9-Nights Japan Uncovered: Pop Culture & Cuisine - Food & Drink, Private Guided Experiences, Arts & Culture — CALL

Itinerary Details

Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo

Transfer: Tokyo Haneda Aptto Tokyo - Shinjuku

Hotel: Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo (4 Star Rating)

The Keio Plaza Hotel is the ideal location to explore the delights of the city of Tokyo. Only minutes away from the most popular shopping and entertainment spots, the luxury hotel provides stunning views over central Tokyo. The Keio Plaza Hotel offers a wide variety of home-away-from-home hospitality, with 1,435 guest rooms to choose from to accommodate your every need. Located in Shinjuku, in the very heart of the Tokyo metropolis, the Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo extends top rated services and facilities, features that guests come to expect of a world class hotel.

Anime (Japanese animation) and manga (comics) are loved throughout the world and are just as important a piece of Japanese culture as more traditional arts are. On this half day tour a local guide will take you around to discover some real life places that have appeared in anime in the past. There will also be some time to do a little shopping. Visit Kanda Myojin Shrine, whose mascot is a character from the popular anime "Love Live!".

Wander the streets of Akihabara, a mecca for anime and manga fans. Stop by Yotsuya Suga Shrine, which was used in the final scene of Makoto Shinkai's anime hit "Your Name". Head to Shibuya, a main hub for youth culture and fashion in Tokyo. Visit the JUMP shop, selling goods related to manga series such as the hugely popular "One Piece" and "My Hero Academia". Your last stop is the Shibuya Pokemon Centre.

Meet a ramen expert at your hotel and head to two of their top recommended ramen shops where you will be able to enjoy 4 mini bowls of steaming hot ramen.

The expert will be happy to share their passion for noodles with you and explain why these particular restaurants are, in their opinion, some of the best in town. You'll soon find that no two ramen shops are the same as they all have their own unique specialty, be it the deep flavor of their broth or the firmness of their noodles.

Your first visit today is Hotel Gajoen Tokyo, a historical hotel said to be the inspiration for one of Studio Ghibli's films. Take a commemorative photo and enjoy a buffet style lunch. Then visit the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum, an outdoor museum featuring historical structures that have been relocated and recreated for the exhibit. Walk down the streets lined with colorful and intriguing buildings, an atmosphere just like the Studio Ghibli film "Spirited Away." Lastly, visit the popular Studio Ghibli Museum.

You'll have over two hours to explore the museum and plethora of exhibits at your own pace including viewing a Ghibli original short, animated film only viewable at the museum. At the end of the tour travel by bus to Shinjuku Station where the tour will disband.

Take a stroll around one of Tokyo's trendiest areas, conveniently located only minutes away from Shibuya. A popular place for locals in their mid-twenties to early forties to grab a drink and a bite, this area boasts some of Tokyo's best casual eateries. On this tour, you will visit three different restaurants, so-called 'akachochin' or izakaya, and get to experience some of the authentic food locals enjoy. These are friendly places where interaction between patrons often take place.

Hotel: Mercure Kyoto Station (3 Star Rating)

Mercure Kyoto Station is the first Mercure brand hotel in the Kansai region. The main lobby features an installation of an origami kemari (Heian era football) made from handmade Japanese paper and a colorful design wall composed of blown glass spheres that is sure to provide an elegant start to your trip.

Today you will have the opportunity to visit a traditional house and experience a classic Japanese artform. Get dressed in a beautiful casual kimono before participating in an authentic tea ceremony. Learn about tea history, various types of tea and tea ceremony etiquette from a professional instructor. You will see how every movement has a meaning and understand what the act of serving tea to guests means in Japan.

A celebrated site, the world - famous Fushimi Inari Shrine sees millions of visitors every year. Thousands of bright red torii gates line the mountain trail of Fushimi Inari Shrine. Walking through the truly unique vermillion gate pathway is a visually stunning experience. Inari is the Japanese God of rice harvest. It is also believed to bless businesses with an abundance of fortunes, hence its popularity with merchants. The shrine complex spans over the entire Mt. Inari (233m/765ft).

On your tour, you will visit the main shrine hall. Then, you will proceed through the famed vermillion gate tunnel. Next, visit a temple that once caught fire and was reconstructed a century after it was first constructed. At 120 meters, Sanjusangendo is the longest wooden structure in Japan. Inside, you will find 1001 statues of Kannon, the Buddhist saint of Mercy.

Then stop at a celebrated UNESCO site, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, which is older than Kyoto as the capital of Japan. Built for Kannon, the Buddhist saint of mercy, this temple is said to grant wishes of all kinds - and especially so for women praying for safe childbirth. The temple is famous for its wooden platform stage, the Kiyomizu Butai. The massive stage was constructed out of wood and joints - no nails. At four stories high, it was once a popular wish-making spot.

Today you will first visit Nishiki Covered Food Markets. Together with your guide explore the many interesting food stores and buy the ingredients for your Japanese cooking class. This will give you an opportunity to learn about local Japanese produce. After visiting the markets, you'll travel through the back streets and lanes of Kyoto, and visit a traditional townhouse for a sake tasting. Your walk will end at a traditional wooden townhouse for your Japanese cooking class. Here you will learn how to make rolled sushi! Miso soup, salad and seasonal fruit will also be served during the meal. Enjoy your results for dinner!

Meet your guide at Kyoto Station and set out by coach for Nara (90 minutes). Visit the Kasuga Grand Shrine, famous for its hundreds of bronze lanterns which hang from the buildings and line walking paths through the woods. The friendly wild deer of Nara Park roaming freely around the temple are considered to be sacred messengers of the Shinto gods. Continue to Todaiji Temple, which houses the world's largest bronze statue, the tallest of the three Great Buddha statues of Japan. Return to Kyoto between 6:30-7:30pm.

Hotel: Hotel Vischio Osaka (4 Star Rating)

JR West Hotel’s new “Vischio” brand hotel emphasizes accommodability with a sophisticated modern urban flair.

“Vischio” is Italian for mistletoe, a plant that is considered sacred and a source of happiness, safety, and good fortune in Norse mythology.

The name is meant to express our desire to provide a relaxing, refreshing atmosphere for travelweary guests.

Osaka, one of Japan's most dynamic and energetic cities, is renowned for its friendly, outgoing residents and vibrant food scene. Begin your culinary adventure by meeting your guide in a lively local neighborhood, where people of all ages come together to savor the region's famous dishes. This area, often bustling with energy, offers a perfect opportunity to dive into Osaka's unique food culture. As you walk through its streets, you'll sample an array of mouthwatering delights, from piping hot street food to dishes served at standing bars and cozy izakayas (traditional Japanese pubs).

The atmosphere here reflects Osaka's rich gastronomic heritage, with comfort foods like takoyaki (octopus-filled balls), okonomiyaki (savory pancakes), and skewers of grilled meats filling the air with their tempting aromas. Your guide will share stories about Osaka's status as Japan's ultimate foodie capital, known affectionately as "the nation's kitchen." You'll experience not only the flavors but also the warmth and community spirit that make the city's culinary culture so special.

This exciting full-day experience takes you from Osaka to Nijigen no Mori, a uniquely Japanese anime and manga theme park on Awaji Island. You’ll find a mix of immersive narrative experiences, interactive games, and family-friendly activities that bring popular anime and game worlds to life. Highlights include Godzilla Interception Operation, a dramatic experience combining a short film, museum exhibits, shooting missions, and thrilling ziplines that send you straight toward a life-size Godzilla. Dragon Quest Island lets you step into a real-world RPG, completing quests and battling monsters as you explore on foot, while NARUTO & BORUTO Shinobi-Zato recreates the Hidden Leaf Village with puzzle missions, a multi-level ninja maze, and themed dining like Ichiraku Ramen. Families will love Crayon Shin-chan Adventure Park, featuring athletic courses and ziplines suitable for all ages. The park also hosts seasonal and limited-time collaborations, plus themed restaurants and shops, making it easy to spend a full, fun-packed day exploring at your own pace.

Transfer: Osaka - Dotonbori & Namba to Osaka Kansai International Airport