Japan: 7-Day Small-Group Tokyo & Kyoto Tour with Hakone Boat Cruise, Sushi Class, Ryokan Stay & Cherry Blossom Dates Available
Be spirited away on a breathtaking journey through Japan’s modern and historical wonders on this seven-day, small-group tour (max. 16 passengers). Experience Tokyo’s electrifying blend of old and new with a walking tour of the Imperial Palace, Shibuya, Yoyogi Park and serene Meiji-jingu and enjoy a sushi masterclass at Tsukiji Outer Market. Uncover Kyoto’s storied past – follow in the footsteps of geisha in Gion and climb past thousands of torii gates as you ascend to the iconic Fushimi Inari shrine. Plus, visit breathtaking Hakone and enjoy a stunning cruise across Lake Ashinoko and a night of authentic Japanese luxury at a traditional hot-spring inn, with access to its spectacular infinity hot springs pool.
Along the way, you’ll enjoy daily breakfast, a dazzling array of premium stays and all transfers throughout the tour – including a transfer on the exhilarating Shinkansen bullet train.
Your journey takes you to: Tokyo — Hakone — Kyoto.
Cherry blossom dates available: See Japan through cherry-coloured glasses with 2024 dates available during the ephemeral blossom season — there’s no experience quite like it.
Hiroshima and Osaka Extension: Hungry for more? Head further south to Hiroshima, stopping by the iconic Himeji Castle on the way. Visit the solemn Genbaku (A-Bomb) Dome and Peace Memorial Park and Museum before heading to Miyajima for a deer-filled day of exploration and adventure. Continue to Osaka, the ‘Nation’s Kitchen,’ for a tour of the city’s many delights, culminating in a visit to Kuromon Market and a chance to try the region’s iconic street foods, including okonomiyaki, takoyaki and more.
Covid-19 health and safety practices: Our expert Tours team is working hard to ensure the highest health standards at every point of your journey. Find out more.
Your tour includes:
- Six nights of accommodation, including one night in a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn)
- Six breakfasts, one lunch and three dinners, including a sushi-making class, saké brewery tour and welcome drink on arrival
- Discover Tokyo’s thrilling blend of old and new with a walking tour of the Imperial Palace, Shibuya Crossing, Yoyogi Park, Meiji-jingu and Senso-ji
- Witness the spectacular mountain beauty of Hakone, including a cruise along Lake Ashinoko
- Walk through the thousands of red gates at Fushimi Inari and explore Kyoto’s historic Gion ‘geisha’ district
- Roundtrip airport transfers and all internal transfers included
- All sightseeing and entrance fees as detailed in the itinerary
- The services of expert English-speaking local guides
Hiroshima and Osaka Extension: Hungry for more? Head further south to Hiroshima, stopping by the iconic Himeji Castle on the way, and visit the solemn Genbaku (A-Bomb) Dome and Peace Memorial Park and Museum before heading to Miyajima for a deer-filled day of exploration and adventure. Continue to Osaka, the ‘Nation’s Kitchen,’ for a tour of the city’s many delights, culminating in a visit to Kuromon Market and a chance to try the region’s iconic street foods, including okonomiyaki, takoyaki and more.
Your tour begins at Narita International Airport (NRT), Tokyo, and ends at Osaka International Airport (ITM) any time after 9am, or Kansai International Airport (KIX) any time after 10am for extension packages, with roundtrip shared airport transfers.
Roundtrip flights are not included in your package and must be purchased separately. If your chosen tour departure date is guaranteed at the time of booking, you may be able to purchase flights immediately. If your tour departure date is not yet guaranteed (still pending minimum numbers), flights should not be booked until you receive an update on the status of your tour.
Please book your flights to arrive Narita International Airport any time before 3pm on Day 1 and depart from Osaka International Airport (ITM) any time after 11am on Day 7. If you book an extension package, please book your flights to depart from Kansai International Airport (KIX) any time after 11am on Day 10.
Shared roundtrip airport transfers are included in your tour on the first and last day only.
You MUST complete your booking form within 7 days of booking. Following its completion, our Tours Concierge will be in touch to assist with any additional arrangements – including flights.
Important: Please allow for travelling time from international countries. International flights are not included in your package and must be purchased separately. It is your responsibility to make your own travel arrangements and ensure that you arrive in Tokyo on your chosen tour start date.
A visa may be required for the destination you are visiting. It is each traveller’s responsibility to ensure they are holding a current visa. Please take the time to visit our preferred vendor website Visas Direct to assist you with any visa application requirements and processes. If you require any supporting documentation when applying for your visa please let us know and we would be more than happy to assist. Click here to visit the website.
Need flights? Australian customers can now purchase flights with or without accommodation packages. We are working hard to launch this functionality in other markets. For now, our dedicated flights concierge can assist with all your flight requirements. Contact sales@luxuryescapes.com.
Important Destination Information: Japan
Time zone: GMT +09:00
Telephone: +81
Currency: Japanese Yen (JPY)
Accessing money: Cash is widely accepted and the preferred method of payment. ATMs are readily accessible in 7-Eleven. Ask your tour leader/guide about the best place to change money once you begin your tour. Please note: some ATMs may only accept four-digit pins.
Language: Japanese
Climate: Japan has four distinct seasons: cherry blossoms in spring (March-May), cool and leafy in autumn (September-November) and humid and muggy at times in summer (June-August) with snowfall at higher altitudes during winter (December-February).
Day 1: Tokyo
Konichiwa! Welcome to Tokyo. Dancing between ancient tradition and cutting-edge cool, the metropolis dazzles all who visit. A sprawling collection of districts and neighbourhoods, each charming and unique, offers endless rewards to visitors. Upon arrival at Narita International Airport (NRT), take the included transfer to your accommodation in Shinjuku. Make sure to look up when you arrive – Shinjuku’s endless vivid skyscape of neon and steel is a thrilling sight.
Meet your group at 5pm for a welcome meeting, before enjoying a twilight cocktail at the hotel and heading to a local izakaya for dinner. It’s the perfect way to taste Japan – expect sumptuous traditional treats, including grilled chicken sticks (yakitori), sashimi and plenty of beer.
Please note that the method of transportation today is shared shuttle bus transfer and metro train.
Accommodation: Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo (or similar)
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Tokyo
Wake up to a delicious breakfast and a day filled with possibility. Take the chance to explore the city’s governmental heart in a guided tour around Tokyo Station and Marunouchi. Before leaving Tokyo Station, be sure to admire the station’s extraordinary Meiji-era architecture – the preserved red brick and white columns stand as a magnificent symbol of a bygone era. Wander through the parkland surrounding the Imperial Palace and admire the compound’s tranquil moats and great white walls, the home of Japan’s Imperial Family.
Continue to Shibuya, Tokyo’s bustling youthful heart, and walk with the crowds at the city’s ultra-iconic Shibuya Crossing before heading to the gentle elms and rolling fields of Yoyogi Park, a slice of green serenity in the bustling heart of the metropolis. Over its long history, the park has been the location of Japan’s first powered aircraft flight and the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. On Sundays, it is a famous meeting place for the city’s most vibrant subcultures – rockabillies, cosplayers, goths, jugglers and more flock to the park to drink, chat and rock out.
Continue to Meiji-jingu, Yoyogi Park’s greatest treasure and one of the nation’s most important shrines, originally dedicated to Emperor Meiji after his passing and now a beautiful sanctuary adorned with giant saké barrels and flanked by mysterious torii gates.
Spend the afternoon exploring at your leisure – you may wish to head to nearby Takeshita-dori in Harajuku for eye-popping fashion and endless surprises, Ryogoku for a look at the city’s famed sumo stables or laidback Kimoshitazawa for vintage shopping and the best coffee in Tokyo. No evening in Shinjuku is complete without a wander through the district’s infamous Golden Gai – the most concentrated block of bars in the world. Head there for cosy cocktails and jazz.
Please note that the method of transportation today is metro train.
Accommodation: Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Tokyo
Stroll to Tokyo’s Tsukiji Outer Market – a sushi-lover’s paradise and home to some of the world’s best seafood. In 2019, the market gained fame for being the site of the most expensive fish ever sold – a single tuna that went for over US$3 million!
Wander the huge variety of stalls selling dried foodstuffs, kitchenware and a stupendous amount of delicious treats before heading to a professional sushi-making class. Marvel at the long history of the cuisine and your instructor’s skills, before putting the methods to test, using the market’s super-fresh fish – savour every bite of this unique self-prepared lunch.
Continue to Hama Rikyu Gardens. Originally built on the grounds of a former shogun as a duck hunting reserve, these gardens sit on the edge of Tokyo Bay and offer a glimpse of why Japan’s parks are so treasured – the foliage of maple, gingko and plum blossom are utterly enchanting.
Leave the district by waterbus and follow the gentle Sumida River to historic Asakusa. This district was left remarkably untouched by the ravages of the Second World War and now stands as a breathtaking blend of old and new. Walk through bustling Nakamise Shopping Street to Senso-ji – founded almost 1,400 years ago and dedicated to the merciful bodhisattva Kannon (the inspiration behind modern camera brand Canon), it’s the city’s oldest temple and a truly exhilarating taste of Tokyo as it once was.
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, this is the perfect place to try Japan’s traditional desserts – try sweet potatoes tossed in sugar, mirin and soy, or taiyaki, sweet red bean or custard wrapped in a steaming fish-shaped pancake.
Please note that the method of transportation today is metro train and river boat.
Note: This evening, your luggage will be transferred to Kyoto – please prepare an overnight bag to see you through Day 4.
Accommodation: Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 4: Tokyo – Hakone
Embark on a 90-minute journey to the stunning hot spring town of Hakone Yumoto. If the weather is good, enjoy the view of a lifetime across the glass-like waters of Lake Ashinoko to mighty Mount Fuji. Enjoy a tour of the town, including a scenic cruise across the lake and a cable car and ropeway ride to Togendai Station, where you’ll be able to savour staggering views of Owakudani Crater and, if luck is on your side, a spectacular glimpse of Japan’s most beloved mountain.
In the evening, experience authentic Japanese luxury with a stay at a traditional ryokan inn, surrounded by soul-stirring views. Soak away the day’s adventures in the inn’s natural infinity hot spring pool before enjoying a traditional Kaiseki banquet, made with seasonal ingredients and masterful in its preparation and presentation.
Please note that the method of transportation today is metro train and local bus.
Accomnmodation: Hakone Kowakien Ten-yu (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 5: Hakone – Kyoto
The morning is yours to enjoy Hakone’s charms at your leisure – head to the town’s Open Air Museum for a chance to see over a thousand sculptures and works of art, walk the lantern-flanked mountain stairway to Hakone Shrine or savour another lazy dip in the town’s famed hot springs.
Afterwards, hop onto the iconic Shinkansen bullet train for the 3.5-hour journey to Kyoto, Japan’s ancient capital and the country’s spiritual hinterland. Originally founded by Emperor Kammu in 794, the city acted as the Imperial capital for over a thousand years and is home to an unforgettable collection of temples, shrines, bamboo groves and traditional buildings.
After checking in to your hotel, walk beneath the glass-covered walkways of Nishiki Marketplace, a never-ending wonderland of street food and retail boutiques. Now’s the perfect chance to get to know Kyoto’s many regional specialities, from pickled vegetables hidden beneath layers of fermented rice to the ornate Kyo-wagashi sweets.
Enjoy one tasting at the market, before travelling back in time as you walk through Gion, the city’s geisha district and a breathtaking vision of old Japan. Gion in the evening, especially if it has been raining, is utterly captivating.
Please note that the method of transportation today is metro train, shinkansen bullet train and local bus.
Accommodation: Noku Kyoto (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast and One Tasting at Nishiki Marketplace
Day 6: Kyoto
Head to the world-famous Fushimi Inari Shrine, dedicated to the Japanese God of Rice, and walk through its thousands of iconic red gates. This is a journey unlike any other – trek to Fushimi Inari’s well-known halfway point, taking in the dazzling views of the city below, before exploring some of the mountain’s quieter and more peaceful spots. The hallway point is the perfect place to stop for a tea break – be sure to sample the local café’s cakes and artisanal coffee before heading onward.
After walking back down the mountain, head to the famed Gekkeikan or Kizakura saké brewery for a glass of history – learn about Kyoto’s legendarily pure spring water, the ancient tradition of saké brewing and the canals that surround the region before enjoying a tasting of Gekkeikan’s best.
Head out this evening for a tasty local meal to celebrate the end of your extraordinary Japanese adventure.
Please note that the method of transportation today is metro train and local bus.
Accommodation: Noku Kyoto (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 7: Depart Kyoto
Sayonara Kyoto! You are free to depart your accommodation whenever you’re ready before heading onward to your flight. A shared airport transfer shuttle bus will take you to Osaka International Airport (ITM) for the next journey.
Meals: Breakfast
Hiroshima Extension
Day 7: Kyoto – Hiroshima
Say sayonara to Kyoto’s storied streets as you board the bullet train to speed southward towards Hiroshima. Stop along the way at Himeji Castle, one of Japan’s largest and most impressive ancient fortresses. Called ‘White Heron Castle,’ this UNESCO World Heritage-listed site has survived earthquakes, civil war and more since the 16th century and has recently been restored to its full glory. Wander the castle grounds and climb the castle’s seven floors to enjoy spectacular views of the cityscape below.
Afterwards, continue by train to beautiful and picturesque Hiroshima. Take a walking tour through the Genbaku (A-Bomb) Dome, the point where the atomic bomb dropped, and the connecting Peace Memorial Park and Museum, which stand as a solemn testament to the events of that fateful morning. The entire complex is an enduring symbol of peace – visit the extraordinarily moving museum, take in the memorials and monuments and leave changed by the Park’s powerful message. Utterly flat and stunningly beautiful, the Peace Memorial Park is an unforgettable visit.
Enjoy a local dinner of Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki – an iconic savoury pancake of egg, cabbage, noodles, and meat or seafood, cooked to perfection on a flat-top griddle.
Note: This morning, your luggage will be transferred to Osaka – please prepare an overnight bag to see you through Day 8.
Accommodation: Hotel Granvia Hiroshima (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 8: Hiroshima – Miyajima – Osaka
After breakfast, make the short journey from central Hiroshima to the port to catch a ferry across to the sublime island of Miyajima. This small island is beloved by visitors and locals alike for its famed orange torii gate, rising majestically from the sea, and for the abundance of sacred deer who roam the streets. Admire the torii gate and the connecting Itsukushima shrine at high tide – this scene is considered one of the most beautiful landscapes in the country.
Spend the day exploring Miyajima – visit the spectacular maples of Momijidani Park before continuing by foot or cable car to the top of Mount Misen for unforgettable views of the Inland Sea and distant Shikoku. For lunch, try Miyajima’s famed oysters – deep-fried or fresh, seafood-lovers will rejoice at the freshness and tastiness of the island’s prime delicacy.
This evening, hop back on the Shinkansen in Hiroshima for the two-hour trip onwards to Osaka.
Accommodation: Hilton Osaka (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Osaka
Welcome to Osaka! Japan’s second-largest city is a vibrant blend of Showa-era architecture and blazing neon that has been named the ‘Nation’s Kitchen,’ for its dazzling array of restaurants and bars. If you like to eat, drink and party, this is the city for you – as the locals love to say, ‘eat ‘till you drop’!
Start your morning adventures with a visit to Osaka Castle, once the largest in Japan and a vital player in the country’s ferocious unification during the 16th century. After walking the castle, explore the city’s charming backstreets and take the chance to savour its many delicacies, including kushikatsu (skewered meat, deep-fried and delicious).
Wander through Dotonbori, Osaka’s iconic nightlife district. The bright heart of the city, this unforgettable collection of neon lights and extravagant signage is as outrageous as it gets – make sure to return in the evening for a true glimpse of the city at its most thrilling.
Head to Kuromon Market and wander its covered stalls selling everything from fresh sea urchins to melon juice before continuing to Doguyasuji Arcade, a wonderful collection of everything culinary, from hand-forged knives to sampuru, the plastic models of food that are displayed in restaurant windows.
Finish up with a tour of the city’s best street food, including takoyaki (deep-fried octopus balls), before enjoying a farewell dinner with your fellow travellers to celebrate the end of your trip.
Accommodation: Hilton Osaka (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 10: Depart Osaka
Sayonara Osaka! Say farewell to the city’s many charms. Take the included transfer to Kansai International Airport (KIX) for the next leg of your journey.
Meals: Breakfast