Japan tour from north to south: 12-day itinerary

This 12-day Japan tour from north to south will give you the opportunity to discover the different facets of this fascinating country. From bustling metropolises to ancient traditions, Japan offers a wide range of experiences that will leave you with unforgettable memories. Get ready to immerse yourself in the culture, enjoy the local cuisine, and admire the natural wonders of this captivating destination.

Travel itinerary

The trip spans 12 days and the route will guide you through various cities and picturesque landscapes. 

Day 1 · Departure – Tokyo

The journey begins with the departure to Tokyo, where you will spend the night on board the plane.

Day 2 · Arrival in Tokyo

The tour starts with arrival in Tokyo, the vibrant capital of Japan. After your arrival in Tokyo, you will have Italian-speaking assistance and a shared transfer from the airport via public transport. The rest of the day will be free for you to explore the city at your leisure. Tokyo offers a wide range of attractions, including the famous Shibuya district, known for its crowded pedestrian crossing and bright shop windows.

Day 3 · Exploring Tokyo

After breakfast, there is a full day to visit the capital Tokyo with an Italian guide. You will visit places of interest such as the Fukagawa Museum, the Sensoji Temple in the Asakusa area, ideal for buying souvenirs, and the exterior of the Imperial Palace. You can visit Ueno Park, which houses several museums and the famous Ueno Zoo, where you can admire a variety of exotic animals. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Akihabara district, known as the center of otaku culture and the world of video games. Here you will find shops specializing in manga, anime, and video games.

Day 4 · Free Day in Tokyo

After breakfast, you will have a day at your disposal to explore Tokyo as you wish. You can opt for an optional excursion to Kamakura e Hakone.

Day 5 · Tokyo – Kanazawa – Kaga Onsen

After breakfast, you will depart for a full-day tour with an Italian-speaking guide. You will head to Tokyo station to take the Shinkansen, the bullet train to Kanazawa.

Arrival and departure by private bus to Shirakawago, a picturesque village located among the mountains, famous for its traditional gassho-zukuri style houses, characterized by their steeply pitched roofs resembling hands joined in prayer. These houses are built with an interwoven wooden beam system, making them extremely resistant to the heavy snowfall of the region. The village is twinned with Alberobello and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Later, transfer to the renowned Kaga Onsen hot springs, where we can enjoy relaxing thermal baths.

Day 6 · Kaga Onsen – Kanazawa – Osaka

After breakfast, the visit to Kanazawa will begin, a town that will take you back to feudal Japan. Kanazawa is famous for its beautiful traditional Japanese gardens, such as the Kenrokuen, one of the three most famous gardens in the country and the family museum home of the Nomura. You can also visit the Higashi Chaya, known for its traditional tea houses and cobblestone streets, known as the “geisha district“. Transfer to the station to take an express train to Osaka.

Day 7 · Osaka – Himeji – Hiroshima

Osaka is a lively city with a rich culinary culture. You can visit the Osaka Castle, an imposing historic structure that offers a panoramic view of the city. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy the local cuisine, such as okonomiyaki, a sort of savory pancake made with a variety of ingredients. After spending a day in Osaka, your tour will take you to Himeji, where you can visit the famous Himeji Castle, considered one of the best examples of Japanese castle architecture. This castle was built in the 17th century and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 8 · Hiroshima – Miyajima – Kyoto

After breakfast, you head to Miyajima, the sacred island where humans and gods coexist. There you will find the shrine of Itsukushima, presided over by its photogenic torii in the waters of the bay, one of the most recognizable images of Japan. This shrine is known for its traditional Japanese architecture and its picturesque location.

Hiroshima is a city with a tragic history but has become a symbol of peace in the world. You will be able to visit the Peace Park of Hiroshima, which houses the Peace Memorial and the Atomic Bomb Museum. These sites offer a historical perspective and a tribute to the victims of the 1945 atomic attack.

Day 9 · Kyoto – Nara – Kyoto

Full day to visit Nara e Kyoto with an Italian-speaking guide. Visit to the temple Kinkaku-ji, known as the Golden Pavilion, and the temple Ryoan-ji. Then Nara, where there is a visit to the temple of Todai-ji with its Great Buddha, one of the largest bronze statues in the world. The temple is located in Nara park, where hundreds of deer live semi-freely. On the way back to Kyoto, visit the temple of Fushimi Inari.

Day 10 · Free Day in Kyoto

After breakfast, a day at your disposal to explore Kyoto at your leisure. Kyoto is one of the most historic and culturally rich cities in Japan. The last day of the tour is in Kyoto where you will have the opportunity to do last-minute shopping and enjoy one final traditional Japanese dinner. You can reflect on your travel experiences in Japan and start planning your next adventure.

Day 11 · Kyoto – Departure

After breakfast, you will have a transfer to the airport without assistance, with tickets included. You will take the return flight to your departure city.

Day 12 · Arrival at Departure City

Arrival at the departure city. This marks the end of our trip and services.

Price

The price of this 12-day Japan itinerary starts from € 3490.00 all inclusive. Learn more.

What is included

• Round-trip flight.
• Train journeys as per schedule.
• Overnight stays in hotels as per the offer or similar category.
• Transfers according to the program.
• Visits included in the regular tour and not optional.
• Local Italian-speaking guides.
• Transport of 1 standard-sized suitcase up to 23 kg per person.
• Meals: 9 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners.
• Travel insurance.

What is not included

Any other service not listed as included is not part of the travel package.

Departures

The tour offers departures from May 2024 until December 2024, departing from various Italian cities including Milan, Turin, Bologna, Pisa, Venice, Rome, Naples, Bari, Palermo, Catania.

Duration

12 days

Route Map

Tour Cities

The cities to visit during this tour include Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kaga, Osaka, Himeji, Hiroshima, Kyoto, and Nara.

Important Information

There are some important notes to consider for this trip, including room sizes, health prevention measures, and credit card usage.

• Triple rooms in Japan are generally rooms with two single beds or one double bed, in which an additional folding bed is placed for the third person, possibly causing some discomfort. Their use is therefore discouraged when it can be avoided.
• Please consult your international vaccination center regarding recommended health prevention measures in Japan.
  Depending on the return flight, the duration of the trip could be extended by an additional day.
• Double beds in Japan are uncommon. If you wish to have rooms with double beds during the trip, this must be communicated in advance. We will do everything possible to provide them but cannot guarantee availability beforehand; it will always be subject to availability upon arrival at each hotel. In some cases, single rooms may be smaller than double rooms.
• Generally, people with tattoos are not allowed to access onsen for cultural reasons. If the tattoos are small, it is possible to cover them with bandages, but access is not guaranteed if the tattoos are larger.
• Please check information regarding the necessary documentation to enter the country.
• Luggage travels separately by road from Tokyo to Osaka. Therefore, we recommend carrying a carry-on bag with all the essential personal items needed for the overnight stay in Kaga Onsen.
• Luggage travels separately by road from Osaka to Kyoto. It is therefore advised to bring a carry-on bag for all personal items necessary for the overnight stay in Hiroshima.
• The itinerary may vary for organizational reasons and without notice, while still maintaining the scheduled visits (except in cases where adverse weather conditions prevent their realization).
• A credit card is considered a guarantee, so sometimes its use is essential to be able to stay in a hotel.
• Prices are calculated based on the ticket amounts in effect at the time the programs were published. Should there be an increase in price for these admissions, you will be properly informed.
• If you have reduced mobility, please contact us to confirm the suitability of the trip.

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