Japan… The Land of the Rising Sun! – 11 Days

Arrival in Osaka. Pick-up and transfer to the hotel. With nearly nine million residents and an economy surpassing that of Hong Kong and Thailand, Osaka is a city with great potential. This magnificent yet elegant city is a commercial hub with exceptional restaurants and nightlife. Dinner and overnight stay.

After breakfast, we will depart to visit one of Japan’s oldest cities, Nara, which hosts the largest bronze Buddha statue in the world, standing at 16 meters tall and weighing 550 tons. Symbol of peace, the park of the city is full of tame deer that roam freely around Todai-ji Temple. According to legend, the deer became the messengers of the gods when one of them appeared on a white deer to protect the city. Return to Osaka and a city tour. Among other sights, we will visit the famous Osaka Castle, then head to the commercial area of Dotonbori & Shinsaibashi, Osaka's iconic neighborhood filled with shops and restaurants, where you can also try the famous street food. The next stop is the impressive Umeda Sky building. The ascent to the top offers a breathtaking view. Return to the hotel and overnight.

After breakfast, we will head to Kyoto. A journey to Kyoto is like a tour through 11 centuries of Japanese history. Here, traditions, religion, aesthetics, and art were born. The blooming Kyoto of cherry blossoms and refined gardens maintains its authenticity, refusing to compromise with the future. First, we’ll visit the picturesque Arashiyama area, where we’ll see the bamboo forest—an extraordinary place to enjoy nature with plants reaching up to 40 meters high—and the scenic Togetsu-kyo bridge. Then, we will immerse ourselves in the world of the Samurai and their way of life, including a brief sword demonstration. Overnight.

After breakfast, we will visit the incomparable Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji-Temple), covered entirely in gold leaf. Next, we’ll visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its thousands of Torii gates, which is located on Mount Inari. It is the central shrine among about 40,000 shrines in Japan dedicated to the rice deity Inari, and it is believed to have been built in 711. Afterward, we’ll visit a sake brewery, where we’ll see how the traditional rice-based drink is made. Next, we’ll visit the impressive Kiyomizu-dera temple, and walk up a small hill to see the statue of the Goddess of Mercy, Kanon, with her 11 faces. The Sanen-zaka and Ninen-zaka areas take us back in time with their beautiful traditional architecture and small shops. Return to the hotel and overnight.

After breakfast, we will send our luggage to Tokyo and carry only a small handbag. We will depart by bullet train to the popular resort town of Hakone, where, weather permitting, we will admire the grandeur of Mount Fuji. We’ll board one of the “pirate ships” for a cruise on the picturesque and turquoise Lake Ashi, renowned for its view of Mount Fuji. Transfer to the hotel, dinner, and overnight.

After breakfast, we will head to Tokyo, stopping along the way to visit the medieval town of Kamakura. Among other sights, we will see the Great Buddha Temple with its 13-meter-tall bronze statue and thousands of commemorative lanterns. We will then stroll through the charming Komachi-dori pedestrian street with wooden houses, quaint shops, and traditional restaurants. Next, we’ll visit Yokohama, a former fishing village that became a port and one of Japan’s largest cities. We will visit China Town, Japan’s largest, and the Yamashita Park, famous for its view. We will then explore the lively Minato Mirai area with skyscrapers, restaurants, and shops. Arrival in Tokyo and hotel check-in. Overnight.

After breakfast, we will begin our full-day tour of Japan’s dazzling capital, which combines traditional with modern. Among other places, we will visit the Asakusa district, home to the Buddhist Senso-ji Temple, the oldest and one of the most important in Tokyo, and the busy shopping street Nakamise, where you can taste local treats. We will continue by passing the Imperial Palace, the official residence of the Japanese Emperor, and conclude at the Shibuya Crossing, the busiest intersection in the world, known from films and more. The area is full of shops, restaurants, and entertainment centers. Free time for shopping, and then we will enjoy panoramic views of the city from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observation Deck. Return to the hotel and overnight.

After breakfast, the day is free for you to explore as you wish. We recommend a stroll through the Ginza district, known for its luxury fashion and tech stores, or a visit to Ueno Park, a green oasis in the heart of Tokyo, famous for its many museums, art galleries, zoos, traditional markets, and local delicacies. In the evening, we suggest a walk down the famous Kabukicho street, Tokyo’s "red-light district." Overnight.

After breakfast, enjoy a few more hours in this fascinating city. In the afternoon, transfer to Tokyo airport for the return flight. Arrival in Larnaca on the morning of the 11th day, enchanted by the most modern country on the planet with thousands of years of history, which captivates even the most demanding traveler.