Japan Express (9 days)

Tokyo – Kyoto – Nara – Osaka

Designed for travellers with limited time, Japan Express offers a carefully planned introduction to Japan’s history, culture and modern life. This nine-day premium small-group tour takes in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, along with Nara, Japan’s capital during much of the eighth century. Although the pace is brisk, the itinerary allows time for independent exploration in both Tokyo and Kyoto.

Guests wishing to extend their stay before or after the guided tour can be accommodated.

Important Features

• Small group size – 20 maximum.
• Experienced professional guides.
• No shopping stops.
• Quality Japanese & Western cuisines.
• Traditional kaiseki dinner accompanied by a private maiko (apprentice geisha) performance.

Japan Express Tour Itinerary (9 days)

Meal Code: B = breakfast / L = lunch / D = dinner

Day 1/Thu: Departing Home City
The journey begins with your transpacific flight departing from a city of your choice. You’ll lose a day upon crossing the International Date Line.

Day 2/Fri: Arrival in Tokyo
Welcome to Tokyo!

Please make your own way from the airport to the hotel. Detailed instructions for reaching the hotel by public transportation will be provided in the pre-departure information sent approximately two weeks before the tour begins.

Day 3/Sat: Tokyo (B/L)
Tokyo, literally meaning “eastern capital” and officially known as Tokyo Metropolis, is one of the world’s most populous metropolitan areas. The metropolis itself has approximately 14 million residents. Formerly known as Edo, the city became Japan’s political centre in 1603, when Tokugawa Ieyasu established his shogunate there. The shogun was a military ruler who exercised effective control over Japan while the emperor remained the country’s nominal sovereign. Although the institution of shogun dates back centuries, the Tokugawa shogunate ruled Japan from 1603 to 1867.

Edo was renamed Tokyo in 1868, when Emperor Meiji moved the imperial court from Kyoto following the restoration of imperial rule. Tokyo Metropolis was established in 1943 through the merger of Tokyo City and Tokyo Prefecture and today covers approximately 2,194 square kilometres.

Our full-day sightseeing begins at the plaza in front of the Imperial Palace. As we stroll across the spacious grounds, our guide introduces the history of Tokyo and Japan’s imperial family.

We then proceed to Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple, traditionally believed to have been founded in 628.

After lunch, we drive through the fashionable Ginza shopping district on our way to Meiji Jingu, a Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji (1852–1912) and his wife, Empress Shoken (1849–1914).

We end the day with a visit to the observation deck of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku. On a clear day, visitors can see Mount Fuji, approximately 100 kilometres to the west. Designed by renowned Japanese architect Kenzo Tange (1913–2005), the building complex was completed in 1990 at a cost of approximately US$1 billion. Tange became the first Japanese architect to receive the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1987.

Day 4/Sun: Tokyo (B)
Today is free for independent exploration.

We recommend visiting the Ginza and Akihabara shopping districts, both of which are fascinating even for non-shoppers. Also worth visiting are the highly regarded Tokyo National Museum and National Museum of Western Art, both located in Ueno Park, one of Tokyo’s most popular places for viewing cherry blossoms in spring.

Day 5/Mon: Tokyo – Kyoto (B/L/D)
This morning, we travel to Kyoto by Shinkansen bullet train (Nozomi 217, scheduled departure 09:21, arrival 11:32).

Kyoto, whose name literally means “capital city”, served as Japan’s capital for more than a thousand years before the imperial court moved to Tokyo in 1868 during the Meiji Restoration. Founded in 794, Kyoto was modelled on Chang’an (present-day Xi’an), the capital of China’s Tang dynasty (618–907). The Tang period was a golden age in Chinese history and a time of considerable Chinese cultural influence on Japan. Today, Kyoto has a population of approximately 1.4 million and forms part of the greater Kyoto–Osaka–Kobe metropolitan region.

After lunch, we visit Kinkaku-ji (Temple of the Golden Pavilion), a Zen Buddhist temple and one of the 17 component sites of the UNESCO-listed Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.

We then proceed to Arashiyama, on Kyoto’s western outskirts, to visit Tenryu-ji Temple and the famous Bamboo Grove. Known for its scenic beauty, Arashiyama is also home to numerous historic temples and other cultural landmarks.

Afterwards, we return to the hotel to freshen up before heading out for a traditional kaiseki dinner accompanied by a private dance performance by a maiko (apprentice geisha).

Day 6/Tue: Kyoto (B)
This morning’s walking tour begins at the magnificent Nijo Castle, three subway stops from our hotel. Construction began in 1601 on the orders of Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, and was completed in 1626 during the reign of his grandson, Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third shogun. Although the Tokugawa shogunate was headquartered in Edo (present-day Tokyo), Nijo Castle served as the shogun’s residence in Kyoto, where the imperial court was located.

Nijo Castle also played an important role in the events leading to the end of the Tokugawa shogunate. In 1867, the last shogun, Tokugawa Yoshinobu, announced his decision to return political authority to the emperor. This historic development paved the way for the Meiji Restoration of 1868, which accelerated Japan’s industrialization and fundamentally transformed Japanese society.

Afterwards, we visit Yasaka Shrine, one of Kyoto’s best-known Shinto shrines, with a history stretching back more than 1,300 years. Its vermilion buildings and numerous lanterns make it a distinctive landmark in the historic Higashiyama district.

We then continue to Gion, Kyoto’s famous geisha district, for a stroll through its traditional streets.

The afternoon is free for independent exploration.

Day 7/Wed: Kyoto – Nara – Osaka – Kyoto (B/L)
We depart for Nara at 07:45. The 45-km drive to the magnificent Todai-ji Temple takes approximately one hour. This ancient Buddhist temple is renowned for its impressive architecture and the enormous bronze statue of the Buddha housed in its Great Buddha Hall, one of the world’s largest wooden buildings. The temple is located in Nara Park, where more than 1,000 free-roaming deer have become a popular attraction.

Nara, the capital of Nara Prefecture, served as Japan’s capital from 710 to 784. With a population of approximately 350,000 and an area of 277 square kilometres, the city occupies the northern part of the prefecture. Eight temples, shrines and archaeological sites, together with the Kasugayama Primeval Forest, comprise the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara.

Afterwards, we continue to Osaka, where we visit historic Osaka Castle and the city’s famous shopping and entertainment district, Dotonbori. Situated on Osaka Bay near the mouth of the Yodo River, Osaka is one of Japan’s largest cities and a major commercial and economic centre. During the Edo period (1603–1868), Osaka became known as the “nation’s kitchen” because of its central role in the rice trade and the distribution of food throughout Japan.

Day 8/Thu: Kyoto (B)
Today is free for independent exploration.

Recommended attractions include Kiyomizu-dera Temple, famous for its magnificent wooden terrace overlooking Kyoto; the Kyoto Imperial Palace, residence of Japan’s emperors until 1868; Fushimi Inari Shrine, known for its thousands of vermilion torii gates and scenic hiking trails; Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion), celebrated for its beautiful gardens; and the Kyoto National Museum, which houses an outstanding collection of Japanese art and cultural treasures.

Day 9/Fri: Kyoto – Return Home (B)
Our Japan Express tour concludes this morning. Please make your own way to the airport for your return flight. You can travel to Kansai International Airport by airport limousine bus or a combination of express trains. Detailed transportation instructions will be provided in your final pre-departure information.

Hotel List

Dates & Prices

Prices are per person based on double occupancy.

* Price does not include international airfare.

** Single supplement discount available subject to certain conditions. Contact us for details.

Japan Express Tour – Q&A

Do I need a passport and visa to visit Japan?

Canadian, American, Australian, New Zealand and British passport holders do not need a visa to visit Japan for tourism for up to 90 days. Your passport must remain valid throughout your stay. Japan does not require six months of additional passport validity, although some airlines may have stricter rules. Travellers of other nationalities should check the visa requirements applicable to their passports.

Do I need travel insurance for this tour?

We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance covering emergency medical expenses, hospitalization, medical evacuation, trip cancellation and interruption. Medical treatment in Japan can be expensive for foreign visitors. Travellers should purchase suitable coverage before departure, particularly if they have pre-existing medical conditions.

Is Japan Express suitable for first-time visitors to Japan?

Yes. Japan Express is designed for travellers who want to see Japan’s major cultural and historical attractions without spending two weeks or longer in the country. The nine-day itinerary covers Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka, offering an excellent introduction to both traditional and modern Japan.

Is Japan Express a fast-paced tour?

Yes. The itinerary is relatively brisk, particularly on days involving intercity travel and sightseeing. However, free time in Tokyo and Kyoto allows travellers to explore independently or take a break from sightseeing.

Is this tour suitable for seniors?

Yes, provided they are reasonably fit and comfortable walking several kilometres a day. Some attractions involve stairs, uneven surfaces and extended periods of standing. Travellers with mobility limitations should contact Laurus Travel before booking to discuss their specific needs.

How large are the tour groups?

Laurus Travel specializes in small-group travel, with an average group size of approximately 15 and a maximum of 25 participants. Smaller groups allow for more personal attention from our guides and greater flexibility during sightseeing.

Is airfare included in the tour price?

International airfare is not included. This allows travellers to choose their preferred airline, departure city and travel dates. Laurus Travel can assist with flight arrangements upon request.

Are airport transfers included?

No. Airport transfers are not included in Japan Express. Guests make their own way between the airports and hotels. Detailed transportation instructions are provided before departure.

What is the best time of year to take this tour?

Spring and autumn are particularly popular. Cherry blossoms typically bloom in Tokyo and Kyoto between late March and early April, although the timing varies each year. Autumn offers comfortable temperatures and colourful foliage, particularly in November.

Are meals included?

Daily breakfasts are included, along with selected lunches and a traditional kaiseki dinner accompanied by a maiko performance in Kyoto. Other meals are left open so travellers can enjoy Japan’s diverse cuisine independently.

What makes Laurus Travel’s Japan Express different?

Japan Express combines carefully selected accommodation, experienced local guides, high-speed rail travel and well-planned sightseeing in a small-group setting. Unlike some organized tours, there are no forced shopping stops. Founded in 1998, Laurus Travel has nearly three decades of experience organizing tours throughout Asia.