Meet your Kensington Tours Airport Representative who will escort you to your driver for an accompanied airport transfer into Tokyo city-center by private vehicle.

Explore two sides of Tokyo in four hours with your guide, beginning at Meiji Jingu's forest of over 100,000 trees before the avant-garde energy of Harajuku and Omotesando. At the shrine, walk the torii gate approach through one of the city's most unexpected pockets of nature. From there, Harajuku's subculture boutiques give way to the upscale boulevard of Omotesando. Your guide returns you to the hotel, or you part ways here to explore on your own.

Please note: This tour makes use of Tokyo's efficient public transportation to travel around the city.

After years of traveling to and from Japan, our Destination Experts all agree that when traveling to the other side of the globe, we all need some time at leisure to acclimate to the new time zone, a fast-paced city, and a different country, culture, and way of life. Take this day to explore the city at your own pace or rest at your accommodations and set off tomorrow fresh-faced and ready to take in the incredibly country that is Japan with your private guide along side.

Please note: If you're the type to 'hit the ground running' when you travel, simply let your Destination Expert know and they will help you choose the best tour for the first, full day of your time abroad.

Delve into Tokyo’s rich culinary traditions on a private gastronomic journey through the famed Tsukiji Outer Market, where the city’s deep-rooted food culture thrives. Meet your guide at your hotel and travel by taxi to this lively market, a maze of narrow lanes filled with seafood stalls and artisanal shops. Savor fresh crab, eel, and tuna sashimi paired with hand-grated wasabi, while your guide introduces local vendors and shares insights into key Japanese ingredients like sesame, nori seaweed, and dried katsuo flakes. Continue to a local sushi restaurant for a hands-on lesson with a master chef, learning the art of crafting makizushi rolls and delicate nigiri sushi before enjoying your beautifully prepared creations with a side dish and warm miso soup. Conclude with a taxi transfer to your accommodation.

Buzzing with energy and innovation, the neon-lit ward of Shinjuku must be experienced to be believed. This thrilling entertainment district is brimming with atmospheric eateries, lavish nightlife, opulent hotel bars, and some of the country's most famous karaoke rooms. Immerse yourself in this futuristic city that offers thrills around the clock. Enjoy exclusive insider suggestions, courtesy of a supplemental composition provided by your insightful Destination Expert.

Explore Hakone's layered history and open-air art with your private guide and car from Tokyo. At the Hakone Checkpoint, your guide walks you through its Feudal Edo Period history before a stroll along the cedar-lined avenue. From there, a gondola lift from the foot of Mt. Komagatake carries you to the summit, with Mt. Fuji filling the horizon on clear days. The Hakone Open Air Museum closes the afternoon, its sculptures spread across broad grounds alongside a substantial Picasso collection. Your private car returns you to your hotel in Hakone to end the day

Enjoy a hearty, traditional Japanese meal as part of the Ryokan experience, included in the cost of your tour. This will be artfully presented and served to you in the ryokan's dining room, as is the custom in Japan.

This morning, enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or simply unwind at your hotel and recharge for what is next.

Meet your driver for a train station transfer with a private vehicle.

Please note: While your driver will be holding a Kensington Tours sign with your name printed clearly on it, most drivers in Japan speak very limited or no English. Should you require assistance, please call the 24/7 customer service phone number in your travel pack.

Relax on the scenic train from Hakone's Odawara station to Kyoto. The train ride is approximately 2 hours.

Enjoy a self-guided stroll through Kyoto’s Pontocho, a charming alleyway running parallel to the Kamo River. Discover an incredible range of dining options, from casual yakitori and izakayas to exquisite high-end Kyoto cuisine. Wander at your own pace, soaking up the traditional atmosphere, lantern-lit streets, and riverside views while sampling the flavors that make Pontocho a culinary hotspot.

Please note: This is a suggestion for your leisure time and does not include admissions, a guide, or transfers

Meet your private guide and travel by public transportation for a full day of Kyoto’s UNESCO sites, starting at Nijo Castle, built in 1603 as the Kyoto residence of the Tokugawa shogun, with wall paintings and gardens from the Edo period. Stop at Nishiki Market, a five-block street of food stalls, for local snacks before lunch nearby. In the afternoon, head to Arashiyama to visit Tenryuji’s Zen garden and walk through its bamboo grove. Close the day at Kinkakuji, the gold-leaf pavilion whose reflection in the pond is one of Kyoto’s most photographed sights, before returning to the hotel.

Discover the timeless beauties of Japan’s ancient capital on a private journey through Nara and Kyoto’s iconic Fushimi Inari. Meet your guide at the hotel and travel by public transit to Kyoto Station to board the train to Nara. Explore Todaiji Temple, stepping into the grand Daibutsu-den to see the colossal Great Buddha, then continue into Nara Park, home to its famously friendly deer. Wander atmospheric backstreets before visiting Kasuga Taisha, renowned for its thousands of stone and bronze lanterns. Return to Kyoto by train and visit Fushimi Inari Taisha, walking beneath its tunnel of vivid red torii gates. Conclude with public transit back to your accommodation.

Enjoy a transfer with a private driver from Kyoto to Osaka. The transfer time is approximately 1 hour.

Join your private guide at your hotel for an exploration through the heart of Osaka City, where a tapestry of history, culture, and architectural marvels awaits your discovery. Using Osaka's efficient public transit system, you'll journey to Osaka Castle, a site renowned for its historical significance and architectural grandeur. While the original wooden castle is long gone, its modern reconstruction faithfully captures the soaring splendor of the past. Venture into the vibrant heart of the Shinsekai district, where history seamlessly blends with modernity in a splendid fusion. This labyrinth of narrow streets and bustling alleys exudes an undeniable energy, a testament to the perpetual motion of the city. This is a perfect spot to try some local street food like the popular takoyaki. Amidst the bustling crowd, the famed Tsutenkaku Tower stands tall as an architectural masterpiece that offers breathtaking vistas of the cityscape. Your journey through Isshinji Temple provides a tranquil pause—a moment of reflection amidst the city's hustle. The serenity of its gardens and the intricate details of its architecture invite contemplation. A short walk through a nearby historic garden offers a preview of your final stop today. Behold Abe no Harukas, Japan’s tallest building—a monument to human achievement that seems to touch the sky itself. An elevator ride to its zenith unveils panoramic vistas that stretch as far as the eye can see.

Please note: This tour makes use of Osaka's efficient public transportation to travel around the city.

Meet your driver for an airport transfer with a private vehicle.

The Gate Ginza offers a contemporary urban retreat in the heart of Tokyo’s vibrant Ginza district, where sleek design meets thoughtful comfort. Each room is designed with modern elegance, featuring windows that frame the bustling city streets below, while interiors blend minimalistic style with subtle Japanese accents. Dining at the onsite restaurant highlights seasonal ingredients, presenting a mix of Japanese and international flavors in a relaxed setting. Later, enjoy a crafted cocktail at the stylish bar, an inviting spot to reflect on the day’s adventures. The Gate Ginza combines a prime location with sophisticated design and attentive service, creating a seamless balance of urban excitement and calm retreat. It is the perfect base for discovering Tokyo while enjoying comfort and style at every turn.

Set amid the serene mountains of Hakone, Hakone Kowakien Ten-yu offers a tranquil retreat where traditional Japanese hospitality blends seamlessly with nature. Each of the 150 thoughtfully designed rooms features a private open-air onsen bath, allowing you to soak in natural hot springs while taking in the mountain views. Delight in seasonal delicacies at the onsite restaurant, where fresh ingredients reflect the region’s flavors. Unwind in the infinity hot spring, its shimmering horizon merging with the sky for an unforgettable moment of calm. After a day of exploring Hakone’s art museums and scenic trails, enjoy a handcrafted cocktail in the elegant lounge bar or stroll through the beautifully landscaped Japanese gardens. For deeper relaxation, choose from soothing spa treatments that restore balance and ease. With its serene surroundings and authentic ryokan experience, Hakone Kowakien Ten-yu invites you to reconnect with nature and embrace the timeless charm of Japanese tradition.

The Hakone Open-Air Museum and Hakone Gora Park are only a 6-minute bus ride from Hakone Kowakien Ten-yu. Chisuji Falls is a 13-minute walk away, and Owakudani Valley is 1.4 miles away.

The Thousand Kyoto is a chic, modern hotel located close to the central exit of JR Kyoto Station in the heart of Japan's cultural capital, Kyoto. The Thousand offers a wide range of quality dining options, 220 guestrooms over the hotel's nine stories, wellbeing facilities that heal mind and body, and Kyoto's legendary hospitality and care with staff that meet rigorous international standards. With a minimalist charm reminiscent of a tea house, the The Thousand Kyoto echoes the functional beauty of the housing and tools of the traditional Machiya townhouse district nearby and many design choices taken from the harmony provided in nature. This hotel applies abundant wisdom from the whole of Kyoto to give all guests a memorable stay.

Osaka Marriott Miyako Hotel soars above the city, offering an unparalleled stay in Japan’s tallest building, Abeno Harukas. Located in the vibrant Tennoji district, it provides breathtaking panoramic views of Osaka’s skyline from every elegantly appointed room and suite. Designed for both comfort and sophistication, the hotel’s accommodations feature floor-to-ceiling windows, modern amenities, and refined Japanese aesthetics. Dining is a highlight, with restaurants serving exquisite international and Japanese cuisine, complemented by stunning city vistas. The stylish lounge and bar offer the perfect setting to unwind with expertly crafted cocktails and light bites. For relaxation, a well-equipped fitness center and serene wellness facilities ensure a rejuvenating stay. With direct access to Kintetsu Osaka Abenobashi Station and seamless connections to key attractions, Osaka Marriott Miyako Hotel places the city’s best shopping, dining, and cultural sites within easy reach. Experience elevated luxury and warm hospitality in the heart of Osaka.