09:00 Meet your English-speaking guide in the hotel lobby and begin a half-day sightseeing tour of Tokyo by public transportation. This guided introduction is designed to provide cultural context and highlight the city’s unique contrasts.

Explore the Imperial Palace, the primary residence of Japan’s Emperor and a symbol of the nation’s history. Stroll through its beautiful East Gardens, where seasonal flowers and historic ruins create a peaceful escape in the heart of Tokyo. Admire the iconic Nijubashi Bridge and take in the blend of traditional architecture and modern city views.

Meiji Jingu Shrine, located in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo, is one of Tokyo's most popular power spots, known for attracting the largest number of visitors to the shrine each year on Hatsumode (New Year's visit) in Japan. The shrine is also renowned for its numerous other benefits, including prayers for family safety, a prosperous business, and a happy marriage.

14:00 end of the tour at the hotel.

Note: The guide will give you your Shinkansen ticket before parting ways.
Overnight in Tokyo

Meals: None
Accommodation: Tokyo Bay Shiomi Prince Hotel - Own Arrangement

Today is intentionally left open for independent exploration (No services arrangement on that day)
You may choose to shop, revisit areas of interest, or simply enjoy Tokyo at your own rhythm.
Overnight in Tokyo

Meals: None
Accommodation: Tokyo Bay Shiomi Prince Hotel - Own Arrangement

Important: 
- Please take the luggage for only one night in Osaka
- Take your packed luggage to the bell desk or front desk at your Tokyo hotel and ask them to help you with luggage forwarding. You must tell the staff the full address, phone number and check-in date of your hotel in Osaka, so they can fill out the delivery form correctly. 
- The shipping fees are paid on site at the hotel by guest’s own expense
- Your luggage will be transferred to the hotel in Osaka separately by the domestic delivery service

09:00 After check-out, please make your own way to Tokyo station.

*About Bullet train:
< Nozomi231>                   Departure from Tokyo Sta. around 10:12
Arrival at Osaka Station around 12:39
*Regular Class   **Reserved Seats *Without a Guide

12:39 Upon arrival, your English-speaking driver will be waiting at the station. You will transfer by private car to the hotel to drop off your luggage

The remainder of the time is free for you to explore Sakai at your own pace (No services arrangement)
*Recommendation: visiting the Sakai Traditional Crafts Museum and a knife shop, then exploring the Sakai knife-making area

Check in to your hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy a relaxed evening at leisure.

Overnight in Osaka

Meals: None
Accommodation: Hotel Royal Classic Osaka

Commence your day with breakfast at the hotel.

Today is intentionally left open for independent exploration (No services arrangement on that day)
Overnight in Osaka

Meals: Breakfast 
Accommodation: Hotel Royal Classic Osaka

Commence your day with breakfast at the hotel.

Please make your own way to EDION Arena Osaka (Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium), located a short walk from the hotel. Enjoy the tournament at your own pace, with the remainder of the day kept free.
(No guide or transport services are provided on this day)

Notes: The tickets cost for the sumo tournament are not included and will be arranged separately 

Overnight in Osaka

Meals: Breakfast 
Accommodation: Hotel Royal Classic Osaka

Commence your day with breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 After check-out, you will meet the English-Speaking Guide at the hotel and travel by private car to Arima Onsen, one of Japan’s most historic hot spring towns. Spent exploring the town at a relaxed pace, including its traditional streets and hot spring sources.

Arima Onsen has long been loved as one of the three best hot springs in Japan. It is easily accessible from Kobe and Osaka, and is also known as the “back seat” of the Kansai region. On this course, you can fully enjoy Arima’s diverse attractions, including the two famous gold and silver hot springs, gourmet food, and leisure activities to get close to nature.

Taiko Bridge A large bridge at the entrance to the hot spring resort. It was named after Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the father of the Toyotomi family, who was a great admirer of Arima Onsen. The parapets of the bridge are decorated with “75 paulownia paulownia trees” and “senryu gourds” associated with the Toyotomi family, and a statue of Lord Hideyoshi is located near the bridge.

Tenjin Gensen-Yumoto-zaka Yumoto-zaka is the main street of the hot spring resort area, lined with stores with a retro atmosphere. On the way up the slope, take a side street, and you will find Tenjin Sengen in the precincts of a shrine. It is recommended to take a commemorative photo with the sound of the boiling hot water and the white steam rising vigorously in the background.

Note: Before the tour ends, the guide will assist you with purchasing the reserved Hankyu Kanko Highway Bus seat for travel the following day and provide guidance on how to take the train onward to Kyoto.

16:00 Check in to your ryokan in the late afternoon. The tour ends at the hotel. 
Enjoy relaxing time in the private onsen and a traditional kaiseki dinner. 

After Check-in, enjoy Private onsen Shofu [90min] (please inform your preferred time in advance)

Located just a 3-minute walk from Goshoboh, adjacent to the Gosho Spring source. At Shoufu, you can experience hot spring (Kinsen) and steam sauna. You can enjoy a 90-minute session in this private bath. 

Note: Small tattoos are permitted and do not require covering (confirmation received from the ryokan)

Overnight in Hyogo

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 
Accommodation: Tocen Goshoboh

Commence your day with breakfast at the hotel.

Important: 
- Please take the luggage for only one night in Kyoto
- Take your packed luggage to the bell desk or front desk at your ryokan and ask them to help you with luggage forwarding. You must tell the staff the full address, phone number and check-in date of your hotel in Kyoto, so they can fill out the delivery form correctly. 
- The shipping fees are paid on site at the ryokan by guest’s own expense
- Your luggage will be transferred to the hotel in Kyoto separately by the domestic delivery service

10:00 After a leisurely morning at the ryokan, please make your own way to Kyoto station. (No guide or transport services are provided in this morning)

Notes: Travel from Arima Onsen to Kyoto by public transportation via Osaka. Take the Hankyu Kanko Highway Bus from Arima Onsen (near the Arima Information Center) to Osaka Umeda (Hankyu Sanbangai). Upon arrival, walk to Osaka Station and continue by train to Kyoto Station.
Transportation costs are not included and are payable directly by the guests on-spot

Transfer to the hotel in Kyoto on foot (approximately 5-minute walk / 300m) from Kyoto Station.

12:30 After dropping off your luggage at the hotel, meet your English-speaking guide in the hotel lobby and enjoy a sightseeing in Kyoto by public transportation.

Begin with a visit to Nishiki Market before continuing a gentle afternoon exploring Kyoto’s historic Higashiyama district. A slow-paced walk takes you through traditional streets such as Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, with a visit to Kiyomizu-dera, one of Kyoto’s most iconic temples.

Nishiki Market is a narrow, five block long shopping street lined by more than one hundred shops and restaurants. Known as "Kyoto's Kitchen", this lively retail market specializes in all things food related, like fresh seafood, produce, knives and cookware, and is a great place to find seasonal foods and Kyoto specialties, such as Japanese sweets, pickles, dried seafood and sushi.

Higashiyama Walking Tour (with Kiyomizu Temple) Enjoy a slow-paced walking tour through the historic streets of Higashiyama; highlights of the area include: Ninen-Zaka and Sannen-Zaka, two of Kyoto’s most picturesque and well-preserved traditional districts.

Kiyomizudera (literally "Pure Water Temple") is one of the most celebrated temples of Japan. It was founded in 780 on the site of the Otowa Waterfall in the wooded hills east of Kyoto, and derives its name from the fall's pure waters. The temple was originally associated with the Hosso sect, one of the oldest schools within Japanese Buddhism, but formed its own Kita Hosso sect in 1965. In 1994, the temple was added to the list of UNESCO world heritage sites.

17:00 Check in to your hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy a relaxed evening at leisure.

Overnight in Kyoto

Meals: Breakfast 
Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton Kyoto Station

Commence your day with breakfast at the hotel.

Enjoy free time at leisure in the morning before meeting your guide in the afternoon
13:00/15:00 Meet your English-speaking guide at the hotel for a public transportation tour to the Kyoto Imperial Palace, or to one of Kyoto’s iconic temples: Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) or Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion). The specific one key visit will be confirmed once the day flow is finalized.

(Start from 1pm) Kyoto Imperial Palace (closes 3:20pm) was the residence of the emperor for more than 1,000 years from the Heian Period to the Meiji Period, and Kyoto was the “capital” of Japan for many years. Today, the vast, lush green grounds of approximately 100 hectares, including the Kyoto Imperial Palace, Kyoto Grand Palace, Kyoto Sento Palace, and Kyoto State Guest House, are widely enjoyed by domestic and international visitors, as well as by the citizens of Kyoto.
or 
(Start from 3pm) Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) (closes 5pm) is a Zen temple in northern Kyoto whose top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf. Formally known as Rokuonji, the temple was the retirement villa of the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and according to his will it became a Zen temple of the Rinzai sect after his death in 1408. Kinkakuji is an impressive structure built overlooking a large pond, and is the only building left of Yoshimitsu's former retirement complex.
or
(Start from 3pm) Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion) (closes 5pm) The Silver Pavilion was created in its present location purposely by Ashikaga Yoshimasa to have his back facing the center of Kyoto to make sure you could get away from all the conflict and politics. The Silver pavilion is also located behind the Yoshida Mountain again to keep it from seeing central Kyoto. The Garden with in the complex is a Zen Garden, and the Mound in the middle has no real meaning, although it is said that from Ashikaga Yoshimasa's residence he could see the ocean (stones), then Mt Fuji (mound in the garden) and then the Silver Pavilion with the moon above. 

Overnight in Kyoto

Meals: Breakfast 
Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton Kyoto Station

Commence your day with breakfast at the hotel.

You will make your own way from the hotel in Kyoto to Kansai International Airport. (No airport transfer or guide service is included on this day)

Normally check-out time is at 12:00, late check-out is not included and subject to availability.

Meals: Breakfast