Day 1
Welcome to Tokyo!
You've touched-down in Tokyo with Dear Community! It's even better than the photos, right? Once you have landed, make your way over to the hostel, check in, meet your amazing Tru Leader and, if you're not too jet-lagged, head out to explore! This evening, we’ll meet for a welcome dinner and get to know each other before enjoying our first night out in the city.
Day 2
Temples and Sake!
Today, we're kicking off with a walk around Tokyo to get familiar with this epic city. Our amazing Tru Leader will show you around, you'll visit some of their favourite spots (you might even stop for a matcha on the way!) No walking tour would be complete without visiting the Senso-Ji Temple, so we'll explore this amazing temple, soaking in some culture before we tick off another Japanese must this afternoon. Fancy trying the local tipple? Sake tasting is calling our name! After sampling the different flavours of rice wine, we'll head out for a night in Shinjuku. Think bright lights and 10/10 vibes! The perfect first full day in Japan.
Exploring Tokyo, Senso-Ji Temple, Sake Tasting
Day 3
Yoyogi Park, Meiji Shrine and more!
Morning! It's our final full day in Tokyo, and we're exploring some more of the city's highlights. We'll explore Yoyogi Park, which is a stunning spot in the middle of the crazy city, Meiji Shrine, an iconic spot in this city and Omoide Yokocho, a super cool area, full of food spots and bars, which translates to Memory Lane! After another busy exploring, we'll head for some food and get ready for an early start tomorrow - but if karaoke is calling your name, that can be on the cards too, of course!
Yoyogi Park & Meiji Shrine, Shinjuku, Omoide Yokocho and Golden Gai
Day 4
Views on Views on Views
Ready for a more peaceful part of this amazing country? Odawara is where we are heading next, and it is known for being home to a beautiful castle! It's also the gateway to Hakone, so it's the perfect place to be. Once we arrive, we'll jump on a cable car to take in some of the views before heading for a sightseeing cruise! We'll then check into our next accommodation and have some free time in the afternoon to do whatever you fancy, hit up some bakeries, more local attractions, or just chill - completely up to you!
Ropeway Cable Car & Pirate Ship Cruise
Day 5
Bamboo Forest, Gion Exploring and Tea Ceremony
Kyoto is calling! We're headed to our final stop on this whistlestop tour of Japan. We'll arrive in the early afternoon and take our time exploring the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. This afternoon, we'll also get to explore some of Gion and discover its famous Giesha district. In the evening, we'll also experience a traditional Tea Ceremony in the Golden Temple, if you're looking for a proper immersive experience - this is it!
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Gion Exploring and Tea Ceremony
Day 6
Fushimi-Inari Red Gates and Samurai Experience
Ready for more bucket-list moments? We'll you're in for a proper trip today! This morning we'll get up early to explore the Fushimi-Inari Red Gates to explore before the crowds. Afterwards, we'll visit the Golden Temple, it's even more beautiful in person! After an amazing morning, it's only right we have an afternoon to match it - how does a Samurai class sound? We'll get all dressed up, learn the basic skills and try them out in this awesome experience.
Fushimi-Inari Red Gates, Golden Temple, Visit Samurai Experience
Day 7
Night Cemetery Walking Tour
Grab your matcha, we’re off to Koyasan! We're headed towards an area in the mountains that's famous for its numerous temples. In the afternoon, we'll have some free time before heading out on a walking tour of the oldest cemetery in Japan. We'll learn all about its history and be immersed in the spirit!
Night Cemetery Walking Tour
Day 8
Osaka Exploring
Did someone say bullet train? We're travelling towards Osaka and we're jumping on the fastest form of land transport - we'll zoom over 500km toward Osaka. Once we arrive, we'll visit the stunning Osaka Castle, it's like something out of a Disney movie! This evening, after a bit of free time, we'll explore Dotonbori, famous for its bright neon signs. The retro vibe of the neighbourhood is super fun and the perfect backdrop for a great night out!
Osaka Castle & Neon Streets
Day 9
Exploring Hiroshima and visit the Downtown District
Ready for some history? We're heading to Hiroshima this morning, one of the two cities that were victim of the atomic bombings in 1945. Today, it's a bustling city that is SO worth visiting. We'll start our time here with an orientation walk around some of the key locations before heading downtown to the heart of the city.
Hiroshima Orientation & Downtown Walk
Day 10
Visiting the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
It is only right that we lean into the history of such an infamous location, so today we will head to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. Here we'll learn about Hiroshima before, during and after the events on 6th August 1945. After a powerful morning, we'll have a free afternoon for you to spend as you please, explore more of the city's highlights, browse the shops or head to one of the many parks in the city for a peaceful escape.
Peace Museum & Orientation Walk
Day 11
Slicing and dicing in a Sushi Class
This morning we're up early to head back to Osaka! After spending the last 10 days being surrounded by amazing food and sensational sushi, it's only right that we make our own, right? Before lunch, we'll head over to slice and dice at a traditional class, and we'll get to taste the fruits of our labour for lunch - what a treat! For our final afternoon in Osaka, we'll head out, with full bellies, for a few hours of sightseeing and soaking in every last magical moment. Then it's time for one last group meal - we're not crying, you are...it's going to be emotional for sure!
Day 12
Chilled Checkout
Can you believe how fast these last 12 days have flown! Time does fly when you are having the time of your life in one of the most amazing countries on earth. Whether you are headed home or you have a few more days of exploring, your Tru Leader will be there to guide you in the right direction. See you next time Dear Community!