Grand tour of Japan

Welcome to Japan ! Your 3-week journey starts in Tokyo, where you’ll meet our airport assistant upon arrival. They’ll provide your transport cards and take you to your hotel, where you can set up your pocket Wi-fi. Depending on your arrival time, why not set out to start your discovery of this bustling metropolis or try some delicious ramen? Get a good night's sleep and prepare for the first full day of your exciting trip to Japan!

After breakfast, head out with a guide to explore one of Tokyo’s trendiest districts: Shibuya. Walk across the famous crossing, visit Meiji Jingu Shrine, and stroll through Harajuku Street. Continue to Shinjuku, another lively area, where your guide will share recommendations before leaving you to explore independently. Spend the evening here and grab dinner at Omoide Yokocho !

Today, head east to visit historic Asakusa. Pass through Kaminarimon Gate and walk along Nakamise Street to Senso-ji Temple. Then enjoy a nature break at Ueno Park. Finish the day in vibrant Akihabara, filled with anime, manga, and gaming shops.

On your final day in Tokyo, explore Ginza, the city’s upscale shopping district. Stop by Tsukiji Market to taste local specialties, then visit the beautiful Hamarikyu Gardens. In the afternoon, enjoy views of Rainbow Bridge from Odaiba. In the evening, board a traditional Yakatabune boat for a dinner cruise.

Visit Kamakura, a former shogunate capital. Admire the Great Buddha at Kotoku-in, visit Hasedera Temple, and enjoy views over Sagami Bay. Explore Hokoku-ji’s bamboo grove and the historic Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.

Escape to Hakone’s natural beauty. Visit the Owakudani Valley and try its famous black eggs. If you’re lucky, you’ll see Mount Fuji. Cruise across Lake Ashi and visit Hakone Shrine. Stay overnight in a traditional ryokan, enjoy a kaiseki dinner, and relax in an onsen.

After a traditional breakfast, travel to Kyoto by Shinkansen. Spend the afternoon exploring Gion, Ninenzaka, Sannenzaka, and Kiyomizu-dera Temple. End your day with a cultural performance at Gion Corner.

Today, set off with your guide to explore northeastern Kyoto, home to many remarkable temples. The Silver Pavilion, the Philosopher’s Path, Nanzen-ji Temple, and Heian-jingu Shrine are among the many sites you will visit. Nature, architecture, and spirituality blend together throughout this day of discovery.

After exploring the east, today you will discover the western side of the city. Head into nature toward the famous Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. A short hike will take you to a park inhabited by monkeys and offering magnificent views over the city. In the afternoon, several temples await: Tenryu-ji, Jojakko-ji, Nison-in, and the famous Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple with its thousands of stone statues.

For your final day in Kyoto, end on a high note by exploring the city center and the northern districts. Begin your day at Nishiki Market, often called “Kyoto’s kitchen,” where you can sample many delicious local specialties. Then head north to visit the magnificent Golden Pavilion, Kinkaku-ji. Take part in a traditional tea ceremony and visit Daitoku-ji Temple. On the way back, stop by the impressive Nijo Castle.

Today, explore Nara, located just 1 hour from Kyoto. Wander through the vast Nara Park, home to freely roaming deer and many remarkable historic buildings surrounded by beautiful natural scenery. Visit the immense Todai-ji Temple, famous for housing a giant Buddha statue. Discover Kasuga Taisha Shrine, surrounded by thousands of lanterns, and stroll through the charming streets of Naramachi, where traditional artisans and local restaurants coexist. Do not miss Yoshiki-en, a peaceful Japanese garden.

It is time to leave the tranquility of Kyoto for the city of Hiroshima. There, you will discover the Peace Memorial Park and the A-Bomb Dome, poignant remnants of the 1945 tragedy. The Memorial Museum offers an emotional look at the lasting impact of the atomic bomb. Nearby, the reconstructed Hiroshima Castle provides a panoramic view of the city. Later, explore Hondori Street, the perfect spot for shopping and local Japanese cuisine. End your day with a local cooking class to master the art of Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki !

Today, head to Miyajima Island to discover the Itsukushima Shrine and its iconic floating torii gate, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Walk among the island’s wild deer and explore temples and pagodas set in a spectacular natural environment. Climb Mount Misen, which overlooks the island, following winding trails that lead to panoramic views of the Seto Inland Sea. In the evening, return to Hiroshima.

Today, travel to Osaka. Despite being a large and bustling city, Osaka is very easy to explore. Osaka Castle houses a museum where you can learn about the history of the final battle for the unification of Japan. In the afternoon, wander through the city and visit America-mura, the Shinsekai district, Namba Yasaka Shrine, and the famous Dotonbori area. Then, it’s time for your food tour ! A local guide will take you through Osaka’s iconic bars and traditional eateries to savor the region’s finest specialties.

Exploring Osaka, the third largest city in the country. On the program: magnificent shrines, the Osaka History Museum and Tenno-ji Park.If you have time, why not head to the observatory of the Umeda Sky building for a stunning view of the city. In the evening, enjoy your last Japanese night out on Osaka's most popular street, Dotonbori Street. It's the city's epicenter after dark in the heart of Osaka's most party district!

It is now time to leave Osaka and head toward the Japanese Alps to the traditional city of Kanazawa. After a scenic train journey, you will have the opportunity to visit Kanazawa Castle and its world-renowned garden: Kenroku-en. In the evening, take a stroll through the historic geisha district of Higashi Chaya.

Immerse yourself in the heart of Kanazawa for a day balancing tradition and modernity. After a sushi-making class, explore the Oyama Shrine and the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art. Then, stroll through the Nagamachi samurai district, discover the Ninjadera (Ninja Temple) arsenal, and end your journey beautifully in the historic district of Teramachi.

Your journey through the Japanese Alps continues with the picturesque village of Shirakawago and its famous thatched-roof houses. Be sure to climb to the Tenshukaku Observatory to admire the village from above. Three historic residences await your visit: the Wada House, the Kanda House, and the Nagase House. Once your exploration of Shirakawago is complete, you will head to another gem of the Japanese Alps: Takayama.

Begin your exploration of Takayama with the Higashiyama Walk, a peaceful path leading you past a dozen historic temples and shrines. Next, head to the Takayama Showa-kan Museum, an interactive journey through Japanese popular culture from the 1920s to the 1990s. Be sure to visit the Takayama Festival Floats Museum; these magnificent floats are the stars of the Sanno Matsuri, renowned as one of Japan’s most beautiful festivals. Finally, step into one of the seven centuries-old breweries still active in the city. This is the perfect opportunity to taste some of the finest sake in the country!

It is time to return to Tokyo for the final leg of your journey through Japan. A few hours' train ride awaits before you reach your final hotel. Once back in Tokyo, you can make the most of your time to pick up some souvenirs. Stores such as Mega Donki, LOFT, Tokyu Hands, or Donguri offer a vast array of choices, with something special for travelers of all ages.

Sadly, it is time to return home. After enjoying your final breakfast in Japan and depending on your departure time, make your way to the airport. This marks the end of your Grand Tour of Japan. We wish you a pleasant flight home and hope to welcome you again soon on the roads of Asia.