7 Day Highlights of Japan - 2026

Upon arrival into Tokyo, please make your own way to the starting point hotel. Take the evening to relax after your flight and prepare for your first full day of touring tomorrow. Airport transfers are not included. Our transfer portal offers the option to book your airport transfers for an easier arrival experience (additional charges apply). Access to this portal will be available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed. Arrival & Check-in Information Travellers will be arriving at various times throughout the day. If arriving prior to standard check-in time, which is generally 3pm local time, you are welcome to leave your luggage with hotel reception and explore your surroundings until check-in becomes available, as there are no scheduled activities on Day 1 of the itinerary. The hotel may grant early check-in, however this is strictly subject to availability and at the hotels discretion.

Enjoy breakfast this morning before meeting your group and Tour Leader at 8:30 a.m. in the hotel lobby, where you'll be introduced to your fellow travelers and receive a tour briefing. Afterward, begin your day with a visit to Gotemba Peace Park, located on the mountainside of the Hakone caldera's outer rim. From here, take in panoramic views of the city below and the majestic Mount Fuji in the distance. Next, stop for lunch at Oshino Hakkai, a charming village in the Fuji Five Lakes region known for its eight crystal-clear ponds fed by snowmelt from the surrounding mountains. Admire the traditional thatched-roof farmhouses set against the stunning backdrop of Mount Fuji. Following a full day exploring the Mount Fuji area, continue on to Hamamatsu, where you can enjoy the evening at your leisure. Inspiring Highlights Gotemba Peace Park Mt Fuji viewing (weather permitting) Oshino Hakkai Village Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 4.5 hours

After breakfast, we head to Nagoya, famous for the historic 17th-century Nagoya Castle. The castle is the most iconic landmark in Nagoya and is an impressive sight. We then continue to our hotel in Osaka, where we will give you time to check in and freshen up before your trip leader takes you on an evening exploring Dotonbori area, or alternatively, choose to participate in one of our two optional tours that we offer this evening. Dotonbori is one of Osaka's most popular tourist destinations, this street runs parallel to the Dōtonbori canal and is a hugely popular destination for shopping, street food, bars and entertainment. At night the streets here are illuminated by hundreds of colourful neon lights and mechanised signs, including the famous running Glico Man sign and the Kani Doraku crab sign. Enjoy an evening at leisure in Osaka. Inspiring Highlights Nagoya Castle Dotonburi Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours You'll travel to Dotonbori this evening by public transport, with assistance from your Trip Leader The Osaka Street Food Tour and Sushi Making Experience are scheduled to run simultaneously, so you'll need to choose one of the two activities.

After breakfast, we'll see the sights of ancient Kyoto this morning, starting withthe soaring stalks of bamboo at Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. It's green, peaceful and the seemingly endless boughs make for a serene experience, even with the tourist crowds. Take in the sound of rustling bamboo as you stroll these paths – if there's a bit of wind, the groves will gently sway back and forth which only adds to the magic. We'll continue on to some of Kyoto's most iconic sites, like Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion). This is a Zen temple and UNESCO World Heritage Site, with two floors covered entirely in thin layers of pure gold, set within a beautiful classical Zen garden. Afterwards, with Kyoto's famed Fushimi Inari Shrine – known throughout the world as the ‘Path of the Red Gates.' Take time to appreciate the quieter corners of the shrine, and if you're feeling fit, a walk to the halfway point provides stunning city views. We head back to Osaka for another evening at leisure. You will have the option to be dropped at the Dotonbori area, or go with the group back to your hotel. Inspiring Highlights Fushimi Inari Shrine Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours

After breakfast this morning, we'll depart Osaka and make our way to Shizuoka. Along the journey, we'll stop in Nara, renowned for its historic temples and friendly, free-roaming deer. Here, we'll visit Todaiji (Great Eastern Temple), one of Japan's most celebrated landmarks, home to an enormous bronze statue of Buddha (Daibutsu) housed within a vast wooden hall. Next, we'll continue to the Ninja Museum of Igaryu, where you can explore a traditional ninja trick house, browse fascinating exhibits, and enjoy a live ninja show. Afterward, we'll travel onward to Shizuoka, where you'll have the evening free to relax and explore at your leisure. Inspiring Highlights Todaiji Temple Ninja Museum of Igaryu Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours

After breakfast, we return to Tokyo to begin exploring this vibrant city. Amid Tokyo's fast-paced energy, a visit to the quaint Asakusa neighborhood offers a refreshing glimpse of its historic side. This area is home to the ancient Sensō-ji Temple, dating back to the seventh century. As Tokyo's oldest and most significant Buddhist temple, it draws large crowds, so be prepared! Its striking entrance, Kaminarimon—also known as the “Thunder Gate”—is famous for its impressive red lantern. We'll stroll along Nakamise Street, the bustling path linking the gate to the temple's main hall. Lined with food stalls and shops offering traditional crafts, it's the perfect place to soak up the local atmosphere and pick up authentic souvenirs. Later, we'll head to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building to enjoy sweeping panoramic views of the city in the late afternoon. Finally, we'll check in to our hotel and have the evening free at leisure. Inspiring Highlights Asakusa Neighbourhood Sensō-ji Temple Nakamise Street Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours

Enjoy one last delicious breakfast this morning, before your Japanese adventure comes to an end. At an appropriate time, make your way to the airport for your flight home or embark on your own independent onward journey. Thank you for travelling with Inspiring Vacations. We hope you had a memorable experience. Check-out and Departure Information Travellers will be departing at various times throughout the day. Standard hotel check-out is from 10am-12pm. You are welcome to leave your luggage at the hotel reception and spend your final moments of free time exploring the area or alternatively please speak with hotel staff if you would like to extend your check-out time. Please note this service is subject to availability and will likely come at an additional cost. The easiest and most convenient way to travel from your hotel to Haneda International Airport (HND) or Narita International Airport (NRT) is to book airport transfers using your Traveller Hub (booked 7+ days in advance). Alternatively both airports have reliable public transport services from central Tokyo as well as the Limousine Bus which services many hotels in the central Tokyo area. For more information or assistance with these services, please speak with your hotel reception or tour leader. Special information Airport transfers are not included. Our transfer portal offers the option to book your airport transfers for an easier arrival experience (additional charges apply). Access to this portal will be available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed.