Tokyo to Osaka Best 8-Day Japan Mini Group Tour, Max 6 People

After you land in Tokyo, our English-speaking assistant will guide you to a shared car that will transport you to our carefully selected hotel. Check in, take a break, and explore the area at your leisure, as the hotel is conveniently located just a 4-minute walk from the JR or metro train station. Can’t wait to satisfy yourself with some Japanese food? There are cafes, bars, and restaurants of various styles nearby for you. ► One thing to mention is that shared cars run until 20:30. If you arrive later, please make your own way to the hotel, or you can book a private pickup with us.

You’ll have a great opportunity not only to taste the food, but also to learn how to make sushi from the highly skilled chefs in the restaurants and stalls.

Then, let’s move on to Meiji Jingu Shrine to experience the long and profound Shinto history of Japan. Walk along the rustling gravel-paved worship paths, each of which has an iconic tori gate at the entrance. Follow the guide to delve into the main hall. At the sink located in the hall, the guide will demonstrate the proper way to wash your hands in the traditional Shinto style before entering the premises for a visit.

The next stop is the Imperial Palace. This 3.36-square-kilometer (1.3-square-mile) area was once the property of a shogun, the military ruler who had absolute power over the country. After Tokyo became the capital of Japan in 1868, it has been home to the Japanese emperors ever since. We will spend some time sightseeing in its outer gardens before stopping by the famous Nijubashi Bridge, which crosses to the inner palace, where you can take photos as a memory of being so close to Japan’s imperial residence.

After your lunch break, we’ll head for the Senso-ji Temple. It features the fusion of indigenous Shinto beliefs with Buddhist influences. In the main hall, you’ll see a Buddha statue of the goddess of mercy. A short walk from the entrance, you’ll see Asakusa Shrine, where deified spirits of three mortals who built the temple are honored. The temple is also famous for the Nakamise-dori Street before its gate, where you can try some unusual local snacks, such as Ningyo-yaki (a bite-sized doll-shaped cake with filling) and melon pan. Here, you can also take some great pictures of the Tokyo Skytree, the tallest tower in Japan, just some blocks away. Ultimately, your guide will send you back to the hotel. Rest early tonight and look forward to viewing Mt. Fuji tomorrow

In the morning, your guide will pick you up from the hotel for a bullet train ride to Odawara, where you’ll then transfer to the Hakone mountain train, which will take you to the mountaintop. Then, let’s experience the Hakone Ropeway to Owakudani Valley, known by some as hell and by others as a wonderland for its mysterious, steamy scenery. From its observation deck, you can see below constant streams of sulfur steam and volcanic gas spewing from exposed crevices in the rocks, as well as hot springs heated by the geothermal energy.

Afterward, continue on the ropeway that offers views of the elegant snow-capped summit of Mt. Fuji from afar. Follow the guide to start a Lake Ashi sightseeing cruise from Togendai Port. The stunning, crystal-clear volcanic Lake Ashi, with Mt. Fuji in the background, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Hakone area. We will provide you with a first-class ticket, giving you a seat on the second floor with access to the top deck. During the 30-minute cruise, on a sunny day, you can see the peak of Mt. Fuji, the Heiwa no Tori of Hakone Shrine, as well as other shrines and scenic spots along the lake’s shoreline. At the end of the day, the guide will take you back to Odawara for the night.

In the morning, you’ll first organize your independent train ride to Kyoto, with the reserved tickets we have already booked for you.

of the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji Temple), also known as the Deer Garden Temple (Rokuon-ji). With a special ticket of the temple, a lucky charm with a message of blessing, and a temple stamp on it, you’ll enter the temple to see the iconic 3-story Sarira Hall covered with gold leaf, with its ornate reflection in the Mirror Pond surrounded by lush gardens.

Later, we’ll visit the Pure Water Temple. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, you can join locals in prayer, especially for longevity, romantic happiness, and academic success. When the grand Nio-mon Gate comes into view, you’ll know we’ve arrived. We will first pause to observe the two imposing Nio guardian statues, resembling lions or wolf dogs, placed in front of the gate to protect the Buddhist world. Upon entering, on your right, watch the West Gate and the Three-Storied Pagoda, with a lifelike statue of fierce dragons amid clouds welcoming you at the staircase. In both Chinese and Japanese mythologies, dragons control wind and rain, serving to prevent fire disasters. Proceeding further, you’ll enter the realm of the goddess of mercy, Kannon, where Buddhas await you, and a suspended viewing platform offers a sweeping view of Kyoto’s cityscape.

Then, stroll through Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka Streets to the famous Gion geisha district, a cobbled pedestrian zone where you can see kimono-clad girls and visit various traditional wooden shops. Finally, our guide will escort you back to your hotel, or you can enjoy an independent exploration here. Visit the nearby Yasaka Shrine, appreciate the night view, and finally take taxi back to the hotel by yourself.

In the holy compound, each of its visitors can be awestruck by its iconic red Senbon Torii, literally “one thousand torri gates”. It contains ten thousand torri gates densely packed over pathways, stretching from the foot of Mt. Inari to the woods on it.

In the afternoon, our trip extends to Nara after a short train ride. Once the capital of Japan, Nara is synonymous with the adorable free-roaming deer that fill Nara Park. When visiting the park, you can buy some crackers and feed them there, and the tame deer will bow to you! Most of the time, these deer are docile, but they can be cranky. Avoid areas where the deer congregate, or you’ll risk being attacked.

Afterward, pass the Great South Gate of Todai-ji to the grand Great Eastern Temple (Todai-ji Temple), where you’ll be deeply impressed by the magnificent bronze Buddha statue.

the most sacred shrine in Nara, to explore its secluded layout and stately architecture.

life, the guide will lead you to visit the small but delicate Goryo Shrine.

arely visited authentic local residence that serves as an excellent spot for photos. After all the visits, we’ll return to Kyoto.

The finale of our Kyoto tour unfolds as we visit Nijo Castle. Built in 1603, this castle offers a glimpse into Japan’s history. Once the home of Japan’s first Tokugawa shogun, its opulent architecture had surpassed that of the imperial palace, an illustration of the Tokugawa family’s rise and the emperor’s waning power at that time.

The next stop is the 450-year-old Osaka Castle, one of Japan’s three great castles. We’ll take a look at the Main Tower of the castle and stroll through the beautiful Osaka Castle Park that surrounds it.

Our tour will conclude in Osaka’s iconic Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori areas, renowned for their fashion and food, which have brought fame to Osaka for over 400 years. Your guide will provide an essential introduction and then leave you to explore independently. You can find great satisfaction in tasting authentic Takoyaki, Osaka Kushikatsu, or other local delicacies before returning to the hotel.

This morning, take a bullet train on your own from Shin-Osaka Station to Hiroshima Station. Your Osaka guide would give you the train tickets to Hiroshima the day before. Please leave the hotel one hour ahead of the departure time listed on your ticket. Arrive in about 1.5 hours, and the Hiroshima guide will meet you at the train station.

ima Island, famous for the Itsukushima Shrine, which honors three sea goddesses in ancient Japanese legend. From a distance, you can see its iconic giant red torii gate floating on the sea. Take a relaxing stroll with wild deer and spend leisurely time in this secluded shrine.

In the afternoon, the guide will accompany you back to downtown Hiroshima to visit the Atomic Bomb Dome, the remains of the Industrial Promotion Hall destroyed by the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb in 1945. From the overwhelming wreckage, you can understand the power of the atomic explosion, which flattened nearly all the nearby buildings except for the fortunate dome.

brutality of war through the poignant artifacts and photographs documenting the atomic bombing. Mourn the victims and pray for world peace.

Finally, the guide will escort you to Hiroshima Station and hand you the return tickets to Osaka. From there, you will take the train back and go to your hotel in Osaka on your own.

This is the end of your Japan guided tour, and we have to bid you farewell this morning. Please check out of the hotel and make your own way to Osaka Airport. The most cost-effective ways are the airport shuttle bus or the JR train. The guide will be available to advise you on the best transportation method based on your flight details. ► If you need to return to Tokyo for your following flight, we can help you book train or plane tickets.