Places You'll See
Highlights
- Adventure & Exploration: Explore classics such as the vibrant area of Shinjuku and the famous hotspot of Asakusa, and explore hidden gems such as Yanaka, Kagurazaka and Odawara! This itinerary provides a good balance!
- Cultural Immersion:Take part in a tea ceremony, enjoy making traditional crafts, and visit some of Japan’s most beautiful shrines and temples!
- Breathtaking Landscapes:Take in the glorious site of Mount Fuji, enjoy serenity on Lake Ashinoko in Hakone, and the cityscape of the lively Shibuya!
Description
For most people travelling to Japan, they will visit and stay in Tokyo during their trip! For this reason, Tokyo is seen as the gateway to exploring Japanese heritage and culture, but is also the perfect location to visit the wider Kanto region of Japan! The Kanto region is home to the prefectures of Tokyo, Chiba, Kanagawa, Saitama, Tochigi, Ibaraki and Gunma. We offer a number of tours which will allow you to explore Tokyo and the wider Kanto region with ease, letting you get off the beaten path and get closer to Japan’s culture. We have created this to page to help inspire you on how to create the perfect ‘Classics and Hidden Gems’ inspired itinerary. There is so much to see and do in Japan, so why not explore Tokyo, but make sure to get off the beaten tourist path and explore the other gems that the country can offer you!
Tokyo is the gateway to Japan. Home to two airports which cater to both domestic and international flights, and with excellent transport options to easily reach the city centre, you can begin and finish your Japan trip with ease! For travellers looking for both golden routes and lesser known attractions, Japan does not disappoint. From the famous and classic tourist destinations, to the hidden gems that are sure to make your trip extra special, you can enjoy exploring Japan to the fullest.
For this itinerary, we will suggest a 5 day route that covers a good variety of popular locations and attractions, as well as lesser known places in Tokyo and across the Kanto region. This itinerary takes you to Tokyo, Odawara, Hakone and the Fuji area. We hope this will help you when planning where to go and what to do on your dream trip!
Day 1 SHINJUKU AND KAGURAZAKA
How to Start Off Your Day
Tokyo is the perfect starting point for your journey, offering a vibrant blend of tradition and innovation that will captivate and inspire you from the moment you arrive. Whether you're drawn to its historic temples, bustling streets, or cutting-edge technology, Tokyo provides an unforgettable introduction to the wonders of Japan. Plus, the city offers a wide range of accommodations to suit every preference and budget. From luxurious 5-star hotels with stunning skyline views to cozy boutique guesthouses and traditional ryokan inns, you're sure to find the perfect place to rest after a day of exploration.
Check out our Tokyo destination page for more information on where to stay. For many travellers, the areas of Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo, and Asakusa are very popular as they are very central, offer great hotels and links to transport. We highly recommend staying in the Shinjuku area. A lively hub and one of the most popular areas in the city, Shinjuku has a plethora of shops, restaurants, cafes and hotels to suit all tastes. Shinjuku is also home to the busiest station in all of Tokyo, but it offers incredible links to every part of the city.
1 Day Walking Tour in Shinjuku and Kagurazaka / All Year Round
For this tour, you will enjoy travelling back in time to learn all about Shinjuku’s development from early Japan to present day at a local museum, setting the scene for the rest of your time in Shinjuku! The museum has life sized replicas of a traditional Japanese shop, house and train carriage where you can immerse yourself in old Tokyo and take great photos! Next, we will walk to one of Shinjuku’s beautiful local shrines hidden away from the fast paced centre of the city. This off the beaten path gem is a must see and is hard to spot unless you know where to look! Our final stop in Shinjuku will be at the very centre of this entertainment district where you will enjoy a guided tour and your lunch break to explore and eat at your leisure. Enjoy the skyscrapers, bright signs and high energy…and look out for Godzilla!
We will then take a short train journey to nearby Kagurazaka, one of Tokyo’s traditional yet trendy neighbourhoods with nods to the past steeped in history and culture. You will head to a beautiful Japanese garden and tea house to enjoy a traditional tea and Japanese sweet experience before having a guided tour of the area and some free time to shop and explore.
*Tour does not include transportation after the tour, and does not include accommodation. Customers will need to book their own transportation to reach their next destination.
How to End Your Day
End your day back in the centre of Tokyo at Iidabashi station just 10 minutes on the train to Shinjuku station. Take your time to explore more of what the city has to offer. As we finish around 5pm, you may wish to head back to Shinjuku area. There a good selection of restaurants, bars and cafes to choose from for dining options!
Recommended Accommodation
Day 2 ASAKUSA
How to Start Off Your Day
Wake up fresh in Tokyo. Today you will have the entire day to explore the amazing area of Asakusa. For this tour, you will need to travel to Asakusa station to reach the meeting point. If you’re staying in Shinjuku, you can easily reach Asakusa in approximately 30 minutes. Upon arrival at Asakusa station, your guide will greet you outside of the Tourist Information Centre for the meeting point where you can begin taking a tour of Asakusa to enjoy the historic and cultural highlights.
1 DAY WALKING TOUR IN ASAKUSA / all year round
Nestled within the hustle and bustle of modern Tokyo, this tour in Asakusa will give guests a great experience to explore the area and travel back in time to what was once the beating heart of Edo, now known as Tokyo. Led by a locally-based and English-speaking guide, the tour will begin at the historical temple and shopping complex of Senso-ji and Nakamise Dori. You will then learn about the traditional Japanese art of Taiko and have the opportunity to play these amazing drums. Lunch time will be spent exploring Asakusa’s popular dining destinations to sample the delights of Japanese food and Izakaya culture. The afternoon will be spent exploring Asakusa’s famous ’Kitchen Town’ and tradtional crafts, before visiting temples and shrines off the main tourist trail of Asakusa. To conclude, we will spend a relaxing time on the East side of Sumida Park enjoying the serene nature and landscape before finishing the tour with amazing views of the Asakusa skyline!
*Tour does not include transportation after the tour, and does not include accommodation. Customers will need to book their own transportation to reach their next destination.
How to End Your Day
End your day back in the centre of Tokyo in Asakusa. Take your time to explore more of what the city has to offer! As we get back around 5pm you may wish to stay in the Asakusa area for the night instead of exploring other areas of Tokyo. There a good selection of restaurants, bars and cafes to choose from in Asakusa and it has a great traditional atmosphere!
Recommended Accommodation
Day 3 YANESEN
How to Start Off Your Day
Wake up again in Tokyo. Today you will have the entire day to explore the amazing area of Yanesen in Tokyo. For this tour, you will need to travel to Nippori station to reach the meeting point. Once you arrive at Nippori Station, your guide will greet you and take you on a memorable tour to this beautiful area to enjoy cultural and nature highlights.
Walking Tour in Yanaka, Nezu, and Sendagi / All Year Round
This tour will give you the opportunity to take in the sights and experiences of traditional and old Tokyo on this walking tour. Known as ’Yanesen’ in Tokyo, the trio of Yanaka, Nezu and Sendagi make up this area and have retained their old ‘Shitamachi’ (lower city) style, architecture and charm, despite being a stone’s throw away from some of the well known metropolis areas of Tokyo. If on your trip to Tokyo you want a chance to step off the tourist trail and see a different side to this amazing city, then ’Yanesen’ must be added to your Tokyo itinerary! The tour will provide guests with a well balanced itinerary including a museum, a park and nature, shrines and temples, a cultural experience and traditional architecture.
The tour will start by visiting Yanaka, a historic and artistic area, and a perfect example of a Shitamachi in Japan. A cosy and traditional neighbourhood not many tourists know about, you will step back in time and enjoy an atmosphere that is very different to many parts of Tokyo. Next, you will visit Sendagi known for its temples and park. Finally, you will visit Nezu to see one of Tokyo’s most beautiful shrines.
*Tour does not include transportation after the tour, and does not include accommodation. Customers will need to book their own transportation to reach their next destination.
How to End Your Day
End your day back in the centre of Tokyo at Nippori station. Take your time to explore more of what the city has to offer. As we finish around 5pm, you may wish to stay and explore the area. There a good selection of restaurants, bars and cafes to choose from for dining options. The popular area of Ueno is also only a 4 minute train ride or 20 minute walk away.
Recommended Accommodation
Day 4 ODAWARA
How to Start Off Your Day
Wake up again in Tokyo. Today you will have the entire day to explore the amazing nearby city of Odawara. For this tour, you will need to travel to Shinjuku station to reach the meeting point. Once you arrive at Shinjuku Station, your guide will greet you and take you on a memorable tour to this beautiful city to enjoy the cultural and historic highlights.
Explore Odawara : Castle, Samurai, Seaside and Traditional Crafts / All Year Round
This tour gives guests the opportunity to step out of Tokyo and experience Japan’s Castle and Craft Town, Odawara. Based in Kanagawa prefecture, this is a seaside town buzzing with culture, nature and local flare. If you want to get off the beaten tourist path and experience something new on an easy day trip from Tokyo, then this tour is for you! On this tour, you will have the opportunity to see one if Japan’s top 10 castles used by the Samurai and Shogun, Odawara castle and park (now the closest castle to Tokyo), learn all about the history of the city and the Samurai, try on Samurai armour, try the freshest Sushi and seafood at Odawara’s harbour, have a go at making two traditional local crafts, and finally pay a visit to a popular observatory with a relaxing foot bath to take in breath taking views of the landscape and surrounding ocean.
*Tour does not include transportation after the tour, and does not include accommodation. Customers will need to book their own transportation to reach their next destination.
How to End Your Day
End your day back in the centre of Tokyo at Shinjuku station. Take your time to explore more of what the city has to offer! There a good selection of restaurants, bars and cafes to choose from in Shinjuku!
Day 5 HAKONE
How to Start Off Your Day
Wake up again in Tokyo for your last day of the trip! Today you will have the entire day to explore the amazing area of Hakone. Upon arrival at Shinjuku Station, your guide will greet you and take you on a memorable tour to this beautiful mountainous area to enjoy cultural and nature highlights.
Hakone Highlights : Explore Japan's Mountainous Region / all year round
Experience nature, the lush mountainous landscape and Japan’s most famous and iconic landmarks during your trip to Japan on this day trip from Tokyo! This tour has been designed so customers can experience one of Japan’s most popular and beautiful areas in one day, Hakone. The tour will provide customers with the opportunity to visit all of Hakone’s top attractions. If you love nature and spending time outdoors, this tour is for you! You will ride the many famous modes of transportation such as the Tozan train, Cable Car, Ropeway, and Pirate Ship, visit the volcanic valley of Owakudani, ride along the stunning Lake Ashinoko, visit Hakone’s most famous shrine and spend time at one of Hakone’s great art museums. If you’re lucky, you will have great views of the impressive Mount Fuji!
*Tour does not include transportation after the tour, and does not include accommodation. Customers will need to book their own transportation to reach their next destination.
How to End Your Day
End your day back in the centre of Tokyo at Shinjuku station. Take your time to explore more of what the city has to offer! As we get back around 7pm you may wish to stay in the Shinjuku area for the night instead of exploring other areas of Tokyo. There a good selection of restaurants, bars and cafes to choose from in Shinjuku! However, if you wish to explore more areas of Tokyo and it’s nightlife, you can easily connect to the JR Yamanote Line which will take you to popular areas such as Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Harajuku and Ueno from Shinjuku station.
