Japan Golden Route – 7 Days

Tour Overview

Experience the best of Japan on this 7-day Golden Route tour, from the vibrant metropolis of Tokyo with its stunning skyscrapers, ancient temples, and vibrant food scene, to the iconic Mount Fuji and the beautiful hot spring town of Hakone, to the cultural heart of Kyoto with its thousands of temples and shrines, the historic city of Nara with its famous deer and ancient temples, and the vibrant city of Osaka with its delicious street food and vibrant nightlife. Travel on the famous Shinkansen (bullet train), experience the unique Japanese culture, visit the most iconic temples and shrines, and enjoy the delicious Japanese cuisine. This is the classic Japan Golden Route tour, covering the very best of this fascinating country.

Itinerary Highlights

Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo

Arrive at Narita International Airport or Haneda Airport (Tokyo, Japan). Transfer to your hotel. Explore Tokyo, the vibrant capital of Japan, one of the largest and most dynamic cities in the world, with its stunning mix of modern skyscrapers and ancient temples, its vibrant food scene, its unique culture, and its endless attractions. Visit the iconic Tokyo Skytree (the tallest tower in Japan, with its stunning panoramic views of Tokyo), the Senso-ji Temple (the oldest temple in Tokyo, in the historic Asakusa district, with its beautiful Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate), its bustling Nakamise shopping street, and its beautiful five-story pagoda), the Meiji Shrine (a beautiful Shinto shrine in the heart of Tokyo, nestled in a beautiful forest, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken), the Shibuya Crossing (the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world, with its iconic scramble intersection and the famous Hachiko statue), the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden (a beautiful garden with its Japanese, English, and French gardens, and its beautiful cherry blossoms in spring), and the various other attractions. Visit the bustling neighborhoods of Shibuya, Shinjuku, Harajuku, and Ginza, with their shopping, restaurants, and vibrant atmosphere. Evening welcome dinner with Japanese cuisine including sushi, ramen, tempura, yakitori, and the various other delicious Japanese dishes. Overnight in Tokyo.

Day 2: Tokyo – Culture, Food & Akihabara

Morning continue exploring Tokyo: visit the Tsukiji Outer Market (the famous fish market, with its fresh seafood, its delicious street food, and its bustling atmosphere – the inner market was moved to Toyosu, but the outer market remains a must-visit). Visit the nearby Hamarikyu Gardens (a beautiful traditional Japanese garden with its tidal ponds, its tea house, and its beautiful setting). Visit the Akihabara district (the famous electronics and anime/manga district, with its countless electronics stores, anime and manga shops, maid cafes, arcades, and its vibrant otaku culture). Visit the various electronics stores, anime and manga shops, and arcades. After lunch, visit the Ueno Park (a beautiful large park with its many museums (including the Tokyo National Museum, the largest and oldest museum in Japan, with its excellent collection of Japanese and Asian art), its beautiful cherry blossom trees in spring, its zoo, and its beautiful ponds). Visit the Tokyo National Museum (if time permits). Visit the nearby Yanaka district (a beautiful old Tokyo neighborhood with its narrow streets, its old shops, its temples, and its nostalgic atmosphere). Evening dinner with Japanese cuisine, and visit the famous Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane, a famous narrow alley in Shinjuku with its tiny yakitori restaurants and its nostalgic atmosphere) or the Golden Gai (a famous area in Shinjuku with its tiny bars and its unique atmosphere). Overnight in Tokyo.

Day 3: Tokyo to Hakone & Mount Fuji

Morning take the Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo to Odawara (approximately 30-40 minutes), and then transfer to Hakone (approximately 30-40 minutes by train or bus), a beautiful hot spring (onsen) town in the mountains of Kanagawa Prefecture, famous for its stunning views of Mount Fuji, its beautiful hot springs, its beautiful lakes, its art museums, and its beautiful natural scenery. Upon arrival, explore Hakone: visit the Hakone Ropeway (a beautiful ropeway with stunning views of the Owakudani volcanic valley and Mount Fuji (on clear days)), the Owakudani (a beautiful volcanic valley with its active sulfur vents, its hot springs, and its famous black eggs (kuro-tamago, eggs boiled in the volcanic hot springs, said to add 7 years to your life)), the Lake Ashi (a beautiful crater lake with its stunning views of Mount Fuji (on clear days), its beautiful pirate ship cruise, and its beautiful scenery), the Hakone Shrine (a beautiful Shinto shrine on the shores of Lake Ashi, with its beautiful red torii gate in the water), and the various art museums (including the famous Hakone Open-Air Museum with its beautiful outdoor sculpture garden and its Picasso collection). Take the pirate ship cruise on Lake Ashi, enjoy the beautiful scenery, and look for Mount Fuji (on clear days). After lunch, visit the various hot springs (onsen) in Hakone, and enjoy a relaxing soak in the natural hot spring water (Hakone is famous for its high-quality hot springs). Visit the nearby cedar avenue (a beautiful avenue of ancient cedar trees, one of the most beautiful in Japan). Evening dinner with Japanese cuisine (including the famous Hakone cuisine with its fresh local ingredients). Overnight in Hakone (in a traditional ryokan (Japanese inn) with tatami mats, futon beds, and kaiseki dinner, for a unique traditional Japanese experience).

Day 4: Hakone to Kyoto (via Shinkansen)

Morning enjoy a final breakfast at the ryokan, and take a final soak in the hot springs. After breakfast, take the train from Hakone to Odawara (approximately 30-40 minutes), and then take the Shinkansen (bullet train) from Odawara to Kyoto (approximately 2.5-3 hours), enjoying the beautiful scenery along the way (including views of Mount Fuji on clear days). Upon arrival in Kyoto, the cultural heart of Japan, the former imperial capital of Japan for over 1,000 years, famous for its thousands of temples and shrines, its beautiful gardens, its traditional geisha culture, its delicious cuisine, and its rich history and culture. Transfer to your hotel. Explore Kyoto: visit the famous Kiyomizu-dera Temple (a beautiful Buddhist temple on a hillside, with its famous wooden veranda overlooking the city, its beautiful Otowa waterfall, and its stunning views of Kyoto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Visit the nearby Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka (beautiful preserved traditional streets with their traditional wooden houses, shops, restaurants, and cafes, a great place to experience traditional Kyoto). Visit the Yasaka Shrine (a beautiful Shinto shrine in the Gion district), and the Gion district (the famous geisha district of Kyoto, with its traditional wooden machiya houses, its exclusive restaurants and tea houses, and its geisha and maiko (apprentice geisha) – you may be lucky enough to spot a geisha or maiko hurrying to an appointment in the early evening). Evening dinner with Kyoto cuisine (including the famous kaiseki (traditional multi-course Japanese dinner), yudofu (tofu hot pot, a Kyoto specialty), and the various other delicious Kyoto dishes). Overnight in Kyoto.

Day 5: Kyoto – Temples, Shrines & Arashiyama

Morning visit the most iconic temples and shrines of Kyoto: visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine (one of the most famous and iconic shrines in Japan, famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates covering the mountain trails, a truly stunning and unforgettable sight, a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Walk through the thousands of torii gates, enjoy the stunning scenery, and hike up the mountain (if time permits). Visit the Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion, a beautiful Zen Buddhist temple covered in gold leaf, reflecting in the beautiful mirror pond, one of the most beautiful and iconic temples in Japan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Visit the Ryoan-ji Temple (a famous Zen Buddhist temple, famous for its beautiful rock garden (one of the most famous Zen rock gardens in the world, with its 15 stones arranged in a bed of white gravel, a masterpiece of Zen design), a UNESCO World Heritage Site). After lunch, visit the Arashiyama district (a beautiful district in western Kyoto, famous for its stunning bamboo grove, its beautiful temples, its beautiful river, and its beautiful natural scenery). Visit the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove (a stunning bamboo grove with its tall bamboo stalks creating a beautiful tunnel, one of the most iconic spots in Kyoto). Visit the Tenryu-ji Temple (a beautiful Zen Buddhist temple with its beautiful garden, a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Togetsukyo Bridge (a beautiful wooden bridge over the Hozu River, with its stunning views of the river and the surrounding mountains), and the various other temples and attractions in Arashiyama. Visit the nearby Iwatayama Monkey Park (a beautiful monkey park on the mountain, with its wild Japanese macaques and its stunning views of Kyoto). Evening dinner with Kyoto cuisine. Overnight in Kyoto.

Day 6: Kyoto to Nara & Osaka

Morning take the train from Kyoto to Nara (approximately 45 minutes), the first permanent capital of Japan (founded in 710 AD), famous for its ancient temples, its friendly deer, and its rich history. Upon arrival, visit the Todai-ji Temple (a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the most famous and important temples in Japan, famous for its Great Buddha (Daibutsu), a giant bronze Buddha statue (the largest bronze Buddha statue in the world, at 15 meters tall), housed in the Great Buddha Hall (the largest wooden building in the world). Visit the temple, see the giant Buddha statue, and explore the beautiful temple grounds. Visit the Kasuga Taisha Shrine (a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a beautiful Shinto shrine famous for its thousands of stone and bronze lanterns covering the mountain trails, a truly stunning sight). Walk through the thousands of lanterns, enjoy the beautiful scenery, and visit the various sub-shrines. Visit the Nara Park (a beautiful large park in the center of Nara, famous for its hundreds of friendly wild deer (considered sacred messengers of the gods), which roam freely throughout the park and will bow to you for deer crackers (shika senbei). Feed the deer, take photos, and enjoy the beautiful park. Visit the various other temples and attractions in Nara (including the Kofuku-ji Temple, the Yakushi-ji Temple, and the Toshodai-ji Temple, all UNESCO World Heritage Sites). After lunch, take the train from Nara to Osaka (approximately 45 minutes), the vibrant second-largest city in Japan, famous for its delicious street food, its vibrant nightlife, its friendly people, and its unique culture. Upon arrival, explore Osaka: visit the Dotonbori district (the famous entertainment and food district of Osaka, with its iconic Glico Man sign, its countless restaurants, bars, and street food stalls, its vibrant neon signs, and its lively atmosphere). Walk along the Dotonbori canal, enjoy the vibrant atmosphere, and try the famous Osaka street food including takoyaki (octopus balls, a Osaka specialty), okonomiyaki (savory pancakes, another Osaka specialty), kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers), yakitori, and the various other delicious Osaka dishes. Visit the nearby Shinsaibashi (the famous shopping district of Osaka, with its covered shopping arcade, its countless shops, restaurants, and cafes). Visit the Namba district (the vibrant entertainment district of Osaka). Evening dinner with Osaka street food, and enjoy the vibrant nightlife of Osaka. Overnight in Osaka.

Day 7: Osaka & Departure

Morning visit the Osaka Castle (one of the most famous and beautiful castles in Japan, a stunning castle with its beautiful gold leaf decorations, its beautiful park, its museum, and its stunning views of Osaka from the top). Explore the castle, visit the museum, and enjoy the beautiful park (especially beautiful during cherry blossom season in spring). Visit the nearby Umeda district (the modern business and shopping district of Osaka, with its stunning skyscrapers, its shopping malls, its restaurants, and its beautiful views from the Umeda Sky Building (a unique building with its floating garden observatory)). Visit the Umeda Sky Building for stunning panoramic views of Osaka. Do some last-minute shopping for Japanese products including electronics, anime and manga goods, traditional crafts, snacks, and souvenirs. Visit the various shopping malls and shops in Osaka. After lunch, transfer to Kansai International Airport for your departure flight (or take the Shinkansen back to Tokyo for your departure from Narita or Haneda Airport). Concluding your 7-day Japan Golden Route tour of Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka.

What’s Included

• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Driver
• Fuel Cost, Parking Fee, Toll Fee
• Accommodation in selected hotels
• Daily breakfast

What’s Not Included

• Entrance fees to attractions
• Tour Guide
• Meal (lunch and dinner)
• International flights
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses