The Ultimate Japan Grand Tour

Sunrise at Senso-ji Temple

📍 Asakusa, Tokyo

Experience Tokyo's oldest temple before the crowds. Watch shopkeepers opening their stalls along Nakamise-dori as the morning light bathes the pagoda in gold.

Traditional Breakfast in Asakusa

📍 Asakusa, Tokyo

Start your day with a Japanese breakfast of grilled fish, rice, miso soup, and pickles at a local kissaten (coffee house).

Meiji Shrine

📍 Harajuku, Tokyo

Walk through the towering torii gate and forested path to Tokyo's most important Shinto shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken.

Harajuku & Takeshita Street

📍 Harajuku, Tokyo

Dive into Japan's youth fashion capital. Takeshita-dori is a sensory overload of crepe shops, quirky fashion, and colorful everything.

Send Luggage Ahead

📍 Tokyo Hotel

Use takkyubin service to forward your large bags directly to your Kyoto hotel - travel light to Hakone.

Romancecar to Hakone-Yumoto

📍 Shinjuku Station

Board the iconic Odakyu Romancecar from Shinjuku for a scenic journey through Tokyo's western suburbs to Hakone's gateway.

Morning Onsen

📍 Hakone Ryokan

Early morning soak when the baths are quiet and mountain air is cool. Many believe morning onsen has the strongest healing power.

Traditional Japanese Breakfast

📍 Hakone Ryokan

Grilled fish, miso soup, rice, pickles, tamagoyaki - the quintessential Japanese breakfast served in your room.

Sunrise at Fushimi Inari

📍 Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kyoto

Experience the iconic tunnel of 10,000 vermillion torii gates in magical early light before crowds arrive. The hike to the summit takes 2-3 hours.

Breakfast near Fushimi

📍 Fushimi, Kyoto

Return to the station area for traditional Japanese breakfast or coffee at a local cafe.

Early Train to Arashiyama

📍 JR Sagano Line to Saga-Arashiyama

Beat the crowds by taking the first train to the famous bamboo district.

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

📍 Arashiyama, Kyoto

Walk through the otherworldly forest of towering bamboo stalks swaying and creaking in the morning breeze.

Breakfast at Hotel

📍 Kyoto Hotel

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast before a day of gentle temple exploration.

Bus to Ginkaku-ji

📍 Central Kyoto to Ginkaku-ji

Take bus 100 or 5 to the Silver Pavilion, starting point of the Philosopher's Path.

Light Breakfast

📍 Kyoto Station or Hotel

Quick breakfast before the train to Nara.

JR Train to Nara

📍 Kyoto to JR Nara Station

Take the JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station for a scenic ride to Japan's first permanent capital.

Breakfast & Checkout

📍 Kyoto Hotel

Final Kyoto breakfast before heading to Osaka.

Shinkansen to Osaka

📍 Kyoto to Shin-Osaka

A quick bullet train ride to Japan's second city and culinary capital.

Morning Coffee in Namba

📍 Namba, Osaka

Start with coffee and a light breakfast at one of Osaka's excellent kissaten or modern cafes.

Subway to Osaka Castle

📍 Namba to Osaka Castle

Take the Chuo or Tanimachi line to Osaka-jo Koen station.

Early Shinkansen to Hiroshima

📍 Shin-Osaka to Hiroshima

Board the bullet train for a day of profound history and natural beauty.

Streetcar to Peace Park

📍 Hiroshima Station to Genbaku Dome-mae

Take Hiroshima's charming streetcar from the station to the Peace Memorial Park.

Breakfast at Marufuku Coffee

📍 Namba, Osaka

Start your day at this classic 1929 kissaten with old-world atmosphere and excellent coffee.

Subway to Umeda

📍 Namba to Umeda

Head to Osaka's other major hub in the north, home to the famous Sky Building.

Leisurely Final Breakfast

📍 Namba, Osaka

Enjoy one last Japanese breakfast or Western brunch at a favorite spot.

Last-Minute Shopping

📍 Namba or Shinsaibashi, Osaka

Pick up final souvenirs - Japanese snacks, cosmetics, or specialty items.