Wander Across Japan

Nov 7

Highlights: Arrival day, welcome dinner

Included: Dinner

Upon arrival in Tokyo you'll be met by our local representative and taken to our hotel in the city center via train. Once everyone has arrived we'll have an evening orientation followed by an excellent dinner to kick off this Japan experience!

Nov 8

Highlights: Full tour of Tokyo

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We’ll start our first full day in Tokyo with a walk through the busy streets of Shibuya, where we’ll join the steady stream of people crossing one of the world’s most well-known intersections. From there we’ll head to the Tsukiji Outer Market for a proper introduction to Tokyo’s food scene. Whether you’re in the mood for fresh sushi, grilled seafood, or something sweet, the market has plenty of stalls and family-run shops to explore. Afterwards we’ll make our way to Asakusa to visit Senso-ji, the city’s oldest and most famous temple. We’ll walk through the main gate and down a long street lined with stalls selling snacks, crafts, and souvenirs, before reaching the temple itself, where people stop to light incense, say a prayer, or draw a fortune. Later in the afternoon we’ll visit the Tokyo Skytree, one of the tallest towers in the world. From the observation deck we’ll take in wide views of the city, and if the skies are clear, we might even spot Mt. Fuji in the distance. Before the day winds down we’ll stop by Harajuku to explore Takeshita Street, known for its bold fashion, fun snacks, and little shops tucked into every corner. We’ll end the day in Shinjuku, where the lights come on and the neighborhoods take on a different kind of energy. We’ll have dinner together, tucked among the restaurants and side streets that make this part of the city so lively at night.

Nov 9

Highlights: Yanaka, Shimokitazawa and Koenji neighborhoods

Included: Breakfast, Lunch

After exploring Tokyo’s major landmarks yesterday, today we’ll focus on the city’s more local and everyday side. We’ll start the morning in Yanaka, one of the few neighborhoods that still feels like old Tokyo. As we wander its quiet streets we’ll pass time-honored wooden houses, family-run shops, and small neighborhood temples tucked between residential lanes. There’s a calm here that’s hard to find in most big cities. We’ll stop for a coffee at a kissaten, a retro-style café where time seems to stand still, before continuing on to Shimokitazawa. This part of the city has a completely different vibe, laid-back and creative, full of secondhand clothing stores, tiny music shops, and tucked-away cafés. It’s a great place to browse, people-watch, or just soak up the atmosphere. For lunch, we’ll head to a family-run soba restaurant, where the noodles are made by hand. In the afternoon we’ll head to Koenji, a neighborhood known for its alternative culture and arts scene. We’ll explore its maze of alleyways filled with street art, vintage shops, and food stands serving everything from takoyaki to sweet crepes.

Nov 10

Highlights: Train to Kyoto, Nishiki Market, tea-tasting, Gion

Included: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning we’ll board a high-speed train to Kyoto, the former imperial capital of Japan and a city known for its centuries-old temples and deep cultural roots. The ride takes about two and a half hours, and once we arrive, we’ll check into our centrally located hotel and head out to begin exploring. For lunch we’ll visit Nishiki Market, a lively stretch of covered alleys packed with food stalls and specialty shops where we’ll try a variety of snacks and get a feel for Kyoto’s culinary traditions. After lunch we’ll step into a traditional tea house for a guided tasting experience, where we’ll learn about the history and rituals of Japanese tea culture while enjoying freshly whisked matcha. In the evening we’ll head out for an optional casual dinner at a ramen shop before ending the day with a walk through the atmospheric streets of Gion, Kyoto’s geisha district, where we’ll take in the lantern-lit alleys and maybe even spot a geisha quietly moving between evening appointments.

Nov 11

Highlights: Fushimi Inari Taisha, Golden Pavilion

Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today we’ll start with a visit to Fushimi Inari Taisha, one of the most well-known and important Shinto shrines in Japan, famous for its long trails of red torii gates that stretch up the wooded mountainside. As we make our way through the gates, we’ll learn about the shrine’s history and the significance of the fox statues and offerings found along the path. From there we’ll head across town to Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, a striking Zen temple covered in gold leaf that glows in the sunlight and reflects off the surrounding pond. We’ll take a walk through the landscaped grounds, pausing to take in views of the temple from different angles and enjoy the serene setting. In the evening we’ll gather for a Kyoto-style kaiseki dinner, a traditional multi-course meal that focuses on seasonal flavors and presentation. And for those with a sweet tooth, we’ll wrap up with a stop for local matcha desserts to end the day on a sweet note.

Nov 12

Highlights: Arashiyama, Philosopher's Walk

Included: Breakfast

This morning we’ll take a short train ride from central Kyoto to Arashiyama, a beautiful district on the city’s western edge known for its riverside views, tranquil temples, and towering bamboo groves. We’ll begin by exploring the main sights, including the famous bamboo forest and surrounding gardens, before continuing on to a quieter part of the area where we’ll visit a lesser-known Buddhist temple and a more secluded bamboo grove, offering a more peaceful experience away from the crowds. After some free time for lunch at one of the regional cafés or noodle shops in the area, we’ll return to Kyoto for a short break. In the late afternoon we’ll head out again for a walk along the Philosopher’s Path, a calm, tree-lined walkway that follows a small canal and passes shrines, stone bridges, and seasonal blooms.

Nov 13

Highlights: Day trip to Nara, sacred deer and temples, sake tasting

Included: Breakfast

We’ll start the day by taking a scenic train ride from Kyoto to Nara, a small city that was once Japan’s first permanent capital and is known today for its temples, gardens, and calm, open feel. We’ll start at Nara Park, where hundreds of friendly deer roam freely and often bow in exchange for special crackers, a surprising tradition that’s been around for centuries. From there we’ll walk to Todai-ji, a massive wooden temple that houses one of the largest bronze Buddha statues in the world. The size and scale of the building are truly impressive, and the soothing atmosphere inside makes it a memorable place to pause. After exploring the temple grounds and a few nearby sites, we’ll make our way to the historic Nara Hotel for an afternoon tea. We’ll enjoy a mix of delicate sweets and matcha while sitting in view of the hotel’s beautiful garden, a peaceful contrast to the busy streets we’ve left behind. To end the afternoon we’ll visit a sake brewery, where we’ll learn about the brewing process and try a few varieties made with the region’s pure spring water, before we take our train back to Kyoto.

Nov 14

Highlights: Train to Osaka, Osaka Castle, Dotonbori

Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today we’ll take a 1-hour train ride to Osaka, Japan’s third-largest city and a place known for its bold food, welcoming people, and lively atmosphere. After arriving and getting settled at our hotel, we’ll head out to visit Osaka Castle, one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. Surrounded by stone walls, moats, and gardens, the castle offers great views of the modern skyline and a look into the city’s feudal past. As the sun sets we’ll continue to Dotonbori, a bright and colorful district packed with street food stalls, giant glowing signs, and restaurants serving all kinds of local specialties. From grilled skewers and crispy takoyaki to bowls of steaming ramen, the food here is hard to resist, and tonight we’ll dive right in for a proper Osaka-style feast. For anyone who wants to keep the night going, we’ll head to one of the area’s small bars for a drink or two, and maybe even a round of karaoke.

Nov 15

Highlights: Umeda Sky Building, Kuromon Ichiba Market, Shinsaibashi-Suji Street

Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Today will be all about enjoying Osaka at a slower pace. In the morning we’ll visit the Umeda Sky Building, a striking piece of modern architecture with an open-air observation deck that gives us sweeping views of the city. After taking in the sights we’ll head over to Kuromon Ichiba Market, a food lover’s dream with rows of vendors serving everything from melt-in-your-mouth wagyu beef and freshly made sushi to piping hot takoyaki cooked right in front of you. After lunch the afternoon will be yours to enjoy however you’d like, whether that means exploring a new neighborhood, shopping for souvenirs, or just relaxing at the hotel. In the evening we’ll take a walk through Shinsaibashi-Suji, a lively shopping street filled with small boutiques, snack stalls, and street performers. We’ll end the night back in Dotonbori, where we’ll sit down for an optional great meal in this city known for its love of food.

Nov 16

Highlights: Toyama, Kurobe Gorge train, Toyama Glass Art Museum

Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Leaving Osaka behind, we’ll take a 2.5-hour train ride north to Toyama, a quiet city nestled between the mountains and the sea. When we arrive, we’ll feel the pace shift right away, with crisp air and wide views all around. After checking into our hotel we’ll make our way to the Toyama Glass Art Museum, a beautifully designed space that blends modern architecture with delicate glasswork from artists across Japan and around the world. In the afternoon we’ll take a stroll along the Matsukawa River, a lovely spot with tree-lined paths and old stone bridges. From there we’ll hop on a scenic train ride through the Kurobe Gorge, crossing high bridges and deep valleys, with views of forests, rivers, and steep cliffs along the way. As the sun starts to set we’ll make a short stop by the Japan Sea to catch the last light over the water, then end the day with a cozy izakaya dinner, enjoying local dishes in a relaxed spot.

Nov 17

Highlights: Sirakawa-go village, Kanazawa, geisha district

Included: Breakfast, Lunch

We’ll start the day in Toyama with a scenic train ride into the Japanese Alps, making our way to the mountain village of Shirakawa-go. This UNESCO-listed village is known for its traditional farmhouses built with steep thatched roofs designed to withstand heavy snow. As we walk through the quiet lanes, you’ll get a real sense of what rural life was like here centuries ago. We’ll stop at the Shiroyama viewpoint for wide views over the village, with the mountains rising just beyond the rooftops, before sitting down for a warm, simple lunch in a countryside restaurant. In the afternoon we’ll have time to explore a few of the old homes and visit family-run workshops where age-old crafts are still practiced. As the day winds down we’ll continue on to Kanazawa and arrive in time for an early evening walk through Higashi Chaya, the city’s old geisha district. The narrow streets here are lined with wooden teahouses and softly lit lanterns, and many of the shops specialize in the gold-leaf work that Kanazawa is famous for.

Nov 18

Highlights: Kenroku-en gardens, Kanazawa Castle, farewell dinner

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

For our final day in Japan we’ll head straight to Kenroku-en, considered one of the most beautiful gardens in the country. As we walk through its carefully designed paths, we’ll pass stone bridges, still ponds filled with koi, and teahouses tucked among maple trees and flowering shrubs, each turn offering a calm moment and a different view. Just next door we’ll explore the grounds of Kanazawa Castle, once home to one of Japan’s most powerful samurai clans. From there we’ll head into the preserved samurai district of Nagamachi, where narrow cobbled streets and earthen walls lead us to Nomura-ke, a former samurai home with elegant interiors and a peaceful garden that’s easy to get lost in for a while. For lunch we’ll stop at Omicho Market, a lively spot where locals shop for seafood, produce, and street snacks. In the afternoon, you’ll have free time, maybe to visit one of Kanazawa’s onsen for a soak, browse the small shops and galleries, or simply take a slow walk through the relaxed streets. In the evening, we’ll come back together for our farewell dinner, sharing a final evening of good food and conversation as we wrap up this unforgettable journey through Japan.

Nov 19

Highlights: Train to Tokyo, departure day

Included: Breakfast

This morning we’ll take a 2.5-hour train ride back to Tokyo, returning to where our journey began just days ago. Once we arrive in the capital, the tour will officially come to an end, and we’ll be there to help coordinate your transfer to the airport so you can head off smoothly. **IMPORTANT: Please make sure your departure flight out of Tokyo is later than 3:00 PM in order to have enough time to transfer to the airport from the train station.