Japan Cultural & Scenic Discovery
Discover the enchanting beauty and rich culture of Japan on this immersive 10-day tour. Begin your journey in vibrant Tokyo, where traditional charm meets modern sophistication. Explore historic sites, including the famous Sensoji Temple, and savor local cuisine in bustling markets. Venture to the scenic Japanese Alps, visiting Matsumoto Castle and the picturesque post town of Tsumago along the ancient Nakasendo Highway. Experience the cultural heart of Kyoto, home to stunning temples, gardens, and the enchanting Geisha district of Gion. This unforgettable adventure promises a perfect blend of nature, history, and cultural experiences that will leave you with lasting memories.
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Tour Highlights:
Experience the elegance of geisha culture in Kyoto.
Hike along the historic Nakasendo Highway, an ancient trade route.
Enjoy a night in a traditional Japanese inn, known as a ‘ryokan.’
Travel in style on Japan’s super-fast bullet train, connecting you to breathtaking destinations.
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Day 1: Tokyo Arrival
Upon clearing customs and collecting your luggage, you will be greeted by an airport guide who will provide your trip documents and take you to your hotel. After checking in, enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure, resting and unwinding after your flight. If you’re inclined to explore, take a leisurely walk around the Imperial Gardens.
Day 2: Exploring Tokyo
Your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby to go over your itinerary and offer local insights for a confident exploration of the city. This session may take up to two hours and can include assistance with validating your Japan Rail Pass if needed. Once this part is completed, venture out with your guide to discover Tokyo’s highlights. A unique perspective of the city can be experienced by taking a ferry from Hamarikyu Gardens – known for its beautiful traditional landscapes – to the Asakusa district, where you can visit the renowned Sensoji Buddhist temple.
Day 3: Day Trip to Kamakura
Enjoy a leisure day in Tokyo. We recommend taking a day trip to Kamakura, a charming seaside town just over an hour away by train. Explore the numerous temples and shrines throughout the area, and perhaps hike up to see the ‘daibutsu’ (Great Buddha), passing an intriguing shrine where locals wash their money.
Day 4: Matsumoto and the Japanese Alps
Depart Tokyo for a two-and-a-half to three-hour journey to Matsumoto in the Japanese Alps. Discover Matsumoto Castle, with its striking black and white exterior, and wander through the historical old merchant district. Don’t miss the Ukiyo-e Museum, showcasing thousands of woodblock prints from the affluent Sakai family.
Day 5: Hike along the Nakasendo Highway
Travel to Tsumago, a traditional post town, by train (journey lasts one to two hours). Once in Tsumago, we recommend hiking the Nakasendo Highway, an ancient route used by tradesmen and samurai since the 8th century. This scenic walk, lasting around four hours, takes you through quiet villages, cedar forests, and picturesque paddy fields.
Day 6: Kyoto, Japan’s Cultural Heart
Travel by local bus and then bullet train to Kyoto, recognized as Japan’s cultural heart, in about three and a half hours. In the afternoon, enjoy a private cultural activity at Kyoto’s Women’s Association, where experienced English-speaking practitioners will introduce you to Japanese culture through origami, a tea ceremony, and wearing a traditional kimono. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure.
Day 7: Discovering Kyoto
Spend a full day exploring more of Kyoto’s treasures. Visit Nishiki Market, bustling with artisan shops and restaurants. We recommend exploring the northwest of the city, including the Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji) and Ryoanji, famous for its beautiful zen gardens. In the evening, your local private guide and Geisha expert will lead you on a tour of the Gion district, helping you spot these elusive ladies.
Day 8: Day Trip to Nara
Another day at leisure awaits. Consider taking the train to Nara, Japan’s ancient capital, known for the Giant Buddha and Todaiji Temple, which is less than an hour away. On your return, stop at Fushimi Inari Shrine to walk through its breathtaking ‘tunnels’ of red torii gates. Visiting in the evening provides a more tranquil and atmospheric experience.
Day 9: Return to Tokyo
After a relaxing morning, return to Tokyo (approximately a one-and-a-quarter-hour train ride) for one final night in the capital. Use your last hours to explore a new area, such as the Imperial Palace Gardens, the artificial island of Odaiba, trendy Shinjuku, or the peaceful Hamarikyu Gardens.
Day 10: Departure
You will be picked up and transported via shared transfer to the airport for your return flight home.
- Bali & Indonesia
- Bhutan
- Borneo
- Cambodia
- China
- Halong Bay Cruises
- India
- Japan
- Laos
- Malaysia
- Myanmar
- Nepal
- North Korea Vacations
- Philippines
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Sri Lanka
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Tibet
- Vietnam
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What’s included
Full-time service of a licensed English-speaking tour guide for a seamless experience.
All accommodations provided throughout the tour.
Daily breakfast buffets to start your day right.
Comprehensive ground transportation throughout Japan during the entire journey.
Complimentary airport transfers for your convenience.
Admission fees, taxes, and gratuities included at all featured destinations.
Exciting experience on a bullet train to enhance your travel adventure.
What’s not included
International airfare to and from Japan.
Travel insurance for coverage during your trip.
Optional excursions not included in the standard itinerary.
What our clients say about us

Alice B
22 March 2024 ★★★★★Vietnam is just epic in every sense! Stephen at My Way Travel built us a bespoke tour to our requested place's from HoChiMin to Phan Thiet, DaLat, NaTrang, HoiAn, Halong Bay ending in Hanoi & it was amazing! All hotels, 3 tour guides over 5 day tours , drivers & transport worked very well & Stephen responded very quickly to any queries. We can’t thank or recommend him highly enough for helping us create an amazing adventure for a 70+ couple where everything was booked & organised but we had plenty of free time to explore on our own & find places for dinner most nights of our 18day trip. I’ll admit I was a little worried about using an unknown to me online agent but I really didn’t need to worry. The only thing I/we got wrong was not realising how tiring a busy tour can be especially in the heat so I’d recommend having a few days on a beach or round a pool relaxing before retuning back to Europe of further afield! Thanks Stephen for creating a well priced pretty last min wonderful tour for us!

Kyle M
17 January 2024 ★★★★★Wow, what a trip and experience. My Way Travel did an excellent job in creating a customized private tour itinerary for our 5 week trip to Indochina. Stephen was very responsive and easy to work with in creating a perfect itinerary, customized to our interests, budget, and timeframe. The logistics were well managed and all the tour guides and drivers in all 4 countries were fantastic. Stephen kept in touch throughout our trip to ensure everything was going well. The drivers were all excellent, prompt, and very safe drivers. Special call out to our guides; Tony, Kay, and Loc in Vietnam, Sony and Sambath in Cambodia, and Anne in Thailand for a fantastic cultural and historical experience in your respective countries. These guides were the best and really made our trip special. The sights that we saw were incredible, including Ha Long Bay and of course, Ankgor Wat. We really enjoyed the elephant sanctuary in Laos and the Laos city of Luang Prabang is a hidden gem. The bike tours that we did in Hoi An (Kay) and the Mekong Delta (Loc) to really get into the countryside and engage with local families was an incredible experience that we really enjoyed and will always cherish. We even got to stop at a local school and interact with some of the school children trying to practice their English which was pretty cool. We had a great bike tour in Siem Reap (Sambath) and all the incredible temples around Ankgor Wat. The tours that we had to understand and experience these countries from a historical and cultural perspective, brought to life by our tour guides, really made this trip a unique experience. We were well taken care of throughout our travels and the service and people were so friendly. We would highly recommend My Way Travel for your next trip to SE Asia and will not hesitate to use them in the future. Hopefully you get lucky enough to have some of the tour guides that we had.

Garethbradburn
12 April 2024 ★★★★★This was the fourth trip we have done with My Way Travel and arranged by Stephen. As always it was impeccably organised from arriving in Bangkok, flights to Chiang Rai, tour to the elephant sanctuary, to Krabi for a few days at the beach then transfer to Phnom Pen for the higlight of our trip, a cruise up the Mekong on a seriously luxurious boat, then transfer to Seam Riep. The hotels were excellent, the transfers seemless with good english speaking guides. We cannot recommend Stephen more highly.

Leslie
16 May 2024 ★★★★★An amazing trip out together by Stephen at My Way Travel! This was our second trip ( went to Vietnam and Cambodia 2019). Stephen is great to work with- very flexible and listens to what we wanted to do. This trip was originally scheduled for April 2020. A honest company that asked if I wanted my deposit back and I said no - that I would use it in a future trip! How many companies around the world did this???? We had great guides In Bangkok and Chiang Rai and Chiang Rai. Fon was full of energy and fun in Bangkok. Ann was one of the best guides I have ever had- she took us to a couple of places not noted on the tour. We went for a hike at a waterfall and visited the cave where the Thai boys were rescued in the cave. Both Ann and Fon gave us wonderful suggestions for restaurants. I would absolutely recommend Stephen and My Way Travel! We plan to use him again in planning Bali!

Dzintars Naglis
24 April 2024 ★★★★★Last October 10, we contacted Stephen, the organizer of our dream trip to Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia in 2018, to ask about Bali trips. He enthusiastically confirmed his expertise in crafting Balinese adventures. We were thrilled to entrust My Way Travel with planning our Balinese getaway. On January 1, we embarked on our Balinese adventure, leaving behind the familiar comforts of Riga, Latvia. As our plane soared into the sky, our minds were filled with images of emerald rice terraces, cascading waterfalls, and serene Balinese temples. Our journey unfolded like a mesmerizing tapestry, each destination adding a new strand of enchantment to our memories. We immersed ourselves in the heart of Ubud, where the rhythmic melodies of gamelan and the intoxicating aroma of incense filled the air. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jatiluwih captivated us with its cascading rice terraces, a testament to the harmonious balance between humans and nature. From the lush jungles of Munduk, we discovered Tirta Gangga, a royal water palace adorned with statues and fountains. The tranquil ambiance of this enchanting haven enveloped us in a sense of serenity and rejuvenation. As our journey drew to a close, we found ourselves basking in the sun-kissed sands of Nusa Dua, where the crystal-clear waters beckoned us to take a refreshing dip. The delectable flavors of Balinese cuisine tantalized our taste buds, leaving us yearning for more of the island's vibrant culinary scene. With each passing day, our appreciation for Stephen's masterful planning deepened. He had seamlessly woven together a tapestry of experiences that perfectly matched our desires, transforming our Balinese adventure into an unforgettable symphony of sights, sounds, and flavors. While the word "perfect" may seem insufficient to describe the exquisiteness of our Balinese escapade, it remains the only word that truly captures the essence of Stephen's impeccable craftsmanship.

Stuart S
18 December 2024 ★★★★★We had a fantastic time exploring Vietnam, Thailand & Cambodia with My Way Travel. The trip was beautifully organized to ensure we saw it all, yet paced so that we had plenty of time for spontaneous discovery. The guides were superb, they clearly love their work and as a result, we received fascinating insights into the culture of each country. The pre-planning by the My Way Travel team made sure our specific areas of interest were also covered and we particularly enjoyed the private market tour, cooking class and dinner in Chiang Mai. As you would expect, accommodations and transfers were all top notch. We are looking forward to our next journey! Every activity was coordinated to perfection and we couldn’t be more happy.

Scott
5 May 2024 ★★★★★An amazing trip out together by Stephen at My Way Travel! This was our second trip ( went to Vietnam and Cambodia 2019). Stephen is great to work with- very flexible and listens to what we wanted to do. This trip was originally scheduled for April 2020. A honest company that asked if I wanted my deposit back and I said no - that I would use it in a future trip! How many companies around the world did this???? We had great guides In Bangkok and Chiang Rai and Chiang Rai. Fon was full of energy and fun in Bangkok. Ann was one of the best guides I have ever had- she took us to a couple of places not noted on the tour. We went for a hike at a waterfall and visited the cave where the Thai boys were rescued in the cave. Both Ann and Fon gave us wonderful suggestions for restaurants. I would absolutely recommend Stephen and My Way Travel! We plan to use him again in planning Bali!

Kyle
18 January 2024 ★★★★★Thank you for helping put together our truly "Amazing Thailand" trip. It went absolutely smoothly from the moment we set foot in Bangkok to the day we left Hong Kong. To a person, the guides were friendly and courteous. I can attest to your professional handling as well as personalization of the trip to provide a wonderful experience. Again, thank you!