Skip to main content
logo
1-800-719-9805Help & contactEarn free travel
logo1-800-719-9805
Tours
Asia
Highlights of Japan:...
 

Highlights of Japan: Tokyo to Kyoto

10 days |  13 days with Hiroshima & Osaka extension
10 days |  13 days with Hiroshima & Osaka extension
Group size1535 travelers
Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars

118
Physical activity
red torii gates and lamp along a path at fushimi inari taisha
pink and white flower field with mount fuji blurred out in background
zen gardens in kyoto japan
three stone statues with happy expression
OverviewItineraryDates & pricesReviewsTraveler photosHotels, flights & FAQ
You have up to 60 days to get a full refund

Feel good about putting a tour on the calendar today: Enroll in AutoPay or pay in full when you book, and if you change your mind, you’ll get your money back.†

Discover how centuries-old traditions coexist with cutting-edge culture.

The traditional tea ceremony is the embodiment of Japanese hospitality, representing harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility. You’ll experience this Zen aesthetic every day of your tour—and not only while drinking tea. Uncover ancient temples alongside futuristic cityscapes and witness how Japan’s art, architecture, and day-to-day culture continue to reflect its time-honored philosophies.

Special departures of this itinerary

Cherry Blossoms in Japan

Your tour package includes

  • 8 nights in handpicked hotels
  • 8 breakfasts
  • 1 lunch
  • 3 dinners with beer or wine
  • 1 sake tasting
Read more

Included highlights

  • Shibuya Crossing
  • Mount Fuji
  • Lake Ashi
  • Hakone Open-Air Museum
  • High-speed bullet train ride
Read more
Start planning today

An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.

Talk to a Tour Consultant

Day-by-day itinerary

Print itinerary
Overnight Flight1 night
Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Tokyo today.

Tokyo3 nights
Day 2: Arrival in Tokyo
Included meal: Welcome dinner

Welcome to Japan! Get settled in to your hotel before meeting your Tour Director and fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.

Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Tokyo
Included meal: Breakfast

Join a local guide and embark on your first tour of Japan’s bustling capital.

  • Make a photo stop and view the iconic Shibuya crossing from overhead as you drive through the central part of the city
  • Set off on a short walk from Yoyogi Park to the Meiji Shrine, final resting place of Emperor Meiji
  • Stroll through the colorful Harajuku neighborhood, where Tokyo’s history and present-day pop culture intertwine
  • Explore Tokyo’s old town, including the ancient Asakusa Kannon Temple, the city’s oldest and most sacred temple
  • Peruse a vibrant variety of handmade crafts and local fare at the centuries-old Nakamise Shopping Arcade

Enjoy a free afternoon in Tokyo or add an excursion.

Japanese Cooking Class & Dinner

From $175 per person

Day 4: Free day in Tokyo
Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a free day in Tokyo or add an excursion.

Kamakura

From $185 per person

Mount Fuji Region1 night
Day 5: Sightseeing tour of Tokyo & transfer to Mount Fuji Region
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Today, follow your Tour Director on another guided sightseeing tour of vibrant Tokyo before continuing on to the Mount Fuji Region.

  • View the Imperial Palace and its impressive grounds
  • Head to the top of the Metropolitan Building to get a bird’s-eye view of the city

Later, make your way to Hakone, a resort town in the Ōwakudani Valley.

  • Make a photo stop at Mount Fuji, which stands an imposing 12,388 feet high
  • Take in panoramic views of nearby lakes and villages from the midway-point observatory

Sit down for an included dinner this evening followed by free time to relax in the hotel’s hot springs.

Kyoto4 nights
Day 6: Mount Komagatake, Lake Ashi & train to Kyoto
Included meal: Breakfast

This morning, take a guided tour of Mount Komagatake and Lake Ashi.

  • Enjoy a ropeway ride up to the top of Mount Komagatake, admiring spectacular views from the cable car as you go
  • Embark on a cruise on Lake Ashi, formed after Mount Hakone erupted 3,000 years ago
  • Take in surreal views of Mount Fuji looming in the background
  • Pay a visit to the Hakone Open-Air Museum, with endless sculptures over its 17 acres and a gallery with more than 700 works by Picasso

This afternoon, board a high-speed bullet train to Kyoto.

Day 7: Sightseeing tour of Kyoto & Zen meditation class
Included meal: Breakfast

Join a local guide on a tour of Kyoto, the city that served as the capital of Japan for more than 1,000 years—and is still considered its spiritual capital.

  • Tour the 17th-century Nijo Castle, which boasts intricate architecture and a unique alarm system: floors that sound like a nightingale when walked on
  • See one of Japan’s most famous temples, the glittering Golden Pavilion
  • Tap in to your unconscious mind during a guided Zen meditation session
  • Sit down to sip Matcha green tea alongside a traditional Japanese sweet

Please note: Today’s guided Zen meditation session may take place in the morning depending on the schedule.

Day 8: Sightseeing tour of Nara
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Journey to the former capital city of Nara for a guided tour led by a local guide today.

  • Tour UNESCO-listed Buddhist Todaiji Temple, site of the world’s largest bronze Buddha statue
  • Enter Kasuga-taisha to see the many bronze and stone lanterns in and around the Shinto shrine
  • Stroll through Nara Park, home to more than 1,200 wild deer considered sacred by locals
  • Enjoy an included lunch

Spend a free evening in Kyoto or add an excursion.

Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony

From $85 per person

Day 9: Free day in Kyoto
Included meals: Breakfast, Liquor tasting, Farewell dinner

Enjoy a free day in Kyoto or add an excursion.

Tonight, join your fellow travelers at a farewell dinner in Kyoto, where you’ll enjoy a sake tasting and enjoy traditional shabu-shabu (hot pot).

Arashiyama District & Okochi Sanso Garden

From $165 per person

Flight Home
Day 10: Departure
Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting

This morning, transfer to the Osaka airport to board your flight home or choose to continue your adventure with a visit to Hiroshima and Osaka.

Extension to Hiroshima & Osaka
Take a high-speed train to Hiroshima to remember one of the most infamous moments in history. Then, head to Osaka, home to some of Japan's most well-known arts, like Kabuki theater and the tea ceremony. Get to the heart of both cities, and marvel at UNESCO-listed Himeji Castle, on sightseeing tours alongside local experts.
Hiroshima1 night
Day 10: Train to Hiroshima & sightseeing tour
Included meal: Breakfast

Board a high-speed bullet train in Osaka to Hiroshima and get to know this world-renowned “City of Peace” on today’s guided sightseeing tour.

  • Visit Peace Memorial Park to see the Peace Memorial Museum and the Atomic Bomb Dome, which was the only structure to withstand the infamous atomic bombing of the city during World War II
  • Take short ferry ride to Miyajima Island to view the 12th-century, UNESCO-listed Itsukushima Shrine
Osaka2 nights
Day 11: Osaka via Himeji
Included meal: Breakfast

Travel back to Osaka, stopping in the city of Himeji along the way.

  • Step inside the UNESCO-listed Himeji Castle, the largest castle in Japan
  • Walk through Otemon Gate and view the castle’s striking white architecture
  • Climb a series of narrow staircases to the top floor, which offers stunning views of the beautiful roofs, defensive walls, and the city below
  • Enjoy free time to explore Kōko-en, a stunning garden that’s designed to be aesthetically pleasing through all four seasons

Continue on to Osaka and spend a free evening in the city.

Day 12: Sightseeing tour of Osaka
Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting

Join a local guide and set out to explore Osaka, the birthplace of many of Japan’s well-known arts, such as Kabuki theater and the tea ceremony.

  • Visit the massive Osaka Castle, which houses a museum dedicated to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the legendary leader who built it
  • Stroll through Kuromon Ichiba Market, famous for its selection of fresh fish, vegetables, fruit, and other Japanese specialties
  • Learn about the country’s culinary traditions and try takoyaki, a fried octopus ball
  • Walk to Dōtonbori, one of the most colorful areas in the city and a haven for food culture

Spend a free evening exploring Osaka on your own, or add an excursion.

Osaka Dinner & Karaoke

From $115 per person

Flight Home
Day 13: Free morning in Osaka & departure
Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a free morning in Osaka. Then, transfer to the airport to board your flight home.

Show full itinerary
Book for just $99 down

That’s all it takes to secure your spot on tour with AutoPay. Then, pay for your trip in interest-free, monthly installments.†

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars

Overall rating 4.5 out of 5

Based on 118 authentic traveler reviews
Sort by

    5 out of 5 stars

    11/2/23 by 2nd-time traveler Robert

    5 out of 5 stars

    11/2/23 by 1st-time traveler Tim

    Overall, great trip. Excellent hotels. Good choice of sites. Well organized. Nori was excellent. I particularly liked her insights into Japanese customs, history, and personal notes as we traveled on the bus. That enriched the experience. She also went above and beyond in assisting all of us with tr...

    Read more +

    5 out of 5 stars

    Perfect Tour
    11/2/23 by 1st-time traveler Nicole

    Going to Japan with GoAhead was incredible. We had a perfect balance of scheduled activities and free time. Most of our days wrapped up around 5:00pm, so the evening were ours to relax or explore as we saw fit. That being said, we averaged about 10-20k steps a day; make sure to wear comfortable shoe...

    Read more +
    Show more reviews

    Traveler photos

    Hotels, flights & FAQ

    Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.

    Hotels

    We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.
    Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba
    Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba

    This comfortable hotel is located on Odaiba Island, Tokyo. Guests enjoy a fitness center, restaurant, and room service. Nearby, you’ll find Pallete To...

    Read more +
    Fujisan Mishima Tokyu Hotel
    Fujisan Mishima Tokyu Hotel

    This comfortable hotel is located in Mishima with spectacular views of Mt. Fuji. Guests enjoy the top floor communal bath, bike rentals, and sun terra...

    Read more +
    Kyoto Century Hotel
    Kyoto Century Hotel

    This classically designed hotel is located in the Shimogyo Ward of Kyoto. Guests enjoy 3 dining options, bicycle rentals, and convenient location. Nea...

    Read more +
    Hotel Granvia Hiroshima
    Hotel Granvia Hiroshima

    This well-located hotel is located in Minami-ku, Hiroshima. Guests enjoy the fitness center, 6 dining options, and live music. Nearby, you'll find Shu...

    Read more +
    Citadines Namba Osaka
    Citadines Namba Osaka

    This modern styled hotel is located in high-energy Namba district of Osaka. Guests enjoy comfortable rooms, fitness center and lounge. Nearby you’ll f...

    Read more +

    Flights

    Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.
    Add our airfare package and you'll get:
    • Round-trip flight for your tour
    • Airport transfers at your destination
    • A great price locked in today
    • 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
    • Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
    • Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
    • Find out more about flights

    FAQ

    Print FAQ

    Compare similar tours

    Highlights of Japan: Tokyo to Kyoto
    1535
    travelers

    4.5 out of 5 stars

    118 reviews
    10 days
    13 days with extension
    Extension
    Osaka & Hiroshima|3 nights
    Overnight stays
    Overnight Flight|1 night
    Tokyo|3 nights
    Mount Fuji Region|1 night
    Kyoto|4 nights
    From $5,729CAD $5,179*CAD
    Currently viewing
    Cherry Blossoms in Japan: Tokyo to Kyoto
    1535
    travelers

    4.1 out of 5 stars

    27 reviews
    10 days
    13 days with extension
    Extension
    Hiroshima & Osaka|3 nights
    Overnight stays
    Overnight Flight|1 night
    Tokyo|3 nights
    Mount Fuji Region|1 night
    Kyoto|4 nights
    From $6,109CAD $5,909*CAD