12 Days Exploring Honshu, Japan — Nature, Culture & Traditions【Exclusive Small Group | Private Vehicle & Personal Tour Guide】

Welcome to this tour of Japan! On arrival you will be met at the airport by your driver and travel by private car to your hotel in Tokyo.

On day two you will take an extensive walking tour of the city with your tour guide, making use of Tokyo's fantastic public transport system. From the wooded precincts of Meiji Shrine to the candy-coloured shops of Harajuku, from the bustling traditional quarter of Asakusa to the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing Shibuya; today you'll discover what makes Tokyo one of the world's greatest cities.
We recommend exploring Shibuya thoroughly, including:
1. Shibuya Scramble Crossing
This is the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing. At rush hour, up to 3,000 people cross at once from five directions, under huge LED screens and neon billboards. It’s called “the busiest intersection on Earth” — a true symbol of Tokyo’s energy.
2. Hachikō Statue
Just outside Shibuya Station stands the bronze statue of Hachikō, the loyal Akita dog who waited for his owner every day for 10 years. It’s Tokyo’s most famous meeting spot and a touching symbol of loyalty.
3. Center Gai & Shibuya 109
Center Gai is a lively pedestrian street filled with trendy shops, cafes, and street fashion. Nearby, Shibuya 109 is the iconic fashion mall for young Tokyo trends — a birthplace of Japanese youth culture.
4. Miyashita Park & Shibuya Parco
Miyashita Park blends green space with modern shopping and dining. Shibuya Parco is a stylish mall housing Nintendo Tokyo and Pokémon Center Shibuya — perfect for pop culture fans.

Note: If you have other attractions you wish to visit, please let us know when booking. We will make reasonable adjustments and arrangements to suit your requirements.

Today, accompanied by your tour guide, we will depart from your Tokyo hotel by private car and head to Hakone. You will take a distinctive pirate ship to cruise on Lake Ashi, visit the famous lakeside torii gate of Hakone Shrine, wander around Owakudani and taste the renowned black hot spring eggs.
In the evening, we will check in at a local onsen hotel and enjoy its authentic Japanese-style dinner.
The onsen hotel is located around Mount Fuji. Your tour guide will explain the etiquette and procedures for using Japanese hot springs on site. Wish you a pleasant and comfortable stay.

Note: Dinner will be served at the hotel. Please let us know any special dietary requirements when booking. Please note that due to differences in national eating habits, the hotel may not be able to fully accommodate all requests.

Away from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, embark on a romantic rendezvous with Mount Fuji. This one-day tour links together the core scenic spots around Fuji, ranging from crystal-clear lakeshores to ancient villages, from internet-famous check-in sites to classic viewing platforms. Every stop boasts a unique Japanese charm, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the diverse allure of Mount Fuji.

Scenic Spot 1: Lake Yamanaka
As the largest lake among the Fuji Five Lakes, Lake Yamanaka is the perfect starting point for your journey. In the early morning, the lake surface is as smooth as a mirror, clearly reflecting the full outline of Mount Fuji.Important Notice: Visibility in the Mount Fuji area is highly affected by weather, and the view cannot be guaranteed. Please consider this carefully before placing your order.

Scenic Spot 2: Oshino Hakkai
The eight clear spring ponds here are formed by the meltwater of Mount Fuji seeping underground, with water so clear that you can see the bottom. Wander along the bluestone paths of the ancient village, and watch the spring water reflect Mount Fuji as well as the surrounding red autumn leaves or green foliage. 

Scenic Spot 3: Lawson Kawaguchiko Station
This internet-famous convenience store is known as "the best supermarket for taking photos of Mount Fuji". The iconic Lawson sign perfectly frames the distant Mount Fuji, making it a popular check-in spot on Instagram. Take a short break here, grab a refreshing ice cream or a hot snack.

Scenic Spot 4: Ōishi Park
Nestled on the shores of Lake Kawaguchi, Ōishi Park is an ideal place to admire Mount Fuji alongside seasonal flowers. The 350-meter-long flower path in the park changes colors with the seasons. Stroll along the lakeside trail, and let the grandeur of Mount Fuji and the splendor of flowers form the most soothing scenery, capturing your exclusive seasonal memories.

Scenic Spot 5: Higashikawa Clock Shop
A place full of Showa-era charm. A straight street stretches into the distance, with the towering Mount Fuji at its end. The retro street lamps and shop signs on both sides set off against the snow-capped mountain beautifully, just like a scene from a Japanese manga.

Scenic Spot 6: Shin-Fujiyama Asama Park
Climb up to the park’s viewing platform, and you will be greeted by the classic view of Mount Fuji, the five-story pagoda, and the natural scenery all in one frame. Hailed as "a must-visit destination for photographers around the world", standing high up here, you can overlook the street view of Fujiyoshida City and feel the harmonious coexistence of humanistic architecture and natural mountains.

Note: You may ask your tour guide on-site if you wish to shorten or adjust the itinerary for the day. The guide will rearrange the schedule to accommodate your requests whenever possible.

After today's tour, we will drive to Matsumoto and check in at the local hotel for rest.

In the morning, you will travel to Takayama by private car with your tour guide. Wander along the historic streets, taste tender and juicy Hida beef, and feel free to explore local craft shops and sake breweries.
In the afternoon, we will drive to Shirakawa-go. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is famous for its unique gassho-zukuri farmhouses. These traditional wooden houses feature steep thatched roofs shaped like praying hands. The village boasts picturesque rural scenery and a simple local lifestyle. You may wander around the lanes and experience the peace and traditional charm of Japanese countryside.
After today's sightseeing, we will proceed to Kanazawa and check in at the hotel for an overnight stay.

Today, after breakfast at the hotel, we are going to visit Kanazawa. We will take local public transport throughout the day with the tour guide accompanying you.

Enjoy the beautifully preserved traditional districts of Kanazawa, home to one of Japan's top three landscape gardens.

Located on the Japan Sea coast, Kanazawa is one of Japan's best-preserved traditional cities. Like Kyoto, its historical monuments were considered sufficiently important by Allied forces to escape air raids, meaning that today you can still find something of the atmosphere of pre-war Japan in its old town districts.

We recommend strolling the Nagamachi samurai quarter and getting some super-fresh sushi from the Omicho fish market. No visit to Kanazawa would be complete without a visit to the city's star attraction: Kenrokuen. Ranked as one of Japan's top three landscape gardens, Kenrokuen is truly stunning and well worth your time today.

Note: A dedicated tour guide will accompany you today and lead you to explore the sights via local public transport.

Today you will make your way by local train and shinkansen bullet train to Kyoto with our tour guide.

Explore Kyoto, “City of Ten Thousand Temples” and capital of Japan for over a millennium.

Upon arrival in Kyoto, we will take our private vehicle to visit two iconic attractions.
First is Kiyomizu-dera, a renowned ancient temple with a large wooden terrace offering panoramic city views. Then we will tour Fushimi Inari Taisha, famous for its countless winding vermilion torii gates. Afterwards, we will check in at our hotel in Kyoto.

Today, accompanied by your tour guide, you will continue exploring Kyoto by private car.

First, visit Nijo Castle, a well-preserved historic castle with distinctive nightingale floors. Next, wander around Nishiki Market, known as "Kyoto's Kitchen", and taste a variety of local delicacies. Then head to Arashiyama, a scenic area featuring tranquil bamboo groves and classic Japanese landscapes. Finally, tour Kinkaku-ji, the famous Golden Pavilion covered in shimmering gold leaf. We will enjoy a wonderful day of sightseeing.

Today, accompanied by your tour guide, you will continue exploring Kyoto by private car.

Nara was Japan’s first permanent capital (Heijō-kyō) from 710 to 784. It’s a treasure trove of 8 UNESCO-listed historic monuments, including Todai-ji Temple (home to the Great Buddha, housed in the world’s largest wooden building), Kasuga Taisha Shrine (with thousands of stone and bronze lanterns). The city’s iconic sika deer are considered sacred messengers of the gods, wandering freely in Nara Park and approaching visitors for shika senbei (deer crackers).

Famous as Japan's capital of matcha, Uji is a peaceful ancient town. It is celebrated for premium matcha tea and traditional tea-making culture. You can taste authentic matcha desserts and visit time-honored tea houses here. Besides, the city is also home to well-preserved ancient temples and historic sites.
In Uji, we will take part in an authentic Japanese matcha-making and tea-tasting experience.

Head west to Hiroshima, a vibrant modern city haunted by a tragic past.

After another ride on the world famous shinkansen bullet train, you'll arrive in Hiroshima – a modern city with a difficult past.

First, you'll switch to a local train for the short journey to the port, before hopping on a ferry over to Miyajima island with its immense floating torii gate. Explore UNSECO world-heritage designated Itsukushima Shrine, Daisho-in temple tucked away in the forest, and spot wild deer roaming freely around the island.

We will check in at the hotel in Hiroshima for the night.

Spend the morning at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum to learn about the events of 6 August 1945, a moving and fundamental part of the city's history.

Explore Osaka, famed for its fun-loving inhabitants and mouth-watering street food.
Then board the bullet train once more to head to Osaka – Japan's capital of cool, with a distinctly less traditional feel than its neighbouring cities. The first place to explore is the lively downtown district: checking out the famous neon lights and Glico ‘running man' landmark, visiting the Doguyasuji cookware street, or the hip America-Mura shopping district.

Get a taste of what Osaka's all about with an optional street food tour experience – and learn what it means to experience the city's philosophy of ‘eat until you drop'. From Takoyaki octopus balls to kushikatsu deep-fried skewers, tiny bars tucked away in back streets and above shops, to giant animatronic crabs flashing above crowded, smoking grills, your Insider will show you exactly how street food is where Osaka shines.

Upon completion of today's itinerary, you will check in at a hotel in central Osaka.

Today marks the final day of our tour. We can arrange airport transfer to Osaka Airport based on your departure flight. You may also continue your own travel plans as you wish.

Note: Feel free to contact us anytime if you need further arrangements. We will do our best to assist you.