Meals: B= Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

• Day 1: Home ~ Osaka, Japan
  Depart from the US for your international flight to Osaka.
• Day 2: Osaka
  Upon arrival in Osaka, a guide will be onsite to assist you to take a train or bus to the hotel (Ticket for the bus or train is included). The remainder of the day will be at your own leisure to enjoy.  

  **Airport assistance will be available for all guests arriving into Osaka Kansai Airport Terminal 1 between the hour of 11:00am to 9:00pm.

  **For guests arriving outside of the service hours or in Terminal 2 or arriving into Osaka Itami Airport, please make your own way to the hotel and check in. The remainder of the day will be at your own leisure to enjoy.

• Day 3: Osaka ~ Hiroshima ~ Miyajima ~ Osaka
  Today, take a full day trip to Hiroshima & Miyajima. Meet your tour guide at the hotel and then travel by train to Hiroshima. On arrival, take a ferry and cross over to Miyajima and visit the Itsukushima Shrine, a World Heritage Site. Established in the 6th century, this shrine is one of Japan's finest, and is famous for its beautiful Shinden-zukuri style structure. Return back to Hiroshima by ferry and visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Museum. This large-scale park was established in 1949 after the Pacific War ended, and is visited by countless visitors as a symbol of peace. The museum within the park is an Important Cultural Property of Japan, and was built to remind future generations of the terror wrought by atomic bombs. See the Atomic Bomb Dome, a symbol of the disastrous atomic bombing during WWII, the first atomic bombs used in human history, and has been preserved as it was to promote peace and elimination of atomic weapons around the world. Afterward, return back to Osaka by train. (B)

• Day 4: Osaka ~ Nara ~ Kyoto
  This morning, make a photo stop at one of Osaka's prominent landmarks, the Osaka Castle. The five story castle is one of the most visually spectacular creations in the country, with a history that dates back almost 450 years. Continue your tour and visit the Kuromon Market. With more than 190 years of history and tradition, this market is a very popular area known by locals as Gastronome and Osaka's Kitchen, and is well-known nationwide. Transfer to Nara and visit the Nara Park and Todai-ji Temple. The Nara Park is home to hundreds of freely roaming deer, considered in Sinto to be messengers of the gods. Todaiji Temple is one of Japan's most famous and historically significant temples, a landmark of Nara and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The main hall, which houses the colossal bronze Buddha statue within, remains the world's largest wooden building.

  In the afternoon, proceed to Kyoto and visit the Kiyomizu-dera Temple, an UNESCO World Heritage Sites and one of the most celebrated temples of Japan. The temple is best known for its wooden stage which was built without the use of nails. Take a stroll along the Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka Street, two of Kyoto's most attractive streets. Lined with beautifully restored traditional shophouses and and restaurants. Sannen-zaka and Ninen-zaka are a pair of pedestrian-only lanes that make for some of the most atmospheric strolling in the whole city. Afterward, transfer to the hotel and check in. (B, L)

• Day 5: Kyoto
  This morning, leave Kyoto city for a day trip to Sagano and visit the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. It is one of the most beautiful and serene places in Japan. The absolutely gorgeous forest of skinny bamboo trunks is the heroin chic of wooded glades. As the wind passes through the tightly packed plants, the wood bends and creaks, the leaves rustle, and the trunks knock together, creating a peaceful sound like almost nothing else. See also the Togetsukyo Bridge, a well-known place of scenic beauty in the western hills of Kyoto. The artistic form of the bridge embodies the aesthetic sense that is at the heart of Japan artistic tradition.

  Return back to Kyoto and visit one of the most recognizable historical buildings in Japan and well-deserving of its recognition by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site, the Kinkakuji also known as the Golden Pavilion. Covered in glittering gold leaf, the pavilion dazzles admirers as it shimmers in the sunlight over its mirroring pond. Next, visit a traditional Sake Brewery for tasting and learn about Japan’s famous sakes. Lastly, visit the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine. The magical, seemingly unending path of over 5,000 vibrant orange torii gates that wind through the hills behind the shrine makes it one of the most popular shrines in Japan. (B, L)

• Day 6: Kyoto ~ Hakone ~ Kamakura ~ Tokyo
  After breakfast, accompanied by the tour guide, take the Bullet Train to Hakone, city of the Mt. Fuji. (***Please note that all guests are responsible to handle their own luggage on and off the train and it will not be transferred separately.) On arrival, visit the Oshino-Hakkai, a peaceful nature area around Mount Fuji. Oshino-Hakkai means the eight seas of Oshino, which is comprised of eight ponds as its name described. These natural ponds are crystal clear and each one is a little unique. Afterward, take a Boat Cruise on Lake Ashi. Today, Lake Ashi is often pictured with Mount Fuji in the background as a symbol of Hakone.

  Afterward, continue to Kamakura. At Kotoku-in Temple, see the gigantic Buddha statue that stands approx. 13 meters high and weighs about 121 tons. The only national treasure in Kamakura, the statue of Buddha is a sight to behold not just from the outside, but also from the inside as visitors can enter inside the statue. Continue to visit Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, one of the most important shrines in Kamakura. As you pass by the traditional outdoor Japanese dance platform, then climb the steep steps up to the shrine, you will feel that you are in a holy place. You will be impressed with the bright red pillars and heavy wooden structure. Also visit the Hasedera Temple, famous for its eleven-headed statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. The 9.18 meter tall, gilded wooden statue is regarded as one of the largest wooden sculpture in Japan and can be viewed in the temple's main building. After dinner, you will be transferred to the hotel and check in. (B, L, D)

• Day 7: Tokyo
  Today, take a full day city tour of Tokyo. First, visit the Meiji Shrine, arguably Tokyo's most popular shrine, is surrounded by a lush green forest. Head to the Sensoji Temple, one of Tokyo's most colorful & photographed temples. When approaching the temples, you will see the Karminarimon, the outer gate of the temple and the symbol of Asakusa. After lunch, make a photo stop at the Imperial Palace, the primary residence of the Emperor of Japan. Like an island of respite at the heart of Tokyo, the Imperial Palace is surrounded by parks and gardens offering a getaway from the busy city streets. See the Nijubashi, one of the most well-known bridges in Japan. If you are looking at the bridge from the front, the two separate bridges appear as a single two storied bridge. Proceed to Tokyo Tower for a photo stop before heading to Shibuya, one of Tokyo's busiest districts, packed with shopping, dining, and nightclubs. The Shibuya Crossing, famous for being the busiest crossing in the world, is on top of most people's must see list in Tokyo. You will have some free leisure time here to explore on your own.

  After lunch, head to the Tokyo Tower for a photo stop. Continue to Odaiba Seaside Park, located in Tokyo Bay, it offers stunning views from the manmade beach. The superb scenery of the towns on the opposite shore can be viewed over the Rainbow Bridge. Lastly, head to Shibuya, one of Tokyo's most busy districts, packed with shopping, dining, and nightclubs. The Shibuya Crossing, famous for being the busiest crossing in the world, is top of most people's must see list in Tokyo. You will have some free leisure time here to explore on your own. (B, L)

• Day 8: Tokyo
  Today, enjoy a free day to explore and enjoy the many attractions Tokyo has to offer. Perhaps, you can visit a traditional tea house, discover culture and history at a museum or treat yourself at Tokyo’s cutting-edge stores. (B)
• Day 9: Tokyo ~ Home
  After breakfast, make your own way to the airport for your flight back home as your trip comes to an end. Departure transfer is not included. Our tour guide will provide you with assistance and instruction on where to obtain the airport limousine bus ticket. (B)

*March -May are the best times to view cherry blossoms, but we can’t guarantee that they will flower on these dates as they are highly seasonal and subject to climatic conditions.

*October- Dec. are the best times to view Fall Foliage, but we can't guarantee these months as they are highly seasonal and subject to climatic conditions.

*If minimum group size is not met, the tour will be a bilingual speaking tour with an English/Chinese speaking guide.

* This package includes guided tours featuring the highlights of certain cities in a brief visit.