Classic Japan: Tokyo, Hakone & Kyoto
Tour Overview
This is the perfect first trip to Japan. Designed for first‑time visitors, the Classic Japan tour combines the electric energy of Tokyo, the hot springs and views of Mount Fuji in Hakone, and the ancient temples, geisha districts, and bamboo groves of Kyoto. You'll travel by bullet train, stay in comfortable mid‑range hotels, and experience Japan's must‑see sights without feeling rushed. If you want to fall in love with Japan on your very first visit, this tour is for you.
Tour Overview
- Duration: 10 days / 9 nights
- Group Size: 8–14 guests
- Accommodation: 3-star hotels in Tokyo/Kyoto, 1 night ryokan in Hakone
Tour Highlights
- Watch the sunrise over Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa before the crowds arrive
- Ride the Shinkansen (bullet train) through the Japanese countryside
- Cruise across Lake Ashi in Hakone with views of Mount Fuji reflected in the water
- Walk the Fushimi Inari thousand torii gate path in the early morning
- Explore Arashiyama's bamboo grove and Tenryu-ji Temple garden
- Experience a traditional tea ceremony in a 100‑year‑old Kyoto machiya townhouse
- Spot wild sika deer in Nara and visit the giant Buddha at Todaiji Temple
Theme: Welcome to Japan
- Morning / Early Afternoon: Arrive at Narita or Haneda airport. Clear customs and collect luggage.
- Afternoon: Your guide meets you at the arrivals lobby. You receive a welcome pack: Suica transport card, pocket Wi‑Fi, and printed itinerary. Shared shuttle or private minibus to your hotel in Asakusa. (Hotel Gracery Asakusa or similar)
- Evening: Check in at hotel. Freshen up.
- Night: Welcome dinner at a nearby izakaya (Japanese pub) – edamame, yakitori, and a small sake tasting. Return to the hotel. Overnight in Asakusa.
Theme: Traditional Tokyo
- Morning: Breakfast at hotel. Walk to Senso-ji Temple. Guided tour before the crowds: Kaminarimon Gate, Nakamise shopping street, main hall. Optional fortune (omikuji). Walk through Hoppy‑dori (retro bar alley). Short taxi ride to Ueno Park. Stroll Ueno Park: Bentendo Temple, lotus pond. Choose either Tokyo National Museum or Ueno Zoo.
- Afternoon: Lunch break (not included) at Ueno Ichiba food hall. Take the subway to Ryogoku. Visit Sumo Museum, walk around sumo stables. If a sumo tournament is on (Jan, May, Sep), attend the afternoon session (tickets extra). Visit a chanko nabe restaurant to see where wrestlers eat.
- Evening: Dinner in Ryogoku: chanko nabe hotpot set meal (included).
- Night: Return to the hotel by subway. Free time to walk along the Sumida River or rest. Overnight Asakusa.
Theme: Futuristic Tokyo
- Morning: Breakfast at hotel. Take the subway to Shibuya. Experience Shibuya Scramble Crossing, then visit Shibuya Sky observation deck (pre‑booked). Walk through Yoyogi Park to Meiji Jingu (Shinto shrine), learn purification rituals, and see sake barrels.
- Afternoon: Lunch break (not included) in Harajuku (udon or ramen). Take the JR train to Shinjuku. Explore Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden (entry included). Then go to teamLab Planets (pre‑booked entry, wear roll‑up pants/shorts).
- Evening: Dinner in Shinjuku’s Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane) – tiny yakitori stalls. Set course meal included.
- Night: Return to the hotel. Overnight Asakusa.
Theme: Mountains and hot springs
- Morning: Check out of the hotel. Breakfast boxed bento (included). Transfer to Tokyo Station. Board Shinkansen to Odawara. Transfer to a local bus to Hakone. Arrive Hakone Yumoto – leave large luggage with ryokan delivery service. Start Hakone loop: Hakone Tozan Railway to Gora. Visit Gora Park (French garden, tea house).
- Afternoon: Hakone Ropeway to Owakudani (volcanic valley, sulfur vents, view of Mount Fuji on clear days). Walk the volcanic trail, try black eggs. Lunch in Owakudani (not included). Continue ropeway to Togendai. Cruise Lake Ashi on a pirate ship to Hakone‑machi.
- Evening: Check in at Hakone Pax Yoshino (ryokan). Your luggage is already in your room. Change into yukata. Free time to use the onsen (separate men/women, tattoo‑friendly).
- Night: Kaiseki dinner (multi‑course traditional meal) served in your room or private dining area. Second onsen dip. Overnight in ryokan on futons.
Theme: Journey through the heart of Japan
- Morning: Breakfast at ryokan (Japanese set: grilled fish, rice, miso, nori). Option for one last onsen. Check out. Take the local bus to Odawara Station. Board Shinkansen to Kyoto (sit on the right side for possible Mount Fuji views).
- Afternoon: Arrive at Kyoto Station. Transfer by taxi to Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Kyoto Premier. Quick lunch (not included) near the hotel. Orientation walk along the Kamo River and through Pontocho Alley (narrow geisha district). Visit Nishiki Market, “Kyoto’s Kitchen”, with a tasting ticket for small samples.
- Evening: Free time to rest or explore Teramachi shopping arcade.
- Night: Group dinner at a shabu‑shabu hotpot restaurant (included). Return to the hotel. Overnight in Kyoto.
Theme: Gates and green tea
- Morning: Early wake‑up. Light breakfast at hotel (coffee and pastry). Take the JR train to Inari Station. Enter Fushimi Inari Shrine. Walk the thousand torii gates up to the Yotsutsuji intersection viewpoint (before the crowds arrive). Return down a quieter side path with small sub‑shrines.
- Afternoon: Take the JR train to Uji. Visit Byodo‑in Temple (entry included) – the Phoenix Hall on the 10‑yen coin. Matcha tasting experience: grind your own matcha with a master. Lunch in Uji (not included: try matcha soba). Walk across Uji Bridge. Optional: Tale of Genji museum. Return to Kyoto Station by train.
- Evening: Free afternoon / evening. Your guide offers options: Kyoto Railway Museum, shopping, or rest. Dinner on your own (recommendation: ramen at Kyoto Ramen Koji inside Kyoto Station).
- Night: Overnight Kyoto.
Theme: Western Kyoto’s nature and culture
- Morning: Breakfast at hotel. Take the JR train to Saga‑Arashiyama Station. Walk to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove (go early before crowds). Take the side path to Adashino Nenbutsu‑ji (8,000 stone statues). Visit Tenryu‑ji Temple (UNESCO garden included). Walk across Togetsukyo Bridge.
- Afternoon: Hike up to Iwatayama Monkey Park (20 minutes uphill). Feed wild Japanese macaques and enjoy the view of Kyoto. Lunch in Arashiyama (not included – tofu hotpot or street food). Optional: boat ride on the Oi River (extra cost) or visit Gio‑ji Temple (moss garden, included). Return to Kyoto by train.
- Evening: Free time. Optional tea ceremony experience (extra cost, pre‑book).
- Night: Dinner on your own in Gion (recommendation: tempura set). Overnight Kyoto.
Theme: Deer and hidden alleys
- Morning: Breakfast at hotel. Morning walk through Gion and Pontocho, see kimono‑clad locals, possibly geiko or maiko. Visit Yasaka Shrine. Take the JR train to Nara.
- Afternoon: Arrive Nara. Walk through Nara Park, buy deer crackers and bow to the deer. Visit Todaiji Temple (Great Buddha, included). See the pillar with a hole. Lunch in Nara (not included). Visit Kasuga Taisha Shrine (lantern‑lined paths, included). Optional: Nara National Museum (extra cost).
- Evening: Return to Kyoto by train.
- Night: Farewell dinner in Kyoto’s Kiyamachi‑dori district, private izakaya room with all‑you‑can‑drink (included). Last evening walk along the lit‑up canals. Overnight Kyoto.
Theme: Your choice
- Morning: Breakfast at hotel. Free morning. Your guide provides a self‑guided map. Suggestions: Philosopher’s Path + Ginkaku‑ji, or Kyoto Imperial Palace, or Nijo Castle.
- Afternoon: Continue free exploration. Optional add‑on (pre‑book, extra cost): half‑day Zen meditation & sushi‑making class (morning to early afternoon). Lunch on your own. Option to visit Toji Temple (five‑story pagoda).
- Evening: Gather for a casual farewell drink (first round included) at a riverside bar. Dinner on your own or repeat a favorite Kyoto meal.
- Night: Pack suitcases for departure. Overnight Kyoto.
- Morning: Early breakfast (bento box included if leaving before hotel breakfast hours). Check out. Shared minibus to Kansai International Airport (KIX) or Osaka Itami (ITM).
- Late Morning: Arrive at the airport. Your guide helps with check‑in and bids farewell. Flight departs. Tour ends.
Citizens of 68 countries (US, UK, Canada, Australia, most EU) do not need a visa for stays under 90 days. Check your country's status before booking.
Moderate. You'll walk 15,000–20,000 steps per day. Some hills at Fushimi Inari and Arashiyama monkey park. Not suitable for wheelchair users.
Yes. Solo travelers are welcome, and we'll match you with another solo guest of the same gender (shared room) to avoid the single supplement, or you can pay $850 for a private room.
One large suitcase (under 30kg) plus one carry‑on. Luggage forwarding is available between Tokyo and Kyoto for $25 per bag.
Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten‑free, and halal options are available with 30 days' notice. Kosher food is not possible outside Tokyo.
Minimum 4, maximum 14 guests. If fewer than 4 books, we will either cancel with full refund or offer a private tour supplement.
No. Men and women bathe separately. Tattoos are allowed (private bath available if you prefer).
Tipping is not customary in Japan. Your guide will politely refuse. A heartfelt thank‑you and a small gift from your home country is appreciated.
We can't control weather. On clear days we see it from Lake Ashi; on cloudy days we focus on the other Hakone attractions. No refunds for clouds.
Absolutely. We can help book extra nights in Kyoto, Tokyo, or Osaka for $150–$200 per night (depending on season).
Free cancellation up to 60 days before departure. Between 59–30 days: 50% refund. Less than 30 days: no refund.
No. We recommend arriving at NRT or HND on Day 1 before 4pm, and departing KIX on Day 10 after 11am.
Yes, mandatory. We require proof before the final balance is due.
You'll receive a pocket Wi‑Fi device on day 1 (unlimited data, good for 10 days).
English only. For other languages (Spanish, French, Chinese), please request a private tour.
Not too rushed, not too slow. Day 2 and 3 in Tokyo cover the old and new perfectly. One small suggestion: add a short subway orientation on day 1 for those who've never used it.
Sleeping on futons in Hakone, eating kaiseki dinner in our yukata robes, then soaking in the outdoor onsen with Mount Fuji in the distance – worth the price alone. The group size was perfect (11 of us).
I was nervous about navigating Japan on my own. This tour took care of everything. The early morning Fushimi Inari walk was magical – we had the gates almost to ourselves. Yuki was patient, funny, and gave us great tips for free days.
