Tokyo & Kyoto
This tour in Japan allows you to visit Japan's two must-see cities, Tokyo and Kyoto, in a single trip.
With this package, enjoy an "affordable" trip to Tokyo, the many-sided capital, and Kyoto, the heart of traditional Japan!
Accommodation, transport pass, Shinkansen ticket, and a visit to each city are included in this trip.
9 day itinerary in Tokyo and Kyoto
- Departure city/airport : Tokyo (Narita : NRT or Haneda : HND)
- Tokyo (4 nights)
- Kyoto (4 nights)
- End Return airport : Osaka (Kansai international airport : KIX)
Please find below the itinerary details.
Tour length : 8 nights / 9 days (+ 1 day at the beginning if you leave from Europe)
Indeed, the tour departure and end dates presented on this page relate to your stay in Japan. On departure, you will have to leave Europe on the day before. The return flight is on the same day due to the time difference.
Example :
- Departure from Europe : January 1st
- Arrival Tokyo (date to be selected in the tour calendar while booking) : January 2nd
- Return flight from Kansai international airport : January 10th
Like this tour but want to add a night at Mount Fuji? Take a look at our other tour "Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Kyoto".
Like this tour but want to add a night at Mount Fuji and also visit Hiroshima? Then "Classic Japan" is the tour for you !
Why this trip to Japan ?
- Welcomed at the airport by our team, you will be taken to Tokyo by shuttle bus
- Settle in the heart of Tokyo in your 3* hotel chosen for its comfort and location
- With your tickets, climb to the top of the Tokyo Sky Tree, 634m high.
- Head for Kyoto by high-speed Shinkansen
- In Kyoto, a travel angel will welcome you to a traditional Japan Experience house
- At nightfall, a guided tour of the traditional geisha quarter awaits you
- Take advantage of unlimited transport to visit Tokyo, Kyoto and its region
- Recommendations available in your travel diary
- Enjoy unlimited internet access thanks to your pocket Wi-Fi
- If necessary, contact our assistance from 8am to 10pm Japanese time, 7 days a week, in English or Japanese.
- A number of guided days or other optional activities are available
- On the final day, a shuttle bus will take you from your accommodation to the airport
- Benefit from the expertise of Japan Experience, European leading travel agency in Japan.
Most recent customer reviews about this trip
"We are in Japan and having a marvelous time! I am so happy we used your company to help us while we were in Tokyo. Everything you provided was perfect.
The agent who met us at the airport was lovely and, after 25 hrs of travel, we were grateful for the comfortable and safe drive to the hotel. The hotel accommodations were exactly what we needed and we very much enjoyed our stay. However, the best part of our stay in Tokyo was definitely our guide who we booked as an option.
She was exceptional! We were able to see so much in a relatively short period of time, none of which would have been possible on our own. She was totally knowledgeable and her personality was delightful. It was like having a good friend show us around Tokyo. I’m so glad we spent the day together."
(G.D, US, November 2022)
Your trip to Tokyo and Kyoto in detail
Itinerary
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Day 1 : Wake up in Tokyo 東京
Arrival at Tokyo airport (Narita or Haneda).
Welcome to Japan! Yokoso 日本へようこそ!Welcomed out of customs by our airport assistant, who will give you all your travel documents and Pocket WiFi.
Unaccompanied transfer from the airport to Tokyo (see details).This transfer is done in a shared shuttle or bus, with other guests departing for the same hotel or a hotel close to yours. These transfers depart between 1.5 and 3 hours after your scheduled flight arrival and stops can be made before your hotel.
If you would like a private, non-stop transfer directly after the actual arrival of your flight, feel free to take the "Private Taxi from the Airport" option.
Check-in at Hotel OMO3 Tokyo Akasaka by Hoshino Resorts or Same category hotel 3* (rooms available from 3:00pm).
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Day 2 : First steps in the capital
What is there to do in Tokyo on the first day?
We advise you to slowly start visiting Tokyo from its western districts:
- Harajuku: the avant-garde district
- Meiji Jingû, the imperial shrine
- Takeshita-Dori: the most famous street in Japan
- Omotesando: Tokyo's Champs-Élysées
- Shibuya and its unmistakable "crossroads"One of our many experienced English-speaking guides can also accompany you to visit the classic sights of Tokyo (optional, from 9:00 to 17:00).
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Day 3 : The big loop
For this second day of visiting Tokyo, we recommend the following "loop".
Start from Tokyo Central Station, with its original architecture, then go to visit:
- Ginza, Tokyo's chic district
- Tsukiji, the small outdoor food market
- Hamarikyu, the Japanese garden between Tokyo's buildings
- Asakusa, a traditional district and place of pilgrimage, accessible by a cruise on the Sumida River
- Sensô-ji Buddhist temple, one of the oldest in the city
- Tokyo Sky Tree reaching a height of 643m and its panoramic view of Tokyo at sunset (ticket included in your tour)Enjoy a cruise on the Sumida River between Hamarikyu and Asakusa.
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Day 4 : Follow the guide
There are still many places to discover according to your taste ! Ueno, Yanaka, Odaiba...
Don't hesitate to follow the many suggestions in your travel diary.
Or better still, book an English-speaking guide for the day (optional) to visit Tokyo off the beaten path!
Make the most of our many optional activities:
- Are you looking more for fun? Ghibli Museum, Disneyland or Hello Kitty Park are waiting for you!
- Do you prefer a themed activity? book a visit on an architecture tour, gardens, home cooking or Noh's theatre.
- Chasing thrills? Let yourself be tempted by a helicopter ride or a sumo tournament (in season)! -
Day 5 : On the way to the former capital
Head to Tokyo Station to board one of the fastest trains in the world: the Shinkansen! Travel by Nozomi Shinkansen to Kyoto (direct, approx. 2.5 hours, tickets included). We will try to reserve seats which give a view of Mount Fuji, about 40 minutes from the start!
From noon onwards, you can settle into your traditional Japan Experience house! A Travel Angel will welcome you, show you some unique details and help you to have an unforgettable stay in Kyoto. You will be able to "live the Japanese way" for a few days, with a space much bigger than a hotel room and a kitchen to prepare good Japanese food!
You have 3 days to visit Kyoto.
Start in the afternoon in the historic Gion district near your accommodation :
- Kiyomizu-Dera, the great water temple
- the historical streets of Sannen-zaka & Ninnen-zaka
- Kodai-ji, the maple and bamboo temple of KyotoFinish off seeing the sunset in Gion. Meet your guide at 19:00 to start your late stroll around Gion, Kyoto's historic district.
More details on the exact time and location in your travel diary. At the end of this 1 hour 30 walk, your guide will be able to advise you on the best places to eat out! Please note that it is strictly forbidden to take photographs in the historic district of Gion.
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Day 6 : Gold and Silver Treasures
We recommend the following itinerary for this second day's visit to Kyoto:
- Ryoan-ji Zen Garden
- The Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
- Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)
- The bewitching path of philosophy
- The Nanzen-ji templeOne of our many experienced English-speaking guides can accompany you on a tour of these symbolic sites (optional, from 9:00 to 17:00).
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Day 7 : Now for some activity...
Continue to visit Kyoto heading west :
- Nishiki, Kyoto's culinary market
- Nijo castle, former residence of the shogun
- Arashiyama, to visit the bamboo grove and its monkey mountainThis is your last full day to visit Kyoto, so make the most of our many optional activities:
- Want to enjoy nature? Check out our cycling activities along the Kamogawa River or hiking in the Takao Gorge!
- Prefer Japanese arts? tea ceremonies, meditation activities or private visits to secret gardens will seduce you.
- Looking for Japanese countryside? Let yourself be tempted by a trip to Ohara, or try our flagship activity: on the Tea Road! -
Day 8 : Between temples and deer
For your last day, we recommend taking the 50 minute journey to Nara, which is included in your package.
Visit to Nara, the first permanent capital of Japan in the 8th century:
Discover:
- The Shinto shrine Kasuga Taisha and its thousands of lanterns
- The Todaiji, its great bronze Buddha and the imposing Nan-Daimon gate
- Kofukuji temple and its beautiful pagodaReturn to Kyoto and stop for sunset at Fushimi Inari, the huge 10,000 torii sanctuary in Kyoto. If you wish to be accompanied on this day, one of our English-speaking guides will unveil all the secrets of Japan's first capital (optional, return trip from Kyoto).
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Day 9 : Sayonara, and see you next time!
Direct transfer to Kansai International Airport (included but not accompanied).
Return flight to Europe, North America, Australia.
Do not hesitate to extend your trip by one or more days to Kansai or elsewhere... We will be able to advise you!









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Accommodation
- 4 nights in a 3* hotel in the heart of Tokyo, close to public transport
The basic rate includes a twin room for two people.
- 4 nights in a traditional Kyoto house (cleaning, bed linen/towels and tourist tax included)
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Transport
- Airport transfers to Tokyo
- Return airport transfer Kyoto -> KIX
- Prepaid public transport card
- 3-day Tokyo Metro Pass
- 3-day unlimited transport pass in Kyoto and Nara (Kansai Thru Pass)
- Shinkansen Nozomi Tokyo -> Kyoto, seats reserved, standard class
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Experiences
- Airport welcome
- Entrance to Tokyo Sky Tree (combined ticket 350+450m)
- Welcome to Kyoto by a travel angel
- Guided night tour of Gion (1h30)
Included in your self-guided tour
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Additional services
- Unlimited Wi-Fi access with pocket Wi-Fi
- Complete e-travel diary sent before your departure
- The helpline is available from 8am to 10pm Japanese time, 7 days a week, in English and Japanese. The number will be given to you in your travel pack. It is valid for telephone calls and Whatsapp.
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Not included in the price of your trip
- Flights Europe <> Japan
- Optional insurance policies
- Personal expenses including meals (breakfast optional)
- Public transport when your transport cards have run out (see details)
- Anything not included in the "included in your tour" section
When you buy, Japan Experience offers you 2 types of protection:
Japan Experience Flex :
Cancellation insurance before departure under conditions.
Japan Experience Protect :
Pre-departure cancellation insurance under conditions and on-site assistance under conditions.
Frequently asked questions
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- Assistance available in Japan throughout your trip
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