Trip Overview
Japan is a real feast for all of your senses, with sumo, geisha, sake, karaoke, onsen, and izakaya waiting to be discovered. Spend six days exploring the highlights of this enthralling country, centred around Japan's two major cities, Tokyo and Kyoto.
Begin your trip with a guided tour of incredible Tokyo, where you will explore Tokyo's dazzling lights, the Tsukji Market, famous for its tuna auctions and the ultra-cool shopping district of Shibuya, complete with a never-ending array of lights and mega-street crossings.
Boarding the Shinkansen bullet train, you will travel at up to 320km/h from Tokyo to Kyoto in complete comfort. Arriving in Kyoto, you will be guided through the wonders of this city, visiting the famous Gion 'Geisha' district, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Nishiki Market, otherwise known as Kyoto’s kitchen! The highlight of this trip is a traditional group tea ceremony with an authentic Geisha, where you will learn the importance of this sacred Japanese ritual.
Transferring back to Tokyo for the final leg of your journey, you will have the opportunity for last minute sightseeing and shopping before your private airport transfer!
Thousands of years of history are concentrated in this fascinating nation - come and explore Japan's attractions for yourself.
Accommodation listed or similar.
Begin your trip with a guided tour of incredible Tokyo, where you will explore Tokyo's dazzling lights, the Tsukji Market, famous for its tuna auctions and the ultra-cool shopping district of Shibuya, complete with a never-ending array of lights and mega-street crossings.
Boarding the Shinkansen bullet train, you will travel at up to 320km/h from Tokyo to Kyoto in complete comfort. Arriving in Kyoto, you will be guided through the wonders of this city, visiting the famous Gion 'Geisha' district, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Nishiki Market, otherwise known as Kyoto’s kitchen! The highlight of this trip is a traditional group tea ceremony with an authentic Geisha, where you will learn the importance of this sacred Japanese ritual.
Transferring back to Tokyo for the final leg of your journey, you will have the opportunity for last minute sightseeing and shopping before your private airport transfer!
Thousands of years of history are concentrated in this fascinating nation - come and explore Japan's attractions for yourself.
Accommodation listed or similar.
Customise this trip for a perfect match
Private, Personalised TravelNo generic group tours. Just the activities you love, and nothing you don't.
Insider Local KnowledgeAccess insider tips, hidden gems and authentic experiences known only to locals.
End-to-end ServiceFrom the initial planning to full support while travelling, Designer Journeys provides seamless service every step of the way.
Travel With ConfidenceFeel assured travelling with an accredited Australian company with comprehensive financial guarantees and a local emergency system.
Highlights of this Trip
Immerse yourself in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony in Kyoto with an authentic Geisha guiding you through the ritual
Explore Tsukiji 'Fish' Market, famous for it's giant tuna auctions, with a local expert guiding you through what is arguably, the most famous fish market in the world
Discover famous Kyoto landmarks including the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, the Golden Pavilion and visit 'Kyoto's Kitchen' for incredible local fare
Itinerary
Day 1
Welcome to Tokyo!
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Welcome to Japan! Your private English-speaking assistant will greet you at the arrival lobby. You will then be transferred to central Tokyo by private car. After check-in, you will be free to rest or explore the city at your leisure. Your hotel will be located in central Tokyo, with convenient access to many attractions and restaurants.
Day 2
Explore Tokyo's Highlights with a Local Guide
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This morning, you'll meet your English-speaking guide at the hotel lobby and start your day by exploring Tsukiji Market - Tokyo’s central wholesale market famous for its tuna auctions. After the market, you'll visit the Asakusa Sensoji district with traditional Japanese houses and the most significant shrine in the city, the Meiji Shrine, in the Shibuya District. Afterwards, you'll visit Shibuya - known to be a shopping and entertainment area. The Shibuya Crossing in front of Shibuya Station has at least 2000 people cross it every time the light turns green, and it always makes a great photo.
Meals
Breakfast
Day 3
Bullet Train From Tokyo to Kyoto and Half-day Sightseeing Tour of Kyoto
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After check out, you will head to JR Tokyo station on your own and take the bullet train bound for Kyoto. Upon arrival in Kyoto, your guide will welcome you on the platform, and after sending your luggage to your accommodation, you will start a half-day tour of the city. During the tour, you will visit Kiyomizu Temple, one of the most famous temples in Kyoto, built at the end of the 8th century. You will walk Gion streets, one of the main districts of Kyoto. The area is also home to Chinese and Italian restaurants built in traditional Japanese buildings. Here, you will stop for dinner and try Chanko Nabe (Traditional Hot-pot).
Meals
Breakfast and dinner
Day 4
Drink Tea With a Geisha & Visit Photogenic Temples in Kyoto
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Today, after meeting your private guide at your hotel, you will first head to the Fushimi district. The district is famous for Fushimi Inari Grand Shrine and its 1000 red torii. To fully immerse into Japanese culture, you will participate in a traditional tea ceremony led by an authentic Kyoto geisha. Your tea ceremony host will be a maiko (an apprentice geisha) who will introduce you to this Japanese ritual. Afterwards, you will visit the most famous Kyoto landmarks such as Arashiyama “Bamboo Grove” and Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) Temple.
Meals
Breakfast
Day 5
Transfer to Tokyo by Bullet Train
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In the morning, you will check out from your accommodation and make your way to JR Kyoto Station (within walking distance). From JR Kyoto Station, you will take the bullet train bound for JR Tokyo Station. Once in Tokyo, you can spend the rest of the day at your leisure, relaxing or exploring the city.
Meals
Breakfast
Day 6
Departure From Tokyo
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Today marks the end of your Japan journey. Depending on your departure time, you will be able to do some last-minute shopping before your English-speaking assistant meets you at your accommodation. You will then transfer to the airport by private car.
Meals
Breakfast
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What’s included?
- 5 breakfasts and 1 dinner
- Airport transfer
- Ground transportation
- Licensed English speaking guides
What’s not included?
- Alcohol beverages
- Domestic flights
- Entrance fees
- Entry visas / airport departure tax
- Gratuities
- International flights
- Laundry
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Trekking permits
Starting From
AU$ 6,021/ per traveller sharing
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Benefits of this trip
Japan in 6 days
24/7 in-destination support from your local designer
Unique local experiences you can’t find elsewhere
More Inclusions
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All the activities you love, and nothing you don't
Inspiration for you
Explore the authentic activities in Japan
Meiji Shrine, Tokyo, Japan|Tsukiji Market, Tokyo, Japan|Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan|Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan|Gion District, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan|Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan|Kinkaku-ji - The Golden Pavilion, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan|Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan|Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan|Tea ceremony with Geisha or Maiko, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan|Ikoro Sumochaya, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
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