© James Cowie
- Duration
- 14 days · 13 nights
- Trip type
- Private guided
- Group size
- 2–6 guests
Overview
Japan's geography wants you to use the Shinkansen, and this trip does. Four nights in Tokyo to do justice to its neighborhoods — Asakusa, Yanaka, Shimokitazawa — plus the food in Tsukiji and Ginza and the contemporary art in Roppongi. Then a night in Hakone for the onsen and (if the weather cooperates) Mount Fuji.
Kyoto gets four nights — the bare minimum to cover the eastern (Higashiyama, Gion) and western (Arashiyama, Ryoanji) sides without rushing. A Nara day-trip if you want temples and deer; a Himeji day-trip if you want the country's finest castle.
The trip closes in Hiroshima with the Peace Park, the Atomic Bomb Dome, and a half-day on Miyajima Island. The slow last day before flying home from Osaka.
The route
Day by day, at a glance
Day 1 · Tokyo
Arrival
Day 2 · Tokyo
East Tokyo
Day 3 · Tokyo
West Tokyo
Day 4 · Tokyo
Tsukiji and Free Day
Day 5 · Tokyo → Hakone
To Hakone
Day 6 · Hakone → Kyoto
Hakone and Shinkansen to Kyoto
Day 7 · Kyoto
Eastern Kyoto
Day 8 · Kyoto
Western Kyoto
Day 9 · Kyoto / Nara
Day Trip — Nara
Day 10 · Kyoto
Free Day in Kyoto
Day 11 · Kyoto → Hiroshima
Shinkansen to Hiroshima
Day 12 · Hiroshima / Miyajima
Miyajima
Day 13 · Hiroshima → Osaka
To Osaka
Day 14 · Osaka
Departure
Day by day
The itinerary
Day 1 · Tokyo
Arrival
Private transfer from Narita or Haneda to your Tokyo hotel. Recovery dinner at the hotel.
Aman TokyoDay 2 · Tokyo
East Tokyo
Asakusa, Senso-ji, and Yanaka with a private guide. Afternoon at the Edo-Tokyo Museum. Optional dinner at a kaiseki counter in Ginza.
Aman TokyoBreakfastDay 3 · Tokyo
West Tokyo
Meiji-jingu shrine, Harajuku, and Shibuya in the morning. Afternoon contemporary art in Roppongi (Mori Art Museum, 21_21 Design Sight).
Aman TokyoBreakfastDay 4 · Tokyo
Tsukiji and Free Day
Early Tsukiji outer market food tour. The rest of the day on your own — your specialist's pre-trip notes include neighborhood walks, vintage shopping, and bar recommendations.
Aman TokyoBreakfastDay 5 · Tokyo → Hakone
To Hakone
Romance car train to Hakone-Yumoto, transfer to your ryokan. Afternoon onsen and a multi-course kaiseki dinner in your room.
Gora Hanaougi (ryokan)Breakfast, DinnerDay 6 · Hakone → Kyoto
Hakone and Shinkansen to Kyoto
Lake Ashi and the Hakone Open-Air Museum in the morning. Shinkansen from Odawara to Kyoto in the afternoon.
Hoshinoya KyotoBreakfastDay 7 · Kyoto
Eastern Kyoto
Higashiyama walk: Kiyomizu-dera, Ninenzaka, and Gion. Tea ceremony in the afternoon. Evening at leisure in Pontocho.
Hoshinoya KyotoBreakfastDay 8 · Kyoto
Western Kyoto
Arashiyama bamboo grove (early), Tenryu-ji, and Ryoan-ji's stone garden. Afternoon at the Philosopher's Path.
Hoshinoya KyotoBreakfastDay 9 · Kyoto / Nara
Day Trip — Nara
Half-day to Nara: Todai-ji's Great Buddha, the deer in Nara Park, and Kasuga-taisha. Back to Kyoto for dinner.
Hoshinoya KyotoBreakfastDay 10 · Kyoto
Free Day in Kyoto
A built-in unstructured day. Your specialist will leave restaurant and craft-workshop suggestions; we don't book your day.
Hoshinoya KyotoBreakfastDay 11 · Kyoto → Hiroshima
Shinkansen to Hiroshima
Morning Shinkansen to Hiroshima. Afternoon at the Peace Memorial Park, the Museum, and the Atomic Bomb Dome.
Sheraton Grand HiroshimaBreakfastDay 12 · Hiroshima / Miyajima
Miyajima
Ferry to Miyajima for Itsukushima Shrine (the floating torii) and the cable car up Mt. Misen. Back to Hiroshima for dinner.
Sheraton Grand HiroshimaBreakfastDay 13 · Hiroshima → Osaka
To Osaka
Shinkansen to Osaka. Afternoon at leisure — Dotonbori, Kuromon market, or simply rest before flying home.
St. Regis OsakaBreakfastDay 14 · Osaka
Departure
Private transfer to Kansai International for your flight home.
Breakfast
Where you'll stay
Accommodations
Days 1–4 · Tokyo
Aman Tokyo
Day 5 · Tokyo → Hakone
Gora Hanaougi (ryokan)
Days 6–10 · Hakone → Kyoto
Hoshinoya Kyoto
Days 11–12 · Kyoto → Hiroshima
Sheraton Grand Hiroshima
Day 13 · Hiroshima → Osaka
St. Regis Osaka
How it works
Made to order
- Every Tourcan trip is built by a specialist, not a template — the route, hotels, and pace are tuned to how you want to travel.
- Dates are flexible. There are no fixed departures; we plan around your calendar.
- Quotes and bookings happen by phone and email with your specialist — no automated checkout, just a real conversation.
What's included
Inclusions and exclusions
Included
- All accommodation on a bed-and-breakfast basis (Hakone ryokan with kaiseki dinner)
- Private English-speaking guides in Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, and Hiroshima
- All Shinkansen tickets and JR Pass where applicable
- Private airport transfers in Tokyo and Osaka
- Tsukiji food tour and Kyoto tea ceremony
- All entry tickets to listed temples and museums
- 24/7 in-destination support from Tourcan's Japan partner
Not included
- International flights to Tokyo and from Osaka
- Most lunches and dinners (we keep them flexible — your specialist provides recommendations per neighborhood)
- Gratuities (gratuities are non-customary in Japan)
- Personal expenses and travel insurance
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not included in the price of any Tourcan itinerary. We strongly recommend comprehensive coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical expenses, and baggage.