Cultural · 11 days
Japan — Tokyo to Kyoto
Eleven days, three rail passes, and a country that rewards every minute of attention.
Most first-time Japan trips overcook Tokyo and underdo Kyoto. We invert that. Three nights in Tokyo to taste the city, two in the Hakone hot springs with Fuji at sunrise, two in the lesser-traveled Kanazawa, then a leisurely three nights in Kyoto so you can feel its texture rather than tick its temples.
Trip highlights
Sushi counter dinner
Eight-seat counter in Ginza booked through our Tokyo concierge — three months ahead.
Private tea ceremony in Kyoto
An hour with a tea master in a 200-year-old machiya, just the two of you.
JR Green Pass throughout
First-class rail across the country — no rental car, no flights.
Hakone open-air bath
Private rotenburo at your ryokan — towel optional, view of Fuji included.
Day-by-day itinerary
- 1
Arrive Tokyo
Pickup at Haneda or Narita, transfer into the city. Light dinner at your hotel.
Stay: Hoshinoya Tokyo or Aman
- 2
Old + new Tokyo
Half-day with a private guide: Asakusa, Yanaka, an afternoon at teamLab Borderless or the Nezu museum.
Stay: Hoshinoya Tokyo or Aman
- 3
Tsukiji + free afternoon
Early breakfast at the outer market. Afternoon free for shopping, gallery hopping, or jet lag.
Stay: Hoshinoya Tokyo or Aman
- 4
Train to Hakone
Romance Car to Hakone-Yumoto, transfer to your ryokan. Onsen, kaiseki dinner.
Stay: Gora Kadan · Hakone
- 5
Mt. Fuji morning
Pirate ship across Lake Ashi, ropeway to Owakudani, back for an afternoon onsen.
Stay: Gora Kadan · Hakone
- 6
Bullet train to Kanazawa
Three-hour Shinkansen, lunch on board. Afternoon at Kenroku-en, one of Japan's three great gardens.
Stay: Hyatt Centric · Kanazawa
- 7
Kanazawa craft day
Higashi Chaya geisha district, a gold-leaf workshop, and dinner in a kappo restaurant.
Stay: Hyatt Centric · Kanazawa
- 8
Train to Kyoto
Two-hour ride south. Settle into a Higashiyama ryokan, evening walk to Yasaka.
Stay: Tawaraya or Hiiragiya · Kyoto
- 9
Temple morning + tea ceremony
Fushimi Inari at sunrise (no crowds), tea ceremony at 11, free afternoon.
Stay: Tawaraya or Hiiragiya · Kyoto
- 10
Arashiyama + farewell dinner
Bamboo grove + monkey park in the morning. Kaiseki farewell at a 100-year-old kappo.
Stay: Tawaraya or Hiiragiya · Kyoto
- 11
Departure
Haruka express to Kansai airport, or private transfer.
What's included
Included
- ✓10 nights across hotels and traditional ryokan
- ✓JR Green (first-class) rail pass
- ✓Private guide on 4 days
- ✓Private tea ceremony in Kyoto
- ✓Sushi-counter reservation in Tokyo
- ✓Onsen entries and ryokan dinners as listed
- ✓Daily breakfast
Not included
- ✗International flights
- ✗Most lunches and dinners not listed
- ✗Tipping (not customary in Japan)
- ✗SIM card / pocket Wi-Fi (we can add)
Pricing
Per person twin-share (2 travelers, mid-season) | From $4,280 |
Cherry blossom premium (late March – early April) | From $5,180 |
Autumn foliage premium (mid-Nov – early Dec) | From $4,880 |
Frequently asked
Is Japan good for first-time Asia travelers?
Excellent. Spotlessly safe, world-class transit, English signage in cities. The only real friction is cash culture in smaller towns.
Cherry blossom or autumn?
Cherry blossom is once-in-a-lifetime if you can afford the premium and accept that timing is unpredictable. Autumn (mid-Nov to early Dec) is more reliable and arguably more beautiful.
Can we add Hiroshima or Hokkaido?
Yes — Hiroshima is a half-day add-on from Kyoto. Hokkaido needs at least 4 extra nights.
“Tawaraya was the best night of sleep we've had in years. Travel Acia knew exactly what we'd love and built around it.”
Ready for Japan?
Enquire on WhatsAppReady to plan Japan · Tokyo to Kyoto?
Tap below to message us on WhatsApp — usually a reply within an hour during business hours.
Enquire on WhatsApp