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Japan Tour “Four Capitals”

“Four Capitals” is a captivating four-day tour that takes you to explore the highlights of four marvelous cities: Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka. Throughout the journey, you’ll experience modern Tokyo with its stunning skyscrapers, traditional Kyoto adorned with beautiful gardens and temples, Nara famous for its friendly deer, and Osaka, boasting a historic castle and vibrant streets. Join us for an unforgettable adventure through these extraordinary destinations.

CUSTOMIZED ITINERARY FOR YOUR DATES

Dates

  • Multi-day Tour

Duration

  • 4 days / 3 nights

Price

  • On Request

Itinerary

  • Tokyo → Kyoto → Nara → Osaka
Reservation

Daily itinerary

1

Day 1

Breakfast at the hotel
Meet your tour guide at the hotel lobby
Tokyo sightseeing: Asakusa district, Sensoji Buddhist Temple, Nakamise shopping street, Japanese garden, Shibuya district and Shibuya Sky observatory, stroll around Ginza
Back to the hotel
Hotel accommodation: Tokyo [Read more...]

Welcome to Tokyo, a city that seamlessly blends tradition and innovation! Let’s embark on an enchanting excursion to explore its diverse neighborhoods and iconic landmarks.

Our journey begins in the Asakusa area, where you’ll find the magnificent Sensoji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple. Experience the charm of Nakamise Street, lined with traditional shops and delectable treats, as you approach the temple’s grand entrance.

Afterward, we will take a stroll through one of the Japanese Gardens and explore the intricacies of Japanese landscape design.

Then, we’ll experience the excitement of Shibuya, with its famous bustling crossroad. Watch as thousands of people cross the intersection in perfect harmony, creating a mesmerizing urban spectacle. For breathtaking views of Tokyo’s skyline, we’ll ascend to the observation deck Shibuya Sky. Marvel at the city’s vast expanse, from towering skyscrapers to iconic landmarks, all visible from this vantage point.

Finally, we’ll conclude our excursion in the prestigious Ginza area, known for its high-end shopping, elegant boutiques, and sophisticated ambiance. Take in the glitzy lights and indulge in some retail therapy before ending our adventure.

From ancient temples to futuristic streets, Tokyo’s diversity promises an unforgettable adventure. Enjoy your excursion and immerse yourself in the unique blend of past and present in this extraordinary city!

Shibuya Area

Shibuya scramble crossing is one of the busiest crossings in Tokyo. The green light comes on from four directions at once, and several hundred people (during peak hours, the number can reach 1,000) rush simultaneously in all directions, managing to dodge each other with ease built up over the years.

For its picturesque yet orderly crowds, the crossing is beloved by filmmakers, and people worldwide are familiar with it from TV series, movies, and commercial videos. The best spot to watch the hypnotic flow of people is the Starbucks coffee shop on the 2nd floor of the building on the north side of the crossing.

There is also a statue of the faithful dog Hachiko near Shibuya Station, where he used to meet his master, a professor at Tokyo University, every day. After the professor’s sudden death, the dog came to the station every day for nine years, waiting for his master to return. Hachiko became the symbol of loyalty.

Ginza District

Ginza is Tokyo’s most luxurious shopping district, home to prestigious department stores, world-famous designer boutiques, coffee shops, and traditional Japanese restaurants. People come here to learn about the latest high fashion trends and enjoy the creations of the best architects worldwide.

At the same time, Ginza is an art lover’s paradise. There are about 200 art galleries and Kabukiza Theater, which still regularly hosts Kabuki theater performances.

2

Day 2

Breakfast at the hotel, check-out
Move to Kyoto by Shinkansen bullet train
Meet your tour guide at the platform of Kyoto Station
Kyoto sightseeing: Golden Pavilion Kinkakuji, Ryoanji Temple, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Yasaka-no-to Pagoda, traditional streets of Kyoto
Check-in at the hotel, rest
Hotel accommodation: Kyoto [Read more...]

Welcome to Kyoto, a city rich in history and culture!

Today, we embark on a captivating journey through the cultural marvels of Kyoto. Our day begins at the tranquil Golden Pavilion, Kinkakuji, where its shimmering reflection dances upon the serene pond. Continuing our exploration, we find ourselves at Ryoanji Temple, where you’ll have the opportunity to contemplate the enigmatic rock garden – a true masterpiece of meditative artistry.

Our adventure then takes us to the sacred grounds of Kiyomizu-dera Pure Water Temple, followed by a visit to the iconic Yasaka Pagoda, an essential stop on our itinerary. As the day winds down, immerse yourself in the nostalgic charm of Kyoto’s traditional streets, allowing the city’s timeless allure to envelop you.

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

Kinkaku-ji Temple, often called the Golden Temple, is one of Japan’s most famous temples and Kyoto’s main attractions. Built at the end of the 14th century, this complex, with its three-story pavilion covered with gold leaf, captivated the minds of its contemporaries. The famous Japanese writer Yukio Mishima captured its fate and glory in the novel “The Golden Temple.” Today Kinkaku-ji Temple is a must-see on any traveler’s itinerary in Japan. In addition to the famous pavilion, the UNESCO World Heritage Site also features a traditional walking garden, small waterfalls, and a tea house, representing the culture of the samurai era.

Ryoan-ji Temple

Ryōan-ji Temple, located in northern Kyoto, was founded in the mid-15th century. The famous rock garden was also established at the same time. The garden is now considered one of the best in Japan and is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

For centuries, the Ryōan-ji Temple garden has attracted visitors trying to solve its mystery: why can you see only 14 of the 15 stones? And what does the composition of sand and rocks represent?

Kiyomizu-dera Temple (Pure Water Temple)

The Pure Water Temple, or Kiyomizu-dera, is one of Kyoto’s most famous and most visited temples and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was founded on a mountainside near a spring. Its clear water is said to bestow health, longevity, and wisdom. The temple’s main attraction is its main hall, with an open veranda built on stilts over a cliff. The structure, assembled without a single nail, towers over Kyoto, offering a beautiful view of the old capital. Cafes and stores lining the road to the temple sell Kyoto sweets, ceramics, and souvenirs for all tastes.

3

Day 3

Breakfast at the hotel
Meet your tour guide in the hotel lobby
Move to Nara
Enjoy sightseeing in Nara, including visits to Todaiji Temple (Great Eastern Temple), Great Buddha Hall, Kasuga shrine with a corridor of stone lanterns, Nara deer Park
Back to Kyoto
Hotel accommodation: Kyoto [Read more...]

After our visit to Kyoto, the old capital of Japan, our journey will lead us to Nara, another ancient capital of Japan. Here we’ll see the Great Buddha in the Daibutsuden pavilion of the Great Eastern Todaiji Temple. Constructed in the 8th century, the temple complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Additionally, we’ll encounter a lot of stone lanterns at the Kasuga-taisha shrine and, of course, friendly deer that you can feed with crackers and even pet.

Todai-ji Temple

Todai-ji is a Buddhist temple complex whose main building is one of the largest wooden structures in the world. Built in the mid-8th century by order of the emperor with donations from all over the country, the temple features the biggest bronze statue of Buddha in Japan. Almost all the bronze produced in Japan at the time was used to cast the colossal sculpture. The complex also has several unique wooden structures, including the giant Nandaimon Gate with the famous Nio guard figures, the Bell Tower, and Nigatsu-do Hall. The entire complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Kasuga Shrine

Kasuga Taisha is one of Japan’s most ancient Shinto shrines, founded in the mid-8th century to protect the capital, Nara. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it is famous for its kasuga-zukuri architectural style, the thousands of stone and bronze lanterns decorating its grounds, and the pristine ancient forest where sacred deer, considered messengers of the deities, roam free.

4

Day 4

Breakfast at the hotel
Meet your guide at the hotel lobby
Move to Osaka
Osaka Sightseeing: Osaka Castle, Umeda Sky building observatory, Dotonbori district [Read more...]

Get ready for an exciting adventure in Osaka! Today’s journey will take us through the enchanting Osaka Castle park, where we’ll uncover the captivating tales of its past. After that, brace yourself for the vibrant spectacle of the Dotonbori neighborhood, where colors and flavors collide. As the sun paints the sky with its golden hues, we’ll ascend the Umeda Skybuilding observation deck, reaching for the heavens and embracing the city’s breathtaking panorama.

Osaka Castle

Osaka Castle, one of the most famous castles in Japan, was built in the late 16th century by the feudal lord Toyotomi Hideyoshi and was one of the best fortifications of the time. The castle was burned during the civil conflicts of the Meiji Restoration in the mid-19th century and was rebuilt in the early 20th century with concrete. Destroyed during the bombing of World War II, the castle was rebuilt again in the 1990s and is now one of Osaka’s most popular tourist attractions.

Umeda Sky Building

Designed by architect Hara Hiroshi in 1993, this 173-meter building is the 19th tallest in Osaka and one of the most notable parts of the cityscape. Two forty-story towers are connected at the top by Floating Garden Observatory, whose glass verandas offer beautiful city views. The basement floor, with stores and restaurants, resembles a Japanese city street of the early 20th century. Various companies’ offices occupy the building. There is a lovely park with fountains at the base of the towers.

Dotonbori District

Dotonbori is a neighborhood that stretches along the Dotonbori canal between Dotonboribashi Bridge and Nipponbashi Bridge. The history of Dotonbori goes back four hundred years. In the early 17th century, this area was designated for entertainment venues by a government decree. By the end of the Edo era, there were six Kabuki theaters, five Bunraku theaters, and other smaller establishments. A restaurant area eventually grew around the theaters, and the district became one of the most popular places for evening entertainment for citizens and visitors. By now, there’s little left of the traditional theaters, but the area is still famous for its active nightlife, entertainment, and delicious food.