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Globus
OFFER ID 1689130
Escape into a world of ancient tradition and modern marvels on this Globus Escapes tour of Japan. From the captivating capital city of Tokyo to the magnificent temples and shrines of Kyoto and the moving memorials of Hiroshima, you’ll enjoy fewer crowds in the off-season to savor stunning scenes, sumptuous cuisine, and serene natural beauty. Enjoy the ancient art of Japanese tea traditions, be whisked away on the famous shinkansen (bullet train), wander through 400-year-old gardens, and wonder at the natural beauty of Nara Park’s free-roaming deer and the dazzling lanterns of Kasuga Shrine.
Your adventure in Japan continues by shinkansen bound for Osaka, where the timeless traditions of tempting cuisine give way to a city coming to life in the bright lights of Minami by night. This spectacular tour of Japan is the perfect escape for off-season travel from Tokyo to Osaka and every incredible sight in between!

10 nights from $4,419 per person
Japan Escape With Osaka
Day 1ARRIVE IN TOKYO, JAPAN Konnichiwa, Japan! Welcome to Tokyo, Japan’s capital city. Hotel check-in is available mid-afternoon.
Day 2TOKYO Monumental Metropolis Start with a visit to Meiji Shrine, a magnificent 20th-century Shinto monument set in a man-made forest, then partake in a traditional [LF] tea ceremony. 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. (B,L,D)
LOCAL FAVORITE
PLANNED TO A TEA Participate in an authentic Japanese tea ceremony, the ancient tradition and carefully choreographed ritual of preparing and gracefully serving Japanese green tea.
Day 3TOKYO Tokyo to Go Enjoy a full day at your leisure to explore the city. (B)
ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE Tokyo has something for everyone, so visit one of the city’s unique neighborhoods like Ginza or Shibuya districts, dine at the street food markets, or take a full-day excursion to the Five Lakes region and spectacular Mt. Fuji.
Day 4TOKYO–KYOTO Golden Gift Board one of Japan’s famous shinkansen (bullet train) bound for Kyoto. Upon arrival, visit stunning Kinkakuji, the Temple of the Gold Pavilion. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SPEEDING BULLET Board a shinkansen en route to Kyoto for a comfortable ride through space and time in the tradition of Japan’s fastest way to travel.
Day 5KYOTOSushi, Shrines & Temples Start your day at Sanjusangen-do 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! 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. Then, participate in a [LF] Japanese cooking class for lunch. (B,L)
LOCAL FAVORITE
CULTURAL TREASURES Japan is known for its cuisine, which is deeply ingrained into the culture. What better way to gain insights into the local way of life than through your generations of traditional dishes? 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.
Day 6KYOTO–NARA EXCURSION Larger than Life Travel to nearby Nara to visit Kasuga Shrine and Todaiji Temple, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NARA GIANTS Travel to Nara Park, one of the largest in Japan, and famous for its free-roaming deer wandering 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, weighing 250 tons and measuring 49 feet tall.
Day 7KYOTO–HIMEJI–KURASHIKI–HIROSHIMA Storied Castle Keep Drive south to Himeji to visit Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stop in Kurashiki and enjoy free time in the Bikan Historical Quarter, once the political and commercial center of the city. The canal-lined, white-washed, stone streets reflect the Edo period (1603-1867) and are quintessentially Japanese. Continue to Hiroshima. (B,L)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT Himeji Castle stands guard on its lofty hilltop perch as the finest surviving example of early 17th-century Japanese castle architecture that combines function with elegance in its white, six-story fortress keep. Its 600-year history as a strategic defense point to the west of Kyoto began in the 1400s to become the white castle complex completed in 1609 under daimyo Lord Ikeda Terumasa. Marvel at more than 80 buildings connected by a series of labyrinth-like winding paths.
Day 8HIROSHIMAReveries & Remembrances Explore the highlights of Hiroshima with your Local Guide. Start your guided tour at Peace Memorial Park, then travel by ferry to Miyajima Island to visit Itsukushima Shrine. Tonight, your Tour Director hosts a farewell dinner to celebrate your discovery of Japan. (B,L,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
MONUMENTS & MEMORIALS Peace Memorial Park is home to the Peace Memorial, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has been preserved just as it was on August 6, 1945, immediately after the bombing. You will also visit the Memorial Museum and Memorial Hall, which commemorate the lives lost that day. On Miyajima Island, visit Itsukushima Shrine, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its floating Torii Gate.
Day 9HIROSHIMA–OSAKA Big City, Bright Lights Board one of Japan’s famous shinkansen (bullet train) bound for Osaka, known for its food and nightlife with some history mixed in. Start sightseeing with your Local Guide at Osaka Castle and the surrounding park. Visit Minami, the city’s most famous entertainment district. (B,L)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LOCAL PLEASURES Explore Osaka’s popular Minami district encompassing the districts of Shinsaibashi and Namba and the famed Dontonbori Street. Start with lunch featuring okonomiyaki, Osaka’s deliciously famous pancake dish. Then, explore this exciting area on foot with your Local Guide. From museums and shopping to theater and dining, this is where the locals come for fun.
Day 10OSAKAOsaka on Your Time Enjoy a full day at your leisure. (B)
ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE Return to Minami for further exploration or visit the Open-Air Museum of Japanese Farmhouses.
Day 11OSAKA Say it Ain’t Sayonara! Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
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