Days 1-2: Tokyo — Modern Metropolis
Arrive Tokyo. Explore Asakusa’s Sensoji Temple, Meiji Shrine in its sacred forest, the neon wonderland of Shibuya Crossing, and Tsukiji Outer Market. Evening food tour through Shinjuku’s Memory Lane (Omoide Yokocho).
Day 3: Hakone & Mount Fuji
Journey to Hakone. Cruise Lake Ashi for iconic views of Mount Fuji. Ride the ropeway over volcanic Owakudani valley. Visit the Hakone Open-Air Museum. Overnight at a traditional onsen ryokan with Mount Fuji views. Soak in hot springs while gazing at Japan’s sacred mountain.
Day 4: Matsumoto — Samurai Castle Town
Travel to Matsumoto. Visit Matsumoto Castle — the “Crow Castle,” Japan’s oldest surviving wooden castle. Explore the Nakamachi historic district. Visit the Japan Ukiyo-e Museum for the world’s largest collection of woodblock prints.
Day 5: Takayama & Shirakawa-go
Morning in Takayama’s beautifully preserved Edo-period old town and morning market. Afternoon: journey to Shirakawa-go, the UNESCO World Heritage village of gassho-zukuri farmhouses with steep thatched roofs designed to withstand heavy snow. Walk among 250-year-old homes still occupied by the same families.
Day 6: Kanazawa — Samurai & Geisha
Explore Kanazawa. Visit Kenrokuen — one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens, a masterpiece of landscape design. Walk through the Nagamachi samurai district with its earthen walls and canals. Evening in the Higashi Chaya geisha district — traditional wooden teahouses where geiko still perform.
Days 7-8: Kyoto & Nara
Two days in Japan’s ancient capitals. Kyoto: Fushimi Inari’s 10,000 vermilion torii gates, Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion, bamboo groves of Arashiyama, and the geisha district of Gion. Nara: Todaiji Temple’s Great Buddha (the world’s largest bronze Buddha statue) and the bowing deer of Nara Park.
Day 9: Himeji Castle & Shikoku
Visit Himeji Castle — Japan’s finest feudal fortress. Cross the Seto Inland Sea to Shikoku Island. Afternoon exploration of Takamatsu.
Day 10: Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage
Begin the sacred pilgrimage. Visit Ryozenji (Temple 1), Gokurakuji, Konsenji, and Zentsuji — the temple at Kobo Daishi’s birthplace. Collect temple stamps. Visit the Naruto Whirlpools.
Day 11: Mount Koya Temple Stay
Journey to sacred Mount Koya. Visit Okunoin cemetery — 200,000 tombstones in ancient cedar forest. Evening: temple lodging with shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine). Morning prayer with monks.
Day 12: Kumano Kodo — Ancient Trail
Walk the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route. Hike the Daimonzaka stone path to Kumano Nachi Taisha with its 133m waterfall. Overnight at onsen ryokan.
Day 13: Kumano Sanzan
Complete the three Kumano Grand Shrines — Hongu Taisha (world’s largest torii gate), Hayatama Taisha (sacred Nagi tree). Receive Dual Pilgrim certificate. Journey to Ise.
Day 14: Ise Grand Shrine & Return
Visit Ise Grand Shrine — Japan’s spiritual heart. Afternoon return to Osaka. Farewell kaiseki dinner celebrating the completion of Japan’s greatest pilgrimage circuit.
Day 15: Departure
Transfer to Kansai Airport. A journey across the full breadth of Japan’s spiritual landscape — from neon Tokyo to ancient mountain temples.
