Solo-ish Japan
11 days, Tokyo to Osaka
When arranging your transportation, such as flights, please take into consideration the below time restrictions for joining and departing from your group. With these times, we have taken into account travel time to/from the airport in the given destination and required time for check-in or baggage collection/immigration.
Itinerary
Day 1Dinner Party: Tokyo
Welcome to Japan! Meet your included arrival transfer at the airport to head to the hotel where you'll meet your other Solo-ish travellers and CEO for a welcome briefing. Then head off with your new travel mates for a dinner party in Tokyo! Together you'll cook some of Japan's most popular dishes like Japanese egg omelet, onigiri, teriyaki and seasonable vegetables. After working together to make the meal, have a seat next to another Solo-ish friend and enjoy the delicious Japanese food!
Make sure to arrive no later than 2:00 pm to make it to your welcome briefing and then head to your local cooking class.
The most convenient way to get around Japan is by public transportation and on foot. The country's train system is often considered one of the best in the entire world so the majority of our trips utilize this efficient train network. In this tour, you will need to be able to spend the majority of the day on your feet and carry your luggage through busy train stations and streets. On average, tours in Japan walk about 15,000 steps a day. Please ensure you are fit enough to carry your own luggage and spend most of the day on your feet.
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.
Dinner Party: Dinner Party
Food is a universal language, and there's no better way to get to know a new friend, or a new community, than by breaking bread together and digging in to a delicious meal. Japanese food is revered as the best food in the world by travelers and world renowned chefs alike. Dive head first into this top culinary country by making Japanese egg omelet, onigiri, teriyaki and seasonable vegetables, some of the most popular dishes in the country and internationally. Then sit down together to enjoy the meal and get to know your fellow solo-ish travellers.
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.
The B Akasaka (or similar)
Meals included:
DinnerDay 2We Day: Tokyo
Experience the most fascinating sides of Tokyo with your amazing CEO as your guide. Walk through some of the most important neighborhoods in Tokyo like Shinjuku, Harajuku and Shibuya. Pop in and out of shops along Takeshita Street in Harajuku, and visit Meiji Jingu Shrine in Shibuya. Your CEO will teach you temizu, a way to symbolically purify your body and spirit before entering. Inside, learn how to read your Omikuji, a local fortune. Don't worry if your fortune is bad, your CEO will teach you how to tie it up and leave it behind!
We Day: Tokyo Highlights Tour: Temples, Shrines & Neon Signs
With your incredible CEO at the helm, get to know the local community and your Solo-ish travel mates on a day packed full of interesting and engaging adventures. Enjoy a day connecting with Japanese culture and city life with a tour of Tokyo's highlights and legendary neighborhoods. Admire the neon signs in Shinjuku. See the center of Japanese fashion and culture in Harajuku and visit the biggest shinto shrine in Tokyo, Meiji Jingu Shrine. Learn some of the shrine visiting etiquette called temizu, purification of the body and soul. Enter with respect and with your fellow Solo-ish travellers and CEO, learn to read your omikuji, Japanese fortune.
Accommodation
The B Akasaka (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 3G Day: Tokyo
Start today off with a special surprise that is sure to bring you luck this trip! Then take a local train to Asakusa, one of Tokyo's more famous neighborhoods. On a tour with your CEO, visit the amazing Senso ji Temple, the oldest temple in Tokyo. Then spend some free time in Asakusa, soaking in this cultural gem. Opt to explore Nakamise shopping street, try some intense matcha ice cream or sit down at a cute mochi cafe. Feel free to ask your CEO for recommendations. After some exploration, take the bullet train to Nagano and check into your Temple stay for the night.
G Day: Senso ji Temple and Asakusa Neighbourhood
With your Solo-ish travel mates and CEO, explore some of the worlds coolest activities alongside new friends. It's not just an epic day of fun, its chock full of incredible experiences and a surprise G element along the way to take your day to 11. Join your CEO for a tour of the Senso ji Shrine in Asakusa. Many consider this shrine to be the most beautiful in all of Japan. After a tour, enjoy free time in Asakusa neighbor to explore the cute cafes, amazing restaurants and fun shops.
Bullet Train
Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.
Your Local Living Moment: Zenkō-ji Temple
Visit the enshrined Buddhist temple, in the heart of Nagano city, built almost 1500 years ago. Spend a night in this temple's shukubo, temple lodging, and learn how the Buddhist monks live in this beautiful temple.
Accommodation
Shinshu Zenkoji Yakuoin (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 4Nagano
Rise with the sun this morning and join the monks for their morning prayer ritual in Zenkō-ji temple. You'll have the special opportunity to hear their chanting in the main temple hall. We'll have breakfast in the Shukubo temple before heading off to Yudanaka where we can see the Japanese Macaques bathing in the hot springs. Then head back to Nagano for the night.
Zenkō-ji Oasaji
Awaken early and join the monks for their sunrise morning prayer ritual. Listen to their chanting, their kansho bell ringing and enjoy the time in the oasaji, the main hall of the temple.
Local Train
Climb aboard, take your seat, and get around like the locals do.
Jigokudani Monkey Park Visit
Visit the Jigokudani Monkey Park, where wild snow monkeys can be seen bathing in the natural hot springs. The pool where most of the monkeys soak is man made, fed by the hot springs. Along the walking paths up to the pools other monkeys tend to stop and watch visitors curiously.
Local Train
Climb aboard, take your seat, and get around like the locals do.
Accommodation
Nagano Tokyu REI Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 5Nagano
Visit one of Japan's grandest castles in the country, Matsumoto Castle. Built in the 1500's, this six story tower still maintains its original wood and stone work. Walk along the moat and over the many bridges. Then enjoy a free afternoon to explore Nagano.
Matsumoto Castle Visit
Visit Matsumoto Castle, one of Japan's most treasured castles, maintaining it's original wooden interior and stone exterior. Take a tour of this castle where 16th century Samurai once roamed.
Free Time
Enjoy free time in the city of Nagano.
Accommodation
Nagano Tokyu REI Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 6Fukui
After breakfast this morning, catch the bullet train to the town of Fukui. After arrival, visit the Eiheiji Temple, tucked deep in the mountains. A visit to this picturesque temple in the forest will help you start your day off on a peaceful foot. Then take a tour of Takefu Knife Village and watch as the steel-smith's wield knives with this 700 year old tradition. In the afternoon, arrive to your ryokan stay, a traditional Japanese Inn, where you'll sleep on traditional tatami mats and have a chance to soak in the onsen.
Bullet Train
Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.
Eiheiji Temple Visit
Feel like you've been transported to a Ghibli movie when visiting Eiheiji Temple, the Temple of Eternal Peace. Walk up the mossy steps through the forest to the picturesque temple on the hill.
Takefu Knife Village Tour
Visit the Takefu Knife Village and tour this historic knife factory. Japense knives are famous around the world for being thinner, harder and sharper. Qualities that make a great kitchen knife. Watch as the sword-smiths shape the steel, the tradition used for Echizen blades for over 700 years, and learn about the history of these master sword and knife makers.
Your Local Living Moment: Ryokan Stay
Experience traditional Japanese life with a night at a traditional Japanese Inn. Stay in tatami-matted rooms and enjoy a glimpse into Japanese culture and history. Enjoy the Japanese hot springs, onsen, and relax in the hot water.
Accommodation
Awara Onsen Mimatsu (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 7Kyoto
Travel to the historic city of Kyoto by bullet train this morning. Opt to join your CEO for lunch in the Nishiki Fish Market before your afternoon adventures. Then join your CEO as they lead you on a tour of the famous Gion district. Walk through the streets that Geishas walk through daily and visit the Yasaka Shrine together.
Bullet Train
Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.
Yasaka Shrine
Visit the Yasaka Shrine, also known as the Gion Shrine, in the heart of Kyoto. Admire the beautiful architecture from over 1350 years ago and see the hundreds of lanterns.
Gion Walk
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.
Optional Activities - Day 7 HideShow
Nishiki Market Visit
Take a walk with your CEO through the famous Nishiki Market renowned as the best place to get your hands on Kyoto’s most famous street food.
Accommodation
RIHGA Place Kyoto Shijo Karasuma (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 8Me Day: Kyoto
On your Me Day, spend it exactly how you want! If you're looking for some alone time, today is your day to do some solo adventures. Opt to hike Fushimi Inari Shrine or visit the Kinkaku-ji Golden Temple. If you'd rather spend the day with your CEO & fellow solo-ish travellers, opt to join your CEO for a zen garden visit, followed by a tour of Arashiyama Bamboo forest and Togetsukyo Bridge.
Me Day: Kyoto Me Day
Traveling solo alongside your new Solo-ish travel mates means there's always something fun to do and new friends to explore with. But the joy of travel can also be about taking time to yourself to recharge, refresh and reflect on the journey. Today, choose to join your CEO for an incredible activity, or take the time to yourself to enjoy your own company in one of the most incredible places on our planet.
Accommodation
RIHGA Place Kyoto Shijo Karasuma (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 9Kyoto/Hiroshima
Another bullet train ride brings us to Hiroshima this morning. Arrive in the late morning, head to the hotel, then spend some free time for lunch. This afternoon, we visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, a park that was built on a field created by the explosion of the nuclear bomb. After some time there, enjoy a free evening in Hiroshima.
Please note, you will not have access to your main luggage for approximately 24 hours, as we utilize Japan’s takkyubin service to conveniently and reliably transfer luggage from Kyoto to Hiroshima and avoid hauling large bags on crowded trains. You must pack an overnight bag with everything you’ll need until you’re reunited with your luggage the following day.
Hiroshima Park and Peace Memorial
Walk through the Peace Park in the centre of Hiroshima, a living memorial dedicated to the tens of thousands who died from the atomic bomb blast in 1945. Visit the statue of Sadako Sasaki, a young girl who died of leukemia as a result of the bomb blast, despite folding 1,000 origami paper cranes to appeal to the gods to make her well. See the frame of the Gembaku Dome, the sole building to withstand the explosion. Reflect, remember, and be reminded of the power we all hold to create peace.
Bullet Train
Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.
Accommodation
Hotel Kuretakeso Hiroshima Otemachi (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 10Hiroshima
Today we'll visit Miyajima, "Shrine Island." After taking a local train and a ferry ride to the arrive, we'll visit the beautiful Istukushima Shrine. This coastal shrine is almost 1500 years old. Spend some time admiring this historic structure before enjoying free time on the island. In the afternoon, take the ferry and local train back to Hiroshima. Opt to join your CEO for a farewell dinner over some local okonomiyaki.
Istukushima Shrine
On the coast of Miyajima Island lives Itsukushima Shrine. Built in late 500 AD, this beautiful shrine boasts floating torii gates and beautiful prayer halls, all connected by a boardwalk.
Free Time
Enjoy free time exploring Miyajima Island.
Accommodation
Hotel Kuretakeso Hiroshima Otemachi (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 11Osaka
Ride one last bullet train with your CEO & fellow solo-ish travellers to Shin Osaka station. Say goodbye to your fellow Solo-ish travellers as your tour ends upon arrival at the airport. You arrived a solo traveller and are leaving with many new friends!
For those continuing travels in Japan, your CEO will help you find the correct train in Shin Osaka Station. If you're headed to the airport, your CEO will accompany you from Shin Osaka to Kansai Airport (KIX).
Please book return flights no earlier than 4:00 pm.
Bullet Train
Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.