11 Days 1 Country 5 Cities
🛫 START: Tokyo 🛬 END: Osaka
🚅 Bullet Train + Private Coach 👯♀️ MAX 12 WOMEN
🏨 10 NIGHTS IN HIGH-END BOUTIQUE AND TRADITIONAL ACCOMMODATIONS
From Tokyo’s neon-lit alleys and centuries-old temples to Kyoto’s elegant shrines and peaceful gardens, this women-only journey through Japan is one of harmony, elegance, and deep cultural beauty. We’ll relax in hot spring ryokans, learn traditional arts, and explore sacred temples with intention and community. This is modern Japan, designed for connection, wonder, and joy.
This journey is ideal for women seeking cultural immersion, peaceful exploration, and the beauty of both tradition and modernity. If you find joy in quiet rituals, natural landscapes, and thoughtfully crafted experiences, Japan will feel like a dream.
You are:
Curious about Japanese culture, art, and etiquette
Open to trying new foods and experiences, from tea ceremonies to onsen bathing
Comfortable with moderate walking and occasional train or vehicle transfers
Looking for quiet moments, deep conversations, and meaningful community
Excited to blend city e
Unique Considerations for This Trip:
Japan values etiquette, quiet spaces, and mindful engagement—this trip is perfect for travelers who appreciate cultural sensitivity and calm environments.
Accommodations include a mix of luxury hotels and traditional ryokan, where you'll sleep on futon-style bedding and experience Japanese hospitality.
Expect moderate to extensive walking daily, including stairs, stone paths, and temple grounds. Comfortable shoes are essential.
Public etiquette is part of the immersion—be prepared to remove shoes when required and observe quiet in sacred and shared spaces.
Our itinerary includes rail travel and coach transfers. You’ll get a real sense of Japan’s efficient and respectful approach to getting around.
Please note that this is a non-smoking trip including accommodations, activities, and transfers.
Please refer to our website HERE for the complete Terms and Conditions.
There are many providers of Travel Insurance. We encourage you to shop for what’s most suitable for you. We, as well as many of our past travelers, have used Travel Insured International and feel it offers very comprehensive and reasonable policies and pricing.
To purchase trip insurance from our preferred provider, Travel Insured International, please CLICK HERE to be taken to Travel Insured International's site.
Who can join this trip?
Our trips are designed for women of all ages who are passionate about travel, adventure, and cultural immersion.
What should I pack?
Japan in May is generally mild and pleasant. Pack layers for cooler evenings, a light rain jacket, and comfortable walking shoes. You'll also need a scarf or wrap for temple visits and a swimsuit for the onsen. A full packing list will be provided.
Do I need travel insurance?
Not required, but highly recommended. We recommend a comprehensive plan that covers medical emergencies, cancellations, delays, and lost luggage. We can provide a recommended provider upon request.
What about dietary restrictions?
We accommodate dietary needs and restrictions. Please inform us of your preferences when booking.
How physically active is this trip?
Expect moderate walking each day. We’ll navigate temple stairs, gravel paths, and traditional streets. Comfortable footwear is essential.
Where do I fly into?
Fly into Tokyo Haneda International Airport (HND) or Narita International Airport (NRT). Depart from Kansai International Airport (KIX) in Osaka. We recommend arriving before 5 PM on Day 1 to join our welcome dinner. Private transportation from the airport is included.
Can I stay extra days before or after the trip?
Yes! We’d be happy to help you coordinate extra nights at the resort or plan additional activities.
What’s the weather like in May?
Japan in May is generally mild and pleasant. Expect cooler evenings and light rain. A packing list will be provided.
Is this trip for solo travelers too?
Yes! Many women join our trips solo and leave with lifelong friends.
Do you offer payment plans?
We do! Options are offered at checkout. If you’d like to discuss further, you are welcome to contact us directly:
📧 letsgo@thedandelionjournals.com
📞 +1 (678) 692-6584
High-end accommodations in boutique hotels and traditional accomodations
Wonderful dining experiences, and cooking with locals!
Private TDJ Trip Facilitator (Dandies) + Local Guides
All in-country transportation (Airport Transport, Internal Flights, Cruise, Ferry, Private Van)
Entrance fees and private access to exclusive sites
All Curated Experiences & Excursions
Signature welcome and farewell dinners
Spiritual Mount Kōya Stay – Overnight in a temple, meditate with monks, dine on shōjin ryōri, and join a lantern walk through Okunoin Cemetery
Stroll Meiji Shrine, master sushi with a female chef, sip sake in hidden izakayas, and see Shibuya Crossing’s neon chaos
Meet craftspeople in a thatched-roof village, ride the ropeway for Fuji views, and soak in a women-only onsen
Wander Fushimi Inari’s thousand gates, create your own calligraphy, and savor seasonal kaiseki feasts
Explore Osaka Castle and lively Dotonbori canals lit with lanterns and street food delights
Pre-trip support, group calls, and personalized packing list
You can also tip more for exceptional service to locals!
To/from Japan
Outside complimentary by The Dandelion Journals
Or meals during free time
Room service, extra gratuities for guides or hotel staff
Touch down in Tokyo and exhale — you’ve arrived in Japan just as autumn paints the city in shades of gold and amber. Settle into your serene hotel and let the hum of Tokyo wrap around you. Tonight, we gather for the first time — laughter, introductions, and that unmistakable feeling of “I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.”
🚌 Transport: Private airport transfer to hotel
🏨 Overnight Stay: Stylish Hotel in Tokyo City Center
👗 Attire Tip: Comfortable travel clothes; casual elegance for dinner
A cozy, laughter-filled welcome dinner featuring seasonal Japanese cuisine — crisp tempura, warming miso, and shared toasts to the adventure ahead. It’s our first moment as a circle of travelers — and friends.
Meals Included: Dinner
Overnight Accommodation: Stylish Hotel in Tokyo City Center
Wake up to your first full day in Tokyo with a sense of curiosity and calm. Today’s journey offers an immersion into the rich textures of city life—from the energy of local markets to the stillness of temple grounds, with cherry blossoms blooming overhead.
🚌 Transport: Private coach with English-speaking guide
🏨 Overnight Stay: Stylish Hotel in City Center
👗 Attire Tip: Comfortable walking shoes; light layers for changing weather
Begin with a visit to Meiji Shrine, tucked in a forest that feels miles from the city.
Sushi-making masterclass for lunch, then Harajuku & Omotesandō + Venture into Shibuya and Harajuku, where creativity bursts from every corner. Enjoy shopping, street scenes, and café culture.
Tucked-away sake tasting with small plates in a cozy izakaya.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight Accommodation: Stylish Hotel in City Center
Tradition meets skyline: kimono elegance, Tokyo’s oldest temple, a slow wander through an artisan quarter, and a chic nightcap.
🚌 Transport: Private coach & local transit passes
🏨 Overnight Stay: Boutique Luxury Hotel – Tokyo
👗 Attire Tip: Stylish outfit for photos; easy walking shoes
Professional kimono styling and cultural stroll with photo moments.
Sensō-ji Temple (Asakusa) and the Yanaka artisan quarter’s nostalgic streets.
Lanterns, laughter, skyline sparkle — Tokyo says “see you soon.”
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight Accommodation: Boutique Luxury Hotel – Tokyo
A new rhythm unfolds as you leave the city behind and travel into Japan’s mountain countryside. Mist rolls over the hills of Hakone, the air turns crisp, and every view feels painterly. This is a day of serenity — onsen steam, lake reflections, and the quiet awe of Mount Fuji in the distance.
🚌 Transport: Private transfer Tokyo → Fuji Foothills → Hakone
🏨 Overnight Stay: Luxury Onsen Ryokan – Hakone
👗 Attire Tip: Cozy layers; yukata provided for onsen
Private transfer toward Fuji and the lakes region
Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nemba artisan village; continue to Hakone and check into ryokan.
Soak in women only onsen before a kaiseki feast — elegance in every course.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight Accommodation: Luxury Onsen Ryokan – Hakone
Kyoto is the heart of Japan’s spirit — poetic, refined, and full of quiet wonder. The bullet train brings you here in moments, yet the feeling is centuries away. Golden temples, bamboo groves, and serene gardens all wait to remind you of life’s beauty in stillness.
🚌 Transport: Private transfer to Odawara + Shinkansen (Green Car) → Kyoto; private coach in Kyoto
🏨 Overnight Stay: Refined City Hotel – Kyoto
👗 Attire Tip: Chic-casual layers; light jacket for evening
Speed across the countryside aboard the Shinkansen — an experience both modern and peaceful.
Arrive Kyoto; tea ceremony welcome and gentle neighborhood stroll.
Relaxed dinner near the hotel; early night or short lantern walk.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight Accommodation: Refined City Hotel – Kyoto
Iconic torii paths, mindful shodō calligraphy, a teahouse lunch, and an unforgettable evening with geisha artistry.
🚌 Transport: Private coach within Kyoto
🏨 Overnight Stay: Refined City Hotel – Kyoto
👗 Attire Tip: Modest attire for shrines; comfy walking shoes
Fushimi Inari Taisha — the thousand red gates and hillside vistas.
Calligraphy workshop led by a Japanese female artist; teahouse lunch.
Private kaiseki with geisha/maiko performance and conversation.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight Accommodation: Refined City Hotel – Kyoto
Bamboo groves and Zen gardens in Arashiyama, riverside lunch, artisan craft, and a flavorful night at Kyoto’s historic market.
🚌 Transport: Private coach within Kyoto
🏨 Overnight Stay: Refined City Hotel – Kyoto
👗 Attire Tip: Light layers; comfortable shoes
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and Tenryū-ji Temple & gardens.
Riverside lunch; hands-on artisan workshop (indigo dyeing or weaving)
Guided Nishiki Market stroll and dinner in the market area.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight Accommodation: Refined City Hotel – Kyoto
Into the mountains again — this time for spirit. A serene shukubō night with meditation, temple cuisine, and a lantern walk through Okunoin.
🚌 Transport: Private transfer Kyoto → Mount Kōya
🏨 Overnight Stay: Temple Lodging (Shukubō) – Mount Kōya
👗 Attire Tip: Modest/comfy layers; socks for temple interiors
Winding mountain roads to the heart of Shingon Buddhism.
Temple check-in; meditation session guided by monks.
Shōjin ryōri vegetarian dinner; evening visit to Okunoin Cemetery.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight Accommodation: Temple Lodging (Shukubō) – Mount Kōya
From morning prayers to castle views, markets, and neon — Osaka is flavor, fun, and full of heart.
🚌 Transport: Private transfer Mount Kōya → Osaka; private coach in Osaka
🏨 Overnight Stay: City-Chic 5★ Hotel – Osaka
👗 Attire Tip: Urban-chic for exploring; light layer for evening canals
Morning prayer; temple breakfast; transfer to Osaka; Osaka Castle visit.
Shinsaibashi & Namba shopping stroll; lively arcades and quirky finds.
Dotonbori street-food experience — graze like a local along the canals.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight Accommodation: City-Chic 5★ Hotel – Osaka
Shrine calm, hands-on cooking, a soft afternoon to wander or pack, and a rooftop toast to sisterhood.
🚌 Transport: Private coach within Osaka
🏨 Overnight Stay: City-Chic 5★ Hotel – Osaka
👗 Attire Tip: Casual for cooking; elegant for farewell dinner
Breakfast and visit to Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine
Private Osaka cooking workshop (okonomiyaki + takoyaki) with lunch; free time to shop or people watch.
Farewell dinner with elevated views — a celebration of friendship and the journey shared.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight Accommodation: City-Chic 5★ Hotel – Osaka
A slow breakfast, last hugs, and smooth transfers — you’re leaving Japan, but the sisterhood travels with you.
🚌 Transport: Private airport transfer
🏨 Overnight Stay: — Departure Day
👗 Attire Tip: Comfortable travel clothes
A TDJ representative will meet you at your hotel to assist with your private transfer. Whether you’re flying out of Osaka or catching a train onward, your exit will be as seamless as your stay.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Overnight Accommodation: N/A
