These tours are great for first time visitors to Japan looking for comfortable accommodation with all entrance fees and most meals included. Our Japan Deluxe Tours are accomodated with professional tour guides, fluent in both Japanese and English, to ensure an educational and valuable visit. Air-conditoned, private coaches are also included, so you can enjoy a comfortable and hassle-free time in Japan. Our tours range from 7 to 21 days, to various regions of Japan.
These tours combine enrichment, enjoyment, and education with time to truly absorb and appreciate your surroundings. Our Deluxe-Plus small group tours are created to cater to those who are interested in having a deeper understanding of Japan's culture. You will have the opportunity to participate in culturally rich activities and visit destinations only locals may know. Experience luxurious hotels and travel at a leisurely pace when you book a Deluxe-Plus small group tour.
Explore the must-see sights and enjoy the hassle-free trip to Japan at an affordable price. Our most cost-effective way to see the highlights of Japan while staying in budget-friendly accommodations. If you would like to have a quick stop to sample the must-see sights of Japan, or plan to explore Japan on your own but would like to take a short trip to learn about Japan before your self-guided journeys. These are the tours for you.
Explore Japan off the beaten path via Japanese public transportation, walking, hiking, cycling and more. Take more time to enjoy local experiences and picturesque landscape. Our Active Small Group Tours combine the best of cultural destinations with off-the-beaten-path via Japanese public transportation, Discover the country of Japan the way the locals do and see Japan from a different angle. A focus on getting away from the crowds and into the real Japan, see the diversity of Japan’s countryside unfold before your eyes.
Single Supplement:
The price is per person, based on twin or triple room occupancy
For single travelers, this tour has a single supplement. This guarantees a single room throughout the tour
Prices are excluding international flights
Single Room
Single room types are rooms for
single room occupants.
One person will be occupying the
hotel room throughout the tour.
Twin Room
Twin room types are rooms set for two people who will occupy one room, but will have two separate beds.
Double Room
A double room is a room that has one bed for two people to share.
Triple Room
A triple room is one room where three people may share the same room. It has three separate beds.
Japanese Style Room
A Japanese-style room traditionally does not have a western-style bed, it is a tatami floor room with futon bedding. However, if you prefer a western-style bed, you may request one though we cannot guarantee it.
Please note: If you would like to request neighboring rooms next to your traveling companions, you and your traveling companions must have the same room types in order to be next to each other. For example, if you have requested a double room, but your traveling companions have requested a twin, or triple room, then neighboring rooms cannot be accommodated. However, if both you and your traveling companions match in room type, then neighboring rooms will likely be arranged for your convenience.
Visit the Japan you have only seen in Anime while on the Otaku Tour. This specially themed tour blends the top Japan anime, manga, ninja and food hotspots in Tokyo, Hakone, Nagoya. Iga Ueno, Kyoto, and Osaka. This includes 3 top otaku destinations: Akihabara in Tokyo, Nipponbashi in Osaka, and Osu in Nagoya, where streets are full of quirky shops that let you feed your particular pop culture fandom. The itinerary adds the delightful atmosphere of Japan in springtime, bedecked in delica... View More
Visit the Japan you have only seen in Anime while on
the
Otaku Tour. This specially themed tour blends the top
Japan anime, manga, ninja and food hotspots in Tokyo,
Hakone, Nagoya. Iga Ueno, Kyoto, and Osaka. This
includes 3 top otaku destinations: Akihabara in Tokyo,
Nipponbashi in Osaka, and Osu in Nagoya, where
streets
are full of quirky shops that let you feed your particular
pop
culture fandom. The itinerary adds the delightful
atmosphere of Japan in springtime, bedecked in delicate
pink cherry blossoms.
Begin in Tokyo, with sightseeing and experiences that
belong on any anime fan's bucket list. The first sight is
Asakusa Sensoji - Tokyo's oldest temple, appearing in a
few animes. Sit in at a "Conveyor Belt Sushi"
Restaurant,
where plates of delectable sushi glide past your table on
a
long conveyor belt. Wander around Akihabara - the
crown
jewel of anime culture, with streets stacked end-to-end
with
manga and anime shops, retro video game stores,
internet
cafes, and thriving arcades - with plenty of time for
shopping. Take time while there to stop in one of
Akihabara's eccentric themed cafes - such as anime
cafes
with cutesy foods designed like anime characters, or
maid
cafes where your food is brought to you by an adorable
Japanese maid. Explore Ikebukuro, center of Tokyo's
Ramen food culture. Try a few tasty bowls of your
choice
on our special Ramen Tour. We explore Sunshine City,
which includes the flagship store of the Animate retail
chain
- known for their vast collection of anime merchandise.
This includes the Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo - your
one-
stop store for finding all things Pokémon - especially if
you
love Pikachu. Ikebukuro also contains Otome Road, a
street of anime stores, cafes, and cosplay shops aimed
at
appealing to girls who are fans of anime and manga -
especially shoujo manga. Shop the anime stores of
Nakano Broadway, and take a food tour of Shinjuku's
neon
"red-light district" at Kabukicho and Golden Gai. Also
while
in Tokyo, you'll tour the Outer Market area of the famous
Tsukiji Fish Market, browse the fashion-forward
boutiques
in Harajuku's Takeshita Street and Omotesando, and
brave
Shibuya's "Scramble Crossing" to visit the statue of
Hachiko the dog.
The tour continues to Hakone and its idyllic country
landscape. While here, embark on a pirate cruise
around
Lake Ashi. Hakone also offers a treat for fans of the
anime
Evangelion, at the Hakone Yumoto Evangelion Shop.
The
tour continues to Nagoya, where a day of leisure awaits
with a choice of optional entertainments for you to
choose.
You can explore the wondrous delights of the new Ghibli
Park (tickets not guaranteed), or you could join our
guide
on a special anime / foodie tour through Sakae
(downtown
Nagoya), and the Osu Shopping District. On the way to
Kyoto, the tour stops at the Iga-Ueno Ninja Museum - a
former ninja house complete with secret passages and
hidden rooms, which displays authentic ninja
implements
and weapons. In Kyoto, take pictures while wearing a
colorful and stylish Kimono, and see the ancient
capital's
UNESCO Heritage sites. These include the former
imperial
capitals finest landmarks: Fushimi Inari Shrine (including
the Fushimi Sake District), the Golden Pavilion,
Kiyomizu
Temple, the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, and the Gion
Geisha District. Of especial interest to otakus is Kosanji
Temple, home to Japan's oldest manga - the Chouju-
jinbutsu-giga.
Finally, in Osaka, a city whose inhabitants are
caricatured
in many anime, we visit many of its top must-sees:
Osaka
Castle, Kuromon Market, Dotonbori, and Nipponbashi
Den
Den Town (the Akihabara of West Japan). Enjoy a Street
Food Tour of the Shinsekai District, which is a strange
fusion of New York's Coney Island and Paris, France.
For
most of the tour, you will be transported around Japan
on
one of our comfortable private coaches, though 2 days
include travel on the Tokyo public transportation system,
and one day features a trip on a bullet train. The Otaku
Tour includes an expert, English-speaking tour guide,
who
will help you navigate around Japan. Browse our
detailed
itinerary below for more information.
Start Date | End Date | Twin/Triple | Start City | End City | Style | Compare | Status |
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Start Date | End Date | Twin/Triple | Start City | End City | Style | Compare | Status |
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Please Note:
All prices are per person, based on twin (double on request) or triple occupancy.
International flights are not included on our tours - this allows you the flexibility to choose your own departure and get the best value for your money!
We can arrange international flights for US customers if needed, please ask for details.
We require US$200 deposit per person to hold the space at time of booking and the final payment is due 2 month prior to departure.
Private coach and public transportation depending on the destinations
For arrivals at Narita Airport (NRT) or Haneda Airport (HND), this tour starts in Tokyo and ends in Osaka, with departures at Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX).
Vegetarian or special meals can be arranged.
Airport meet and greet and airport transfers are NOT included, but we will provide with full instructions in advance.
Welcome to Japan! Check-in your hotel in central Tokyo on your own. The rest of the day is free for leisure. Meet your tour guide and group in the morning the next day.
NOTE 1: If you wish to stay extra nights before the tour starts, please contact us to book hotel accommodations.
In the morning, we travel via public transportation to otaku
hotspots in Tokyo, starting with Asakusa Kannon Temple,
in Tokyo’s Asakusa district. Enter by way of the
Kaminarimon “Thunder Gate”, underneath an enormous
red paper lantern. Don’t forget to look up to see the dragon
sculpture under the lantern! Walk through the Nakamise
Market – a street lined with shops selling traditional goods
of all kinds, before approaching Sensoji Temple. Take
some time to explore Tokyo’s oldest temple and shrine
complex. Next, head to Akihabara Electric Town, which
beckons to anime and manga fans from all over the world
to come enjoy the colorful characters and flashy displays in
the stores and arcades lining its streets. Begin with a lunch
at a Conveyor Belt Sushi restaurant, where fresh plates of
sushi roll past your table and you can take and eat what
you want. Then you will have the opportunity to shop
among the various anime and otaku shops to find
merchandise related to your favorite anime or maybe that
figurine to round out your collection.
Optional (costs are not included) - Visit a cafe that
celebrates Akihabara's anime culture, with cool or kawaii
decor and food or drinks designed after popular anime
characters. Some cafes are themed to a particular anime,
such as the Gundam Cafe. Akihabara also has the best
maid cafes around, so you have the option to experience
an otaku subculture where you will be served kawaii food
and drink by a cute maid in a cafe.
Today, enjoy a leisurely morning and a late 11 AM start time, when we begin a tour of the Ikebukuro and Shinjuku areas using public transportation. Enjoy a Ramen Tour of Ikebukuro where your guide will show you the best, tastiest ramen spots in town, after which you are free to choose the ramen lunch that you find most appetizing. Next, walk down the famous "Otome Road", which is a must-visit anime hub catering specially to female otakus and anime fans, and is the best place to find popular shoujo manga and animes. Nearby is the Animate Ikebukuro store - one of the largest anime, manga, and otaku stores in Tokyo, which is a premier location to find your favorite anime merchandise. We'll go from there to Sunshine City entertainment complex – featuring department stores, an aquarium, museum, planetarium, indoor theme parks, and more. Pokémon otakus will enjoy the Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo store, which is an excellent place to find not only Pokémon cards and games, but Pikachu plushies as well. Finally, we travel to Shinjuku, first to try our luck at Pachinko, a form of legal, low-stakes gambling on a machine that plays like a mix between a colorful arcade pinball machine and a modern slot machine. After, take a Food Tour of Kabukicho and Golden Gai, a red-light district that is the center of the Tokyo nightlife scene with its collection of old fashioned izakaya restaurants. Here, also, your guide will show you the very best izakayas in the area, after which you will be free to find the dinner that appeals to you the most.
After breakfast, make your way to the Tsukiji Outer Market, filled with shops and restaurants where you can try fresh produce and other food-related goods. Then visit the Imperial Palace East Garden, where the ruins of old Edo castle sit near a pristine Japanese landscape garden. We proceed from there to Nakano Broadway, where you will be able to explore the different anime and otaku shops such as Mandarake. Next, visit the fashion district of Harajuku, where Takeshita District and Omotesando beckon to visitors to shop in their trendy stores. Then we make our way to Shibuya to see hundreds of people cross the famous Shibuya "Scramble Crossing", and then see the statue of the loyal dog Hachiko, which is celebrated in various animes as a popular couples meeting spot.. In the afternoon, transfer to Hakone to check in at the hotel and enjoy a relaxing evening including dinner and the local onsen hot spring.
Notes: We will courier your big baggage from Tokyo to your hotel in Nagoya (Included for up to one piece of baggage per person). Please pack your essentials for 1 night in a small bag to carry with you to Hakone.
Today, visit Hakone, a part of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, which is known for its breathtaking natural beauty. Also, fans of the Neon Genesis Evangelion anime will recognize it as the location of Tokyo-3. Take a cruise of Lake Ashi on a replica Pirate Ship and appreciate Hakone's idyllic landscape, which includes the vermillion red gate of Hakone Shrine, and even iconic Mount Fuji, if the weather is clear. Next, ride the scenic Hakone Ropeway in an airborne to Owakudani, where visitors will have the chance to see hot springs and sulfurous fumes along the trails of an active volcanic zone. Then visit the Hakone Yamato Evangelion Store, where you will find various souvenirs commemorating Neon Genesis Evangelion. From there, we take a speedy Shinkansen bullet train to the hotel in Nagoya, where we check in for a relaxing evening.
Today, you are free for leisure to explore Nagoya on your
own, but we also offer two optional day itineraries that are
available for you to choose. The first is a day on your own
at the new Ghibli Park, where you can explore one or more
of its three areas: the Hill of Youth, Dondoko Forest, and
Ghibli Grand Warehouse (each ticketed separately). AJT is
able to help you purchase tickets, though obtaining them is
not guaranteed due to Ghibli Park's guest capacity limits.
As an alternative, you can join your guide on a special
walking tour that is part foodie tour / part anime store-
hopping tour, in the Sakae and Osu areas. Sakae is
Nagoya's downtown district; a center for shopaholics of
any stripe, with a broad variety of dining and entertainment
options. While there, we will visit top local anime stores,
beginning with the Shonen Jump Store, which sells goods
from the manga comics featured in the popular Shonen
Jump magazine, such as One Piece, My Hero Academia,
and Demon Slayer. At Pokémon Center Nagoya, you can
find merchandise connected to the Pokémon franchise,
including cute plushies of Pikachu, Eevee, and other
popular Pokémon. In Village Vanguard, you'll find (in
addition to books) a broad array of odd, eccentric items
including novelty pillows plush backpacks, nifty character
keychains, and much more. And the Nagoya Book Off is
the best place to find Japanese manga for super-low
prices.
After exploring Sakae, we stroll down to the Osu Shopping
Street, which is a massive set of shopping arcades near
Nagoya station, including Mandarake, Super Potato,
Jungle Nagoya, Gee! Store Nagoya, and Capsule House.
Mandarake sells otaku goods including manga and old-
fashioned 80s-style figurines. Super Potato is devoted
almost exclusively to Nintendo-related merchandise.
Jungle Nagoya is the perfect place to find the figurines to
round out your collection. Gee! Store Nagoya sells a broad
variety of otaku goods, including a section devoted to
cosplay outfits. And Capsule House is stacked wall-to-wall
with "gacha" capsule machines, where you'll find an
impressive array of cute oddities.
After breakfast, You will travel to the Ninja Museum of Iga Ueno. This consists of a ninja residence, two exhibition halls and a stage which hosts ninja shows. The ninja residence looks ordinary from the outside, but the rooms within it have been devised with revolving walls, trap doors and hidden compartments. Then we will visit the famous Kiyomizu Temple, best known for its wooden stage that juts out 13 meters above the hillside below. The stage affords visitors a nice view of the grove of trees below that erupt in a sea of color in spring and fall, as well as of the beautiful city of Kyoto in the distance. Then experience wearing the traditional clothing of Japan, Kimono, which are still widely popular to wear for important and formal events. It is also common to don the Kimono when visiting Kyoto to further enjoy the traditional atmosphere of the city. We will end our day in the Gion Geisha District, where its streets are lined with ochaya (teahouses), exclusive establishments where guests are entertained by the mysterious Geisha and Maiko.
After breakfast, we will visit Kosanji Temple, a Shingon Buddhist Temple that is home to the Choju-jinbutsu-giga, also known as "Scrolls of Frolicking Animals and Humans", which is considered the oldest manga in Japan. Next, we visit the Arashiyama district, and walk a path through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, a densely packed forest of towering bamboo stalks. Then we will visit the Golden Pavilion, an iconic Zen Buddhist temple built by Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. The upper stories of the temple are covered entirely in gold, and topped with a shimmering gold phoenix. The tour will continue to the picturesque Fushimi Inari Shrine, known for its long tunnel of vermillion torii gates, which were featured in the film "Memoirs of a Geisha". From there, we head to the Fushimi Inari Sake District, which has been one of Japan’s preeminent sake- producing districts for hundreds of years. The district is home to rows of old-fashioned buildings housing over 40 traditional sake breweries, which use the clear spring waters flowing underground to produce their premium products. Many of these breweries offer limited sake- tasting opportunities for visiting guests eager to try the delicious local brews.
Today we travel from Kyoto to Osaka, at first to tour magnificent Osaka Castle, built by the legendary samurai warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi. It is one of Japan's most iconic castles and is considered a National Treasure. Next, we go to Kuromon Market to experience Osaka’s food culture. Osaka is known as the city of “Kuidaore” or “to eat until you drop”, and you will be able to stroll Kumaon’s covered outdoor shopping arcade and sample the fresh and delicious seafood delicacies, produce, and sweets throughout the vibrant market area. Then we take a Food Tour of Shinsekai, or "New World", a nostalgic shopping district inspired by the Western cities Paris and New York, and features Tsutenkaku Tower. Sample some of the delectable street foods of the area. Then we visit Nipponbashi Den Den Town, the Akihabara of Osaka, where anime fans can find excellent manga and anime merchandise within colorful shops. Finally, we visit the colorful, neon-lit entertainment district of Dotonbori. This area is popularly known for being the heart of the city's food culture, filled with numerous restaurants and eye- catching billboards, including the world-famous Glico "Running Man".
After breakfast, our tour officially ends. Your guide will be available to offer assistance and advice for your journey to the airport or onward travel in Japan.
NOTE 2: If you would like to stay longer in Japan, please contact us to book hotel accommodations.
Tokyo is the number one destination for tourist bound for Japan. It is the number one most populated, the biggest city, and is the capital of Japan. From shopping to sightseeing, this city offers everything that tourist want to see. There are a number of places to see the entire city, tourist can visit the Tokyo Skytree or Tokyo Tower to get a breathtaking view of the city. For shopping, visitors can head to the most popular areas such as Ginza, Ikebukuro’s Sunshine City, or Shinjuku. There are also many museums available such as the Edo Tokyo Museum or the Tokyo National Museum. This modern city still has many parks, temples, and shines for anyone interested in a cultural experience.
Buddhist temple with souvenir shopping street, an atmosphere of old Tokyo.
The Sensoji Temple located in Asakusa is one of the most popular Buddhist temples to visit. The temple was built and completed in the year 645 and is Tokyo’s oldest temple. The surrounding area offers shopping for souvenirs and food. The Sanja Festival is one of Tokyo’s biggest festivals and is held every May at Asakusa Temple.
The Akihabara Anime District is a popular section of Tokyo known for its densely packed assortment of anime and manga stores, arcades, and themed cafes.
Akihabara, sometimes shortened to "Akiba" is a district right in central Tokyo which is known across the country as the place to indulge in Japan's otaku culture. Initially it was known for its various electronics shops, and there are still many of them to be found, including big name chain stores like Yodobashi Camera, Bic Camera, Sofmap, and LAOX. But over time a great many anime, manga, and otaku-related shops, restaurants, cafes, gaming arcades, and other establishments sprang up here and there around the area. The dense concentration of anime / manga fandom stores has given Akihabara a status as a anime and gamer-nerds' paradise. It is a wonderful place to enjoy a themed cafe. Not only anime-themed cafes, but maid cafes, animal cafes, and manga cafes, where guests can pay for time to read from a vast collection of manga comics. What is more, as more anime are released year after year, the character of Akihabara constantly changes to reflect the latest releases.
Conveyor Belt Sushi, or "Kaiten-zushi" is a popular type of sushi restaurant in Japan that carries sushi to customers on long conveyor belts.
Kaiten-zushi, also known as Conveyor Belt Sushi or Sushi Train, is the Japanese word for a special kind of sushi restaurant which send plates of sushi zooming out to customers on a conveyor belt that winds around the restaurant. Some kaiten-zushi places have conveyor belts that run parallel to the tables, allowing the customers to take the plates they want, and others have an easy ordering system that lets you order the sushi you see on display. At the end, payment is calculated based on how many plates they ate. The sushi is served either in roll form or as "nigiri" - two cuts of sushi served atop a bed of rice, and includes popular favorites like tuna, salmon, shrimp, egg, and cucumber rolls. In addition to sushi, kaiten-zushi restaurants serve miso soup, various fried foods, and even dessert. Kaiten- zushi is considered one of the most affordable ways to enjoy sushi in Japan, as each plate starts at about 100 yen. To help the customers understand the pricing, different color plates are often used to distinguish costs of the foods, though there are some kaiten-zushi establishments that serve all their food at a single flat rate.
The Anime Stores of Akihabara are the go-to places to find anime merchandise - comics, music CDs, posters and wall scrolls, figurines, plushies, and collectibles.
In recent years, Akihabara has become synonymous with anime fandom, and no matter how much anime you watch, it is an area that will kick your love of anime into overdrive. The sheer number of colorful stores has something to offer even the casual anime fan. Popular stores include Animate Akihabara, which is one of the largest of the Animate stores, focusing on a wide variety of merchandise from anime that is trendy and popular. Akihabara Gamers is a store that, despite the name, features a vast assortment of manga comics. Kotobukiya calls itself a "hobby craft" store, but in reality it features figures and merchandise from anime, games, and even popular films like Star Wars. Yellow Submarine is a store that sells trading card merchandise (like Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh, and Magic: The Gathering), as well as a vast array of anime figurines and build-it- yourself plastic models. Of course, this barely scratches the surface of the broad variety of anime stores to be found in Akihabara - a destination that must be seen to be believed.
Akihabara is home to various Anime Cafes, themed establishments which feature décor, menus, and foods decorated in the style of popular anime.
Akihabara, being a popular hotspot for all things Anime, features themed cafes that offer a new way for you to immerse yourself in anime (or gaming) culture. While some of the anime cafes are more of a general "anime theme", with drawings of cute non-specific anime characters decorating the cafe space, others are designed to celebrate a particular anime series. One of the finest examples is the Gundam Café, which looks very futuristic and spacey, serving highly colorful drinks and food inspired by the characters and robots from the show. Their cafe latte is especially popular, with 19 different flavors to choose from. Some cafes, rather than being themed to a single anime in particular, celebrate anime culture in general. Good Smile x Animate Cafe is next to a cosplay apparel store and sells cute food and drinks. Some cafes are choose themes connected to popular gaming companies and franchises, such as the Square Enix Cafe, based on the company responsible for Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest.
Maid Cafes are popular themed eateries where customers are attended by adorable maids who sing songs, play games with guests, and serve food in a cute way.
Maid Cafes are a cultural phenomenon originating in Akihabara, where guests can enjoy tea or coffee and something sweet as you are waited on by cute maids who address you as "Master" or "Mistress". There are many maid cafes across Akihabara, each with a slightly different setting and personality. They often will write cute messages in the food, sing a song and dance, and play board games with the guests. And they always try and come up with new ways to make guests feel pampered and welcome. Famous maid cafes of Akihabara include Maidreamin, which have maids chant "spells" over the food to make the food more delicious; Cure Maid Cafe, which appeals to lovers of a more Victorian style of maid, and @Home Cafe, which welcomes guests with a "Welcome Home, Master / Mistress" and decorates the food they bring to your table in a variety of cutesy designs. There are many more maid cafes to explore in Akihabara, and each one makes you feel like a lord / lady of the manor.
Ikebukuro Anime Town is an entertainment district in Tokyo that features many popular anime and otaku stores, gaming arcades, restaurants, and more.
While Akihabara is known as the chief Anime hub of Tokyo, Ikebukuro has risen as a second center of anime and otaku culture, with especial areas for anime fangirls. It has many popular anime shops including Animate Ikebukuro Honten - the "flagship store" of the Animate retail chain - as well as the "Mandarake" and K-Books" shops. a particular section of Ikebukuro is called Otome Road (Maiden Road), which specializes in anime goods and manga doujinshi (self-published comics) geared towards women. Sunshine City, a "city within a city" in Ikebukuro, amuses visitors with a cinema, an aquarium, an observation deck, and various other shops including One Piece Mugiwara Store and Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo, where you can find cute plushies of Pikachu and other favorites like Eevee. It also has a theme park designed by video game company Namco (known for Pac-Man and Taiko no Tatsujin) called Namco Namja Town.
Join an Ikebukuro Ramen Tour and taste different types of delicious ramen in one of Tokyo's top ramen food districts.
The Ikebukuro Ramen Tour takes you through some of the best ramen restaurants in Ikebukuro - one of Tokyo's biggest ramen districts. As lovers of ramen know, Japanese ramen can take on many forms. Miso, shio (salt), or shoyu base; served hot or chilled; with all matter of toppings, ramen in Japan can be called a culinary artform, and the ramen restaurants at Ikebukuro are dedicated to outdoing each other with their unique and delectable takes on the dish. Ikebukuro is known as the place where the first Tsukemen was invented, and this savory "dipping ramen" may still be found at the original shop. While on the streets of Ikebukuro during the Ramen Tour, you may find strange ramen creations - such as a "green" ramen (made with noodles infused with the microbe Euglena) or a Hawaiian-themed ramen (made with bamboo shoots and yuzu citrus). There are more traditional offerings for those who aren't feeling too adventurous, so any lover of ramen will find something to enjoy.
Ikebukuro Sunshine District is an entertainment district in Tokyo that features many popular anime and otaku stores, gaming arcades, restaurants, and more.
While Akihabara is known as the chief Anime hub of Tokyo, Ikebukuro has risen as a second center of anime and otaku culture, with especial areas for anime fangirls. It has many popular anime shops including Animate Ikebukuro Honten - the "flagship store" of the Animate retail chain - as well as the "Mandarake" and K-Books" shops. a particular section of Ikebukuro is called Otome Road (Maiden Road), which specializes in anime goods and manga doujinshi (self-published comics) geared towards women. Sunshine City, a "city within a city" in Ikebukuro, amuses visitors with a cinema, an aquarium, an observation deck, and various other shops including One Piece Mugiwara Store and Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo, where you can find cute plushies of Pikachu and other favorites like Eevee. It also has a theme park designed by video game company Namco (known for Pac-Man and Taiko no Tatsujin) called Namco Namja Town.
Otome Road is the center for anime and manga merchandise geared towards women in Ikebukuro.
Otome Road (or "Maiden Road") is an area of Ikebukuro that specializes in anime and manga for women. An especial concentration of BL (boys love) doujinshi comics has given the street the alternate name of Fujoshi Street, which refers to girls who like those kind of stories. Located right next to Sunshine City in Ikebukuro, Otome Road includes such stores as the K-Books store, the Ikebukuro Animate Cafe, Comic Toranoana, and Mandarake. These anime and manga retailers feature manga, doujinshi (self- published comics), CDs, posters, and other goods aimed at otaku girls. Otome Road also has cafes and restaurants catering to female fancies, including Swallowtail Cafe - an elegant butler cafe (the for-ladies version of the maid cafe) where customers are waited on and pampered by handsome Japanese men dressed as butlers. There are also shops for girls who like to cosplay, with outfits, wigs, and makeup to make you look just like your favorite anime girl.
Sunshine City is an entertainment complex in Ikebukuro comprised of popular stores and restaurants, plus a theme park, cinema, aquarium, and more.
Sunshine City, in Ikebukuro, opened in 1079. It is a huge complex that feels like a city within a city. At the center is Sunshine 60, a skyscraper that stands at 240 meters tall. Within Sunshine City is a plethora of restaurants, cafes, and shops. There is even a cinema, making parts of it feel like a grand shopping mall. But in addition to all this, it includes a planetarium, aquarium, convention centre, museums, hotels, and an observatory from Sunshine 60's "Sky Circus". One of the biggest attractions in Sunshine City is Namco Namja Town - an indoor theme park located on Sunshine CIty's second floor. Sponsored by popular video game company Namco, known for headlining character Pac-Man, the wildly popular Tales series of JRPGs, and the Taiko no Tatsujin rhythm game franchise. Among the stores of Sunshine City is the One Piece Mugiwara Store, the Marvel Store, the Disney Store, a Sanrio store (Hello Kitty), and the Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo, full of lots of plush Pikachus.
Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo is a shop in Sunshine City, Ikebukuro - the best place in Tokyo to go for Pokemon merchandise.
Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo is located in Sunshine City, which is a massive entertainment complex in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. This is a dream shop for fans of the Pokemon Franchise, with a vast assortment of Pokemon toys, games, cards, Pokeballs, and other kinds of Pokemon merchandise, many of which you won't find anywhere else. Of course, Pikachu takes center stage, and with countless plushies of the adorable character - even some toys of his mearing different outfits. Other popular characters are also represented, including Mew and Mew-Two, Charizard, the different starter types, and of course, cutesy furball Eevee. If you had enough time (and money), could very nearly "catch them all" at this store. You can expect the store to be fairly crowded, especially on weekends and holidays, with lines that go outside the store and around the corner.
District around Japan's busiest station.
Shinjuku is one of the busiest towns in Japan, with its train station reportedly handling the largest number of passengers in the world. Department stores, electrical appliance megastores and huge book stores fan out around the station and are constantly filled with customers. In the underground mall, there are dozens of shops where you might find an unexpected bargain. The "Don Quixote" discount store is located along Yasukuni Dori (Ave.) at the east exit, and to the north of this store is the Kabuki-cho bright lights district, crowded with restaurants, adult entertainment spots, arcades and theaters.
Try your luck at Pachinko, a mix between an arcade game and a slot machine that has become a popular form of low-stakes gambling.
Pachinko is a form of arcade game that also doubles as a colorful slot machine. Although cash gambling is, in general, illegal in Japan, a loophole in the interpretation of Japan's gambling laws has allowed the mass proliferation of these low-stakes slots. It plays a bit like a pinball machine, in that players shoot small steel balls into the pachinko machine using a loaded spring. The steel balls are rented to players from the owning establishment for use in the games. The balls flow through a track inside the machine before they are eventually released onto a playing field containing more steel balls, which can be won as a payout from the machine. The object of Pachinko is to win as many of the little steel balls as possible, which are then exchanged for prizes. Some newer pachinko machines are loaded with metal tokens or coins in a fashion more like traditional slots. It can be thrilling to watch the balls careening through the machines as you hope for a large payout!
Join a food tour of Kabukicho and Golden Gai, the "red-light" entertainment districts in Shinjuku.
Join a food tour of Kabukicho and Golden Gai, the "red- light" entertainment districts in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Since its development in the 60s, Kabukicho has become the heart of Tokyo's nightlife - a glittery center for neon lights, pachinko parlors, restaurants, bars, and more adult entertainment like host / hostess clubs and love hotels. Stick with your guide through these blinding avenues to taste the best food and drink that Shinjuku has to offer. It is also one of the best spots just to mingle among the friendly locals. Golden Gai is a small alley next to Kabukicho that is home to over 200 little bars. While the rest of the city focused on becoming more and more modern, Golden Gai continued to maintain the look and feel of post-war Tokyo. Each of these bars has their own character or gimmick, so you will have a different experience at bar. Be sure to stay with your guide, as some of these establishments refuse service to foreigners.
Visit a famous Japanese market filled with fresh fish and agricultural products, plus delicious dishes.
The outer Tsukiji Fish Market offers a variety of freshly prepared food products and ingredients. Travel in between the different stores and taste a few of their dishes, freshly prepared with some of the best ingredients.
Former private garden walk of the Imperial family, including ruins of Tokugawa Shogun's castle.
The garden connected to the Imperial Palace is one the most beautiful in the cty, and was once the private gardens of the Imperial Family. The only part of the Inner Palace open for public enjoyment, the grounds includes some stone walls and tower foundations of Edo Castle - former home of the Tokugawa Shogun, as well as the Suwano Teahouse, and the Museum of Imperial Collections. Within the garden areas, wide variety of trees and flowers planted there provide visitors with scenes of colorful beauty in any season, including not only seasonal favorites like cherry, plum, or maple trees, but species of flowers from all across Japan.
Nakano Broadway is a shopping complex in Tokyo known for numerous shops selling anime and pop culture merchandise.
Nakano Broadway is a shopping mall in the Nakano ward of Tokyo. Opening in 1966, it developed over time into one of the top shopping spots to buy various otaku merchandise, especially anime, manga and video game-related merchandise. Three full floors of the shopping center are dedicated to these kinds of cultural goods, which include popular figurines, pop idol CDs, and other collectables. Stores of note include the Mandarake otaku goods chain, which operates no less than twenty-seven different shops in Nakano Broadway alone, with each store focusing on a different category of merchandise, such as a separate store for cosplay costumes, toy robots, and doujinshi books.
Harajuku is the center for the most extreme fashion styles and teenage trends in Japan.
Harajuku is known as the center for extreme fashion styles and teenage trends in Japan. The area is located between Shinjuku and Shibuya station on the Yamanote Line. The most famous street in front of Harajuku Station is Takeshita Dori (Takeshita Street). Along that road there are many trendy shops, secondhand clothes store, and fashion boutiques for shopping. While walking along the street you can see fashionistas dressed up. There are also crepe stands and fast food options for people to enjoy while exploring the street. South of Takeshita Street is Omotesando where more of the famous brand name shops are located. Omotesando is twice the length of Takeshita and is popular among urbanites. The Omotesando Hills is a complex where most of those brands are located including the famed Kiddy Land.
Takeshita District (or Takeshita Street) is a fashion forward shopping street located in Harajuku, and a center of Tokyo's youth culture.
Stepping out of Harajuku station in downtown Tokyo, you will see a vibrant, colorful, and crowded street before you - Takeshita Street. For decades Takeshita Street has been at the heart of Tokyo youth culture, and as well as a bellwether for the latest fashions. "Gothic Lolita" fashion and cosplay trends have also been identified with Takeshita Street. Fashionista pop stars including Lady Gaga have been known to shop here, and the Japanese media icon Kyary Pamyu Pamyu has been called an ambassador for the latest kawaii (cute) fashions that come out of Harajuku. But Takeshita Street is so much more than clothes - all the businesses there have a youth appeal. Among the sweet treats you can find there is an incredibly cute multi-colored cotton candy - like a fluffy rainbow cloud. Takeshita Street is synonymous with dessert crepes: thin crepe wraps loaded with a variety of fruit fillings and cream. There are savory crepes too, though the sweet crepes are far more popular. There are little cafes there too, when you need to take a break from shopping.
Omotesando is a shopping thoroughfare running from Harajuku to Aoyama, known for upscale fashion retailers and fascinating modern architecture.
Omotesando is a fashion boulevard starting at Meiji Shrine running all the way down through Aoyama to Aoyama-dori. It lies south of Harajuku's hip, avant-garde Takeshita Street, and while that street appeals to Tokyo youth and street culture, Omotesando is the street to admire the fashionably chic. This zelkova-lined thoroughfare is lined with the most stylish, upscale boutiques, leading many to refer to it as "Tokyo's Champs Elysees". Top fashion brands like Chanel, Coach, Tod's, Dior, Luis Vuitton, Hugo Boss, Prada, and more all have a presence on Omotesando, and since these stores wanted to stand out, they had the buildings that house their fashion boutiques designed by leading architects of the day. As a result, Omotesando is also a wonderland of modern (and postmodern) architecture. There is also Omotesando Hills (designed by Pritzker prize-winner Tadao Ando), which is an elegant shopping center on the main street. Other places of interest include Kiddy Land - a massive toy store for kids of all ages, and the Oriental Bazaar - the go-to place to buy Japanese souvenirs in the area.
Shibuya Crossing is a landmark intersection near Shibuya Station. Residents walking from all directions at once meet in one of the most energetic displays of bustling Tokyo.
The Shibuya Crossing is a street intersection located near Shibuya Station’s Hachiko exit in Tokyo. The crossing has five major crosswalks covering the immense diamond intersection. The crossing is comparable to New York’s Times Square in terms of foot traffic, having almost 3,000 people crossing at its peak periods. The Shibuya Crossing is also known as the Scramble Crossing, since every crossing light turns green at the same time, leading to a leisurely rush of human traffic. The crosswalk becomes party central for the city on New Year’s Eve. The adjacent Starbucks, offering prime viewing of the crosswalk action from its windows, is one of Japan’s most popular.
The statue of Hachiko stands outside Shibuya station in Tokyo; a memorial to commemorate the story of an adorable dog’s constant faithfulness.
One of Tokyo’s most beloved, albeit unofficial landmarks, the Hachiko statue tells the tale of an especially faithful Akita dog named Hachiko. This dog famously went to Shibuya station every day to await the return of his master, a professor at Tokyo University. Hachiko continued to wait, even 10 years following the professor’s untimely passing. The story has since passed into legend, commemorated with the statue near Shibuya station. The statue has become a popular meeting place for local residents, conveniently located just outside one of the station’s main exits, now known as the Hachiko exit.
Hakone is located in Kanagawa Prefecture and is only about two hours away from Tokyo. Hakone is park of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and is a popular destination for tourist. Hakone is famous in Japan for its hot springs and beautiful natural views. Visitors can go to the many hot spring resorts to relax and unwind or visit the many museums and shrines available. Guests that would appreciate nature more could go to the parks and trails to experience the natural beauty.
Famous for having Mount Fuji in the background and the lake as its inspirational canvas.
Lake Ashinoko along with Mount Fuji in the background is the proud symbol of Hakone. One of the best views with the lake and Mount Fuji could be seen from one of the many sightseeing boats. There are a few boat cruises available, but the main two are ran by Hakone Sightseeing Boats and Izuhakone Sightseeing Boats. The best time to come is during the cherry blossom season and when the autumn colors are at its peak.
An aerial lift that provides nice views of Mount Fuji and Lake Hakone.
One of the most popular ways to get around Hakone is by taking the Hakone Ropeway. The ropeway travels between Sounzan and Togendai. The Hakone Ropeway gives visitors a beautiful view of Hakone and on a clear day, it is possible to get a nice view of Mount Fuji as well.
Sulfurous vapors and warm rivers.
Owakudani is located in Hakone and is an area around a crater where gaseous fumes, hot springs, and hot rivers exist. Just like most of Hakone, on a clear day, it is possible to see Mount Fuji as well. There are hiking trails available for guests, but these trails are difficult for inexperience hikers.
The Hakone-Yumoto Evangelion Shop is a store that sells high-quality merchandise based on the Neon Genesis Evangelion anime, in addition to various Eva-affiliated concessions.
The Hakone Yumoto Evangelion Shop is located in Hakone, in Kanagawa Prefecture. This region of Japan is known for beautiful landscape and onsen hot springs, and recognizable by fans of Neon Genesis Evangelion as the real-life setting of Tokyo-3. The shop has a traditional Japanese look to it, with Japan- style decoration connected to the anime, including a statue of Rei in a stylish kimono. The appeal of the shop is not only in the setting and design; Hakone Yumoto EVA Shop sells a wide range of Evangelion merchandise featuring Rei, Asuka, Shinji, and other characters from the anime. Specialty items include hand-crafted tableware, figurines, and apparel. The shop also sells NERV-stamped baked goods, sweets, and drinks.
Japan's main islands of Honshu, Kyushu and Hokkaido are served by a network of high speed train lines that connect Tokyo with most of the country's major cities. Japan's high speed trains (bullet trains) are called shinkansen and are operated by Japan Railways (JR). The shinkansen network consists of multiple lines, among which the Tokaido Shinkansen (Tokyo - Nagoya - Kyoto - Osaka) is the oldest and most popular. All shinkansen lines (except the Akita and Yamagata Shinkansen) run on tracks that are exclusively built for and used by shinkansen trains. Most lines are served by multiple train categories, ranging from the fastest category that stops only at major stations to the slowest category that stops at every station along the way.
High-speed railway at speeds up to 300 km/hr.
The shinkansen (or "bullet train") is a type of high speed train that travels between most of the major cities in Japan. By taking the shinkansen, trips between destinations that might take almost a full day by car can be reached in a few hours. The bullet trains can run up to 320 kilometers per hour (close to 200 miles per hour), and are known to be generally on time, comfortable and safe.
Nagoya is the prefectural capital of Aichi Prefecture
located in the Chubu region. This capital is the third
largest city in Japan and is the perfect place to
experience the perfect mixture of history and modern
technology. The location of Nagoya has been important
since the sengoku period of Japan and during the Edo
Period, the Owari branch was stationed there as the
central power for the Chubu area. Many sengoku fans
travel there to visit the famous Nagoya Castle as well as
the hometowns of famous warlords like Oda Nobunaga,
Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu.
The Mitsubishi Aircraft Company was established in
Nagoya due to its central location of the region, making it
a high priority air raid location during World War II. Today,
many also know Nagoya as the birthplace of the car
manufacturing giant, Toyota. Visitors can go on guided
tours of the manufacturing plant and see how these cars
are made in the assembly line. The Toyota Kaikan also
features futuristic prototype cars and robots that attract
travelers from all over the world to visit.
Along with many temples and shrines located Nagoya,
Atsuta Shrine houses one of the three legendary Imperial
Regalia of Japan, the sword Kusanagi. Millions of
travelers and locals visit this shrine every year for
celebrations, weddings, and special exhibits of swords
and mirrors, including a few national treasures of Japan
as well.
Ghibli Park is a soon-to-be-open theme park where visitors can immerse themselves in the worlds of the Studio Ghibli Films.
Ghibli Park is a new amusement park planned to open just outside Nagoya on the grounds of the Aichi Earth Expo Memorial Park on November 1, 2022. This theme park intends to create a park where both children and adults can imagine themselves within the imaginative settings of the popular Studio Ghibli Films. Intentionally created without rollercoasters or other standard amusement park rides, Ghibli Park is the sort of place that invites you to roam and lose yourself in the wonder of its whimsical worlds. At opening, Ghibli Park will feature three different regions for visitors to explore. The first is "Ghibli Grand Warehouse", which is a exhibition space that showcases items and displays from the Studio Ghibli films, as well as exhibits that depict the processes behind filmmaking at Studio Ghibli. The park entrance is located on the "Hill of Youth", which features such movie locations as the World Emporium from Whisper of the Heart. Finally, explore "Dondoko Forest, which is a scene reminiscent of the forest from My Neighbor Totoro, including Satsuki and Mei's House. Planned additions include the "Valley of Witches" (think "Kiki's Delivery Service"), and "Mononoke Village".
Sakae is a commercial and entertainment district in downtown Nagoya, with different shopping centers and department stores to enjoy, and featuring a large public park and a view from MIRAI Tower
Located in the heart of downtown Nagoya, Sakae is the city's principal commercial and entertainment district., with a good variety of places to spend money and time. Big name Japanese department stores like Mitsukoshi, and Matsuzakaya have an outpost here, and the Sunshine Sakae shopping complex has become popular for the large Ferris Wheel SKY BOAT built directly adjacent to the building. The central fixture of the area is undoubtedly MIRAI Tower, which stands 180 meters tall, and is Japan's oldest TV Tower. Visitors can ascend to an observation deck for a broad view of the Nagoya cityscape. Next to the Tower is Oasis 21: an entertainment complex topped by a large glass oval like a flying saucer. Also in Sakae is Hisaya Odori Park - a long green space in the center of Sakae that serves as the ideal place to relax and take a break from this vibrant district. In October, the park comes to life as the center of the Nagoya Festival, which honors the Three Heroes of Nagoya: Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu.
The Osu Shopping District is a set of vintage shopping arcades in Nagoya containing a broad variety of shops and restaurants. Over the years it has become a popular venue for local festivals and events.
In the heart of Nagoya is an old-fashioned set of covered shopping arcades called the Osu Shopping District. Within Osu, visitors will find any fulfillment for any sort of shopping they might desire. With over 1800 stores on the 8 shopping streets, you can find clothing (including traditional kimono tailors), shoes, fresh produce, sweets, electronics, video games, anime merchandise, and much more. It is a popular place for bargain hunting, as much of its wares are at discount prices. It has gained a reputation over the years as a pop culture center, especially as regards anime, manga, music, gaming, and especially cosplay. Every year, Osu hosts part of the World Cosplay Summit, when thousands of avid cosplayers descend on the shopping district in the guise of their favorite characters to celebrate the cultural world of Japanese cosplay. Other cultural festivals are held here throughout the year, including the Setsubun Festival (held at nearby Osu Kannon Temple), the Osu Summer Festival, and the Osu Street Performers' Festival.
Iga City (伊賀市, Iga-shi) was formed in 2004 with the
merger of Ueno City and five surrounding towns and
villages. The city is named after the former Iga Province,
which covered part of today's Mie Prefecture. The city
has been commonly referred to as Iga Ueno (伊賀上野)
to avoid confusion with other places named Ueno. Iga
Ueno is most famous for ninja. The Iga school of ninjutsu
(art of stealth), based in the former Ueno City, used to be
one of Japan's two leading ninja schools during the
feudal era (the Koka School in neighboring Shiga
Prefecture was the other). Today, Iga Ueno attracts
visitors with its fine ninja museum. Iga Ueno Castle is
famous for having the highest stone walls in Japan.
These stone walls were selected for use in a scene for
the movie "Kagemusha," directed by the internationally
renowned film maker Akira Kurosawa.
Iga Ueno is also the birthplace of one of Japan's greatest
poets, Basho Matsuo, who lived during the early Edo
Period. Matsuo Basho created 'haiku,' a unique
Japanese-style short poetry consisting of 3 lines with 17
syllables and contributed to the renovation of the old-
fashioned linked verse known as 'haikai.' The Haisei-den,
the great haiku poet's hall, was built inside Ueno Park in
1942 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of his birth.
The building itself is shaped like the figure of Basho
attired in a traveling clothes. The round roof symbolizes
his sedge hat, the octagonal eaves his surplice, the pillar
is his cane, and the frame of the Haisei-den is in the
shape of his face. Other Basho-related facilities include
the Minomushi-an, or bagworm hermitage, and the
venerable Basho Memorial Hall, Basho-o Kinen-kan
Museum. A memorial museum, his birth home and a
former hermitage are some of the city's Basho related
sites.
Iga Ninja Museum consists of a ninja residence, a state for ninja shows, and two exhibition halls. It can be found in Mie Prefecture near the Iga Ueno Castle.
Iga Ninja Museum showcases the history and artifacts
of
ninja in the Iga area. The museum can be found in Mie
prefecture near the Iga Ueno Castle. It was first
established in 1964 and the current honorary director of
the facility is Jinichi Kawakami, the proclaimed 21st
head
of Iga-ryu ninjutsu. Iga Ninja Museum is comprised of
two
exhibitions, ninja residence, and stage. All the areas
combined provide a comprehensive understanding of
the
ninja culture in Iga.
In the museum’s collection you can see ninjutsu (art of
stealth) tools that were used and learn about their use.
There are also ancient Ninjutsu writings that have been
scientifically analyzed. The 400 ninja tools that are on
display show the types of weapons used during the time
when ninjas were active. At the stage area of the
museum there are ninja shows that demonstrate the use
of real weapons. They showcase actual ninja skills, but
the show is only in Japanese. Also part of the Iga Ninja
Museum is a residence that Iga ninjas once used. Even
though it looks normal from the outside, the inside vastly
differs. There are revolving walls, hidden compartments,
and trap doors that the Iga ninja utilize when there were
intruders present.
Kyoto was once the old capital of Japan and is filled with historic temples, shrines, buildings, and other structures. Kyoto is filled with many temples and shrines such as the famous Fushimi Inari Shrine and the Golden Pavilion. It is also home of the Gion Festival, which is the most famous festival in Japan. Kyoto is the number two destination for tourist bound for Japan, and is the number one destination for tourist looking for a full Japanese cultural experience.
Temple famous for its large wooden terrace (UNESCO World Heritage Site).
The Kiyomizu-Dera Temple is located only 15 minutes away by bus from Kyoto Station to the eastern side of Kyoto. This temple is one of the most popular temples in Kyoto and is listed as one of Japan’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The temple features a large wooden terrace that offers a fantastic view of the cherry blossoms in the spring and autumn colors during the fall season with the city of Kyoto in the background.
Continue exploring Japan, but wearing a kimono for a more traditional flavor.
Japan is a very unique cultural experience because much of Japan’s history is still preserved, protected, and celebrated. One of the best ways to experience a visit to Japan would be to explore it while wearing a kimono. The kimono is one of Japan’s most oldest and traditional pieces of clothing. There are many places available in Japan to rent a kimono to wear and explore this beautiful country.
Kyoto's most famous geisha district.
Located only 20 minutes away by bus from Kyoto Station, is the Gion Geisha District. The Gion Geisha District is one of the most famous and popular destinations for tourist visiting Kyoto. This area is filled with restaurants, teahouses, shops, and other attractions to entertain guests. The machiya merchant houses along with river and the occasional geisha walking around, brings visitors from everywhere to experience everything that this area has to offer.
Explore Kosanji (also called Kozanji) Temple) - a UNESCO Heritage Site known for housing Japan's oldest manga.
Kozanji is a Shingon Buddhist temple tucked away in the mountains of western Kyoto. It is a beautiful temple to visit, especially in the autumn, when the nearby forest is dappled with bright orange and red leaves. The temple was founded by the Buddhist monk Myoe, who collected a number of relics and artifacts that have since been named by Japan as National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties. One of the most famous of these is the Choju-Jinbutsu-Giga" (Animal-person Caricatures), which are a collection of scrolls depicting drawings of animals playing games like people. Usually shortened to "Choju-Giga", this collection of drawings is considered Japan's oldest manga. Although the originals are on display in Tokyo and Kyoto museums, Kosanji maintains copies for visitors to view. Kosanji is also famous for Sekisui-in Hall - an old building from the Kamakura Period. You will also find the oldest tea field in Japan, and visitors can sit in a tearoom to enjoy a delicious cup of green tea.
Pleasant district at the outskirts of Kyoto.
Arashiyama is located on the western outskirts of Kyoto and is a well-known destination for both the cherry blossoms and fall colors seasons. North of the famous Togetsukyo Bridge is Sagano, and together they make this place a nice little getaway from temples and shrines to enjoy nature. Popular destinations include the Togetsukyo Bridge and the Bamboo Forest of Arashiyama.
One of the most popular and well-known spots for visitors in Arashiyama.
One of the most popular and well-known spots for visitors is the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. A nice walking path takes visitors through the groves of bamboos. The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is also one of the most famous and photographed places in all of Kyoto and brings many visitors every year during the autumn color season.
Temple building covered in gold (National Special Historic Site).
The famous Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) Temple is located in northern Kyoto and is most known for the building covered in gold leaf. This famous building is the number one most popular destination for tourist visiting Kyoto. The Golden Pavilion sits overlooking a large pond and various small attractions and shops are available for visitors.
One of the most famous and visited shrines in Kyoto.
The Fushimi Inari-Taisha Grand Shrine is located in southern Kyoto and is one of the most famous and visited shrines in Kyoto. This shrine is only five minutes away from Kyoto Station by train, and features over a thousand vermillion colored torii gates that brings many tourist to this shrine every year.
The Fushimi Sake District is an area of Kyoto that has been esteemed by the Japanese as makers of fine sake for hundreds of years.
The Fushimi Sake District is a traditional sake brewing district located in Kyoto. It originally sprang up near old Fushimi Castle (now the Mausoleum of Emperor Meiji), during the Aizuchi-Momoyama Period (1573 - 1603), when it first established itself as the sake production center that it is today. Underground springs of pure water are what enabled the Fushimi District to become such a success. Prominent sake brewers in the area include Gekkeikan - an internationally popular maker of Japanese sake, with a local museum that explains their history and production processes (in English!) and offers free sake tastings. There are other activities to enjoy in the Fushimi Sake District when you need to take a break from the sake. You will see little boats on the nearby river ferrying cruise passengers. Some of the buildings are worth seeing for their place in Japanese history - especially Teradaya Inn, which was frequented by samurai Ryoma Sakamoto in the days leading up to the Meiji Restoration, before he was assassinated.
Osaka is the second largest city in Japan in terms of size located not too far from Kyoto. This city is one of the top three destinations for tourist visiting Japan after Tokyo and Kyoto. Osaka is the location of the popular Universal Studios Japan, Osaka castle, and Namba. There is plenty to experience in Osaka, from shopping to visiting temples and shrines, Osaka has plenty of destinations to experience Japan.
One of Japan's most famous landmarks.
Located in the center of the city of Osaka lies Osaka Castle Park which holds the city’s most popular attraction, Osaka Castle. This castle was originally built in the 16th century, but has been destroyed and rebuilt many times before. Visitors will have to go through Osaka Castle Park to reach the castle, which including walking through impressive gates, and walking up on stone stairs. This area is also one of the most popular cherry blossom season location in the city.
Kuromon Market is a large covered outdoor market in Osaka, offering a visitors a delightful selection of fresh seafood and produce. It is also an excellent place to sample street foods and sweets.
Kuromon Ichiba, or "Black Gate Market" is a major produce and seafood market in the city of Osaka. It sells not only seafood, fruit, and vegetables, but also sweets, picked foods (or "tsukemono"), meat, and even clothing. This large outdoor covered market dates back to the Edo period, and has since become a top destination for visiting tourists to browse and sample some of Osaka's famous street food. Some of those stores have been in business for a very long time, including a tea shop that opened in 1937. While you can find a good assortment of street food, including Osaka's famed Takoyaki, and delectable sweets like strawberry daifuku (strawberries covered in mochi), the reason why Kuromon is so popular is that many of the produce sellers will cook the fresh seafood you want right there in front of you. As the market can become busy and packed with visitors, all the shop owners ask is that visitors be patient and respectful of others.
Shinsekai, or "New World", in Japanese, is an area in Osaka that, though initially designed to be a symbol of the city's future, remains locked in the past.
While walking through Shinsekai, you will be treated to a fascinating time-capsule of Osaka in the 1980s. Initially constructed following the Industrial Exposition of 1903, which had led to millions of new people coming to the area, Shinsekai was created to be Osaka's "city of tomorrow". Considered at the time to be a model of what new cities should be, Shinsekai is a mix of Western influences: one part Paris and one part New York City, with Tsutenkaku Tower at its center - the tallest tower in Asia in its day. It even boasted a Coney Island-style amusement park that connected by tram straight to the tower. But after a few decades (and a couple of World Wars), the neighborhood was neglected, and Tsutenkaku Tower burned down. Though the tower was eventually reconstructed, Shinsekai never regained its old splendor, and today is a fascinating destination for visitors looking to experience a time-locked Osaka. Trying the famous local dish, Kushikatsu, is a must - breaded and deep-fried meat and vegetables on a stick adds yet another layer to that sense of nostalgia you'll feel when visiting Shinsekai.
Nipponbashi Den Den Town is Osaka’s premier anime, gamer, and Japan pop culture hub. Stores around the neighborhood sell a broad array of related merchandise near cafes staffed by adorable maids.
Nipponbashi Den Den Town is a special shopping district of Osaka city known for catering to various anime, gaming, and otaku interests – Osaka’s answer to Tokyo’s Akihabara. The name of the town comes from its many low-price electronics shops, although popular anime/gamer merchandise outlets such as Super Potato and Animate also have shops there. There are also excellent hobby stores, especially for those who enjoy making models. Many visitors prefer Den Den Town to Akihabara as it is often less crowded and, on the whole, easier to navigate. Like Akihabara, they also include some excellent themed cafes – especially maid cafes – for visitors to immerse themselves in cuteness.
Dotonbori is the entertainment district of Osaka. Running along the Dotonbori Canal, the area is known as the center of Osaka’s foodie culture, with a collection of chic and outlandish restaurants.
Dotonbori is a district of Osaka, popular among locals and visiting tourists as the best place to go for food. The street runs parallel to the Dotonbori Canals, and is lined with some of the city’s top eateries. The district is the perfect representation of the Osaka motto of “Kuidaore”, a proverb which means to “ruin oneself with extravagant food”. Visitors touring the district should be on the lookout for Kinryu Ramen – a notable restaurant chain known for a massive golden dragon on their storefront signage, as well as Kani Doraku – a crab seafood restaurant with a moving king crab billboard. The top landmark of the area, however, is the enormous Glico “Running Man” sign, which advertises the Glico candy brand.
Tokyo (Day 1, Day 2 & Day 3)
Western Style Accommodation
Daiwa Roynet Hotel Ikebukuro Higashiguchi features air-conditioned rooms with satellite flat-screen TV in the Toshima Ward district of Tokyo. The property is around a 3-minute walk from Ikebukuro Parco Shopping Mall, 900 feet from Ikefukurou Statue and a 4-minute walk from Metropolitan Plaza. All rooms in the hotel are equipped with an electric tea pot. The rooms come with a private bathroom, a bidet and slippers.
Hakone (Day 4)
Japanese Style Accommodation
Itoen Hotel Hakone Yumoto features authentic Japanese- style guestrooms. It is in a location that affords an unbroken view of Hakone's expansive natural landscape from your window.
Nagoya (Day 5 & Day 6)
Western Style Accommodation
Offering massage services and modern rooms, Hotel Sunroute Plaza is just a 5-minute walk from JR Nagoya Station. The hotel features a restaurant, a café and free WiFi throughout the entire property.
Kyoto (Day 7 & Day 8)
Western Style Accommodation
Hotel Keihan Kyoto Hachijoguchi features free WiFi and rooms with air conditioning in Kyoto. The hotel is located a 7 minute walk from Kyoto Station and a short distance from attractions such as Tofuku-ji Temple. The hotel features a restaurant and shared lounge, and Kiyomizu- dera Temple is 1.6 mi away. All units are equipped with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, fridge, a kettle, a bath and a desk. Each room has a private bathroom with a bidet.
Osaka (Day 9)
Western Style Accommodation
Featuring a bar, ibis Osaka Umeda offers accommodations in Osaka, a 3-minute walk from Taiyū-ji Temple and 900 feet from Hankyu Men's Osaka. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space, along with free WiFi. The property is close to popular attractions like EST Osaka - Umeda, Osaka Station City and E-ma. The rooms come with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a fridge, an electric tea pot, a bidet and slippers.
PLEASE NOTE: These are the hotels All Japan Tours generally uses on the touring styles and regions shown. There is no guarantee that you will stay in the lodgings listed on the website. We encourage you to check your travel documentation for confirmation of the exact accommodation you will be staying in.
Destinations
Tokyo / Hakone / Nagoya / Iga Ueno / Kyoto / Osaka
Other Japan Tours you may interested
Other Japan Tours you may interested