Being one of the most graceful and charming Asian cities, Tokio will steal your heart for sure. Always changing and full of surprises, the city attracts millions of tourists from all over the world who immediately become its passionate admirers.
You have arrived in Tokyo, the capital of Japan that is both ultramodern and traditional at the same time! Your private driver is waiting at the arrivals hall to pick you up and take you to your hotel. An English-speaking assistant meets you there.
Once you arrive at the hotel, you can relax after your trip or explore the vibrant city at your leisure.
You will meet your private guide after breakfast and begin your first full-day tour of Tokyo (6 hours). As you travel around the city, you use the convenient Tokyo public transportation system.
The Imperial Palace offers a glimpse of Japanese culture, as well as the breathtaking interior of the building. It has been the residence of successive Emperors since 1868, and it contains the Imperial Residence and the Imperial Palace Complex, where His Majesty the Emperor performs official duties. It is also the site of various ceremonies and public events.
Upon leaving the Palace, you will pass through the Nihonbashi district, a business district that developed around the Nihonbashi Bridge, which dates back to the 17th century and connects two sides of the Nihonbashi River. Afterward, you will have lunch in Nihonbashi, where you can enjoy its atmosphere.
As a continuation of your tour, you will visit the Tokyo Sky Tree, which is the tallest structure in Japan. Its observation decks offer spectacular views of Tokyo. Don't forget to charge up your camera and phone since you will be visiting a deck at 350 meters (1148 feet).
In addition to visiting Asakusa Temple, the oldest temple in Tokyo, you will learn about the legend surrounding the building of this temple. Almost anything can bring good luck to the temple, so be sure to make a wish! The temple grounds are filled with the traditional Japanese culture from the moment you enter. Located between the outer gate and the temple's second gate, a street called Nakamise offers a variety of souvenirs as well as the local confectionaries that are so beloved by the locals.
Your next stop is Akihabara, a bustling shopping district known for its electronic retailers, including stalls at Yodobashi Multimedia Akiba. Tokyo Anime Center exhibits manga, anime, and video games, while Radio Kaikan has toys, trading cards, and collectibles. Local cafes serve tea and desserts dressed as maids and butlers.
Following the tour, you return to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the evening at your leisure.
A private guide and driver will pick you up at the hotel lobby today for a full-day tour to Ashi Lake and Mount Fuji.
In this tour, you will have a chance to see and experience the beauty of Japanese nature and landscapes. Located in the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, Mount Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan. Since Mount Fuji is a sacred mountain, it is surrounded by temples and shrines, even at its crater edge. You can finish your spectacular tour by admiring Ashi Lake, created by volcanic activity more than 3,000 years ago. The atmosphere in this place is reminiscent of Japanese culture.
And prepare for an incredible train trip the next day on the Japanese trains.
We carefully select hotels to ensure your amazing stay. We will recommend the best available properties for your travel dates.
Experience the fantastic way to travel from dazzling Tokyo to authentic Kyoto by train! Admire the breathtaking view you will pass by train, enjoy modern facilities, and relax in your comfortable and cozy seat!
Having previously served as the capital of the country before 1868, the charming city of Kyoto is one of the ten largest cities in Japan with a population of 1.5 million people. The city is famous for hundreds of its gorgeous Buddhist temples and shrines, scattered along its territory, and is often called Japan’s spiritual heart.
Today in the morning you continue your trip and you travel to Kyoto by a world-famous Japanese train Shinkansen which is a real Japanese experience.
Upon arrival in Kyoto, you will be picked up by a private driver and taken to your hotel.
In the evening, you can participate in optional activities or explore the city on your own.
After breakfast, you meet your private guide and begin exploring Kyoto for the full day.
An introduction to the traditional Japanese tea ceremony is provided with a Japanese tea ceremony experience that dates back hundreds of years and was the idealistic pastime of ancient Japan. During this ceremony, you will be able to wear kimono robes, taste matcha tea and eat unique Japanese sweets made especially to complement it.
In the days when Kyoto was the capital of Japan, the Imperial Family lived in the Kyoto Imperial Palace from 794 until 1868. After soaking up the Japanese tea culture, you head to the Kyoto Imperial Palace. It is a great place to explore the palace buildings (from the outside) and the newly opened gardens.
Once you have eaten lunch, you head to Arashiyama, Kyoto's second-most important sightseeing area and home to many temples and shrines. One of the most famous sights is the Bamboo Forest, a famous spot in the district. When you stand in the middle of this sprawling bamboo grove, you feel as though you are in a completely different world. There is a sense of otherness that you cannot find in any other forest. This is an experience you do not want to miss!
Following the tour, you return to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the evening at your leisure.
Your half-day tour today will include visiting the Fushimi Inari Shrine and Sanjusangendo. The convenient public train system will take you to both locations.
In southern Kyoto, Fushimi Inari Shrine is an important Shinto shrine. There are thousands of red torii gates lining a network of trails in this area. The trails lead into the forest of the sacred Mount Inari. Fushimi Inari is the most important of several thousands of shrines dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice. You can take a hike on these trails and learn how thousands of torrid gates appeared here.
Next, you will visit Sanjusangendo Temple, which houses 1001 human-sized statues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. Within the temple, you will find a huge wooden statue of Kannon, equipped with numerous heads and arms, so that the goddess of mercy can witness human suffering and better help them.
Afterwards, you return to Kyoto and spend the evening at leisure.
Upon checking out of the hotel this morning, our private driver transports you to the airport for your flight back home.
We carefully select hotels to ensure your amazing stay. We will recommend the best available properties for your travel dates.
What's included
- Accommodation at remarkable downtown hotels;
- Breakfasts at the hotels;
- Airport transfers and all transportation according to the itinerary;
- Breathtaking sightseeing tours according to the itinerary with professional English-speaking guides;
- Support line during the trip.
Note: Hotels availability is subject to change. In case current hotels are booked out we will provide alternative hotels of an equal value for you.
Note: We include 1 vehicle for your arrival and departure transfers. If multiple vehicles are required additional transfer costs will apply.
Note: Сity taxes are not included in the price. This is a small tax (1-5 EUR per person per night) collected by many European cities. You will need to pay it at the hotel on checkout.
Not included: international flights, multiple arrival/departure transfers, other meals not mentioned in the program, optional tours and services, local city taxes, and all personal expenses.
What To Know
- Stress-free Booking Book your journey without stress and at convenient pace. You can pay a deposit of 20% to book any tour in any major currency; the final balance will be due 90 days before start date. In event if you decide to change or postpone your trip, you can transfer your deposit to any other packages we offer. Cruise bookings and special offers may be subject to different booking terms.
- Trip Assurance If you need our assistance during your trip, you can call our support line available from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. (CET) on weekdays and weekends.