Overview
This classic Japan itinerary journeys through the country’s three signature cities across 9 nights, beginning in the energy of Tokyo, continuing to the temples and gardens of Kyoto, and concluding in the food-forward capital of the Kansai region, Osaka. Designed as the essential first-time Japan route, this itinerary balances guided full-day tours with generous free time, connected by private transfers and reserved-seat Shinkansen travel.
Included
- Nine nights at the selected hotel tier, with daily breakfast.
- English-speaking full-day guide in Tokyo (8 hours) and Kyoto (8 hours), using public transport.
- English-speaking Osaka evening food-district tour guide (3 hours; guide service only).
- Private arrival transfer from Narita or Haneda Airport to the Tokyo hotel.
- Private hotel-to-station and station-to-hotel transfers in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka as listed.
- Reserved-seat Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto and JR travel from Kyoto to Osaka
- Private departure transfer from the Osaka hotel to Kansai International Airport
- Prepaid PASMO or Suica IC card with ¥5,000 credit per person.
Excluded
- Lunches and dinners; food and drinks during the Osaka evening tour are paid locally.
- Admission fees for temples, museums, observation decks and other attractions.
- Travel insurance, personal expenses, hotel incidentals, gratuities and locally payable
- Local public transport exceeding the ¥5,000 IC-card credit and transport used on leisure days.
Itinerary
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Arrive into Narita or Haneda Airport and meet your private transfer.
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Check-in at your Tokyo hotel.
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Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight: Mitsui Garden Hotel Nihonbashi Premier or Imperial Hotel Tokyo
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Full day English-speaking guided tour using public transport.
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Suggested route: Senso-ji Temple, Nakamise shopping street, Ueno Park and the Imperial Palace East Gardens.
Overnight: Mitsui Garden Hotel Nihonbashi Premier or Imperial Hotel Tokyo Meals: Breakfast included
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Free day to explore Tokyo independently.
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Suggested self-guided areas: Ginza and Tsukiji Outer Market.
Overnight: Mitsui Garden Hotel Nihonbashi Premier or Imperial Hotel Tokyo Meals: Breakfast included
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Free day to continue exploring Tokyo independently.
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Suggested self-guided areas: Shinjuku, Shibuya and Harajuku.
Overnight: Mitsui Garden Hotel Nihonbashi Premier or Imperial Hotel Tokyo Meals: Breakfast included
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Private transfer to Tokyo Station.
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Reserved-seat Tokaido Shinkansen to Kyoto.
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Private transfer to your Kyoto hotel.
Overnight: Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Kawaramachi Jokyoji or THE THOUSAND KYOTO Meals: Breakfast included
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Full day English-speaking guided tour using public transport.
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Suggested route: Kiyomizu-dera, Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, Fushimi Inari Shrine and Gion.
Overnight: Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Kawaramachi Jokyoji or THE THOUSAND KYOTO Meals: Breakfast included
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Free day to explore Kyoto independently.
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Suggested self-guided areas: Arashiyama bamboo grove, Togetsukyo Bridge and Kinkaku-ji.
Overnight: Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Kawaramachi Jokyoji or THE THOUSAND KYOTO Meals: Breakfast included
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Private transfer to Kyoto Station.
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JR train to Osaka.
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Private transfer to your Osaka hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Nikko Osaka or Hotel Royal Classic Osaka Meals: Breakfast included
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Day at leisure.
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Evening English-speaking guided walk through Osaka's food districts ( food and drinks paid locally).
Overnight: Hotel Nikko Osaka or Hotel Royal Classic Osaka Meals: Breakfast included
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Private transfer from the Osaka hotel to Kansai International Airport.
Meals: Breakfast included
Prices
Gallery
£2649pp
- Explore Tokyo’s iconic sights on a private guided full-day tour, including Senso-ji Temple and the Imperial Palace East Gardens.
- Travel between cities by reserved-seat Tokaido Shinkansen, Japan’s legendary bullet train.
- Discover Kyoto’s temples and historic streets, from Kiyomizu-dera to the bamboo groves of Arashiyama.
- Join an evening food-district walking tour through the vibrant streets of Osaka.
- Travel with a prepaid PASMO or Suica IC card, preloaded with ¥5,000 credit per person for effortless local transport
- A true first-time Japan Golden Route: Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka in one seamless journey.
