Independent Treasures of Japan (IAJ4)

11 Day Package from Tokyo to Osaka

 2024 Tour Details »2023 Tour Details

Journey through Japan on this fascinating Independence by Globus itinerary. A “prefecture” and capital of Japan, Tokyo is the world’s most populous metro area and home to unlimited choices—shopping, dining, entertainment, historic temples and sites, peaceful gardens, and excellent museums. Your private guided sightseeing tour includes Meiji Shrine, a 20th-century Shinto monument built within a man-made forest; the Samurai Museum, where you can learn about Japanese history and see authentic swords and armor; browse the bustling Nakamise Shopping Arcade; and visit one of the city’s most dazzling temples, the Asakusa Kannon Temple. You’ll also ascend the Tokyo Skytree for spectacular views over the city. During your free day you may choose a trip to Mount Fuji. A highlight of the vacation is the shinkansen (bullet train) ride from Tokyo to Kyoto. Reaching nearly 200-mile-per-hour, this is by far the most entertaining way to travel between cities. The “cradle” of Japan’s cultural heritage, Kyoto, was the country’s capital and residence of the emperor from the 8th until the 19th centuries. Your private guided sightseeing tour includes visits to Sanjusangendo Temple and the beautiful Temple of the Gold Pavilion. Built on a lake and surrounded by a thick forest, the image of the temple’s reflection in the water is a must-take photo. You’ll also walk through Gion and explore the thousands of Torii Gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine. Take some I-time for a visit nearby Nara or to explore Nishiki Market.

Continue to Hiroshima where you’ll visit Peace Memorial Park and Itsukushima Shrine both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. End your exploration of Japan in Osaka with visits to Osaka Castle and Minami, the city’s most famous entertainment district and where the locals go for fun.

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Notes:

Journey through Japan on this fascinating Independence by Globus itinerary. A “prefecture” and capital of Japan, Tokyo is the world’s most populous metro area and home to unlimited choices—shopping, dining, entertainment, historic temples and sites, peaceful gardens, and excellent museums. Your private guided sightseeing tour includes Meiji Shrine, a 20th-century Shinto monument built within a man-made forest; the Samurai Museum, where you can learn about Japanese history and see authentic swords and armor; browse the bustling Nakamise Shopping Arcade; and visit one of the city’s most dazzling temples, the Asakusa Kannon Temple. You’ll also ascend the Tokyo Skytree for spectacular views over the city. During your free day you may choose a trip to Mount Fuji. A highlight of the vacation is the shinkansen (bullet train) ride from Tokyo to Kyoto. Reaching nearly 200-mile-per-hour, this is by far the most entertaining way to travel between cities. The “cradle” of Japan’s cultural heritage, Kyoto, was the country’s capital and residence of the emperor from the 8th until the 19th centuries. Your private guided sightseeing tour includes visits to Sanjusangendo Temple and the beautiful Temple of the Gold Pavilion. Built on a lake and surrounded by a thick forest, the image of the temple’s reflection in the water is a must-take photo. You’ll also walk through Gion and explore the thousands of Torii Gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine. Take some I-time for a visit nearby Nara or to explore Nishiki Market.

Continue to Hiroshima where you’ll visit Peace Memorial Park and Itsukushima Shrine both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. End your exploration of Japan in Osaka with visits to Osaka Castle and Minami, the city’s most famous entertainment district and where the locals go for fun.

Transportation:

Journey through Japan on this fascinating Independence by Globus itinerary. A “prefecture” and capital of Japan, Tokyo is the world’s most populous metro area and home to unlimited choices—shopping, dining, entertainment, historic temples and sites, peaceful gardens, and excellent museums. Your private guided sightseeing tour includes Meiji Shrine, a 20th-century Shinto monument built within a man-made forest; the Samurai Museum, where you can learn about Japanese history and see authentic swords and armor; browse the bustling Nakamise Shopping Arcade; and visit one of the city’s most dazzling temples, the Asakusa Kannon Temple. You’ll also ascend the Tokyo Skytree for spectacular views over the city. During your free day you may choose a trip to Mount Fuji. A highlight of the vacation is the shinkansen (bullet train) ride from Tokyo to Kyoto. Reaching nearly 200-mile-per-hour, this is by far the most entertaining way to travel between cities. The “cradle” of Japan’s cultural heritage, Kyoto, was the country’s capital and residence of the emperor from the 8th until the 19th centuries. Your private guided sightseeing tour includes visits to Sanjusangendo Temple and the beautiful Temple of the Gold Pavilion. Built on a lake and surrounded by a thick forest, the image of the temple’s reflection in the water is a must-take photo. You’ll also walk through Gion and explore the thousands of Torii Gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine. Take some I-time for a visit nearby Nara or to explore Nishiki Market.

Continue to Hiroshima where you’ll visit Peace Memorial Park and Itsukushima Shrine both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. End your exploration of Japan in Osaka with visits to Osaka Castle and Minami, the city’s most famous entertainment district and where the locals go for fun.

 Meals

 Meals & Itinerary

Breakfast daily; 3 lunches

 Itinerary

Day 1

ARRIVE IN TOKYO, JAPAN

Welcome to Japan! Your hotel is available for mid-afternoon check-in.

Day 2

TOKYO

• Today, hop on Tokyo’s subway system for a private guided sightseeing tour of the city. Start with a visit to Meiji Shrine, a magnificent 20th-century Shinto monument set in a man-made forest.
• Next, stop at the Samurai Museum to learn about their history and see authentic period-specific swords, armor, and kabuto (helmets). You will even have the chance to have your picture taken wearing a helmet and armor!
• At Tokyo Skytree ascend to Sorakara Point on floor 450 at some 450 meters or 1500 feet it is the highest point visitors can explore. Here you’ll have stunning panoramic views over the city and and, on a clear day, Mount Fuji.
• Lastly, visit bustling Nakamise shopping arcade and Asakusa Kannon Temple, the oldest of their kind in Tokyo.


Breakfast Breakfast Lunch Lunch

Day 3

TOKYO

• Enjoy a full day at your leisure.

Enjoy a full day at leisure for your own discoveries. Utilize your included Tokyo Metro Pass to explore more of Tokyo’s unique neighborhoods, take a day trip to Mount Fuji, or embark a sunset dinner cruise on Tokyo Bay.


Breakfast Breakfast

Day 4

TOKYO–KYOTO

• Today, travel by shinkansen (bullet train) to historic Kyoto, former capital of Japan.


Breakfast Breakfast

Day 5

KYOTO

• Your private guided sightseeing tour uses efficient public transportation to take you around the city. Start at stunning Kinkakuji, Temple of the Gold Pavilion, covered with shimmering gold leaf.
• Next, take a walking tour through Gion, Kyoto’s most famous geisha district, which is also known for its high concentration of machiya-style merchant houses.
• Continue to Sanjusangendo Temple, famous for 1,001 statues of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy. Flanking the main statue are 1,000 life-sized statues, covered in gold leaf, with 40 arms said to have the power to save 25 worlds.
• Finish with a visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine, renowned for the thousands of brightly colored Torii Gates.


Breakfast Breakfast Lunch Lunch

Day 6

KYOTO

• Enjoy a full day at your leisure.

Take an excursion to nearby Nara or explore more of Kyotos historic temples and shrines using your included subway and bus pass.


Breakfast Breakfast

Day 7

KYOTO–HIRIOSHIMA

• Travel by shinkansen (bullet train) to Hiroshima.

Consider a visit Shukkei-en Garden, where natural landscapes are represented in miniature form. We’ve included a day pass to use the local tram system to help you get around!


Breakfast Breakfast

Day 8

HIROSHIMA

• Your private guided sightseeing starts at Peace Memorial Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to see the Memorial Museum and Memorial Hall, which commemorate the lives lost in the WWII atomic bombing.
• Travel by the Aqua Net Ferry directly from Peace Memorial Park to Miyajima Island. Here, visit Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its floating Torii Gate and enjoy free time to explore the many shops.


Breakfast Breakfast

Day 9

HIROSHIMA–OSAKA

• Travel by shinkansen (bullet train) to Osaka.
• Your private guided sightseeing tour starts at Osaka Castle and the surrounding park.
• Then explore Minami, the city’s most famous entertainment district, encompassing the districts of Shinsaibashi and Namba and the famed Dontonbori Street. Start with luinch featuring okonomiyaki, a savory pancake dish famous in Osaka. Then, explore this exciting area by foot with your guide. From museums and shopping to theater and dining this is where the locals come for fun.


Breakfast Breakfast Lunch Lunch

Day 10

OSAKA

• Enjoy a full day at your leisure.

Return to Minami for further exploration or visit the Open-Air Museum of Japanese Farm Houses. Whatever you choose to do we’ve included a subway and bus pass to help you get around.


Breakfast Breakfast

Day 11

OSAKA

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.


Breakfast Breakfast

 Tour Director

With Globus, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of your Tour Director. Averaging over a decade... we’d like you to meet a Tour Director, who is representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

RUMI YAMAGUCHI

Escorting tours for more than 20 years

"Hi everyone! I'm Rumi and am proud to work as a tour guide in Tokyo, the coolest city in the world. I'm excited to help you discover all there is to this incredible city. I am quite confident that you will enjoy traveling in Tokyo."

Tour Director -  RUMI YAMAGUCHI

 Accommodations

TOKYO

HILTON TOKYO

Hotel as shown or similar
Moderate Deluxe
  Free Wifi

KYOTO

KYOTO CENTURY HOTEL

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

HIROSHIMA

SHERATON GRAND HIROSHIMA HOTEL

Hotel as shown or similar
Moderate Deluxe
  Free Wifi

OSAKA

IMPERIAL HOTEL OSAKA

Hotel as shown or similar
Deluxe
  Free Wifi

 Optional Excursions

Contact your Travel Consultant for more information.
Price Ranges

$ ($50 USD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 USD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 USD)
$$$$ (Over $150)



* The "Starting at" or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include airfare; additional fees/charges are not included. If a price is crossed out, the new price includes a limited time promotional offer(s) – please review current promotions or deals for additional information. Some tours require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Globus).