Our Self-Guided Tours are vacations packages that are purchased for you as an individual or group of friends/family. No human guide is provided, you will travel across Japan with the aid of our resources to help you navigate and stay on track with the itinerary.
The Classic Japan Tour follows the historic Tokaido road from Tokyo to Kyoto. It is a great opportunity for first time travelers to experience some of the iconic features that the country has to offer. Stay in a traditional Ryokan on the mountainside of Hakone, ride the extensive ropeway across the mountains for a great view of Mt. Fuji (weather permitting), and walk the ancient streets of Kyoto and try to spot a Geisha!
Depending on when you take this self guided tour you may see the beautiful blooming cherry blossoms (typically the first week of April**) or the luscious and bright colors of fall (October through December).
** The cherry blossom trees do not always bloom as predicted. It is possible that due to an exceptionally warm or cold season that the cherry blossoms will not be in bloom during your visit in Spring.
All of the highlights and moments you’d expect with a deep emphasis on culture and meaningful experiences.
Comfortable 3-star accommodations (upgradeable to 4-star) and usage of a world class public transportation network
Japan is the land of quads and calves, expect 4 – 8 miles of walking each day.
This is a vacation package for just you! We will provide you with everything you need to navigate Japan successfully without a guide!
Finally! You have arrived in Japan! Check into your hotel and get settled, then follow the provided Self-guided Introduction Tour of Japan. This will allow you to get your first taste of adventure by walking the streets of Tokyo. You can use this time to help familiarize you with the customs, the transportation system, and maybe teach you a few useful phrases!
Walking: Light // Included Meals: None
Shinjuku Station is the busiest train station in the world, servicing 3.5 million passengers a day! Use your time in the morning to explore the maze of shops that stretch through the station (we’ll probably even find some good breakfast!).
Then, riding the fabled Odakyu Romancar, enjoy a scenic ride into the Hakone mountains. Enjoy lunch on the mountainside before continuing on to the delightful Ryokan where we will be staying. This guest house has Onsen, hot spring baths where you can soak and relax from the long travels that started off this trip.
Finish off the day with a traditional Kaiseki meal in your room!
Walking: Medium // Included Meals: Dinner
Enjoy a delicious breakfast served at the Ryokan and check your bags at the front desk for the “Hakone Carry Service”; they will take your bags to the train station for you so you can explore Hakone bag free!
Travel along the ropeway across the mountain peaks and catch a magnificent view of Fuji (weather permitting). Stop to try the black eggs cooked in the naturally boiling hotsprings. Sail across Lake Hakone in a pirate ship and walk the ancient Tokaido trade route through a path lined with giant cedar trees.
Discover the beautiful Hakone Shrine and enjoy lunch before heading back to the train station by bus!
Then ride the famous shinkansen (bullet train) to Osaka!
Walking: Heavy // Included Meals: Breakfast
Start your day with a walk through the streets of Kyoto to the famous Kiyomizu-dera temple. Walk the temple grounds, see the great stage that towers above the trees, and make a wish at the Otowa Waterfall.
Continue down the hill through the incredibly well-preserved streets of Higashiyama, Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka. These streets are known for the shops, cafes, restaurants, and preserved homes! You can just feel the history oozing from every wall and stone around you.
Finish the walking tour at Maruyama Park and/or Nishiki Market!
As the sun begins to set, explore the nearby streets of Gion! Full of ancient history and traditions, Gion is at the center of the modern day Geisha. Maybe you’ll even spot one!
Walking: Heavy // Included Meals: None
Back in Kyoto again, find yourself at the infamous Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine. Reflect as you walk through the seemingly endless torii gates that carve a path through the forest. Enjoy the street food that is regularly available near the entrance of the shrine, tasting the rich culture of Japan.
If available for your tour, enjoy a tour of the Fushimi sake breweries and taste various local sakes from the area!
Continue your day by choosing your path, Tofukuji temple or Arashiyama bamboo forest! Both are beautiful and worth visiting. Tofukuji is a large temple with beautiful scenery and a sense of serenity. The bamboo forest is amazing to walk through and the local town usually has street food available during the cherry blossom season.
Walking: Heavy // Included Meals: None
Take an early morning bullet train to the sacred island of Miyajima. Explore the shrine and walk out to the Great Torii if the tide is out. The island also has many deer who are eager to meet you! Walk the forest trails and visit the 5 story pagoda towering above the town.
From there, head into the heart of Hiroshima and enjoy a lunch of the city’s famous (and award-winning) okonomiyaki! Visit Peace Park, see the dome still standing after the atomic blast, ring the Peace Bell, and even leave an origami paper crane. This is a time to reflect on a sobering history and appreciate our newfound friendship with Japan.
Walking: Medium // Included Meals: None
Say goodbye to Osaka and Kyoto, your morning train to Tokyo awaits! During this ride you may catch another view of Fuji! Take this time to get settled in Tokyo and do some exploring of your own! Visit Senso-ji templ when it isn’t crowded and eat with the locals in a traditional izakaya on Hoppy Street!
For those into anime, we recommend venturing to Akihabara (Electric Town). This part of Tokyo is every anime fan’s dream. Stores and arcades on every corner!
Walking: Light // Included Meals: None
Take the day to explore Yoyogi Park and the Meiji Shrine! This large park and shrine are a central part of Tokyo life for locals.
Enjoy the latest crazy fashion by exploring Harajuku, crazy outfits, socks, and good food can be found there. Sometimes you’ll even see locals dressed in these marvelous fashions!
Finish the day with Shibuya, the Time Square of Tokyo. Light up brightly and never asleep, Shibuya boasts of many shops and eateries worth your time! Cross the scramble crosswalk and take a photo with Hachiko, or shop at one of the many stores (Tokyu Hands, Mega Donki, Disney Store, Marui and more!)
Walking: Medium // Included Meals: None
Ueno Park is a beautiful park (full of cherry blossoms in the spring) and is a popular spot for locals to visit!
It can be a bit crowded at Ueno park because it is so popular, so start early! The park is surrounded by a zoo, and several museums so pick what you like! We’ll probably grab a snack or early lunch before heading out!
From the park we will walk through a large, picturesque cemetery with traditional headstones and beautiful cherry blossom lining the roads in spring or great orange and reds in the fall. This large cemetery houses famous artists, actors, and politicians from many eras!
From the cemetery we’ll venture into Yanaka Ginza, a traditional 1950s shopping street with original architecture and stores! There we can shop, snack and explore until dinner!
Walking: Moderate // Included Meals: None
Time to really explore Asakusa. Start at Sensoji temple before the shops open and immerse yourself in Japanese religion and culture. Once it hits 10 am, hit up Nakamise and let the shopping begin! This is a great time to find souvenirs for those at home or a great hat or fan for yourself!
After lunch, check out a lesser known area great for cherry blossoms in the spring too!. A thin strip of a park, nestled between residential areas with areas for kids to play. Walk and enjoy the quiet atmosphere of everyday life in Japan!
Before it gets too dark, climb to the top of Sky Tree, one of the tallest towers in the world! See Tokyo stretch endlessly before you, the cars looking like toys because you are so high up!
Walking: Heavy // Included Meals: None
This is your final day and it is yours! This is an open day so you can visit any remaining sites, shrines, stores, or just walk aimlessly through the streets of Tokyo.
If you are leaving Japan on this day, ensure that you arrive early at the airport so that you don’t miss your flight!
