15 day Best of Japan and Hiroshima 2026

Arrive Osaka
Konnichiwa and welcome to Japan! Upon arrival, make your own way to the hotel near the airport and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

Overnight: Odysis Suites Osaka Airport Hotel (or similar)
Meals included: nil

**Airport to hotel transfer is available at $100 USD per person (one-way)

Osaka – Kobe
After breakfast, we head to the iconic Japanese fortress of Osaka Castle. Constructed in the 16th century, it boasts a majestic five-story tower with a glimmering gold-adorned roof. We then head to Osaka’s central food and entertainment center – Dotonbori. You can wander the streets, try the local cuisine, do some shopping or even pose for a photo with one of Osaka’s famous icons – The Gurico!

Up next is a visit to the Kobe Earthquake Memorial Museum where you will learn about the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner and get to know your fellow travelers.

Overnight: SK HOTEL Kobe station (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast & Group Welcome Dinner

Kobe – Kurashiki – Hiroshima
After breakfast, we make our way to famous, Hiroshima. En route, we stop in Kurashiki, renowned for its well-preserved 17th-19th century merchant district. The picturesque canals, white-walled warehouses and cobbled streets create a beautiful and nostalgic ambiance.

Overnight: Hotel Mystays at Hiroshima Peace Park (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast

Hiroshima – Okayama
Today we begin with the Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island. The shrine and its Torii gate are unique for being built over water, seemingly floating in the sea during high tide. Next, visit the Peace Memorial Park and Atomic Bomb Museum, which commemorates the victims of the atomic bomb used in WWII. We then head to the city of Okayama.

Overnight: Mitsui Garden Hotel Okayama (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast

Okayama – Nara – Kyoto
Today we head north towards Nara and Kyoto. Along the way we will stop to visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of The Himeji Castle which is famous for its stunning white fortress epitomizing the samurai-era and its architectural elegance and historical grandeur.

We then visit the Cup Noodles Museum which celebrates the invention of instant ramen noodles! Upon arrival in Nara, take a short walk to the main attractions; Todaiji Temple and its Great Hall, housing one of the world’s largest bronze Buddha statues. Finally, take a wander through the Nara Deer Park, where you will see hundreds of beautiful deer roaming around in their natural habitat.

Overnight: Oriental Hotel Kyoto Rokujo (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast

Kyoto
Wake up in one of the most popular cities in Japan – Kyoto! After breakfast at your hotel, the rest of the day can be spent at your leisure. Enjoy exploring the winding streets, marvel at the traditional Ryokans and look out for the beautiful Geishas. 

Overnight: Karasuma Kyoto Hotel (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast

Kyoto – Kanazawa
After breakfast, we visit another world heritage site – The Kinkakuji Temple which is also known as the Golden Pavilion. The top two floors are covered entirely in thin layers of gold and detailed architecture incorporating three distinct styles; Shinden, Samurai and Zen.

Next, we board the bus and head to the Togetsu Bridge and Bamboo Grove, both have been landmarks of Western Kyoto’s Arashiyama District for over four hundred years. Afterwards, we head to the city of Kanazawa.

Overnight: Hotel Mystays Premier Kanazawa or similar (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast

Kanazawa
After breakfast we set out to explore the castle town of Kanazawa starting with, Buke Yashiki (a samurai house) where you learn about how the high ranked samurais lived during the Edo period. You will then make your way through the streets of Higashi Chaya, a district lined with quaint old buildings that were once teahouses.

Later, you will visit Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan’s best landscaped gardens. And then finishing the day at Omicho Market where you can try some local food and purchase traditional crafts. 

Overnight: Hotel Mystays Premier Kanazawa or similar (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast

Kanazawa – Shirakawago – Takayama
Today you will head off on a half day tour of Shirakawago to explore the small village and see the traditional, gassho-style houses. On this tour you will stop at an observation point to view the whole of Shirakawago, and learn the history of this unique village. After your tour, head to the city of Takayama where the rest of your night will be spent at your leisure or simply relaxing in the Onsen pool at your hotel. 

Overnight: Wat Hotel & Spa Hida Takayama (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast

Takayama – Matsumoto
Today will be spent exploring Takayama city, located in Japan’s mountainous Gifu Prefecture. While you are in Takayama, visit the preserved Old Town, the government building of Takayama Jinya or the impressive Matsuri no Mori museum. Upon finishing the tour, you will board the bus and head to the city of Matsumoto for the night.

Overnight: TOKYU STAY Hida-Takayama Musubi-no-Yu (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast

Matsumoto – Mt Fuji
Ohayou-gozaimasu! (Good Morning!) Today you will visit one of Japan’s most complete and original castles, the Matsumoto Castle. Then travel to the Mount Fuji area to visit Oshino Hakkai which is one of the eight ponds fed by melting snow filtering down from the slopes of Mount Fuji through porous layers of lava, resulting in clear spring water.

Afterwards, you will visit Mount Fuji’s 5th station, which is above the clouds and allows you to view it’s enormous summit (if the weather permits). Finally, enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow tour members.

Overnight: IROHA GRAND HOTEL MATSUMOTOEKIMAE (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast & Group Dinner

Mt Fuji – Tokyo
Today you visit the Gotemba Peace Park to capture another breathtaking view of Mt Fuji. Then take a cruise on Lake Ashi where you can bask in the stunning landscape and beautiful nature. Finally, head to Tokyo!

Overnight: Tmark City Hotel Tokyo Omori (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast

Tokyo
After breakfast you will embark on a full-day tour of Tokyo. Starting with one of Tokyo’s most iconic landmarks, the Tokyo Tower. From the observation deck, take in panoramic views of the city and learn about the tower’s history and significance.

You then head to Shibuya Crossing, one of the busiest and most bustling intersections in the world! Watch the crowds of people cross the street from the pedestrian overpass and explore the colorful surrounding shopping and dining areas. Sample some of the freshest sushi in Tokyo at the world’s largest seafood market, the Tsukiji Fish Market.

Next, visit Tokyo’s oldest and most famous temple, the Senso-ji. Take a break and relax at a nearby café or tea shop to enjoy a traditional Japanese snack. The day ends at the Imperial Palace which is the primary residence of the Emperor of Japan. Take a guided tour of the palace grounds, including the Ninomaru Garden, and the ruins of the old castle tower. 

Overnight: Tmark City Hotel Tokyo Omori
Meals included: Breakfast

Tokyo
Enjoy your free day in Japan’s mega city, Tokyo!

Overnight: Tmark City Hotel Tokyo Omori (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast

Depart Tokyo
After checking out, make your way to the airport at the appropriate time for your flight home*

Meals included: Breakfast

*Hotel to airport transfer is available at $100 USD per person (one-way)