RACV Logo
Members save more on over 100,000 hotels worldwide
Unlock savings
Unlock member discounts
Unlock exclusive discounts and inclusions
Members only pricing
Bonus hand-picked inclusions
Continue as guest
Your member number is located on your membership card, membership renewal notice, club account statement or payment advice.

Essential Japan: 20 days Tokyo to Osaka

package saved
click to save
Operated by Scenic
Tripcode: NZ-93343165eea7f51f4
Overview
Destination:
Japan
Start:Tokyo, Japan
Finish:Osaka, Japan
Duration:20 days
Type:Group tour (max 228)
Travel Period
September 2025 - October 2026

The essence of Japan

This distillation of all things Japanese is designed to provide you with a truly unforgettable travel experience.
In the shadow of Mt Fuji, Hakone presents you with the opportunity to see the nearby Owakudani geysers and the unusual Hakone Open Air Museum. Partake in Japanese culture – try your hand at creating washi paper, copperware, your own chopsticks and origami, dress in kimonos, dine with a Geiko and Maiko and play Taiko drums. From the large neon-filled, modern cities of Tokyo and Osaka to the historic villages of Inuyama, Gokayama, Takayama and Tsumago Juku, you will see all aspects of Japanese culture and lifestyle during your journey. Enjoy the very best the ‘land of the rising sun’ has to offer, from feudal castles to traditional gardens, sporting traditions to tea ceremonies, from sake to sushi, and everything quintessentially Japanese in-between.
Standard inclusions
  • Create your own souvenirs at traditional copper/tin, gold craft and washi paper making workshops
  • A personal origami crane offering in Peace Park
  • Private sumo wrestler demonstration
  • Private group dinner hosted by a Geisha and Maiko
  • Partake in a Japanese tea ceremony while dressed in a kimono
  • Play the Taiko drums in an interactive, private group demonstration and lesson
  • Visit Inuyama and Himeji Castles, two of the five castles designated as national treasures
  • Visit the Kirin Brewery in Kobe for lunch, tasting and a tour of the factory
  • Visit teamLab Borderless light display
  • Shinkansen Train Museum at the SCMaglev and Railway Park
  • Fully escorted small group land journey
  • 5 exclusive Scenic Enrich experiences
  • Your choice of 12 Scenic Freechoice activities and dining
  • 3 memorable Scenic Special Stays
  • 48 meals – 19 breakfasts (B),16 lunches (L) and 13 dinners (D)
  • Expert Tour Director
  • All internal transport
  • Return airport transfers
Already with RACV?
Tell us your Member details to unlock discounts.
Unlock
Itinerary
Expand all Collapse all
Day 1 - Tokyo

Welcome to Tokyo, Japan's capital and the world's most populous metropolis. Check-into your hotel, your Special Stay for the next three nights. With direct access to four subway lines, the hotel was recently rated in the Forbes Travel Guide as Tokyo’s exclusive Japanese decor 5-star luxury hotel. Rooms overlook the most picturesque sites in Tokyo, such as the Imperial Palace, the 500-year-old Hie Jinja Shrine and beautiful landscaped Japanese gardens. This evening meet for your welcome reception and dinner.

Day 2 - Tokyo

Gather your bearings of Tokyo from above as you take in the view from Tokyo Sky Tree.

Enrich
Given by Taiko Masters, partake in an interactive, private group demonstration and lesson in playing the Taiko drums.

Afterwards visit the epicentre of Tokyo’s teenage youth as you wander along Takeshita Street Harajuku, known for its colourful street art, youth fashion, quirky vintage clothing and cosplay stores and dessert shops and carts that specialise in sweet crêpes, donuts, and bubble tea.

Freechoice Dining:

Choose from dining at a ninja themed restaurant or culturally immerse yourself in the traditional Japanese evening Izakaya bar scene serving Yaki-tori and Kushiyaki with your Tour Director as they show you their favourite places to go. Alternatively dine in at Nobu Tokyo restaurant.

Day 3 - Tokyo

Visit the Asakusa district, known as the centre of Tokyo’s shitamachi or ‘low city’ capsulizing the atmosphere of Tokyo’s past, paying your respects at Sensoji temple, the city’s oldest Buddhist temple.

Freechoice: Visit the Imperial Shinto Meiji Shrine, before walking across the often referred to as ‘the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing’ and seeing the famous Hachiko dog statue in Shibuya. Alternatively, wander through picturesque Shinjuku-Gyoen Gardens before witnessing the Shinjuku entertainment district come alive at dusk where you can choose to stay into the night.

Day 4 - Tokyo > Five Lakes

Begin the day with Team Lab Borderless at the Digital Art Museum and wander freely amongst the mesmerizing light displays. Then dress up in your chefs’ clothes to make your own sushi lunch with the help of a local chef. Venture into the countryside on your drive to the Fuji Five Lakes district, known locally as Fujigoko. Later, discover the craftsmanship involved in creating kimonos during the Muromachi Period (1333-1573) at the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum. Soak in the views of Mt Fuji from your hotel where you will stay overnight.

Day 5 - Five Lakes > Hakone

Drive to Hakone and cruise on Lake Ashinoko on the First-class deck of your pirate ship with Mt Fuji as a backdrop. Admire the stunning scenery during your cable car ride up to the hot springs of the Owakudani geothermal area before moving to study the art works and sculptures at the Hakone Open Air Museum, Japan’s first open air museum. Relax during your evening at your hotel overlooking Lake Ashinoko.

Day 6 - Hakone > Nagoya > Inuyama

Via Shinkansen, in your Green (Business) Class seats, travel to Nagoya and visit Shinkansen Train Museum at the SCMaglev and Railway Park.  Continue to the historic castle town of Inuyama and check into your boutique hotel in Inuyama for a two-night Special Stay.

Day 7 - Inuyama

Learn about the ancient history of the area with a visit to the Shiro-to-Machi Museum before enjoying a rickshaw ride through the old town’s streets to Inuyama Castle, the oldest of just five castles nationwide designated as national treasures. Afterwards visit the Meiji Mura, a massive outdoor museum for reconstructed buildings.

Day 8 - Inuyama > Tsumago Juku > Takayama

Head north to Takayama via Tsumago Juku, a fully restored and preserved Edo Period (1600-1868) post town in the Kiso Valley. Upon arrival in Takayama, enjoy a sake tasting and museum experience at Funasaka Shuzo Sake brewery. Enjoy a two-night stay at  your hotel overlooking Takayama.

Freechoice Dining: Choose between Le Midi, a restaurant located in town known for its Hida Beef, or Sakanaya, a fine Japanese restaurant set in a renovated sake brewery. Alternatively enjoy local regional Japanese at Susaki.

Day 9 - Takayama – Gokayama

View the impressive Yatai festival floats, then drive to the historical farmhouses of the less visited mountain villages in Gokayama, a World Heritage listed site, including Ainokura and Shirakawago villages. Whilst here, try your hand at a Washi paper making workshop. Back in Takayama explore the shops and backstreets of Takayama’s old quarter, leaving the evening free to enjoy this old quarter at your leisure.

Day 10 - Takayama > Takaoka > Kanazawa

Head further north to Takaoka via a cruise through Shogawa Gorge and its stunning scenery. Takaoka is known for its copper and tinware so you will have the opportunity to create your own souvenir at one of the local workshops. Later visit Zuiryuji Temple, a Soto Zen Buddhist temple and a national treasure completed circa 1659. Continue to Kanazawa and relax at your hotel in Kanazawa for the next two nights, located just seconds from the Kanazawa train station.

Ryokan Upgrade: For a unique insight into Japanese culture, choose to stay tonight in a Ryokan (at additional cost, must be pre-booked before departure). This traditional Japanese Inn has tatami mat flooring with futon beds, sliding shoji paper doors, Tatami flooring, private facilities, and includes dinner and breakfast.

Day 11 - Kanazawa

Wander around Kenroku–en Garden, one of Japan’s three great gardens located across from Kanazawa Castle Park. Move to the Higashi-Chaya District tea house district and try your hand at the Kanazawa Gold Leaf craft shop. Later, catch a glimpse of life in Feudal Japan with a visit to former Kaga Clan Samurai houses in the Nagamachi district.

Day 12 - Kanazawa > Kyoto

Travel by train to the culturally rich city of Kyoto, home to many World Heritage-listed sites. Upon arrival, glide through the surreal Arashiyama Bamboo Grove by traditional rickshaw before exploring and enjoying a vegetarian meal at the World Heritage listed Tenryu-ji Temple. Afterwards visit the famous Kinkaku-ji or Golden Pavilion, because it is completely covered in gold leaf, before settling into your hotel. Tonight, gather for a Teppanyaki feast.

Day 13 - Kyoto

Freechoice: Revel in the atmosphere of the ancient preservation districts or visit the Silver Pavilion before strolling along part of the famous Philosopher’s Walk, an approximately two kilometre long, beautiful stone path walk along a canal through the northern part of Kyoto's Higashiyama district.

Enrich

Partake in a Japanese tea ceremony while dressed in a traditional Japanese kimono, a great photo opportunity.

This afternoon, enjoy some free time in Nishiki Market, a market renown as Kyoto’s kitchen with over 100 stalls and shops. Later this evening stroll through the Gion area, Kyoto’s famous Geisha District before dinner.

Enrich
Tonight’s dinner will allow you to interact with a Geiko and Maiko who’ll host your meal presentation. It’s an excellent opportunity to learn about what is involved in becoming a Geisha and the art of Japanese hospitality.

Day 14 - Kyoto - Nara

Begin your day with an early visit to the Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates and its appearance in the film ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’. Continue to Nara, Japan's first permanent capital established in the year 710 as Heijo, the city now known as Nara. Here you’ll visit Todaiji Temple, constructed in 752 as the head temple of all provincial Buddhist temples of Japan.  The Temple grew so powerful that the capital was moved from Nara to Nagaoka in 784 in order to lower the temple's influence on government affairs. Also see deer in Nara Park before returning to Kyoto and visiting Nijo castle, built in 1603 as the Kyoto residence of Tokugawa leyasu, the first shogun of the Edo Period. The remainder of the day Is at your leisure.

Day 15 - Kyoto > Himeji > Hiroshima

This morning travel by Shinkansen to marvel at Himeji Castle, an original and Japan’s most spectacular castle and one of the few remaining original feudal castles. Continue to Hiroshima via Shinkansen and check into your hotel for two nights. Tonight, sample Okonomiyaki, a delicious savoury Japanese-style pancake and specialty of the region.

Day 16 - Hiroshima > Miyajima Island

Sail by ferry to Miyajima Island to visit Daisho-in Temple and its famous floating Torii Gate at the Itsukushima Shrine, also built over the water.

Enrich
Experience an emotional visit to the Peace Park and Museum, dedicated to the legacy of Hiroshima as the first city in the world to suffer a nuclear attack. Move to Orizuru Tower to learn how to create your own special origami crane offering for the Orizuru Wall.

This evening is yours at leisure in Hiroshima.

Day 17 - Hiroshima > Kobe > Osaka

Travel by Shinkansen to Kobe and continue to the Kirin Beer Factory for lunch, tasting and a tour of the factory. Drive to Osaka to enjoy a three-night Special Stay. This evening ride the Osaka Metro to wander around the lively entertainment area of Dotonbori and Hozenji Yokocho food alley.

Day 18 - Osaka - Tondabayashi - Kehayaza

Drive to Tondabayashi to visit a restored Edo era Merchant House before continuing onto a Sumo Museum in Kehayaza, the area where Sumo originated.

Enrich
Learn about the history, life and training routine of a sumo wrestler during your private visit with sumo wrestlers. After the welcome ceremony, see a demonstration of Jinku and the wrestlers in action in the dohyo.

Enjoy your Club Floor benefits before transferring to the Umeda Sky Building for night-time views of the skyline of Osaka, before settling into your dinner with a view.

Day 19 - Osaka

Freechoice: Wander through Shinsaibashi-suji shopping avenue, followed by Kuromon Ichiba Market, known as Osaka’s kitchen or visit the Museum of History and the rebuilt Osaka Castle.

The afternoon is free at leisure for last minute shopping before gathering for your farewell Japanese feast.

Day 20 - Osaka

Bid a fond farewell to the ‘land of the rising sun’.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the journey will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.

Departure dates

Select your preferred date or enquire

Enquire now

Travellers

Operator
Scenic

At Scenic, we create exceptional journeys to every corner of the world. You will enjoy once-in-a-lifetime experiences, indulgent truly all-inclusive luxury, and a world class crew who will ensure every detail is cared for to the Nth Degree. With more than three decades of experience, the loyalty of our Scenic guests reflects our dedication to always placing you at the heart of everything we do. With Scenic, you'll find this is worldwide discovery truly in a class of its own. Across our 5-star luxury river cruises on custom-built Scenic Space-Ships, and 6-star ultra-luxury voyages on board Scenic Eclipse, The World’s First Discovery Yachts™, it is more than taking our guests to exceptional destinations around the world. Our truly all-inclusive philosophy enables our guests to be immersed in their chosen destination, indulge in an unparalleled level of luxury, and relax knowing everything is taken care of.

Important Information
*Terms and conditions
Please note: We are proud to be an independent agent to travel providers of hotels, flights and other related services. We are not a tour operator. Details and information on the offer are provided by 3rd party businesses and although we do our best to verify the information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy on all occasions. These offers are not available in conjunction with any other offer unless otherwise stated. Pricing and availability are subject to change without notice. For more information, please see Terms of Use
Book now
Need help?
Enquire for price
Enquire now to customise your unique tour itinerary.
19 nights
Check departures
Can't find the answer you're looking for? Get in touch with our friendly Travel Consultants.
Speak to one of our friendly consultants, available during business hours.
Mon to Fri · 9am - 5pm AEST
Speak to an expert in-store
Prefer to plan in person? Make an appointment at our Travel Store to speak with one of our experts
8e14966c47e115a093f74a1b5f78dc36