Splendors of Japan trip

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Starting from:

3535 USD

per Adult

Step into a Japan shaped for curious travelers who value authentic, tailor-made experiences. Our Japan trips bring you together with a small circle of like-minded explorers for immersive cultural moments, local connections, and thoughtful details designed around the way you want to travel. Group size is intentionally limited to keep the experience personal.

Reserve your place now, and let us personalize your journey into Japan’s heart and spirit.

Splendors of Japan trip highlights

  • Intimate cultural immersion: Join small-group, tailor-made experiences with local experts for authentic ceremonies, temples, and conversations.
  • Culinary discoveries: Savor street food, market tastings, and chef-led dinners crafted to your preferences.
  • Scenic rail and rural vistas: Travel by scenic train, explore serene countryside, and hidden coastal towns.
  • Artisan workshops and stays: Engage in hands-on crafts and boutique ryokan stays shaped to your group.
  • Local guides and flexible pacing: Benefit from expert local guides who adapt itineraries to your interests.
DayLocationActivityOvernight
1Tokyo

• Arrival and hotel transfer

• Free evening and short walk

• Tour briefing with local leader

Tokyo
2Tokyo

• Asakusa and Sensō-ji Temple

• Sumida River cruise

• Hamarikyu Gardens

• Matcha and wagashi tasting

Tokyo
3Tokyo

• Ōmiya Bonsai Village and Bonsai Art Museum

• Hikawa Shrine

• Meiji Jingu

• Omotesandō stroll

Tokyo
4Tokyo to Kanazawa

• Train to Kanazawa with bento

• Terashima Kurando House

• Kenroku-en Garden

• D.T. Suzuki Museum

Kanazawa
5Kanazawa

• Kanazawa at leisure

• Nagamachi Samurai District

• Higashi Chaya and Ōmichō Market

• Optional Shirakawa-go and Takayama day tour

Kanazawa
6Kanazawa to Kyoto

• Train to Kyoto

• Fushimi Inari torii walk

• Free time or Arashiyama bamboo grove

Kyoto
7Kyoto

• Kennin-ji Temple

• Yasaka Shrine

• Tea ceremony

• Ninenzaka lanes

• Kōdai-ji Temple

Kyoto
8Kyoto

• Daitoku-ji temple complex

• Kōtō-in• Ryōgen-in

• Zuihō-in

• Free afternoon

Kyoto
9Kyoto to Okayama

• Train to Okayama

• Kōraku-en Garden

• Okayama Castle

• Free time

Okayama
10Kurashiki

• Kurashiki canal quarter

• Art museums and galleries

• Optional canal boat ride

Okayama
11Okayama to Osaka

• Train to Osaka

• Dotonbori street food area

• Osaka Castle and museum

• Nishinomaru Garden

• Aqualiner river cruise

Osaka
12Osaka

• Osaka at leisure

• Housing and Living Museum or Umeda Sky Building

• Farewell dinner in Dotonbori

Osaka
13Osaka

• Private taxi transfer

• Departure

 

Places you'll visit

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Day01

Arrival in Tokyo

Arrive in Tokyo and transfer to your carefully selected hotel, a comfortable base for authentic Japan travel. Settle in, soak up the city’s energy, and ease into Tokyo’s blend of tradition and modern life. Enjoy a free evening to rest and take a short walk nearby.

Later, meet your local leader for a tour briefing, where you will receive practical tips and hear about optional add-ons that can enrich your experience.

Tokyo traffic © Nick Jackson/single use only
Day02

Tokyo full-day city tour with matcha tasting

Use Tokyo’s efficient public transport to shape your Japan itinerary around standout neighborhoods and classic sights. Explore Asakusa’s lively streets and take in the vivid gates and atmosphere of Sensō-ji Temple, then cruise along the Sumida River as the city skyline and landmark buildings drift by.

Later, slow the pace in Hamarikyu Gardens. Stroll the paths and enjoy an authentic tea moment at the Floating Garden Pavilion, where matcha is served with traditional wagashi.

Imperial Palace, Tokyo
Day03

Ōmiya Bonsai Village and Tokyo shrines

Take a short train ride to Ōmiya Bonsai Village, a hub of specialist nurseries and the Bonsai Art Museum, where you can admire centuries-old specimens and learn the craft from local bonsai masters. Continue to Hikawa Shrine, an important Shinto site with deep ties to local legends.

Return to Tokyo to visit Meiji Jingu, then finish with a stroll along tree-lined Omotesandō Avenue for architecture, boutiques, and a relaxed city contrast.

Omiya Flower Field
Day04

Tokyo to Kanazawa

Travel by train from Tokyo to Kanazawa and enjoy a crafted bento as the countryside unfolds outside your window. On arrival, visit the Terashima Kurando House, a former home of a mid-ranking Edo period samurai, then stroll through Kenroku-en, Kanazawa’s celebrated landscape garden.

Continue to the D.T. Suzuki Museum to experience its calm architecture and reflective gardens inspired by Zen thought.

End the day with a relaxed evening shaped to your interests, from a quiet sake bar to a seafood dinner or a gentle night walk.

Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa
Day05

Kanazawa at leisure or Shirakawa-go and Takayama day tour

Enjoy Kanazawa at a relaxed pace, with tailor-made experiences that highlight its art, gardens, and food culture. Revisit Kenroku-en, wander the Nagamachi samurai quarter, step into the wooden teahouses of Higashi Chaya, and browse Ōmichō Market for fresh seafood and local specialties. For a hands-on cultural moment, join a local craft workshop and learn traditional techniques with an artisan.

You can also choose a guided day trip to Shirakawa-go to admire its distinctive gasshō zukuri farmhouses, then continue to Takayama to explore quiet lanes and a nostalgic old town atmosphere.

Suzuki Museum, Kanazawa
Day06

Kanazawa to Kyoto, Fushimi Inari, and Arashiyama

Travel by train from Kanazawa to Kyoto in comfort, with coastal and mountain views along the way. Kyoto is among the best places to visit in Japan for timeless culture, from serene temples and historic Gion lanes to an expert-led tea ceremony.

Continue to Fushimi Inari to walk through the vermilion torii tunnels, with time for photos, quiet moments, and stories from your local guide. Afterwards, enjoy free time in the city or add Arashiyama for bamboo grove paths and riverside views.

The Reiki garden of the Silver Temple, Kyoto
Day07

Kyoto walking tour and tea ceremony

Begin at Kennin-ji, Kyoto’s oldest Zen temple, then continue to Yasaka Shrine to experience the city’s living traditions. Join a traditional tea ceremony to learn the philosophy and artistry behind each step.

Afterwards, stroll Ninenzaka’s historic shop-lined lanes and finish at Kōdaiji Temple, known for its refined architecture and tranquil gardens.

Old Town Kyoto, Japan
Day08

Temples and gardens of Daitokuji

Start the morning with a guided visit to the Daitoku-ji temple complex, uncovering quieter Kyoto treasures. Explore Kōtō with its maple-framed paths, Ryōgen in and its famously compact Zen garden, and Zuihō in for beautifully composed dry landscape gardens.

The afternoon is yours to continue your Japan trip at your own pace. Wander narrow lanes, drop into a teahouse, or seek out a secluded garden for a calm reset.

Shrine at park, Kyoto
Day09

Kyoto to Okayama

Take the train from Kyoto to Okayama to visit Kōraku-en, one of Japan’s most celebrated gardens. Stroll along winding streams, gentle paths, and wide lawns as your guide shares the stories and seasonal details that bring the landscape to life. Then cross the river to explore the story of Okayama Castle, known as Crow Castle for its striking black exterior.

Afterward, enjoy free time to relax, shop, or wander lesser-known neighborhoods at your own pace.

Okayama
Day10

Kurashiki day trip

Wander through Kurashiki’s beautifully preserved canal quarter. Stroll tree-lined lanes, pop into small art museums and galleries, and, if you like, take a quiet boat ride along willow-fringed canals for memorable photos and local stories.

Return to Okayama in the evening to unwind at your ryokan, enjoy local dining, or keep exploring at your own pace.

Kurashiki, Japan
Day11

Okayama to Osaka, Osaka Castle and Aqualiner

Travel by train from Okayama to lively Osaka, with scenic views along the way. Your transfer is smooth and paced for comfort, with luggage support arranged so you can travel with ease.

On arrival, dive into Osaka’s highlights, from the street food energy of Dotonbori to the imposing grounds of Osaka Castle. With your guide, explore the castle museum, head up to the observation deck for wide city views, and stroll through Nishinomaru Garden. Later, take an Aqualiner cruise on the Ōkawa River for a fresh look at Osaka’s skyline and riverside life.

The evening is yours to relax, enjoy local specialties, or follow your guide’s tailored recommendations.

Osaka, Japan
Day12

Leisure in Osaka and farewell dinner

Enjoy a relaxed day in Osaka, with time to follow your interests. Step into the everyday life of past eras at the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living, or head up to the Umeda Sky Building for panoramic views from 173 meters.

End the day with a group farewell dinner in the electric Dotonbori area, celebrating shared discoveries and Osaka’s unforgettable local flavors.

Aerial view Osaka
Day13

Farewell Japan

Your Japan trip concludes with a private taxi transfer to Osaka Station or Kansai International Airport for your onward journey. Enjoy a final morning to savor one last coffee, pick up any remaining souvenirs, and capture a few quiet street scenes.

We will coordinate timing to suit your schedule and provide personal support, ensuring a smooth and relaxed finish to your trip.

Senso-ji, Kyoto, Japan