After an incredible sold-out trip to Japan in 2023 & again in 2024, I'm thrilled to be heading back with another group of YOU!

 This highly anticipated trip will take you all over to the best sights in Japan for 11 amazing days.  (It's my longest and most in-depth trip but if you're flying all the way to Japan, I'm going to show you it ALL!! It's sure to be the trip of a lifetime!)

 Highlights include spending the night in a traditional Japanese temple, exploring Tokyo's Harajuku district & Shibuya Crossing, a sumo show, a sushi making class, TeamLABS Tokyo, Nara Deer Park, maid cafes, historic Kyoto and so much more! 

While Japan is a more expensive country to travel, we've done our best to keep prices low despite it being a full 11 days long & packed with tons of inclusions + great, central accommodations! Read my top Japan tips here! 

This trip starts in Tokyo and ends in Osaka. Deposit is non-refundable.

Trip must be paid in full 60 days out. Nonrefundable 90 days out. 

Welcome to Japan & the world's largest city: TOKYO!

Fly into either of Tokyo's airports and you'll be warmly greeted by myself or our second guide upon arrival! 

Get checked in to our first hotel and freshen up before meeting your fellow travelers for our welcome dinner at a SUMO show and first intro to Japanese cuisine!

We’ll start the morning off with a visit to the largest temple in Tokyo: Sensoji Temple in historic Asakusa.  (Just a few steps away from our hotel!) 

We’ll then head out to the birth place of Japanese teen pop culture, Harajuku via Tokyo's metro. Here you'll have free time to shop, check out the boy bands that perform here or visit one of the many animal cafes.  

We’ll then head into Yoyogi Park, host of the beautiful Meiji Shrine.

And as always, I'll be there every step of the way helping to capture photos! 

Afterwards, we’ll head to Akihabara – Tokyo’s electric town - and be blinded by the all the neon lights and crazy shops in store. 

You can challenge each other in the famous Tokyo arcades before we check out the super quirky Maid Cafes! 

This will be a super fun & jam-packed day with lots of walking so pack comfortable shoes :) 

After breakfast, we will head over to our own private sushi making class onboard a private bus.

You will learn how to make Miso soup, three types of sushi and the secrets behind Teriyaki! 

After the class, we'll visit the Instagram-famous teamLab Planets TOKYO.  This futuristic art museum uses state-of-the-art digital technology to bring each exhibit to life. 

This evening we head to Shinjuku, we’ll see an unparalleled skyline of Tokyo, check out the famous Omoide Yokocho alley for some adventurous eating before viewing the famous Shibuya Pedestrian Crossing.

Today is the day we ride the world-famous shinkansen for the first time. Watch them fly by on the platform before boarding one of the world’s fastest train.

Keep an eye out for Mt Fuji on the way.

 First stop is the UNESCO World Heritage town of Takayama. Here we will be staying at a stunning temple for the night. 

In the afternoon, we’ll sample sake in a local brewery and you can even treat yourself to some famous Hida beef!

Afterwards you'll have free time to shop for custom chopsticks. visit a traditional Japanese bath or try all our food recommendations.

Start the morning with a walk around the beautiful old town and village of Takayama as well as a visit to the morning market on the banks of the Miyagawa River.  Option to join for a morning prayer ceremony at our temple stay. 

 We will then head to Kyoto by bullet train.

 In the evening a local tour guide will guide us around Kyoto’s Gion district, known for Geisha’s (Japan’s traditional art form of entertainment), if you are lucky enough, you might even spot one.  

Kyoto has an amazing food scene & we've already made reservations for you at some of the best restaurants around town!  

We’ll rise before dawn and take the subway to the Fushimi-Inari Shrine. We arrive early to escape the throng of tourists and work our way through the mountain exploring corridors of never ending red gates. 

After, we will head to Kiyomizu-dera temple, one of Japan’s most famous temples.

A stunning bamboo and wooden complex that sits high in the mountain side. 

In the afternoon, we'll have the option to attend a traditional Tea Ceremony, where you can even rent traditional Japanese kimonos!

We head to the stunning Golden Pavilion, a beautiful gold laden building surrounded by a lake. After we’ll head to Daitoku-ji, a quiet, leafy complex of old temples. 

In the afternoon we head to a traditional Kendo class housed in the dojo where it all began. 

Your authentic Bushido instructor, a descendant of a Japanese Samurai, will teach you the way of this respectful martial art.

The day starts with a train ride to Arashiyama, a town surrounded by mountains and a river running through it. 

The itinerary includes a visit to the bamboo forest, climbing Monkey Mountain and a traditional Japanese boat ride through the valleys. 

Renowned for its free-roaming deer and world famous temples, Nara Park is a must-see. 

After our day trip to Nara Park, option to visit the stunning Osaka Castle.

After an extremely full itinary, today is the day you get to decide what to do! 

Osaka is an amazing city filled with options.

Get Adventurous at Universal Studios Japan , if you arent dont shopping head to Shinsaibashi and Amerikamura, Step Back in Time at Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, Take in the Views from Umeda Sky Building, Stroll Through Kuromon Ichiba Market or may other things. 

In the evening, we'll explore the famous Dotonbori area. 

The food, people, lights, and colors of the "kitchen of Japan" will be experienced before ending the tour with karaoke + unlimited drinks in the evening, a Japanese classic! 

After a bucket list trip all around Japan, it's time to part ways with your travel community! 

All your photos will be delivered in Google Drive within 1 week after the trip.

We hope we have shown you the best that Japan has to offer! 

Fly out from Osaka at any time today.  Or from Tokyo (+book the bullet train optional) anytime after 4pm. You'll be able to make it home in time for Thanksgiving!