Japan Awaits

Discover Japan’s most iconic cities and cultural treasures on this 12-day Japan Discovery Tour. This itinerary is designed for first-time visitors who want a comfortable, well-paced introduction to Japan, combining must-see landmarks with authentic local experiences.

Travel with an English-speaking Tour Manager, stay in 3–4★ hotels and inns, and move between regions by Shinkansen (bullet train) and private bus or vehicle*. Choose between:

• Join-in Small Group Tour (approx. 16–26 guests), or
• Private Tour exclusively for your own group.

We require a minimum of 16 participants to operate the Join-in Small Group Tour. If there are 15 or fewer guests, we will be unable to operate the standard group departure.

*Transport arrangements may vary slightly depending on group size and operational needs.

Itinerary – Japan Discovery Tour (12 Days)

Day 1 – Depart for Tokyo
Depart from your home country for Japan. Please select a flight that arrives at one of Tokyo’s airports no later than 2:30 PM on Day 2 of this itinerary. For guests who are already in Japan, accommodation is not included on Day 1.

Day 2 – Arrive in Tokyo & Welcome Dinner
Arrive in Tokyo and transfer to your hotel at your own leisure. You will officially meet your Tour Coordinator and other guests for the first time after arriving at the hotel. This evening, there will be a Welcome Dinner at 6:30 PM, where you will receive an orientation from your Tour Coordinator about what to expect on the tour, and you can also meet and have some drinks with fellow travelers who will be joining you on this journey.
Overnight: Tokyo
Meals: Dinner

Day 3 – Tokyo: Tsukiji, Sushi Experience, Akihabara & Ginza
This morning, wake up early for your first full-day tour of Tokyo. Begin with a walk through Tsukiji Fish Market, once famous for its tuna auctions and still known today for its bustling outer market filled with food stalls and shops. After visiting this lively area, you will watch a culinary demonstration of sushi or sashimi making by a professional Sushi Chef and then enjoy the meal for lunch. After lunch, visit Akihabara, renowned for its electronic shops and considered the center of Japan’s otaku (diehard fan) culture, with many stores devoted to anime and manga. Continue on to Ginza, Tokyo’s most celebrated upscale shopping, dining, and entertainment district. To conclude the day, enjoy dinner at a designated izakaya, a Japanese-style pub.
Overnight: Tokyo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 – Hakone & Mt. Fuji Area
In the early morning, depart Tokyo for the Hakone and Mt. Fuji area, known for its beautiful natural scenery and onsen resorts. Your first stop is the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum near Lake Kawaguchi, which showcases the stunning kimono creations of the textile artist Itchiku Kubota, inspired by the beauty of nature and the changing seasons. Continue along a scenic road to the Hakone Ropeway, where you can enjoy panoramic views of Owakudani Valley’s volcanic landscape and the serene forests of Hakone National Park. Afterwards, relax on a cruise across Lake Ashi, taking in picturesque views and, weather permitting, possible glimpses of Mount Fuji. Drive along Cedar Avenue, a historic section of the old Tokaido Road that once linked Tokyo and Kyoto during the Edo period, before returning to Tokyo. In the evening, sample a variety of dishes at a local restaurant. Please note that due to weather conditions, Mt. Fuji sightseeing and some activities may be altered.
Overnight: Tokyo
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5 – Tokyo: Imperial Palace, Asakusa, Meiji Shrine & Harajuku

Today you will explore some of Tokyo’s most iconic landmarks. Start with a visit to the Imperial Palace and its East Garden, a scenic part of the inner palace grounds. Continue to the Asakusa area to see Senso-ji (Asakusa Kannon Temple), with its famous giant paper lantern at Kaminarimon Gate, and stroll along Nakamise-dori, an old shopping street lined with Edo-style shops offering snacks and souvenirs. In the afternoon, visit Meiji Shrine, nestled in a tranquil forest and dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. End the day in Harajuku and Omotesando, known for colorful street fashion, unique boutiques, and stylish cafés. Enjoy some free time to wander through the busy streets and explore at your leisure.
Overnight: Tokyo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6 – Tokyo to Kanazawa: Samurai Districts & Gardens

This morning, board the Shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo to Kanazawa, a city famed for its well-preserved Edo-era districts with samurai residences, geisha houses, and elegant gardens. Begin with a visit to Myouryu-ji, often called the “Ninja Temple,” where you can explore hidden tunnels, secret rooms, and clever defensive features dating back to the 1600s. Next, visit the Nomura Family House, a beautifully restored samurai residence that offers insight into the lifestyle of the samurai class. Conclude the day with a stroll through Kenroku-en, one of Japan’s most celebrated landscape gardens, admired for its seasonal beauty and refined design. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant in Kanazawa.
Overnight: Kanazawa
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7 – Shirakawa-go & Takayama
Depart Kanazawa for Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its village of gassho-zukuri farmhouses, whose steep thatched roofs resemble praying hands. Explore Ogimachi, the largest village in Shirakawa-go, and visit viewpoints and the remains of the old castle, which dates back to the 1300s. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to Takayama, a charming town in the mountainous Hida region that has preserved much of its traditional atmosphere. Visit the Yatai Kaikan Hall, which houses elaborately carved festival floats used during Takayama’s famous bi-annual festivals, and end the day with dinner featuring the region’s renowned Hida beef.
Overnight: Takayama
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 – Takayama to Kyoto (via Nagoya)
In the morning, enjoy a walking tour of Takayama’s old town, including the Sanno-machi Historic District and the Miyagawa Morning Market along the river, where local vendors sell fresh produce and regional specialties. Cross over to Sanmachi-suji, a set of historic streets lined with traditional houses, sake breweries, and cafés that create a nostalgic atmosphere. After some free time, transfer to Nagoya and board the Shinkansen bullet train to Kyoto. The rest of the day is at leisure after arrival.
Overnight: Kyoto
Meals: Breakfast

Day 9 – Kyoto: Tea Ceremony, Kiyomizu-dera & Gion
Begin your day with a traditional tea ceremony, where you will learn about the etiquette and philosophy behind this centuries-old ritual while enjoying a bowl of matcha tea. Then stroll through the atmospheric streets of Sannen-zaka and Ninen-zaka, lined with wooden storefronts, teahouses, and specialty shops, before visiting Kiyomizu-dera (Pure Water Temple), one of Kyoto’s most famous temples with views over the city. You will have free time to enjoy lunch on your own in this area. In the afternoon, meet your Tour Guide and transfer to Gion, Kyoto’s historic geisha district, for a guided walk and introduction to geisha culture. Conclude the day with a visit to Heian Shrine, a Shinto shrine built on the 1100th anniversary of Kyoto’s foundation, known for its impressive torii gate and spacious grounds.
Overnight: Kyoto
Meals: Breakfast

Day 10 – Kyoto: Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji & Nijo Castle
Today you discover more of Kyoto’s cultural treasures, starting in Arashiyama. Walk through the famous Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, where tall bamboo stalks create a serene green corridor, and experience a ride on a traditional Japanese rickshaw. Afterwards, visit Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion), a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose upper floors are covered in gold leaf and beautifully reflected in the surrounding pond. Have lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to Nijo Castle, the former Kyoto residence of the Tokugawa shoguns, known for its historic interiors and elegant gardens. The evening is free for you to relax or explore Kyoto on your own.
Overnight: Kyoto
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 11 – Kyoto & Nara: Fushimi Inari, Todai-ji, Nara Park & Maiko Dinner

Begin your day at Fushimi Inari Taisha, famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates that form tunnels along the forested hillside. Enjoy a 60–80 minute walk along part of this iconic path. Next, travel to Nara to visit Todai-ji (Great Eastern Temple) and see the immense Daibutsu (Great Buddha) bronze statue. Continue to Nara Park, where hundreds of tame deer roam freely and can be fed with shika senbei (deer crackers). Visit Kasuga Grand Shrine, nestled at the foot of Mt. Mikasa and known for its many stone and bronze lanterns and sacred atmosphere. In the afternoon, return to Kyoto and enjoy some leisure time before the Maiko Dinner, which also serves as your Farewell Dinner. During this special evening, you will enjoy traditional dance performances by a Maiko (apprentice geisha) and celebrate your final night in Japan with your group.
Overnight: Kyoto
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 12 – Depart Japan from Osaka (or Transfer to Tokyo)
On your final day, say “sayonara” to the friends you have made on this small group tour before transferring to Osaka for your departure flight. You also have the option to transfer to Tokyo at no additional cost, depending on your onward travel plans.
Meals: Breakfast

Availability:

2026 Departures

• June 14 – June 25, 2026
• June 21 – July 2, 2026
• July 5 – July 16, 2026
• August 23 – September 3, 2026
• September 6 – September 17, 2026
• October 18 – October 29, 2026

Price:

Small Group (Join-in Tour)
Adults (Age 12 and up): Starting from ¥525,000 per person
Children (Age 1–11): ¥225,000 per person

• Children will stay in the same room as adults.

Single supplement (1 person in a private room): Additional ¥120,000 per person

Private Group
See pricing at checkout. Please see exact pricing by selecting the number of participants in the booking calendar.– 

Attire

Please bring comfortable walking shoes, a sweater, clothes you can layer, and an all-weather jacket. Some religious sites require modest dress to enter: no shorts or short skirts (knees should be covered by long pants or a long skirt) and no sleeveless tops (shoulders must be covered; a shawl or scarf is not always accepted).

The tour operates in all weather conditions except in the case of typhoons or other extreme situations. Please dress appropriately for the season. If the weather requires it, the itinerary may change slightly to accommodate conditions.

Non-Smoking

While most places we visit may be non-smoking establishments, there are some places along the way that may allow smoking in designated areas. Please take note of this for guests who are sensitive to smoke.

Age Requirement

There is no strict age requirement, but a reservation must be made for every guest.

• For children aged 12 and below, children must share a room with adults.
• For guests aged 13 and up, a separate room or shared room arrangement with parents or other group members can be requested (subject to availability).
• A maximum of 5 people (adults and children) may share one room upon request.
  Passports may be requested to verify ages on the day of the tour.

Payment

All bookings are payable via Stripe (Booking Checkout) or Flywire. Confirmations regarding your booking will be sent at least 40 days before your activity date.

Booking Confirmation Based on Number of Guests

The tour will be confirmed within 30 days of the tour start date.

A minimum of 16 guests in total is required to operate this tour with a private bus for local transfers in some cities (transportation between major cities will always be by bullet train). With 16 or more guests, the same Tour Manager will accompany the group throughout the tour (with some exceptions during peak seasons).

We require a minimum of 16 participants to proceed with this Standard Join-in Tour. If we have 15 or fewer guests, we will be unable to operate the Standard Tour.

Trip Preparation

Each traveler is responsible for having a passport valid for at least six months beyond the dates of travel and a visa, if required.
All travelers should familiarize themselves with local conditions, such as climate or any recommended immunizations, which could affect their health. We recommend consulting your personal healthcare provider and official health organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization for up-to-date advice.

Cancellation Policy

What if I’m late to meet up with Tour Guide during the tour?

Each day, your Tour Manager will let you know the exact meeting time and place for the next day (usually in the hotel lobby). We kindly ask all guests to be ready at least 10 minutes before the scheduled time so the group can follow the planned itinerary.

If you realize you will be late, please contact your Tour Manager as soon as possible. We will do our best to advise you on how to rejoin the group, but in some cases (for example, fixed train departures or transfers between cities) the group may need to leave on time. Any extra transportation costs to catch up with the group will be at the guest’s own expense, and missed visits or meals cannot be refunded.

How fit do I need to be for this tour?

This is an active tour that covers a good amount of ground each day. You can expect to walk about three to six hours on some touring days. Although the pace is moderate, there may be uneven surfaces, stairs, steps, significant slopes, and open-air areas with little shade. Changes in pick-up and drop-off points due to local driving conditions and regulations may also require additional walking between locations.

Is this an ideal tour for first-time visitors to Japan?

Yes. This tour is designed as an introductory Discovery Tour and is ideal for first-time visitors. You will visit many of Japan’s most iconic sights as well as other neighborhoods and locations that are less touristy. This combination offers a good sense of everyday life in Japan while still covering the main attractions.

What is the difference between this tour and the Japan Autumn & Winter Illuminations Discovery Tour in late November to early December?

The Japan Autumn & Winter Illuminations Discovery Tour is an extension of the Japan Discover Tour. The tour will cover the same cities as the Japan Discovery Tour, but will include Kobe City and other scenic spots for Autumn Foliage and Winter Illuminations throughout the route (the time at some attractions in the Japan Discovery Tour will be shortened to accommodate additional attractions on this tour).

Looking for a tour in a different city?

Japan Awaits is a licensed tour operator in Japan, with hundreds of registered and vetted tour guides nationwide. We offer tours in any location in Japan and manage all details, including transportation and tickets. Contact us and inquire about a custom experience today.