Tokyo – Kyoto – Osaka (6 Days/5 Nights)
Japan has so much to offer. On this 6 x Day/5 x Night journey to three of its most acclaimed cities, you’ll get to see the country at its best. Take in the living, breathing metropolis of Tokyo, enjoy eating , drinking, and talking to the friendly locals in Osaka, and discover thousands of years of culture and history in Kyoto. With your local tour manager to point you in all the right directions, and plenty of time to explore the labyrinth of local life, you’ll experience so much more than just the culture and charm of this fascinating country.
Tokyo
Kyoto
Min. 20
Min. 2, Max. 6
Your adventure begins with the all important “Welcome Meeting” at 5pm. Here you will meet your tour manager and fellow travelers, followed by a delicious welcome dinner where we will savor the local food and experience the buzz of a genuine “Izakaya” restaurant in downtown Tokyo.
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Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting important insurance details, proof of Covid-19 vaccination, and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent, hotel reception or your “Two Streets Back” Japan representative know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
This morning, after forwarding your suitcases on to Kyoto, your tour manager will introduce you to the Japan’s most famous food town, the Tsukiji Outer Market, where you will be amazed by the variety of seafood and other produce delivered from Tokyo’s largest wholesale fish market (recently relocated to a new site at Toyosu). The various wholesale, retail shops and restaurants lining the narrow alleyways offer the freshest sushi and sashimi for lunch, one of the most well-known Japanese cuisine, born right here in Tokyo (then called Edo) over 200 years ago. After a filling lunch we will make our way to the historic Asakusa area to explore old Tokyo. We can also marvel at Japanese woodblock prints by world-renowned artist “Hokusai” when we drop into the “Sumida Hokusai Museum” in the neighbouring Ryogoku area. This art form was also born in the Edo era, and influenced many Impressionist artists in Europe. In the evening we’ll enjoy another famous Japanese cuisine “Tempura”. This delicious dish was introduced by the Portuguese during the Edo era, and is synonymous with Tokyo and its abundance of fresh seafood and vegetables, elevating it to a culinary art form.
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After a hearty breakfast and check out procedures, let’s head to the Tsukishima area to enjoy Tokyo’s local specialty “Monjayaki”, a delicious savory pancake of various fillings. These pancakes are a favorite of local Tokyoites and are thinner and pastier than the typical “Okonomiyaki” found in Osaka or Hiroshima. In the afternoon let’s all unwind onboard the “Shinkansen” bullet train on our 2.5 hour journey to Kyoto, the ancient Japanese capital from 794 to 1869. After arriving at Kyoto station late afternoon, join your tour manager for a stroll around the world-famous Gion “geisha” district leading to the stunning Higashiyama area lined with centuries old temples and shrines separated by original Kyoto townhouses. Our first day in Kyoto will end with a superb “Kaiseki” dinner, a highly elaborate and beautifully presented course-style meal of seasonal dishes and local ingredients. This special style of cuisine grew out of 16th-century Buddhist tea ceremonies before being introduced to the Emperor’s court right here in Kyoto. The presentation of each dish is truly spectacular, offering a very unique Kyoto experience.
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Our second day in Kyoto starts directly after breakfast with a visit to the World Heritage listed Nanzenji Temple. Although the temple may not be the typical main touristic attraction for most foreign visitors, it is ranked the highest among all Zen temples in Japan, with its impressive “samon”gate, brick aqueduct, and stunning zen garden, it truly deserves the respect heaped upon it by the Japanese people. As a bonus, todays “Yudofu” vegetarian lunch was originally created by the Buddhist monks from this very special temple. After our historic lunch, afternoon is free for you to explore another historical charms of Kyoto or relax at your own pace. Your tour manager is there to give you tips and advice. Dinner tonight is all about relaxing. Kyoto’s casual home style dining is known as “Obanzai”, and is a great way to mix with the locals, sample some delicious Japanese home cooking in a relaxed and inviting environment.
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After breakfast it’s time to check out of our hotel then make our way to a local Buddhist temple. Here we will have the rare opportunity to experience Zazen meditation and learn about its philosophy. After we are totally relaxed and at peace with the world, let’s mix things up by attending a Sake class and taste a variety of Japanese sake with matching food for our lunch. You will be amazed at the diversity of sake and the close relationship sake has with different types of food. In the afternoon we board our train for the short journey to Osaka. A world away from the traditions of Kyoto, this mega-city’s greatest charm is its down-to-earth attitude and the welcoming spirit of it’s people. Together we’ll explore the city’s iconic Dotonbori area by cruising the canal and wandering through a labyrinth of neighboring alleyways, and tasting some of the street food Osaka is famous for. In the evening, celebrate the end of your adventure with your travel companions over dinner at a local casual Izakaya.
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There are no activities planned for today, and you can depart the hotel at any time. Check out time is 10am, however if you’re departing later, we can arrange luggage storage for you at the hotel. Your tour manager will be delighted to help plan your post-tour itinerary or advise you on your onward journey.
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I was able to enjoy Japan that I had never known before!