Commence your day with a captivating journey through Asakusa District. Once an entertainment hub during the Edo era, Asakusa now brims with quaint shops and eateries, alongside the venerable Sensoji Temple. Stroll along Nakamise Street, a centuries-old souvenir haven, indulging in shopping for unique mementos or sampling local delicacies. Following your Asakusa adventure, traverse Tokyo to reach Meiji Shrine. This revered Shinto shrine, dedicated to the former Emperor and his wife, offers serene surroundings steeped in tradition. Conclude your tour by immersing yourself in the vibrant heart of Tokyo's youth culture at Shibuya. Explore cutting-edge fashion trends and dynamic entertainment in this bustling district, culminating at Shibuya Station, where you can further explore at your leisure. 

Note: The tour utilises public transport for transportation.

Today, your guide will meet you at your hotel before moving on to Tokyo Station and make the 2hours journey to Nikko. Nikko National Park is famous for its lavishly decorated shrines of which you will visit 3.

Toshogu Shrine, the final resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who founded the Tokugawa Shogunate and ruled Japan for 250 years until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. Initially it was a simple mausoleum but was enlarged into the spectacularly lavish complex during the 1600s by Ieyasu's grandson Iemitsu.

Located outside the shrine is the Nikko Toshogu Museum which was opened in 2015 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Tokugawa Ieyasu's death. It holds an impressive collection of the former shogun's personal effects including armor and swords.

Lastly, next to Toshugu stands the much older Futarasan Shine. Shodo Shonin founded Rinnoji and Futarasan in 782 and the shrine is dedicated to the deities of Nikko's three most sacred mountains.

**Note: Toshogu Shrine is being renovated in stages from 2007 into the 2020s. But because only a couple of the shrine's many buildings are affected at any time, the impact on a visit is relatively small and Toshogu remains worth a visit**

Pick up: Tokyo Hotel at 8:00am (subject to change).

This morning get ready to depart to Hakone National Park for a day of fresh air and sightseeing at one of Japan’s most iconic parks in the shadow of Mt. Fuji. Throughout the tour you will have a chance to take a glimpse at this awe-inspiring mountain, but please bear in mind that it needs to be a clear day.

Meet your guide at your hotel before transferring to Shinjuku Station where you’ll hop on the ‘Romance Car’, for an hour and a half long journey into Hakone. Transfer to Hakone Machi-ko where you’ll board a pirate ship and sail across Lake Ashi to Togendai. A crater formed by a volcano nearly three-thousand years ago, these charming waters offer beautiful views of the enveloping mountains and even Mt. Fuji on a clear day.

Now, ride in a cablecar to the Hakone Ropeway, soar above the active volcanic site, Owakudani, which translates to the Great Boiling Valley. Watch the steam rising from the mountain, as thermal water grazes just under the rocky façade at extraordinarily hot temperatures. Stop amongst the steamy rocks, and see if you can spot Mt. Fuji in the distance before trying kuro-tamago, or a black egg. Boiled in the sulfuric hot springs each egg turns black as its cooked; it’s rumored that eating it will add several years to your life.  Finally, take Cable car to Gora Station.

Finally, it’s time to bid farewell to Hakone, so hope on a bus to Odawara to catch your bullet train back to Tokyo.

Start Time: 8am Duration: 10 hours Meal(s): No meal

Discover more of the ancient and more recent history of ‘the city of water’, Hiroshima on this unique day tour. This morning, meet your guide before transferring by public transit to Memorial Peace Park. Hiroshima’s tribute to its tragic past and hopes for the future. Visit the Peace Memorial Museum next, whose exhibits display artefacts and photographs of the bombing and its aftermath. Despite the severity of the subject, the museum itself is not about being divisive or placing blame, but serves as a reminder not to take peace for granted.

Once finished, have some free time for lunch before riding the train to the ferry to cross the shore to Miyajima Island. This island is an ancient holy site, a sacred and beautiful national treasure of Japan. Featuring stunning Shinto shrines, Buddhist pagodas and temples, spectacular natural beauty, and charming Edo-style walkways, the island offers a slice of ancient Japanese culture. Arrive at the main complex Itsukushima shrine, a lovely family Shinto shrine founded in the 6th century. At high tide, it appears to be floating above the water, in addition to its floating torii gate, the iconic Otorii. This massive gateway is one of the most photographed structures in Japan.

You’ll have free time to explore more of the Island now. Pass tame wild deer who wander the island freely, as you venture along the charming pathways. You can wander to Daisho-in, a Buddhist temple with a trail of hundreds of happy Buddha statues leading the way. Afterwards, make some time to stop and shop at the charming souvenir shops in town, or try some local delicacies. The island has farmed oysters for over 300 years, so be sure to try some. Or, sample some maple leaf castellas filled with red bean paste, a classic snack unique to the island. Now it’s time to bid farewell to Miyajima and return to the mainland, before heading back to your hotel.

Your day will start with visiting Osaka castle with a guide by public transport using the included 1-day passes.

Osaka castle was built in 1583 as the intended capital of Japan before the capital was moved to Edo (now known as Tokyo). It is now a symbol of Osaka.

After Osaka castle, make your way to Umeda Sky Building and go up to the observatory. While enjoying the breathtaking sights, you can also directly feel the wind―which at 170 meters off the ground can get quite strong. Here, not only you can see all of Osaka but also you can see as far away as Awaji Island. The basement of the building houses the Takimi-Koji gourmet street with old fashioned images of Osaka from the 1920s.

You may wish to stroll around before finishing your day.

Note:The Tour provided by public transport.

You will be met by your guide at your hotel at 09:00am this morning and make your way to Namba station by public transport, to start the journey to Mount Koya. The total journey getting there will take approximately 3hours (depending on transfers) and you will be using the provided transportation pass valid for 2 days in the area (good if you are staying the night in Mount Koya, and still good value even for the day trip if you are coming back today).

Mount Koya is famous for its temples and history. It is said to have been founded in 816AD by a legendary monk by the name of Kukai. Renamed Kobo-Daishi after his passing, he is known for founting the Shingon sect of Buddhism and starting the 1200years of history of Mount Koya, and many other famous religious sited in Japan. Your guide will be able to show you many famous sites and talk more about the history as much as you want.

If you are staying in Mount Koya for the night, your guide will drop you off at your temple lodging accommodation around 16:30pm this afternoon. If you are going back to Osaka, you will take the train around that time to return together to Osaka.