Japan in Contrast: A 12-Day Journey through Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima & Osaka
This 12-day Japan tailor-made holiday highlights many of the contrasts that exist in this fascinating country. You are starting in the frenetic Tokyo streets and bay. Then, relaxing in a hot spring in Hakone and exploring temples in Kyoto. Moreover, there is much history to discover too in Hiroshima and Osaka, a great food and flavors city. Traveling from the old streets of Tokyo with its many alleys and side streets to the bamboo groves of Kyoto via the tea culture of Uji, the deer in Nara’s deer park, the canals of the picturesque Kurashiki canal district and finishing on the beautiful island with its famous shrine of Miyajima, this smooth running holiday includes all smooth transportation, local knowledge and some of the many activities on offer in Japan. And to allow you to get the most from your time in this amazing country we have not over packed your days allowing time to visit other places of interest, to eat and drink as you wish.
What's included
Itinerary
First you will be traveling to Tokyo, the capital of Japan and the starting point of your trip. After your arrival at the airport, you will be picked up at the airport and driven to your hotel. After checking in you can already start to explore the area around your hotel. Tokyo is a huge city with many different districts, each with its own characteristics. In districts like Shibuya and Shinjuku you will find a very modern city with a lot of neon lights, while in areas like Asakusa and Shimokitazawa you will experience the old Japan in smaller streets. In the evening you will have your first dinner of the trip, with local specialties.
Today, you start in the old downtown area of Asakusa to get a feel for the ‘old’ Tokyo before heading to the cutting edge, futuristic island in Tokyo Bay, Odaiba. Visit Senso-ji Temple, one of the two great historic Buddhist temples in Tokyo, famous for its giant paper mache lantern at the front of the temple and its very long approach with hundreds of shops and stalls selling all sorts of gifts and souvenirs. This approach is called Nakamise Shopping Street and is said to date back to the 1600s and is one of the oldest shopping streets in the world. The street is lined with many very old shops selling all kinds of traditional sweets, historical snacks, local handicrafts and lots of other very interesting gifts and mementos to take back home. In the evening, have a very local experience by visiting a small izakaya where you can have lots of very reasonably priced small plates of food, lots of drinks and have a great time in a very lively, buzzing atmosphere, typical of after work in Japan. Enjoy Tokyo!
Today is dedicated to Tokyo's headline sights, beginning with sweeping views from Tokyo Tower's observation decks. From above, the city's scale becomes part of the experience, a patchwork of neighborhoods, skyscrapers, temples, railways and hidden gardens. Continue to Meiji Jingu, a serene Shinto shrine surrounded by forest, then enjoy the green open spaces of nearby Yoyogi Park in the heart of Shibuya. The contrast between sacred calm and urban movement is one of Tokyo's great pleasures. Later, enter the unique world of teamLab Borderless, where digital installations shift, respond and surround you. The rest of the day is free for more independent exploring, shopping or another memorable Japanese dinner.
Leave the capital behind and travel by train to Hakone, a mountain retreat known for hot springs, art, forested landscapes and views of Mount Fuji when the weather is clear. Take a gentle boat cruise across Lake Ashi, where, on a fine day, Fuji-san may rise above the water in one of Japan's most classic scenes. Please note that Mount Fuji is often shy, and sightings depend on the season and visibility. Continue to the Hakone Open-Air Museum, Japan's first open-air art museum, where sculptures by celebrated artists are displayed against a natural mountain backdrop. In the evening, slow down with an onsen experience and let Hakone's mineral-rich waters ease you into the next stage of the journey.
Board the train from Hakone toward Kyoto, Japan's cultural heart and one of the most evocative cities in the country. After arrival, begin with Fushimi Inari Taisha, the famous Shinto shrine whose vermilion torii gates wind dramatically into the hillside. You may choose to hike part of the mountain trail or simply enjoy the lower shrine area at a slower pace. In the afternoon, continue to Arashiyama, where Kyoto's natural side comes into focus through its bamboo grove, riverside paths and the lively Iwatayama Monkey Park. Before returning to your hotel, enjoy time for local snacks or a gentle walk along the Katsura River, a beautiful way to settle into Kyoto's quieter rhythm.
Today’s schedule includes guided tours of historically significant sites in Kyoto. First you visit the famous Golden Pavilion Kinkaku-ji, a temple covered in gold leaf set against the background of a pond with a perfectly manicured garden. Then, visit the famous rock garden of Ryoan-ji, one of the most famous temples in Japan. Your guide will explain the significance and simple yet effective concepts of both sites. You can then participate in a traditional Tea Ceremony where you are shown the ancient ritual of matcha, the art of hospitality and meditation and silence in a beautiful and traditionally decorated setting.
This morning, take a day trip to Uji, a small riverside town in Japan famous for its Tea and some of the temples in the area. At the tea plantation you can have a tour and sample many of the different types of green tea and gain insight into the aromas and textures and the many customs that surround the tea. In the late afternoon you will return to Kyoto and explore the famous Geisha district of Gion. Famous for its wooden machiyas and traditional shopping streets, the atmosphere of old Kyoto can be experienced at this very famous sight of Kyoto. As the evening falls you will take a stroll down Pontocho Alley, a small narrow street filled with many restaurants and some traditional tea houses. This is a great place to find and dine at a variety of restaurants to sample the many aspects of Kyoto in the evening.
Set out by train for Nara, Japan's ancient capital and a peaceful counterpoint to Kyoto's grandeur. The city is known for its temples, parks and the friendly deer that roam freely through Nara Park. Visit Todai-ji, home to the Great Buddha and one of the country's most impressive temple complexes. You will also have time to explore Kasuga Taisha, a Shinto shrine famous for its atmospheric lantern-lined paths. After a day of sacred architecture, gentle wildlife encounters and historic beauty, return to Kyoto for a relaxed evening at leisure.
Depart Kyoto by train and pause in Kurashiki, a lesser-known gem on the Seto Inland Sea. The city's Bikan Historical Quarter preserves a graceful atmosphere of merchant houses, willow-lined canals and traditional storehouses dating back to its days as a prosperous transport hub. Walk beside the water as small boats drift past, then visit the Ohara Museum of Art, known for introducing Western art collections to Japan. The afternoon is free for independent browsing, coffee, crafts or further exploring through the historic lanes. Later, continue by train to Hiroshima, where you will check in and enjoy the evening at your own pace.
Make the most of your day by first exploring Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and the Hiroshima Peace Museum, then follow up by visiting Hiroshima Castle to gain a fuller appreciation for all that Hiroshima has to offer. For lunch, try some of Hiroshima’s local specialties including Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki which can be found at markets, street food and casual dining establishments. Late in the afternoon, board a ferry from Hiroshima to picturesque Miyajima Island which is one of the most beautiful, spiritual places in Japan. At high tide, the famous Grand Torii Gate appears to be floating in front of the beautiful Itsukushima Shrine. After exploring the island, if you have time and energy left, climb Mount Misen, Japan’s highest peak on an island, to experience 360°-panoramic views of the Inland Sea from the summit. Return to Hiroshima in the evening to experience the many bars, restaurants and places to eat.
Depart Tokyo and head to the city of Osaka by train. The trip starts at Tokyo Station where you board your train to Osaka. At the famous Kuromon Ichiba Market, explore a covered shopping street and sample the freshest seafood, meat skewers, quirky local snacks, street foods and more. After lunch, visit the historic Sumiyoshi Taisha, one of the oldest and most important Shinto shrines in Japan. The grounds are beautiful and are perfect for a leisurely stroll. Retro-modern Shinsekai is next on the itinerary. Get a glimpse of some old quirky shops, bars and entertainment and take in the views from the top of Tsutenkaku Tower. After a long day of traveling and exploring, take a short walk to the famous Dotombori food street, famous for its canal flanked by restaurants, giant neon lights, and sometimes even giant food models. Here you can sample the famous cuisine of Osaka from various restaurants. For your night out, head to the bars and entertainment of Namba and continue the crazy night of your trip in this fun-filled city.
Spend your final morning at Osaka Castle and its surrounding park, a fitting place to reflect on Japan's layered history before departure. Depending on your flight time, enjoy a few last hours for shopping, snacking or simply relaxing at your hotel. At the appropriate time, make your way to Osaka International Airport for your flight home, carrying with you a journey that has moved from Tokyo's modern pulse to Kyoto's cultural grace, Hiroshima's depth and Osaka's warm, flavorful spirit.
