Essential Japan

9 days / 8 nights

With Japan's diverse cultural heritage and almost endless possibilities for adventure, experiencing everything the country has to offer in a week can be a challenge. Wondertrunk has distilled the essential Japan experience to an exciting 9-day itinerary that will delight first-time visitors and travelers looking to fit Japan into their busy schedule. This compact trip is not merely about sightseeing highlights however. Our experts and experiences add a layer of depth to your visit and help unlock Japanese culture in new and exciting ways that will leave you wanting to return.

Destinations

Tokyo

Vibrant Metropolis

3 nights

Hakone

Hot Spring Getaway

1 night

Kyoto

Ancient Cultural Capital

4 nights

Nara

Charming Day Trip

1 day

Destinations

Tokyo

Vibrant Metropolis

3 nights

Hakone

Hot Spring Getaway

1 night

Kyoto

Ancient Cultural Capital

4 nights

Nara

Charming Day Trip

1 day

Highlights

Destination Variety

A concise lineup of Japan’s key locations, from the modernity of Tokyo’s metropolis to the historic backstreets of Kyoto, with a few charming surprises mixed in as well.

Exclusive Activities

Along your journey, you’ll encounter experts to guide you through cultural activities like tea ceremony, sake tasting, and even a private meeting with a ‘maiko’ - a young geisha-in-training.

Ryokan Hot Spring Stay

An exciting opportunity to experience Japanese ‘omotenashi’ hospitality in an elegant, countryside atmosphere, complete with a traditional multi-course ‘kaiseki’ meal.

Luxury Your Way

All of our itineraries can be customized to match your preferences and travel style. From the full luxury experience to a more independent style of trip, we tailor every aspect to your needs.

Highlights

Featured

Destination Variety

A concise lineup of Japan’s key locations, from the modernity of Tokyo’s metropolis to the historic backstreets of Kyoto, with a few charming surprises mixed in as well.

Exclusive Activities

Along your journey, you’ll encounter experts to guide you through cultural activities like tea ceremony, sake tasting, and even a private meeting with a ‘maiko’ - a young geisha-in-training.

Ryokan Hot Spring Stay

An exciting opportunity to experience Japanese ‘omotenashi’ hospitality in an elegant, countryside atmosphere, complete with a traditional multi-course ‘kaiseki’ meal.

Luxury Your Way

All of our itineraries can be customized to match your preferences and travel style. From the full luxury experience to a more independent style of trip, we tailor every aspect to your needs.

Accommodation

Palace Hotel

Tokyo

Gora Byakudan Ryokan

Hakone

The Ritz Carlton

Kyoto

Accommodation

Featured

Palace Hotel

Tokyo

Gora Byakudan Ryokan

Hakone

The Ritz Carlton

Kyoto

Itinerary Information

Featured

Perfect For

First-time visitors to Japan or Asia.
Those who want to discover the essence of Japan in a short time.
Travelers who want a deep dive into Japanese culture while exploring all the must-see spots.

When to Go

This trip can be enjoyed all year-round.

Arrival

Fly into one of Tokyo’s two international airports.

Departure

Depart from Osaka (Kansai International Airport) or Tokyo.

Pricing and Budget

Japan Insider Collection trips start at approximately 800 USD per person per day. Selected elements of these itineraries can be adjusted to suit your traveling preferences:

Accommodation: Choose from 4-star, 5-star, or boutique level accommodation
Transport: Select public or private transportation, or a mix of the two
Experiences: Add or substitute experiences and activities

Pricing can also vary based on levels of service, seasonality, time of inquiry, and other factors.

All itineraries and price quotes are uniquely tailored to our guests, so the only exact price will be the one you receive on your personalized quotation.