13-Day Authentic Japan Explorer

Welcome to Japan! Once your flight lands in Tokyo, your airport assistant will be waiting for you. You can get basic information about Japan and hop on one airport shuttle bus to your hotel under his/her assistance. The assistant will not escort you to the hotel, so you need to check in to the hotel by yourself. The rest of the day will be free for you to recover from your long journey.

Overnight: Tokyo

Today, you will follow your private guide to visit Tokyo by public transportation.

First, explore the world's biggest fresh fish market - Tsukiji Outer Fish Market. It is a good place to try some delicious sushi. Yammy! Afterward, pass by Ginza and then visit the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace for taking a view of the Double Bridge.

In the afternoon, pay a visit to the Asakusa Shrine and go shopping at Nakamise Shopping Street later. After that, tour the famous Meiji Shrine, the most popular shrine in Japan. Nearby Harajuku is the center of Japan's most extreme teenage culture and fashion styles. You can walk around the streets to experience its unique atmosphere. After the tour, you will be escorted back to your hotel.

Overnight: Tokyo
Meal: Breakfast

This morning, you will go to Mt. Fuji by private car with an English-speaking driving guide (about 3 hours). You will stop at the Mt. Fuji 5th Station, the highest point that your car can reach. You can walk around this area and overlook the stunning scene below. Next, take a boat trip on Lake Kawaguchi or hop on the Kachi Kachi Ropeway for a wonderful view of Mt,.Fuji. Before returning to Tokyo, enjoy a leisure walking tour around the Iyashi no Sato. Against the backdrop of scenic Mt. Fuji, this historical village is breathtaking.  

Overnight: Tokyo
Meal: Breakfast

In the morning, take your train to Kyoto by yourself. Upon arrival, your local private guide in Kyoto will meet and escort you to your hotel by public transportation. This afternoon, you will visit the Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine, famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates and Sanjusangendo Hall. Later, you can enjoy your free time at Gion District. This area is the center of traditional arts, offering you a chance to encounter the beautiful Geisha.

Overnight: Kyoto
Meal: Breakfast

A full-day tour can't include all the charm of this city, so today is free for you to explore more of Kyoto at your own pace.

Overnight: Kyoto
Meal: Breakfast

After breakfast, go to Nagoya by Shinkansen for a connecting train to Takayama by yourself. Upon arrival at Takayama, find a way for your hotel by yourself. Check in to your hotel and spend the rest of the time to recharge your batteries.

Overnight: Takayama
Meal: Breakfast

Today, your local guide will escort you to explore the Takayama Showa-kan Museum that shows the old things between 1955 and 1965, and the Miyagawa Open Air Market will be next. you will see a range of fruits, vegetables, and sweets at the numerous stalls there; then, visit Yatai Kaikan Hall, a museum and exhibition hall devoted to the unique and spectacular floats of the Takayama Festival. Afterward, continue to the Hida Kokubun-ji Temple. After the tour, get back to your hotel for a restful night.

Overnight: Takayama
Meal: Breakfast

Travel to Shirakawago by private car with your English-speaking driver. Here you will visit two famous villages - Suganuma Village and Shirakawa-go Village. They are both registered in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The former has 9 palm-style houses, two of which were used in the late Edo Period (about the middle of the 19th century). The later will give you a chance to catch a glimpse of the traditional life of people living with nature. After the tour, drive to Kanazawa. Upon arrival, check-in and stay at your hotel.

Overnight: Kanazawa
Meal: Breakfast

Today, your private guide will take you to explore Kanazawa with public transportations. First, you will visit Kenrokuen, one of Japan's top three landscape gardens. Walk out of the garden, and continue to visit the white Kanazawa Castle. After that, go to Higashi Chayagai District to experience the local tea culture. End the trip at Nagamachi Samurai District, the former residential area for samurai and their families.

Overnight: Kanazawa
Meal: Breakfast

In the morning, take a Shinkansen to Nagano on your own. Upon arrival, proceed to your hotel for check-in.

Overnight: Nagano
Meal: Breakfast

Today, your local guide will pick you up from your hotel at 9:00 am, and then take a bus to the Jigokudani Monkey Park. In this park, you can see so many snow monkeys with red-face. They just do their own thing as if they haven't seen you, for example, they are taking a shower in a hot spring. After the tour, be escorted to your hotel for a good rest.

Overnight: Nagano
Meal: Breakfast

Take a rest at leisure until you take a train to Tokyo. Upon arrival, find your own way to your hotel. The rest of the day is free at your own leisure.

Overnight: Tokyo
Meal: Breakfast

It's time to say goodbye. Check out of the hotel and make your own way to the airport for your home-bound flight.

Meal: Breakfast