The Best of Japan Explorer

Welcome to Tokyo! Upon arrival in Tokyo, you will be met by your private driver and will be driven to the accommodation of your choice. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Today explore the magnificent city of Tokyo on your own or take one of the recommended optional tours. See major attractions that include the Meiji Shrine, the Ghibli Museum, Senso-Ji Temple and Tokyo Skytree. You may want to visit Shinjuku, Ginza or wander through the shops at Tsukiji Market.

In the morning, you will be transferred to the Tokyo train station. Board your train and take the 2-hours and 15-minutes train ride (tickets available on request) to Hakone. Upon arrival in Odawara Railway station, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure in this quaint city.

Today, spend your day at leisure exploring Hakone. You may choose to visit the Hakone Venetian Glass Museum, the Hakone Open Air Museum, Lake Ashi or take the Hakone Ropeway to see Owakudani Volcano.

Today, take the world-famous Shinkansen bullet train to Nagoya (tickets aviailable on request). Here you will switch trains to the Limited Express Hida Wideview for one of the most scenic train journeys in Japan, winding your way through tall mountains and stunning gorges to Takayama. This is a long journey of around 2-hours and 30-minutes but worth it for the scenery (tickets available on request). Upon arrival in Takayama Railway station, you will be transferred to the accomodation of your choice. The remainder of the day is at leisure.Alternatively, we recommend visiting one of the town’s many sake breweries for a taste of the local drop, it has high quality ingrained in the area’s clean water sources.

Today is at your leisure to explore the area or relax in your hotel. We recommend considering a visit to the Miyagawa morning markets, which sell local crafts and produce. Alternatively, you may wish to visit the Takayama Festival Floats Museum, displaying floats from the famous Takayama festival.

In the morning, you will be transferred to Takayama Railway station for your 2-hours and 15 minutes train ride via JR Toyama Station to switch the lines (tickets avilable on request).Upon arrival in Kanazawa Railway station, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Enjoy a day at leisure for additional sites, shopping, wonderful restaurants and shows. Be sure to visit Kenroku-en Garden, Kanazawa Castle, the Geisha District and the Nomura Family Samurai House.

In the morning, you will be transferred to Railway station for your train to Hiroshima via Shin Osaka (tickets avilable on request). Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure. In the afternoon enjoy a self-explore walking tour in this historical city. Hiroshima is notorious for its destruction when the first atomic bomb was dropped over the city during the WWII in August 1945. The city’s tragic past has become its biggest tourism attraction, and visitors from around the world now come to see the Peace Memorial Park and its haunting museum.

Today, enjoy a day of leisure in Hiroshima. You may choose to visit Genbaku Atomic Dome, Hiroshima Peace Park and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. Other locations of interest include the reconstructed Hiroshima Castle, the Shukkeien Garden, and Hiroshima Art Museum. Hiroshima is also a good base from which to travel to Miyajima Island.

In the morning, you will check out from your hotel and transfer to Hiroshima train station. Board your train and take the 2-hour train ride to Kyoto (tickets available on request) watching the countryside of Japan. Upon arrival in Kyoto, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure in this sophisticated city.

Today, start your day with a visit to Kinkakuji Temple, known as the Golden Pavilion, followed by Nijo Castle. Finish your tour of Kyoto with a visit to Nishiki Market, home to more than 100 shops.

Enjoy a day at leisure in Kyoto or consider an optional tour to nearby Nara with its famous deer. Be sure to consider visiting the famous Ginkakuji Temple, Ninna-ji, Tenryu-ji, the Philosopher's Walk or the Kyoto International Manga Museum.