Day 1

Fly to Tokyo, Japan

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Days 2-3

Tokyo

Tour Tokyo’s Old Quarter

Explore Tokyo’s Old City and see some of its most famous sites: the large Buddhist Temple Senso-ji to Nakamise-dori, a walking street lined with shops selling Japanese snacks, arts and crafts, and souvenirs!

Tour Tokyo’s Harajuku Area

You’ll venture to Japan’s uber-trendy Harajuku, the hub of youth culture in the country. You’ll explore just off the bustling streets to a quiet wooded area, visiting the peaceful Meiji Shrine, dedicated to Japan’s first modern emperor, Emperor Meiji.

View the City (Optional)

Visit the Tokyo Metropolitan government offices and take in a magnificent view over the city.

Karaoke Box

Enjoy a quintessentially Japanese experience: singing in a karaoke box, where you’ll get your karaoke on!

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Days 4-5

Nara

Ride a Bullet Train to Osaka

Take a bullet train to Osaka, known as the country’s commercial center and for it’s legendary good food. In fact, the term “kuidaore” or “eat till you drop” is heard so often here, it’s practically the city’s motto!

Visit Osaka Castle

Visit Osaka Castle, a castle constructed in 1583 by warrior, general, samurai and politician Toyotomi Hideyoshi. A modern-day symbol of Japanese history, you’ll get a chance try on a samurai-style helmet or kimono to take some fun photos!

Tour Osaka’s Dotombori Area

In the historic, photogenic Dotonbori area of Osaka, filled with flashy neon signs featuring a 3D crab, you’ll explore all that is has to offer! You’ll have the chance to tour the area’s hidden shrines and markets, nestled quietly along the side streets.

Ride a Bike in Asuka

You’ll ride bikes through the rural town of Asuka — the first permanent capital of Japan — cycling in the quiet countryside past ancient burial mounts and mysterious stone monuments.

Lunch at a Local Farmhouse

Stop by a tradtional farmhouse and enjoy a delicious and delectable bento box lunch!

Take a Taiko Drumming Class

During a taiko drumming class, you’ll learn new “drum” or “taiko” rhythms under the enthusiastic guidance of a world-famous drumming troupe!

Walk in Nara Park

More than 1,000 tame deer roam freely through this green haven, and you can choose to feed them their favorite biscuit treats. According to ancient folklore, one of the four deities of the nearby Kasuga shrine was seen riding a white deer; since then, the animals were considered divine. Today, the Nara Park deer are protected as national treasures.

Visit Todaiji Temple

Visit Todaiji—the “great Eastern temple.” Its main hall, the Daibutsuden, is the world’s largest wooden building. Tour the temple and see the enormous, bronze, seated Buddha statue, one of the largest in Japan. Find the pillar with base the width of Daibutsu’s nostril – it is said those who can squeeze through will be granted enlightenment in their next life.

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Days 6-7

Kii Peninsula

Visit Kumano Kodo

Explore part of the network of ancient pilgrimage trails known as the Kumano Kodo or Kumano Ancient Trail, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This has been part of a pilgrimage route for more than 1,000 years!

Learn Japanese Katakana

Take a lesson in calligraphy to write your name in Japanese Katakana, a 46-letter, phonetic alphabet used in modern Japanese handwriting.

Hike Kumano Kodo Trail

Hike a short but scenic section of the Kumano Kodo trail, much like emperors did in the 11th Century! Along the way you’ll pass ridge-top villages and oji shrines, where nobles once rested and composed poems as they walked.

Make Washi Paper

You’ll learn traditional methods to make Japanese washi paper and you’ll present it to priests at the neighboring shrine, who will write a calligraphic emblem of the shrine for us on the paper, creating a one-of-a-kind souvenir of this unique experience.

Jet-boat Cruise

Take an exciting ride on a jet-boat cruise along Doro-kyo Gorge, a valley carved by erosion on the slates and sandstone. Its emerald waters, precipitous cliffs and unique rock formations are a beautiful display of Japan’s landscape.

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Days 8-9

Kyoto

Drive to Kyoto

You’ll drive out to Kyoto, the former Imperial capital of Japan and one of the country’s most culturally rich cities, boasting 17 temples and shrines designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Visit Kiyomizu Temple

You’ll visit Kyoto’s Higashiyama area to see Kiyomizu Temple, founded in 778, and walk a street lined with vendors selling Kyoto’s famous pickles, kiyomizu-yaki pottery and traditional crafts.

Explore the Gion District

On a visit to the world-famous Gion District we will learn about the strict training undertaken by young women who hope to become geisha, known in Kyoto as “geiko.”

Visit Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

Explore Kyoto’s western region of Arashiyama, a beautifully scenic and serene area tucked at the base of the Arashiyama Mountains, renowned for its otherworldly and mesmerizing bamboo grove.

Tour Nijo Castle

Nijo Castle was the original Kyoto residence for the Tokugawa shoguns in the 17th century. The castle is most noteworthy for its nightingale floors, which “chirp” when walked on to warn of intruders. Try and walk the floors without making a sound, we’re willing to bet you can’t!

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Day 10

Depart Kyoto

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2023 Dates

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Additional Info

Single Supplement

Additional $1,450 for single accommodations

Alumni Discount 

If you are a returning Thomson guest, please subtract $500 per family from these prices.

Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance. We’ve received great feedback about Travel Guard – you can learn more about the benefits of travel insurance there.

Price Includes

All entrance fees, accommodations based on two to a room, land transportation, private bilingual guide throughout, most meals, and snacks in the vehicle.

Depending on your flight schedule you may return home the following day. 

Guaranteed departure. Surcharge applied to groups smaller than four guests.