7 Day Best of Japan
This tour is fully escorted by a dedicated tour leader who will accompany you throughout the tour. If your tour includes multiple countries, you will be met by a new tour leader in each country and any internal flights included will be unescorted.
This tour is categorised as 4 out of 5
Packed itinerary with maximum exploration: Embark on a whirlwind sightseeing tour with minimal downtime. This tour maximises your exploration, keeping you on the move and ticking off must-see locations. A good fitness level and mobility are required to keep pace with this action-packed adventure!
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
✓ Add return international flights from $1699
✓ 6 nights in 3 and 4-star accommodation
✓ Breakfast daily
✓ Dedicated private transportation throughout
✓ Fully escorted by a dedicated tour leader
✓ Incredible sightseeing including entrance fees as per itinerary
🛏️ Shared room available for solo passengers. This tour offers solo passengers the option to share a room with a fellow passenger of the same gender and avoid the Single Traveller supplement.
Tick off your Japan must-do list with a rich journey through this country of contrasts, fascinating culture and dazzling beauty. Explore eclectic Tokyo, visit a charming small village in the Fuji Five Lake region and soak in the serene beauty of Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. See the famed deer of Nara, visit a ninja museum, see sacred shrines, castles and temples – and of course, witness the natural beauty of breathtaking Mount Fuji.
Upon arrival into Tokyo, please make your own way to the starting point hotel. Take the evening to relax after your flight and prepare for your first full day of touring tomorrow.
Airport transfers are not included. Our transfer portal offers the option to book your airport transfers for an easier arrival experience (additional charges apply). Access to this portal will be available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed.
Arrival & Check-in information
Haneda International Airport (HND). The easiest and most convenient way to travel from Haneda International Airport (HND) to Tokyo Central is by train or by Monorail. The airport is also serviced by many 'Limousine Bus' services which offer shared shuttle bus service from around 1300 Yen per person.
Narita International Airport. The best way to travel from Narita International Airport to Tokyo Central is by the Narita Airport Express. The journey to most Tokyo stations takes approximately 1hr and the ticket costs 4070 Yen. The airport is also serviced by many 'Limousine Bus' services which offer shared shuttle buses from around 1300 Yen per person.
Hotel Check-in
Travellers will be arriving at various times throughout the day. If arriving prior to standard check-in time, which is generally 3pm local time, you are welcome to leave your luggage with hotel reception and explore your surroundings until check-in becomes available, as there are no scheduled activities on Day 1 of the itinerary. The hotel may grant early check-in, however this is strictly subject to availability and at the hotels discretion.
Enjoy breakfast this morning before you meet your group and Tour Leader at 08:30am in the hotel lobby (Day 1 hotel) to meet your other travellers and to have your tour briefing.
After this, set off for the day. Our day starts with a stop at Oishi Park on the shores of Lake Kawaguchi, well known for its serene, flower-lined walking path and its spectacular view of Mount Fuji.
Then, we stop by the eight ponds at Oshino Hakkai, a small village in the Fuji Five Lake region fed by the snow melt from the nearby mountains. See traditional thatched roof farmhouses in the shadow of the iconic Mount Fuji.
After our day in the Mount Fuji area we continue to Hamamatsu. Enjoy an evening at leisure.
Inspiring Highlights
Special Information
Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours
After breakfast, we head to Nagoya, famous for the historic 17th-century Nagoya Castle. The castle is the most iconic landmark in Nagoya and is an impressive sight.
We then continue to Osaka, where we’ll enjoy a walking tour of the Dōtonbori area. One of Osaka's most popular tourist destinations, this street runs parallel to the Dōtonbori canal and is a hugely popular destination for shopping, street food, bars and entertainment. At night the streets here are illuminated by hundreds of colourful neon lights and mechanised signs, including the famous running Glico Man sign and the Kani Doraku crab sign.
Enjoy an evening at leisure in Osaka.
Inspiring Highlights
Special Information
Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours
After breakfast, we’ll see the sights of ancient Kyoto this morning, starting with Kyoto’s famed Fushimi Inari Shrine – known throughout the world as the ‘Path of the Red Gates.’ Take time to appreciate the quieter corners of the shrine, and if you’re feeling fit, a walk to the halfway point provides stunning city views.
We’ll continue on to some of Kyoto’s most iconic sites, like Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion). This is a Zen temple and UNESCO World Heritage Site, with two floors covered entirely in thin layers of pure gold, set within a beautiful classical Zen garden.
Afterwards, stand amongst the soaring stalks of bamboo at Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. It’s green, peaceful and the seemingly endless boughs make for a serene experience, even with the tourist crowds. Take in the sound of rustling bamboo as you stroll these paths – if there’s a bit of wind, the groves will gently sway back and forth which only adds to the magic.
Before leaving Kyoto, we visit the authentic Gion district. This historic area is home to many geisha and is packed with bars, restaurants and cafes.
We head back to Osaka for another evening at leisure.
Inspiring Highlights
Special Information
Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours
This morning after breakfast we will depart Osaka for Shizuoka. On the way, we will travel to Nara, famous for it's many temples and free-roaming deer. Here, we will visit Todaiji (Great Eastern Temple), one of Japan's most famous temples. This massive building houses one of Japan's largest bronze statues of Buddha (Daibutsu).
We will then carry on to visit the Ninja Museum of Igaryu where you can see a ninja trick house, ninja museum and experience a ninja show (if time permits, at own expense).
Afterwards, we will continue to Shizuoka for an evening at leisure.
Inspiring Highlights
Special Information
Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours
After breakfast we travel back to Tokyo, where we embark on a tour of this energetic city.
In a city of such frenetic pace, a stop at the charming Asakusa neighbourhood is a refreshing taste of older Tokyo. It’s home to the ancient seventh-century Sensō-ji Temple. Built in the Asuka era, it’s the oldest and most important Buddhist temple in Tokyo – be prepared for crowds! It’s known for its imposing entrance gate, Kaminarimon (also known as ‘Thunder Gate’), with its magnificent red lantern.
We’ll walk along Nakamise, the shopping street connecting the front gate and main hall of the temple. It’s a wonderful atmosphere, with food stalls and souvenir shops, selling authentic Japanese items like traditional crafts. You’ll find great souvenirs here. We’ll then stop at Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building for late afternoon panoramic city views.
Afterwards, we check-in to our hotel for an evening at leisure.
Inspiring Highlights
Special Information
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours
Enjoy one last delicious breakfast this morning, before your Japanese adventure comes to an end. At an appropriate time, make your way to the airport for your flight home or embark on your own independent onward journey.
Thank you for travelling with Inspiring Vacations. We hope you had a memorable experience.
Check-out and Departure Information
Travellers will be departing at various times throughout the day. Standard hotel check-out is from 10am-12pm. You are welcome to leave your luggage at the hotel reception and spend your final moments of free time exploring the area or alternatively please speak with hotel staff if you would like to extend your check-out time. Please note this service is subject to availability and will likely come at an additional cost.
The easiest and most convenient way to travel from your hotel to Haneda International Airport (HND) or Narita International Airport (NRT) is to book airport transfers using your Traveller Hub (booked 7+ days in advance). Alternatively both airports have reliable public transport services from central Tokyo as well as the Limousine Bus which services many hotels in the central Tokyo area. For more information or assistance with these services, please speak with your hotel reception or tour leader.
Special information
Airport transfers are not included. Our transfer portal offers the option to book your airport transfers for an easier arrival experience (additional charges apply). Access to this portal will be available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed.
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