Trip summary statistics
7days
Essential Japan Discovery
Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka
Discover Tokyo’s ancient shrines, modern energy, and fresh flavors at Tsukiji Market.
Travel into Hakone by train, glide by cable car, and cruise Lake Ashi with Fuji views.
Explore Kyoto’s Golden Pavilion, Zen gardens, and quiet geisha lanes with local insight.
Stroll Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, visit Todai-ji Temple, and meet Nara’s friendly deer.
Savor personalized restaurant recommendations, expertly curated by your Destination Expert.
* Please note: USD per person, double occupancy. Custom designed personal tour. Prices subject to change.
A travel experience like no other
This sample itinerary was created by experts and is meant to inspire your next trip. It is ready to be customized to suit your interests, tastes and budget so you can connect with local cultures and experience authentic travel on your own terms and departing whenever you choose.
We personalize
There's no formula, we simply listen to you and make it happen.
We expertly plan
From your itinerary to the small details, we prepare it all on your behalf.
We don't settle
Refining your itinerary until you're happy, even while you're traveling.
When would you like to travel?
| Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
What's your ideal trip length?
If anything changes, we can always adjust.
Prefer to speak with a destination expert?
TokyoGet Settled
- Japan Welcome Package
- Private Airport Transfer
TokyoExplore a City of Contrasts
- Tokyo Highlights with Tsukiji Market (with Lunch, 6 hrs) – Private Tour by Public Transit
- Self Guided - Tokyo Ramen Suggestions
TokyoA Sight To Behold
- Hakone Discovery (11 hrs) - Private Tour by Train & Private Vehicle
Tokyo to KyotoLike a Speeding Bullet
- Train Station - Private Transfer
- Train - Tokyo - Kyoto [2.5 hrs] - First (Green) Class
- Train Station - Private Transfer
- Cultural Kyoto (4 hrs) - Private Tour by Public Transit
KyotoNurtured by Nature
- Arashiyama Discovery (4 hrs) – Private Tour by Public Transit
- Self Guided - Pontocho
KyotoA Journey Back in Time
- Nara Unveiled: Spiritual Heritage & Scenic Charm (6 hrs) – Private Tour by Public Transit
- Self-Guided - Fushimi Inari Exploration
Kyoto to OsakaBon Voyage
- Kyoto to Kansai Airport (1 hr) - Private Transfer
TOKYO
Get Settled
A welcome package with your itinerary and any relevant documents or tickets required for your trip will be provided to you on your arrival in destination.
Meet your Kensington Tours Airport Representative who will escort you to your driver for an accompanied airport transfer to your hotel by private vehicle.
Where you’ll be staying
Standard Plus
TOKYO
Explore a City of Contrasts
Uncover the best of Tokyo on a private full-day exploration, pairing historic temples, bustling markets, and stylish streets in one day by Japan's efficient public transportation. Your guide collects you from your hotel for Asakusa, home to Sensoji Temple, Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple. Stroll Nakamise Shopping Street, sampling traditional snacks and souvenirs, then continue to Tsukiji Market for a lunch of fresh, local flavors. From there, wander through Ginza, Tokyo's polished shopping district known for striking architecture and elegant boutiques, before returning to your hotel.
Choose from a variety of ramen spots across Tokyo on your own, discovering the city’s rich noodle culture. Savor Michelin-starred Tantanmen at Nakiryu, refreshing Yuzu Shio at Afuri, or creamy Tsukemen at Fuunji. Aternatively, you could visit Rokurinsha beneath Tokyo Station - widely regarded as one of Tokyo's most iconic ramen shops, and credited with pioneering the popularity of tsukemen (dipping noodles) since it first opened in Osaki in 2005. During your stay in Tokyo, you can also try bold broths at Menya Musashi, Tonkotsu at Ichiran, refined Shoyu at Ramenya Toy Box, and spicy miso at Kikanbo.
Where you’ll be staying
Standard Plus
TOKYO
A Sight To Behold
Escape the bustle of Tokyo on a privately guided full-day trip to Hakone, a serene haven of mountains, lakes, and hot springs. Meet your private guide at your hotel and set off like a local, traveling via Tokyo’s efficient public transit system. From Shinjuku Station, board the Romancecar—a sleek limited express train that glides through vibrant cityscapes and forested hills toward Hakone’s Gora district. Upon arrival, explore Hakone’s highlights in the comfort of a private vehicle. Ascend the Hakone Ropeway, a panoramic cable car offering sweeping views of the surrounding peaks and, on clear days, the majestic Mount Fuji. Pause at Owakudani, an active volcanic valley where sulfurous steam rises from the earth, and taste kuro-tamago—eggs blackened by natural minerals and believed to bring longevity. Then, enjoy a peaceful cruise across Lake Ashi, framed by lush forests and distant shrines. As your guide shares insights into Hakone’s natural and cultural treasures, end your day with a private transfer to Hakone Station. Conclude with a scenic train journey back to Tokyo.
Where you’ll be staying
Standard Plus
TOKYO TO KYOTO
Like a Speeding Bullet
Meet your assistant, who will accompany you on a train station transfer with a private vehicle.
Board a train from Tokyo with direct service to Kyoto. The train ride is approximately 2.5 hours.
Meet your driver and guide for a train station transfer with a private vehicle.
Explore the spiritual and cultural heart of northwest Kyoto on this privately guided half-day journey through serene Zen temples and a historic geisha district. After meeting your guide at the hotel, proceed by making use of Japan's efficient public transit to Kinkaku-ji, the famed Golden Pavilion, where shimmering gold leaf reflects elegantly across a tranquil pond—an iconic vision of Kyoto’s classical beauty. Continue to Ryoan-ji, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its enigmatic rock garden. As your guide shares insights into Zen aesthetics, take in the subtle harmony of stone and gravel that has inspired quiet contemplation for centuries. Next, visit Kitano Tenmangū Shrine, dedicated to the deity of scholarship. Conclude with a walk through Kamishichiken, Kyoto’s oldest geisha district. Far less frequented than Gion, its quiet lanes, wooden teahouses, and subtle elegance evoke the refined world of traditional entertainment. Afterward, return to your hotel by public transit.
Where you’ll be staying
House Room
KYOTO
Nurtured by Nature
Embark on a private half day exploration of Kyoto’s serene western district with your English-speaking guide, traveling by Japan’s efficient public transportation. Stroll through the enchanting Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, visit elegant Okochi Sanso Villa with its beautifully landscaped gardens and sweeping views, and continue to Tenryuji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its Zen garden and tranquil setting. At the end of the experience, your guide accompanies you back to your hotel.
Please note: This tour makes use of Kyoto's efficient public transportation to travel around the city.
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
Where you’ll be staying
House Room
KYOTO
A Journey Back in Time
Today, explore Nara, Japan’s ancient capital and a cradle of spiritual tradition, on a private full day discovery filled with cultural landmarks, tranquil gardens, and timeless charm. Meet your English-speaking guide in your hotel lobby and begin a seamless journey using Japan’s efficient public transportation to Nara. On arrival, you’ll start your exploration at the awe-inspiring Todai-ji Temple, home to the Great Buddha, one of the largest bronze statues in the world. From there, stroll to the peaceful Isui-en Garden, where manicured landscapes frame picturesque views of Mt. Wakakusayama. Pause for a quiet moment at a traditional teahouse, enjoying local sweets and a cup of tea in serene surroundings. Wander through Nara Park, where friendly deer roam freely, and continue into the atmospheric backstreets, lined with artisan shops and preserved wooden homes. Visit the lantern-lit paths of Kasuga Taisha, a revered Shinto shrine, before concluding your day in the charming Naramachi district, rich in old merchant-town character. At the end, your guide will accompany you on the return journey to Kyoto, completing a day that beautifully blends history, nature, and tradition.
Please note: This tour makes use of Kyoto's efficient public transportation to travel around the city.
Famous for its "tunnels" formed by thousands of vermilion torii gates, Fushimi Inari Shrine is the perfect place to explore on your own. Choose from several walking routes as you follow lantern-lit paths beneath the gates. At the base of Mount Inari, you will be able to explore the lower shrine complex while the higher trails grow quieter, revealing small shrines, bamboo groves, and city views. The main trail leads to the summit of the 233-meter Mount Inari. A round-trip hike takes about 2–3 hours, but many visitors only walk the first section, known as Senbon Torii (thousands of torii gates). End your walk along the lively shopping street near the station, filled with local snacks and good-luck charms.
Please note: This is a suggestion for your leisure time and does not include admissions, a guide, or transfers
Where you’ll be staying
House Room
KYOTO TO OSAKA
Bon Voyage
Enjoy a transfer with a private driver from Kyoto to Osaka’s Kansai Airport. Transfer time is approximately 1 hr.
TOKYO
Keio Plaza Tokyo
Rising above the dynamic skyline of Shinjuku, Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo is a refined urban sanctuary where modern comforts meet timeless Japanese traditions. Ideally located in the heart of Japan’s capital, this sophisticated retreat is a gateway to the city’s vibrant culture—where historic tea ceremonies, the soft strains of koto music, and gracious hospitality coexist with contemporary elegance. Spanning two soaring towers, the hotel’s 1,453 guestrooms and suites offer a serene escape, adorned with contemporary furnishings and floor-to-ceiling windows framing sweeping city views. High above the bustling streets, the rooftop pool shimmers under the summer sun, offering a secluded oasis where the city feels worlds away. Unwind in the spa, where Japanese wellness rituals and soothing treatments provide a moment of pure tranquility. Dining is a celebration of Japan’s rich culinary heritage, with multiple options ranging from artfully presented kaiseki cuisine to theatrical live cooking experiences. The hotel’s sleek sky lounge, perched on the 45th floor, offers handcrafted cocktails and mesmerizing city vistas, while an intimate sake bar invites guests to explore expertly curated pairings. With an atmosphere steeped in both tradition and innovation, Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo offers an elegant immersion into the essence of Japan.
KYOTO
Noku Kyoto
Located beside Kyoto’s Imperial Palace, Noku Kyoto combines the city’s timeless charm with contemporary style. Rooms and suites are elegantly designed in warm, natural tones, with curated artworks and thoughtful details creating a serene retreat after a day of exploring. Start your morning with a beautifully prepared breakfast at the onsite cafÉ, then stroll through nearby gardens, temples, and the lively streets of Kyoto. After a day of discovery, relax with a cocktail in the inviting lounge bar, where soft lighting and a calm atmosphere provide the perfect setting to unwind. Whether you are wandering through the historic neighborhood or enjoying quiet moments indoors, the hotel offers a refined balance of modern comfort and classic Kyoto character. Noku Kyoto is an ideal base to experience the city’s cultural treasures while enjoying a welcoming and stylish retreat.
Made to Order
- Choose from a range of places to stay, from impeccable five-star hotels to equally outstanding boutique ones.
- Tailor your trip to include a wide variety of activities, from the must-see's to the lesser-known, local experiences, and even the exclusive ones you may not know about.
- With no fixed dates or set schedules, you can explore on your terms.
- Whether you're celebrating one of life's big moments or looking to fulfill a personal journey, we always work with you to ensure we're creating a trip-of-a-lifetime.
What's included
- A fully customized itinerary based on your interests and schedule
- 24/7 in-destination support from our local office
- Regional flights between stops in your itinerary (unless otherwise indicated)
- All accommodation stays, tours and transfers for scheduled activities are covered, unless otherwise listed in the itinerary
- A private driver for tours and transfers (in some countries our local private guides also act as your driver - your Destination Expert will discuss with you if applicable)
- Local private guides or shared tours that take you through your itinerary highlights and experiences, your final itinerary will confirm the type of tour
- A greeting at the airport or at your accommodation from one of our representatives – your expert will confirm your meet and greet location with you
- Breakfast each morning at your hotel, plus any meals indicated in the itinerary
- One suitcase and one carry-on per person for trip transfers
What's not included
- Your international airfare – please do let your expert know if you'd like to receive pricing from our Air Team
- Travel insurance, which we offer and can be purchased after you've booked your tour
- Visas (unless noted)
- Tips for services and experiences
- Lunches, dinners and drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), unless specified in the itinerary
- Excess baggage charges, and where applicable, baggage not included in your fare
- Personal charges such as laundry, phone calls, SIM cards or room service
- Early check-in or late check-out from hotels (unless otherwise specified)
- Additional sightseeing, activities and experiences outside of your itinerary
- Optional enhancements like room or flight upgrades, or local camera or video fees
- Passport fees, immunization costs, and local departure taxes (when applicable)
Protect your travel
- We recommend travel protection. Between missed connections, lost or delayed luggage, or medical emergencies, you want some peace of mind that your travel investment is well protected.
- No matter who you buy from, please consider purchasing a travel protection plan before you travel. Still unsure? Consider these frequently asked questions.








