11-Day Golden Route Japan Tour with Hiroshima

Welcome to Japan! Today you will arrive in Osaka where there are numerous shopping centers and alleys filled with restaurants and bars. After landing at Kansai International Airport, you will be met and taken to the hotel for rest.

Meals: N/A
Accommodation: Osaka

Begin your day by visiting Osaka Castle Park, a vast park with the imposing Osaka Castle. You can discover its rich history and surrounding beautiful gardens. Head to the Osaka Museum of History and trace Osaka's ancient times and the present day through nice displays.

After lunch, continue to Namba Yasaka Shrine, a shrine in the bustling Namba area featuring a unique lion-shaped stage. Head to Tsutenkaku Tower and a beautiful view over Osaka from the observation deck.

In the evening, immerse yourself in the energetic atmosphere of Shinsaibashisuji and Dotonbori. Explore various entertainment, and performances, inviting culinary delights, and bright neon lights.

Meals: B, L
Accommodation: Osaka

In the morning, you will transfer to Nara and visit Kasuga Taisha Shrine, the World Heritage Site. On the way to the shrine, you can see many stone lanterns. Then visit the 20-meter-high bronze Buddha at Todai-ji Temple. Adorable deer will accompany you when you stroll in Nara Park. They may bow as you pass. You can feed them deer crackers.

In the afternoon, you will take the Shinkansen to Hiroshima, a city with a heavy history.

Meals: B, L
Accommodation: Hiroshima

After breakfast, you will take a ferry to Itsukushima. Marvel at the beautiful scenery of Itsukushima Shrine which is famous for its floating shrine and orange torii gate at high tide.

In the afternoon, you will return to Hiroshima and pay a visit to Peace Memorial Park which is built to commemorate the victims of the atomic bomb. Visit the Cenotaph for the A-Bomb Victims and the Atomic Bomb Dome in the park.

Meals: B, L
Accommodation: Hiroshima

Today, you will transfer to Kyoto by Shinkansen after breakfast. You will head to your hotel first.

After having a short break at the hotel, you will explore Gion where you can delve into Kyoto culture. You will wear a kimono like the Japanese and participate in a Japanese tea ceremony class. Learn some tea-drinking etiquette as you experience the authentic Japanese tea ceremony. Enjoy exquisite multi-course Kaiseki Ryori for dinner.

Meals: B, D
Accommodation: Kyoto

Today, your local guide will escort you to explore Kinkaku-ji Temple, a glittering temple next to a clear pond. Your next stop will be Nijo Castle which is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the residence of a shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Finish your lunch at Nishiki Market where you can find a variety of fresh ingredients and gourmet shops. After lunch, you will discover Fushimi Inari Shrine and the iconic Sembon Torii formed by thousands of vermilion torii gates. Walking through the densely packed Torii tunnel, you will reach the top of Mt. Inari and appreciate breathtaking views of Kyoto.

Head to Kiyomizu-dera Temple and visit the iconic three-story pagoda. Step onto the Stage of Kiyomizu, a suspended stage supported by wooden columns offering a panoramic view of the city.

Meals: B
Accommodation: Kyoto

Today, you will travel to Arashiyama. You will visit Jojakkoji Temple where you can experience the tranquility of the temple. Then stroll through the well-designed courtyards of Tenryu-ji Temple.

In the afternoon, you will embark on a sightseeing train tour by Sagano Romantic Train. You will travel through the natural beauty of Sagano and the traditional Japanese countryside. Arrive in Kameoka after about 25 minutes. After the tour, take a traditional boat along the Hozu River back to Arashiyama (about two hours). Disembark a few hundred meters upstream from the Togetsukyo Bridge. Walk in the dense Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and feel the tranquility and mystery of nature.

After the Arashiyama tour, drive back to the hotel in Kyoto for a rest.

Meals: B, L
Accommodation: Kyoto

After breakfast, you will take the Shinkansen to Tokyo, the capital of Japan combining tradition and modernity. After checking in at the hotel, you can explore the city for the rest of the day. You can explore the restaurants and bars near the hotel, or find a park to enjoy your leisure time.

Meals: B
Accommodation: Tokyo

In the morning, you will spend a morning at Meiji Jingu Shrine. The shrine is in a forest as if it were one with nature. At noon, you can taste fresh and delicious sushi and sashimi at Tsukiji Outer Market, one of the world's largest fish markets.

In the afternoon, visit the historic Sensoji Temple for worship and divination. Take a stroll through various traditional Japanese snacks and souvenir shops at Nakamise-dori Street between Kaminarimon Gate and Hozomon Gate.

Shop in Ginza, the paradise of shopping enthusiasts. After exploring Japanese manga culture in Akihabara, you can ascend Tokyo Tower to overlook the entire Tokyo city center.

Meals: B
Accommodation: Tokyo

Today, you will travel to Mount Fuji. You will begin your tour with Oshino Hakkai which is known for the eight crystal clear ponds. Keep your camera ready as you visit Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine. It is an excellent attraction to take pictures of Mount Fuji and Chureito Pagoda.

Indulge in the moments of relaxing in picture-perfect Lake Kawaguchi when you take a boat on the lake. You can also take the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway and admire the captivating Mount Fuji and the five lakes. On a nice day, you may have a chance to see the majestic Mount Fuji reflected in the clear waters of the lakes.

After the tour, return to the hotel in Tokyo to rest.

Meals: B
Accommodation: Tokyo

This is the end of your 11-day Japan Golden Route Tour. After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, you can pack up. You will be taken to the airport to leave with good memories.

Meals: B
Accommodation: N/A