2023 Tokyo > Osaka

The Land of Contrasts

Rich in natural beauty, enchanting culture and unique experiences, Japan is a land of contrasts. Discover the captivating neon-lit streets of Tokyo and explore carefully preserved old-world villages. Be welcomed by the gracious local Japanese hospitality and immerse yourself in this fascinating country.

Behind Tokyo’s futuristic façade lies a culture steeped in time. Explore neighbourhoods with manga-inspired street fashion or visit a traditional shrine. Tranquil Hakone offers a slice of old-world Japan. Its charming streets and inns are backed by stunning views of the iconic Mt Fuji where you will stay in a hotel complete with a private onsen bath, a unique and traditional experience of Japan. Explore Japan’s cultural centre, Kyoto. Discover teahouses, the captivating Geisha culture and take a rickshaw ride through bamboo forests. Stroll through aromatic local markets, find the perfect Japanese restaurant, spot a Geisha and walk through centuries-old shrines and gardens. Japan, a cultural delight and timeless gem. Prepare to fall in love with tatami mats, sliding paper doors, kimonos and hot spring spas.

Tour Code:: OATK
Duration:: 10 days
Departure City:: Tokyo
Return City:: Osaka

Selected Itinerary

2023 Tokyo > Osaka

10 Day Itinerary

Day 1 - Tokyo

Welcome to Tokyo, Japan's capital and the world's most populous metropolis. Check-into your hotel, your home for the next two nights. With direct access to four subway lines, the hotel was recently rated in the Forbes Travel Guide as Tokyo’s exclusive Japanese decor 5 star luxury hotel. Rooms overlook the most picturesque sites in Tokyo, such as the Imperial Palace, the 500-year old Hie Jinja Shrine and beautiful landscaped Japanese gardens. This evening meet for your welcome reception and dinner.

Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2 - Tokyo

Begin the day with a visit to the Asakusa district, paying your respects at Sensoji, the city’s oldest Buddhist temple. After lunch gather your bearings of Tokyo from above as you take in the view from Tokyo Sky Tree.

Freechoice Dining

Choose from dining at a ninja themed restaurant or culturally immerse yourself in the traditional Japanese evening Izakaya bar scene serving Yaki-tori and Kushiyaki with your Tour Director as they show you their favourite places to go.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 - Tokyo > Hakone

Walk through the beautiful Imperial Palace’s East Gardens, part of the inner palace area and the former site of Edo Castle’s innermost circles of defence when the Tokugawa shogun ruled Japan from 1603 to 1867. Then in Ginza, dress up in your chefs clothes to make your own sushi lunch with the help of a local chef. Venture into the countryside on your drive to Hakone and study the art works and sculptures at the Hakone Open Air Museum. Check-in to your hotel for the night and relax in your private open air onsen bath on your balcony.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - Hakone > Kyoto

Walk around the hot springs at the summit of the Owakudani geothermal area and admire the stunning scenery during your cable car ride down to your Lake Ashinoko cruise with Mt Fuji as a backdrop. Later, transfer to the Odawara train station to relax in your Green (Business) Class seats on the Shinkansen to the culturally rich city of Kyoto, home to many World Heritage-listed sites. Settle in at your for your four night Special Stay. Tonight enjoy Italian cuisine at the hotel's FoRni Restaurant.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - Kyoto

Begin the day at the famous Kinkaku-ji or Golden Pavilion. Afterwards, glide through the surreal Arashiyama Bamboo Grove by traditional rickshaw before exploring and enjoying a vegetarian meal at the World Heritage listed Tenryu-ji Temple. This evening stroll through the Gion area before dinner.
Freechoice Dining: Enjoy the option of dining at Fortune Garden or traditional Kaiseki at Gion Sekiya located in the famous Gion District.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 - Kyoto

Freechoice

Revel in the atmosphere of the ancient preservation districts or visit the Silver Pavilion before strolling along part of the famous Philosopher’s Walk, an approximately two kilometre long, beautiful stone path walk along a canal through the northern part of Kyoto's Higashiyama district.

Enrich

Partake in a Japanese tea ceremony while dressed in a traditional Japanese kimono, a great photo opportunity.

This afternoon enjoy some free time in Nishiki Market for shopping or relaxation.

Enrich

Tonight’s dinner will allow you to interact with a Geiko and Maiko who’ll host your meal presentation in a nearby traditional Japanese restaurant. It’s an excellent opportunity to learn about what is involved in becoming a Geisha and the art of Japanese hospitality.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 - Kyoto - Nara

Begin your day with an early visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates and its appearance in the film ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’. Then continue to Nara, where you’ll visit Todaiji Temple, one of the most historically influential temples in Japan and see deer in Nara Park. Later, stop for a sake tasting at a sake museum.
Ryokan Upgrade - Choose to stay in a Ryokan (at additional cost, must be pre-booked before departure). This is a traditional Japanese Inn with futon beds and private facilities, and includes dinner and breakfast.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8 - Kyoto > Himeji > Osaka:

Travel by Green Class seats on the Shinkansen to marvel at Himeji Castle, an original and Japan’s most spectacular castle, before continuing to Osaka. Enjoy a two night Special Stay in an Executive Room with full club lounge access. This evening catch the Osaka Metro to wander around the lively entertainment area of Dotonbori and Hozenji Yokocho food alley, where you can have the opportunity to choose your own meal this evening from one of the many traditional food stalls.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 9 - Osaka - Asuka

Drive to the birthplace of the Japanese state and cradle of Japanese culture in Asuka, in Nara Prefecture. Wander through the Inabuchi terraced rice paddy fields, the ancient Tobiishi stone bridge, famous in Japanese folklore and visit Ishibutai tumulus, the largest known megalithic structure in Japan.

Enrich

Learn about the history, life and training routine of a sumo wrestler during a private visit to a Sumo Museum in Kehayaza, where Sumo originated. After the welcome ceremony, see a demonstration of Jinku and the wrestlers in action in the dohyo.

Later stop at the timeless village of Tondabayashi to visit a traditional Edo period house and wander around this splendid historical time capsule. Enjoy your Club Floor benefits before reliving your experiences at your farewell dinner.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 - Osaka

After a leisurely morning, check out and drive to Kobi to board the luxurious Scenic Eclipse for your cruise to Otaru.
The itinerary on this page is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the tour will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Tour inclusions

Your luxury escorted journey includes

The intimacy of small group land journeys with up to 20 guests
Exclusive Scenic Enrich experiences
Your choice of Scenic Freechoice activities
Memorable Scenic Special Stay
Fully escorted land journey led by an expert handpicked Tour Director and knowledgeable local guides
Porterage throughout, plus return airport transfers
All tipping and gratuities