Japan: Land of the Rising Sun
Japan has had many identities through the centuries, and its story is a fascinating one.
Tokyo is the modern-day center of pop culture and business, while Kyoto remains the most traditional of the big cities. The country is filled with natural beauty—see it from the window of the high-speed Shinkansen train and in the majestic lakes and mountains of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.
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Day 1: Fly overnight to Japan
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Day 2: Tokyo
Arrive in Tokyo
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Day 3: Tokyo
Take a guided tour of Tokyo
With your expert local guide you will see:
- Ginza District
- Imperial Palace Plaza
- Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku District
- Odaiba City
Visit the Meiji Shrine
Take a guided tour of Akihabara
Visit Asakusa Kannon Temple
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Day 4: Tokyo
Take a walking tour of Shibuya and Harajuku
Participate in a cultural activity by meeting with local Japanese students or enjoying an origami lesson
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Day 5: Kamakura • Hakone
Travel to Kamakura
Visit the Hachimangu Shrine
See the Great Buddha
Travel to Hakone
Spend the night in inn that echoes the traditional Japanese-style ryokan
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Day 6: Hakone • Kyoto
Travel to Owakudani
Enjoy free time in Owakudani
Take a tour of Hakone National Park
Take a cruise on Lake Ashi
Ride a cable car up Mount Komagatake
Stop for a photo at Odawara Castle
Travel by bullet train to Kyoto
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Day 7: Kyoto
Take a guided tour of Kyoto
Visit Nijo Castle
Visit the Gold Pavilion
Enjoy a Kimono Show
Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine
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Day 8: Kyoto
Take a guided tour of Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Time to explore on your own or
Add this in-depth excursion:
Nara
Explore one of Japan’s ancient capitals on your half-day guided excursion. Visit the Todai Temple and see the Daibutsu, the world’s largest bronze Buddha. Walk through the wooded Nara Park, known as “Deer Park” because of its four-legged inhabitants. Just outside the park, visit Kasuga Shrine, one of the country’s most famous Shinto shrines. Comfortable walking shoes recommended.
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Day 9: Depart for home
Travel to Osaka
Depart for home
Add 2 more days
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Day 9: Osaka • Hiroshima
Travel by bullet train to Hiroshima
Take an excursion to Miyajima Park
Visit Itsukushima Shrine
Visit Hiroshima Peace Park and Memorial Museum
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Day 10: Osaka
Visit Himeji Castle
Travel to Osaka
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Day 11: Depart for home
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Day 1: Fly overnight to Japan
-
Day 2: Tokyo
Arrive in Tokyo
-
Day 3: Tokyo
Take a guided tour of Tokyo
With your expert local guide you will see:
- Ginza District
- Imperial Palace Plaza
- Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku District
- Odaiba City
Visit the Meiji Shrine
Take a guided tour of Akihabara
Visit Asakusa Kannon Temple
-
Day 4: Tokyo
Take a walking tour of Shibuya and Harajuku
Participate in a cultural activity by meeting with local Japanese students or enjoying an origami lesson
-
Day 5: Kamakura • Hakone
Travel to Kamakura
Visit the Hachimangu Shrine
See the Great Buddha
Travel to Hakone
Spend the night in inn that echoes the traditional Japanese-style ryokan
-
Day 6: Hakone • Kyoto
Travel to Owakudani
Enjoy free time in Owakudani
Take a tour of Hakone National Park
Take a cruise on Lake Ashi
Ride a cable car up Mount Komagatake
Stop for a photo at Odawara Castle
Travel by bullet train to Kyoto
-
Day 7: Kyoto
Take a guided tour of Kyoto
Visit Nijo Castle
Visit the Gold Pavilion
Enjoy a Kimono Show
Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine
-
Day 8: Kyoto
Take a guided tour of Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Time to explore on your own or
Add this in-depth excursion:
Nara
Explore one of Japan’s ancient capitals on your half-day guided excursion. Visit the Todai Temple and see the Daibutsu, the world’s largest bronze Buddha. Walk through the wooded Nara Park, known as “Deer Park” because of its four-legged inhabitants. Just outside the park, visit Kasuga Shrine, one of the country’s most famous Shinto shrines. Comfortable walking shoes recommended.
-
Day 9: Depart for home
Travel to Osaka
Depart for home
Add 2 more days
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Day 9: Osaka • Hiroshima
Travel by bullet train to Hiroshima
Take an excursion to Miyajima Park
Visit Itsukushima Shrine
Visit Hiroshima Peace Park and Memorial Museum
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Day 10: Osaka
Visit Himeji Castle
Travel to Osaka
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Day 11: Depart for home
Reviews
Refer a friend or colleague to EF and we’ll thank you with $1,000. Learn more
Your experience includes
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Airfare & transportation
Round-trip flights on major carriers; comfortable motorcoach; bullet train
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Hotels
7 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms (9 with extension)
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Regional-style meals
Breakfast and dinner daily
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Guided sightseeing
3 sightseeing tours led by expert, licensed local guides; 1 walking tour
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Entrances
National Tokyo Museum; Meiji Shinto Shrine; Asakusa Kannon Temple; sumo-style hot pot dinner; Hachimangu Shrine; Hakone Open-Air Museum; Mount Komagatake ropeway; NijŌ Castle; Golden Pavilion; Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine; Todaiji Temple; Daibutsu; (with extension: Itsukushima Shrine; Peace Memorial Museum; Himeji Castle)
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Full-time Tour Director
Your culturally connected Tour Director is with your group 24/7, providing deep local insight while handling all on-tour logistics.
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Expert Local Guides
Your expert local guides are natural historians, adding cultural insight and global perspective on your sightseeing tours.
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Continuous Support
Your dedicated EF team helps you every step of the way—from recruiting and enrolling travelers to planning and managing your tour.
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24-hour Emergency Service
Travelers and their families can count on EF's dedicated emergency service team.
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Peace of Mind Program
Feel secure knowing your group can change their destination or travel dates due to unforeseen circumstances. Learn more about your flexible options at eftours.com/peaceofmind.
Lowest price
Price is valid for students under the age of 20 at the time of travel that room in triples and quads. Minimum participation is required. Change and cancellation fees of up to the total price will apply. Applicable airline baggage fees are not included and can be found at www.eftours.com/baggage. Program price is valid today only.
