Travel Itinerary: Japan

Day 1: Tokyo (Japan)
Welcome to Japan. After customs, transfer by shuttle bus to the hotel. Leisure time in the afternoon and tour briefing.

Day 2: Tokyo

• Guided city tour (~5 hours)
• Visit Zojoji Temple (view of Tokyo Tower), Shibuya Crossing, Meiji Shrine, Omotesando Avenue
• Imperial Palace Gardens, Nijubashi Bridge, Akihabara, Kokugikan Sumo Arena
• Sensoji Temple and Nakamise Street
• Lunch included
• Evening metro to Shinjuku, walk and dinner included

Day 3: Tokyo – Hiroshima

• Bullet train to Hiroshima (~4 hours)
• Peace Memorial Park, Atomic Bomb Dome, Peace Museum
• Ferry to Miyajima Island: Itsukushima Shrine
• Free time on the island
• Return to Hiroshima, dinner included

Day 4: Hiroshima – Matsuyama

• Ferry to Shikoku Island (~2.5 hours)
• Visit Matsuyama Castle via cable car, Ishiteji Temple
• Lunch included
• Visit Dogo Onsen bathhouse

Day 5: Matsuyama – Kotohira – Takamatsu – Naruto – Kobe

• Visit Kotohira Shrine (785 steps), Ritsurin Garden in Takamatsu
• Lunch included
• Naruto Bridge walk (glass floor over whirlpools)
• Scenic coastal drive to Kobe

Day 6: Kobe – Osaka – Mount Koya

• Visit Earthquake Memorial Museum (or Sake Museum/Kobe Tower on select dates)
• Transfer to Mount Koya
• Visit Okuno Mausoleum, Kongobuji Temple
• Overnight in monastery: Ajikan meditation and vegetarian dinner included

Day 7: Mount Koya – Kyoto

• Traditional breakfast at temple
• Travel to Kyoto
• Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine, Imperial Palace, Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
• Free time and visit to Gion District

Day 8: Kyoto – Eiheiji – Katsuyama – Kanazawa

• Stop at Shirahige Ginra Shrine
• Visit Eiheiji Temple (Zen monastery)
• Katsuyama: Dinosaur Museum, Great Buddha of Echizen, 5-story pagoda
• Arrive Kanazawa

Day 9: Kanazawa

• Morning city tour
• Visit castle area, Nagamachi Samurai District, Kenrokuen Garden
• End at Omicho Market (free time)

Day 10: Kanazawa – Ainokura – Shirakawago – Takayama

• Explore UNESCO sites: Ainokura and Shirakawago villages
• Lunch and stroll
• Visit Hida Folk Village Museum, free time in Takayama old town

Day 11: Takayama – Hida Furukawa – Matsumoto – Nagano

• Hida Furukawa old town, float festival museum
• Cross Japanese Alps
• Visit Matsumoto Castle (Crow Castle), lunch and exploration
• Arrive in Nagano

Day 12: Nagano – Monkey Park – Kusatsu – Ikaho

• Visit Zenko-ji Temple, Gomakuyo ceremony
• Visit Jigokudani Monkey Park
• Ascend to Kusatsu, walk through spa park
• Continue to Ikaho: evening at traditional ryokan, dinner included

Day 13: Ikaho – Nikko – Sendai

• Visit Toshogu Shrine, Taiyuinbyo Mausoleum, Kanmangafuchi Abyss
• Free time in Nikko, continue to Sendai

Day 14: Sendai – Matsushima – Hiraizumi – Morioka

• Tea house visit and boat cruise in Matsushima Bay
• Visit Takkoku no Iwaya, Chusonji, Zen in Motsuji Temple
• Arrive in Morioka

Day 15: Morioka – Hirosaki – Aomori – Hakodate

• Visit Hirosaki Castle, Nebuta Museum in Aomori (lunch included)
• Ferry to Hokkaido (~3.5 hours)
• Explore Hakodate’s historic district

Day 16: Hakodate – Onuma – Noboribetsu – Sapporo

• Visit fish market, Goryokaku Tower
• Free time in Onuma (island park), lunch included
• Visit Jigokudani, Lake Oyunuma, hot spring walk
• Arrive in Sapporo

Day 17: Sapporo – Otaru

• City tour: Clock Tower, Odori Park, Hokkaido Jingu Shrine (Kito prayer)
• Visit Hill of Buddha (with Moai replicas)
• Day trip to Otaru, lunch included
• Return to Sapporo (free time)

Day 18: Sapporo – Toyako – Mount Usu – Ferry to Sendai

• Visit Ainu Museum (Pirko Kotan), Toyako lakeside
• Volcanology Museum, cable car to Mount Usu
• Lunch included
• Ferry from Tomakomai to Sendai (overnight with dinner in cabin)

Day 19: Sendai – Yamadera – Aizuwakamatsu

• Arrive at Sendai Port ~10 a.m.
• Visit Yamadera Temple (over 1,000 years old), lunch included
• Sake Museum in Yonezawa
• Overnight in Aizuwakamatsu

Day 20: Aizuwakamatsu – Ouchi-juku – Tokyo

• Visit Samurai Mansion and Castle Garden
• Stop at Iimoriyama and Ouchi Juku (lunch included)
• Visit Oya Stone Quarry Museum
• Arrive in Tokyo by evening

Day 21: Tokyo

• End of tour after breakfast

Inclusions

• Hotel stays as per itinerary
• Travel by bus with English-speaking guide
• Basic travel insurance
• Breakfast buffet daily
• Airport arrival transfer

City Tours: Tokyo, Kyoto, Kanazawa, Sapporo
Excursions: Otaru, Hill of Buddha
Boat Trips: Hiroshima-Miyajima, Matsuyama, Aomori-Hakodate, Tomakomai-Sendai, Matsushima cruise
Evening Transfers: Shinjuku, Gion District
Funiculars: Matsuyama Castle, Mount Usu
High-Speed Train: Tokyo to Hiroshima

Entrances/Tickets Included:

• All key temples, shrines, castles, gardens, and museums mentioned
• Metro in Tokyo, Goryokaku Tower, Zenko-ji, Monkey Park, Volcano Museum, Sake Museum, Samurai Mansion
• Ceremonies: Kito prayer, Gomakuyo, Zen meditation

Meals Included:

• 10 Lunches: Tokyo, Matsuyama, Takamatsu, Nagano, Matsushima, Aomori, Onuma, Sapporo, Mount Usu, Yamadera
• 5 Dinners: Tokyo, Hiroshima, Mount Koya, Ikaho, Ferry crossing