Osaka, Kyoto & Tokyo in 12 Days with Mt. Fuji & Snow Monkeys (Japan Holiday Trip)

This morning you see Osaka the easy way, on a guided e-bike tour that covers far more ground than you could on foot. You ride through Nipponbashi Denden Town, Osaka's electronics and anime quarter, then on to Shitennoji, founded in 593 and one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan.

The route continues around the wide lawns and moats of Osaka Castle Park, beautiful in cherry blossom season, and stops for a short picnic break in Nakanoshima Park on the river. You also pass America Mura, the street-fashion and youth-culture district, before ending at Namba Yasaka Shrine, famous for its huge lion-head stage. The afternoon and evening are free to explore on your own.

At a glance: Time needed: ~3–4 hrs guided tour · Travel: On the e-bike · Pace: Moderate

Schedule

• Morning (tour starts around 10:00 AM): Meet your guide and set off on e-bikes.

• Late morning: Nipponbashi Denden Town, then Shitennoji temple, about 30 min.

• Noon: Osaka Castle Park ride and a picnic break at Nakanoshima Park.

• Early afternoon: America Mura, then the tour ends at Namba Yasaka Shrine, about 20 min there.

• Afternoon / Evening: Free to explore on your own. You can add tours by sending a request.

Travel for the day

• Hotel → tour meeting point by subway on your own, about 30 min.

• The tour itself is by e-bike with a guide; entry is covered.

Tips & what to carry

• Wear comfortable clothes and closed shoes. Helmets are provided.

• In Japan you ride on the left; your guide will brief you on road rules.

• Carry a water bottle and sunscreen in summer; Osaka is hot and humid from June to September.

• Riders usually need to be a minimum height to use the e-bikes; tell us in advance if you are travelling with young children.

Included today

• Tour Duration: 4 Hours (Entry Covered & Guided)

Overnight: Osaka

Today is for Universal Studios Japan, one of the busiest theme parks in the world and the highlight of Osaka for many families. Go early: gates usually open around 8:30 to 9:00 AM, and the first hour is the best time for the big rides before the queues build.

Super Nintendo World is the park's biggest draw, with Mario Kart and Yoshi's Adventure, and entry to that area is often by timed ticket, so check the park app as soon as you arrive. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has Hogsmeade village and the Forbidden Journey ride, and Jurassic Park, the Minions area and the roller coasters keep the rest of the day busy. Stay for the evening if you can, when the park lights up.

At a glance: Time needed: ~10 hrs in the park · Travel: ~30 min each way by train (own arrangement) · Pace: Full

Schedule

• Morning (around 8:00 AM): Travel to Universal City Station by JR train, about 15–30 min from central Osaka.

• Morning (gates open, usually 8:30–9:00 AM): Head first to Super Nintendo World or your top-priority ride, and book the area timed-entry ticket in the app if needed.

• Noon: Lunch inside the park (own cost).

• Afternoon: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, Minion Park and the coasters, at your pace.

• Evening: Parade or night lights if running on your date, then train back to the hotel.

Travel for the day

• Hotel → Universal City Station → hotel by JR train, own arrangement. Transfers can be added on request.

Tips & what to carry

• No transfers are included today; guests arrange their own transport to and from the park.

• Park hours vary by date. Check the official website for the timings on your day.

• Express Passes for select rides are sold separately and sell out on busy days. Buy in advance if you want one.

• Outside food and drinks are not allowed inside the park.

• Download the official park app before you go; wait times and timed-entry tickets are all in it.

Overnight: Osaka

Today you move to Kyoto, only about 15 to 40 minutes away by train depending on the line, so there is no rush. Check out, ride the train and check in at your hotel near Kyoto Station. There are no tours planned, so the rest of the day is yours to begin exploring Japan's ancient capital, with its temples, shrines and old tea-house streets.

If you want to make the most of the afternoon, Fushimi Inari Shrine is just a few stops from Kyoto Station, and its tunnel of thousands of orange torii gates is open around the clock. In the evening, walk through Gion, where wooden machiya houses line the lanes. Kinkaku-ji and the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest are best kept for your free day.

At a glance: Time needed: Free · Travel: ~1 hr train and transfers · Pace: Easy

Schedule

• Morning: Breakfast and check out. Short transfer to Osaka Station.

• Late morning: Train from Osaka to Kyoto, about 15–40 min depending on the train.

• Noon: Arrive in Kyoto and check in (early check-in is not guaranteed; leave bags at the hotel).

• Optional: Fushimi Inari Shrine, allow 1.5–2 hrs to walk up through the torii gates.

• Evening: Gion and Hanamikoji Street, about 1.5 hrs. Dinner own cost.

Travel for the day

• Hotel → Osaka Station → train to Kyoto → Kyoto Station → hotel.

• Station transfers as per your inclusions.

Tips & what to carry

• Train tickets are covered. You can choose the exact train time based on how long you wish to spend in each city.

• Pack a small overnight bag so you do not have to drag big suitcases around; luggage forwarding (takkyubin) is an easy option.

• In Gion, do not stop or photograph geiko and maiko without permission, and keep to the public streets.

• Fushimi Inari is quietest early in the morning or after dark.

Included today

• Train Tickets are Covered

Overnight: Kyoto

A full day trip north to the Sea of Japan coast, about two hours from Kyoto. You start at Chion-ji Temple, where students come to pray for success in exams, and take a seaside stroll nearby. Then you head up Mt. Monju for the view over Amanohashidate, a narrow sandbar of pine trees that crosses the bay and is counted among Japan's three most scenic views. A cable car or monorail goes up, if you choose to ride it.

There is time to soak your feet in an outdoor hot-spring foot bath before you continue to Ine, a fishing village famous for its funaya, wooden boat houses built right on the water. Take a boat tour of the bay, or opt for a bike ride around the village, before the drive back to Kyoto in the evening.

At a glance: Time needed: ~6 hrs sightseeing · Travel: ~4 hrs by tour coach · Pace: Full

Schedule

• Morning (early start): Pickup or meeting point in Kyoto and drive to Amanohashidate, about 2 hrs.

• Late morning: Chion-ji Temple and a seaside stroll, about 45 min.

• Noon: Mt. Monju viewpoint, about 1 hr. Optional cable car or monorail ride.

• Afternoon: Outdoor hot-spring foot bath, about 20 min, then Ine Bay, allow 1.5–2 hrs for the boat tour or a bike ride. Lunch own cost.

• Evening: Drive back to Kyoto.

Travel for the day

• Kyoto → Amanohashidate ~2 hrs; Amanohashidate → Ine ~30 min; Ine → Kyoto ~2.5 hrs, by tour transport (transfers for the tour are covered).

Tips & what to carry

• At Mt. Monju, tradition says you bend over and look at the sandbar upside down through your legs, called matanozoki. It really does look like a bridge to the sky.

• Carry a small towel for the foot bath.

• The Sea of Japan coast is colder and windier than Kyoto. Bring a jacket in winter and spring.

• Optional boat and bike rides are paid locally unless shown as included.

Included today

• Transfer for the Tours are covered

Overnight: Kyoto

Today is yours to discover Kyoto at your own pace, and the city rewards it. Many of the temples of Kyoto are best seen early, before the crowds. Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, sits over its mirror pond in the north-west, and from there it is a short hop to the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and the Togetsukyo Bridge.

In the afternoon, walk the Philosopher's Path, a canal-side lane lined with cherry trees, towards Ginkaku-ji, or spend time in a traditional tea house. Nishiki Market, Kyoto's long covered food market, is good for lunch on the move, from pickles to grilled seafood and matcha sweets. End with an evening walk through Gion and the lanes of Higashiyama.

At a glance: Time needed: ~6–8 hrs at your own pace · Travel: City buses and trains · Pace: Moderate

Schedule

• Morning (around 8:00–11:00 AM): Kinkaku-ji, about 45 min, then the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and Togetsukyo Bridge, about 1.5–2 hrs (entries paid locally).

• Noon: Nishiki Market for lunch and snacks, about 1 hr (own cost).

• Afternoon: Philosopher's Path to Ginkaku-ji, about 1.5–2 hrs, or a tea ceremony (paid locally).

• Evening: Gion and Higashiyama lanes around Yasaka Shrine, about 1.5 hrs.

• Night: Dinner own cost.

Travel for the day

• Free day; travel on your own by city bus, subway or JR with your IC card.

Tips & what to carry

• Kyoto buses get crowded; the subway and JR lines are often quicker for longer hops.

• Shoes come off in many temple halls. Wear socks and slip-on shoes.

• Nishiki Market asks visitors not to eat while walking; eat at the stall.

• Many temples close around 4:30–5:00 PM, so plan the big sights for the morning.

Overnight: Kyoto

Today you ride the Shinkansen, Japan's famous bullet train, from Kyoto to Tokyo in a little over two hours. The ride is smooth and fast, and on a clear day the right-hand side of the train, in seats marked E, gives you a view of Mt. Fuji as you pass Shizuoka.

On arrival, transfer to your hotel and check in. No tours are scheduled today, so you can rest or start exploring Tokyo at your own pace, perhaps the lights and shops of Shinjuku or Ginza, a few stops away. Pick up a bento at Kyoto Station before you board; eating on the Shinkansen is part of the fun.

At a glance: Time needed: Free · Travel: ~2.5 hrs train plus transfers · Pace: Easy

Schedule

• Morning: Breakfast and check out. Transfer to Kyoto Station, about 15 min.

• Late morning: Shinkansen from Kyoto to Tokyo, about 2–2.5 hrs.

• Afternoon: Arrive at Tokyo Station and transfer to your hotel, about 30 min. Check in.

• Evening: Free — Shinjuku, Ginza or the area near your hotel.

• Night: Dinner own cost.

Travel for the day

• Hotel → Kyoto Station → Shinkansen to Tokyo → Tokyo Station → hotel.

• Station transfers as per your inclusions.

Tips & what to carry

• Train tickets are covered. You can choose the exact train time based on how long you wish to spend in each city.

• Oversized luggage (total dimensions over 160 cm) needs a reserved space on the Shinkansen. Tell us your bag sizes in advance.

• Ask for an E seat on the Tokyo-bound train for the best chance of seeing Mt. Fuji.

• Tokyo Station is huge. Follow the signs for your exit and allow time.

Included today

• Train Tickets are Covered

Overnight: Tokyo

A full-day coach tour to Japan's most iconic mountain. Weather permitting, you drive up to Mt. Fuji's 5th Station, at around 2,300 m, where the road ends and the climbing trails begin. On a clear day the summit rises right above you, and the views back down over the lakes are wide and open.

The tour then crosses to Hakone, a hot-spring area in the mountains. You cruise across Lake Ashi, where on calm days the mountain is reflected in the water, and ride the Hakone Ropeway over Owakudani, a volcanic valley of steaming vents and yellow sulphur rocks. Entry fees on the tour are included, and you are back in Tokyo in the evening.

At a glance: Time needed: ~10 hrs tour · Travel: ~5 hrs by coach in total · Pace: Full

Schedule

• Morning (around 8:00 AM): Meet the tour coach in central Tokyo.

• Late morning: Mt. Fuji 5th Station, about 45 min to 1 hr (weather and road conditions permitting).

• Noon: Lunch on the way (own cost).

• Afternoon: Lake Ashi cruise, about 30–40 min, and Hakone Ropeway over Owakudani, about 30 min.

• Evening: Coach back to Tokyo, arriving in the evening depending on traffic.

Travel for the day

• Hotel → meeting point on your own; full-day coach tour to Mt. Fuji and Hakone and back.

Tips & what to carry

• Fuji is often hidden by cloud, especially in summer. Winter mornings give the clearest views.

• The 5th Station road can close in snow or bad weather; the tour then stops at a lower point.

• It is about 10°C colder at the 5th Station than in Tokyo. Carry a jacket.

• Owakudani's eggs are boiled black in the hot springs. Tradition says one adds seven years to your life.

Overnight: Tokyo

Today has two of Tokyo's newest experiences, with entrance covered and the rest of the day free. SHIBUYA SKY is the open-air observation deck on top of Shibuya Scramble Square, about 229 m above the streets. From the rooftop you look straight down on the famous Shibuya Crossing and out across the whole city, to Mt. Fuji on clear days.

teamLab Planets in Toyosu is a museum of digital art where you walk barefoot through water and through a garden where you become one with the flowers. It has four large-scale artwork spaces and two gardens by the art collective teamLab, filled with light, mirrors and sound. In between, walk around Shibuya and cross the Scramble yourself, then have dinner in the area.

At a glance: Time needed: ~5 hrs at the attractions · Travel: ~1.5 hrs by train in total (own arrangement) · Pace: Moderate

Schedule

• Morning (around 10:00 AM–12:30 PM): teamLab Planets, Toyosu, allow about 2 hrs.

• Noon: Lunch near Toyosu or on the way to Shibuya (own cost).

• Afternoon: Shibuya Crossing and the Hachiko statue, about 1 hr on foot.

• Evening (time slot as booked): SHIBUYA SKY, about 1–1.5 hrs. A sunset slot is the most popular.

• Night: Dinner in Shibuya (own cost) and train back to the hotel.

Travel for the day

• No transfers today; travel by train with your IC card. Hotel → Toyosu ~30–40 min; Toyosu → Shibuya ~40 min.

Tips & what to carry

• At teamLab Planets you walk through knee-deep water. Wear shorts or trousers that roll up above the knee.

• Mirrored floors: wear trousers or shorts rather than skirts.

• SHIBUYA SKY tickets are for a set time slot. Arrive 10–15 min early; bags go in lockers before the rooftop.

• Hats and loose items are not allowed on the open-air deck in wind.

Included today

• No Transfers but Entrance are Covered

Overnight: Tokyo

A day out to the mountains of Nagano, to see one of Japan's most famous wildlife sights. Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park is home to wild Japanese macaques who come down to soak in a natural hot-spring pool, especially in the cold months, steam rising around their faces as the snow falls.

From the parking area, a scenic forest trail of about 30 minutes leads you through cedar trees to the park. There is no fence between you and the monkeys, so you can watch them up close as they groom, play and bathe, which makes for incredible photos. Admission is included, and you are back in Tokyo in the evening.

At a glance: Time needed: ~2 hrs at the park · Travel: ~6–7 hrs in total by train/coach · Pace: Full

Schedule

• Morning (early start): Travel from Tokyo to Nagano with your tour, about 1.5–3 hrs depending on the route.

• Late morning: Forest walk from the parking area to the park, about 30 min.

• Noon: Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, about 1 hr with the monkeys.

• Afternoon: Walk back and lunch in the area (own cost).

• Evening: Return to Tokyo.

Travel for the day

• Tokyo → Nagano → Jigokudani and back as per the day tour, with transport covered.

Tips & what to carry

• The monkeys bathe most in winter, roughly December to March. In summer they visit the pool less often.

• The trail is snowy and icy in winter. Wear warm boots with good grip; slip-on crampons help.

• Do not touch, feed or stare at the monkeys, and keep food and plastic bags out of sight.

• Tripods and selfie sticks may be restricted at the park.

Included today

• Admission ticket is included

Overnight: Tokyo

Your last full day is free to explore Tokyo at your own pace. Start early in Asakusa at Senso-ji, Tokyo's oldest temple, walking in through the huge Kaminarimon gate and the shopping street of Nakamise, then take the train across the city to Meiji Shrine, set in a quiet forest in the middle of Tokyo.

Next door is Harajuku, where Takeshita Street is packed with crepes, fashion and pop culture, and Omotesando's tree-lined avenue has the big brand shops. Ueno Park, with its museums and ponds, is another calm option. In the evening, Shinjuku is all neon, with Omoide Yokocho's tiny bars and the free observatory at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.

At a glance: Time needed: ~6–8 hrs at your own pace · Travel: Trains and subway · Pace: Moderate

Schedule

• Morning (around 8:00–10:30 AM): Senso-ji and Nakamise Street in Asakusa, about 1.5 hrs.

• Late morning: Meiji Shrine, about 1 hr.

• Afternoon: Harajuku and Omotesando for shopping and food, 2–3 hrs (own cost).

• Optional: Ueno Park and its museums, about 2 hrs.

• Evening: Shinjuku: Omoide Yokocho and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observatory, about 2 hrs.

Travel for the day

• Free day; travel on your own by train and subway with your IC card.

Tips & what to carry

• Tax-free shopping needs your passport at the till for purchases over the minimum amount.

• Takeshita Street is packed at weekends; go before noon on a weekday if you can.

• Trains get very crowded at 7:30–9:30 AM and 5:30–7:30 PM. Avoid those hours with luggage or children.

• Leave space in your bags today for anything you buy; tomorrow is departure day.

Overnight: Tokyo

Your twelve-day journey through Japan comes to an end today. Enjoy a last breakfast at the hotel, and depending on your flight time, spend your final hours on a little last-minute shopping or a walk near the hotel.

Your transfer takes you to the airport in Tokyo, about an hour from the city, in good time for your flight home. You leave with Osaka's food streets, Kyoto's temples, the snow monkeys and Mt. Fuji behind you, and very likely a plan to come back.

At a glance: Time needed: Free until departure · Travel: ~1 hr to the airport · Pace: Easy

Schedule

• Morning: Breakfast and check out (late check-out is not included).

• Late morning: Free for last-minute shopping near the hotel, if your flight allows.

• Then: Airport transfer, reaching about 3 hrs before an international flight.

Travel for the day

• Hotel → Tokyo airport by transfer, about 1 hr.

Tips & what to carry

• Keep your passport handy for tax-free purchases and the airport.

• Leave enough space and weight in your bags; airline limits apply on the way home.

• Keep some yen for snacks and drinks at the airport.