Japan's Golden Highlights: 10 days Tokyo to Osaka

Welcome to Tokyo, Japan's capital and one of the world's most populous cities. Check-into The Capital Hotel Tokyu, your Scenic Special Stay for the next three nights. With direct access to four subway lines, the hotel recently received. Prestigious five-star rating in the Forbes Travel. Rooms overlook the most picturesque sites in Tokyo, such as the Imperial Palace, the 500-year-old Hie Jinja Shrine and beautiful landscaped Japanese gardens.

This evening, meet your fellow guests for a welcome reception and dinner.

Gather your bearings and get a bird’s eye view of Tokyo from above as you take in the panorama from Tokyo Sky Tree, the world’s tallest tower at 634 metres.

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Taiko performance: Given by Taiko Masters, partake in an interactive, private group demonstration and lesson in playing the Taiko drums, led by renowned Taiko masters.

The remainder of the afternoon is free at leisure. 

Scenic Freechoice Dining:
This evening, choose from one of these Scenic Freechoice Dining options:

Ninja Tokyo: This popular but unusual restaurant has a ninja theme that creates a memorable dining experience, combining gourmet cuisine with elaborate décor and entertainment.

Nobu Tokyo: Part of the famous international chain of restaurants from celebrated Japanese chef Nobu Matsuhisa, this casual but chic restaurant is known for its fusion cuisine blending traditional Japanese dishes with Peruvian ingredients.

Izakaya Nightlife: Sample a Yaki-tori and Kushiyaki dinner over some drinks at small local bars. This is a chance to mingle and dine in a traditional Japanese way.

Visit the Asakusa district, known as the centre of Tokyo’s shitamachi or ‘low city’, which captures the atmosphere of Tokyo’s past. Pay your respects at Sensoji temple, the city’s oldest Buddhist temple built in 645. Surrounding the temple is the Nakamise shopping area, featuring many traditional shops that sell Japanese crafts and souvenirs.

Scenic Freechoice:
This afternoon, explore the city on one of these Scenic Freechoice excursions:

Meiji Shrine and Shibuya Crossing: Explore the tranquil evergreen forest of the Meiji Shrine complex, before walking across the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world and seeing the famous Hachiko dog statue in Shibuya.

Cultural Shinjuku and Gyoen Gardens: Stroll through Shinjuku-Gyoen Gardens, one of the most beautiful areas for cherry blossoms in Tokyo. Visit Shinjuku’s shopping and entertainment districts. You can also choose to stay on and join the crowds later into the night.

Begin the day at the dazzling teamLab Borderless Digital Art Museum. Wander freely amongst the immersive displays, created by hundreds of projectors, lights and computers. Afterwards travel to Nagoya via Shinkansen in Green (Business) Class seats. Visit Shinkansen Train Museum at the SCMaglev and Railway Park. Continue to the historic castle town of Inuyama and check into the boutique Hotel Indigo Inuyama Urakuen Garden for a two-night Scenic Special Stay.

Learn about the ancient history of the area with a visit to the Shiro-to-Machi Museum before wandering through the old town’s streets to Inuyama Castle, the oldest of just five castles nationwide designated as national treasures.

Scenic Freechoice:
This afternoon, explore the city on one of these Scenic Freechoice excursions:

Meiji Mura: The Outdoor Museum for Reconstructed Buildings Meiji Mura, or Meiji Village, is a stunning demonstration of Meiji period (1868-1912) architecture from Japan. Walk around this vast theme park museum to see how Western culture inspired the architects of Japan as it moved from its samurai past to its modernised future.

Seki Traditional Swordsmith and Museum: Seki City is one of the most well-known and highly regarded blade-producing areas in the world. To this day, Japanese swords continue to be produced by swordsmiths in the traditional forging style that has been passed down for centuries. The museum shows the history and tradition of blade-making that date back over 700 years with a possible demonstration by the master swordsmith in action.

Return to Nagoya and travel via Shinkansen in Green (Business) Class seats to the culturally rich city of Kyoto, home to many World Heritage sites. Upon arrival, glide through the surreal Arashiyama Bamboo Grove on a traditional rickshaw before exploring and enjoying a vegetarian meal at the World Heritage listed Tenryu-ji Temple.

Afterwards visit the famous Kinkaku-ji or Golden Pavilion, so named because it is completely covered in gold leaf. Afterwards, check in for your Scenic Special Stay at the Hilton Kyoto in an executive room with lounge access. 

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Dinner with Maiko and Geiko: Tonight’s dinner will allow you to interact with a Geiko and Maiko who’ll host your meal presentation. It’s an excellent opportunity to learn about what is involved in becoming a Geisha and the art of Japanese hospitality.

Discover more of Kyoto today, a captivating city where old Japan is still alive. 

Scenic Freechoice:
This morning, explore your way on one of these Scenic Freechoice excursions:

Samurai & Ninja Museum: Your local guide will lead you on a 30-minute guided tour diving into the fascinating history of samurai and ninja through legendary stories and historical insights. Experience life as a Samurai, wearing authentic Samurai armour, holding a sword and learning how to throw ninja stars. Test your targeting skills by throwing a shuriken.

Nijo Castle: Discover Nijo Castle, built in 1603 as the residence of the first shogun of the Edo Period (1603-1868). After the Tokugawa Shogunate fell in 1867, Nijo Castle was used as an imperial palace before being donated to the city and opened to the public as a historic site. Its palace buildings are arguably the best surviving examples of castle palace architecture from Japan’s feudal era, and the castle was designated a World Heritage Site in 1994.

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Kimono wearing and tea ceremony: Partake in a Japanese tea ceremony while dressed in a traditional Japanese kimono. Learn more about this fascinating cultural ritual and take some memorable photos.

This afternoon, enjoy some free time in Nishiki Market, renowned as Kyoto’s kitchen with over 100 stalls and shops.

Make an early morning visit to Fushima Inari Shrine, famous for the thousands of red torii gates leading to its entrance. Afterwards, drive to Todaiji Temple, one of the World Heritage-listed Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara. Constructed in 752, it was the largest wooden building in the world until the end of the 20th century and houses one of Japan’s largest statues, a 15-metre-tall bronze Buddha. See the curious deer in Nara Park and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

Later, continue on to Kehayaza, the area where sumo wrestling originated.

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Kehayaza Sumo Stable: Learn about the history, life and training routine of a sumo wrestler during a private visit to a sumo stable in Kehayaza, said to be the birthplace of sumo. After your welcome ceremony, see a demonstration of Jinku (traditional folkloric songs) and watch the wrestlers in action in the dohyo.

Transfer to Osaka and check in to the Marriott Miyako Osaka for your two-night Scenic Special Stay with full club lounge access.

This morning, wander through Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street, an icon of the city that dates back almost 400 years. Then explore Kuromon Ichiba Market, known as Osaka’s kitchen. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Later this evening, enjoy more your Club Floor benefits, including complimentary refreshments and evening cocktails. Later, catch the Osaka Metro to the bustling Dotonbori district, known for its neon lights and elaborate street signs. Explore this lively area and sample some local dishes in Hozenji Yokocho food alley.

Say goodbye to the land of the rising sun with many wonderful memories. 

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the journey will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information. Hotels are indicative and subject to change.