Otaku Tour: Anime, Manga, Ninja & Samurai - Cherry Blossoms

Day 1

Tokyo Narita Airport

Welcome to Tokyo! You will be met at the arrival gate by an AJT representative holding an "All Japan Tours" sign.

Hotel Mystays Premier Narita or similar class
Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro or similar class (NOTE 1 & 2)

NOTE 1: If you wish to stay in the center of Tokyo for the first night instead of Hotel Mystays Premier Narita, we can arrange for you to stay at Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro (or similar class). In this case, airport transfer is not included. We will provide you directions to get to your hotel in advance, or we can arrange shared shuttle service for you at US$65.00 per person per way.

NOTE 2: If you will be flying into Haneda Airport (HND) instead of Narita International Airport (NRT), we can arrange for you to stay in the center of Tokyo (Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro or similar class) instead of Hotel Mystays Premier Narita. In this case, meet-and- greet and airport transfer are not included. We will provide with full instructions to get to the hotel in advance, or we can arrange shared shuttle service for you at US$60.00 per person per way.

NOTE 3: The meet-and-greet is ONLY available for flights arriving in Terminal 1 & 2 after 11:00 AM. For guests arriving in Terminal 3, airport pickup is not included, but we will provide you with directions to get to your hotel in advance.

NOTE 4: If you wish to stay extra nights before the tour starts, please contact us to book hotel accommodations.

Day 2

Tokyo (Asakusa Sensoji Temple & Nakamise District / Samurai Kembu Experience / One Piece Tokyo Tower / Ninja Restaurant Akasaka - Optional)

After breakfast, the tour begins with a visit to Tokyo's oldest temple, Asakusa Sensoji Temple. Famed for the Kaminarimon (or "Gate of Thunder"), the massive red paper lantern that hangs under the gate is a national icon. It has appeared in numerous animes that have school trips going to Tokyo. At the Tokyo Samurai Kembu you will be able to experience a Japanese traditional stage art that utilizes the katana (Japanese sword). In 2015, the indoor One Piece Theme park began its operations. It features various games, entertainment rides, and a live show starring the cast from the beloved series.
Optional - cost not included
Free for leisure in the evening or join your tour guide experience a night completely immersed in ninja culture at the Ninja Restaurant Akasaka. Unique interior designs, ninja waiters, and cunningly-designed cuisine come together for an unforgettable ninja dining encounter.

Breakfast / Lunch

Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro or similar class

Day 3

Tokyo (Ghibli Museum / Manga School Nakano International (2 hour experience) / Shibuya - Pokemon Center - Hachiko Statue - Shibuya Crossing / Sailor Moon Dinner Show - Optional)

The Ghibli Museum is design by Hayao Miyazaki as a place of endless discovery. Where adults and children can enjoy the wonderful displays and movie only shown inside the museum. At the Manga School Nakano International you will draw your very own manga panel with the help of a professional in the industry. The Shibuya crossing is known for thousands of people passing through the crosswalk at one time. The Pokemon Center in Shibuya features the infamous Mew two and adorable Mew. There you can get the unique graffiti style Pikachus only available at this store.
Optional - cost not included
Free for leisure in the evening or join your tour guide to Shining Moon Tokyo. Here, you can enter the colorful world of Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon for dinner and a stage show. You'll dine on cutesy Sailor Moon-themed foods while a host of enduring characters from the popular series, including the famed Sailor Scouts, anime dance and entertain live on-stage.

Breakfast

Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro or similar class

Day 4

Tokyo (Odaiba - Unicorn Gundam Statue / Akihabara - Shopping - Maid Café)

In front of the DiverCity shopping center there is the 19.7 meters tall Unicorn Gundam. At certain times of the day you can see it transform from unicorn to destroyer mode. In Akihabara we will tour around the area and show the history of how the place came to be. We will also pass by some iconic shops that will satisfy all your otaku needs. At the maid café you will be served by staff in maid outfits and experience what it is like to be in a themed café.

Breakfast

Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro or similar class

Day 5

Hakone (Lake Ashi Cruise - Pirate Ship / Hakone Yumoto Evangelion Shop), Mt. Fuji (5th Station - depending on the weather condition)

Mt. Fuji is one of the most sacred mountains in Japan it has appeared as a backdrop to many series. Characters traveling on the bullet catches glimpses of Mt. Fuji. Laid Back Camp anime features a scenic view of the mountain. Lake Ashi is located in Hakone where Evangelion took place. It usually appears with the lake and torii gate in the water. Neon Genesis Evangelion features scenes in the Hakone area. It is only fitting that the Hakone Yumoto Evengelion Shop, dedicated to the series, is present.

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Yatsugatake Royal Hotel or similar class

Day 6

Lake Suwa, Matsumoto (Matsumoto Castle), Hida Furukawa (Your Name Tour / Kumihimo Experience)

Lake Suwa is said to be the inspiration for the fictional town known as Itomori from the famed Your Name movie. Matsumoto Castle is one of the 12 original castles and is designated a national treasure. Here you will be able to see how a real castle in Japan looks. In Hida Furukawa we will tour around the city, which served to inspire many scenes in the movie Your Name. To end the day we will experience Kumihimo. It is a traditional braiding art that was used to make the one Mitsuha uses in the movie.

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Hotel Associa Takayama Resort or similar class

Day 7

Takayama (Takayama Morning Market), Seki (Seki Traditional Swordsmith Museum), Nagakute (Morikoro Park Satsuki and Mei’s House)

The Takayama Morning Market features local produce and delicious regional food. The anime Hyouka takes place in Takayama city and features the Miyagawa River where the morning market happens. Seki is a famous town known for its tamahagane, which is used to make various steel objects. The most famous is the Japanese sword. At the Seki Traditional Swordsmith Museum you can watch masters make real swords and learn about how the famed katana came to being. Morikoro Park is where the Aichi Expo was held in 2005. Inside this park is a replica of the home of Saki and Mei from the movie My Neighbor Totoro.

Breakfast / Lunch

Nagoya Tokyu Hotel or similar class

Day 8

Iga Ueno (Iga Ninja Museum), Nara (Todaiji Temple / Deer Park), Kyoto (Fushimi Inari Shrine / Gion Geisha District)

Here at the Iga Ryu Ninja Museum you can learn the real history of the Iga Ryu Ninja and see a show that showcase real ninja techniques. Todaiji is known for having the largest bronze Buddha statue in Japan. Animes with scenes of school trips where hundreds of deer surrounds people have been imprinted into fans. Shikamaru Nara from the popular show Naruto is another reason why visiting is a must. Fushimi Inari Taisha is the grand shrine for Inari. The gates have attained fame through Memoirs of a Geisha, but the shrine has also appeared in the show, Konkon, Koi Iroha. Gion is an old tea house district where Geisha perform and can be seen walking to the appointments.

Breakfast / Lunch

Grand Prince Hotel Kyoto or similar class

Day 9

Kyoto (Golden Pavilion / Arashiyama - Bamboo Forest / Kiyomizu Temple / Samurai & Ninja Museum)

Kinkakuji was once the retirement home for Ashikaga Yoshmitsu. Today it is known as the building covered in gold leaf. As iconic as the Golden Pavilion is, one scene sticks out in the minds of fans who have seen K-On. Their trip to Kyoto has put specific historical sites on the map and this site is one of them. Tenryuji Garden has been around for more than 600 years and is a tranquil place to enjoy the seasonal flowers. The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is one of the most famous Instagram spots for cosplayers. It has appeared in different animes, but Rurouni Kenshin fans have the biggest nostalgia. Kiyomizudera has appeared in a few series like Love Hina, Lucky Star, and Sword Art Online. The platform and love stones has been the attraction for high school based anime series during school trips. It is a historical temple that is listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Samurai & Ninja Museum is where you can learn the history of ninja and examine the ninja authentic weapons and implements. We will also be able to see real samurai armor.

Breakfast

Grand Prince Hotel Kyoto or similar class

Day 10

Osaka (Osaka Castle / Tsutenkaku Tower / Nipponbashi Den Den Town / Dotonbori)

At 103 meters high, Tsutenkaku, reconstructed in 1956, is in Shinsekai, which is famous for kushikatsu (battered, deep fried food). On the 2nd floor there is a Kinnikuman Museum since the creator of the series is from Osaka. Osaka Castle is a reconstructed building that is very iconic of Osaka. Toyotomi Hideyoshi, founder of the castle, has been a historical character featured in various games and anime series either as a good or bad guy. Nipponbashi Den Den Town is the Akihabara of Osaka. The street is filled with various shops and makes for a great place to buy Japanese Doujinshi. Dotonbori is the center of the food culture in Osaka. Here you can enjoy all the comfort food the city has to offer.

Breakfast

Hotel Nikko Kansai Airport or similar class
Hotel Elsereine Osaka or similar class (NOTE 5 & 6)

NOTE 5: If you wish to stay in the center of Osaka for the last night instead of Hotel Nikko Kansai Airport, we can arrange for you to stay at Hotel Elsereine Osaka (or similar class). In this case, airport transfer is not included, but we will provide full instructions for you to get to the airport in advance.

NOTE 6: If you will be flying out from Itami Airport (ITM) instead of Kansai International Airport (KIX), we can arrange for you to stay at Hotel Elsereine Osaka (or similar class) instead of Hotel Nikko Kansai Airport. In this case, airport transfer is not included but we will provide full instructions for you to get to the airport in advance.

Day 11

Tour Ends

After breakfast, our tour officially ends. Checkout time is 11 am and Osaka Kansai Airport can be reached in a three minute walk.

Breakfast

NOTE 7: If you would like to stay longer in Japan, please contact us to book hotel accommodations.