Planned travel itinerary:

DAY 1. DEPARTURE CITY – TOKYO

Welcome to Japan! Transfer by shared shuttle bus to your hotel. Free time. In the afternoon, you will receive information about the start of your tour.

Accommodation.

DAY 2. TOKYO

In the morning, we will enjoy an extensive visit of approximately five hours with our guide through this simply impressive city. Its frenetic activity and avant-garde districts coexist with peaceful areas. We will make a brief stop at Zojoji Temple to photograph the most beautiful view of Tokyo Tower. Particularly striking are the hundreds of Jizo statues, stone-carved deities considered guardians of children, decorated with woollen hats, bibs and pinwheels. We will then head to the famous Shibuya Crossing, said to be the busiest crossing in the world. We will visit Meiji Shrine, dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife.

We will continue by coach along elegant Omotesando Avenue. We will explore the most beautiful part of the Imperial Palace and its gardens, stopping to visit the famous Nijubashi Bridge. We will pass through Akihabara district, the Electric Town and centre of Japanese manga and anime, and by Kokugikan, the sumo stadium, Japan’s national sport. We finish our visit in Asakusa, visiting Sensoji Temple and the famous Nakamise Street. Lunch included at a local restaurant. Return to the hotel.

We meet our guide in the hotel reception and travel by metro (tickets included) to the Shinjuku area. We will then take a walk to the restaurant to discover this district, known for its lively nightlife. Dinner included at a local restaurant. Return to the hotel again by metro accompanied by our guide.

Accommodation.

DAY 3. TOKYO – MOUNT FUJI – KAWAGUCHIKO

We travel towards the beautiful Mount Fuji area. Beautiful scenery accompanies us on our route. First, we visit ARAKURAYAMA SENGEN PARK, with its beautiful pagodas, from where the best and most iconic views of Mount Fuji can be enjoyed. We then continue to KAWAGUCHIKO, an idyllic town of small houses, flowers and mountains beside its beautiful lake. Upon arrival, we visit the FUJI SENGEN SHRINE, a magical place among tall trees where the traditional pilgrimage route to the mountain once began.

We will give thanks at the shrine for being able to visit this place full of magic. Afterwards, we include a pleasant boat ride on Lake Kawaguchiko. We then begin the ascent to Mount Fuji along the road leading to the fifth station; through spectacular forests and views, we reach an altitude of 2,305 metres.

Return to Kawaguchiko, where you will still have time to stroll along the lake. We will stay in a Ryokan (traditional Japanese inn), where you can enjoy its ONSEN (public bath). Dinner included.

Accommodation.

DAY 4. KAWAGUCHIKO – IYASHI-NO-SATO NENBA – TOYOTA – KYOTO

In the morning, following a beautiful road that skirts the lakes, we visit IYASHI NO SATO NENBA, a small village that was destroyed by a cyclone in 1966 and later restored as an open-air museum and traditional mountain village. Its typical houses have been transformed into craft shops, restaurants and traditional museums.

We then admire the SHIRAITO FALLS, considered among the most beautiful in Japan, with their 20-metre cascade. We continue to the Nagoya region, where entrance to the TOYOTA MUSEUM is included, an essential place for car enthusiasts. Continuation to KYOTO and arrival at the hotel.

Accommodation.

DAY 5. KYOTO

We will have the whole day in the city that was Japan’s capital from 794 to 1868 and seat of the Imperial Court. During the Second World War, Kyoto was the only major Japanese city that was not bombed, and for that reason it preserves an extraordinarily rich artistic heritage. It was also in Kyoto that the 1997 protocol aimed at limiting greenhouse gas emissions was signed. We include a visit to the city’s main highlights.

During the visit, we will discover Arashiyama, see Togetsukyo Bridge, meaning “bridge that crosses the moon,” from where wonderful views can be admired. We will visit Tenryuji, one of Kyoto’s five great Zen temples and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and then stroll through its mystical bamboo forest.

We will visit the wonderful Shinto shrine of Fushimi Inari, the Imperial Palace, and Kinkakuji Temple, the Golden Pavilion with its magnificent gardens (the order of the visits may vary).

Afterwards, there will be time before taking a walk through GION, the traditional and lively district famous for its Geishas. Free time.

Accommodation.

DAY 6. KYOTO – NARA – OSAKA

We depart for NARA, where we visit Todaiji, a magnificent Buddhist temple built in 752, famous for its giant Buddha. You will also enjoy photographing, petting, and feeding the fawns that roam freely through its park. Lunch included at a local restaurant. Afterwards, we continue to visit the Buddhist temple of HORYUJI, a World Heritage Site, a complex made up of a seminary, monasteries and temples. Its main pagoda temple is one of the oldest surviving wooden buildings in the world; it is considered the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan and an important place of worship.

Continuation to OSAKA, arriving in the early afternoon. Stay in this modern city, Japan’s second largest. We will take a walk through Dotonbori, a district full of lights and nightlife.

Accommodation.

DAY 7. OSAKA – HIMEJI – KORAKUEN GARDENS – OKAYAMA

We depart for HIMEJI, where entrance is included to its immense castle, a fine example of Japanese castle architecture. Lunch included at a local restaurant. We continue to OKAYAMA, where we visit Korakuen, one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan, with its lakes, waterfalls and traditional tea houses. Crossing a pedestrian bridge over the river, we can reach Okayama Castle, a 16th-century Japanese fortress in Okayama. Rebuilt in 1966 after the complex was destroyed in a bombing during the Second World War (interior castle visit not scheduled). After the visit, accommodation and free time in the city, an active provincial capital of just over 700,000 inhabitants.

Accommodation.

DAY 8. OKAYAMA – KURASHIKI – ITSUKUSHIMA – HIROSHIMA

We depart for KURASHIKI, a city with a very well-preserved historic centre. Time to stroll through this charming town with its atmosphere of the past. We continue to HIROSHIMA, sadly known for the atomic bombing it suffered in 1945, which completely destroyed the city. We will walk through the Peace Memorial, see the Atomic Bomb Dome, and visit the impressive Peace Museum.

After the war, in search of peace, we board a ferry to the island where men and gods coexist, with the ITSUKUSHIMA Shrine, dedicated to the guardian of the seas, built partially over the water. Time to visit the shrine, stroll through its beautiful centre, and have lunch. Return to our hotel in Hiroshima. Dinner included.

Accommodation.

DAY 9. HIROSHIMA – MATSUYAMA

Today we take a ferry to the island of Shikoku, a pleasant crossing of about two and a half hours, helping us understand Japan as a country made up of many islands. In MATSUYAMA, we take the cable car up to its impressive castle. Afterwards, we visit ISHITEJI, a beautiful Buddhist temple and pilgrimage site. Lunch included at a local restaurant. At the end of the afternoon, entrance is included to DOGO ONSEN, a traditional Japanese bathhouse built in the 19th century.

Accommodation.

DAY 10. MATSUYAMA – KOTOHIRA – TAKAMATSU – NARUTO – KOBE

We depart for KOTOHIRA, a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of sailors, a pilgrimage site built on Mount Zosu, reached by climbing 785 steps. Afterwards, in TAKAMATSU, we visit RITSURIN, one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan. Lunch included at a local restaurant. Then in NARUTO, an impressive bridge crosses the sea; we stop to see the structure and, walking along its glass floor, admire the spectacular sea whirlpools from a height of 45 metres. Our route then follows a beautifully scenic road, crossing large bridges between islands over the sea. Arrival in KOBE.

Accommodation.

DAY 11. KOBE – OSAKA – MOUNT KOYA

In KOBE, we visit the EARTHQUAKE MEMORIAL MUSEUM, a place dedicated to remembering the tragic earthquake that devastated the city in 1995 and its impeccable reconstruction.

Note: On some specific dates, the visit to the Earthquake Museum may be replaced by the Sake Museum or a visit to Kobe Tower.

Continuation to OSAKA. We then leave the city and head to the sacred mountain of KOYA, the most important centre of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. On this mountain, a magical pilgrimage site, there are 120 temples and monasteries. We visit the Okunoin Mausoleum, a spiritual site and immense cemetery in nature with more than 200,000 graves. We also visit Kongobuji Temple, built in 1593.

Tonight, we stay in a Buddhist monastery. The monks will lead us in a Zen meditation practice (Ajikan). Dinner included (vegetarian meal). If you wish, you may attend the temple’s religious ceremony before breakfast.

Accommodation.

DAY 12. MOUNT KOYA – KYOTO

Japanese breakfast at the temple. Early departure for KYOTO, where we will have the entire day free. Our guide will provide information so that you can make the most of your time and visit the places in this beautiful city that interest you most on your own.

Accommodation.

DAY 13. KYOTO – TSUMAGO – MATSUMOTO – NAGANO

Through beautiful rural landscapes, we travel to TSUMAGO, a small wooden village, one of the most beautiful villages in Japan. Free time to stroll. Lunch included at a local restaurant. We then continue to MATSUMOTO, a tourist city where we visit its impressive 16th-century castle, known as the Crow Castle. We continue to NAGANO.

Accommodation.

DAY 14. NAGANO – MONKEY PARK – KUSATSU – IKAHO

In NAGANO, we visit Zenko-ji, a pilgrimage site where the first Buddhist image in Japan is located. We will also include for our travellers the Gomakuyo ceremony to attract good fortune. Afterwards, we enter the beautiful Japanese Alps among high mountains and head to JIGOKUDANI Monkey Park, where lunch is included. We will walk through its forests with rivers and hot springs where colonies of Japanese macaques live and bathe.

Later, through magnificent high mountain landscapes (reaching 2,172 metres), we pass by semi-active volcanoes. KUSATSU, an attractive hot spring town, has a lively central square. We then stroll through the town park, which features open-air onsens. We continue to IKAHO, a picturesque hot spring town, where we will walk through its old centre with its stepped streets. We stay in a RYOKAN, a Japanese-style inn where we suggest enjoying its baths. Traditional Japanese dinner included.

Accommodation.

DAY 15. IKAHO – NIKKO – TOKYO

We continue to NIKKO, where in this fantastic town we visit the impressive Nikko Toshogu Shrine, notable for the hall with the dragon sound. We also visit the Taiyuinbyo Mausoleum, in an impressive and peaceful setting.

We will also take a walk along the river in Kanmangafuchi — hundreds of Jizo statues will be watching us. We will have some free time in the town centre before departing for TOKYO. Arrival in Tokyo in the afternoon.

Accommodation.

DAY 16. TOKYO – DEPARTURE CITY

After breakfast, if you have booked our airport transfer service, we will take you at the agreed time to catch your return flight to your departure city.

• Optional excursions can be booked in advance of the trip. Please contact us.
• Add stops of between 1 and 7 nights (depending on the itinerary) in different cities before continuing the route.
• You may share a room with another traveller, which makes the price more advantageous for you. If, in the end, the room is occupied only by you, the price will not be affected and you will have the room to yourself.
• On some specific dates, accommodation may be provided in the city of FUKUYAMA or KURASHIKI. The visit to Kurashiki may then be carried out that same afternoon.
• The order of visits in Hiroshima may vary without affecting their content.
• We consider the stay in the monastery to be a highly valuable cultural experience. The available rooms are simple, without private bathrooms, in traditional Japanese style with tatami mats. Bathrooms are shared.
• We cannot guarantee the meditation practice during periods of high tourist demand. As accommodation capacity in the temples of Mount Koya is limited, on some occasions groups may be accommodated in nearby hotels instead (with half board included).
• In autumn, depending on the abundance of fruit in the mountains, the movement of the monkeys is unpredictable. If the macaques do not come down to the park, it may be closed. The visit to Kusatsu may also be cancelled due to weather conditions from November to April.
• EXTEND YOUR TRIP: complete your journey in JAPAN with an extension to other Asian cities or a stay at a paradise beach destination (Maldives, the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, etc.).

• Transportation from/to your departure city. Please contact us.
• Departure transfer.
• Personal expenses.
• Medical insurance with cancellation coverage.
• Any service not mentioned in the “included” section.

Scheduled departures 2026:

03, 10, 17, 24 and 31 January

07, 14, 21 and 28 February

07, 14 and 21 March

05, 12, 19 and 26 April

03, 10, 17, 24 and 31 May

07, 14, 21 and 28 June

05, 12, 19 and 26 July

02, 09, 16, 23 and 30 August

06, 13, 20 and 27 September

04, 11, 18 and 25 October

01, 08, 15, 22 and 29 November

06, 13, 20 and 27 December