PERFECT FOR:
- Honeymooners & Couples
- Nature Lovers & Foodies
- Independent Travelers
- Relaxation & Spa Experiences
- Off-the-beaten path experiences
- Touring Japan at a relaxed pace
- First time and repeat travelers of Japan
A Private Japan Tour – Tokyo, Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka
12 Days / 11 Nights – Tour Code (JPR) – private tour – Departs Daily
Experience the true essence of Japan like no other with this romantic, awe-inspiring journey that promises memories of a lifetime. This tour features both the must-sees and the hidden gems of Japan with an exotic mix of electric cosmopolitan vibes, alluring natural beauty and heart-warming culture – all with our signature private service to ensure you experience Japan to the absolute fullest – Your Way.
Your introduction to Japan begins by touching down in the world’s most modern city – Tokyo. Its contrasts between the old and the new, the traditional and eclectic make Tokyo an exciting place for travelers to visit from all over the world. Here, explore the city’s top spots including the world-famous Tsukiji Fish Market, the dazzling Sensoji Temple and its colorful Nakamise shopping street and the sacred Meiji Jingu Shrine, plus a chance experience digital art that is out of this world at the Teamlab Planets or Borderless Experience. Create your own adventure in the big city sampling street food, discovering cool neighborhoods and soak in the bright lights of the Japanese capital.
After a few days of excitement in Tokyo, embark on a time journey to one of Japan’s most romantic regions, Gifu, known for its traditional culture and sleepy atmosphere, reminiscent of the ancient Edo period. We’ll spend 3 days in serene atmosphere of Takayama, a castle town of old wooden houses and cobbled alleyways that instantly captivates the visitor, as well as a visit to Shirakawa-go, a small rustic village and UNESCO World Heritage Site of traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses with a 250 year history. Besides great sights, highlights here include an authentic Japanese experience staying at a traditional ryokan featuring your own private in-room onsen and an delectable Kaiseki Dinner.
Your journey continues to the ancient capital of Kyoto, where you’ll enjoy a leisurely bicycle ride through the back streets of the city, which are dotted with spectacular shrines and imposing temples. Visitors become truly immersed in its unsurpassed charm, fascinating Japanese culture and omnipresent spirituality. In addition, we take a trip to another ancient capital, Nara, catching a glimpse of its remarkable Todaiji Temple, famed for being the world’s largest wooden building that houses the country’s largest Buddha statue. It’s adjacent to Nara Park, where over 1,000 free-roaming deer abound, and Kasuga Taisha, one of the most celebrated Shrines in all of Japan. We end the trip in bustling city of Osaka, a.k.a Japan’s Kitchen world-renowned for its great food, pulsating nightlife and cool city vibes.
From Tokyo’s shimmering high rises to Takayama charming villages, Kyoto’s architectural masterpieces to Osaka’s robust food scene – this tour promises forever memories.
TOUR INCLUDES:
- 11 nights deluxe hotel accommodations per itinerary
- Hotel breakfasts daily
- Extensive sightseeing by private guide by public transportation
- Tourist Class Rail Tickets between Cities per itinerary
- Airport transfers upon arrival and departure
- Separate baggage transfer between Tokyo / Kyoto / Osaka
TOKYO (4 nights)
- 4 nights at Cerulean Tower Hotel
- Full-day private walking tour of Tokyo via use of public transportation
- Full-day private excursion to Kamakura
TAKAYAMA (3 nights)
- 3 nights at Ryokan Hidatei Hanaougi*
- Kaiseki Dinner (1) at Ryokan
- Private walking tours of Takayama and Shirakawa-go
KYOTO (3 nights)
- 3 nights at Dhawa Yura Hotel
- Full day walking tour of Kyoto City
- Half-day private tour of Kyoto by bicycle
- Excursion to Ancient Capital of Nara
OSAKA (1 night)
- 1 night at Royal Classic Osaka
- Osaka Night Street Food Tour
- Private transfers to Osaka airport (ITM or KIX)
*Accommodations in Takayama based on Shakkyo or Hiriji Room with Private Garden & Onsen at Hidatei Hanaougi
Day 1 Arrive Tokyo
Upon arrival, be met by an airport representative and transferred to your hotel by reserved private taxi.
Day 2 Tokyo
Today, enjoy a full-day walking tour of Tokyo accompanied by your private guide (using public transportation). Visits include Tsukiji Outer Fish Market, the revered Meiji Shrine, Asakusa Kannon Temple and its colorful Nakamise Shopping Arcade, and the super cool Teamlab Planets, a fascinating digital art museum where visitors wade through mesmerizing light installations, interactive projections, and sensory experiences, blurring the boundaries between art and reality. (B)
Day 3 Tokyo
Today, choose from one of the following two options:
Option 1: Full day guide at disposal to further explore the city tailored your interests. Whether it’s anime, food, shopping or trendy neighborhoods, your guide will be at your service! (B)
Option 2: In the afternoon, head to Shinjuku for a night out of [street] food and fun. Here, we’ll sample an assortment of yakitori, a bowl of ramen and cold drinks at several joints known only by the locals. Later, drop off at an Izakaya (Japanese pub) for a drink or two before heading back to the hotel. (B,D)
Day 4 Tokyo
Full day at leisure to eat, shop and explore Tokyo on your own. (B)
Day 5 Tokyo / Takayama
This morning, make your way to Shinagawa Station by taxi for your train journey to Takayama (requires transfer at Nagoya Station), a heritage town steeped in rich history and nestled amidst stunning mountain scenery of the Japan Alps. Enjoy a tour of Takayama’s Old Town with a visit to the famed Takayama Jinya followed by sake tasting at a local brewery. Check-in at your ryokan and enjoy an authentic Japanese experience where an delectable Kaiseki Dinner (multi-course Japanese banquet meal) and soothing onsen (natural hot spring bath) await. (B,D)
Day 6 Takayama (Shirakawa-go)
Today you will take a tour with a local guide to the beautifully preserved old town of Takayama and the UNESCO site Shirakawa-go village. Start the day with a visit to the bustling morning market, which is lined with local crafts and farm products, along the Miyagawa River. Take a walk in the district called San-machi Suji, the traditional home of Takayama merchants and sake brewers, which has been preserved in almost exactly the same state for the past two to three hundred years. Visit the Takayama Jinya, which served as the former local government office headed by the officials dispatched from Edo. In the afternoon, catch the bus to Shirakawa-go region. Your guide will show you around the village, famous for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some dating 250 years back. Gassho-zukkuri translates as ‘Praying Hands,’ as the farmhouses’ steep thatched roofs resemble the hands of Buddhist monks pressed together in prayer, and are designed to withstand the heavy snows which fall in the region. Return to Takayama for your overnight accommodation. (B)
Day 6 Takayama
Enjoy a full day at leisure to enjoy Takayama or explore nearby areas such as a leisurely hike in Kamikochi Nature Preserve, a scenic cable car ride at Shinhotaka Ropeway, venture to the charming heritage town of Hida Furukawa, or simply discover the nooks-and-crannies (craft workshops, museums, archery ranges, markets, sake breweries) in and around Takayama. One thing for sure, there will be no shortage of amazing experiences here in Gifu! (B)
Day 8 Takayama / Kyoto
After breakfast, travel by rail to Kyoto. Upon arrival, proceed to your hotel by taxi for your next 3 nights’ accommodations. Enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure to relax and explore the city on your own. (B)
Day 9 Kyoto
Today’s tour features a few of the ancient capital’s most celebrated sites starting with Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its red torii gates straddling a network of trails into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari. Here, enjoy an invigorating but leisurely hike that combines culture and nature through thousands of vermilion torii gates, creating a vibrant and mesmerizing tunnel-like path leading up Mount Inari. Afterwars, continue to Kiyomizu Temple, one of the most visited temples of Japan founded in 780 on the site of the Otowa Waterfall in the wooded hills east of Kyoto. This UNESCO world heritage site is best known for its wooden stage that juts out from its main hall, 13 meters above the hillside below boasting panoramic views of Kyoto City. Enjoy a stroll through the two famous shopping streets (Ninen-zaka & Sannen-zaka) for cherry blossoms view at Yasaka Shrine and Maruyama Park. Continue to Gion District before returning to your hotel. (B)
Day 9 Kyoto
This morning, enjoy a fascinating tour of Kyoto by bicycle (e-bikes also available) and by foot. Your tour includes visits to the Golden Pavilion, one of the most photographed spots in all of Japan; Ryoan temple, home of the most famous rock garden; and Arashiyama, famed for its bamboo forest. Enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure to explore Kyoto on your own. Optional activities such as Tea Ceremony & Kimono experience, Japanese cooking lesson, Samurai experience are available upon request. (B)
***Note: Bicycle tour is privately guided. Passengers are to make their own way (approx. 20 minute by taxi) to meeting point in Western Kyoto, and subsequently to the cooking school. ***
Day 10 Kyoto / Nara / Osaka
Morning at leisure. This afternoon, travel to the outskirts of Kyoto to Nara, Japan’s first capital from 710-784 A.D. and yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site. We visit the awe-inspiring Todaiji Temple, famed for being the world’s largest wooden building that houses the country’s largest Buddha statue; Nara Park, where over 1,000 free-roaming deer abound; and Kasuga Taisha, one of the most celebrated Shrines in all of Japan.
We then quickly switch gears to Osaka for a night of food and fun. Here, embark on a foodies adventure stroll through popular food and entertainment districts such as Shinsekai, Osaka Jan Jan Yokocho and Dotonburi sampling the city’s local favorites such as Takoyaki, okonomiyaki (savory pancakes), ramen, and/or fried kushikatsu skewers. Check-in to your hotel in the heart of Osaka for your overnight accommodations. (B,D)
Day 11 Osaka
Full day free at leisure to eat, shop and explore Osaka on your own. Popular spots in and around Osaka include food markets (Kizu Market, Kuromon Ichiba), Osaka Castle, Den Den Town (anime district), Shinsaibashi (shopping) and nearby Himeji famous for its Himeji Castle. (B)
Day 12 Depart Osaka
Transfer to Itami or Kansai Airport by private car for your departure flight home. (B)
***End of Program***
| 2025 Price Chart (Prices valid through December 20, 2025) | |
| Departs Daily | Twin Sharing |
| Jan. – Feb. | 7,925 |
| Mar. – Apr. | 8,595 |
| May | 8,345 |
| July – August | 8,445 |
| September | 8,795 |
| Oct. – Nov. | 9,075 |
| December | 8,795 |
| Tour requires minimum of 2 passengers to operate | |
- Price is per person, based on double occupancy and minimum of 2 passengers
- Price includes entrance fees, hotel taxes & service charges
- Price excludes all airfares, personal expenses and beverages
- Tour commences in Tokyo and ends in Kyoto.
- Peak Season Surcharges or blackout dates apply during Sakura season (Cherry Blossoms in late March – mid April), Golden Week Holiday (April 29-May 6) & December Holiday period (Dec. 24- Jan. 03). Please contact us for details and restrictions.
- Tour prices are based on travel completing within the above said period. Due to hotel rate differences, pro-ration of tour price may be required for travel spanning two calendar months. Contact us for details.
- All sightseeing on private basis utilizing public transport
- All services are subject to availability at time of reservation
Japan Gallery
HIGHLIGHTS
- Tokyo’s bight lights & foodies scene
- Tsukiji Market & Meiji Shrine
- Takayama & UNESCO Shirakawa-go
- Ryokan stay & onsen experience
- Kyoto Tour on foot and by Bicycle
- Nara Deer Park
- Osaka Night Foodies tour
Price Starting From:
$7,550
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ACCOMMODATIONS
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WHAT PRIVATE TOUR MEANS
