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Tokyo, Japan
Neon skyscrapers next to old temples; the natural starting point.
Eat: Sukiyabashi Jiro, Gonpachi Nishi-Azabu
Do: Senso-ji, Shibuya Crossing, Meiji Shrine, Tokyo Skytree
- Tokyo: Private Custom Walking Tour with Local Guide
- Tokyo Tower: Admission Ticket
- Imperial Palace (皇居)
- Tokyo Tower (東京タワー)
- Meiji Jingu Shrine (明治神宮)
- Shinjuku Piccadilly (新宿ピカデリー)
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Hakone, Japan
Hot springs, lake cruises and Mt. Fuji views, easy as a stop from Tokyo.
Eat: Hakone Ginyu, Itoh Dining by NOBU
Do: Hakone Ropeway, Open Air Museum, Lake Ashi cruise
- Hike Japan Heritage Hakone Hachiri of Old Tokaido Highway
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Kamakura, Japan
Coastal town of temples and the Great Buddha.
Eat: Soba Tsuruya, Komachi-dori Street
Do: Kotoku-in, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, Hokokuji bamboo garden
- Kamakura: Private Guided Walking Tour with Local Guide
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Kyoto, Japan
The heart of traditional Japan, with temples, gardens and geisha streets.
Eat: Kyoto Gogyo, Kikunoi
Do: Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kinkaku-ji, Gion
- Kyoto: Full-Day Best UNESCO and Historical Sites Bus Tour
- Fushimi Inari Taisha (伏見稲荷大社)
- Yasaka Shrine (八坂神社)
- Kinkaku-ji Temple (鹿苑寺 (金閣寺))
- Arashiyama Bamboo Grove (竹林の小径)
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Nara, Japan
Easy day trip from Kyoto to meet the deer and see the Great Buddha.
Eat: Maguro Koya, Naramachi Hostel & Restaurant
Do: Todai-ji, Nara Park, Isuien Garden, Kasuga Taisha
- Nara : Private City Tour With A Local Guide
- Nara Park (奈良公園)
- Daibutsu-den (Great Buddha Hall) (大仏殿)
- Vairocana Buddha (Nara no Daibutsu) (東大寺盧舎那仏像 (奈良の大仏))
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Hiroshima, Japan
A city rebuilt with heart, home to the Peace Memorial and great okonomiyaki.
Eat: Hassei, Nagataya
Do: Peace Memorial Park, Hiroshima Castle, Shukkeien Garden
- Hiroshima: Peace Memorial, Itsukushima and Miyajima Tour
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park (平和記念公園)
- Atomic Bomb Dome (原爆ドーム)
- Hiroshima Castle (広島城)
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Itsukushima, Japan
Day trip island with the floating torii gate and a hike up Mount Misen.
Eat: Ueno Anagomeshi, Miyajima Brewery Restaurant
Do: Itsukushima Shrine, Mount Misen, Daisho-in Temple
- Floating Torii Gate (厳島神社 大鳥居)
- Momijidani Park (紅葉谷公園)
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Osaka, Japan
Japan's kitchen, packed with street food and neon.
Eat: Fukutaro, Endo Sushi Kyobashi
Do: Dotonbori, Osaka Castle, Umeda Sky Building, Cup Noodles Museum
- Osaka Castle: Museum and Tower Entry Ticket
- Osaka Castle Park (大阪城公園)
- Osaka Castle (大阪城)
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (ウィザーディング・ワールド・オブ・ハリー・ポッター)
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Kanazawa, Japan
Preserved samurai and geisha districts around a famous garden.
Eat: Morimori Sushi, Komatsu Yasuke
Do: Kenrokuen, Omicho Market, 21st Century Museum, Kanazawa Castle
- Kenrokuen Garden (兼六園)
- Kanazawa Castle Park (金沢城公園)
- Kanazawa: Private Tour with Local Guide
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Shirakawa, Japan
Mountain village of gassho-zukuri farmhouses; a night in a guesthouse is the highlight.
Eat: Guesthouse home-cooked meals
Do: Ogimachi village, Gassho-zukuri Minka-en, village viewpoint
- Okayama Viewpoint (城山展望台 (荻町城跡))
- Wada House (和田家住宅)
- 天守閣展望台
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Takayama, Japan
Well-preserved old town in the Alps with morning markets and sake breweries.
Eat: Ajikura Tengoku, Sakaguchiya
Do: Sanmachi Suji, Takayama Jinya, Hida Folk Village, Miyagawa morning market
- Takayama: Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide
- Miyagawa Morning Market (宮川朝市)
- Takayama Jin-ya (高山陣屋)
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Toyama, Japan
Short stop for fresh Toyama Bay seafood and mountain views.
Eat: Sushiei, Iki-Iki Tei
Do: Toyama Glass Art Museum, Toyama Castle, Kansui Park
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Nagano, Japan
Temple city and gateway to the Alps, close to the snow monkeys.
Eat: Sobanomi Yoshimura, Mimatsu
Do: Zenko-ji, Snow Monkey Park, Togakushi Shrine, Nagano Prefecture Museum of Art
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Matsumoto, Japan
Original black castle town with soba and a charming old street.
Eat: Kobayashi Soba, Itoya
Do: Matsumoto Castle, Nakamachi Street, Ukiyo-e Museum
- Matsumoto Castle Tour & Samurai Experience
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Tokyo, Japan
Back in Tokyo for food markets and anime culture.
Do: Tsukiji Outer Market, Akihabara
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Nikko, Japan
Shrines, waterfalls and Lake Chuzenji at the entrance to Nikko National Park.
Eat: Hippari Dako, Kanaya Hotel Bakery
Do: Toshogu Shrine, Kegon Falls, Lake Chuzenji, Shinkyo Bridge
- Edo Wonderland Samurai and Ninja Cultural Theme Park Ticket
- Nikko Toshogu Shrine (日光東照宮)
- Shinkyo Bridge (神橋)
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Tokyo, Japan
A final stop in Tokyo before flying home.