Day 1 All over the country → Osaka ★Gathering 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 tour 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.
Please feel free to call the local tour guide for assistance if 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 group will be notified again with the instructions for filling out the Japan entry card, etc.
Registration Note:
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, bookings will close five days in advance. The actual number of guests is subject to change.
Day 2 Kansai → Daikokuji Temple → Kuroshio Market → Shirahama → Katsuura
·morning
After breakfast at the hotel, we will go to [Dawala Temple].
Daikoku-ji Temple is an ancient Tendai sect temple located on Mt. Ushitaki, but it's best known for its stunning autumn foliage. As early as the Edo period, it was featured in books documenting famous scenic spots across Japan, and is now designated a "Futo Prefecture Scenic Spot."
The vibrant crimson leaves surrounding the red Dobo Pagoda, a designated Important Cultural Property, create a tranquil, timeless beauty of autumn against the backdrop of the majestic temple. The moss-covered stone steps, the Utaki River valley, the Ichi-no ...
After leaving Yamaneki-ji Temple, we'll head to Kuroshio Market for lunch. This fresh produce market, located on an artificial island in Wakayama Yacht City, is styled after a 1960s Japanese market and is a renowned seafood market in the Kansai region. Enjoy your choice of seafood restaurant or purchase freshly prepared seafood directly from the market. Let's savor the delights of the Kii Peninsula's oceans together!
·afternoon
After lunch at Kuroshio Market, we'll head south to Shirahama, a seaside resort on the western tip of the Kii Peninsula. We'll arrive at Shirarahama, a Pacific paradise where pristine white sands frame a sparkling bay, offering a truly relaxing escape. Shirarahama, the sister beach of Waikiki Beach in Hawaii, is renowned as Kansai's most beautiful beach. Enjoy lunch at our leisurely pace.
After finishing our visit to Shirahama, we will drive to Kii Katsuura, a treasure town located at the eastern end of the Kii Peninsula.
Day 3 Katsuura → Kumano Sanzan → Koyasan
·morning
We set out in the morning and arrived at Nachi Taisha Shrine, one of the three major shrines of Kumano.
Nachi Taisha Shrine and Seiganto-ji Temple are among the few shrine and temple complexes in Japan where both are located side by side. The two shrines were once connected, symbolizing harmonious coexistence within nature. Both shrines commemorate Nachi Falls. High atop Mount Nachi lies Nachi Falls, known as "Japan's No. 1 Waterfall," where the twelve deities of Kumano and the deity of Nachi Falls are enshrined.
·afternoon
We then traveled to Kumano Hongu Taisha, another of the Kumano Sanzan. This is the terminus of the Kumano Kodo and the headquarters of over 300 Kumano shrines across Japan. Legend has it that the Kumano god descended in the form of three moons, perched on the branches of a massive oak tree in this clearing. All pilgrimage routes along the Kumano Kodo lead to this sacred site.
After visiting Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine, we set off for Koyasan, Japan's "Sacred Place in the Sky." Koyasan is a sacred site for Japanese Buddhism, home to 117 temples. Its status in Japan is comparable to that of Lhasa in China. In 2004, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
First, we'll visit Danjo Garan, one of the earliest areas of Koyasan, dating back 1,200 years. It depicts the world of the Garbha-kai Mandala. We'll then visit Kongobu-ji Temple, founded by Toyotomi Hideyoshi as the head temple of Shingon Buddhism and a representative temple of Koyasan. Inside, we'll admire a dry landscape garden and exquisite screens depicting Kukai's journey to the East in search of the Dharma.
After the tour, return to the century-old temple where you'll stay for the night. Enjoy a vegetarian meal known as "Shojin Ryori" and, if you're lucky, try Koyasan's unique "sesame tofu." This tofu isn't made with soybeans, but rather with kudzu root powder and sesame seeds. Unlike other places, the sesame seeds here aren't roasted, but crushed directly before making the tofu. This is said to prevent the aroma from disturbing the monks' concentration during their meditation. Stay overnight at the temple's lodging.
Day 4 Koyasan → Nara → Osaka
·morning
In the morning, go to the temple for morning classes - Shingon Buddhism chanting. The low-frequency vibrations penetrate all media and reach the heart. Here, you can forget the mundane world and feel the extraordinary inner peace.
China-TravelNote offers a special hike to Okunoin: This area boasts an incredible forest of giant sequoia trees, with over 200,000 ancient tombs and pagodas nestled among the towering, thousand-year-old trees. Visitors are rare, often unattended. The moss-covered, mist-shrouded forest creates an eerie atmosphere beyond words. At the end of the dense forest lies the central sanctuary of Daishi's faith: the Lantern Hall, home to a thousand eternally burning lanterns, and the mysterious Imperial Shrine beyond.
·afternoon
After strolling through the Ao-no-in Temple, head down the mountain and head north.
First, we'll experience traditional Japanese culture—a magatama crafting experience. Magatama, also known as curved jade, is a type of jewelry shaped like a hook. In ancient times, magatama was a symbol of power and fame, and was also believed to have the power to improve fortune and ward off evil. Here, we'll choose our favorite color and have a beautiful magatama jewelry made for us. (If you can't schedule an appointment, we'll change to another crafting experience in Nara.)
After the experience, we headed to Hoshida Park, a prefectural forest located in eastern Osaka Prefecture. This is a great spot for enjoying autumn outside of Osaka. The Hoshi no Swing, located in Hoshida Park, is one of Japan's largest wooden-floor pedestrian suspension bridges. The peak season is generally from mid-November to early December. From the bridge, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the vibrant red and yellow leaves.
Overnight in Osaka
Day 5 Osaka → Kaohsiung Sanwei → Osaka
·morning
After breakfast, head to Katsuo-ji Temple
Katsuo-dera Temple is a Shingon Buddhist temple in Koyasan, located in Minoh City, Osaka Prefecture, Japan. Built in 727 at the end of the Nara period, it boasts a 1,300-year history as a temple of victory. The Japanese believe that Daruma (a type of dharma) can help fulfill wishes and bring good luck. Katsuo-dera Temple's name also means "victory," and as such, the temple grounds are filled with Darumas of all sizes, filling every available space.
China-TravelNote is giving away a mini Daruma tumbler. The eyes of the new Daruma are blank. You need to write down your wish on the Daruma and paint the right eye. Believe that the Daruma will bring you good luck. When your wish comes true, paint the left eye, and it will bless you forever.
·afternoon
After lunch, we headed to Kyoto to enjoy the autumn scenery.
Located in the valley area north of Kyoto, there are three temples famous for their beautiful autumn scenery and historical culture. These are Jingo-ji Temple on Mount Takao, Takasan-ji Temple on Mount Makio, and Saimyo-ji Temple on Mount Makio, collectively known as the "Three Tail of Takao."
The clear Kiyotaki River flows through the mountains, creating picturesque scenery and embodying the beauty of rural nature. The towering Kitayama cedars reach the sky, inviting the gaze upward. The three thousand-year-old temples each possess unique characteristics, imbued with a sense of simplicity and Zen. Each location offers a unique landscape, well worth a visit to savor.
Day 6 Osaka★Dissolution Day
All day
Today is the disbanding day. Everyone will disperse according to their flight schedules in the morning (the latest check-out time for hotels is generally 10:00 noon). Tourists from all over the world will go to the airport according to their flight schedules.
Tourists who haven't had enough can stay a few days longer in Japan to fully experience the charm of Kyoto, a relic of the Tang Dynasty. Please check your belongings before leaving your hotel and at the airport; don't leave them behind. This concludes our small-group experience of Japan, a tearful goodbye! Remember to return and submit your homework!
