Legend of Japan - 12 Day Trip

Morning! Today, we’re kicking things off with a walking tour to get familiar with Tokyo. No visit to Tokyo is complete without exploring the famous Senso-ji Temple, where we’ll soak in a bit of culture before exploring Akihabara (also known as the “electric town”). Afterwards, we'll head to our next experience: sake tasting! Here we'll try a few different flavours of Japan’s iconic rice wine and learn a bit about its history. Then it’s time to head out and experience the bright lights and buzzing energy of Shinjuku. The perfect first full day in Japan!

Morning! It's our final full day in Tokyo, and we're exploring some more of the city's highlights. We'll explore the amazing Meiji Shrine and then head over to Harajuku and walk along Takeshita-Dori, which is the heart of all this fashion and culture! In the evening, after another busy day of exploring, we'll head for some food. We'll head to Golden Gai, a super cool area, full of food spots and bars and if karaoke is calling your name, that can be on the cards too, of course!

Ready for a more peaceful part of this amazing country? Odawara is where we are heading next, and it is known for being home to a beautiful castle! It is a long travel day today, but it is SO worth it! Once we arrive, we'll have the chance to take in some of the views (maybe if we get lucky, we'll see Mount Fuji) before heading for a sightseeing cruise!

This morning, we are up early to travel over to Kyoto. In the afternoon, we'll experience a traditional Tea Ceremony, if you're looking for a proper immersive experience - this is it! We'll also get to explore some of Ninenzaka, an iconic old town shopping street surrounded by famous temples, pagodas, and statues. Finally, we'll head to Fushimi-Inari Shrine, so get your cameras at the ready! 

This morning, we'll head straight out to the famous Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. If you are looking for the ultimate pic for the gram, now's your chance! Later on, we'll head over to the beautiful Kinkaku-Ji before stepping into the world of Samurai! Epic right?

Grab your matcha, we’re off to Koyasan! Koyasan is the most sacred place in the world for Japanese Shingon Buddhists, and its founder has been in eternal meditation here for over 1200 years. In the afternoon, we'll have some free time before heading out on a walking tour of the oldest cemetery in Japan. We'll learn all about its history and be immersed in the spirit! In the evening, we'll head over to the Konpon-Daito pagoda and the Daimon Gate as they will be all lit up!

We're travelling towards Osaka today! We'll end our journey on a local train that will take us through the magical mountains of Osaka! Once we arrive, we'll visit the stunning Osaka Castle, which is like something out of a Disney movie! This evening, after a bit of free time, we'll explore Dotonbori, famous for its incredible street food and bright neon signs. The retro vibe of the neighbourhood is super fun and the perfect backdrop for a great night out!

Ready for some history? We're heading to Hiroshima this morning, one of the two cities that were victims of the atomic bombings in 1945. Today, it's a bustling city that is SO worth visiting. We'll start our time here with a visit to the museum, which will give us a great insight into life here after the events of 1945. Afterwards, we'll take an orientation walk around some of the key locations, such as the Genbaku Dome, which was the only building left standing at ground zero. In the evening, we will head out for an Okonomiyaki meal, a famous Hiroshima-style way of cooking and eating!

It is only right that we lean into the history of such an infamous location, so today we will head to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. Here we'll learn about Hiroshima before, during and after the events on 6th August 1945. After a powerful morning, we'll have a free afternoon for you to spend as you please, explore more of the city's highlights, browse the shops or head to one of the many parks in the city for a peaceful escape.

This morning we're up early to head back to Osaka! After spending the last 10 days being surrounded by amazing food and sensational sushi, it's only right that we make our own, right? Before lunch, we'll head over to slice and dice at a traditional class, and we'll get to taste the fruits of our labour - what a treat! For our final afternoon in Osaka, we'll head out, with full bellies, for a few hours of sightseeing and soaking in every last magical moment. Then it's time for one last group meal - we're not crying, you are...it's going to be emotional for sure!

Can you believe how fast these last 12 days have flown! Time does fly when you are having the time of your life in one of the most amazing countries on earth. Whether you are headed home or you have a few more days of exploring, your Tru Leader will be there to guide you in the right direction. See you next time!