Day 1 – Narita or Haneda Airport – Tokyo 

Welcome to Tokyo! Upon arrival, we’ll be met by our Sky Vacations ambassador who will assist us with our transfer to the hotel.

Day 2 – Tokyo 

After breakfast, ascend to the observation deck of TOKYO SKYTREE – the tallest tower in Japan (and one of the tallest in the world), offering incredible panoramic 360-degree views of the Tokyo cityscape. Even Mount Fuji is visible on clear days! Then, we visit Asakusa Sensoji Temple, in Tokyo’s Asakusa district. Enter by way of the Kaminarimon “Thunder Gate,” in which hangs an enormous red paper lantern. Don’t forget to look up to see the dragon sculpture under the lantern! Walk through the Nakamise District – a street lined with shops selling traditional goods of all kinds, which forms the traditional approach to Sensoji Temple. Next, we’ll enjoy Ueno Park at its most stunning during cherry blossom season in spring, one of Tokyo’s top locations for hanami (blossom viewing). During this brief season, the park is filled with beautiful cherry trees in full bloom. Highlights include the wide promenade framed by blossoming trees and the soft pink petals delicately hanging over the central pond, creating a breathtaking scene unique to springtime.

Day 3 – Tokyo

Today, we enjoy a tour of Tsukiji Outer Market, an outdoor open market area which is all that remains of the old Tsukiji Wholesale Fish Market. It is one of Tokyo’s busiest street markets; the perfect place to browse fresh seafood, produce, street food and kitchenware. Next, learn how to create your own sushi with a professional sushi chef. Whatever you make, you will get to eat for lunch! After lunch, we’ll head to the Imperial Palace and see the beautiful East Garden. The garden includes the ruins of old Edo Castle, a stately Japanese landscape garden, and meticulously maintained lawns and trees framing a backdrop of the modern Tokyo cityscape.

Day 4 – Tokyo – Mt Fuji – Hakone

After breakfast, we’ll visit Arakurayama Sengen Park, where visitors can enjoy the sight of Mount Fuji (in clear weather) from an observation platform behind Chureito Pagoda. The pagoda, when viewed together with the iconic mountain, creates a quintessential scene of Japan. If the weather is in our favor, we will travel to Mt. Fuji’s 5th station: an excellent spot to enjoy views of the iconic mountain. Then, we’ll visit Lake Kawaguchi, the most popular of the Fuji Five Lakes with the best views of the sacred mountain and autumn leaves during fall. 

Day 5 – Hakone – Kyoto

In the morning, we depart for breathtaking Hakone, and begin the day’s sightseeing with a cruise of Lake Ashi, where we can appreciate Hakone’s splendid natural scenery, which includes a view of the vermillion torii shrine gate of Hakone Shrine, the sight of rolling hills covered in forest, and even scenes of iconic Mount Fuji (in clear weather). From here, we take a ride in an airborne gondola on the Hakone.

Ropeway, which offers spectacular views of the surrounding landscape, as well as excellent views of Mount Fuji on a clear day. The gondola lands in Owakudani, where we’ll have the chance to see roiling hot springs and sulfurous fumes along the trails of the rugged volcanic landscape.

Day 6 – Kyoto

In the morning, we’ll view one of Kyoto’s most coveted sights – the elegant Golden Pavilion. The temple’s shimmering golden walls can be seen reflected in the Mirror Pond below, but don’t miss the dainty phoenix ornament sitting on the roof! We then head to Arashiyama to visit Tenryuji Temple, a fascinating Zen Buddhist Temple with a gorgeous traditional Japanese landscape garden that has survived in its original state for centuries. Then we proceed to a local Bamboo Grove, where towering green stalks create an almost otherworldly feeling of awe and mystery as you walk the pathway through the center. While in this area, enjoy a Kimono Experience, where we’ll be able to try on a traditional Japanese kimono, for which the city of Kyoto is famous.

Day 7 – Kyoto – Nara – Osaka

In the morning, we’ll visit Kiyomizu Temple, also known as the Temple of Pure Water. The temple is a celebrated landmark famed for its iconic three-story pagoda, large wooden stage, and trio of sacred springs which each confers a different blessing. Next, we’ll be able to experience a formal Green Tea Ceremony— with an opportunity to interact with elegant Maiko (Geisha apprentices). The ceremony is an elegant ritual of hospitality once only offered to the social elite. Then we’ll travel to the ancient city of Nara, where we’ll visit one of Japan’s most famous temples and an icon of the city: Todaiji Temple, which is home to the Great Buddha of Nara – a massive, seated image of the Buddha Vairocana, known as a “Cosmic Buddha”. Outside the temple, we spend some time with the friendly wild deer of Nara Park. These adorable creatures are largely accustomed to interacting with people, and some have even learned to bow when asking for the special deer crackers, which can be bought around the park. After, we proceed to the hotel accommodation for the evening in Osaka.

Day 8 – Osaka

Today, we visit Osaka Castle, which was originally built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi during the Warring States Period. This magnificent castle retains its traditional exterior, though inside is a modern museum about Hideyoshi and the castle’s history. After, we enjoy a leisurely river boat cruise down the Dotonbori canal. Then, enjoy a Street Food Tour in the colorful, neon-lit entertainment district of Dotonbori: the heart of the city’s street food culture. Osaka is known as the city of “Kuidaore” or “to eat until we drop”, and we’ll find Dotonbori to be filled with numerous eateries selling the local street foods including Takoyaki and Kushikatsu. 

Day 9 – Osaka – Osaka Kansai Airport 

After breakfast, morning is at leisure until it’s time to transfer to the airport for our onward journey.