From Tokyo’s electric streets to Kyoto’s ancient charm, experience Japan’s perfect blend of past and future. One week later, you’ll wonder how so much magic fit into so little time.
Itinerary
Welcome to Tokyo, a city where ancient shrines and neon towers live side by side. Arrivals are independent today, so you’ll make your own way to the hotel. If you’re flying into Narita Airport, the JR Narita Express gets you downtown in under an hour, or you can zip in on the Keisei Skyliner in just 41 minutes. Prefer door-to-door convenience? A taxi will get you there for around ¥20,000–¥25,000 (about $135–$170 USD).
Once you’re checked in and refreshed, you’re free to dive straight into the energy of Shibuya. Grab a konbini snack, explore high-rise arcades, or watch the iconic Shibuya Scramble from a rooftop perch.
In the evening, we meet for a welcome dinner—tuck into grilled yakitori skewers, sip your first Japanese hi-ball, and toast to the adventure ahead.
Feeling adventurous? You can opt into a Mario-Kart-style street drive through Tokyo or ride shotgun on a “Tokyo Drift” performance tour through the bayside streets.
Every guest receives a pre-loaded IC transit card that fully covers every journey in our itinerary, plus enough extra credit for your transfer from the airport to the starting hotel. Feel like exploring on your own, you can add funds at any station kiosk in seconds. Just remember: the initial balance is designed for the tour’s scheduled travel only and does not include your return trip to the airport at the end of the tour.
Hotel: Knot Shinjuku or similar
We begin with a ride to Asakusa, Tokyo’s historic heart. Step beneath the Kaminari-mon Gate and stroll toward Sensō-ji, Tokyo’s oldest temple, with its glowing red lanterns and incense-swirled courtyards.
At midday, we visit Premium Sake Pub Gashue for a guided tasting session—sip rare regional brews paired with crisp rice crackers and local snacks.
Later, follow the market path south through Ameyoko, a lively postwar black market turned street-food wonderland. Fill up on takoyaki, hunt for quirky souvenirs, or just enjoy the buzz.
Dinner is yours to choose or join a small group into the small restos and after maybe some karaoke for a fun night out
Hotel: Knot Shinjuku or similar
We start in the serenity of Meiji-jingū Shrine, nestled in a forest just steps from the city. Then hop over to Harajuku’s Takeshita-dōri, where rainbow crepes, pastel goth, and cosplay culture collide.
The afternoon is wide open—visit an owl café, thrift for vintage finds, or walk the elegant Omotesandō boulevard for designer eye candy.As the sun sets, we gather for dinner, then head into the legendary nightlife maze of Golden Gai in Shinjuku (bars in this area may have cover charges from $0 - $14, depending on time of season). Six narrow alleyways, 200 pint-sized bars, and enough character to fill a film reel, One of Japan’s most Iconic districts.
Hotel: Knot Shinjuku or similar
We’re off to Hakone for a day of natural beauty and mountain adventure. The Hakone Loop includes a pirate-themed cruise across Lake Ashi, a ropeway ride over steaming Owakudani Valley, and (weather permitting!) sweeping views of Mount Fuji.
By mid-afternoon, we board the legendary shinkansen from Odawara Station and glide at 285 km/h toward historic Kyoto. Total journey time is about 2.5 hours.
Once in Kyoto, you can grab a bowl of rich tonkotsu ramen or unwind with a traditional Japanese bath at a local sentō.
Hotel: Price smart Inn or similar
We start early with a peaceful visit to Fushimi Inari Taisha and its glowing orange torii gates. Walking through the Senbon Torii (“thousand gates”) just after sunrise is a truly magical experience.
Later in the morning, we step into Kyoto’s refined past at the Hosomi Museum’s tea salon for a traditional tea ceremony. Learn the graceful art of matcha preparation with a hands-on whisking session.
Afternoon brings a stroll through the atmospheric lanes around Kiyomizu-dera and the historic Gion district. You may spot a geisha flitting between teahouses or discover handmade sweets in a tucked-away shop.
Evening is yours—choose from Kyoto’s many kaiseki restaurants or catch a traditional geiko performance
Hotel: Price smart Inn or similar
Today we journey to Nara, Japan’s first capital, on a scenic train ride of just under an hour. There, we’ll wander Nara Park, home to over a thousand bowing sika deer. Feed them rice crackers and visit the mighty Great Buddha inside Tōdai-ji Temple.
Afterward, stroll past mossy lanterns in the serene Kasuga-taisha Shrine.
We return to Kyoto in time for some last-minute souvenir shopping at Nishiki Market or one final round of karaoke before we say goodbye.
Hotel: Price smart Inn or similar
Check out at 11:00 am
If you’re heading back to Tokyo, your JR pass will get you there in just over two hours on the shinkansen. Or stay longer and continue your journey through Japan’s magical landscapes.
Arigatō gozaimashita—thank you for traveling with us. Until next time!
All Guest must hand back IC transit card at the end of the tour. Unreturned cards incur a replacement fee of US $10.
Train times, shrine ceremonies and Fuji views are weather- and schedule-dependent; itinerary may adjust accordingly.