Japan trip: Tokyo to Osaka
Starting from:
4000 USD
per Adult
This Japan trip from Tokyo to Osaka invites you to experience the country through a tailor-made journey that reveals local rituals, hidden neighborhoods, and unforgettable moments. Designed for travelers who value authentic encounters, personal guidance, and flexible pacing, our Japan trips offer the freedom to shape your experience around your interests.
Secure your dates, share what inspires you, and let us create a private, responsive plan that matches your rhythm and curiosity. Begin your bespoke Tokyo to Osaka journey and transform your visit into a deeply personal experience.
Tokyo to Osaka trip highlights
- Private Tokyo neighborhood food tour: Savor authentic street eats with a local guide, customizing stops to your tastes for a true taste of Tokyo.
- Shinkansen ride and scenic views: Experience the iconic bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka, enjoying panoramic landscapes and flexible stops.
- Kyoto temples and private tea ceremony: Enter serene temples and share a tailored tea ceremony with a knowledgeable host.
- Nara's history and close encounters: Feed friendly deer and explore ancient shrines with a guide who brings local stories to life.
- Osaka nightlife and hidden izakayas: Discover bustling food stalls and hidden izakayas on a bespoke evening tour.
| Day | Location | Activity | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tokyo | • Private airport transfer to Tokyo Prince Hotel • Guided neighborhood walking tour • Dinner recommendations tailored to your preferences | Tokyo |
| 2 | Tokyo | • Morning sumo stable visit and practice observation • Chankonabe lunch with sumo wrestlers • Asakusa district and Senso-ji Temple • Tokyo Skytree views • Sumida River dinner cruise | Tokyo |
| 3 | Tokyo to Hakone | • Scenic train journey to Hakone • Guided introduction to the Mount Fuji area • Cable car ride to Lake Ashi • Hakone Shrine visit • Owakudani Valley hot springs and geysers | Hakone |
| 4 | Hakone to Kyoto | • Transfer to Odawara Station • Bullet train journey to Kyoto • Nijo Castle visit • Golden Pavilion Kinkaku-ji and gardens • Gion tea ceremony in a traditional teahouse | Kyoto |
| 5 | Kyoto | • Guided exploration of Kyoto and Arashiyama • Tenryu-ji Temple • Togetsukyo Bridge countryside views • Bamboo grove walk • Optional Toei Kyoto Studio Park visit | Kyoto |
| 6 | Kyoto to Nara to Osaka | • Excursion to Nara and Todai-ji Temple • Great Buddha viewing • Nara Park and sacred deer • Express train to Osaka • Osaka Castle and museum • Evening in downtown Osaka | Osaka |
| 7 | Osaka | • Leisurely breakfast • Free time for last minute shopping or sightseeing • Private transfer to Kansai International Airport • Personalized assistance for departure | — |
Arrival in Tokyo
A private car will meet you at Tokyo Airport and transfer you to the upscale Tokyo Prince Hotel in the heart of the city, setting the tone for a seamless Japan travel experience.
After settling in, an English-speaking local guide will lead an afternoon or early evening walking tour of the neighborhood, introducing hidden shrines, local shops, and lively streets.
For dinner, your guide will recommend a restaurant suited to your preferences, allowing you to enjoy sushi, sukiyaki, or tempura tailored to your taste.
Sumo, Asakusa, and Skytree
Begin your day with a visit to a sumo stable to observe a morning practice, followed by a traditional chankonabe lunch served by the wrestlers.
After lunch, explore the historic Asakusa district and visit Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest temple, before taking in sweeping views from Tokyo Skytree, the tallest structure in Japan, experiences often associated with a classic Tokyo trip.
In the evening, unwind on a Sumida River dinner cruise beneath the illuminated skyline and, in season, admire cherry blossoms glowing softly at night.
Tokyo to Hakone
Take a scenic train from Tokyo to Hakone, where your local guide will introduce this mountain resort town at the foot of Mount Fuji. The day is curated with options ranging from gentle walks to private viewpoints, creating unforgettable photo opportunities.
In the afternoon, ride the cable car to the Lake Ashi area, visit the historic Hakone Shrine, and explore Owakudani Valley with its steaming hot springs and active geysers.
Often regarded as one of the best places to visit in Japan, Hakone offers a striking blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage.
Bullet train to Kyoto and Kyoto highlights
After breakfast, your private guide will transfer you to Odawara Station for the bullet train journey from Hakone to Kyoto. Enjoy scenic travel paired with attentive, tailor-made service.
Upon arrival, explore Nijo Castle and the Golden Pavilion, Kinkaku-ji, set within serene gardens, with expert insights into their history and architecture. Conclude the day in the Gion district with an intimate tea ceremony held in a traditional Kyoto teahouse.
Tips from Sunny
Japan
Travel Expert
In Kyoto, timing matters more than distance. Many major sights are close on the map but crowded at the same hours. Visiting temples early in the morning or later in the afternoon often matters more than choosing which ones to see, turning familiar places into calm, atmospheric experiences instead of busy photo stops.
Kyoto, Arashiyama, and bamboo groves
After breakfast, your English-speaking guide will lead a tailored exploration of Kyoto and the Arashiyama area as part of a thoughtfully paced Japan itinerary. Visit the serene Tenryu-ji Temple, cross Togetsukyo Bridge for sweeping countryside views, and stroll through Kyoto’s renowned bamboo groves for peaceful photo opportunities and cultural insight.
Film enthusiasts may choose to visit Toei Kyoto Studio Park, a lively Edo-period movie set and theme park.
Kyoto to Nara and Osaka
Transfer from Kyoto to Nara to visit the ancient Tōdai-ji temple and see the monumental Daibutsu. Stroll Nara Deer Park and encounter the tame, free-roaming deer regarded as sacred messengers in Shinto.
After checking out of your Kyoto hotel, take an express train for about one hour to Osaka. Explore Osaka Castle and its gardens, visit the museum inside, then soak up the lively downtown nightlife.
Transfer to Kansai International Airport
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel and take in your final moments exploring Osaka’s neighborhoods. Use your free time to pick up last-minute souvenirs, visit a nearby shrine, or savor a specialty coffee before departure.
A private transfer will take you to Kansai International Airport with ample time for check-in and your flight home, a familiar rhythm for travelers reflecting on a well-planned Japan trip.
This thoughtfully tailored conclusion ensures a relaxed farewell, supported by personalized service and local expertise for any final arrangements.
