11-Day Honshu Discovery from Osaka to Tokyo

Konnichiwa! Upon arrival in Osaka, clear customs and then meet our airport assistant who is holding a welcome board with your name on it. Under his/ her assistant, you can find the airport shuttle bus to your hotel. Since the assistant will not escort you to the hotel, you need to check-in by yourself after arrival. The rest of the day is free for your own leisure.

Overnight: Osaka

Today, meet your guide at your hotel lobby at the agreed time and then head to Kobe by train. In there, you will visit Japan's top sake (rice wine) producing region Nada Sake District and visit Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum. End with Kobe Harborland, which is a shopping and entertainment district on the waterfront of Kobe's port area. Here you can spend the leisure time as a local, strolling around the lovely stores, walking along a waterfront boardwalk, or try some local snack at some restaurant. Return to Osaka by train after the tour.

Overnight: Osaka
Meal: Breakfast

As a large port city on the Japanese island of Honshu, Osaka is worth to venture at your own pace.

If you're a history lover, be sure to visit the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living. What makes it stand out is the life-size replica of Osaka showing the life in the late Edo period that you can literally walkthrough. For foodies, the famous market - Kuromon Ichiba Market is a place that not to be missed. Known as Osaka's kitchen, it is easy to find delicious street food there.

Overnight: Osaka
Meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a relaxing morning and then check out of the hotel. Find your way to the railway station for the train to Hiroshima. Upon arrival, head to the hotel by yourself and the rest of the day is yours to relax.

Overnight: Hiroshima
Meal: Breakfast

After breakfast, take a ferry to visit Miyajima Island. Spend the morning on the island and explore the Itsukushima Shrine. Enjoy its beautiful Shinden-zukuri style structure and you will also have a chance to see the torii appearing to float in the water when the tide is coming.

In the afternoon, return to Hiroshima still by ferry, and then visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. The Museum inside the park will show you the horror of the bomb calamity in World War II and the Atomic Bomb Dome nearby is the only structure left standing near the bomb's hypocenter. It may not be a happy tour but will make you realized how precious your ordinary life in peaceful years is.

Overnight: Hiroshima
Meal: Breakfast

This morning, get to Hiroshima Station and take a train to Kyoto by yourself.

On arrival, your local guide in Kyoto will meet and escort you to your hotel by public transportation. This afternoon you will be accompanied to visit the historic Nijo Castle. Built in 1603 and completed in 1626, it provided lodging for Tokugawa Shogun and now have been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. After the tour, enjoy some free time at Gion District, the most famous Geisha district, to encounter a beautiful Geisha.

Overnight: Kyoto
Meal: Breakfast

Today, you will be escorted by your private guide to discover the historic Kyoto on public transportation.

First will be the Kiyomizu-dera Temple, the oldest temple in Kyoto and one of the national architecture treasures of Japan. In addition to its culture and history, the large veranda jutting out over the hillside also offers an impressive view of Kyoto. After that, continue to Sanjusangen-do Temple, which is famous for thousands of vivid statues of Kannon. Followed by Kinkaku-ji Temple, one of the national special historic sites where you can see three architectural styles incorporated harmoniously. Finally, end your exploration at Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine. Here you can see a torii path heading to the mountain, made up of around 1,000 torii gates.

Overnight: Kyoto
Meal: Breakfast

After breakfast, proceed to the railway station by yourself and board your train to Tokyo. Upon arrival, find your way to your hotel. Check-in and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight: Tokyo
Meal: Breakfast

Be ready for a full-day city tour by public transportation with your private guide.

The first stop is Meiji Shrine, an important Shinto temple dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife. Learn about its history and culture while appreciating the beautiful architecture of the shrine. Later, stroll around the East Garden of the Imperial Palace. Although the main area of the Imperial Palace is closed, you can get a glimpse of the palace from this garden. An artistic Tea Ceremony in a tea house is a special experience that you don't miss.

In the afternoon, pay a visit to Senso-ji Temple. Also known as Asakusa Temple, it is the oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo. The titanium tiled roof, the bronze plaque on the gateway, and the trails of incense will take you back to ancient Japan. The Nakamise Shopping Street leading to the temple, selling interesting souvenirs and local snakes, is your last stop.

Overnight: Tokyo
Meal: Breakfast

Today, you will enjoy an excursion to Mt. Fuji by private car with an English-speaking driving guide. It will take about 3 hours on the road.

Stop at Mt. Fuji 5th Station, the highest point that automobiles can reach. Here you will have a scenic overview of the Fuji Five Lakes below. For many travelers, the best way to admire Mt. Fuji is from afar rather than close. So a cruise on Lake Kawaguchi or ride the Kachi Kachi Ropeway will offer you the distant view of Mt. Fuji. Before returning to Tokyo, take a break at Iyashi no Sato, a historic village located near the lake.

Overnight: Tokyo
Meal: Breakfast

Bid farewell to Japan! Check out of the hotel and make your way to the airport for your homebound flight. Hope you travel with Odynovo again!

Meal: Breakfast