Japan Essential

Konnichiwa! Greetings from Japan. At 6 p.m. tonight, there will be a welcome meeting in Tokyo, the bustling metropolis of an old land, where your trip will begin. Why not take your time exploring if you get there early? You could visit the Imperial Palace or the Sensoji Temple for free, then have lunch at the Avatar Robot Café. The servers in this mission-driven business are actually run by individuals with disabilities, not artificial intelligence. This will increase employment opportunities for workers who struggle to leave their homes. Following your meeting, you might like to go to one of Tokyo’s most well-known restaurants for an optional dinner with your new travel companions.

Take your group out this morning to visit the Shibuya region. Visit the statue of Hachiko, the well-known devoted dog, near Shibuya station, which overlooks one of the busiest crossings in the world. After that, treat your eyes and stomach to a depachika food hall, where stallholders offer everything from formal presents to bento boxes. Before visiting Meiji Jingu Shrine, consider stopping by Yoyogi Park, the site of numerous activities during the inaugural Japan Olympics, for lunch. You will travel to Harajuku, the epicentre of eccentric young pop culture, this afternoon. You are free to roam for the remainder of the day. The Gotokuji Cat Temple can be the perfect place for you if you’re a cat lover.Whether you’re singing at karaoke or in a club with laser shows, tonight is also the ideal time to experience Tokyo’s nightlife.

Take a bullet train to Kanazawa this morning and travel quickly across central Japan. This city is most famous for its gardens from the 17th century, known as Kenroku-en, and for being the Samurai’s residence. Historic temples, some amazing markets, and well-preserved Samurai and Geisha neighbourhoods can all be found here. Explore Kanazawa Castle Park and Kenroku-en Garden after you’ve checked into your accommodation. Since it’s a free evening, you may take your time exploring the streets and even indulging in some of Kanazawa’s renowned fresh seafood and izakaya.

Take a train across the Japanese Alps today to Kyoto, which was formerly Japan’s imperial capital and is regarded as one of the nation’s most stunning towns. Kyoto is a wonderful spot to lose yourself in its more than 2000 temples, shrines, and gardens. You can take the bus to get around today because it has a good bus network that connects all of its main attractions. You could visit the magnificent, gold-plated Kinkaku-ji Temple and its vast grounds in the northwest of Kyoto, or you could go to Nijo Castle, a feudal-era castle known for its squeaking “nightingale floors,” which are meant to warn residents of ninjas. Join your guide for a stroll through Kyoto’s renowned Gion neighbourhood, which is the centre of the city’s Geisha culture, in the early evening.

Take a stroll with your guide this morning through the forested hills of Inari Mountain, which is well-known for its Shinto “fox temple” and evocative red torii gates, which are a must-see for serious photographers. Your guide can advise you on what to visit and how to get there, and you are free to explore the afternoon. Renting a bike is cheap, and riding a bike is another fantastic way to see the city. On your final night in Kyoto, be sure to sample some of the city’s renowned Kyo-ryori (Kyoto cuisine) or explore the Nishiki food market in the centre of the city.

This morning, you will take the bullet train to Hiroshima, a busy city with a tragic past. When you get there, your guide will show you the Peace Park and the A-Bomb Dome building’s remains, one of 11 buildings that were partially preserved as a memorial of the devastation caused by nuclear war after the atomic bomb was detonated on August 6, 1945. Monuments and a solemn museum honouring Hiroshima and world peace can be seen in the Peace Park. You can rest, unwind, or carry on visiting the city in the afternoon. Try the most well-known cuisine from Hiroshima tonight: okonomiyaki, a flavourful pancake made with cabbage, beef, or shellfish that is grilled right in front of you on a hot plate.

To spend the day in the neighbouring island of Miyajima, with its renowned “floating” Torii Gate and the magnificent Itsukushima-jinja Shrine, you will board a local train and a ferry today. For some breathtaking views of the Inland Sea extending far below, go through the trees to the summit of Mount Misen. The island is home to curious and ravenous deer, so keep an eye out for them. Tonight is your free night back in Hiroshima.

Today, take the bullet train to Osaka. There’s no better way to end your journey than in a city known for its “kuidaore” (eat till you drop) motto! With its small backstreets teeming with eateries and pubs offering regional specialities, Osaka is unofficially Japan’s gastronomic capital. Discover Japan’s answer to fast food as well. Osaka is recognised as the birthplace of kaiten-zushi, or conveyor belt sushi, restaurants after its creator, a sushi restaurant owner who struggled with personnel, noticed beer bottles moving on a conveyor belt at the neighbouring Asahi brewery. Once you’re there, take a walking tour with a guide through the Dotombori neighbourhood, which is well-known for its entertainment and shopping.This place is illuminated at night by hundreds of neon lights! You may perhaps try a traditional Japanese onsen or learn how to play the taiko drums today. Try the Osaka speciality takoyaki (grilled octopus) for dinner.

You can leave whenever you like after check-out, and there are no activities scheduled for today. Just let your booking agent know in advance if you want to prolong your stay and see some of Osaka’s various areas.