Experience the Timeless Beauty of Japan – Tradition, Nature, and Living Heritage

Step into Japan’s enduring soul, through iconic landscapes and cultural treasures, where ancient temples, elegant gardens, and vibrant cities reveal the rich layers of the country’s heritage.

From the lively streets and culinary delights of Osaka to the majestic samurai castle of Himeji, the peaceful temples of Kyoto, and the moving history of Hiroshima, this itinerary offers a carefully curated exploration of Japan’s cultural heart.

Designed for travelers seeking both discovery and depth, this itinerary blends iconic highlights with authentic local experiences, offering a rich and balanced introduction to the many worlds that make Japan so captivating.

Tour Highlights

Public transportation in and across cities

Guided cultural tours with expert local guides in Osaka, Himeji, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Kanazawa, and Tokyo

17 nights in carefully selected 3–4★ accommodations, including traditional ryokan experiences (breakfast included)

Visits to UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Himeji Castle, Itsukushima Shrine, and Shirakawa-go

Immersive cultural experiences such as tea ceremonies, artisan workshops, and traditional craft encounters (based on availability)

Airport meet-and-greet assistance and transfer

Optional customizations for families or special occasions

Itinerary

Meet your assistant upon arrival at Kansai International Airport and transfer by train to your hotel in Osaka. After check-in, take time to relax and adjust after your journey.

In the evening, step out to discover Osaka’s vibrant atmosphere with a gentle orientation walk through the neighborhood.Stay overnight in Osaka.

Included: Airport meet & greet, Transfer by train, Hotel check-in assistance

Day 1

Welcome to Japan – Arrival in Osaka

Meet your local guide after breakfast for a full-day exploration of Osaka, a city known for its entrepreneurial spirit, lively streets, and unforgettable food culture.

Highlights include:

• Osaka Castle, one of Japan’s most iconic historical landmarks

• Umeda District, offering panoramic city views and modern architecture

• Tenma, a lively neighborhood filled with traditional eateries and local character

• Shinsaibashi and Namba, Osaka’s vibrant shopping and entertainment heart

• Hozenji Yokocho, a charming lantern-lit alley preserving old Osaka atmosphere

Enjoy a relaxed evening to continue exploring Osaka’s incredible food scene
Stay overnight in Osaka.

Included: Breakfast, guided full day tour

Day 2

Osaka

City of Food & Merchant Culture

Travel by train from Osaka to Himeji, where your guide and private vehicle will meet you for a full-day cultural exploration.Highlights include:

• Himeji Castle, Japan’s most spectacular and best-preserved feudal castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

• Kokoen Garden, a collection of beautifully designed Edo-style gardens surrounding the castle

• Mount Shosha, home to the historic Engyo-ji Temple, a vast mountain monastery famously featured in The Last Samurai

Stay overnight in Osaka.

Included: Breakfast, Guided Tour, Train (round trip) Osaka-Himeji, Private Car in Himeji

Day 3

Himeji

Samurai Castles & Sacred Mountains

Travel by Shinkansen to the charming canal town of Kurashiki, one of Japan’s most beautifully preserved historic districts. Meet your guide at Kurashiki station and start your half-day tour:

• Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, famous for its willow-lined canals and white-walled merchant houses

• Achi Shrine, overlooking the town and dedicated to protection and safe journeys

• Kurashiki Ivy Square, a picturesque cultural complex blending Western architecture with ivy-covered brick buildings

• [Optional] Ohara Museum of Art, Japan’s first museum dedicated to Western art, featuring works by Monet, Picasso, and El Greco.

In the late afternoon, continue your journey by Shinkansen to Hiroshima.

Stay overnight in Hiroshima.

Included: Breakfast, Guided Tour, Train Osaka-Kurashiki, Train Kurashiki-Hiroshima

Day 4

Okayama and Kurashiki

Historic Merchant Towns

Meet your guide for a full-day journey through Hiroshima’s powerful history and spiritual landscapes.

Highlights include:

• Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum, a moving tribute to peace and remembrance

• Atomic Bomb Dome, preserved as a symbol of resilience and hope

• Ferry crossing to Miyajima Island, one of Japan’s most scenic destinations

• Itsukushima Shrine, famous for its iconic “floating” torii gate rising from the sea

• Scenic island walks and traditional streets filled with local delicacies

Return to Hiroshima in the evening.
Stay overnight in Hiroshima.

Included: Breakfast, Guided Tour, Round Trip Ferry Ticket

Day 5

Hiroshima and Miyajima

Today leave early and travel by train (2h 45min) to Nara, Japan’s first permanent capital and home to some of the country’s oldest temples. Meet your guide at Nara station and embark on your tour to dive more into Japanese spirituality and history:

• Todai-ji Temple, housing the monumental Great Buddha statue

• Nara Park, where friendly sacred deer roam freely

• Kasuga Taisha Shrine, famous for its thousands of lanterns

Continue to Uji (1h of train from Nara), a historic town renowned for its matcha culture.

Highlights include:

• Byodo-in Temple, one of Japan’s most beautiful and historic temples

• Traditional tea and matcha shops

In the evening, continue to Kyoto (35min by train). Stay overnight in Kyoto.

Included: Breakfast, Guided Tour of Nara and Uji, Train (Hiroshima-Nara, Nara-Uji, Uji-Kyoto)

Day 6

Nara & Uji → Kyoto

Meet your guide after breakfast for an introduction to Kyoto’s rich cultural heritage.

Highlights include:

• Nijo Castle, the former residence of the Tokugawa shoguns

• Nishiki Market, Kyoto’s vibrant food market known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen”

• Gion District, Kyoto’s famous geisha quarter, where traditional wooden townhouses line lantern-lit streets.

Optional cultural experiences:

• Traditional tea ceremony in a Kyoto townhouse

• Exclusive geisha dinner experience

Stay overnight in Kyoto.

Included: Breakfast, Guided Tour

Day 7

Kyoto

Culture Heart of Japan

Meet your local guide after breakfast for a deep exploration of Kyoto’s most iconic temples and preserved streets. Highlights include:

• Kiyomizu-dera Temple, offering panoramic views across Kyoto

• Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, historic streets filled with traditional shops and teahouses

• Yasaka Shrine, a lively spiritual center in Kyoto

• Kodai-ji Temple, known for its serene gardens and elegant architecture

Optional cultural experiences:

• Japanese pottery workshop

• Kintsugi (golden repair art) experience

• Zen meditation session

At sunset (on your own) visit Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its thousands of vermillion torii gates (or early the following morning). Stay overnight in Kyoto.

Included: Breakfast, Guided Tour

Day 8

Kyoto

Higashiyama District

Today you will explore Kyoto’s scenic western district, immersing yourself in breathtaking nature and Zen filled architecture. Highlights include:

• Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, one of Japan’s most photographed landscapes

• Tenryu-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Zen temple with exquisite gardens

• Scenic walk along the Katsura River

• Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Kyoto’s most iconic temple

• Ryoan-ji, home to Japan’s most famous Zen rock garden

Stay overnight in Kyoto.

Included: Breakfast, Guided Tour

Day 9

Kyoto

Arashiyama & Zen Aestethic

Enjoy a day exploring some of Kyoto’s lesser-known cultural treasures.

Highlights include:

• Heian Shrine, built to commemorate Kyoto’s imperial past

• Kyoto Museum of Crafts and Design, showcasing the city’s 74 traditional craft industries

• Shimogamo Shrine, one of Kyoto’s oldest sacred sites set within the forest of Tadasu-no-Mori

• Meiji Era Villa, a hidden architectural gem along the Kamogawa River

Optional cultural experiences:

• Samurai sword experience

• Kyoto cooking class

• Japanese calligraphy

Stay overnight in Kyoto.

Included: Breakfast, Guided Tour

Day 10

Kyoto

Culture & Craft Traditions

[Self guided day] Travel from Kyoto into the Japanese Alps to reach the historic mountain town of Takayama. Recommended visiting:

• Sanmachi Suji, a beautifully preserved Edo-period district with traditional merchant houses

• Takayama Jinya, the historic government headquarters of the Edo era

• [Optional] Visits to local sake breweries and traditional craft shops

• Hida Kokubun-ji Temple, one of the region’s oldest temples

Takayama’s peaceful atmosphere offers a glimpse into Japan’s traditional past.

Stay overnight in Takayama traditional ryokan with onsen (hot springs).

Included: Breakfast, Train tickets Kyoto-Takayama

Day 11

Takayama

Preserved Edo Atmosphere

Travel by private vehicle through the mountains to the UNESCO-listed village of Shirakawa-go.

Meet your guide there to embark on a cultural tour of this UNESCO village. Highlights include:

• Traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses with steep thatched roofs designed for heavy snow

• Visit to the historic Wada House

• Scenic viewpoints overlooking the village from Shiroyama Observatory

Continue by private vehicle to Kanazawa, a city celebrated for its samurai history, crafts, and refined culture.

Stay overnight in Kanazawa.

Included: Breakfast, Private Vehicle Takayama-Shirakawago-Kanazawa, Guided tour of Shirakawago

Day 12

Shirakawa-go & Kanazawa

Meet your guide after breakfast for a full-day exploration of Kanazawa. Highlights include:

• Omicho Market, famous for its fresh seafood and local specialties

• Higashi Chaya District, a beautifully preserved geisha quarter

• Kanazawa Castle and the magnificent Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan’s most celebrated landscape gardens

• [Optional] Traditional gold leaf craftsmanship experience

Other Optional experiences include sake tastings and cultural workshops.

Stay overnight in Kanazawa.

Included: Breakfast, Guided Tour

Day 13

Kanazawa

Samurai Heritage & Artisan Culture

[Free Day] Enjoy a relaxed morning exploring Kanazawa’s historic districts.

Recommended visits:

• Nagamachi Samurai District, lined with preserved samurai residences

• Nomura Samurai Residence, offering insight into samurai lifestyle

• [Ahead reservation required] Myoryuji Temple (Ninja Temple), famous for its secret passages and hidden architectural features.

Optional experiences: sake tastings, tea ceremony, Geisha dinner, lacquerware decoration, kintsugi workshop, sushi making class.

Stay overnight in Kanazawa.

Included: Breakfast

Day 14

Kanazawa

Relaxing Day at Your Pace

Take a short Shinkansen journey to Toyama, a charming coastal city known for its mountain views and fresh seafood. You may explore the city independently by bicycle or with a local guide.

Highlights:

• Toyama Castle Park

• Glass Art Museum designed by Kengo Kuma

• Local seafood markets

• Scenic waterfront and countryside areas

Later, return to Tokyo by Shinkansen.

Stay overnight in Tokyo.

Included: Breakfast, Train Ticket Kanazawa-Toyama and Toyama-Tokyo

Day 15

Kanazawa → Toyama → Tokyo

(alternative, travel directly to Tokyo)

Meet your guide for a full-day exploration of Tokyo’s diverse neighborhoods.

Highlights include:

• Hamarikyu Gardens, a historic landscape garden surrounded by modern skyscrapers

• Tsukiji Outer Market, famous for fresh seafood and street food

• Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa with Nakamise Shopping Street

• Ueno Park

• Akihabara, Tokyo’s electric town and pop culture hub

Optional experiences:

• Sumo stable visit (subject to availability)

• Sushi or Ramen making class

• Kart driving

Stay overnight in Tokyo.

Included: Breakfast, Guided Tour

Day 16

Tokyo

Historic Districts & Pop Culture

Meet your guide for a final half-day exploration of Tokyo.

Highlights include:

• Meiji Shrine, located within a tranquil forest in the heart of the city

• Harajuku, known for youth culture and creative fashion

• Omotesando, Tokyo’s architectural boulevard

• Shibuya Crossing, the world’s busiest pedestrian intersection

Stay overnight in Tokyo.

Included: Breakfast, Guided Tour

Day 17

Tokyo

Where Old meets New

Check out and transfer to Haneda or Narita Airport for departure.

Thank you for exploring Japan with Yupima. We hope to welcome you again for another unforgettable journey!

Included: Train ticket to Haneda or Narita airport [additional fees for private car transfer]

Day 18

Departure Day

Do you want to further customize or extend your holiday? Speak to one of our Travel Experts at
info(at) yupimajapantravel (dot) com
and we’ll be in touch with you shortly.

”Our itinerary was beautifully organized, with a mix of must to sees and hidden gems. The guides were warm and knowledgeable, and we learned a lot about Japanese culture. Highly recommend!”

- Mike

”This tour gave us a perfect taste of Japan. The experiences felt authentic, and the pacing was ideal. We saw so much but never felt rushed. A great blend of comfort and culture.”

- Kateryn

”We didn’t want a big group tour, and Yupima Classic package was perfect for us. Everything was easy and well-managed, with special touches along the way. Great value for such a rich experience.”

- Jorge&Iliana

What Our Guests Say