Compare Japan Prologue 7 Days Privately Guided Tour by Tours4Fun vs Essential Japan with Rural Shirakawa-go by Odynovo

Day 1 Arrival - Tokyo

Konnichiwa! Welcome to Tokyo, the vibrant capital of Japan. Our private driver waiting at the airport will take you to your hotel. Settle in and have the remaining time at leisure to recover from the long journey.

Overnight: Tokyo

Day 2 Tokyo (B)

Along with your private tour guide enjoy Tokyo sightseeing by public transportation. The first stop is Meiji Shrine, an important Shinto temple dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife. Later, ascend to the Main Deck of Tokyo Tower for a bird's eye view of the city. If the weather permits, you can see the iconic Mt. Fuji in the distance. Afterward, spend some time exploring Senso-ji Temple, the most aged Buddhist temple in Tokyo. The old-fashioned Nakamise Shopping Street on the main approach to the temple is an ideal place to sample snacks and buy souvenirs.

Meal: Breakfast
Overnight: Tokyo

Day 3 Tokyo - Mt. Fuji - Hakone - Tokyo (B, L)

Today, you will join a group to explore the popular Mt. Fuji and Hakone on a bus. Visit an area halfway up Mt. Fuji and take in majestic nature with a cruise ship and ropeway ride in Hakone. You will listen to explanations from the National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter directly from your smartphone. The tour also includes the Japanese-style meal (sukiyaki) for lunch.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight Tokyo

Day 4 Tokyo - Nagoya - Takayama (B)

Find your way to the railway station for the train to Takayama with a transfer in Nagoya. Upon arrival, head to your hotel by yourself and have the rest of the day at leisure.

Meal: Breakfast
Overnight: Takayama

Day 5 Takayama - Shirakawago - Takayama (B)

Start the day with a stroll around the morning market, held daily from around 7:00 to noon. You can saunter from stall to stall seeing local crafts, snacks, and farm products, and talking with the locals.

After that, take a bus to Shirakawa-go, a mountainous region well-known for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses. Spend some time exploring the charming village and have a chance to enter one of the houses at an extra cost. Return to the hotel for the night in the late afternoon.

Meal: Breakfast
Overnight: Takayama

Day 6 Takayama - Nagoya - Kyoto (B)

Find your way to the railway station for the train to Kyoto with a transfer in Nagoya. Upon arrival, head to your hotel by yourself and have the rest of the day at leisure.

Meal: Breakfast
Overnight: Kyoto

Day 7 Kyoto (B)

Get acquainted with ancient Kyoto with your private guide using public transportation. The full-day discovery includes Kinkaku-ji Temple (people also call it the Golden Pavilion), the Nijo Castle built to provide lodging for the Tokugawa Shogun, and Fushimi Inari Shrine where a path lined by numerous vermeil torii gates will admire you.

At the end of the tour, ramble around the Gion area and listen to your guide introduce the culture and history of geisha.

Meal: Breakfast
Overnight: Kyoto

Day 8 Kyoto - Tokyo - Departure (B)

Your Japan journey comes to an end today. Hop on the Shinkansen on your own to Tokyo, where you can board your international flight conveniently.

Meal: Breakfast