Day 1: Tokyo

Meet your TravelTides Tours Airport Representative who will escort you to your driver for an accompanied airport transfer to your hotel by private vehicle.

Where you’ll be staying: Keio Plaza Tokyo Standard Plus

Day 2: Tokyo

Today meet your guide to embark on a captivating half-day city tour to gain insights into some of the city's most iconic, historical, and cultural sights of Tokyo. Begin with visiting Hamarikyu, a splendid Japanese garden that once belonged to a powerful feudal lord during the Edo Period. Admire the garden's diverse collection of seasonal flowers, drawing visitors from far and wide. The highlight awaits at Nakajima-no-Chaya, a charming teahouse offering freshly brewed green tea, delectable Japanese sweets, and picturesque views of the tranquil ponds and lush greenery. Uniquely, this landscape garden features seawater ponds that ebb and flow with the tides, adding to its allure. Take a delightful tea break as your guide shares intriguing insights into the art of sado, the traditional tea ceremony. From there, venture to Asakusa, a cherished part of Tokyo's old town known as shitamachi. Immerse yourself in the rich history of this district, once a flourishing geisha enclave. Discover the iconic Sensoji dating back to the 7th century, Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple, and soak in the vibrant atmosphere of the surrounding streets. Delight in strolling through the traditional shops that line the streets, offering a glimpse into Japan's cultural heritage. Let the captivating charm of Asakusa captivate your senses as you explore its timeless beauty.
Please note: This tour makes use of Tokyo's efficient public transportation to travel around the city.

Where you’ll be staying: Keio Plaza Tokyo Standard Plus

Day 3: Tokyo

Escape the bustle of Tokyo and Kyoto on an exclusive full day journey through Hakone National Park, a serene mountain retreat celebrated for its natural beauty, cultural depth, and artistic treasures. Traveling in the comfort of a private vehicle with your English-speaking guide, uncover the rich contrasts that define one of Japan’s that make Hakone one of Japan’s most beloved getaways. Begin with a visit to the Hakone Checkpoint, a meticulously reconstructed Edo-period post. Learn about its historical importance before taking a peaceful walk along Cedar Avenue, a tree-lined path once used by samurai and travelers alike. Continue to the base of Mount Komagatake for a scenic gondola ride above the forest canopy. On a clear day, enjoy sweeping views of lakes, valleys, and the iconic Mt. Fuji in the distance. In the afternoon, explore the acclaimed Hakone Open Air Museum, where modern sculptures blend harmoniously with the natural surroundings. Wander through the outdoor installations and take time to explore the impressive Picasso Pavilion, showcasing a rare collection of the artist’s work. Blending history, landscape, and creativity, this private Hakone experience offers a refreshing escape into Japan’s cultural and natural heart—an unforgettable journey of inspiration and discovery.

Where you’ll be staying: Keio Plaza Tokyo Standard Plus

Day 4: Tokyo To Kyoto

Meet your driver and assistant for a train station transfer with a private vehicle.

Board a train from Tokyo with direct service to Kyoto. The train ride is approximately 2.5 hours.

Meet your private assistant and driver for a train station transfer.

Discover Kyoto’s rich spiritual heritage as you explore three iconic temples with your private guide, each offering a unique expression of Japanese culture and artistry. Meet your guide at your hotel and travel by Kyoto’s efficient public transit system to Sanjusangendo, a remarkable yet often overlooked temple housing 1,001 golden statues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. Housed in the world’s longest wooden structure, this awe-inspiring sight offers a moment of quiet reverence. Continue to the famed Kiyomizudera Temple, reached via a lively slope lined with shops selling local crafts and treats. Admire the temple’s wooden stage, built without nails, and take in sweeping views over the city. From here, follow charming backstreets to Kenninji, Kyoto’s oldest Zen temple. Inside, view intricate ink paintings, including a dramatic twin dragon ceiling mural, and enjoy a moment of stillness beside the raked stone garden. Time permitting, stroll through Gion, where traditional wooden townhouses and teahouses evoke Kyoto’s elegant past and its enduring geisha culture. Conclude a return transfer to your accommodation with public transit.
Please note: This tour makes use of Kyoto's efficient public transportation to travel around the city.

Where you’ll be staying: Noku Kyoto House Room

Day 5: Kyoto

Uncover the timeless allure of Arashiyama on a private walking tour through its serene temples, lush gardens, and hidden bamboo groves, steeped in history and natural beauty. With your expert private guide, navigate Kyoto's clean and efficient transit system to reach Otagi Nenbutsuji, a hidden Buddhist temple home to a remarkable collection of 1,200 moss-covered stone statues. Next, wander through the serene backroads of Arashiyama, uncovering a tapestry of intriguing sites that reveal ancient tales and natural beauty. Discover the tranquility of a temple adorned with small stone effigies, each representing centuries-old devotion. Learn about the legend behind a lush moss garden, inspired by an impossible romance that continues to captivate visitors. Along the way, explore quaint shops offering local folk crafts and traditional treasures unique to the area. Your guide will lead you to the iconic Arashiyama bamboo forest, but before reaching this popular spot, you'll have the chance to enjoy a hidden bamboo grove earlier in the tour—perfect for soaking in the serene ambiance away from the crowds. Conclude your expedition on the main street of central Arashiyama, before returning to your accommodation with your guide.
Please note: This tour makes use of Kyoto's efficient public transportation to travel around the city.

Kyoto has been charming visitors to Japan since the country began opening its borders at the end of the 19th century. Once Japan's capital (794-868) and the emperor's residence from 794 to 1868, Kyoto is known throughout the world for its wealth of majestic palaces and villas, delightfully charming streets, tediously tended-to gardens; and time-honored traditions that are preserved to the present day.

Options abound with time on your own in a city like Kyoto. This afternoon, consider walking the Philosopher's Path up to Higashiyama: This 30-minute (leisurely) walk takes you along one of the city's most iconic canals and is an ideal way to spend a languid afternoon. We recommend starting at the south end (unlike most city-guides) so that your outing ends in the historical Higashiyama neighborhood, replete with dozens of cute cafes or boisterous izakayas if your afternoon walk has left your whistle in need of whetting.

Where you’ll be staying: Noku Kyoto House Room

Day 6: Kyoto

Discover Nara’s timeless charm with a private guide, exploring Todai-ji Temple, tranquil gardens, and the iconic Deer Park—windows into Japan’s profound heritage. Meet your guide at your hotel and travel via Kyoto’s efficient public transport to Nara, beginning at Isui-en, one of the city’s most exquisite gardens. Stroll through manicured landscapes with views of Mt. Wakakusayama, then pause for tea and local sweets at a tranquil teahouse. Continue to Todai-ji, an 8th-century UNESCO-listed marvel built as Japan’s head Buddhist temple. Be awed by the Daibutsu-den Hall, the largest wooden building in the world, which houses a towering 49-foot bronze Buddha. Wander through Nara Park, where friendly deer roam freely, and explore the charming backstreets dotted with shops and traditional homes. Miday, you'll be treated to a local lunch. Visit Kasuga Taisha, Nara’s most revered Shinto shrine, adorned with hundreds of bronze and stone lanterns. End your journey in Naramachi, a former merchant district alive with boutiques, cafés, and inns. Conclude with a return train transfer to Kyoto.
Please note: This tour makes use of Kyoto's efficient public transportation to travel around the city. Additionally, let your Destination Expert know of any dietary restrictions prior to your departure.

Where you’ll be staying: Noku Kyoto House Room

Day 7: Kyoto To Osaka

Meet your driver for an airport transfer with a private vehicle.