Japan Essence Tour Overview

This tour is for those who would like to see the basic aspects of Japan along the major cities. An English speaking guide will accompany you on the tour.

You will have the unique experience of staying at Ryokan (Japanese traditional inn), giving you an opportunity to sleep on a futon mat and eat a Kaiseki (full course Japanese cuisine) dinner.

  • Includes daily breakfast, one dinner
  • Sightseeing tours in every spot by English-speaking tour guides.
  • This trip goes to Tokyo, Hakone, Kamakura, Okayama, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka.
Ask us about our prices. Customization also available
DAYS
10 Days
CITIES
9 Cities: Tokyo, Hiroshima, Kyoto and more
Japan Hightlight 10-day tour route map
Package Tour Code:
LTJ-HANJE-STD / LTJ-HANJE-SUP

Ask HIS America's experienced Japan specialists about this tour and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Itinerary

DAY 1 - Arrival in Tokyo (NRT or HND)

After arrival at Narita (NRT) or Haneda (HND) International Airport, own transfer to hotel in Tokyo. *The rooms will be available from 3:00 PM.

ACCOMMODATION: Hotel in Tokyo

Tokyo Tower

DAY 2 - Tokyo

Private guided sightseeing tour of Tokyo (9:00 AM - 5:00 PM) by public transport. The tour will visit the Meiji Shrine Harajuku, Imperial Palace Plaza, Asakusa Kannon Temple, and the Nakamise Shopping Arcade.

ACCOMMODATION: Hotel in Tokyo
MEALS : Breakfast

Tokyo Tower Imperial Palace Asakusa

DAY 3 - Tokyo

Full day of personal free time.

ACCOMMODATION: Hotel in Tokyo
MEALS : Breakfast

Tokyo Tower Tokyo Tower Shibuya

DAY 4 - Tokyo - Kamakura - Hakone

Heavy luggage is delivered by courier service to Kyoto, skipping 2 nights in Hakone and Hiroshima. Please prepare a hand-carried bag for 2 nights to take with you.

Private guided sightseeing tour of Kamakura & Hakone (8:00 AM - 6:00 PM) by public transport. The tour will visit Kotokuin Temple with its Great Buddha, Hase Kannon Temple, and the Pleasure Boat at Lake Ashi.

ACCOMMODATION: Ryokan in Hakone
MEALS : Breakfast / Dinner

Hachimangu Great Buddha at Kamakura Lake Ashi

DAY 5 - Hakone - Okayama - Hiroshima

Transfer to Odawara Station with your guide by public transport. Travel to Okayama by Bullet train (2nd class reserved seat) with no escort on board. Upon arrival at Okayama station, you will meet up with an English-speaking guide, and start a short sightseeing trip in Okayama by public transport, touring the Okayama Korakuen Garden.
You will then travel to Hiroshima by bullet train (2nd class reserved seat) with your guide.

ACCOMMODATION: Hotel in Hiroshima
MEALS : Breakfast

Bullet Train Okayama Korakuen Okayama Korakuen

DAY 6 - Hiroshima - Miyajima - Kyoto

Private guided sightseeing tour of Hiroshima and Miyajima (8:00 AM - 4:00 PM) by public transport.
The tour will visit the Peace Memorial Park & Museum, Atomic Bomb Dome, and the Itsukushima Shrine, known for its iconic "floating" Torii gate in the ocean.
You will then travel to Kyoto by bullet train (2nd class reserved seat) with your guide.

ACCOMMODATION: Hotel in Kyoto
MEALS : Breakfast

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome Bullet Train

DAY 7 - Kyoto

Private guided sightseeing tour of Kyoto (9:30 AM - 5:00 PM) by public transport. Kinkakuji Temple, Ryoanji Temple, Nijo Castle, strolling Nishiki Market and Gion area.

ACCOMMODATION: Hotel in Kyoto
MEALS : Breakfast

Kinkakuji Temple Ryoanji Temple Gion

DAY 8 -Kyoto

Full day of personal free time.

ACCOMMODATION: Hotel in Kyoto
MEALS : Breakfast

Ninen-zaka Fushimi Arashiyama

DAY 9 - Kyoto - Nara - Osaka

Heavy luggage is delivered by courier service to Osaka, arriving on the same day. Private guided sightseeing tour of Nara and Osaka (9:00 AM - 6:00 PM) by public transport. Todaiji Temple and Kasuga Grand Shrine in Nara. Namba (Dotonbori) District in Osaka.

ACCOMMODATION: Hotel in Osaka
MEALS : Breakfast

Nara Todaiji Kasuga Taisha Osaka

DAY 10 - Departure from Osaka (KIX or ITM)

Own transfer to Kansai (KIX) or Itami (ITM) International Airport. The rooms will be available until 11:00 AM.

MEALS: Breakfast

*Pictures shown are for illustration purposes only


Ask HIS America's experienced Japan specialists about this tour and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Details
Prices
(Group Discounts Available)

~ Ask us about our prices. Customization also available ~

Included
  • Accommodation: 9 nights
  • Guide: English-speaking guide at each sightseeing spot (except free day)
  • Admissions: For all trips and visits (except free day)
  • Train: Bullet train on Day 5 & 6
  • Transportation: Public transport system, such as local train, metro and public bus.
  • Meals: 9 breakfasts at the hotels, 1 dinner (Day 4 at ryokan)
  • Luggage Delivery:
    Tokyo - Kyoto, skipping 2 nights
    (1 piece per person)
    Kyoto - Osaka, arriving on same day
    (1 piece per person)
NOT Included
  • Flights: Please ask your agent for arrangement
  • Meals: Other than specified
  • Transfer: Other than specified
  • Optional Tours: None - Unless otherwise arranged.
    【Many other optional tours also available!】
    » Click here to search optional tours «
  • Personal Expenses
  • Travel Insurance
  • Porter Service at airports and hotels
Package Tour Code:
LTJ-HANJE-STD / LTJ-HANJE-SUP

Ask HIS America's experienced Japan specialists about this tour and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Booking Policy:

Rates: The mentioned prices may fluctuate due to the changes of surcharge, fees, taxes or currency status without prior notice. The actual prices will be officially confirmed at the time of booking. Please kindly verify with your H.I.S. representative.
Reservation: The reservation must be made 65 days before the start of the tour.

Pertinent Information Before Travel

HOTEL
-The hotel rooms are considerably smaller than western ones.
-The ceilings are much lower, giving a perception of the scope of the rooms.
-The normal double beds are French-sized (140cm x 200cm), with a few hotels featuring double rooms with a double bed.
-Rooms with double beds or smoking rooms must be specially reserved and, because of the scarcity, cannot be guaranteed.
-The pajamas and yukata provided by the hotel are only for use in the hotel.


TRAINS
-The spaces for suitcases on Japanese trains are very limited (this is the reason for the separate transport of the luggage in our packages).
-For the packages that mention the JR Pass, our assistant or guide will help with reserving the train (for the tours with a guide, we cannot guarantee that the whole group can sit together). It is only possible to reserve the trains after arriving in Japan and there may be no availability for the trains mentioned in the program.
-2nd Class tickets (regular) are used in the packages. Usage of 1st class tickets must be booked and requires extra fees.
-Please refrain from talking loudly on the train.
-Talking on the phone on the train is forbidden.
-Please note that it is very difficult to reserve train tickets during specific periods such as "Golden Week" consecutive national holidays, Bon Holidays and the end of the year/New Year period.
-Commuter trains and arterial roads in big cities such as Tokyo and Osaka are crowded during the rush hour, and in the mornings and evenings.

DURING THE MEALS
-Japanese meals rarely include desserts. Sometimes there will be a small plate with fruits that accompany the main dish.
-In some typical restaurants it is obligatory to take off your shoes. We recommend wearing stockings or socks (this is not obligatory).
-For special food needs and requests (allergies, vegetarians, etc.), please state them during your reservation, so that we can inform the restaurants.

VISITS
-Often during temple/shrine visits, guests will have to take off their shoes. We advise wearing socks (not obligatory, but do not go barefoot).
-Cultural properties may be under renovation and covered.
-Itinerary may change due to inevitable causes such as closing, natural disasters, traffic jams, etc.

OTHER
-You are not allowed to stand and smoke on the street. Smoking is permitted only in designated smoking areas.

TRAVEL ARRANGEMENT OPTIONS
If you plan to extend your trip, we can also arrange

  • Hotel Accomodations other than specified in the itinerary
  • Japan Rail Pass and Rail Tickets
  • Japan Air Pass and Domestic Flights
  • Airport Transfers
  • Day Tours
  • etc.

We can also arrange your international flights between any cities in the U.S. and Japan at our special airfare. Please ask your agent for more details.


Terms and Conditions


Cancellation Policy

Until 51 days before departure date No Charge
50-36 days before departure date 10% Cancellation Penalty of Total Price
35-26 days before departure date 30% Cancellation Penalty of Total Price
25-13 days before departure date 50% Cancellation Penalty of Total Price
12-7 days before departure date 70% Cancellation Penalty
6 days before departure date 100% Cancellation Penalty