Kotohira-gu shrine, a Shinto shrine. In Takamatsu we will visit Ritsurin Park, a masterpiece of Japanese landscape with 100 years of history. This extensive park has beautiful ponds and pavilions, with Mt. Shiun as the perfect backdrop. From there, our private bus takes us across Awaji Island via a series of spectacular bridges. In the afternoon we will continue to Kobe, where we will savor the world famous Wagyu beef.

Breakfast dinner

Hotel Nikko Kansai Airport or similar class
Elsereine Osaka Hotel or similar class (NOTE 5 and 6)

NOTE 5: If you want to stay in downtown Osaka for the last night instead of the Nikko Kansai Airport Hotel, we can arrange for you to stay at the Elsereine Osaka Hotel (or similar class). In this case, the airport transfer is not included, but we will provide you with full instructions so that you can get to the airport in advance.

NOTE 6: If you are flying from Itami Airport (ITM) instead of Kansai International Airport (KIX), we can arrange for you to stay at Hotel Elsereine Osaka (or similar class) instead of Hotel Nikko Kansai Airport. In this case, the airport transfer is not included, but we will provide you with full instructions so that you can get to the airport in advance.

Day 10
Tour ends

After breakfast, our tour officially ends. Check out time is at 11am. M. And Osaka Kansai Airport can be reached in three minutes on foot.

NOTE 7: If you want to stay longer in Japan, please contact us to reserve hotel accommodation.