Tokyo City Tour

Tsukiji Fish Market - Tsukiji Outer Market (築地場外市場, Tsukiji Jōgai Shijō) is located next to the former Tsukiji Wholesale Market site. It features several blocks of wholesale and retail shops, along with restaurants lining narrow streets. Visitors can find fresh and processed seafood, produce, and food-related items like knives.

A visit to Tsukiji Outer Market is ideally paired with a fresh sushi breakfast or lunch at one of the local eateries, which typically operate from 5:00 AM until around noon or early afternoon. Since most of the fish served and sold at Tsukiji Outer Market is sourced directly from Toyosu Market, it is one of the top spots in Tokyo for enjoying fresh seafood.

Imperial Palace - The current Imperial Palace (皇居, Kōkyo) is situated on the former site of Edo Castle, a large park area encircled by moats and massive stone walls in central Tokyo, a short walk from Tokyo Station. It serves as the residence of Japan’s Imperial Family.

Edo Castle was once the seat of the Tokugawa shogun, who governed Japan from 1603 until 1867. In 1868, the shogunate was overthrown, and the capital and imperial residence were relocated from Kyoto to Tokyo. The construction of a new Imperial Palace was completed in 1888. The palace was destroyed during World War Two and subsequently rebuilt in the same style.

Senso-ji Temple - Sensoji (浅草寺, Sensōji, also known as Asakusa Kannon Temple) is a Buddhist temple located in Asakusa. It is one of Tokyo’s most vibrant and popular temples.

Legend has it that in 628, two brothers retrieved a statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, from the Sumida River. Despite returning the statue to the river, it always came back to them. As a result, Sensoji was constructed nearby for the goddess Kannon. The temple was completed in 645, making it Tokyo’s oldest temple.

Tokyo Skytree - The Tokyo Skytree (東京スカイツリー) is a television broadcasting tower and a prominent Tokyo landmark. It is the centerpiece of the Tokyo Skytree Town in the Sumida City Ward, not far from Asakusa. Standing at 634 meters (634 can be read as “Musashi”, a historic name for the Tokyo Region), it is the tallest structure in Japan and was the second tallest in the world at the time of its completion. A large shopping complex with an aquarium is located at its base.

Meiji Jingu Shrine - Meiji Shrine (明治神宮, Meiji Jingū) is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken. Situated next to the JR Yamanote Line’s bustling Harajuku Station, Meiji Shrine and the adjacent Yoyogi Park form a large forested area within the densely built-up city, offering walking paths for a peaceful stroll away from the urban environment.

The shrine was completed and dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken in 1920, eight years after the emperor’s passing and six years after the empress’s passing. The shrine was destroyed during the war but was rebuilt shortly thereafter.

Emperor Meiji was the first emperor of modern Japan. Born in 1852, he ascended to the throne in 1867 during the Meiji Restoration, when Japan’s feudal era ended, and the emperor was restored to power. During the Meiji Period, Japan modernized to join the world’s major powers by the time Emperor Meiji passed away in 1912.

Harajuku Osamu Owl & Mameshiba Cafe - Harajuku (原宿) refers to the area around Tokyo’s Harajuku Station, located between Shinjuku and Shibuya on the Yamanote Line. It is the hub of Japan’s most extreme teenage cultures and fashion styles, but also offers shopping for adults and some historical sites of interest.

The heart of Harajuku’s teenage culture is Takeshita Dori (Takeshita Street) and its side streets, which are lined with trendy shops, fashion boutiques, used clothing stores, crepe stands, and fast food outlets catering to fashion and trend-conscious teens.

Shibuya scramble square - Shibuya’s most iconic landmark is the bustling intersection in front of the station’s Hachiko Exit. The intersection is adorned with neon advertisements and giant video screens and becomes crowded with pedestrians each time the lights turn green, making it a popular photo spot.

Shibuya Station and its surroundings are currently undergoing major redevelopment, which will last nearly two decades. Several new buildings have opened in recent years, including Hikarie (in 2012), Stream (2018), Scramble Square (2019), Miyashita Park (2020), and Sakura Stage (2024), with more to come until the works are completed around 2028. Additionally, the flow of pedestrian traffic around the station is gradually being improved.

Mt. Fuji & Hakone Scenic Experience

Oshino Hakkai - Oshino Hakkai (忍野八海) is a tourist-friendly set of eight ponds in Oshino, a small village in the Fuji Five Lake region, situated between Lake Kawaguchiko and Lake Yamanakako on the site of a former sixth lake that dried up several hundred years ago. The eight ponds are fed by snowmelt from the slopes of nearby Mount Fuji, which filters down the mountain through porous lava layers for over 80 years, resulting in exceptionally clear spring water revered by locals.

Next to one pond, visitors can drink the cool water straight from the source. The ponds are quite deep and feature interesting freshwater plant life and large fish. Although the ponds have been developed into tourist attractions and can become quite crowded, they maintain a pleasant atmosphere as long as you do not expect untouched nature.

Around the ponds, there are many restaurants, souvenir shops, and food vendors selling vegetables, sweets, pickles, crafts, and other local products.

Mt. Fuji 5th Station - The Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station (富士スバルライン五合目, Fuji Subaru Line Gogōme, also known as Yoshidaguchi 5th Station or Kawaguchiko 5th Station) is located approximately halfway along the Yoshida Trail, which leads from Fujiyoshida Sengen Shrine at the mountain’s base to the summit of Mount Fuji.

It is the most popular of the four 5th stations on Mount Fuji and the best developed and easiest to access by public transportation from Tokyo. The Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station is accessible almost year-round, snow conditions permitting, and is a popular sightseeing spot even outside of the climbing season.

Hakone Shrine - Hakone Shrine (箱根神社, Hakone Jinja) is located at the foot of Mount Hakone along the shores of Lake Ashinoko. The shrine buildings are hidden in the dense forest but are well marked by its large torii gates, one standing prominently in the lake and two others over the main street of Moto-Hakone.

A path leads from the torii gate in Lake Ashinoko up a series of steps flanked by lanterns through the forest to the main building, which sits peacefully among the tall trees. The shrine is beautiful throughout the year and is particularly breathtaking when shrouded in mist.

A second shrine, Mototsumiya (“original shrine”), is located at the summit of Komagatake, one of Mount Hakone’s multiple peaks. It is accessible by the Hakone Komagatake Ropeway from Hakone-en or via hiking trails.

Motohakone-ko - Hakone Sightseeing Cruise’s four pirate ships offer a tour around one of Japan’s most picturesque crater lakes, Ashinoko. The ships call at the ports of Hakone-Machi, Moto-Hakone, and Togendai, covering a large area of pristine Lake Ashinoko.

Look out for the red torii gate of Hakone-jinja Shrine, which appears to float on the water. You will see views of rolling hills around the lake and, of course, the majestic Mount Fuji (3,776 m).

All of the boats share a family-friendly pirate theme, but each one boasts unique facilities. Look out for photogenic trick art, treasure chests, and larger-than-life pirate sculptures on board. Feel free to eat, drink, and stock up on souvenirs at any of the three ports, all of which have shops, restaurants, and cafes.

Owaku-dani Valley - Owakudani (大涌谷, Ōwakudani) is the area around a crater formed during the last eruption of Mount Hakone about 3000 years ago. Today, much of the area is an active volcanic zone where sulfurous fumes, hot springs, and hot rivers can be experienced. Additionally, Owakudani offers good views of Mount Fuji on clear days.

Eggs cooked in Owakudani’s hot spring pools, with their shells blackened by the sulfur, are available for purchase at shops in the area, and eating one is said to extend one’s life by seven years.

A short walking trail leads from the ropeway station into the volcanic zone to several steam vents and bubbling pools. The walk takes around 30 minutes in total. Admission to the trail requires advance reservations and costs 800 yen.

Nikko UNESCO Heritage Tour

Kegon Falls - The nearly 100-meter-tall Kegon Waterfall (華厳の滝, Kegon no taki) is the most famous of Nikko’s waterfalls. It is even ranked as one of Japan’s three most beautiful falls, along with Nachi Waterfall in Wakayama Prefecture and Fukuroda Waterfall in Ibaraki Prefecture.

Kegon Waterfall is the only outlet for the waters of Lake Chuzenji. It can be viewed from a free observation platform that is easily accessible on foot, as well as from a paid platform at the base of the falls. The paid platform is accessed via a 100-meter-deep elevator and offers more impressive views. The sight of the waterfall in combination with Lake Chuzenji can be enjoyed from Akechidaira Observatory, which is accessible by ropeway from Akechidaira Plateau.

Kegon Waterfall is also a popular spot for viewing autumn colors. The trees around the waterfall are usually most colorful from mid to late October. In the winter, the waterfall is impressive as well when it freezes almost completely solid.

Lake Chuzenji - Lake Chuzenji (中禅寺湖, Chūzenjiko) is a scenic lake in the mountains above the town of Nikko. It is located at the foot of Mount Nantai, Nikko’s sacred volcano, whose eruption blocked the valley below, thereby creating Lake Chuzenji about 20,000 years ago.

Chuzenjiko’s shores are mostly undeveloped and forested except at the lake’s eastern end, where the small hot spring town of Chuzenji Onsen was built. The town is also the site of Kegon Waterfall, the most famous of several waterfalls in Nikko National Park. Another popular waterfall, Ryuzu Waterfall, is located at the northern shores of Lake Chuzenji, where Yukawa River discharges into the lake.

Shinkyo Bridge - The Shinkyo Bridge (神橋, Shinkyō, “sacred bridge”) stands at the entrance to Nikko’s shrines and temples and belongs to Futarasan Shrine. The bridge is ranked as one of Japan’s three finest bridges, along with Iwakuni’s Kintaikyo and Saruhashi in Yamanashi Prefecture.

The current Shinkyo was constructed in 1636, but a bridge of some kind had marked the same spot for much longer, although its exact origins are unclear. Until 1973, Shinkyo was off-limits to the general public. It underwent extensive renovation works in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and visitors can now walk across the bridge and back for an entrance fee.

Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park - Tamozawa Imperial Villa (田母沢御用邸, Tamozawa Goyōtei) blends traditional Edo and early modern Meiji Period architecture throughout its 106 rooms. The villa was erected in Nikko in 1899, using parts of a residence that originally stood in Tokyo.

Before being moved to Nikko, the building served as the Tokyo residence of a branch of the Tokugawa family and was later temporarily used as the Imperial Palace. In Nikko, it was enlarged into a summer residence for the Imperial Family but suffered neglect after World War II. In 2000, the villa was opened to the public after extensive renovations.

Nikko Tosho-gu - Toshogu Shrine (東照宮, Tōshōgū) is a magnificent memorial to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate, which ruled Japan for over 250 years until 1868. Ieyasu is enshrined at Toshogu as the deity Tosho Daigongen, “Great Deity of the East Shining Light”. Initially a relatively simple mausoleum, Toshogu was enlarged into the spectacular complex seen today by Ieyasu’s grandson Iemitsu during the first half of the 17th century.

The lavishly decorated shrine complex consists of more than a dozen buildings set in a beautiful forest. Countless wood carvings and large amounts of gold leaf were used to decorate the buildings in a way not seen elsewhere in Japan, where simplicity has been traditionally emphasized in shrine architecture.

Nagano Zen & Snow Monkey Region

Zenko-ji Temple - Nagano’s Zenkoji Temple (善光寺, Zenkōji) is one of the most important and popular temples in Japan. It was founded in the 7th century and houses the first Buddhist statue ever brought into Japan when Buddhism was first introduced in the 6th century. The original statue is hidden, while a copy of it is shown to the public every six years for a few weeks. The next opportunity to see the statue is in 2027.

Zenkoji played a crucial role in the development of Nagano: many major Japanese cities evolved from castle towns, harbor towns, or temple towns. In the case of Nagano, it grew from a temple town that developed around its temple of great importance, Zenkoji.

Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park - The Jigokudani Monkey Park (地獄谷野猿公苑, Jigokudani Yaen Kōen) offers visitors the unique experience of seeing wild monkeys bathing in a natural hot spring. The park is inhabited by Japanese Macaques, also known as Snow Monkeys. It is located in the monkeys’ natural habitat, in the forests of the Jigokudani valley in Yamanouchi, not far from the onsen towns of Shibu and Yudanaka.

The park has one man-made pool around which the monkeys gather, located a few minutes’ walk from the park entrance. Visitors may already encounter monkeys along the path to the pool. The monkeys live in large social groups, and it can be quite entertaining to watch their interactions. Accustomed to humans, they can be observed from close and almost completely ignore their human guests. Naturally, it is prohibited to touch or feed the monkeys.

Kamikochi - Kamikochi (上高地, Kamikōchi) is a popular resort in the Northern Japan Alps of Nagano Prefecture, offering some of Japan’s most spectacular mountain scenery. It is open from April 17 until November 15 and shuts down during winter.

Kamikochi is a 15-kilometer-long plateau along the Azusa River, about 1500 meters above sea level. It is surrounded by tall mountains, including Nishihotakadake (2909 m), Okuhotakadake (3190 m), Maehotakadake (3090 m), and the volcanically active Yakedake (2455 m).

Part of the Chubu Sangaku National Park, Kamikochi has been only moderately developed with half a dozen hotels, a few souvenir shops, mountain huts, and hiking trails. Private cars are banned from Kamikochi, and access is possible only by bus or taxi.

Shirakawa-go & Takayama Heritage Villages

Takayama - Takayama (高山) is a city in the mountainous Hida region of Gifu Prefecture. To differentiate it from other places named Takayama, the city is also commonly referred to as Hida-Takayama. Takayama retains a traditional touch like few other Japanese cities, especially in its beautifully preserved old town. It ranks as a prime candidate among travelers wishing to add a rural element to their itineraries.

Takayama gained importance as a source of high-quality timber and highly skilled carpenters during the feudal ages. For these important resources, the city was put under direct control of the shogun and enjoyed considerable prosperity considering its remote mountain location. The Takayama Festival, held in spring and autumn, is considered one of Japan’s best festivals.

Shirakawago - The Shirakawa-go (白川郷, Shirakawagō) and neighboring Gokayama (五箇山) regions line the Shogawa River Valley in the remote mountains that span from Gifu to Toyama Prefectures. Declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1995, they are famous for their traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some of which are more than 250 years old.

Gassho-zukuri means “constructed like hands in prayer”, as the farmhouses’ steep thatched roofs resemble the hands of Buddhist monks pressed together in prayer. The architectural style developed over many generations and is designed to withstand the large amounts of heavy snow that falls in the region during winter. The roofs, made without nails, provided a large attic space used for cultivating silkworms.

Ogimachi, Shirakawa-go’s largest village and main attraction, makes a good day trip from Takayama, or a stop on the bus journey between Takayama and Kanazawa. The best way to experience the town, however, is to stay overnight at one of the farmhouses.

Kyoto Cultural Treasures

Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine - Fushimi Inari Shrine (伏見稲荷大社, Fushimi Inari Taisha) is an important Shinto shrine in southern Kyoto. It is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings. The trails lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari, which stands at 233 meters and belongs to the shrine grounds.

Fushimi Inari is the most important of several thousand shrines dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice. Foxes are thought to be Inari’s messengers, resulting in many fox statues across the shrine grounds. Fushimi Inari Shrine has ancient origins, predating the capital’s move to Kyoto in 794.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple - Kiyomizudera (清水寺, literally “Pure Water Temple”) is one of the most celebrated temples in Japan. It was founded in 780 on the site of the Otowa Waterfall in the wooded hills east of Kyoto and derives its name from the fall’s waters. The temple was originally associated with the Hosso sect, one of the oldest schools within Japanese Buddhism, but formed its own Kita Hosso sect in 1965. In 1994, the temple was added to the list of World Heritage Sites.

Kiyomizudera is best known for its wooden stage that juts out from its main hall, 13 meters above the hillside. The stage offers nice views of the numerous cherry and maple trees below that erupt in a sea of color in spring and fall, as well as of the city of Kyoto in the distance. The main hall, which together with the stage was built without the use of nails, houses the temple’s primary object of worship, a small statue of the eleven-faced, thousand-armed Kannon.

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest - Arashiyama (嵐山) is a pleasant, touristy district in the western outskirts of Kyoto. The area has been a popular destination since the Heian Period (794-1185), when nobles would enjoy its natural setting. Arashiyama is particularly popular during the cherry blossom and fall color seasons.

The Togetsukyo Bridge is Arashiyama’s well-known, central landmark. Many small shops, restaurants, and other attractions are found nearby, including Tenryuji Temple, Arashiyama’s famous bamboo groves, and pleasure boats that are available for rent on the river.

North of central Arashiyama, the atmosphere becomes less touristy and more rural, with several small temples scattered along the base of the wooded mountains. The area north of the Togetsukyo Bridge is also known as Sagano, while “Arashiyama” technically refers just to the mountains south of the river but is commonly used to name the entire district.

Nishiki Market Shopping District - Nishiki Market (錦市場, Nishiki Ichiba) is a narrow, five-block-long shopping street lined by more than one hundred shops and restaurants. Known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen”, this lively retail market specializes in all things food-related, like fresh seafood, produce, knives, and cookware, and is a great place to find seasonal foods and Kyoto specialties, such as Japanese sweets, pickles, dried seafood, and sushi.

Nishiki Market has a pleasant but busy atmosphere that is inviting to those who want to explore the variety of culinary delights that Kyoto is famous for. The stores range from small narrow stalls to larger two-story shops. Most specialize in a particular type of food, and almost everything sold at the market is locally produced and procured.

Arashiyama Kimono Forest - Kimono Forest is a collection of beautiful cylinder-shaped pillars framing the lane leading to Randen tram station on Kyoto’s Keifuku Arashiyama line, installed as part of the renovation in 2013. It is called a “forest” since the pillars are clustered like a forest, and the kimono is displayed on each of the pillars. The Kimono Forest consists of pieces of textile displays dyed in the traditional Kyo-yuzen style. Each of the 2-meter-high pillars is covered with acrylic fiber. There are about 600 of them installed all over the station grounds. The Kyo-yuzen textile used for this exhibition was created by Kamedatomi, a long-standing textile factory whose history dates back to the Taisho period. These days they also produce aloha shirts with bright kimono-inspired patterns.

Nara & Osaka Highlights + Tour Finish

Nara Park - Nara Park (奈良公園, Nara Kōen) is a large park in central Nara. Established in 1880, it is the location of many of Nara’s main attractions, including Todaiji, Kasuga Taisha, Kofukuji, and the Nara National Museum. It is also home to hundreds of freely roaming deer. Considered the messengers of the gods, Nara’s over 1000 deer have become a symbol of the city and have even been designated as a natural treasure. Deer crackers are for sale around the park, and some deer have learned to bow to visitors to ask to be fed. Nara’s deer are surprisingly tame, although they can be aggressive if they think you will feed them, so make sure not to tease them with food.

Osaka Castle Park - The construction of Osaka Castle (大阪城, Ōsakajō) began in 1583 on the former site of the Ishiyama Honganji Temple, which had been destroyed by Oda Nobunaga thirteen years earlier. Toyotomi Hideyoshi intended the castle to become the center of a new, unified Japan under Toyotomi rule. It was the largest castle at the time.

However, a few years after Hideyoshi’s death, Tokugawa troops attacked and destroyed the castle and terminated the Toyotomi lineage in 1615. Osaka Castle was rebuilt by Tokugawa Hidetada in the 1620s, but its main castle tower was struck by lightning in 1665, burned down, and was not rebuilt during the feudal ages.

Namba Yasaka Shrine - Just an eight-minute walk from the bustling Nankai Station, Namba Yasaka Shrine is home to Namba’s guardian deity and part of a once-flourishing complex of Buddhist temples that were burned down in wartime air raids.

Namba Yasaka is famous for its lion-shaped stage, which stands out as a unique piece of architecture, especially compared with the austere temple beside it. It’s not hard to draw a parallel with Osaka’s kaleidoscopic mix of traditional, retro, modern, and futuristic, distilled at this secret shrine in the heart of the city’s liveliest entertainment district.

Dotombori District - Glico Running Man
The most famous sign in the area is the Glico Running Man, located above Ebisubashi Bridge, a popular pedestrian bridge.
Shochiku-za
Shochiku-za is the only remaining kabuki establishment from Dotonbori’s theater district days.
River Cruise
A unique way to experience Dotonbori is via a river cruise. As you are separated from the packed streets, you can leisurely observe the trademark buildings and watch their lights dance on the shifting waters.
Kuidaore Taro
Kuidaore Taro is a mechanical clown statue, with origins in the 1950s, displayed in the lobby of the Nakaza Kuidaore Building.
Hozenji Yokocho
Hozenji Yokocho is an old-fashioned alleyway beside Dotonbori. The tranquil street is known for its traditional shops and restaurants, soft lantern light, and cobblestone streets.

• Road Tolls
• Surcharges on fuel

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This carefully crafted 7-day adventure offers more than just sightseeing—it’s an engaging and immersive cultural journey tailored for travelers eager to truly experience Japan. Instead of hurrying from one location to another, it combines iconic landmarks with genuine local interactions, picturesque countryside paths, and heritage-rich experiences that many visitors miss.

From the sacred woodlands of Nikko and the stunning vistas of Mount Fuji to the alpine allure of Shirakawa-go and the timeless grace of Kyoto, each day is meticulously organized to highlight the essence of Japan. Travelers will enjoy comfort with a private vehicle and a dedicated English-speaking guide, ensuring a personalized, adaptable, and unforgettable experience.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.