Compare Best of Japan by Odynovo vs Visions of Japan with Osaka by Globus

Day 1: Arrival – Tokyo

Overnight: Tokyo

Welcome to Tokyo, the crazy and dynamic capital of Japan! When you arrive in this fascinating city, our airport meeting assistant will greet you at the customs exit and assist you in boarding a shuttle bus to your hotel for a rest. The shuttle bus fare is not included in the quotation because paying the fee on the spot is more convenient.

Day 2: Tokyo

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Tokyo

Follow a private tour guide to discover the city highlights by public transportation. Begin at Meiji Jingu, a lovely Shinto shrine surrounded by a dense forest. The Japanese are very fond of holding their Shinto weddings here. After that, lunch on your own at Tsukiji Outer Fish Market, which is full of sushi and seafood stalls. Visit the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace in the city center. Finish the day at the well-known Senso-ji Temple. Nakamise Shopping Street, a 250-meter traditional Japanese street in front of the temple, is a great place to try local snacks and look for exotic souvenirs.

Day 3: Tokyo - Mt. Fuji – Tokyo

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Tokyo

Travel to Mt. Fuji for the day with a private driving guide in a comfortable vehicle. Mt. Fuji 5th Station, the highest point on the mountain accessible by car, will be the first stop. The observatory here provides an impressive view overlooking the Fuji Five Lakes. Descend to the Five Lakes region at the foot of the mountain and enjoy the magnificent distant view of Mt. Fuji by Lake Kawaguchi cruise or Kachi Kachi Ropeway. Make a stopover at the historic village of Iyashi no Sato before driving 3 hours back to your Tokyo hotel.

Day 4: Tokyo – Kyoto

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Kyoto

Make your way to Tokyo Station to catch a train to Kyoto on your own. Meet your local guide upon arrival and begin sightseeing via public transportation. You will visit the gold-covered Kinkaku-ji Temple, followed by Nijo Castle. Its palace architecture initially built in 1603 as the residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo Period, is arguably the best surviving example in feudal Japan. End the tour at Gion, the famous geisha district filled with shops, restaurants, and teahouses.

Day 5: Kyoto - Nara – Kyoto

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Kyoto

Set off to Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine to explore its mountain trails made up of thousands of vermilion torii gates. Then, admire 1,001 statues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, in Sanjusangendo Hall. After that, take a train to Nara and explore Nara Park. Looking around the expansive park, you will find magnificent temples such as Todai-ji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine, as well as free-roaming wild deer. Before returning to Kyoto, take a panoramic view of Nara from the summit of nearby Mount Wakakusa.

Day 6: Kyoto – Osaka

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Osaka

Make your way to the train station and board your train to Osaka. Upon arrival, go straight to your hotel on your own and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Osaka, known as a shopper's paradise and Japan's Kitchen, is wonderful to explore at your own pace.

Day 7: Osaka

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight: Osaka

Day at leisure. You can admire the city skyline from the iconic Osaka Castle, go on a food tour through the colorful neighborhood of Dotombori, or spend an entire day at Universal Studios.

Day 8: Osaka – Departure

Meals: Breakfast

Time to say goodbye to Japan. Enjoy some free time until heading to the airport on your own for your international flight home.

Day 1: ARRIVE IN TOKYO, JAPAN

Konnichiwa Japan Welcome to Tokyo, Japan’s capital city. Hotel check-in is available mid-afternoon.

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Day 2: TOKYO

Monumental Metropolis Start with a visit to Meiji Shrine, a magnificent 20th-century Shinto monument set in a man-made forest. At an artist’s studio, learn to write like a local during a calligraphy lesson with a master calligrapher, have the opportunity to try on a traditional kimono, and partake in a [LF] tea ceremony. After lunch, visit the Tokyo Skytree, the world’s tallest tower. Last stop is the Asakusa Kannon Temple and Nakamise shopping arcade. Tonight, join your travel companions at a welcome dinner hosted by your Tour Director. (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

LOCAL FAVORITE
TEA TRADITIONS Participate in a tea ceremony, the ancient tradition and wonderfully choreographed ritual of preparing and serving Japanese green tea.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SKY HIGH At Tokyo Skytree, ascend to Sorakara Point, on floor 450 at some 450 meters or 1500 feet, it is the highest point visitors can explore. Here you’ll have stunning panoramic views over the city and, on a clear day, Mount Fuji.

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Day 3: TOKYO. MOUNT FUJI EXCURSION

Soaring Heights & Sweeping Views Drive south along the coast to Kamakura to see the 750-year-old Great Buddha. Continue to Hakone where you’ll take a cable-car ride for panoramic views of spectacular Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest mountain. After lunch, cruise on Lake Ashi for more views of this beautiful area. Conclude the day with a thrilling shinkansen (bullet train) ride back to Tokyo! (Breakfast,Lunch)

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Day 4: TOKYO

Wondrous Wandering Enjoy a full day at your leisure to explore the city. (Breakfast)

FREE TIME TIPS
EXPLORE MORE Tokyo has something for everyone so visit one of the city’s unique neighborhoods likeGinza or Shibuya districts, dine at the street food markets, or catch a game at the Tokyo Dome. This and more options throughout your tour are available for purchase with MyGlobus.

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Day 5: TOKYO–MATSUMOTO–TAKAYAMA

City to Farm to Table Journey to Matsumoto, gateway to the ruggedly beautiful Japanese Alps. Visit a local wasabi farm and Matsumoto Castle, a National Treasure of Japan dating back to the 16th Century. Tonight, enjoy a wonderful Japanese-style dinner at your hotel. (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
WHY WASABI Take a private tour of a wasabi farm to learn more about how it’s grown and the importance of wasabi in Japanese culture and cuisine. Eat lunch at the farm and sample wasabi ice cream.

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Day 6: TAKAYAMA

Takayama Treasures Today begins at the morning market, where farmers display locally grown fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Visit Takayama Jinya, a former government office during the Edo Period from 1692-1868. This well-preserved building is a national historic site and the only remaining building of its kind in Japan. End with a fun [LF] sake tasting. (Breakfast)

LOCAL FAVORITE
FOR SAKE’S SAKE Go sake tasting in the San-Machi Suji historic district—famous for lacquerware shops and sake breweries, and identified by the “sugidama,” balls made of cedar branches that adorn the entrances.

FREE TIME TIPS
EXPLORE MORE After included sightseeing, the balance of the day is at leisure, providing you with time to explore the narrow streets where merchants buy and sell as they have for 300 years. Transfers between town and your resort will run every two hours.

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Day 7: TAKAYAMA–SHIRAKAWA–KANAZAWA

Enchanting Valleys & Tranquil Gardens This morning, enjoy a drive through the mountainous Shokawa Valley to Shirakawa; a remote region of Japan home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Here explore the unique Gassho-Zukuri style (joined hands) thatched houses that can be found only here. Continue to the scenic town of Kanazawa, situated between the mountains and the Sea of Japan. Explore Kenroku-en Garden and take part in a gold leaf class, where you’ll learn about this ancient craft and make your own bento box. (Breakfast,Lunch)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
PERFECTION OF TRANQUILITY Kenroku-en is one of Japan’s three great gardens and dates from the 1670s. Translated to English the name means “Garden of Six Qualities,” referring to the six essential attributes that make up a perfect garden: spaciousness, tranquility, artifice, antiquity, water, and magnificent views. One of the garden’s most stunning attractions is Kasumigaike pond with its island called Horai, which is meant to symbolize long life and eternal prosperity.

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Day 8: KANAZAWA–KYOTO

Sushi, Shrines & Temples This morning, drive south to Kyoto. On arrival, participate in a [LF] Japanese cooking class for lunch. Then, you’ll visit two of the city’s most important sites: Fushimi Inari Shrine and Kiyomizu Temple. This evening, you have the option to stay in a traditional Japanese ryokan (additional expense and pre-booking required). (Breakfast,Lunch)

LOCAL FAVORITE
TURNING JAPANESE, I REALLY THINK SO Japan is known for its cuisine, which is deeply engrained into the culture. What better way to gain insights into the local way of life than through your stomach? Participate in a special cooking class under the instruction of a local chef to learn how to make miso soup, teriyaki chicken, and makizushi, more commonly known as a sushi roll.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SENSATIONAL SHRINES While in Kyoto one must take a step back in time to explore this historic former capital and its important wooden shrines and temples. Explore Fushimi Inari Shrine, renowned for the thousands of brightly hued Torii Gate. Afterward, continue to the Higashiyama District to visit Kiyomizu Temple, the “Pure Water Temple,” with stunning views over Kyoto. Along the way, walk through the busy streets, where shops and restaurants have been catering to pilgrims for centuries.

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Day 9: KYOTO

Golden Gift This morning starts with a visit to stunning Kinkakuji, the Temple of the Gold Pavilion. Next, visit Yuzen Handmade Corner to learn about the Yuzen dyeing technique used to decorate kimonos by painting dye directly on the cloth. Make your own souvenir using this traditional method. End the day at Sanjusajendo Temple, famous for its 1,001 statues of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy. Flanking the main statue are 1,000 more life-sized statues, covered in gold leaf, with 40 arms believed to have the power to save 25 worlds! (Breakfast)

FREE TIME TIPS
EXPLORE MORE Join your Tour Director for a walking tour through Gion or visit more of Kyoto’s historic temples. This and many more options throughout your tour are available for purchase with MyGlobus.

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Day 10: KYOTO–NARA EXCURSION

Living Large, No Giant Travel to nearby Nara to visit Kasuga Shrine and Todaiji Temple, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Tonight, your Tour Director hosts a farewell dinner to celebrate your discovery of Japan. (Breakfast,Dinner)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NARA GIANTS Travel to Nara Park, one of the largest in Japan, and famous for its free-roaming deer amid its shrines and temples. Kasuga Shrine, the most celebrated in Nara, is a Shinto shrine with some 3,000 stone and bronze lanterns. On the opposite end of the park is Todaiji Temple, one of Japan’s most significant temples. Originally built in 752 AD and again after a fire in 1692, the temple is only two-thirds its original size yet remains one of the world’s largest wooden buildings. The Daibutsu (Giant Buddha) inside the main hall is made of copper and bronze, weighs 250 tons and is 49 feet tall.

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Day 11: KYOTO–OSAKA

Old Town to the Big City Transfer by bullet train to Osaka, known for its food, history, and nightlife. Start sightseeing with your Local Guide at Osaka Castle and the surrounding park. Visit Minami, the city’s most famous entertainment district, encompassing the districts of Shinsaibashi and Namba and the famed Dontonbori Street. Enjoy lunch featuring okonomiyaki, a delicious pancake dish famous in Osaka. Then, explore this exciting area on foot with your guide. From museums and shopping to theater and dining, this is where the locals come for fun. (Breakfast,Lunch)

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Day 12: OSAKA

Easy Exploration Enjoy a full day at your leisure. (Breakfast)

FREE TIME TIPS
EXPLORE MORE Return to Minami for further exploration or perhaps visit the Open-Air Museum of Japanese Farm Houses. Whatever you choose to do, we’ve included a subway and bus pass to make exploring easy.

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Day 13: OSAKA

Say it Ain’t Sayonara Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)

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