Essential Japan and Hakone 8 Days
Day1 Tokyo arrival
Arrival, transfer to the hotel by shuttle bus.
The rest of the day is free time.
Day2 Tokyo
Morning: Enjoy a comprehensive guided city tour of Tokyo (approx. 5 hours), visiting Zojoji Temple, Shibuya Crossing, Meiji Shrine, Omotesando Avenue, the Imperial Palace and Nijubashi Bridge. Drive through Akihabara, then visit Tokyo Skytree (admission included) for panoramic city views.
Afternoon: Explore Asakusa, including Sensoji Temple and Nakamise Street. Return to hotel.
6:30 p.m. Meet your guide in the hotel lobby and travel by subway to Shinjuku (tickets included). Enjoy a guided walk through the lively district, followed by dinner at a local restaurant.
Return to the hotel by subway with your guide.
Day3 Tokyo - Kamakura - Enoshima - Odawara
Depart Tokyo for Kamakura, visiting Hokoku-ji Zen Temple and its bamboo forest with tea, and Sugimoto-dera, the city’s oldest temple.
Free time in the city center before seeing the Great Buddha (Daibutsu).
Travel along the scenic coast to Enoshima for lunch and a walk, then continue to Odawara to visit its historic castle.
Overnight stay.
Day4 Odawara - Mount Fuji - Kawaguchiko
Travel to the Hakone area near Mount Fuji, visiting Owakudani (or Arakurayama Sengen Park if closed) and the picturesque village of Oshino Hakkai.
Continue to Kawaguchiko for a boat ride on the lake, then drive up Mount Fuji to the Fifth Station.
Return to Kawaguchiko for an overnight stay at a ryokan with onsen and dinner included.
Day5 Kawaguchiko - Iyasi no Sato Nenba - Toyota - Kyoto
Travel along scenic lakes to Iyashi no Sato Nenba, a restored traditional village and open-air museum.
Visit the impressive Shiraito Falls, then continue to Nagoya to see the Toyota Museum (admission included).
Proceed to Kyoto for an overnight stay.
Day6 Kyoto
Full-day tour of Kyoto, Japan’s former imperial capital.
Visit Arashiyama and Togetsukyo Bridge, Tenryuji Temple and its bamboo forest, Fushimi Inari Shrine, the Imperial Palace, and Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) (order may vary).
Free time to stroll through Gion, Kyoto’s traditional district.
Day7 Kyoto - Nara - Osaka
Depart for Nara to visit Todaiji Temple and its Great Buddha, with time to see the free-roaming deer in Nara Park. Lunch included.
Continue to Horyu-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In the evening, travel to Osaka for an overnight stay and visit the lively Dotonbori district.
Day8 Osaka
After breakfast, tour ends.