Arrival in Tokyo (Haneda/Narita). Private transfer service to Hotel in Tokyo.

Morning: Begin your day with a private guided tour of the Imperial Palace East Garden. Stroll through its meticulously landscaped grounds while learning about the history of the Imperial Family. Continue to Asakusa Kannon Temple, a vibrant place of worship home to Japan’s largest paper lantern. Just beyond the temple’s outer gates, explore Nakamise Market, a historic shopping street lined with traditional shops and stalls.

Lunch Suggestion: Wagyu Sukiyaki

Afternoon: Consider a special arrangement for a tea ceremony or calligraphy experience

Dinner Suggestion: Omakase Sushi Experience

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Start the day with a journey on the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto, Japan’s historic and cultural heart. For over 1,000 years, Kyoto has shaped the nation’s politics, traditions, and arts.

Begin your exploration at Fushimi Inari Shrine, renowned for its thousands of vermilion torii gates forming a mesmerizing 4km tunnel. This iconic site, featured in Memoirs of a Geisha, winds through a bamboo wilderness of mountains, streams, and ponds—an ideal setting for a scenic hike.

Continue to Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion), a breathtaking Zen temple adorned with two upper floors covered entirely in 18-carat gold leaf, reflecting beautifully on the surrounding pond.

For dinner, we are happy to provide recommendations and assist with reservations based on your preferences.

Start the morning with a leisurely walk through the scenic Arashiyama area, home to the iconic Sagano Bamboo Forest, renowned for its serene beauty. Visit the Zen garden of Tenryuji Temple, the highest-ranked among Kyoto’s five great Zen temples, offering a tranquil retreat surrounded by stunning landscapes.

If desired, we can arrange a private one-day sightseeing tour to Nara with an English-speaking guide and private transportation.

In Nara, visit Todaiji Temple, Japan’s largest wooden structure and home to the Great Buddha, a magnificent bronze statue standing 16.3 meters tall. Afterward, explore Deer Park, where over 1,000 freely roaming Sika deer welcome visitors in this historic setting.

For dinner, we are happy to provide recommendations and assist with reservations based on your preferences.

9:00 AM – Pick-up by private car from JR Kyoto Station or your accommodation in Kyoto city.

9:40 AM – Take off on a scenic helicopter ride.

10:10 AM – Aerial sightseeing over Amanohashidate, heading towards the Tango Peninsula. Enjoy breathtaking views of the San'in Kaigan Geopark, a coastal wonderland of dramatic landscapes and natural beauty.

11:00 AM – Lantern-Making Experience
Create warm memories with a hands-on lantern-making session, bringing light and joy to your journey.

12:30 PM – Lunch & Stroll Through Ine
Wander through the charming fishing town of Ine, known for its iconic funaya boathouses, where residents live in harmony with the sea.

3:00 PM – Scenic Motorboat Tour of Ine Bay
Experience Ine from the water, gliding past its traditional waterfront homes and tranquil surroundings.

4:30 PM – Transfer to Amanohashidate via Motorboat
Arrive at your hotel and enjoy a relaxing evening.

Dinner – At the hotel.

Amanohashidate is a scenic sandbar located in Miyazu Bay in Kyoto Prefecture. It's considered one of the Three Scenic Views of Japan.

What makes it special:

• Natural Beauty: Amanohashidate is a 3.6-kilometer-long (2.2-mile) sandbar covered with pine trees. The contrast between the green pines, the white sand, and the blue water creates a stunning and picturesque landscape.

• Unique Shape: The sandbar's distinctive shape, resembling a bridge stretching across the bay, is what makes it so visually striking.

• "Matanozoki" experience: This unique way of viewing Amanohashidate involves bending over and looking at the sandbar upside down through your legs. It's said to make the view look like a dragon flying in the sky.

Lunch Suggestion: Fresh seafood from Amanohashidate

Afternoon: Private transfer to Miyama Village

Enjoy a leisurely stroll through a charming village lined with traditional thatched-roof houses, offering a glimpse into Japan’s rural heritage. Savor an authentic local cuisine lunch, prepared with fresh regional ingredients.

An English-speaking guide can be arranged upon request.

Experience Ideas:

• Mochi Rice-Pounding Ceremony – Try your hand at the traditional art of mochi-making.

• Japanese Sake Tasting – Discover the delicate flavors of locally brewed sake.

• Trekking – Immerse yourself in nature with a scenic trekking experience.

Morning: Private Transfer to Osaka (Applox. 2hours)

Example Tour Highlights:

• Osaka Castle – A majestic symbol of Osaka with a fascinating museum inside, offering insight into Japan’s samurai history.

• Kuromon Ichiba Market – A lively food market known as "Osaka’s Kitchen," where you can sample fresh seafood, wagyu beef, and local street foods like takoyaki (octopus balls) and kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers).

• Shinsekai & Tsutenkaku Tower – A nostalgic district famous for its retro charm and delicious kushikatsu restaurants.

• Dotonbori & Shinsaibashi – The heart of Osaka’s entertainment district, lined with neon lights, giant billboards, and must-try foods such as okonomiyaki (savory pancake) and ramen.

• Umeda Sky Building – A futuristic skyscraper with an observation deck offering panoramic views of Osaka’s skyline.

We can customize the tour based on your preferences, ensuring a unique and enjoyable experience.

For dinner, we can assist you with recommendations and reservations. Please let us know your preferences.

*The Kansai-Osaka EXPO is being held in Osaka from April to October 2025.

Example Tour Highlights:

Osaka Castle – A majestic symbol of Osaka with a fascinating museum inside, offering insight into Japan’s samurai history.

Kuromon Ichiba Market – A lively food market known as "Osaka’s Kitchen," where you can sample fresh seafood, wagyu beef, and local street foods like takoyaki (octopus balls) and kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers).

Shinsekai & Tsutenkaku Tower – A nostalgic district famous for its retro charm and delicious kushikatsu restaurants.

Dotonbori & Shinsaibashi – The heart of Osaka’s entertainment district, lined with neon lights, giant billboards, and must-try foods such as okonomiyaki (savory pancake) and ramen.

Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025 - This upcoming exposition is scheduled to take place from April 13 to October 13, 2025, on Yumeshima Island in Osaka. Its theme is "Designing Future Society for Our Lives." It aims to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and showcase visions for a better future. (Learn more about our Kansai Expo Tour)

We can customize the tour based on your preferences, ensuring a unique and enjoyable experience.

Although your tour concludes here, we’re happy to assist with any additional travel arrangements, including airport transfers, onward travel, and accommodation extensions. If you’d like a private airport transfer, please contact us to arrange it.