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 Essence of Japan
Private tour

Essence of Japan

jpJapan
5 cities
9 days, 8 nights
Day by day
Places you explore
Recommended hotels
Landmarks & Experiences
Day 1 Tokyo

Arrival

Welcome to Tokyo - the ultramodern and the traditional at the same time capital of Japan! Your driver meets you at the arrivals hall and transfer you to your hotel.

Upon arrival at the hotel, you check in and have the rest of the day at leisure to relax after your trip or start exploring the vibrant city on your own.

Breakfast included
Park Hotel Tokyo
Park Hotel Tokyo
1-7-1 Higashi-Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Shiodome Media Tower, Tokyo, Tokyo, JP, 105-7227
Queen, Non Smoking, above 26F
1 room
Up to 2 guests
1 Queen Bed
22 m²
Breakfast included
More amenities
Day 2 Tokyo

Tokyo Sightseeing Tour

In the morning, you meet your private guide and start your first half-day tour of Tokyo. 

First, you see from the outside the incredible Imperial Palace to get a taste of Japanese culture. Notably, The Imperial Palace has served as the residential place of successive Emperors since 1868.


Then you have a visit to the Tokyo Sky Tree, a television broadcasting tower, and the tallest structure in Japan. Its observation decks offering spectacular views over Tokyo are the highlights of the tower. You visit the deck located at the height of 350 meters (1148 feet), so make sure to have your camera and phone charged!


After that, you will visit Asakusa Temple, the oldest temple in Tokyo, and learn the legend of how this temple was built. The temple is known to bring good luck in almost anything, so make sure to make a wish! Here you can feel the traditional Japanese culture the moment you step onto the temple grounds. After the tour, you return to your hotel.

5h
Tokyo Sightseeing Tour
Tokyo Sightseeing Tour
Day 3 Tokyo

Diverse Tokyo: Meiji Shrine, Harajuku & Shibuya

Your first stop is Meiji Shrine. Located near Harajuku station and Yoyogi Park, this shrine is popular among travelers. In addition to its vast size, it includes a gorgeous, serene forest surrounding the sacred approach to the shrine. Meiji Jingu Shrine gives you the opportunity to experience a peaceful atmosphere in the heart of Tokyo, the largest city in the world. Then you visit Harajuku. Since Harajuku has its own charm, you can fully immerse yourself in the Japanese atmosphere and fully appreciate the surrounding.

The next stop on the itinerary is Shibuya, Tokyo's paradise for shoppers. Despite the abundance of stores, it's probably best known for its crosswalk. As soon as the traffic lights turn red, pedestrians are free to roam wherever they like. Moreover, it is a symbol of modern Japan and of Tokyo itself: action in all directions. People are constantly pouring across the street from all directions, three huge television screens mounted on the buildings flash all day, and the area is covered with lights. The intersection is a popular filming location for movies, and it has appeared in the films Lost in Translation and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, as well as numerous music videos and newscasts. Hence, this is one of the things that travelers can experience only in Japan. 

Before returning to your hotel, you explore Ginza, Japan's premier shopping, dining, and entertainment district, which has one of the most expensive real estate in all of Japan.

8h
Diverse Tokyo: Meiji Shrine, Harajuku & Shibuya
Diverse Tokyo: Meiji Shrine, Harajuku & Shibuya
Day 4 Tokyo

Departure from Tokyo

Today in the morning private guide/driver will meet you at the hotel lobby and takes you to an amazing trip to Hakone!

Park Hotel Tokyo
Address
1-7-1 Higashi-Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Shiodome Media Tower, Tokyo, Tokyo, JP, 105-7227
Train from Tokyo to Hakone
Departure
30 min
Arrival
Day 4 Hakone

Hakone Shrine & Ashi Lake Cruise

After the full day tour to Mount Fuji and Ashi Lake, you are transferred to the hotel in Hakone for an overnight stay.

Breakfast included
Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora by IHG
Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora by IHG
924-1 Kiga, Hakone-machi Ashigarashimo gun, Hakone, Kanagawa, JP, 250-0402
Standard Room
1 room
Up to 2 guests
1 Twin Bed
36.4 m²
Breakfast included
More amenities
6h
Hakone Shrine Tour & Ashi Lake Cruise
Hakone Shrine Tour & Ashi Lake Cruise
Day 5 Hakone

Departure to Takayama

In the morning after breakfast you have some leisure time. Later you meet your private driver which takes you to the train station to catch your bullet train.

Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora by IHG
Address
924-1 Kiga, Hakone-machi Ashigarashimo gun, Hakone, Kanagawa, JP, 250-0402
Departure: Private City Transfer Minivan
Train from Hakone to Takayama
Departure
6 h
Arrival

Description for connection

Odawara - Nagoya and Nagoya - Takayama

Day 5 Takayama

Arrival

Today you arrive in Takayama - an authentic city surrounded by mountains. Your driver takes you to your hotel and you spend the rest of the day at leisure. 

Breakfast included
Mercure Hida Takayama
Mercure Hida Takayama
4-311-1 Hanasatocho, Takayama, Gifu, JP, 5060026
Superior Double Room, 1 Double Bed, Non Smoking
1 room
Up to 3 guests
1 Double Bed
22 m²
Breakfast included
More amenities
Day 6 Takayama

Takayama Sightseeing Tour

After breakfast at your hotel enjoy a walking guided tour through Takayama with your guide, where you will use taste to distinguish the town.

Located in Gifu Prefecture on the main island of Honshu, Takayama (or Hida-Takayama) is filled with historic charm and is also renowned for its natural beauty. 

After your tour, you return back to your accommodation and have afternoon free. Feel free to add any extra activities.

8h
Takayama Heritage Tour
Takayama Heritage Tour
Day 7 Takayama

Trip to Kanazawa with Shirakawa-go & Gokayama

After breakfast and check-out, a private guide/driver meets you at the hotel lobby and you set off on a trip to Kanazawa with a visit of Shirakawa-go and other tiny authentic villages. 

Mercure Hida Takayama
Address
4-311-1 Hanasatocho, Takayama, Gifu, JP, 5060026
Train from Takayama to Kanazawa
Departure
2 h
Arrival

Description for connection

Layover in Toyama

Day 7 Kanazawa

Arrival

Welcome to the Japanese capital of culture and science! Upon arrival, your private driver takes you to the hotel for check-in. The rest of the day you spend at leisure.

Breakfast included
Mitsui Garden Hotel Kanazawa
Mitsui Garden Hotel Kanazawa
1-22 Kamitsutsumi-cho, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, JP, 920-0869
Standard , 1 bed Queen, Non Smoking (Single Use)
1 room
Up to 1 guest
1 Queen Bed
21.3 m²
Breakfast included
More amenities
Day 8 Kanazawa

Exploring Kanazawa

After breakfast at the hotel, your private guide meets you at the hotel lobby and you head for the city tour.

Your exploration begins in the charming Higashi Chaya District, one of the few remaining geisha districts in Japan. Wander through atmospheric streets lined with teahouses and shops selling Kaga crafts, and step inside a preserved geisha house to discover the exquisite beauty and refined culture that define the geisha way of life.

Next, journey back to the era of the samurai in the Nagamachi Samurai District. Here, you'll visit a restored samurai residence, marveling at the architecture and the authentic artifacts that offer a glimpse into the daily lives and values of these legendary warriors. 

After the tour, you have free time.

4h
Kanazawa Sightseeing Tour
Kanazawa Sightseeing Tour
Day 9 Kanazawa

Departure

In the morning you have breakfast and check-out from your hotel. Then your private driver takes you to the train station to catch a bullet train to Tokyo.

Mitsui Garden Hotel Kanazawa
Address
1-22 Kamitsutsumi-cho, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, JP, 920-0869
Departure: Private City Transfer Sedan
Train from Kanazawa to Tokyo
Departure
2 h 30 min
Arrival
Day 9 Tokyo

Departure from Tokyo

Once you get to Tokyo you take you flight back home or you can extend you stay in amazing Japan!

Let us know if you would like to have a private transfer arranged by us.

What's included

Exceptional downtown hotel accommodations
Guided sightseeing tours with expert English-speaking guides
Delicious breakfasts at your hotels
Entrances to Meiji Shrine, Tokyo Imperial Palace and more
Entrances to Meiji Shrine, Tokyo Imperial Palace and more
Tickets and intercity transportation as per itinerary
Professional meeting services at the airport
Dedicated support team before and during your trip

Reviews

As you prepare for your travels, we proudly highlight our 99.8% customer satisfaction rate. Below are reviews from travelers who have enjoyed our award-winning service. Thank you for choosing us—your extraordinary journey awaits!
4.9 / 5
Excellent
962 Reviews
This was a dream trip for me, and they helped make it a dream come true.
The guides they work with are top-notch.
We had a “trip of a lifetime,” thanks to them.
I was extremely pleased with the personalized service.
jpTokyo
3 nights
jpHakone
1 night
jpTakayama
2 nights
jpKanazawa
2 nights
jpTokyo
1 day