Tokyo → Fuji → Hakone → Kyoto → Uji → Nara → Kyoto → Osaka
Cosmopolitan, spiritual, traditional! From the heights of Mount Fuji to the Zen gardens of Kyoto!
Recommended period:
Any time of the year, except for the summer months, between July and September, when high humidity makes travelling long distances more cumbersome and tiring.
Recommended for:
- Travellers with limited days off work;
- Business travellers who can allocate a few days for sightseeing;
- Those who want to get an idea of Japan, with plans to delve deeper into the destination when they have more time.
Why Basic Japan?
- For an experience in which you'll discover the amazing balance between tradition and modernity, where futuristic architecture harmoniously blends with Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines built centuries ago.
- For a bold, vibrant, unconventional Tokyo, a city whose impact is felt in the memory of every tourist who dares to explore its charm.
- For the aroma of matcha and the sound of shamisen music harmonised by the rustling of bamboo leaves and the Zen balance of Japanese gardens.
- For the elegance of geishas and young maiko blending with the non-conformism marked by elements of Japanese pop culture.
- For the colourful kimonos passing in front of tea houses, revealing the ancient imperial capital - traditional Kyoto, whose essence will transport you to a world of samurai governed by shoguns.
- For cosmopolitan Osaka, where the hustle and bustle will immerse you in a Japan of neon lights and gastronomic delights.
*We continue below by presenting the recommended itinerary with the mention that it can be modified and personalised according to your own desires.
Day 1 Home → Tokyo
Nihon e yokoso!
- You’re boarding the flight to Tokyo.
Day 2 Tokyo
Lively, cosmopolitan and vibrant Tokyo!
- A day where you get lost in Tokyo or discover it guided by our colleagues. Your list of objectives in exploring the city with crazy energy begins with a “technical” stop at Shinjuku Station to exchange JR vouchers for passes and continues with:
- Shinjuku;
- Yoyogi Park;
- Meiji Jingu – a Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife;
- Harajuku District – a meeting point of urban fashion trends, between eccentricity and kawaii, with dozens of cafes and clothing stores;
- Shibuya District, in the evening – known for the busiest intersection in the world, where over a million people gather daily, home to the well-known statue of the loyal dog Hachiko;
- Accommodation Tokyo
Day 3 Tokyo
Tokyo, the modern metropolis
- Today, you will discover a new facet of the metropolis.
- Akihabara District – renowned for its electronics shops and those dedicated to otaku culture – manga and anime, as well as themed cafes – from maid cafes to animal cafes (cats, dogs, owls, etc.).
- Tokyo Skytree – twice as tall as the Eiffel Tower, it is the second tallest artificial structure in the world. It features over 300 shops, an aquarium, and various museums, also offering visitors a memorable panorama.
- Odaiba – an artificial island created during the Edo period to protect the capital from possible sea attacks. Accessible via the Rainbow Bridge, where we can admire a beautiful sunset, or with the futuristic Yurikamome train, Odaiba offers various shopping centers, the opportunity to interact with robots at the Miraikan Science Museum, or the relaxing experience of a stroll along the waterfront and sampling local gastronomic delights.
- Accommodation Tokyo
Day 4 Tokyo → Fuji-Hakone
Nature among mountains and onsen relaxation
- After two days full of positive but still overwhelming excitement, you board the shinkansen, and after just an hour, you arrive near Japan’s symbol, Mount Fuji.
- If you still have energy, we suggest a sightseeing route through Fuji Hakone National Park, one of the first national parks established in Japan, where we encounter numerous hot springs, lakes, and volcanic islands. This time, we propose a sightseeing route with some fun means of transportation: from tourist trains to funiculars, cable cars and even a boat ride, a route that allows us to enjoy spectacular landscapes, and if the sky is clear, the grandeur of Mount Fuji. If you’re low on energy and just want to relax, no other place can be more suitable than a traditional Japanese inn with an onsen.
- Ryokan and onsen – after a demanding day in nature, the experience of a traditional Japanese ryokan inn with an onsen allows you to unwind and relax in thermal water in an outdoor space while enjoying the surrounding panorama.
- Accommodation Hakone – a traditional Japanese inn with a spa
Day 5 Fuji Hakone → Kyoto
Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan
- After a day spent in nature, you board the shinkansen once again and head to the old capital of Japan, Kyoto. This traditional city is visited by thousands of tourists who admire and take walks through temples and gardens, once meant to relax the mind and enlighten the soul. It may be the best place to experience Japanese Zen. Alone or accompanied by our colleagues, for an afternoon in Kyoto we suggest to visit Ginkakuji – the Temple of the Silver Pavilion, a Zen Buddhist temple built in 1460, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Higashiyama District with its narrow streets and traditional houses, is one of the best-preserved historical districts of the city.
- Kiyomizu-dera – the Pure Water Temple, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a history of over 1200 years, the temple has been burned or destroyed numerous times, but always rebuilt. With original architecture, the temple features a veranda located 13 metres above the ground, from where you can enjoy a unique view.
- Gion District – formerly known as the pleasure district, Gion still retains its former charm.
- Accommodation Kyoto
Day 6 Kyoto
An oasis of tranquillity in the spirit of Zen
- This day is dedicated to Zen. Continue with harmony amidst nature, heading to Arashiyama, a place cherished for its mountain views since the Heian Period.
- The Bamboo Forest, whose towering height seems to extend beyond the blue sky. The experience is often described as “something out of this world, incomparable, magical, dreamlike.” The sound produced by the bamboo swaying in the wind is included in the list of Japan’s 100 heritage sounds that must be preserved.
- Tenryuji Temple – one of the top 5 Zen temples in Kyoto, where you can relax while admiring the architecture of the garden, which blends imperial elements with Zen aesthetics.
- The afternoon is dedicated to two temples, Kinkakuji and Ryoanji, in the northern part of Kyoto.
- Kinkakuji – also known as the Temple of the Golden Pavilion, has a structure that incorporates three different architectural styles: Shinden, Samurai and Zen, one for each of its floors.
- Ryoanji Temple – located in the northern part of the city, it is also included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. One of the main attractions of the temple is its “dry” garden, consisting of 15 stones of various sizes placed atop small circles of moss on a bed of sand. An interesting aspect of this garden is that you cannot see all 15 stones at the same time from any location within the garden. The symbolism of this creation and its author remain unknown. The garden was frequented by Steve Jobs, who used to spend 3-4 hours meditating while gazing at the stone garden.
- Accommodation Kyoto
Day 7 Kyoto → Osaka
From traditional to modern
- This day you will dedicate to exploring the city of Osaka, the second largest city in Japan.
- Dotonbori District – a commercial area, popular for its colourful lights and neon signs, is the ideal destination to taste the best local culinary specialties.
- Abeno Harukas Building – considered a symbol of the city, with a height of 300 metres, it offers the opportunity for an impressive panoramic view of the surroundings.
- Shinsekai District – the most picturesque district of the city, is the perfect place to discover Osaka’s nightlife ambiance.
- Accommodation Osaka
Day 8 Osaka → Home
Sayonara, Nihon!
- With your suitcase filled with unforgettable memories, you bid farewell to wonderful Japan and head to Kansai Airport to board the flight home. Safe travels!
For this itinerary, you can choose one of our consultancy and services packages!
Ideal for a journey you’ll remember as the most spectacular, well-organized and balanced, we recommend the JBM PREMIUM package, which includes:
Dedicated consultation meetings for crafting the program down to the smallest detail.
All tourist services: flight tickets, accommodation, travel passes, transfers, local guides, restaurant reservations, portable WiFi device.
A personalised travel guidebook with information to guide you throughout the entire experience.
A WhatsApp group where we communicate daily and send you audio information about the next day to ensure you have a smooth journey without any unpleasant events and make the most of your time and the Japanese experience.
A customised itinerary based on your interests and passions.
24/7 consultancy at the destination.
