Japan In a Week
- Duration : 9 days
- Locations : Tokyo, Hakone Mt Fuji, Kyoto
This organized trip to Japan offers you the chance to discover Tokyo and Kyoto in just over a week, including an essential visit at the foot of the majestic Mount Fuji. In a small group, you'll explore these captivating locations with an expert English-speaking guide. It's the perfect choice for a first trip to Japan!
1 week itinerary in Japan (9 days):
- Departure city/airport: Tokyo (Narita : NRT or Haneda : HND)
- Tokyo (3 nights)
- Hakone - Mont Fuji (1 night)
- Kyoto (3 nights)
- Osaka (1 night)
- End return airport: Osaka (Kansai International Airport : KIX)
Please find below the itinerary details.
Tour length: 8 nights / 9 days (+ 1 day at the beginning if you leave from Europe).
Please note that the tour departure and end dates indicated on this page relate to your actual stay in Japan. On departure, you will have to leave Europe the day before. The return flight is on the same day due to the time difference.
Example:
- Departure from Europe: January 1st
- Arrival in Tokyo (date to be selected in the tour calendar upon reservation): January 2nd
- Return flight from Tokyo: January 10th
- Arrival in Europe : January 10th (except in case of late departure)
Why book this trip to Japan?
- Accompanied by a bilingual English-speaking guide, a specialist in Japanese culture
- Inclusive: guide, accommodation, transport, transfers
- Small groups of between 9 to 15 people maximum
- Visit to the must-see places for a first trip to Japan
- Stays in 3* hotels and ryokan (traditional Japanese accommodation)
- A variety of visits, activities, meals and transport (Shinkansen, minibus...)
- One free day in Kyoto, which can be guided if desired
- 40 years of expertise from Japan Experience, the leading European travel agency in Japan
- Phone assistance in English, from 8AM to 10PM, 7/7
Your trip in detail
Itinerary
Day 1 : Sunday - Tokyo, Here We Come!
Arrival at Tokyo airport (Narita or Haneda). Welcome to Japan, Yokoso!
English-speaking airport assistant will greet you at the customs exit.
Transfer from the airport to your hotel in Tokyo (see details).
This transfer is done by shuttle or shared bus with other clients heading to the same hotel or nearby hotel. These transfers depart between 1.5 to 3 hours after your flight's scheduled arrival time and may include stops before reaching your hotel.
For a private transfer, direct without stops right after your flight lands, choose the "Private Taxi from the Airport" option.
Check-in at Hotel La'Gent Shinjuku Kabukicho or a similar 3-star hotel (rooms available from 3:00 PM).
You will be greeted by your tour leader at 7:00 PM in front of the hotel reception. They will introduce the tour itinerary during a welcome dinner provided by Japan Experience. The dinner is scheduled for 7:00 PM on the day of your arrival. If your flight's arrival time does not allow you to join the group at that time, a meal box will be provided for you at the hotel.
Day 2 : Monday - Exploring Tokyo
Breakfast at the hotel.
Early departure for a guided tour of Tokyo:
- Tokyo Sky Tree* with its panoramic view of the city
- Sensô-ji Buddhist temple, one of Tokyo's oldest, and Nakamise Dôri, a narrow street lined with historic shops
- Asakusa, a traditional district and pilgrimage site
- Hamarikyu Gardens, a Japanese garden nestled among skyscrapers and Tokyo Bay
- Ginza, the chic and elegant district
Lunch provided by Japan Experience. Dinner on your own. Your tour guide can recommend some tasty dining spots!
Travel for the day will be by public transport and on foot (approximately 10 km total).
(*) One of the world's three tallest towers, soaring to 634m. In case of bad weather, reduced visibility, or high congestion, Japan Experience reserves the right to replace this visit with another observation point.
Day 3 : Tuesday - Tokyo's Must-Sees
Breakfast at the hotel.
Continue exploring Tokyo with your tour guide:
- Ueno: iconic park in Tokyo, famous for its cherry blossoms (late March, early April) and lotus pond
- Harajuku: the avant-garde district
- Meiji Shrine: the imperial shrine
- Takeshita-Dori: Japan's most famous street
- Omotesando: Tokyo's Champs-Élysées
- Shibuya and its famous "scramble crossing"
Lunch provided by Japan Experience. Dinner on your own.
Travel for the day will be by public transport and on foot (approximately 10 km total).
Day 4 : Wednesday - Hakone and Mount Fuji: A Day of Wonder
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer of your luggage to Kyoto organized by Japan Experience (1 bag per person). Prepare a small backpack for your night in Hakone - Mount Fuji.
Travel by train to central Hakone - Mount Fuji (about 1.5 hours), then transfer by minibus.
Head to the heights of Hakone to admire Mount Fuji, weather permitting:
- Hakone Open-Air Museum,
- Explore Lake Ashi and its Japanese torii gate in the water,
- Visit the spectacular volcanic site of Owakudani**.
Check-in at your ryokan Ichinoyu Honkan or a similar category ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) with private baths.
Meals included (traditional Japanese lunch and dinner) by Japan Experience.
Travel for the day will be by train, minibus, boat, and on foot (approximately 6 km total).
**Access to this site may be restricted due to volcanic activity.
Day 5 : Thursday - Journey through History
Traditional Japanese savory breakfast at the ryokan.
Travel by public transport to Odawara Station, then board the Shinkansen bullet train for Kyoto (2 hours journey).
Check-in at Hotel Intergate Kyoto or a hotel of similar category.
Begin guided tour of Kyoto:
- Gion, the historic district of Kyoto with its Sannen-zaka & Ninen-zaka streets,
- Kodai-ji, Kyoto's temple with maples and bamboo.
Please note that taking photos is strictly prohibited in the historic Gion district.
Meals provided (lunch and dinner) by Japan Experience.
Travel for the day will be by Shinkansen to Kyoto, public transport, and on foot (approximately 6 km total).
Day 6 : Friday - Exploring Kyoto's Treasures
Breakfast at the hotel.
Tour of Kyoto by minibus:
- Ryoan-ji Zen garden
- Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
- Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)
- The enchanting Philosopher's Path
- Enjoy a gourmet break while admiring Murin-An
Lunch provided by Japan Experience. Dinner on your own - Your tour guide can recommend hidden gems in Kyoto!
Travel for the day will be by minibus and on foot (approximately 6 km total).
Day 7 : Saturday - Free Day
Breakfast at the hotel.
Free day: Enjoy at your own pace the many wonders of the ancient capital. Your guide will be happy to provide recommendations.
Only breakfast is provided by Japan Experience at the hotel. Other meals, transportation, and visits are free and not organized by Japan Experience.
Feel free to contact us if you wish to book various activities for this day. We highly recommend exploring the Tea Road in Uji, a city renowned for producing the best matcha (powdered green tea) in Japan.
Day 8 : Sunday - Among Temples and Deers
Breakfast at the hotel. Luggage transfer to Osaka.
Travel by train to Nara (50 minutes).
Explore Nara, ancient imperial capital of Japan in the 8th century, with your guide:
- Visit the exterior of Kofukuji Temple with its magnificent pagoda.
- Explore Todaiji Temple, home to the Great Bronze Buddha and the impressive Nan-Daimon Gate.
- Discover Kasuga Taisha Shrine, famous for its numerous lanterns.
Return to Osaka for your final night.
Lunch and dinner provided by Japan Experience.
Travel for the day will be by train and on foot (approximately 10 km total).
Day 9 : Monday - Sayonara and until your next journey!
Transfer to Kansai International Airport (KIX) from your hotel by direct train or shuttle bus, depending on the hotel's location.
Transfer to Itami Airport (ITM) is not provided by Japan Experience.
Meals other than breakfast are not covered by Japan Experience.
Return flight to Europe.
Feel free to extend your trip by one or more days in Osaka, Hiroshima... we'll be happy to provide recommendations.
Accommodation
- 7 nights in 3* hotels
- 1 night in a ryokan at Hakone - Mount Fuji (room with private bath)
The basic rate includes a twin room for two people.
Transportation
- Transfer airport <> Tokyo
- Prepaid public transport card
- Train ticket between Odawara and Kyoto on the Shinkansen bullet train, ordinary class - reserved
- Other transport during your stay, except on free days
- Luggage transfer (see details in the itinerary)
Experiences and meals
- Guidance from an English-speaking specialist on Japan
- Tours and activities mentioned in the programme
- Almost full package: all meals (except free days and half of the dinners during the tour)
In Japan, breakfast is traditionally savory. Western-style hotels typically offer a variety of choices, but traditional accommodations like ryokan or temple lodgings often provide a more traditional Japanese breakfast experience.
Additional services
- Unlimited Wi-Fi access, except on free days
- Complete travel diary sent to you 20 days before your departure
- Phone assistance in English, from 8AM to 10PM, 7/7; in addition to the guide's assistance during the day
Not included in the price of your trip
- Flights between your country <> Japan
- Optional insurance policies
- Personal expenses (including 4 dinners at your leisure and any expenses on your free day)
- Drinks with meals (except water and sometimes tea)
- Anything not included in the "included in your tour" section
About the risk of cancellation of your guided tour
While there is very little risk that your guided tour will be canceled, this risk does exist. It is usually 4%.
If you are unfortunately in this 4%, you will be informed 3 to 2 months in advance and we will ALWAYS offer you another tour, in the same season and most of the time on the same dates. We also offer, as an alternative, 100% reimbursement of the tour (excluding flights).
In 2023, out of our 300 guided tour customers, just 12 had to be redirected to another tour and 0 remained at home.
Upon reservation Japan Experience offers you 2 types of protection:
Japan Experience Flex :
Cancellation insurance before departure (conditions apply).
Japan Experience Protect :
Pre-departure cancellation insurance and on-site assistance (conditions apply). COVID protection included.
You can subscribe to our Zero Carbon Project when making your reservation. Your contribution will help offset your CO2 emissions while supporting ecological initiatives. For more information, please visit our dedicated page.
Frequently asked questions
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- Assistance available in Japan throughout your trip
- A specialist team is available 7 days a week, by phone and email
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