StarWars Celebration Passes not included!
Join us on the Star Wars Celebration 2025 Tour! Arrive before the event in Tokyo and enjoy a fantastic tour of Japan, following the historic Tokaido road from Tokyo to Kyoto, Hiroshima, and back! 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!
You’ll end your journey through Japan by being escorted to Makuhari Messe convention center in Tokyo where Star Wars Celebration will be held.
Since Star Wars Celebration is in mid April, you may even get a chance to see cherry blossoms** during your trip!
Unfortunately we are unable to provide you with StatWars Celebration Passes as a part of this package, so be diligent to get tickets as soon as they are available! (We will inform you if this changes).
** 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 our visit.
Finally! You have arrived in Japan! Check into your hotel and get settled. Depending by arrival times the guide may take you out that night to introduce you to Japan! This will allow you to get your first taste of adventure by walking the streets of Tokyo. We will use this time to help familiarize you with the customs, the transportation system, and maybe teach you a few useful phrases!
Checkout a Japanese 7-Eleven or Family Mart (where you will probably get breakfast from)! Taste something delicious from a street vendor or small shop. Learn the ebb and flow of the train stations and how to navigate the city!
Don’t go to bed too early! You might be tired but due to the time change, you can go to bed at 8pm and still get 10+ hours of sleep! If you go to bed early you might find yourself awake at 4 in the morning!
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.
From there we will head to Nakano Broadway, a huge hub for Japanese collectibles as well as visit STAR CASE a Star Wars shop (Hours of availability are subject to change)
Finish the day with Shibuya, the Time Square of Tokyo. Lit 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: Dinner
It’s time for the bullet train! Ride from Kyoto to Odawara and prepare to head into the Fuji area!
Then, ride the Hakone Tozan train into the Hakone mountains. Enjoy lunch on the mountainside and explore the shops 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.
Check out the House of Vader, a collectible shop in Hakone!
Finish off the day with a traditional Kaiseki meal in your room!
Walking: Medium // Included Meals: Dinner
Enjoy a traditional 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!
Walking: Heavy // Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today you will leave Hakone and head to Kyoto!
Once we arrive you can drop your bags at the hotel and go explore! You’ll have a free day to explore parts of Kyoto, maybe checkout Arashiyama or Nijo Castle!
Walking: Light // Included Meals: Breakfast
Start your day early in Kyoto and walk through the streets of the city 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 it’s beautiful cherry blossom views!
If there is time before sunset, checkout the amazing Nishiki Market! Try snacks, explore the alleyways and crowds of a busy historic marketplace!
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: Dinner
Back in Kyoto again (and starting exceptionally early this time), find yourself at the infamous Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine. The earlier you arrive, the fewer people there will be to impede the amazing experience it can be! Reflect as you walk through the seemingly endless torii gates that carve a path through the forest. After a good hike, 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!
Enjoy a free evening after the sake tour!
Walking: Heavy // Included Meals: None
This is a full free day for you to explore!
Checkout other parts of Kyoto you haven’t seen yet or hit up Himeji Castle!
Afterwards, head to Osaka and check out Tavern Pachimon Wars for a drink and eat dinner in Dotonbori
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. The shrine here is one of my utmost favorite in Japan!
If the tide permits, sail across the inlet sea and up the delta rivers of Hiroshima to your next destination! (Otherwise we’ll take the ferry and a train!)
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.
If Peace Park is too heavy or emotional for you, opt to see the Hiroshima Castle instead!
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
Ueno Park is a beautiful park full of cherry blossoms and one of the premier viewing spots in the city.
It can be a bit crowded at Ueno park because it is so popular, so we’ll 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. 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: Heavy // 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, follow the guide to a lesser known cherry blossom viewing area. 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!
Finish the night with a farewell dinner as we close out our trip.
Walking: Heavy // Included Meals: Dinner
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.
As always I will never leave you stranded with nothing to do. Join the guide in Ikebukuro or Ginza (depending on traveler interest)!
For Ikebukuro, this growing part of Tokyo has shopping, arcades and even a Pokémon center! It has everything a general traveler or anime fan could want in one place!
For Ginza, this is the “5th Avenue” of Tokyo. Many amazing shops and high end goods, it’s fun just to explore (even if you can’t afford everything there!)
Once it hits 3pm, it’s time to go! We are heading to our hotel for Star Wars Celebration 2025
Walking: Moderate // Included Meals: None
