Japan: Tokyo, Hakone, Kanazawa, Kyoto
Small groups of no more than 16 travelers, guaranteed
A colorful Shinto festival winds its way past neon lights and Tokyo skyscrapers... a modern bullet train speeds past a farmer tending his rice paddy... a well-dressed businessman stops in a Buddhist temple to light incense ... majestic Mount Fuji provides an iconic backdrop for Hakone, where locals relax in volcanic hot springs. Join us to explore more than 2,000 years of Japanese history and culture, from ultra-modern Tokyo through the former imperial capital of Kyoto.
15 days starting from $6,595
Including international airfare from Los Angeles
Single Supplement: FREE
Departure Dates: Mar-Jun; Aug-Nov
Activity Level: Moderate
2025 & 2026 DEPARTURES AVAILABLE
See all departure dates at www.oattravel.com/jpn2025pricing
IT'S INCLUDED
- 13 nights accommodation
- International airfare, airport transfers, government taxes, fees, and airline fuel surcharges unless you choose to make your own air arrangements
- All land transportation, including 3 rail transfers on bullet and local trains
- 29 meals - 13 breakfasts, 9 lunches, and 7 dinners
- 13 small group activities
- Gratuities for local guides and drivers
ITINERARY
DAY 1 • Depart U.S.
Depart the U.S. on your overnight flight to Tokyo, Japan.
DAY 2 • Tokyo
Arrive in Tokyo. An O.A.T. representative will meet you at the airport and assist with the transfer to your hotel. There, meet your Trip Experience Leader and fellow travelers, including those who took the optional Tokyo: Ancient & Modern Traditions pre-trip extension.
Shizutetsu Hotel Prezio Tokyo Tamachi or similar
DAY 3 • Tokyo • Meet former sumo wrestler
Today, witness a demonstration of sumo wrestling by two former wrestlers. We'll stay to enjoy Chanko, a hot pot dish traditionally consumed by sumo wrestlers. Then, engage in a conversation with a former wrestler who will share their experience with us - an exclusive O.A.T. feature.
Meals: B,L | Shizutetsu Hotel Prezio Tokyo Tamachi or similar
DAY 4 • Tokyo • Taiko drumming experience • Asakusa
Take the world-renown Tokyo subway to visit a taiko studio. Here, we'll learn the art of traditional Japanese drums from a drum master. Then, travel to the district of Asakusa, and stroll down streets lined with shops. Tonight, our Welcome Dinner will feature traditional Japanese dishes.
Meals: B,D | Shizutetsu Hotel Prezio Tokyo Tamachi or similar
DAY 5 • Hakone • A Day in the Life of Ashigara
Travel to Hakone, stopping for A Day in the Life of the rural town of Ashigara to experience what life is like in the Japanese countryside. For lunch, we'll learn to prepare our very own rice balls and miso soup. Later, enjoy some free time to explore on your own.
Meals: B,L,D | Hotel Recove Hakone or similar
DAY 6 • Hakone • Boat ride on Lake Ashi • Wood workshop • Conversation about Japanese geisha
This morning, embark on a boat ride on Lake Ashi, a scenic crater lake situated along a wall of the Mount Hakone caldera. Then, visit a woodcraft shop to learn how the intricate, wooden inlaid pieces are produced. Afterward, meet the madam of a local geisha house to discuss the mysterious world of these highly-skilled performance artists.
Meals: B,L,D | Hotel Recove Hakone or similar
DAY 7 • Hakone • Overland to Tokyo • Bullet train to Kanazawa
We'll drive to Tokyo, where we'll ride the shinkansen (bullet train) to Kanazawa. At 200 mph, it remains among the fastest trains in the world.
Meals: B,D | Hotel Kanazawa or similar
DAY 8 • Kanazawa • Kenrokuen Garden • Visit Omicho Market
Discover beautiful Kenrokuen Garden, then visit the 300-year-old Omicho Market. After lunch, we'll walk the Higashi Chaya District, known for its teahouses. Finally, visit a local gold leaf company for a hands-on lesson.
Meals: B,L | Hotel Kanazawa or similar
DAY 9 • Kanazawa • Optional Gokayama tour
Enjoy free time to explore Kanazawa on your own, or join a full-day optional excursion to Gokayama - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This village in the remote Chubu Mountains is renowned for its distinctive gassho-zukuri-style homes with steeply pitched thatched roofs.
Meals: B | Hotel Kanazawa or similar
DAY 11 • Kyoto • Arashiyama Bamboo Grove • Kinkakuji • Nijo Castle
Explore the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove before we visit Kinkakuji, the Temple of the Golden Pavilion. Then, visit Nijo Castle this afternoon.
Meals: B,L | Hotel Vista Premio Kyoto Nagomitei or similar
DAY 12 • Kyoto • Nara • Matcha tea experience
Explore Nara, visiting Todaiji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to an awe-inspiring, 52-foot Buddha statue. You may even meet the tame and friendly "bowing" deer that roam here. Then, visit a local tea company for a matcha tea-making demonstration.
Meals: B,L,D | Hotel Vista Premio Kyoto Nagomitei or similar
DAY 13 • Kyoto • Zen Temple
Head to 400-year-old Senkoji Temple today to practice Zen meditation with a monk.
Meals: B,L | Hotel Vista Premio Kyoto Nagomitei or similar
DAY 14 • Kyoto • Fushimi Inari Shrine • Meet a sushi chef
Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine this morning, one of Japan's most iconic sites. Comprised of a winding path of 10,000 vermillion torii (gates), the shrine snakes its way up a heavily forested mountain. Then, take part in a sushi-making lesson.
Meals: B,L,D | Hotel Vista Premio Kyoto Nagomitei or similar
DAY 15 • Return to U.S.
Transfer to the airport in Osaka for your flight home. Travelers taking our optional Hiroshima: City of Peace post-trip extension will transfer to Hiroshima by bullet train today, while travelers taking our optional Osaka to Hiroshima by Bullet Train post-trip extension will transfer to Osaka via private motorcoach.
Meals: B