Japan: Tokyo and Kyoto

Japan Discovery: Tokyo, Mt. Fuji, Hakone, Kyoto & Nara (9 Days)

Passengers: 2 adults — 0 children

Itinerary and included services

• Tokyo — 5 nights
• Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza Premier
• Stylish 4-star stay in the heart of Ginza, with easy access to shopping, dining and major transport hubs.
• City exploration in Tokyo
• Ticket: "1-Day Tokyo Bus Tour"
• Panoramic coach tour covering highlights such as Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree area, the Imperial Palace surroundings and modern districts like Shibuya or Odaiba (routes may vary by season).
• Excursion to Mt. Fuji & Hakone
• Ticket: "Mt Fuji and Hakone 1-Day Bus Tour Return by Bullet Train"
• Full-day guided excursion including viewpoints around Mt. Fuji (weather permitting), a scenic cruise or ropeway in Hakone area, and return to Tokyo by shinkansen for a comfortable, fast journey.
• Kyoto — 4 nights
• Almont Hotel Kyoto
• Modern, well-located hotel with convenient access to Kyoto Station, ideal base for temples, gardens and traditional neighborhoods.
• Kyoto highlights in one day
• Ticket: "PERFECT KYOTO 1-Day Bus Tour"
• Comprehensive sightseeing of Kyoto’s landmarks, typically including Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Arashiyama area or similar major sites, with guiding in English.
• Nara early morning excursion
• Ticket: "Nara Early Morning Tour (Kyoto or Osaka Departure Available)"
• Quiet early-hours visit to Nara’s main attractions such as Todaiji Temple and Nara Park, with time to enjoy the atmosphere before the main crowds arrive.
• High-speed train experience
• Shinkansen segment included in the Mt. Fuji & Hakone tour for a classic Japanese bullet train ride, combining comfort and efficiency between regions.

Trip overview

This 9-day journey is designed for two adults seeking a balanced mix of modern city life, iconic landscapes and traditional culture. You will start in Tokyo’s elegant Ginza district, from where you will explore the capital’s classic and contemporary highlights, then venture out to the Mt. Fuji and Hakone area before continuing by bullet train to Kyoto.

In Kyoto, your centrally located hotel becomes the perfect base to discover temples, gardens and traditional streets, with guided day tours ensuring you see the most emblematic sights efficiently. An early-morning visit to Nara adds a tranquil, spiritual touch to the itinerary, rounding off a well-structured and comfortable introduction to Japan.

Recommended guides and books to prepare your trip

• Travel guides (English)
• "Japan" & "Tokyo" by Lonely Planet — excellent for practical information, maps and neighborhood-by-neighborhood suggestions.
• "Japan" (Eyewitness Travel / DK) — rich visuals, 3D maps of major temples and detailed sections on Tokyo and Kyoto.
• Culture and background reading
• "The Monocle Travel Guide Series: Tokyo" and "Kyoto" — curated recommendations with a focus on design, food and local experiences.
• "A Geek in Japan" by Héctor García — accessible overview of contemporary and traditional Japanese culture.
• City and transport preparation
• Download offline maps for Tokyo and Kyoto (e.g., Google Maps offline) and check the local transit apps or websites for Tokyo Metro and JR lines to optimize your free-time exploration.