Itinerary - Exclusive Japan: Highlights of the Country

Round trip flights are not included in the package, so you can choose from where and when you want to fly. This is to give you maximum freedom of choice!

Hotel check-in in Tokyo. We start this trip the best way possible: with food. Deciding where to have dinner is easy - obviously we find the most typical place there is!

Let's kickstart our adventure with an early morning start! Our first destination is Kamakura - a cool imperial city and one of the first ever capitals of Japan. This place is dripping with history and culture, and we'll be checking out some super well-preserved temples and big ol' palaces that date back to ancient times. One thing that's super interesting is the tale of the Great Buddha. This massive statue managed to survive a total tsunami that wiped out everything else around it! And get this - we can actually go inside and check it out for ourselves.

Tonight, we're taking it easy and letting go of all the stress... As the sun sets, we'll make our way into Tokyo and find some peace and tranquility at Ueno Park - one of the city's most famous parks. It's got all sorts of tiny temples and shrines scattered throughout, but the most well-known one is the Gojo Tenjinsha - a gorgeous Shinto temple that you can get to via a pretty path lined with red bulls. Oh, and don't forget that food is a huge part of any culture! For dinner, we'll wander around the bustling Ameyoko Market - right by the park - and check out all the colourful street food stalls. Our recommendation? Stop by one of the izakayas - Japan's version of a pub - and try some local brews and tasty bites like skewers and other fun finger foods.

Today's another early start, folks! Our destination? Kyoto, baby! And we're getting there in style - aboard Japan's super famous "bullet trains" that can hit up to 400 km/h. Do you think they're more punctual than our trains back home? We're guessing yes, so let's sit back and enjoy the stunning views whizzing past outside our windows. And hey, if we're lucky and the weather's good, we might even get a glimpse of Mount Fuji's snow-capped peak - fingers crossed!

By early afternoon, we're rolling up into Kyoto - hands down the most gorgeous city in Japan. One of the best things about this place is just wandering aimlessly through its maze of narrow streets, especially around the Kawaramachi area, which is packed with cool shops and restaurants. We absolutely have to hit up the Nishiki Market and check out all the amazing Japanese cuisine on offer - everything from fresh fish that you can gobble up right then and there, to yummy desserts, unique teas, and rice/soy-based products. As night falls, we'll make our way over to the Gion district - the perfect spot to catch a glimpse of some geishas strolling around the narrow streets. But, keep in mind that they only come out at sunset... so, will we be quick enough to snap some sweet pics?

Kyoto is basically Japan in a nutshell - with its gorgeous geishas, stunning temples, and unbeatable food scene. There are 17 UNESCO sites and over 700 Shinto temples to check out here... but no worries, we'll only hit up a few of the best ones! You definitely can't miss the Fushimi Inari Shrine, where we can wander through a grove of red gates like a boss, and the Kiyomizu-dera temple, which is like super iconic and even has some cool "games" to play and a sacred water source that's supposed to cure all your ailments. Fingers crossed!

After a satisfying lunch, we will head to visit the Kinkaku-ji, commonly referred to as the golden temple, which is considered one of the most significant symbols of Kyoto. The temple's exterior is completely covered with gold leaf, which creates a stunning reflection on the pond, especially when the sunlight hits it. Gold, for the Japanese, represents purity and serves as a means of purifying negative thoughts and emotions.

After exploring the surroundings of Kyoto, we have the opportunity to indulge in the Japanese culture. We will dress in kimonos, sit on traditional tatami mats, and partake in a traditional Tea ceremony. A tea master will guide us through the intricacies of making the perfect matcha and we will have the opportunity to try our hand at the art as well.

In the morning, we venture into the charming neighbourhood of Arashiyama, renowned for its picturesque bamboo forest that served as a backdrop for the widely acclaimed movie "The Tiger and the Dragon." The Togetsukyo Bridge serves as our gateway to this enchanting place, featuring several temples, including the Tenryuji Temple, one of Kyoto's five great Zen temples. The serenity and tranquility of this place are unparalleled, particularly during the early hours of the morning, making it the perfect time to visit. Perhaps, we may even catch a glimpse of the monks wandering among the towering bamboo groves.

Kyoto is not only a cultural hub but also a centre of Japanese craftsmanship and lifestyle. With the afternoon at our disposal, we have the freedom to choose how to spend it, whether it be shopping, indulging in a rejuvenating onsen experience or exploring more temples. As for dinner, we can't resist the opportunity to delve deeper into the rich stories behind these historical and spiritual landmarks.

We will take a three-hour "bullet train" ride to reach Miyajimaguchi port, where we will hop on a ferry that will take us to the serene and sacred "island of sanctuaries" in just 10 minutes. This island is known for its impressive torii gate and the iconic floating red torii gate, both rising out of the water. We will have the opportunity to relax and soak in the tranquility of the island, visit the beautiful Momijidani park and explore the Daisho-in Buddhist temple. After this enriching experience, we will indulge in a scrumptious feast of oysters and savor the local dessert made of red beans, honey, eggs, sugar, and wheat flour.

On August 6, 1945, Hiroshima was devastated by the first atomic bomb ever used in warfare. Today, the city is home to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, which is practically the only remaining structure from that time. In the afternoon, we will visit this park and witness the sobering aftermath of that fateful day. It is a deeply moving experience that touches the heart and soul. As we explore the park, we may have the opportunity to be guided by veterans or their relatives who volunteer to share their stories about this dark chapter in history. This is undoubtedly the best way to understand the past of this city. After such an intense day, we will gather together to enjoy a typical Japanese dinner.

We start our day by traveling to Himeji, a charming town that is best known for its magnificent castle. The castle was constructed over four centuries ago and miraculously survived the bombings of World War II. With its unique pagoda-style roofs and towering structure, the castle is truly a sight to behold and feels like stepping into a cinematic experience.

Is it true what they say about Osaka being the most entertaining city with the least social restraints in Japan? Well, the only way to know for sure is to experience it for ourselves. In addition to its vibrant entertainment scene, Osaka is renowned across the country as a culinary hotspot. Among the many delicacies that can be savored here, the okonomiyaki stands out as a particularly special pancake that we simply cannot resist trying. After satisfying our taste buds, we will visit Osaka Castle (Osaka-Jo), a magnificent structure built by a hundred thousand men, and explore its historic district.

Nara, the first historical capital of Japan, is a city that can easily be explored in a day due to its relatively small size. In the Nara-koen, more than 1200 deer roam freely, regarded as messengers of the gods and therefore protected as National Heritage. In addition to the park, we can also visit the Daibatsu-den, the largest wooden building in the world that houses the impressive Great Buddha, measuring over 17 meters in height. However, the list of attractions is extensive, including the Kofukuji Temple, the National Treasure House, the renowned Great Kasuga Shrine, Japan's famous Shinto shrine, the Horyuji Temple, the oldest temple in Japan, and the Todaiji Temple, home to the most renowned monument in the city: the Great Buddha of Nara. With so much to see, the choice of what to visit is entirely up to us!

We embark on a high-speed train in the early hours and arrive in Tokyo in less than three hours! The megalopolis is a multifaceted city, with each district having its own distinct identity, and we will make an effort to explore as much as possible. We begin our journey in Asakusa, the heart of old Tokyo, where we can immerse ourselves in the historical culture of the city. Our first stop is the Senso-ji temple, with its five-story pagoda, followed by a visit to the vibrant stalls and small craft shops. To top it all off, we will make a wish with an omikuji, the traditional Japanese fortune card.

After our lunch, we will make our way to the Ueno district. This lively and bustling area is home to a massive park that boasts museums, temples, shrines, and even a zoo. During the blooming season, the cherry blossom trees attract many visitors who gather to enjoy picnics and drinks under the beautiful pink flowers. We can even take a peaceful rowing boat ride and soak in the picturesque surroundings. After exploring the park, we can take a leisurely stroll through Yanaka, a neighbourhood that remained unscathed during World War II bombings. Finally, we will head back to Shinjuku for dinner and join the locals for some laughter in one of the many bars in the area.

We find ourselves in Tokyo's street fashion district, where the most outlandish trends and fashions are born, such as Gothic Lolita and Ganguro. Will we have the courage to try out a completely new look? We're definitely in the right place to do so. Next up, we'll be exploring the Yoyogi Park, the Meiji-Jingu Shinto temple dedicated to the Emperor, and Takeshita-dori, a street lined with shops that's perfect for shopping enthusiasts. After lunch, we'll head to Shibuya, a lively and bustling neighbourhood that lives up to its reputation. It's no wonder that the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world is located here.

As our incredible journey through Japan comes to a close, we have one final opportunity to gather together and share a memorable meal. But our adventure is not complete without experiencing one final activity that is a must-try in Japan: karaoke! So let's prepare our vocal cords and sing our hearts out, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Check-out and goodbye – until your next WeRoad adventure!