7-day Golden Route Express
Description
This 7-day Golden Route tour is perfect for first-time visitors to Japan looking to experience its most iconic destinations without the rush of planning.
Start in Tokyo, where ancient temples and ultra-modern cityscapes coexist. Ride the Shinkansen to the scenic mountains of Hakone for a night in a traditional ryokan with onsen and kaiseki dining. Then travel west to Kyoto—the heart of traditional Japan—where you'll explore bamboo groves, golden temples, and geisha districts. Continue to nearby Nara for a day with sacred deer and centuries-old temples before finishing in vibrant Osaka, known for its castle, street food, and neon nightlife.
This tour is designed for smooth transitions and maximum cultural immersion, with flexible options to customise the experience to your style—whether you prefer local trains and street eats or private drivers and Michelin-starred meals.
Tour Highlights
Tokyo ➝ Hakone ➝ Kyoto ➝ Nara ➝ Osaka
Day 1 – Tokyo:
Arrival in Tokyo. Transfer to hotel, check-in, free-time, first Japanese Dinner!
Day 2 – Tokyo:
Join a tour to see Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, Omotesando, and Shinjuku. Optional: teamLab Planets or Omakase dinner.
Day 3 – Hakone:
Travel via Shinkansen and local trains. Visit Hakone Open-Air Museum, ride the ropeway over Owakudani, cruise Lake Ashi. Stay at a ryokan with onsen and kaiseki for dinner.
Day 4 – Kyoto:
Travel to Kyoto via Shinkansen. Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine, stroll through Gion in the evening.
Day 5 – Kyoto:
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Tenryu-ji Temple, river walk. Afternoon at Kinkaku-ji or Nishiki Market. Optional tea ceremony or cultural workshop.
Day 6 – Nara and Osaka:
Morning visit to Nara: Todai-ji, Nara Park, Kasuga Taisha. Afternoon transfer to Osaka. Explore Dotonbori and Kuromon Market.
Day 7 – Departure:
Depart from Osaka or return to Tokyo by Shinkansen. Optional final shopping or rest stop depending on flight time.
What's Included
6 nights’ accommodation in centrally located hotels
Daily breakfast
Reserved seat train tickets (including Shinkansen Tokyo–Hakone–Kyoto–Osaka)
Hakone Free Pass (for cable car, ropeway, lake cruise, and bus network)
One-night ryokan stay in Hakone with dinner and breakfast
Entry fees for key attractions: Senso-ji Temple, Hakone Open-Air Museum, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kinkaku-ji, Nara Park, Osaka Castle
24/7 English-language support via phone and WhatsApp
Detailed digital itinerary with maps and navigation guidance
Taxes and service charges
What's Excluded
International flights to/from Japan
Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
Meals not listed in the itinerary (lunches and most dinners)
Personal expenses (souvenirs, snacks, laundry, etc.)
Local transportation outside the planned route (e.g., taxis, subways beyond included passes)
Optional activities and entrance fees outside of the listed itinerary
Tips and gratuities (not mandatory but appreciated for guides or drivers)
Accommodation upgrades, single room supplements, or extra nights before/after the tour
