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Essential Japan and Hakone

Essential Japan and Hakone

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30

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Overview

Europamundo's "Essential Japan and Hakone" is a 08-day guided tour that immerses travelers in Japan's rich cultural heritage and natural beauty, featuring visits to Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, and Hiroshima

Included/Excluded

  • Europamundo General Services: Travel by bus with English speaking guide, basic travel insurance and breakfast buffet.
  • Includes arrival transfer
  • Boat: Kawaguchiko Lake.
  • City tour in : Tokyo, Kyoto.
  • Evening Transfer: Shinjuku in Tokyo, Traditional quarter of Gion in Kyoto, Dotonbori in Osaka.
  • Ticket admission: Metro, Zojoji Temple, Meiji Temple, Sensoji Temple in Tokyo, Temple of Hokoku-ji and bamboo forest, Sugimoto-dera Temple, Great Buddha (Daibutsu) in Kamakura, Castle in Odawara, Village Museum in Iyashi No Sato Nenba, Toyota Museum, Tenryu-ji Temple, Arashiyama bamboo forest in Kyoto, Fushimi Inari, Imperial Palace, Kinkakuji Temple in Kyoto, Todai-ji Temple and Horyu-ji Temple. in Nara.
  • 4 Lunch or Dinner Included in: Tokyo, Tokyo, Kawaguchiko, Nara.
  • Air Ticket
  • Visa
  • Meals not mentioned in the Itinerary
  • Entrance fees note mentioned in the Itinerary
  • Laundry and Tips

Tour Plan

01 Tokyo

Welcome to Japan! After completing customs procedures, you’ll be transferred to your hotel by shared shuttle bus. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. In the afternoon, you’ll receive details about the start of your tour.

02 Tokyo

In the morning, we’ll enjoy an extensive guided tour of this truly mesmerizing city, lasting approximately five hours. Tokyo’s vibrant energy and cutting-edge neighborhoods coexist beautifully with its tranquil, serene spaces.

We’ll begin with a brief stop at Zojoji Temple, where you’ll capture one of the most iconic views of the Tokyo Tower. The temple grounds are adorned with hundreds of Jizo statues, intricately carved stone figures believed to be protectors of children, dressed in colorful knit caps, bibs, and windmills.

Next, we’ll head to the famous Shibuya Crossing, often hailed as the busiest intersection in the world, followed by a visit to the Meiji Shrine, dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife.

Our journey will continue by bus along the elegant Omotesando Avenue. We’ll then see the most picturesque parts of the Imperial Palace and its gardens and stop to admire the iconic Nijubashi Bridge.

As we proceed, we’ll pass through the vibrant Akihabara district, also known as the “Electric Town,” a hub for Japanese manga and anime culture. We’ll also drive past the Kokugikan, Japan’s renowned sumo wrestling arena.

We’ll conclude our tour in Asakusa, visiting the historic Sensoji Temple and the famous Nakamise Street.

Lunch will be included at a local restaurant. Afterward, we’ll return to the hotel.

At 6:30 p.m., we’ll meet our guide in the hotel lobby and take the metro (tickets included) to the lively Shinjuku district. Here, we’ll enjoy a stroll through its bustling streets, renowned for their vibrant nightlife, as we head to a local restaurant for dinner (included). Afterward, we’ll return to the hotel by metro, accompanied by our guide.

03 Tokyo - Kamakura - Odawara - Gora

We’ll depart Tokyo for Kamakura, a serene “oasis of peace” that served as Japan’s capital for two centuries. This charming city is home to numerous sanctuaries, temples, and gardens.

At the Hokoku-ji Zen Temple, we’ll take a peaceful walk through its enchanting bamboo forest (admission included) where you can enjoy a traditional green tea. We’ll also visit Sugimoto-dera, the city’s oldest temple, founded in 734. There will be time to explore the delightful city center before heading to the iconic Great Buddha (Daibutsu) (admission included).

Our journey will continue along a scenic route by the Pacific Ocean to Enoshima, a picturesque island connected to the mainland by a bridge. You’ll have free time to enjoy lunch and a leisurely stroll.

We’ll then proceed to Odawara, where we’ll visit the impressive Odawara Castle, a medieval fortress from the Edo era, restored in the 20th century (admission included).

Overnight stay in Odawara.

04 MON. Gora - Mount Fuji - Kawaguchiko

Today’s journey promises breathtaking scenery as we travel to the stunning Hakone region, known for its lakes and mountains near the iconic Mount Fuji.

We’ll begin the day by ascending Owakudani, the “Valley of Hell,” famous for its steaming vents, bubbling mud pools, and sulphurous gases (access may be restricted due to volcanic activity or toxic gases; if so, we will visit the Arakurayama Sengen Park instead).

Next, we’ll visit Oshino Hakkai, a charming village with eight ponds and picturesque views of Mount Fuji. From there, we’ll continue to Kawaguchiko, a storybook town of quaint houses, flowers, mountains, beside its beautiful lake. Here, you’ll enjoy a delightful boat ride to take in the area’s beauty.

Later, we’ll ascend Mount Fuji via the scenic road leading to the Fifth Station at 2,305 meters above sea level.

Note: During winter, the road to Mount Fuji is often closed due to snow or weather conditions. If this occurs, we will ascend as far as permitted.

We’ll return to Kawaguchiko, where you’ll still have time to enjoy a stroll along its picturesque lake. Tonight, we’ll stay in a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn, where you can relax and unwind in the onsen (Japanese public bath). Dinner will be included.

Note: At the planned ryokan, some rooms are in traditional Japanese style with tatami mats, while others are Western-style. In some cases, accommodation may be provided in a Western-style hotel.

05 Kawaguchiko - Iyashi No Sato Nenba - Toyota - Kyoto

In the morning, we’ll follow a scenic road that winds around picturesque lakes to visit Iyashi no Sato Nenba, a small village that was destroyed by a typhoon in 1966 and later restored as an open-air museum. Its traditional houses have been converted into arts and crafts shops, restaurants, and cultural exhibits, offering a glimpse into Japan’s past.

Next, we’ll visit the breathtaking Shiraito Falls, one of Japan’s most stunning natural attractions, with cascading water that spans a height of 20 meters.

From there, we’ll continue to Nagoya, where we’ll visit the Toyota Museum (admission included), a must-see destination for car enthusiasts and those curious about automotive innovation.

Finally, we’ll proceed to Kyoto for our overnight stay.

06 Kyoto

We’ll spend the entire day exploring Kyoto, Japan’s capital from 794 to 1868 and home to the Imperial Court. Remarkably, Kyoto was the only major Japanese city spared from bombing during World War II, allowing it to retain its rich artistic heritage. Notably, the Kyoto Protocol, aimed at limiting greenhouse gas emissions, was signed here in 1997.

We’ll include a visit to Kyoto’s most iconic landmarks. Our tour will begin in Arashiyama, where we’ll admire the Togetsukyo Bridge, or “Bridge over the Moon.” This spot offers a breathtaking panorama of the surrounding landscape.

We’ll then visit the Tenryuji Temple, one of Kyoto’s “five great Zen temples” and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, followed by a serene walk through its mystical bamboo forest.

Next, we’ll explore the magnificent Fushimi Inari Shrine; the Imperial Palace; and the Kinkakuji Temple, also known as the “Golden Pavilion,” surrounded by its spectacular gardens. (The order of the visits may vary.)

After the tour, you can enjoy some time to stroll through Gion, Kyoto’s vibrant traditional district, known for its lively atmosphere and geishas.

07 Kyoto - Nara - Osaka

We’ll depart for Nara to visit Todaiji, a magnificent Buddhist temple built in 752, home to a giant Buddha statue. Here, you’ll also have the chance to take photos and interact with the friendly deer that roam freely in the surrounding park. Lunch will be included.

Afterward, we’ll visit the Horyu-ji Buddhist Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that encompasses a seminary, monasteries, and temples. Its central pagoda is one of the oldest wooden structures in the world and holds the distinction of being Japan’s oldest Buddhist temple, serving as an important place of worship.

Our journey will then take us to Osaka, where we’ll arrive in the evening. Accommodation will be in this vibrant and modern city, known as Japan’s second-largest urban area. Later, we’ll visit Dotonbori, a lively and colorful district renowned for its bustling nightlife.

08 Osaka

After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.

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