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Japan: Tokyo Nights & Kyoto Temples

6 days, Tokyo to Kyoto

Map of the route for Japan: Tokyo Nights & Kyoto Temples
Day 1 2 3 4 5 6
Itinerary Notes

Luggage size restriction – Effective from May 2020 onwards
All G Adventures tours in Japan use the world-famous Shinkansen bullet trains, which have a restriction on maximum luggage size. Your luggage must be less than 160cm in total. This is roughly the size that most airline companies consider as "carry-on baggage" and allow in overhead storage compartments.

We strongly recommend bringing a day pack or backpack to use during the day, in addition to your carry-on sized luggage. Please see “What to take” under Tour details for more information.

Itinerary

Day 1Tokyo

Arrive at any time and welcome to Japan's neon metropolis that's always on the move. There are no plans until the evening welcome meeting, so spend some time exploring. Then, after the meeting head out for a night of fun, drinks, and dancing for your first night out. Pick the best looking spot and cheers to new adventures and friends!

We highly recommend booking pre-accommodation to fully experience all that is Tokyo.

Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group

Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends

Connect with new friends on your first night out in a new destination. Only available on 18-to-Thirtysomethings tours.

Accommodation

Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.

Imano Tokyo Hostel (or similar)
Hostel

Day 2Tokyo

Get your bearings with an orientation walk before enjoying free time to explore buzzing Tokyo. Opt to check out Yoyogi Park, Asakusa shrine, quirky Harajuku, Shibuya Crossing, or explore the city's massive selection of shops and cafés.

Please note that the new JR Pass validation policy asks travellers to come to the office counter to activate their JR Pass.

Free Time
Tokyo Half Day

Get out explore this vibrant city – there is so much to see and do!

Orientation With CEO
30m-1h

Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.

5

Optional Activities - Day 2 HideShow

Sensō-ji Temple Visit
Asakusa
Free

Explore Sensō-ji Temple, a colourful Buddhist temple and the oldest temple in the entire city. Leading up to the temple the street is lined with shops selling yummy food and great souvenirs.

Akihabara Visit
Tokyo
Free

Tokyo's Akihabara district is a cultural centre and shopping district for video games, anime, manga, and electronics.

Harajuku Visit
Tokyo
Free

The Harajuku district is known as the centre of Japanese youth culture and fashion. Here, find dozens of shopping and dining options including independent boutiques and larger international luxury stores.

Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingū) Visit
Tokyo
Free-1000JPY per person

Visit this shrine dedicated to the 123rd emperor of Japan, Emperor Meiji and his wife. The shrine is a great place to escape the bustle of the city and wander the grounds along the wide walking paths.

Ueno Park Visit
Tokyo
Free

As Japan's most popular city park, Ueno is known for its museums and cherry blossoms. Stroll the pathways, admire the thousands of trees, including approximately 800 Somei-yoshino cherry trees, look for lotus on the pond, or opt to visit the temples and museums (entrance fees).

Accommodation

Imano Tokyo Hostel (or similar)
Hostel

Day 3Tokyo/Takayama

Board a bullet train to picturesque Takayama, surrounded by the Japanese Alps. Take in the quaint streets of old town—lined with craft shops and sake breweries (mid-day sake bombs anyone?)—on a CEO-led orientation walk. Enjoy the rest of the day to explore the area. In the evening, kick back and relax in a traditional inn complete with tatami floors, Japanese futons, and an onsen hot spring. Delight in a restorative soak in the healing waters.

Bullet Train
Tōkyō – Takayama station4h

Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.

Takayama Orientation Walk
Takayama

Hit the streets with your CEO and discover some of Takayama's highlights. Snap photos of a traditional Shinto shrine and wander the quaint lanes of this historic merchant city, passing homes dating back to the ancient Edo period.

Free Time
Takayama Afternoon

Use free time to enjoy the area, sample sake or visit a nearby hot spring for a soak.

3

Optional Activities - Day 3 HideShow

Sake Street Visit
Takayama
300-400JPY per person

Stroll down this quaint road, lined with sake breweries and vendors, and learn more about this typical Japanese beverage made from fermented rice. Have a sample or two to test it out.

Biking
Takayama
200-1000JPY per person

Hop onto a bike and explore the landscape and rural streets.

Hida no Sato (Hida Minzoku Mura Folk Village) Visit
Takayama
700JPY per person

Visit the Hida Folk Village, an outdoor museum where various buildings from the 1600s are open to tour. The steep, thatched roofs of the farmhouses are said to resemble praying hands. Take a peek inside to see tools and furniture from the original village.

Accommodation

Oyado Iguchi (or similar)
Ryokan

Day 4Takayama/Kyoto

Catch a train to Japan's imperial capital, Kyoto, and spend the rest of the day discovering this historic city. Then tonight, grab a drink (if you drink) during your Big Night Out! After a beer, you can opt to release your inner rock star during a karaoke session. Or visit one of Kyoto's many famous izakayas! Kanpai!

Bullet Train
Takayama station – Kyōto3h30m-4h

Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.

Free Time
Kyoto Half Day

Opt to check out Kiyomizu-dera Temple, walk under Fushimi Inari's many torii gates, take part in a traditional costume photoshoot, or experience a tea ceremony. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!

Your Big Night Out Moment:

Join your CEO and group for a night out on the town. Buy your drink-of-choice, then choose to sing your hear out at karaoke or hit one of Kyoto's many amazing bars.

4

Optional Activities - Day 4 HideShow

Zen Gardens of Ryōan-ji
Kyoto
500JPY per person

The Ryōan-ji garden is one of the best examples of kare-sansui, or dry landscape, a type of Zen garden. Fifteen large rocks are placed within a sea of white pebbles raked into linear patterns to facilitate meditation. Stand on the platform to get the best view from above. Stroll the grounds around the Ryoan-ji Temple and along the Kyoyo-chi pond.

Gion Walk
Kyoto
Free

Walk through Gion, Kyoto's most famous geisha district. Visit shops, restaurants and ochaya (teahouses), where geiko (Kyoto dialect for geisha) and maiko (geiko apprentices) entertain.

Kiyomizu Temple Visit
Kyoto
400JPY per person

Visit the Kiyomizu Temple, a Buddhist temple in Kyoto and part of Kyoto's UNESCO listed sights. Originally built in 798, the current structures were built in 1633 without the use of a single nail.

Nijo Castle and Gardens Visit
Kyoto
600JPY per person

Visit the Nijo Castle, the residence of the first shogun of the Edo Period built in 1603. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the property is divided into three areas: the Honmaru (main circular fortification), Ninomaru (secondary circle of defense), and the gorgeous gardens that surround both.

Accommodation

Tune Stay Kyoto (or similar)
Hotel

Day 5Kyoto

Kyoto is yours to explore today and the options are endless, so grab a buddy and get out there! Visit some of Kyoto's beautiful temples, participate in a tea ceremony, or take a calligraphy class (so you can make that postcard home look extra fancy).

Your Discover Moment
Kyoto Full Day

There's plenty to see and do in Kyoto, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like visiting the Kiyomizu-dera Temple, taking part in a traditional costume photoshoot, and enjoying a tea ceremony. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!

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Optional Activities - Day 5 HideShow

Day Trip to Nara
Kyoto – Nara

Take a train excursion to the peaceful gardens and ancient temples of Nara, home of Japan's largest Buddha, and a number of cute and docile deer that are the sacred symbol of the Kasuga Taisha shrine.

Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion Visit
Kyoto
500JPY per person

Explore Kinkaku-ji or the Golden Pavilion, named for the temple’s top two floors that are covered in gold leaf. The temple is surrounded by trees and sits on a reflective pond, making this must-see in Kyoto a perfect place for photos. While the temple can be busy, there are gardens around the area to explore once you’ve had enough of the view.

Accommodation

Tune Stay Kyoto (or similar)
Hotel

Day 6Kyoto

Today is departure day, but do not fret! There is no such thing as goodbye, only until next time. Share some last laughs and exchange social medias with your fellow travellers before departing at any time.

We highly recommend booking post-accommodation to fully experience this iconic city.

For travellers flying out of Kansai International Airport (KIX), please find the public transit options below (please note that taxis can become quite expensive in the late hours)

1) By train - departing from Kyoto station, the limited express "Haruka" Train goes directly to the airport. The last train to the airport leaves Kyoto station at 20:30.
2) By bus - departing from Kyoto station, with several stops along the way. The last bus to the airport leaves Kyoto station at 22:10.

Timetable Reference: http://www.hyperdia.com

Departure Day

Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.

Japan: Tokyo Nights & Kyoto Temples

| 6 days - Tokyo to Kyoto - from $1147 USD