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10-Day Private Tour of Japan

A model itinerary for a private tour to cover iconic sights and authentic experiences. Ideal introductory trip of Japan for people who would like to cover must-see locations at relaxed pace.

Duration

10 days

Theme

Sightseeing

Group size

Min 2 people

Tour Overview

This 10-Day Private Tour of Japan is an ideal introduction to Japan’s culture and landscape.

It covers all the highlights including Tokyo, Mt Fuji, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Miyajima. The trip introduces you to traditional Japanese cultures such as ryokan, onsen, kaiseki dinner, visiting historically significant Nara and Kyoto.

The itinerary is comfortably paced, but you can further modify it to suit your personal preference. This 10-Day Private Tour of Japan is an ideal tour to get the taste of the country in a limited time.

Important notes about our model itineraries:

Our model itineraries are developed to show viewers the ideas for an itinerary and price guide. The itineraries can be further customized, and the accommodation and guide time can be adjusted to suit you. The number of people in your group will affect the price, too. We will give you more firm quotation once we develop your personal itinerary.

ようこそ
welcome

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo

Welcome to Japan! On arrival at one of Tokyo’s international airports, our escort will meet you and take you to your hotel in Tokyo.

No meals
Tokyo
Private escort on arrival
Public transport  (private vehicle option available)
Day 2: Guided tour of Tokyo

This morning you will meet your guide at your hotel lobby after breakfast and have a private guided tour of Tokyo. The day's program will be completely customised for your interests and preferences. You can visit old parts of Tokyo such as Asakusa, fashionable Shibuya and Omotesando, the political and commercial centre of Japan, Marunouchi, or anything in between. The day is yours to explore the modern and quirky sides of this mega capital.

Lunch and dinner are not included but we will make recommendations if you require.

Breakfast
Tokyo
Private guide for 8 hours (4 hour option available)
Trains and subways (private vehicle option available)
Day 3: Hakone

Today, you will travel by train with your guide, to the famous resort town of Hakone in the Izu Hakone National Park. Hakone once was an important checkpoint for the traffic in and out of Edo (now Tokyo). The present day Hakone is a popular destination for domestic and international travelers and people come here for relaxing hot spring spa and beautiful landscapes.

You have a choice of Japanese style and western style accommodation in Hakone.

Breakfast, Dinner
Hakone
Private guide (8 hours) (guide will stay overnight)
Trains (private vehicle option available)
Day 4: Hakone

This morning you can spend more time in Hakone to explore some world class art museums, which are another feature of Hakone. In the afternoon, you can hop on Shinkansen and head to Kyoto, the well-known old capital of Japan.

After arrival, you can transfer to your hotel by taxi and have a relaxing evening, or explore endless choice of restaurants near your hotel.

Breakfast (Japanese style)
Kyoto
Private guide in morning in Hakone and self-guided transfer to Kyoto
Express trains (private vehicle option available)
Day 5: Kyoto

Your private guide will meet at your hotel in the morning and take you on a guided tour. Kyoto has myriad of attractions and we will designed the guided tours to match your interests. Apart from iconic sites such as Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), Fushimi Inari, Nijo-jo Castle and Heian Jingu Shrine, you can visit more discrete temple gardens, high quality craft and antique galleries such as pottery and silk, or simply stroll atmospheric streets of Kyoto such as Gion.

There are variety of choices in terms of accommodation and restaurants in Kyoto. Please let us know of your preferences. If you are a group, why not try a private banquet with a maiko (apprentice geisha) to join you for dinner. It will be an unique opportunity to engage with her in person and learn more about this centuries-old art form and the life of a modern-day geisha.

Breakfast
Kyoto
Private guide (8 hours)
Subway and local bus (private vehicle option available)
Day 6: Nara

Nara is less than one hour away from Kyoto, another ancient capital of Japan. It is quieter and smaller than Kyoto, which makes it ideal to explore to feel the history and culture of ancient Japan.

Breakfast
Kyoto
Private guide (8 hours)
Private guide (8 hours)
Day 7: Hiroshima

Today you will hop onboard Japan’s famous shinkansen once more and journey down to the iconic sites of Hiroshima.

On arriving in Hiroshima, you will meet our Hiroshima guide at the station and have a guided tour of the Peace Memorial Park and Atomic Bomb Museum. Despite its tragic past, present-day Hiroshima remains very welcoming and vibrant, characterized by wide boulevards and attractive leafy parks. Enjoy some of its characteristic cuisine such as Hiroshima style okonomiyaki.

Breakfast
Hiroshima
Self-guided transfer to Hiroshima and private guide in afternoon (4 hours)
Shinkansen, tram and bus (private vehicle option available)
Day 8: Miyajima

This morning a short train and ferry ride take you to one of Japan’s top scenic sites – Miyajima. This sacred island is best known for the vermillion-red floating torii gate that sits in the sea in front of Itsukushima Shrine (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).

You can have a guided tour of the shrine, which was originally constructed in 593 when the island was designated a sacred island to be inhabited only by the gods. In the afternoon stroll around Miyajima’s Buddhist temples or take the ropeway to the top of the island for breathtaking views of the Inland Sea.

Tonight we recommend you stay overnight at the island, experience ryokan (Japanese style accommodation) , and enjoy the kaiseki dinner and futon bedding. However, there is an option of going back to Hiroshima and stay another night at a western style hotel there.

Breakfast, Dinner
Miyajima
Private guide (8 hours)
Train and ferry (private vehicle option available)
Day 9: Osaka

This morning you experience some quiet time in Miyajima before day visitors arrive and before you make your way back to your final destination Osaka. You will have time to discover the vibrant culture of Osaka in the afternoon and evening guided tour.

Breakfast (Japanese style)
Osaka
Self guided transfer to Osaka and private guide in afternoon (6 hours)
Shinkansen, train and subway (private vehicle in Osaka available)
Day 10: Departure

Today you will transfer from your hotel to your exiting airport after breakfast. You can exit Japan from Kansai International Airport or go back to Tokyo and leave from one of the international airports there. We will arrange the transfer for you whichever way you choose.

And of course you can extend your stay in Japan. Please browse our Tour Extension Model Itineraries for ideas.

Breakfast
Self-guided transfer (private escort option available)
Airport train or shuttle bus (private vehicle option available)

Inclusions

Includes

  • 9 nights accommodation with daily breakfast
  • Meals as specified
  • Airport meet & greet and hotel transfer by public transport on arrival
  • All shinkansen and express trains
  • Hakone Free Pass
  • Suica IC card with starter credit
  • Locally licensed English speaking tour guides where specified

Excludes

  • International and domestic airfare (unless otherwise stated)
  • Entrance fees to attractions
  • Travel insurance
  • Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
  • Tips and gratuities (not routinely expected in Japan)
  • Personal expenses (laundry, internet, telephone, coin lockers etc.)
  • Visa (if required)

Price Guide

10-Day Private Tour of Japan

Have a question about this tour? Get in touch with our staff directly.