Please check in at the hotel near Kyoto station on your own and enjoy a free afternoon in Kyoto. Hotel check-in is available from 3:00 PM onward.

Enjoy exploring the ancient capital of Kyoto with an English-speaking guide. The itinerary is flexible—depending on the season, it may include Kinkaku-ji Temple (the Golden Pavilion), Ryoan-ji Temple with its famous zen rock garden, the enchanting Arashiyama Bamboo grove, and several other breathtaking locations carefully selected to highlight the city’s beauty at its most captivating.

**Transportation between sites in Kyoto over the two days will primarily be by public transportation, such as local trains and buses. Should you prefer a private vehicle, arrangements can be made at an additional cost.

**Optionally, with advanced notice and at additional cost, we can conclude an exquisite dinner accompanied by a maiko (apprentice geisha). You’ll have the opportunity to learn about their traditions, enjoy a captivating performance, and—depending on the interpretation skills your guide provides—perhaps engage in meaningful conversation.

Another day to explore Kyoto with an English-speaking guide. You will visit Fushimi Inari Shrine, renowned for its iconic and seemingly endless path of vermilion torii gates, as well as a local sake brewery, where you'll learn about the history and production of one of Japan’s most celebrated beverages. You’ll also enjoy strolling through the historic Higashiyama district and visiting Kiyomizu Temple. This area features some of Kyoto’s most nostalgic and traditional neighborhoods, including Yasaka Pagoda, Ninenzaka, and Sannenzaka—places that beautifully preserve the charm of old Japan.
Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.

Travel with your guide by private vehicle to Nara, another ancient capital of Japan. Highlights include Tōdai-ji Temple, home to the Great Buddha—Japan’s largest bronze statue, originally constructed in the 8th century—and Nara Park, where friendly deer roam freely among visitors.
Afterward, continue on to Mount Koya, a sacred site of the esoteric Shingon school of Buddhism, nestled atop a forested mountain. You'll enjoy strolling through the serene temple town before checking in at your temple lodging. In the evening, savor a traditional shōjin-ryōri dinner—an elegant vegetarian meal prepared according to monastic customs.

In the early morning, you’ll join the temple’s morning service, observing the monks’ daily rituals—a serene and profound experience made possible by your stay at temple lodging. After breakfast, your guide will lead you on a peaceful morning walk through Okunoin, the spiritual heart of Mount Koya, where prayers have echoed for over a thousand years. Afterward, you will be transferred to Wakayama port by private vehicle, then part ways with your guide and board a ferry bound for Tokushima Port, located on the eastern coast of Shikoku Island. Upon arrival, you'll meet your local guide for the Shikoku region and continue by private vehicle toward the Iya Valley—celebrated as one of Japan’s three most remote and mystical destinations. In the evening, relax and indulge in the region’s traditional cuisine and a rejuvenating soak in the local hot springs.

You’ll explore various sights around the hidden Iya Valley with guide and private vehicle, including the famous Kazurabashi vine bridge and the Double Vine Bridge in Oku-Iya. These suspension bridges, crafted from intertwined vines, once served as the primary means of crossing the river. You'll also visit Ochiai Village, a community of traditional dwellings—some dating back to the Edo period—where you can observe scenes of authentic rural life. In addition, you'll explore the hauntingly unique Scarecrow Village, known for its population of life-sized dolls replacing departed residents. The breathtaking landscape of steep gorges is just one of the many reasons to venture into this remote and mystical region.

Travel by private vehicle with your guide to Takamatsu in Kagawa Prefecture. Along the way, enjoy visits to Kotohira-gu Shrine—affectionately known as “Konpira-san”—and Ritsurin Garden, regarded as one of the most beautiful Japanese gardens in all of Shikoku.
Afterward, say farewell to your guide at Takamatsu Station and take the train across the Seto Inland Sea to Okayama. From there, transfer to the Bullet train bound for Hiroshima. Upon arrival at Hiroshima Station, please check in to your nearby hotel on your own.

Enjoy a full day of sightseeing in Hiroshima and the World Heritage island of Miyajima, accompanied by your private guide. Travel by train to Miyajimaguchi Station, then take the ferry across to Miyajima Island.
Visit Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its iconic “floating” appearance over the sea. Depending on the tides, the shrine seems to rise from the water during high tide, while at low tide you may have the unique opportunity to walk out to the grand torii gate. Each moment offers a different and equally enchanting view of this sacred site. In the afternoon, return to Hiroshima to visit the Peace Memorial Park, the accompanying museum chronicling the events of August 6, 1945, and the iconic Atomic Bomb Dome—solemnly revered as enduring symbols of peace and resilience.

You will check out on your own and the end of the tour. From here, you may choose to travel by bullet train to Osaka or Tokyo, or continue your journey westward toward the Kyushu region.