Classic 14-Day One-Life Adventures in Japan

Land in Tokyo! Get to your hostel in Tokyo and unwind until nightfall. We’ll take you out tonight to have some delicious Japanese food and get to know the other members of your group. We visit the famous Tokyo Senso-ji Temple at night after supper, once the throng had subsided!

Accommodation Twin Bunks at Sakura Hotel Nippori (or comparable) Start point: Sakura Hotel, Nippori Reception, サクラホテル㗥㚮里, 千駄木3-43-15, 㝱京ヽ, Tokyo Prefecture 113-0022, Japan

We’ll begin the morning with an orientation briefing about Japan. To assist you navigate the nation, you will learn basic Japanese language and customs. After learning what we need to know, we’ll travel to Harajuku, the birthplace of Japanese teen pop culture. After grabbing some traditional bento boxes, we’ll enter Yoyogi Park, which is home to the stunning Mei-ji Shrine. We will then travel to Akihabara, Tokyo’s electric quarter, where the neon lights and bizarre animation stores will blind us. We’ll put you to the test in the Sega Centre and provide you a map with the “Best things to do” so you may look around.

Accommodations: Sakura Hotel Nippori (or comparable) Twin Bunks

After breakfast in the morning, we’re going to our own private sushi-making class! You will discover the secrets of Teriyaki, three different kinds of sushi, and how to create miso soup! There is a vegetarian alternative, but you have to let your guide and One Life know a week before the tour begins. After your sushi lunch, you should return to the hostel to quickly change before going to the amazing Shinjuku neighbourhood for some yakitori and drinks. After exploring Kabukicho, we will conclude the day by taking in the renowned Shibuya Pedestrian Crossing.

Accommodations: Sakura Hotel Nippori (or comparable) Twin Bunks

Today, we travel to the breathtaking mountain village of Hakone from Tokyo on the aptly titled “Romance Car.” We will spend the day touring the surrounding areas on a range of different transportations, including the renowned Romance Car, after checking into our guesthouse in the mountains. What makes Hakone unique? Not only is the cuisine amazing, but the vistas of Mount Fuji are also rather breathtaking. After seeing and photographing Japan’s most well-known mountain for the day, we’ll set up a traditional Japanese Nabe meal on the roof deck and enjoy the sunset over the charming tiny town.

Accommodations: Gora Gaku Guesthouse (or comparable) with twin or triple tatami mats

Today, we board the bullet train, a remarkable engineering achievement that transports you over the countryside. On our way to Takayama, a UNESCO World Heritage site, we enjoy breathtaking views of the mountains. Tonight, we are staying in a beautiful Japanese temple. Your bed will be on plain tatami mats, and you will have never stayed in more picturesque surroundings. We’ll go out for a traditional Sake tasting in the afternoon, and you can even indulge in some notoriously delicious Hida beef. As you get ready for bed in the evening, you can think back on your experiences at the temple.

Accommodations Zenkoji Temple (or like) with multiple-shared rooms

Your guide will take you on a morning market trip along the banks of the Miyagawa River and take you on a tour of Takayama’s charming old town and village. We’ll catch our last bullet train to Kyoto after returning to Nagoya via train after lunch. Kyoto, which is well-known for its temples, shrines, and geishas, is a great place to discover inner calm and lose yourself in its winding streets. We’ll take a guided tour of Kyoto’s Gion neighbourhood in the evening with a resident, who is well-known for Geishas, Japan’s traditional entertainment art form; if you’re lucky, you could even see one.

Accommodations Ryokan Hostel Gion (or comparable) Pod-style Bunk Bed dorm

Before the sun comes up, we’ll get up and ride the underground to Fushimi-Inari Shrine. We go there early in order to avoid the crowded tourist crowds and navigate the mountain’s endless red gate passages. One of Japan’s most well-known temples, Kiyomizu Dera Temple, will be our next stop. Perched atop a mountain, this gorgeous compound is made of bamboo and wood. You have the remainder of the day to explore the area; your guide can suggest many things to do or the greatest places to shop.

*Days 7 and 8 could be changed based on Kendo’s availability.

Accommodations Ryokan Hostel Gion (or comparable) Pod-style Bunk Bed dorm

We’re going to the magnificent Golden Pavilion this morning, a remarkable structure clad in real gold that is encircled by lakes that display the building’s breathtaking reflection. After that, we’ll travel to Daitoku-ji, a peaceful, verdant complex of historic temples located outside of the major tourist areas. We go to a traditional Kendo class in the afternoon, which is held in the dojo where the sport first started. You will learn the proper technique of this respectable martial art from your real Bushido instructor, who is descended from a Japanese Samurai!

*Days 7 and 8 could be changed based on Kendo’s availability.

Accommodations Ryokan Hostel Gion (or comparable) Pod-style Bunk Bed dorm

We board the train to Arashiyama, starting early again to avoid the throng. A river flows through the centre of this beautiful town, which is surrounded by mountain valleys. Before ascending the stairs to Monkey Mountain, we will first meander through the Instagram-worthy bamboo forest. After we descend, we will board a private row boat and take a traditional Japanese tour of the valleys. After that, you’ll have time to get lunch before we board the train and go to Osaka.

We will enter the Dotonbori neighbourhood, a bustling and energetic metropolitan complex, after checking in. You will be captivated by the lights, colours, food, and people of the “kitchen of Japan.” Tasting your way through this amazing, live, breathing city is the best way to experience it. We’ll conclude our journey with a final Japanese custom in the evening: karaoke!

Twin-share lodging at the WBF Namba Motomachi (or a comparable establishment)

We decided to give you the morning free to explore Osaka on your own after you’ve recovered from last night’s antics. Take a leisurely stroll around the Shinsaibashi Shopping district, visit the ultra-trendy AmericaTown, relax at Spa World, or explore the fascinating world of electronics in Den-Den Town. We’ll get together in the evening and go to Osaka Castle, a stunning building in the heart of the city that is encircled by lovely gardens. Before going to Dotonbori’s younger brother Shinsekai for dinner that evening, we’ll watch the sunset from here.

Twin-share lodging at the WBF Namba Motomachi (or a comparable establishment)

We are leaving the city early today, taking a 30-minute train ride to the picturesque city of Nara. Look out for the amiable locals as we depart the train station and start our stroll towards the main park. The city of Nara, a historically significant former capital of ancient Japan, is well-known for coexisting together with deer. After touring the beautiful temples and tranquil park, we’ll return to Osaka to pick up our belongings and travel to Koyasan. We’ll take a combination of cable cars and a bus to our lodging deep into the mountain after a 90-minute ride.

The tourism board’s tagline, “If nature does indeed bring mankind closer to the cosmos, then Koyasan is its embodiment,” perfectly captures the essence of this charming small temple town. This is your opportunity to experience the temple way of life in a functioning, authentic temple. Discover more about the monks who reside here and explore the many temples and shrines that are scattered throughout the region. The monks in the region source the ingredients for the very special vegetarian dinner.

Accommodations Hoon-In Temple (or comparable) Twin Tatami Mats

Join the monks in reciting prayers in the morning as you awaken to the sounds of nature. The monks prepare a traditional “temple style” breakfast. Make the most of your last morning at this very remarkable location. We’ll return to Osaka just before lunch and take the bullet train to Hiroshima. We’ll take the streetcar to our lodging in the heart of the city after a 90-minute ride.

After some downtime, we’ll stroll to the modest Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, where our local guide will give you a thorough overview of the region’s incredible history. Say a prayer by the eternal flame, ring the peace bell, and see the Atomic Dome. This city will be remembered for a very long time. After learning about the terrible history of Hiroshima through a tour of the museum, we’ll have dinner and head to bed.

Accommodations: Hotel Kuretakesou Otemachi (or comparable) Twin Rooms

We begin the day later today as we ride the metro to the stunning Miyajima Island, which is an hour’s drive from Hiroshima. We’ll take a quick ferry voyage to the island after arriving in this sleepy town. Miyajima is renowned for its historic temples and forests. The enormous orange Great Torii Gate is half submerged at high tide just offshore. We’ll take a leisurely walk around the island after getting off the ferry, stopping at the Miyajima shrine for breathtaking views of its well-known Torii Gate.

Before returning to Hiroshima, you have the remainder of the afternoon to explore the island, eat lunch, and see several temples. On our last day in Japan, we’ll leave together one last time in the evening.

Accommodations: Hotel Kuretakesou Otemachi (or comparable) Twin Rooms

That concludes everything! We end today at the stunning city of Hiroshima. You can go for a sunrise run along the river or take one more stroll around the memorial park. Whether you choose to return home, continue travelling throughout Japan, or join us on another One Life tour in a different but no less amazing location, your guide will help you with your next steps.

Final destination
Hotel Kuretakesou Otemachi Hiroshima, Hotel Kuretakeso, 広島市, Hiroshima 730-0051, Japan 08:00 is the final lodging.