Places You'll See
Highlights
- Adventure & Exploration:Walk around the Edo period and historic sites of Narita, Sawara and Kawagoe, explore Japan’s largest Chinatown and witness Sumo training before your eyes!
- Cultural Immersion:Visit the famous Tsukiji Market to try the freshest sushi, take a traditional boat ride in historic Sawara, and visit some of Japan’s most beautiful shrines and temples!
- Breathtaking Landscapes: Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Nikko’s National Park, take in glorious views of the Port City of Yokohama and the cityscape of Tokyo at the top of Tokyo Tower!
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 ‘Heritage and Culture’ inspired itinerary. There is so much to see and do in Japan, so why not explore Tokyo, but make sure to 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 Culture Vultures, History Buffs and lovers of exploring UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Japan does not disappoint. From historic architecture, beautiful shrines and temples, and cultural practices like Sumo and Sushi, you can get lost admiring and exploring Japan’s past.
For this itinerary, we will suggest a 5 day route that covers a good variety of heritage and culture based locations and attractions in Tokyo and across the Kanto region. This itinerary takes you to Tokyo, Yokohama, Nikko, Kawagoe and Narita/Sawara. We hope this will help you when planning where to go and what to do on your dream trip!
Day 1 TOKYO
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. For your day 1 tour, you can easily reach the meet-up location at Hamacho station from Shinjuku station, by taking the Toei Shinjuku Line for 17 minutes with no changes needed.
Tokyo Highlights Tour / All Year Round
This tour gives guests the opportunity to experience much of the traditional and iconic culture associated with Japan and Tokyo. You will have the opportunity to see Sumo Wrestlers train, try the freshest and best Sushi and street food in Tokyo, walk through a traditional Japanese garden and visit a tea house, walk around an historic Buddhist temple complex and park, and finally pay a visit to one of Tokyo’s most famous observation decks – Tokyo Tower.
*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 at approximately 16.30pm in the centre of Tokyo at Akabanebashi station. After the tour, take your time to explore more of what the city has to offer! At Akabanebashi, you are close to areas such as Roppongi and Azubadai Hills where there is a good selection of shops, restaurants, bars and cafes to choose from. Or head to nearby Shinjuku or Shibuya to experience the night life of Tokyo!
Recommended Accommodations
Day 2 YOKOHAMA
How to Start Off Your Day
Wake up fresh in Tokyo. Today you will have the entire day to explore the Port City of Yokohama. Upon arrival at Shinjuku Station, your guide will greet you and take you on a memorable tour to this amazing city to enjoy historic and cultural highlights!
YOKOHAMA HIGHLIGHTS TOUR / all year round
This tour gives guests the opportunity to visit one of Japan’s most popular Portside Cities - Yokohama. Yokohama rapidly expanded during Japan’s Meiji period as Japan opened up its trade to foreign Countries. As a result, wonderful landmarks and pieces of modern architecture sprung up. You will have the opportunity to ride the popular Air Cabin, visit the Cup Noodles Museum, admire the historic Red Brick Warehouse, have lunch in Japan’s largest Chinatown, explore the industrious Yamashita Park and Port, and finally pay a visit to the Yokohama Archives of History Museum where the famous ‘Treaty of Kanagawa’ was signed in 1854.
*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 3 NIKKO
How to Start Off Your Day
Wake up again in Tokyo. Today you will have the entire day to explore the amazing area of Nikko. For this tour, you will need to travel to Asakusa station/ Ekimise Department Store to reach the meeting point. Once you arrive at Asakusa Station, your guide will greet you and take you on a memorable tour to this beautiful UNESCO Heritage site area to enjoy cultural and nature highlights.
Explore Nikko’s World Heritage and National Park / April - October
Get out of Tokyo and step back in time to Tochigi prefecture and explore the world famous heritage site and national park of Nikko! If you want to see some of Japan’s most beautiful and culturally significant temples, shrines, traditional architecture and natural landmarks, then this tour is for you. With Nikko being two hours from Tokyo, it is the perfect day trip outside of the capital!
Granted World Heritage status in 1999, Nikko is considered the heritage hub in Japan due to its many temples and shrines rich in history with many an interesting tale to tell! It is also known for its national park nestled among the lush mountainous landscape sure to impress you and leave you feeling refreshed on your return to the bustling metropolis of Tokyo! Marvel at the gold gilded shrines, the intricate wood carvings and the nature that surrounds you as you make your way through Nikko’s World Heritage site with your tour guide!
*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 Asakusa 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 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 4 KAWAGOE
How to Start Off Your Day
Wake up fresh in Tokyo. Today you will have the entire day to explore the amazing area of Kawagoe. For this tour, you will need to travel to Ikebukuro station to reach the meeting point. If you’re staying in Shinjuku or Shibuya, you can easily reach Ikebukuro using the JR Yamanote Line. Upon arrival at Ikebukuro station, your guide will greet you inside the station meeting point and take you on a memorable tour to Kawagoe to enjoy the historic and cultural highlights.
Day Trip to Kawagoe : Experience the ‘Little Edo’ of Japan / All Year Round
Step out of Tokyo and step back in time to ’Little Edo’. A slice of old Japan filled with history, wonderful food and impressive architecture. Kawagoe is fast becoming a popular day trip to do during your trip to Tokyo as it is often likened to a mini Kyoto. Based in Saitama prefecture yet only just over 30 minutes away from Tokyo from Ikebukuro station and 1 hour from Shinjuku/Shibuya stations, it is a great opportunity to venture out and see a different part of Japan but with the ease of still being close to the city! It is also the perfect stop off on your way to Nagano so you can make the most of your travel time in between destinations!
The tour will provide guests with a well balanced itinerary including museums, shopping, food and drink, shrines and temples, and iconic architecture. You will have the opportunity to learn all about Kawagoe’s past and significance in the ’Old Town’ and Castle remains, walk the streets lined with Kurazukuri clay warehouses and the famous Toki no Kane Bell Tower, shop for local crafts and delicious street food, and visit some beautiful and unique shrines and temples. This is the perfect opportunity to get out of Tokyo and experience a different side to Japan!
*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 Ikebukuro station. Take your time to explore more of what the city has to offer in the Ikebukuro area! As we get back around 4.45pm, you may wish to stay in the Ikebukuro area for the night instead of exploring other areas of Tokyo. There a good selection of restaurants, bars and cafes to choose from in Ikebukuro and it has a fun and lively atmosphere! Sunshine City in Ikebukuro is a large shopping complex full of great entertainment and dining options!
For your final day in Tokyo on day 5, you will need to travel to Narita to meet your tour guide at the tour meeting point. Narita isn’t central to Tokyo, and can take upwards of 1.5 hours to reach depending on where you travel from. You may wish to travel to Narita after your Kawagoe tour from Ikebukuro. Narita is a great place to base yourself for your final day in on your trip, as it is extremely convenient to travel to Narita Airport to get your flight home.
Recommended Accommodation
Day 5 NARITA AND SAWARA
How to Start Off Your Day
Wake up in Tokyo. Today you will have the entire day to explore the amazing areas of Narita and Sawara. Upon arrival at Narita Station, your guide will greet you and take you on a memorable tour to these two beautiful spots to enjoy historic, cultural and nature highlights.
HISTORIC NARITA AND SAWARA TOUR / all year round
This tour gives guests the opportunity to experience a slice of old Japan filled with history, impressive architecture and authentic experiences. Narita and Sawara are a must visit for those truly seeking to expand their Japan horizons and step off the usual tourist trails found in Tokyo. With both places being based in Chiba prefecture, they retain much of the same Edo period charm and atmosphere from the past. You will walk through historical districts lined with beautifully preserved buildings dating back to the Edo period up to the Showa period, visit a local temple in Narita full of history, take a wonderful traditional boat cruise on the beautiful Sawara Ono River, and visit Sawara’s Matsuri Festival museum to learn about its historical festival. This is the perfect opportunity to get out of Tokyo and experience a different side to Japan!
*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
As this is your final day in Tokyo, you will be preparing to head back to Narita airport for your return flight home the following day, depending on the time of your flight. We therefore recommend spending the evening in Narita enjoying the night life and cosy atmosphere of the traditional townscape. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes for dinner options. You can have a good rest, and enjoy the convenience of being close to Narita Airport.
