Japan's Golden History Tour - 11 Nights / 12 Days

On the second day in Tokyo, you can explore the popular historic and cultural sites, like the Senso-ji Temple, the oldest temple in Tokyo. The temple offers the visitors a glimpse into the traditional lifestyle of Japan, and features a main hall and a bustling market, named Nakamise-dori. You can also visit the picturesque Imperial Palace, the main residence of the Emperor of Japan. The palace features beautiful gardens and offers historic significance. 

Overnight Stay- Tokyo

From Tokyo, you can move towards Hakone, a historical city, which is situated about 85 kilometres away, and takes about 1.2 hours to reach. In Hakone, you can explore the renowned Hakone Shrine, an ancient Shinto shrine, which dates back to the 8th century.

The shrine features a stunning red Torii Gate, which appears to be floating on Lake Ashi. You can also take a leisurely stroll at Lake Ashi, which offers a stunning view of Mount Fuji.

Overnight Stay- Hakone

On the second day in Hakone, you can visit the Hakone Gongen Shrine, which marks its presence during the Genpei War and plays a key role in the history of the region. You can also explore the renowned Hakone Sekisho, or Hakone Checkpoint, a reconstructed Edo-era checkpoint, which takes you back to ancient times. 

On the fifth day of the tour, you can move towards the city of Kyoto, which is situated about 375 kilometres from Hakone, and takes roughly 4.5 hours to reach. On the first day in Kyoto, you can explore the popular and vibrant markets and local attractions in the city. You can explore the iconic Nishiki Market in Kyoto, a lively food market in the city, which offers local delicacies and mouthwatering cuisines. You can also participate in the various leisurely workshops in the city, like experiencing the traditional Tea Ceremonies and witnessing Sake Tasting activities.

Overnight Stay- Kyoto

On the second day in Kyoto, you can explore the rich culture and traditional architecture of Kyoto's geisha district, Gion, which features traditional tea houses and Geiko sightings. You can also visit Higashiyama, a beautiful district that preserves the traditional appeal of the city and features narrow lanes with temples, shrines, and shops. 

Overnight Stay- Kyoto

On the third day in the city, you can visit iconic historical sites, like Kinkaku-ji, also known as Golden Pavilion. The stunning Buddhist temple, covered in old leaves, was originally a retirement villa of the Shogun. You can also explore the iconic Nijo Castle, a significant and symbolic seat of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the castle features stunning architecture and ornate palaces. 

Overnight Stay- Kyoto

On the final day in Kyoto, you can experience the stunning and scenic natural beauty of the city. You can explore the Arashiyama district, which features the breathtaking Bamboo Grove, lush mountains, and the beautiful Katsura River. You can also take a relaxing stroll across the popular Philosopher's Path, a picturesque canal-side walk, which is lined with cherry trees, offering a memorable and picturesque atmosphere.

From Kyoto, you can take a scenic route via Nara to reach Osaka. The distance between Kyoto and Nara is 45 kilometres, and it takes roughly 1 hour to reach. In Nara, you can explore key historic and cultural sites, like the iconic Todai-ji Temple, which houses a massive bronze statue of the Great Buddha. It also features the world's largest wooden building and acts as the National Buddhist Centre. You can also visit the 8th-century Heijo Palace site, which acts as the political and cultural heart of Japan's capital, from 710 AD to 794 AD.  

After exploring Nara, you can move towards Osaka, which is situated about 30 kilometres away, and takes less than 1 hour to reach. 

Overnight Stay- Osaka

On the first day in Osaka, you can explore the various cultural heritage of the city. In Osaka, you can visit the 1600-year-old Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which features the massive Tomb of Emperor Nintoku.

You can also explore the oldest Buddhist temple of Japan, Shitennoji Temple, which offers visitors a glimpse into the region's ancient history. In Osaka, you can also visit the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living, which features a recreated Edo-period townscape, combined with traditional shops. 

Overnight Stay- Osaka

You can explore the rich cultural and historic sites of Osaka on the eleventh day of the tour. You can visit the prominent Osaka Castle, which features impressive stone walls, and also houses museums displaying armors and weapons of samurai. You can also visit the Hozanji temple, which features a unique moss-covered Buddha statue and is considered the "Mecca" for the devotees of Shoten, a Buddhist deity.

Overnight Stay- Osaka

You can reserve the final day of the tour for museum exploration in Osaka. You can visit the popular National Museum of Art, also known as NMAO, which focuses on contemporary Japanese and international art. You can also visit the Osaka Museum of History, displaying the glorious past of the city, and the Osaka Science Museum, which is considered an ideal spot for learning and interacting with the latest technology.