Day 1 Osaka★Assembly Day
All day
Today is a full-day gathering day in Osaka. Tourists will purchase their own flights to Kansai International Airport (KIX).
Osaka, Japan's second-largest city, is located in the heart of the Kansai region and is renowned for its bustling cityscape, rich culinary scene, and rich history.
Early arrivals can enjoy some shopping at Rinku Premium Outlets, western Japan's largest shopping center for designer goods.
Airport Pickup:
If your flight arrives between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM, our China-TravelNote staff will meet you at the airport and direct you to public transportation (transportation expenses are at your own expense).
If your flight arrives later, we will provide detailed directions to your hotel. The latest public transportation times from Kansai Airport are between 10:30 PM and 11:00 PM, subject to availability. A taxi to the meeting hotel costs approximately 6,000 yen per taxi.
Please feel free to contact the local tour guide for assistance should you encounter any inconveniences.
Visa Information:
This product requires you to apply for a Japanese visa yourself. It's recommended to apply 10-15 working days in advance, and the visa date must cover your travel dates. China-TravelNote can assist you with this process; search for "Japan visa" for details.
We promise a full refund if you present your visa rejection documents three days in advance, provided they haven't been rejected. (Note: This does not include situations where the visa application cannot be processed due to incomplete documents, insufficient visa time, or other reasons.)
丨Pre-trip instructions:
After payment for the activity, you can check the Japan pre-trip guide in the order to help you prepare for the trip; 5-7 days before the departure of the activity, we will send a travel text message (including the meeting hotel, how to join the group, and the tour guide), so please pay attention to the text message and the website notification; 1-3 days before the activity, the itinerary will be sent in the order, and the travel group will be notified again about the instructions for filling out the Japan entry card, etc.
Registration Instructions:
Resources are limited during peak season, and bookings will close once full. The website indicates a maximum of 25 people per group, but the number of places per group may vary slightly depending on availability. We recommend registering 20-30 days in advance to secure a spot. If the tour is not full, the closing date will be 5 days in advance. The actual number of guests is subject to change.
Day 2 Osaka → Nara → Kyoto
·morning
After breakfast, we'll head to Nara Park, an urban park located at the foot of Mount Wakakusa in Nara City. It's famous for the thousands of wild deer that roam freely here. You can buy special deer crackers and interact with these little creatures. Nara's famous historical sites, such as Todai-ji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine, are also located here. As the birthplace of Sino-Japanese exchanges, Nara's shrines and temples are older and more unique than the war-torn architecture of Kyoto [Note 1].
[Note] If you want to experience feeding deer, please keep your distance and avoid teasing the deer.
·afternoon
It's time to experience an authentic tea ceremony. Tea ceremony is a ritualized ceremony in Japan where tea is served to guests. It can be divided into two types: matcha and sencha, with matcha generally referring to the earlier development. Rather than simply a way to drink tea, tea ceremony emphasizes spiritual practice and a philosophy of life, such as "harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility," and "once in a lifetime." Concentrate on this moment and experience the Japanese aesthetic of "a moment is eternity."
After experiencing the tea ceremony, head to Kiyomizu-dera Temple, one of Kyoto's most famous temples. Along with Kinkaku-ji Temple and Nijo Castle, it's one of Kyoto's three most famous scenic spots and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, just outside Kiyomizu-dera Temple, are uniquely Kyoto-style slopes designated as Important Traditional Buildings Preservation Areas. Along the slopes, you'll find charming, ancient Japanese buildings and a wealth of souvenir shops offering a uniquely Japanese experience.
Then proceed to Kyoto to check in at the hotel.
Day 3 Kyoto
·morning
In the morning, we'll visit Nanzenji Temple, a tranquil retreat where you can experience Japanese Zen culture and the beauty of nature. The majestic and ancient gate evokes a profound Zen atmosphere. Climbing the Sanmon Gate offers sweeping views of Kyoto's Higashiyama Mountains. On one side, gentle hills and lush greenery, shrouded by the roofs and eaves of several temples, lie the other, a city steeped in the beauty of the ancient capital. Yasaka Pagoda and Kyoto Tower stand tall, one ancient and the other modern, to the east and west. Nanzenji Temple's dry landscape garden and collection of paintings are both exquisite, offering a unique and captivating experience.
Recommended experience (not included in the price, please make a reservation at least 1 day in advance): Kimono experience: You must wear a kimono once when you come to Kyoto. Choose from a variety of kimonos and transform yourself into a beautiful kimono beauty, leaving a beautiful image in your travel notes!
·afternoon
We then journeyed to Kifune Shrine, a hidden gem nestled in the mountains. Numerous red lanterns lined the mountain path behind the torii gate, their shadows flickering against the lush greenery. Kifune Shrine, dedicated to the water deity, offers unique water divination. It's rumored to be one of Japan's three most acclaimed shrines for seeking good marriage.
Recommended experience (not included): Afternoon tea on the riverbed. Nestled in a lush, lush valley, your dining table is set directly on the Kibune River, with the water gurgling beneath your feet. Enjoying the cool breeze and the scenery while savoring delicious food was a refined activity enjoyed by the nobility during the Heian period.
Day 4 Kyoto→Mino→Achi Village
·morning
In the morning, we'll visit Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine and admire the Thousand Torii Gates, a landmark of Japanese culture. Despite its name, there are over 10,000 of them, forming a deep vermilion tunnel from the base of the mountain to the summit. This area was also a filming location for the film Memoirs of a Geisha. From the halfway point, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Kyoto.
Free creation of fox ema: Ema is a prop used for praying in shrines. It is usually made of wooden boards and you can write your wishes on them. Each shrine has its own unique ema for people to write their wishes on wooden signs.
·afternoon
In the afternoon, we'll visit Mino City, where washi paper production boasts a rich history spanning over 1,300 years. During the Edo period, it was the preferred paper for ukiyo-e woodblock prints (such as those by Hokusai Katsushika). Experience washi paper making in Mino and create your own unique gift, embodying the charm of Japanese craftsmanship and keeping it as a keepsake. (If washi paper shops are closed, alternative crafting experiences will be offered.)
Stay at an ancient hot spring resort at night, enjoy exquisite hot spring cuisine, sleep on authentic tatami mats, and soak in beauty hot springs.
Enjoy Japan's most beautiful starry sky at Achi Village! In the evening, enjoy a free evening at Achi Village's special "Starry Sky Paradise" event (note: fees are at your own expense; admission is 1,800 yen per person, and transportation costs range from 3,000 to 5,000 yen per person). Achi Village has been certified by the Japanese Ministry of the Environment as "Japan's Most Beautiful Starry Sky." Unaffected by city lights, it boasts the brightest nights in Japan!
Day 5 Achi Village → Kiso Valley Nakasendo → Mount Fuji area
All day
After breakfast, we'll drive to Tsumago, a well-preserved post town in Nagano Prefecture, home to traditional wooden inns where traveling samurai lords would stay. We'll embody the spirit of an Edo-era traveler and retrace the Kiso Valley's Nakasendo Road, the main route used by merchants traveling between Kyoto and Edo (Tokyo).
Starting in Tsumago, we follow the old Nakasendo post road through tranquil alpine villages, ancient cedar forests, and waterfalls until we reach Magome, nestled at the mountain pass. After a short break at a teahouse, we continue on to Magome, where a dreamy mountain landscape frames the backdrop of old post stations and shops. The 7.8-kilometer hike winds past farmhouses, waterwheels, and rice paddies, making time slip by unnoticed.
After the hike, we will stay at a hot spring hotel at the foot of Mount Fuji.
Day 6 Mt. Fuji Area → Hakone → Kamakura
·morning
Today you can enjoy a lazy morning, set off later, and enjoy the early morning time at the foot of Mount Fuji.
After breakfast, we'll head to Oishi Park on the north shore of Mount Fuji. Besides the famous "Upside-Down Fuji" view, where you can photograph Mount Fuji reflected in the water, Oishi Park, also located on the north shore of Lake Kawaguchi, offers stunning views of Mount Fuji framed by a sea of flowers each season. The limited lavender season in June and July is truly breathtaking.
·afternoon
After lunch, we'll depart from Mount Fuji and head to Hakone to board the Hakone Pirate Ship and enjoy the beautiful summer scenery while rocking on the tranquil Lake Ashi. If the weather is good, you can also enjoy the magnificent view of Mount Fuji from afar.
After arriving at Moto-Hakone Port, we'll travel by car to Kamakura, the former seat of the Kamakura Shogunate. In the evening, we'll watch young men surfing on the Shonan Coast and take some photos of Japanese blockbusters. Alternatively, we can take the Enoden Railway (estimated 200 yen) to Kamakura High School Mae Station to experience the youthful atmosphere of "Slam Dunk." On a clear day, we'll even be able to see Mount Fuji from afar, admiring its magnificent beauty from the sea.
Day 7 Kanagawa → Tokyo
All day
After breakfast, we'll experience Japanese anime culture and journey into the world of the second dimension in Akihabara. Tokyo is synonymous with modern fashion, and Akihabara is a hub for Tokyo's subculture. Akihabara boasts specialty shops catering to anime fans, gaming cafes, and even girls dressed in maid costumes.
Then, head to the Ginza Business District: Located in central Tokyo near the Imperial Palace, Ginza is the city's bustling downtown. It's home to numerous specialty stores and department stores. Ginza's main streets are lined with department stores, including Mitsukoshi, Matsuya, Matsuzakaya, and Takashimaya. Ginza is also known for its high-end shopping, as well as a variety of eateries and fine-dining restaurants.
In the evening, we'll drive to Roppongi and ascend to the 52nd-floor observation deck to enjoy the dazzling night and sunset views, including Tokyo Tower! We recommend a lively and enjoyable evening at an authentic izakaya (dinner at your own expense).
Day 8 Tokyo★ Disbandment
All day
Today is the day to leave. This morning, everyone will check out of their hotels according to their flight times (the latest check-out time is generally 10:00 AM). Tourists will proceed to the airport according to their flight times. This concludes our panoramic tour of Japan. I look forward to your travelogues.
Tourists who haven't yet enjoyed their trip can stay a few more days in Japan to further experience the charm of Japan.
Departure Transportation:
1. Tokyo has two international airports: Haneda and Narita. Haneda Airport is closer to the city center, approximately 30-40 minutes away, while Narita Airport is further away, approximately 1.5 hours. Please arrange your return flight based on your needs.
2. The hotel is located in downtown Tokyo, with good access to trains and buses. Your tour guide will inform you of transportation options to the airport in the group chat one day in advance.
