Arrive in Japan

Upon arriving in Tokyo, meet your guide at the airport and transfer to our hotel. After checking in, you’ll have free-time to rest, savor local cuisine, or explore the city.

Tokyo, the world’s most populous metropolitan area, boasts over 37 million people in its greater region. Here, ultramodern skyscrapers, neon-lit streets, and cutting-edge technology harmoniously blend with serene ancient temples, traditional gardens, and historic shrines. Renowned for its efficient public transportation, exceptional cuisine ranging from street-side ramen to Michelin-starred sushi, and cutting edge electronics, Tokyo embodies a captivating fusion of tradition and innovation. This unique blend attracts millions of visitors each year.

Accommodations: Tokyo Area Hotel (4-Star or above)

Nikko

Visit the beautiful city of Nikko and Toshogu Shrine.

• Nikko, a city in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, is famous for its natural beauty, historic temples, and shrines. It’s a gateway to Nikko National Park and blends cultural heritage with outdoor activities. Established as a Shinto and Buddhist center in 766 AD, Nikko gained prominence during the Edo period. Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun, was enshrined there in 1617, solidifying its status.
• Under his grandson Iemitsu, Toshogu Shrine, a magnificent complex, was constructed. In 1999, the Shrines and Temples of Nikko were recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, ensuring their enduring cultural significance.

Enjoy a Traditional Japanese Lunch before experiencing Edo Wonderland!

• Edo Wonderland, a captivating cultural theme park, transports guests to Japan’s Edo Period (1603-1868), a time of peace and prosperity under the Tokugawa shogunate. The park features an impressive collection of historical structures, from humble inns to grand samurai homes and official government edifices. Staff interact with guests in manner and attire authentic to the various social classes of the Edo period. Activities include dynamic ninja performances, street acts, parades, and various seasonal events. Guests can also participate in activities like ninja training, archery, and renting traditional outfits.

Dinner OYO in Tokyo.

Accommodations: Tokyo Area Hotel (4 Star or above)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Modern Tokyo

Visit the Meiji Jingu Shinto Shrine.

• Meiji Jingu, dedicated in 1920 to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, holds immense significance as a place of religious ceremonies and public events. It is particularly renowned for hosting the New Year’s celebrations, weddings, and traditional Shinto rituals. The shrine’s iconic gravel entryway path is lined with wooden torii gates, cypress trees donated from across Japan, and various offerings, including sake barrels, from different parts of the country. Meiji Jingu embodies the emperor’s passion for nature and his role in modernizing Japan.

Explore the adjacent Omotesando and Harajuku shopping districts and lunch OYO!

• Omotesando and Harajuku, neighboring districts in Tokyo, are famous for their fashion, culture, and trendy youth culture. They offer a stark yet complementary contrast, showcasing Tokyo’s blend of traditional and avant-garde culture. Omotesando boasts luxury boutiques and architectural landmarks, while Harajuku, especially Takeshita Street, is known for vibrant street fashion, kawaii culture, unique cosplay outfits, and themed cafes.

Free-Time and Dinner on your own in Tokyo.

Optional: Visit the LDS Tokyo Temple.

• In 1901, the first LDS missionaries arrived in Japan, and in 1975, the announcement of the temple was made. Completed in 1980, the Tokyo Temple stands as the first temple in a non-Christian nation and serves as a central hub for all Asian Saints.

Accommodations: Tokyo Area Hotel (4 Star or above)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Miyajima Island/Hiroshima

After Breakfast at the hotel, check-out and travel to Hiroshima and Miyajima Island via. Shinkansen.

• Miyajima Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, harmoniously blends Shinto and Buddhist traditions. Religious elements are vividly reflected in the verdant landscapes, distinctive architecture, and ancient temples and shrines, dating as far back as the 6th century. Celebrated for its stunning natural beauty, the island is particularly renowned for the iconic Itsukushima Shrine, featuring the mesmerizing "floating" torii gate that appears to levitate above the sea during high tide.

After lunch OYO on Miyajima Island, visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.

• The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park serves as a poignant tribute and reminder of August 6, 1945. Immersive exhibits featuring artifacts, evocative photographs, and firsthand survivor testimonies to help visitors grasp the harrowing realities of the day. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum delivers a deeply affecting blend of education and emotion, challenging perspectives on war and humanity. At the heart of the site looms the Atomic Bomb Dome, a haunting UNESCO World Heritage Site and grim testament to the utter devastation of nuclear conflict. Adjacent to the monument, a park was built for visitors to contemplate the site’s magnitude, and encourage global peace through introspection.

Accommodations: Kyoto Area Hotel (4 Star or above)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Kyoto

Visit the Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine.

• The Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice, sake, agriculture, and prosperity, was built in 711 AD. Thousands of vermilion torii gates form a tunnel-like path up Mount Inari, adorned with fox statues (considered messengers of Inari). The shrine embodies good fortune and success, attracting millions of visitors annually.

After, free-time to explore Kiyomizudera, and the surrounding shopping district. Lunch OYO.

• Kyomizudera The "Pure Water Temple" is a historic Buddhist temple renowned for its stunning architecture, panoramic views, and scenic beauty. Jishu Shrine, perched on the hillside of Mt. Otowa, was built in 780 AD. Renowned for its Otowa Waterfall, visitors may drink from its three streams, each believed to bestow unique blessings such as longevity, academic success, or love. In 1994, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, drawing millions of visitors annually.

Enjoy a traditional Kobe beef Yakiniku BBQ dinner in Kyoto.

• Yakiniku, or “grilled meat,” is a Japanese dining style inspired by Korean barbecue. Seasoned bitesized cuts of premium beef (often wagyu), pork, and vegetables ( mushrooms, peppers, and onions) are cooked on a table-top grill, then dipped into various dipping sauces.

Accommodations: Kyoto Area Hotel (4 Star or above)

Meals Included: Breakfast/Dinner

Osaka

Breakfast at the hotel, then depart for Osaka Castle.

• Osaka Castle is a symbol of the city's history and power. Originally built in 1583 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, one of Japan's most powerful feudal lords, the current structure is a concrete reconstruction from 1931, designed to mimic the original's appearance after it was destroyed several times due to warfare and fires. The castle is surrounded by expansive grounds with moats, walls, and turrets, offering a glimpse into feudal Japan's military architecture. Inside, the castle houses a museum with exhibits on Hideyoshi's life, the history of the castle, and artifacts from the period. The top floor provides panoramic views of Osaka.

Lunch at the home of the Japanese Pancake, “Okonomiyaki” on Dotonbori Street and free-time to explore the popular shopping district.

• Dotonbori Street, located in the heart of Osaka, is a vibrant, bustling thoroughfare renowned for its lively atmosphere, dazzling neon lights, and culinary delights. Stretching along the Dotonbori Canal in the Namba district, this iconic street is a sensory overload of colorful billboards, quirky shop signs, and the aroma of street food like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushikatsu wafting from countless stalls and restaurants. Famous landmarks like the Glico Man sign and the giant moving crab of Kani Doraku draw crowds of tourists and locals alike, while theaters, bars, and shops keep the energy high day and night. Often compared to Tokyo’s Shibuya, Dotonbori embodies Osaka’s spirited, food-loving culture, making it a must-visit destination for anyone seeking the essence of this dynamic city.

After, free-time in Kyoto with dinner OYO.

Accommodations: Kyoto Area Hotel (4 Star or above)

Meals Included: Breakfast/Lunch