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Japan
13 days
Register now
September 20 - October 2, 2027
Japan
Under the Leadership of Dr. Clarence Moore
The day-by-day itinerary listed on the website is accurate. Although the exact dates and pricing are still being determined, we expect the trip to take place in September, consistent with our usual travel schedule. At this stage, I estimate the cost will be approximately $8,250 (I am guessing). I am sharing this estimate now to help everyone plan accordingly.
Please consider submitting a deposit so we can gauge the number of interested passengers. Once the final details are confirmed, I will send an update with an option date. If the final price does not work for you, your deposit will be fully refunded by the option date.
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
Day 1 - 21 September 2027
Arrival - Osaka
Transfer via: Flight, arranged on your own
Upon arrival at the airport and after clearing customs, you will be met by a driver and an English-speaking representative and transferred to your hotel in Osaka. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure.
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Day 2 - 22 September 2027
Osaka - Himeji - Kobe - Osaka
Transfer via:
Osaka - Himeji, Private vehicle
Himeji - Kobe, Private vehicle
Kobe - Osaka, Private vehicle
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
World Heritage Himeji Castle & Kobe Tour
After breakfast, meet your driver in the hotel lobby and enjoy a two-hour drive to the UNESCO-listed Himeji Castle. Regarded as the finest surviving example of traditional Japanese castle architecture, the castle consists of 83 interconnected buildings featuring advanced feudal-era defensive systems. It is often called Hakuro-jo or Shirasagi-jo (“White Heron Castle”) for its brilliant white exterior, said to resemble a bird in flight. Afterwards, head to Kobe for lunch (at your own expense) and sample Kobe beef along with other authentic local specialties at a recommended restaurant. Following lunch, you may take a cable car to the top of Mt. Nunobiki, home to herb gardens and panoramic views of Osaka Bay, or visit a sake brewery museum for a tasting experience (both at your own expense). After the tour, enjoy a one-hour drive back to Osaka for the evening.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--Himeji Castle: As a national treasure and a world heritage site, Himeji Castle, unlike many other Japanese castles, was never destroyed by war, earthquake, or fire but survives to this day as one of the country's twelve original castles.
Day 3 - 23 September 2027
Osaka - Hiroshima
Transfer via: Train (Bullet Train)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Morning: Visit the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living to see Edo-period urban life. Stroll around Osaka Castle and its park; optional museum visit is available. If time allows, explore Kuromon Ichiba Market and sample local foods.
Afternoon: Transfer to the railway station for the train to Hiroshima. Upon arrival, be picked up and transferred to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Osaka Museum of Housing and Living: The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living, situated along the shopping street, presents a glimpse of the streets of Osaka during the Edo Period (1603-1868) through recreated houses which visitors can enter. English audio guides depict the housing conditions in the past, and visitors can rent kimono for picture taking or just strolling along the streets.
--Osaka Castle: The construction of Osaka Castle started in 1583.The castle tower is surrounded by secondary citadels, gates, turrets, impressive stone walls and moats. The Nishinomaru Garden, encompassing the former "western citadel", is a lawn garden with 600 cherry trees, a tea house, the former Osaka Guest House and nice views of the castle tower from below.
--Kuromon Ichiba Market: Kuromon Market is a covered public market that stretches around 600 meters parallel to Sakaisujidori Street in the Minami area of Osaka. The market has about 150 shops that predominantly sell fish, meat and produce, with other shops also purveying traditional sweets and low-priced clothes and homeware.
Day 4 - 24 September 2027
Hiroshima - Miyajima (Itsukushima) - Hiroshima
Transfer via:
Hiroshima - Miyajima (Itsukushima), Boat (Hiroshima Peace Park-Miyajima)
Miyajima (Itsukushima) - Hiroshima, Boat (Hiroshima Peace Park-Miyajima)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Meet your guide at the hotel lobby and be escorted to the pier to take a ferry to Miyajima Island, where you will visit the Itsukushima Shrine, which is renowned for its beautiful Shinden-zukuri style structure.
In the afternoon, return to Hiroshima still by ferry, visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Museum, and the Atomic Bomb Dome, and then get back to your hotel.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--Miyajima: Miyajima, literally Shrine Island, a popular name for Itsukushima Shrine, has long been revered as a sacred island because of Itsukushima Shrine founded there in 593 A.D. which is dedicated to the maritime guardian goddesses. The island is easily accessible by ferryboat in 12 min. from Miyajimaguchi Station, which is reached in 30 min. by JR Sanyo Main Line from Hiroshima Station.
--Itsukushima Shrine: The shrine is a 12-minute walk from the pier, which is composed of the Main Shrine and several subsidiary shrines and buildings - all connected by wide corridors or galleries. These stretch above the sea on both sides of the shrine so that when the tide comes in, the whole edifice seems to be floating. The Main Shrine, Heiden (Offering Hall), Haiden (Hall of Worship), Haraiden (Purification Hall) and the corridors have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage site.
--Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park: completed in 2007, the park is the first postwar park to be designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty. There are about 19,000 pieces in the museum collection, such as scorched roof tiles, burned clothing and glass bottles that were melted by the heat. There are many memorials and monuments such as the Cenotaph for the A-Bomb Victims, the Peace Memorial Museum, the Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims and the International Conference Center Hiroshima.
--Atomic Bomb Dome: this skeleton of a building is all that remains in the area where the first atomic bomb exploded on August 6, 1945, and serves as a symbol of both the horrors of atomic war and the hope for world peace.
Day 5 - 25 September 2027
Hiroshima - Kyoto
Transfer via: Train (Bullet Train)
Meals: Breakfast
Transfer to Hiroshima Station and take a train to Kyoto. On arrival, the driver will pick you to the hotel and have the rest of the day at leisure.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day 6 - 26 September 2027
Kyoto
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Today you will enjoy a full-day tour, which includes Kinkaku-ji Temple (the Golden Pavilion); the historic Nijo Castle, built to serve as lodging for the Tokugawa Shogun and as a safeguard for the Kyoto Imperial Palace; and Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine, a renowned pilgrimage site where visitors pray for good harvests, prosperity, and safety.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Kinkaku-ji Temple/Rokuon-ji Temple: Kinkaku-ji, officially named Rokuon-ji, is a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto known as the Golden Pavilion. The temple's architecture is a prime example of Muromachi period garden design.
It has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The top two floors of the pavilion are covered in gold leaf. The temple grounds are lush with garden views, paths, and a pond which reflects the golden temple on sunny days. Moss, rock and water are all harmoniously arranged.
--Nijo Castle: Nijo Castle was built in 1603 as the Kyoto residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu. The castle's palace buildings are arguably the best surviving examples of castle palace architecture of Japan's feudal era. The castle is enclosed by stone walls and moats, with the Ninomaru Palace on the castle grounds, boasting some of the finest architecture and gardens. The palace's sliding doors are decorated with gold leaf and paintings, demonstrating the highest quality of artistry during the Edo Period.
--Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine: Fushimi Inari-taisha is the head shrine of Inari shrines in Japan. It enshrines Inari Ōkami, the kami of five cereals and prosperous business. There is a long corridor leading to Mount Inari, 233 meters high. Along the way are about 10,000 vermilion torii gates, which is magnificent and iconic scenery of Kyoto. Statues of foxes can also be seen everywhere in the shrine. On the road to the shrine, there are tea stalls selling Inari sushi and kitsune udon.
Day 7 - 27 September 2027
Kyoto - Tokyo
Transfer via: Train (Bullet Train), Ordinary Class Reserved Seat, arranged by us
Meals: Breakfast
Today you will take a private transfer to the railway station for your train to Tokyo. Upon arrival, enjoy a seamless transfer to your hotel, where you can settle in. The rest of the day is yours to explore the city at your own pace.Day 8 - 28 September 2027
Tokyo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
The Meiji Jingu dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, of course, is what you cannot miss. You will also visit the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace and enjoy an exterior view of the Imperial Palace. Another highlight is the Senso-ji Temple, one of Tokyo's most significant Buddhist temples. In front of it, you can explore the lively Nakamise-Dori, a 250-meter traditional Japanese street with shops selling traditional souvenirs, snacks, and sweets.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--Meiji Shrine: Beside the busy Harajuku Station, Meiji Shrine is a Shinto temple dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji who helped feudal Japan grow into the dynamic country today.
The spacious shrine grounds with tranquil forests are great for a relaxing stroll. Visitors can take part in typical Shinto activities, such as making offerings at the main hall, buying charms and amulets, or writing out one's wish on a wooden plate and leaving it at the shrine. There are also opportunities to see traditional Shinto weddings.
Those wanting a deeper understanding of Shinto can pay entrance fees on-site to visit the Meiji Jing Museum and the Inner Garden within the shrine ground.
--The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace (close on Mon & Fri): Part of Tokyo Imperial Palace, the east gardens offer seasonal flowers and original moats, walls, and guardhouses built in the Edo period from 1603 to 1868. The Ot-mon gate, only a 15-minute walk from Tokyo Station, was once the principal entrance to Edo Castle and is now a convenient place to begin your visit.
--Senso-ji Temple: Sensoji, the most ancient temple of Tokyo, is easily distinguished by its outer gate – the Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate). Between it and the second gate (Hozomon Gate) leading to the main building of Tokyo's most ancient temple, is a 200-meter Nakamise, a centuries-old shopping street flanked by stalls selling typical Japanese souvenirs and various local snacks.
It's a place to see traditional styles preserved for centuries. If you wish, join the locals and provide an offering to pray for a blessing from the revered Kannon, the goddess of mercy in Buddhism.
Day 9 - 29 September 2027
Tokyo - Kawaguchiko - Tokyo
Transfer via:
Tokyo - Kawaguchiko, Private vehicle
Kawaguchiko - Tokyo, Private vehicle
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Today, a 2.5-hour drive will take you to an idyllic world to enjoy the beauty of Mt. Fuji from different angles. Here you will visit Oshino Hakkai and Arakurayama Sengen Shrine (Chureito Pagoda). Afterward, cruise on Kwaguchiko Lake at the foot of the sacred mountain to take in the breathtaking view of Mt. Fuji in the distance.
After the tour, return to Tokyo for the night.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note:
Please be prepared for around 400 stairs up to the Arakurayama Sengen Shrine, though it's really worth it on a clear day. Alternatively, there is a winding path that is easier for non-stair lovers.
Day 10 - 30 September 2027
Tokyo - Nikko - Tokyo
Transfer via:
Tokyo - Nikko, Private vehicle
Nikko - Tokyo, Private vehicle
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Be picked up by your driver and head for Nikko, about 2 hours on the road. Your first stop is Toshogu Shrine which is a mausoleum of a powerful general featuring the elaborate wood carving on the architecture.
After lunch, visit Kegon Falls, counted among the greatest waterfalls in Japan. Time to enjoy nature and some hiking. Walk up to Lake Chuzenji to appreciate the beautiful mountain view.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--Toshogu Shrine: is a Toshogu Shinto shrine located in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Together with Futarasan Shrine and Rinno-ji, it forms the Shrines and Temples of Nikko UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its carved and brilliantly decorated structures are the highlight of any visit to Nikko.
Day 11 - 01 October 2027
Tokyo
Meals: Breakfast
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Day at leisure: It is a free day to explore more in the city at your own pace. Please note that most shopping places are open between 11:00 and 20:00.
Day 12 - 02 October 2027
Tokyo - Home
Transfer via: Flight, arranged on your own
Meals: Breakfast
Free in the day and take a private transfer to the airport for your flight back home. Arrive home on the same day.
Japan Reviews