Tokyo → Fuji → Hakone → Kyoto → Uji → Nara → Hiroshima → Osaka → Kurashiki → Tokyo
Adventurous, unique, vibrant, traditional! From the vibrant Tokyo to the traditional Kurashiki!
Recommended period:
Mid March – Beginning of April for Cherry Blossoms
End of April – Beginning of May for Wisteria flower
Recommended for:
- Travellers who love flowers and nature;
- Active travellers;
- Travellers who have at least two weeks to dedicate to visiting Japan.
Why Blossoming Japan?
- For cosmopolitan, lively, vibrant Tokyo, which can be admired from the top of the SkyTree tower.
- For strolling through the bustling streets of Shibuya and admiring the famous Rainbow Bridge and Odaiba Island at night.
- For relaxing in nature and in the hot spring pools of the Fuji-Hakone National Park, in a traditional Japanese inn with a spa.
- For being able to admire one of Japan's most beautiful Zen gardens, Ginkakuji or translated from Japanese as the "Temple of the Silver Pavilion".
- For walks in the Bamboo Forest and for the tranquillity you can find in a Zen garden.
- For discovering an authentic and cosmopolitan Japan through exploring the city of Osaka.
- For the cherry blossoms that will accompany you throughout the entire journey.
- For the fragrant wisteria blooms that you will see if you are visiting at the end of April.
*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 centres, 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 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 → Fushimi Inari → Uji → Nara
Following the historic path of Shintoism, Buddhism and wisteria flowers
- Today you’ll embark on a demanding yet colourful journey.
- Fushimi Inari Shrine – built in the 8th century and adorned with hundreds of fox statues – inari, this sanctuary is dedicated to the deity of rice and sake. You’ll kick off the day with a long stroll along the enchanting path marked by over 10,000 torii gates to visit the various altars of the shrine.
- Uji City – you’ll make a brief stop in Uji to uncover some of the secrets of Japanese green tea – matcha.
- Byodo-in Temple – a Buddhist temple also known as the Temple of Equality, which you can also find depicted on the obverse side of 10 yen coins. If you are here at the end of April, don’t forget to seek out the fragrant wisteria hanging near the temple.
- Nara Park – upon arrival in Nara, you’ll traverse the streets enlivened by the presence of deer – revered as messengers of the gods, before reaching Nara Park, a park listed among Japan’s “places of scenic beauty.” Here, you’ll encounter Todaiji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine.
- Todaiji Temple – acclaimed as the largest Buddhist temple and wooden structure in Japan, housing the towering statue of the Great Buddha Daibutsuden, standing at a height of 15 metres.
- Kasuga Taisha Shrine – famed for its collection of metal lanterns and pathways adorned with stone lanterns. Adjacent to the shrine lies the Kasuga Taisha Shinen Manyo Botanical Garden, where you can find cherry blossoms or wisteria, depending when you visit, adding to the mystical ambiance of the locale.
- Accommodation Kyoto
Day 8 Kyoto → Hiroshima → Osaka
The peace after the storm: Peace Memorial Park and Miyajima Island
Today you’ll travel to Hiroshima, the capital of a highly industrialised area on the coast, a new and thriving city whose optimistic residents rarely mention the bomb. The afternoon in Miyajima will gently soothe any possible wounds or suffering caused by the visit to Hiroshima.
- Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park offers warnings of the past to current and future generations. The shell of a building known as the Atomic Bomb Dome appears in history textbooks worldwide.
- Miyajima Island, reached by ferry from Peace Park, is one of three places traditionally designated as having the most beautiful scenery in Japan, and Itsukushima Shrine is internationally recognized for its torii gate seemingly floating on the water.
- Accommodation Osaka
Day 9 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 10 Osaka
Cosmopolitan and traditional
- You’ll start this day by visiting the Kaiyukan Aquarium, which houses hundreds of species of fish from the Pacific Ring of Fire, as well as animals from around the world. The main attraction is the two whale sharks housed within the aquarium.
- Next, you’ll make your way to Osaka Castle. The beauty of the castle and the surrounding park that comes alive under the cherry blossoms conceals the site’s past, once a battlefield for the unification of Japan.
- At the end of the day, the last destination will be the Umeda Sky Building, located in one of the most important districts of Osaka, Umeda. From the observatory of the building, you can see the city at sunset. Additionally, around the building, there are plenty of restaurants and shops where you can have dinner at a reasonable price!
- Accommodation Osaka
Day 11 Osaka → Kurashiki → Osaka
Authentic Japan
- Today you’ll head to Kurashiki, whose old centre from the Edo Period has been well preserved, and discover the history of the city that was once a rice distribution centre. First, you’ll take a boat ride on the city’s canals and admire Kurashiki under the shade of rust-coloured leaves. Around the main canal, you’ll find plenty of museums, such as:
- The Momotaro Museum, as Okayama (the city near Kurashiki) is believed to be the birthplace of the popular legend of Momotaro (translated as “Peach Boy”)
- The Toy Museum, The Folk Crafts Museum, The Ohara Western Art Museum
- At the end of the day, you’ll visit the well-preserved house of a mercenary called “Ohashi House,” representing a fine example of the city’s history.
- Accommodation Osaka
Day 12 Osaka → Tokyo
Last day on Planet Tokyo
- Today, you will head back to the metropolis of Tokyo bright and early, where you’ll spend your final day in Japan doing some last-minute shopping and making the most of the cherry blossoms in the famous Ueno Park.
- If visiting at the end of April, discover Kameido Tenjin Shrine, where you’ll admire the beautiful wisteria that has been planted there for over 350 years.
- Accommodation Tokyo
Day 13 Tokyo → Home
Sayonara, Nihon!
- Today, you will bid farewell to dear Japan and head to the airport for the flight home.
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.
