Day 1: Tokyo

A welcome package with your itinerary and any relevant documents or tickets required for your trip will be provided to you on your arrival in destination.

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: The Gate Hotel Tokyo Classy Room

Day 2: Tokyo

Uncover the best of Tokyo on a private full day exploration, where historic temples, vibrant markets, stylish districts, and the city’s culinary delights create a delightful journey. Meet your English-speaking guide in your hotel lobby and set out on a seamless journey across the city, navigating Tokyo’s most celebrated landmarks using Japan’s efficient public transportation system. Begin in Asakusa, where the city’s history comes alive at the magnificent Sensoji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple. Stroll along Nakamise Shopping Street, sampling traditional snacks and browsing local souvenirs that offer a glimpse into the city’s vibrant past. Continue to the bustling Tsukiji Market, famed for its fresh seafood and lively atmosphere. Here, savor a delicious lunch featuring local flavors before heading to the tranquil Meiji Shrine, a Shinto sanctuary surrounded by lush forest, offering a peaceful contrast to the city’s energy. Conclude with a leisurely visit to Omotesando, Tokyo’s fashionable avenue known for its striking architecture and stylish boutiques, before your guide escorts you back to your hotel, leaving you with lasting impressions of Tokyo’s allure.
Please note: This tour makes use of Tokyo's efficient public transportation to travel around the city.

Where you’ll be staying: The Gate Hotel Tokyo Classy Room

Day 3: Tokyo

Set out on a private day of discovery through Tokyo in full bloom, uncovering hidden cherry blossom havens and iconic landmarks where tradition and modernity meet in harmony. Meet your English-speaking guide in your hotel lobby and embark on a seamless journey across the city using Japan’s efficient public transportation. Begin with a peaceful stroll through the Imperial Palace East Gardens, where cherry blossoms frame centuries-old stone walls and tranquil pathways. Then, glide along Chidorigafuchi’s picturesque moat by boat, enjoying serene views away from the bustle. Continue to Yanaka, a historic district steeped in old-world charm, pausing to admire the elegant blooms in Yanaka Cemetery before heading to Ueno Park, one of Tokyo’s most celebrated hanami spots. The atmosphere transforms as you step into Akihabara, famed for its vibrant pop culture and neon lights. Conclude with a guided architecture walk through Ginza, where sleek modern designs and luxury boutiques showcase Tokyo’s contemporary sophistication. Experience the captivating contrast of tradition and innovation framed by the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms, before your guide escorts you back to your hotel to conclude the day.
Please note: This tour makes use of Tokyo's efficient public transportation to travel around the city.

Where you’ll be staying: The Gate Hotel Tokyo Classy Room

Day 4: Tokyo To Hakone

Today, enjoy a private transfer from Tokyo to Hakone, featuring a full day discovery of Kawaguchiko and Mt. Fuji, where scenic beauty and cultural charm come together. Depart your hotel with your English-speaking guide and private driver for a picturesque drive to Hakone. Begin your exploration in Kawaguchiko, riding the Kachi Kachi Ropeway to take in stunning panoramic views of Mt. Fuji and the surrounding lake. Descend to visit the Arakura Sengen Shrine, famous for its iconic Churito Pagoda framing the mountain. After a leisurely lunch, continue to the Kubota Itchiku Art Museum, where exquisite kimono artistry and immersive exhibits celebrate traditional craftsmanship. Conclude your day immersed in breathtaking landscapes, cultural highlights, and the serene charm of this iconic region, before continuing your transfer to your hotel in Hakone.

Where you’ll be staying: Hakone Kowakien Ten-yu Maisonette Room with Open-Air Bath

Day 5: Hakone To Kyoto

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

Board a train from Hakone's Odawara station to Kyoto. The train ride is approximately 2 hours.

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

Set out on a private half day journey along one of Kyoto’s most peaceful and contemplative routes. Meet your English-speaking guide in your hotel lobby and begin seamless travel using Japan’s efficient public transportation to the northern Higashiyama district, where your walk begins near the serene Ginkakuji “Silver Pavilion”. From there, follow the charming Philosopher’s Path, a stone-lined canal walk once favored by scholars and poets. Flanked by cherry trees and quiet lanes, this gentle trail winds south toward Nanzenji, passing a number of smaller temples, shrines, and hidden gardens along the way. Your guide will offer thoughtful insights into the cultural and historical significance of each stop, allowing for unhurried exploration and quiet reflection. This walk offers a serene immersion into Kyoto’s spiritual heart, concluding at the tranquil Nanzenji Temple. Your guide will accompany you back to your hotel, completing a memorable cultural journey.
Please note: This tour makes use of Kyoto's efficient public transportation to travel around the city.

Where you’ll be staying: Dhawa Yura Superior King

Day 6: Kyoto

Discover a more contemplative side of Kyoto on this privately guided full-day journey through the spiritual heart of Arashiyama. After meeting your guide at the hotel, proceed by Japan's efficient public transit to Otagi Nenbutsu-ji, a hidden gem nestled in the hills. Here, 1,200 whimsical stone figures—each with a unique expression—line moss-covered paths, inviting quiet reflection. From the temple, follow your guide along peaceful backroads, passing traditional homes and forested paths that lead toward the famed Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Walk beneath towering green stalks swaying gently in the breeze—a serene, almost otherworldly experience. Midday, pause for a refined vegetarian shojin-ryōri lunch, prepared in the spirit of Zen Buddhism, where each dish honors seasonal ingredients and mindful presentation. In the afternoon, visit Tenryu-ji, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with an exquisite Zen garden framed by mountain views. Then ascend to the tranquil Okochi Sanso Villa, once home to a famed Japanese actor. Wander through manicured gardens and enjoy a cup of freshly whisked matcha with traditional sweets, before returning to your hotel by public transit.

Where you’ll be staying: Dhawa Yura Superior King

Day 7: Kyoto

Explore the spiritual landmarks of southern Kyoto and Nara on this privately guided full-day journey, beginning with a morning visit to the iconic Fushimi Inari Taisha. After meeting your guide at the hotel, use Japan’s efficient public transit to reach this revered shrine, where thousands of vibrant vermilion torii gates wind through forested trails up Mount Inari. Your guide shares the significance of Inari, the Shinto deity of prosperity, as you walk beneath the gates in a setting that feels both sacred and cinematic. Continue on to Nara, Japan’s first permanent capital, and visit Todai-ji, a monumental temple housing the Great Buddha—one of the largest bronze statues in the world. Wander through Nara Park, where sacred deer roam freely, believed to be messengers of the gods. Then, stroll along lantern-lined paths to Kasuga Taisha, a centuries-old Shinto shrine surrounded by moss-covered stone lanterns and vermilion halls nestled in a primeval forest. After a day rich in heritage and natural beauty, return to your hotel using the region’s excellent public transportation network.

Where you’ll be staying: Dhawa Yura Superior King

Day 8: Kyoto To Osaka

Enjoy a transfer with a private driver from Kyoto to Osaka’s Kansai Airport. Transfer time is approximately 1 hr.