Japan

Today marks your first full day of exploring the bustling city of Tokyo. Begin with an immersive half-day tour to get acquainted with the city, and end with an exciting evening at a lively izakaya.

After a delicious breakfast at your hotel, your knowledgeable private guide will meet you. While it's possible to enjoy Tokyo on your own, having an expert guide will greatly enhance your experience.

At Boutique Japan, we hold our private guides to exceptionally high standards and design each tour to match your unique interests and priorities.

Tokyo, one of the world's most vibrant cities, boasts amazing restaurants, beautiful gardens, stunning modern architecture, charming backstreets, and a glittering neon-filled cityscape. Beyond the bustling city, you'll find quiet neighborhoods where locals go about their daily lives, and countless hidden gems in the form of delightful little shops and restaurants.

Explore charming neighborhoods like Aoyama, Daikanyama, Naka-Meguro, and Shimokitazawa, as well as peaceful museums, shrines, or gardens such as the Nezu Museum, Meiji Jingu Shrine, and Hamarikyu Garden.

After your fascinating tour, you can relax at your hotel to recover from any lingering jet lag, or continue exploring on your own. Our pre-departure materials will be helpful during your free time.

This evening, enjoy a meal and drinks with a private guide at a casual and authentic izakaya, where you can experience a true Japanese atmosphere and sample a variety of delicious Japanese foods. This quintessential Japanese experience is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the culture and mingle with locals.

Start your day at Tokyo's famous Tsukiji Market. Although the wholesale fish market moved to Toyosu in 2018, the vibrant outer market at Tsukiji remains a fantastic place to delve into Japanese cuisine.

You'll discover historic lanes and alleys filled with a diverse array of shops and small restaurants, brimming with atmosphere and charm. After a stroll to the nearby Ginza district, head to Tokyo's historic shitamachi areas.

Begin in Yanaka, one of Tokyo's best-preserved historical districts and a burgeoning area for young creatives. Spared from significant damage during World War II, Yanaka features quaint streets, small temples, shrines, and numerous traditional shops selling Japanese sweets, rice crackers, paper, and other goods. It also hosts galleries like the famous SCAI the Bathhouse.

From Yanaka, walk to the nearby Ueno district, a lively yet traditional area best known for Ueno Park, which houses several museums including the excellent Tokyo National Museum. You'll also encounter Ameyoko-cho, a bustling outdoor marketplace offering everything from groceries and clothing to open-air yakitori stalls and more.

After a full day of exploring Tokyo, take some time to relax, then head out for an exceptional sushi meal or experience Tokyo's legendary nightlife.

Today, you'll leave Tokyo behind and journey to the nearby Hakone National Park. Hakone is a mountainous region just outside Tokyo, renowned for its luxurious ryokans, soothing onsen (hot springs), and—on clear days—breathtaking views of the iconic Mount Fuji.

Hakone is one of our top recommendations for experiencing a luxury ryokan in Japan.

This evening, you'll indulge in a sublime ryokan stay, but your adventure starts with the delightful trip to Hakone on Japan's remarkable trains.

For Tokyo residents, Hakone symbolizes escape and relaxation. Besides the rejuvenating ryokan experience, Hakone offers plenty of attractions. Be sure to visit The Hakone Open-Air Museum, where you can admire sculptures by Rodin, Miró, Noguchi, and others set against the beautiful landscape.

A fun and lighthearted way to explore Hakone is via its famous sightseeing loop. This route takes you through the stunning region on the Hakone Tozan Railway (a scenic mountain train), a funicular railway, the Hakone Ropeway (a gondola offering panoramic views), and a picturesque cruise across Lake Ashi (Ashinoko).

After an active day, retreat to your serene Japanese-style accommodations.

There's nothing quite like staying at a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn). Before dinner, enjoy a soak in the healing onsen. Dinner tonight will be an exquisite kaiseki feast featuring seasonal and local delicacies.

Spend a tranquil morning enjoying your serene Japanese-style surroundings. Take a relaxing soak in the onsen, followed by a delightful Japanese breakfast.

Next, it’s time to depart. You’ll be whisked westward through central Japan on the iconic shinkansen (bullet train), a wonderfully enjoyable way to travel. Eating and drinking on long-distance trains is a beloved Japanese tradition, so be sure to grab a seasonal bento box (and some sake) for the journey.

Kyoto is one of the world's most culturally rich cities, often the dream destination for travelers envisioning Japan. With 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites, Kyoto was Japan's capital for over a thousand years and remains the heart of traditional Japanese culture.

Today, it is a large, modern city with over a million residents and may initially appear similar to other Japanese cities. However, Kyoto retains many of its ancient traditions, and despite the neon lights and concrete, it is filled with beautifully preserved areas where time seems to move at a slower pace.

You’ll have part of the afternoon free to settle in and get acquainted with your new environment.

In the early evening, embark on an intriguing private walking tour through the backstreets of Kyoto’s renowned geisha district, Gion. As you leisurely wander through the narrow lanes and hidden alleys of this mysterious area, your expert guide will share insights about the history and reality of Kyoto’s geiko (as geisha are called in Kyoto) and maiko (apprentice geisha).

This tour offers a unique opportunity to learn about Japan’s most misunderstood traditional profession, and you may even encounter geiko or maiko on their way to evening appointments. After your immersive walk, your guide will leave you at a fantastic local restaurant. Kanpai!

Kyoto is renowned for its famous landmarks, but to truly experience the city, it's essential to explore its hidden gems.

No visit to Kyoto is complete without seeing some of its incredible temples, shrines, and gardens. During your stay in this ancient capital, you will have the opportunity to discover a handpicked selection of Kyoto’s treasures, tailored to your personal interests and priorities.

Explore Kyoto highlights such as the historic Higashiyama district, the charming Philosopher’s Path, and the scenic Arashiyama area. Additionally, enjoy off-the-beaten-path walks through lesser-known parts of Kyoto with your knowledgeable guide.

Kyoto is also celebrated for its cuisine and craftsmanship. The bustling Nishiki Market is a must-see for food enthusiasts. For those interested in the arts and traditional crafts, visiting a shokunin (master craftsperson) in their private workshop is a memorable experience.

Beyond its remarkable sights and rich traditional culture, Kyoto boasts a vibrant creative scene. Throughout the city, you'll find stunning modern designs in museums, galleries, shops, and cafes.

After your private tour, you’ll have the rest of the day to relax at your lovely hotel or continue exploring on your own, using the pre-departure materials provided to each of our travelers.

Fushimi Inari Taisha is one of Japan’s most iconic destinations and is worth a visit even for those who typically avoid popular tourist spots. To dodge the crowds, it's best to arrive early, as the shrine is usually bustling with visitors by midmorning.

The main buildings of the shrine are located at the base of Mount Inari, with vermillion torii gates lining the path up the mountain. While the lower areas are often crowded with people taking selfies, you’ll encounter fewer visitors as you ascend—making the hike up Inari-san well worth the effort! (Hiking enthusiasts will be pleased to know that the Kyoto area offers several excellent day hikes.)

After exploring Fushimi Inari, you'll join a local sake expert to discover the nearby Fushimi sake district, one of Japan’s premier sake-producing regions. Strolling through Fushimi’s historic streets, you'll learn about sake (nihonshu) and enjoy some delightful samples along the way.

Enjoy your final evening in Kyoto!

You'll have some free time before your departure. Depending on your flight schedule, you may be able to squeeze in some last-minute exploring (and dining!).

At the appropriate time, you will be picked up from your accommodations for a comfortable private transfer to the airport.