Japan in 9 Days – Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka

Who This Holiday Is Perfect For

• First-time travellers wanting an easy introduction to Japan with structured highlights and freedom.

• Couples, friends or solo explorers who enjoy city breaks, culture, food and photography.

• Guests looking for a self-guided itinerary supported by included walking tours, reliable transport and Charm-category hotels.

Trip Highlights

• Explore Tokyo at your own pace, with optional excursions to Meiji Shrine, Harajuku and Omotesando.

• Enjoy an included Shibuya District Walking Tour, visiting Shibuya Crossing, Nonbei Yokocho, Miyashita Park and Hachiko.

• Add an optional Mount Fuji & Lake Kawaguchi full-day tour for incredible mountain scenery.

• Ride the legendary Shinkansen bullet train to Kyoto, reaching speeds of up to 300 km/h.

• Join the included Gion Geisha District Walking Tour, exploring Kyoto’s most famous geisha area.

• Discover Kyoto at your own pace, with optional day trip to Nara including the Golden Pavilion and Fushimi Inari.

• End in Osaka, Japan’s food capital, home to neon streets, Osaka Castle and the vibrant Dōtonbori district.

Itinerary At A Glance

• Day 1: UK/Ireland → Tokyo (overnight flight).

• Day 2: Arrival in Tokyo – Free time. Optional meet & greet service.

• Day 3: Free morning → Shibuya District Walking Tour.

• Day 4: Free day in Tokyo – Optional Mount Fuji & Lake Kawaguchi Tour.

• Day 5: Bullet train to Kyoto – Free afternoon.

• Day 6: Free morning → Gion Geisha District Walking Tour.

• Day 7: Free day in Kyoto – Optional Kyoto & Nara Full-Day Tour.

• Day 8: Bullet train to Osaka – Free time.

• Day 9: Osaka → UK/Ireland.

Detailed Itinerary

Tokyo – Welcome to Japan
Arrive in Tokyo and transfer independently to your hotel (private transfer and meet & greet available to add). Spend the rest of the day exploring at leisure — from neon-lit streets to peaceful shrines and hidden ramen bars. The iconic opening image in your PDF (page 1) features cherry blossoms and a geisha in Kyoto, perfectly capturing the aesthetic contrasts you’ll soon experience.

Tokyo – Shibuya Walking Tour
Enjoy a free morning before meeting your guide for an afternoon exploration of Shibuya, one of Tokyo’s most iconic districts. See Taro Okamoto’s Myth of Tomorrow mural, cross the world-famous Shibuya Crossing, wander Nonbei Yokocho’s lantern-lit alleys, and admire street culture in Miyashita Park before ending at the Hachiko Statue.

Tokyo – Free Day or Mount Fuji & Lake Kawaguchi
A full free day to explore Tokyo. Optional: a full-day tour to Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi, including Oishi Park, Arakurayama Sengen Shrine and premium outlet shopping — ideal for those wanting postcard-perfect Fuji views.

Kyoto – Bullet Train & Ancient Traditions
Board the Shinkansen to Kyoto, arriving in around 2 hours 15 minutes. Spend the afternoon exploring quiet streets, temples, gardens or traditional tea houses. Kyoto’s rich cultural heritage is strongly reflected in the PDF’s front cover image (page 1), showing wooden machiya houses under cherry blossoms — an authentic scene from the city.

Kyoto – Gion Geisha District Tour
Free morning to visit Kyoto’s Nijo Castle, Samurai & Ninja Museum or traditional markets.
In the evening, join a guided walking tour of Gion, Japan’s most famous geisha district. Wander lantern-lit alleyways and learn about the world of geiko and maiko.

Kyoto – Free Day or Kyoto & Nara Day Trip
Enjoy a full free day or join the optional Kyoto & Nara coach tour. Highlights include Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Fushimi Inari’s red torii gates, Nara Park, Todai-ji’s Great Buddha and encounters with Nara’s friendly deer.

Osaka – Bullet Train & Street Food Culture
Take the Shinkansen to Osaka, Japan’s capital of cuisine, where neon lights, lively entertainment and world-class street food await. Explore Osaka Castle, the Aquarium or the vibrant Dōtonbori canal district.

Return to the UK/Ireland
Transfer independently to Kansai Airport (private transfer available). Arrive home with unforgettable memories of cities that blend ancient tradition with futuristic energy.

Accommodation – Charm Category

You will stay in Charm-category hotels throughout the trip, including:

• Tokyo (3 nights): Landabout Tokyo or similar

• Kyoto (3 nights): AB Hotel Kyoto Shijo Horikawa or similar

• Osaka (1 night): Richmond Hotel Namba Daikokucho or similar

All rooms include private bathrooms. Hotels are well located for transport and sightseeing.
(Property lists on pages 5–6 confirm Charm-category hotel rotation.)

What’s Included

• Return international flights (UK/Ireland → Tokyo / Osaka → UK/Ireland)

• Shinkansen bullet train: Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka

• 7 nights in Charm-category hotels

• Tokyo Shibuya District Walking Tour

• Kyoto Gion Geisha District Walking Tour

• Entrance fees as indicated

• ATOL protection

• All air taxes and fuel surcharges

Optional Add-Ons

• Airport meet & greet service

• Private airport transfers

• Mount Fuji & Lake Kawaguchi Day Tour

• Full-day Kyoto & Nara Coach Tour

(All optional tours and pricing detailed on pages 10–11.)

Travel Dates & Guide Price

• Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights in Japan

• Guide Price From: £2,198 total (£1,099 per person based on two sharing)

• Valid until: 28/11/2025 (pricing subject to flight availability)

(Price breakdown shown on page 12.)

Important Information

• Airport transfers, breakfasts and meals not included unless stated.

• Local accommodation taxes apply and must be paid at each hotel.

• This itinerary is self-guided except for included walking tours.

• Weather or operational reasons may alter excursion timings.

• Japan requires ETIAS for Schengen transits from 2025.

(Conditions outlined on pages 13–14.)

Why Book With Boullies Travel

Enjoy a smooth, well-supported Japan adventure designed to balance freedom with expertly curated experiences. We handle flights, hotels, bullet trains, walking tours and optional upgrades — making your journey effortless, engaging and unforgettable.

Boullies Travel
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