Overview
A highlight of the vacation is the shinkansen (bullet train) ride from Tokyo to Kyoto. Reaching nearly 200-miles-per-hour, this is by far the most entertaining way to travel between cities. The “cradle” of Japan’s cultural heritage, Kyoto, was the country’s capital and residence of the emperor from the 8th until the 19th centuries. Your private guided sightseeing tour includes visits to Sanjusangendo Temple and the beautiful Temple of the Gold Pavilion. Built on a lake and surrounded by a thick forest, the image of the temple’s reflection in the water is a can’t-miss photo opportunity and memorable scenic view. You’ll also walk through Gion and explore the thousands of Torii Gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine. Take some I-time for a visit nearby Nara or to explore Nishiki Market.
Continue to Hiroshima where you’ll visit Peace Memorial Park and Itsukushima Shrine both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. End your exploration of Japan in Osaka with visits to Osaka Castle and Minami, the famous entertainment district and where the locals go for fun.
A highlight of the vacation is the shinkansen (bullet train) ride from Tokyo to Kyoto. Reaching nearly 200-miles-per-hour, this is by far the most entertaining way to travel between cities. The “cradle” of Japan’s cultural heritage, Kyoto, was the country’s capital and residence of the emperor from the 8th until the 19th centuries. Your private guided sightseeing tour includes visits to Sanjusangendo Temple and the beautiful Temple of the Gold Pavilion. Built on a lake and surrounded by a thick forest, the image of the temple’s reflection in the water is a can’t-miss photo opportunity and memorable scenic view. You’ll also walk through Gion and explore the thousands of Torii Gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine. Take some I-time for a visit nearby Nara or to explore Nishiki Market.
Continue to Hiroshima where you’ll visit Peace Memorial Park and Itsukushima Shrine both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. End your exploration of Japan in Osaka with visits to Osaka Castle and Minami, the famous entertainment district and where the locals go for fun.
Itinerary
Welcome to Japan! Your hotel is available for mid-afternoon check-in.
Today, hop on Tokyo's subway system for a private guided sightseeing tour of the city. Start with a visit to Meiji Shrine, a magnificent 20th-century Shinto monument set in a man-made forest.
At Tokyo Skytree ascend to Sorakara Point on floor 450 at some 450 metres/1500 feet, the highest point visitors can explore. Here you'll have stunning panoramic views over the city and and, on a clear day, Mount Fuji.
Lastly, visit bustling Nakamise shopping arcade and Asakusa Kannon Temple, the oldest of their kind in Tokyo. (B/L)
Enjoy a full day at your leisure.
Today's I-Time Tips: Enjoy a full day at leisure for your own discoveries. Utilize your included Tokyo Metro Pass to explore more of Tokyo's unique neighbourhoods, take a day trip to Mount Fuji, or visit the street-food markets for local specialties. (B)
Today, travel by shinkansen (bullet train) to historic Kyoto, former capital of Japan. (B)
Your private guided sightseeing tour uses efficient public transportation to take you around the city. Start at stunning Kinkakuji, Temple of the Gold Pavilion, covered with shimmering gold leaf.
Tour the Samurai and Ninja Museum for a hands-on history lesson of Japan's famous warriors, including the armour, weapons, and swords from the Medieval era.
Next, take a walking tour through Gion, Kyoto's most famous geisha district, which is also known for its high concentration of machiya-style merchant houses.
Continue to Sanjusangendo Temple, famous for 1,001 statues of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy. Flanking the main statue are 1,000 life-sized statues, covered in gold leaf, with 40 arms said to have the power to save 25 worlds.
Finish with a visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine, renowned for the thousands of brightly coloured Torii Gate. (B/L)
Enjoy a full day at your leisure.
Today's I-Time Tips: Take an excursion to nearby Nara or explore more of Kyotos historic temples and shrines using your included subway and bus pass. (B)
Travel by shinkansen (bullet train) to Hiroshima. Upon arrival, visit Shukkei-en Garden, where natural landscapes are represented in miniature form. We've included a day pass to use the local tram system to help you get around!
Your private guided sightseeing starts at Peace Memorial Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to see the Memorial Museum and Memorial Hall, which commemorate the lives lost in the WWII atomic bombing.
Travel by ferry directly from Peace Memorial Park to Miyajima Island. Here, visit Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its floating Torii Gate and enjoy free time to explore the many shops. (B/L)
Travel by shinkansen (bullet train) to Osaka. Your private guided sightseeing tour starts at Osaka Castle and the surrounding park.
Then explore Minami, the city's famous entertainment district, encompassing the districts of Shinsaibashi and Namba and the famed Dontonbori Street. Start with lunch featuring okonomiyaki, a delicious pancake dish famous in Osaka. Then, explore this exciting area by foot with your guide. From museums and shopping to theater and dining, this is where the locals come for fun! (B/L)
Enjoy a full day at your leisure.
Today's I-Time Tips: Return to Minami for further exploration or visit the Open-Air Museum of Japanese Farm Houses. Whatever you choose to do, we've included a subway and bus pass to help you get around. (B)
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Welcome to Japan! Your hotel is available for mid-afternoon check-in.
Today, hop on Tokyo's subway system for a private guided sightseeing tour of the city. Start with a visit to Meiji Shrine, a magnificent 20th-century Shinto monument set in a man-made forest.
At Tokyo Skytree ascend to Sorakara Point on floor 450 at some 450 metres/1500 feet, the highest point visitors can explore. Here you'll have stunning panoramic views over the city and and, on a clear day, Mount Fuji.
Lastly, visit bustling Nakamise shopping arcade and Asakusa Kannon Temple, the oldest of their kind in Tokyo. (B/L)
Enjoy a full day at your leisure.
Today's I-Time Tips: Enjoy a full day at leisure for your own discoveries. Utilize your included Tokyo Metro Pass to explore more of Tokyo's unique neighbourhoods, take a day trip to Mount Fuji, or visit the street-food markets for local specialties. (B)
Today, travel by shinkansen (bullet train) to historic Kyoto, former capital of Japan. (B)
Your private guided sightseeing tour uses efficient public transportation to take you around the city. Start at stunning Kinkakuji, Temple of the Gold Pavilion, covered with shimmering gold leaf.
Tour the Samurai and Ninja Museum for a hands-on history lesson of Japan's famous warriors, including the armour, weapons, and swords from the Medieval era.
Next, take a walking tour through Gion, Kyoto's most famous geisha district, which is also known for its high concentration of machiya-style merchant houses.
Continue to Sanjusangendo Temple, famous for 1,001 statues of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy. Flanking the main statue are 1,000 life-sized statues, covered in gold leaf, with 40 arms said to have the power to save 25 worlds.
Finish with a visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine, renowned for the thousands of brightly coloured Torii Gate. (B/L)
Enjoy a full day at your leisure.
Today's I-Time Tips: Take an excursion to nearby Nara or explore more of Kyotos historic temples and shrines using your included subway and bus pass. (B)
Travel by shinkansen (bullet train) to Hiroshima. Upon arrival, visit Shukkei-en Garden, where natural landscapes are represented in miniature form. We've included a day pass to use the local tram system to help you get around!
Your private guided sightseeing starts at Peace Memorial Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to see the Memorial Museum and Memorial Hall, which commemorate the lives lost in the WWII atomic bombing.
Travel by ferry directly from Peace Memorial Park to Miyajima Island. Here, visit Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its floating Torii Gate and enjoy free time to explore the many shops. (B/L)
Travel by shinkansen (bullet train) to Osaka. Your private guided sightseeing tour starts at Osaka Castle and the surrounding park.
Then explore Minami, the city's famous entertainment district, encompassing the districts of Shinsaibashi and Namba and the famed Dontonbori Street. Start with lunch featuring okonomiyaki, a delicious pancake dish famous in Osaka. Then, explore this exciting area by foot with your guide. From museums and shopping to theater and dining, this is where the locals come for fun! (B/L)
Enjoy a full day at your leisure.
Today's I-Time Tips: Return to Minami for further exploration or visit the Open-Air Museum of Japanese Farm Houses. Whatever you choose to do, we've included a subway and bus pass to help you get around. (B)
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Transportation: Private guided sightseeing using public transportation; high-speed train from Tokyo to Kyoto, Kyoto to Hiroshima & Hiroshima to Osaka; transfers to/from train stations.
- Guides: Local Hosts in each city
- 10 Breakfasts
- 4 Lunches
- Tokyo Hilton Tokyo (Moderate Deluxe)
- Kyoto Kyoto Century Hotel (First-Class)
- Hiroshima Sheraton Grand Hiroshima Hotel (Moderate Deluxe)
- Osaka Imperial Hotel Osaka (Deluxe)
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
- Transportation: Private guided sightseeing using public transportation; high-speed train from Tokyo to Kyoto, Kyoto to Hiroshima & Hiroshima to Osaka; transfers to/from train stations.
- Guides: Local Hosts in each city
- 10 Breakfasts
- 4 Lunches
- Tokyo Hilton Tokyo (Moderate Deluxe)
- Kyoto Kyoto Century Hotel (First-Class)
- Hiroshima Sheraton Grand Hiroshima Hotel (Moderate Deluxe)
- Osaka Imperial Hotel Osaka (Deluxe)
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
Enjoy the many benefits of touring while being “untethered and unscheduled”. Read more
Globus picks hotels picked on their centralised location, so you'll stay right in the heart of the destination. Read more
Experience all the things you love about touring with more I-Time to explore when you wish, and where you like. Read more
Enjoy the many benefits of touring while being “untethered and unscheduled”. Read more
Globus picks hotels picked on their centralised location, so you'll stay right in the heart of the destination. Read more
Experience all the things you love about touring with more I-Time to explore when you wish, and where you like. Read more
Trip Reviews (1) Most Recent 'Independent Treasures of Japan' Reviews
Each of the guides of had their own highlights ...read more and destinations they wanted to show us; all were very acceptable - I guess the history of Japan demands an appreciation of that history however I think a little more view on contemporary Japan might have broken up the historical view. 3 of the 4 guides had excellent English and were really happy to provide ideas for the days they weren't with us. Thanks again.
Brochure
Globus Worldwide (2025-26)
Brochure
Globus Worldwide (2025-26)
Availability
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