Welcome to Tokyo — one of the busiest cities in the world! We'll start our trip together here before venturing to quieter parts of the country. We will be here for one night only, so if you want to experience the excitement and diversity of this incredible city, we recommend arriving to Tokyo a few days early so that you can explore.

Start planning your time in Tokyo by visiting our blog for ideas of things to do.

We're following a tip from the locals and starting our first full day in Nikko! The forested area of Nikko is north of Tokyo and it's a popular countryside spot where city dwellers go to get away from the hustle and bustle.

We'll run through the golden warmth of the autumn forest and will tour ancient shrines and temples. You won't believe how ornate some of these shrines can be. Take a peek at the Toshogu Shrine for golden decorations and the Shinkyo Bridge that leads to forested temples. Our time in Nikko is perfect for viewing remarkable architecture and is a great spot for nature lovers as we explore the countryside and Kegon Falls.

For dinner, we'll take the group for a local staple - pork tonkatsu!

We'll start our morning a little differently today as we hit the water with our rafts for an energizing river float! Dry off, change, and enjoy lunch before we head south to Lake Kawaguchi. We've picked this beautiful lake to avoid traditional tourist stops and to give you an opportunity to behold the beauty of Mount Fuji reflected in the lake. Here, we will enjoy an afternoon run to enjoy sunset and beautiful views. Plus, we'll get to try mochi - a beloved rice dessert. 

Relax for the evening as we gather for a group dinner and continue trying new, local dishes.

Hooray for early starts! We'll depart Lake Kawaguchi a bit early to travel to Hakone. Get some shut-eye as we travel because we're starting our run when we arrive. Hakone is known for its natural beauty and impressive views of Lake Ashinoko with Mount Fuji standing proudly to the northwest. 

You'll get a special experience here as we board a "pirate ship" to travel across the lake. On the other side, we'll ride the famous "Hakone Ropeway" to get a bird's eye view of the local hot springs. This natural geothermal area, known as Owakudani, includes an active volcanic zone and hot springs and rivers. Here we'll try the famous black eggs cooked underground in by the natural heat of the area,

In the evening, there will be free time to explore, get dinner on your own, and spend time in a traditional onsen.

Pack your bags and get ready for a high-speed adventure! We're boarding the Shinkansen (a bullet train) and traveling to Kyoto. This could be your chance to sample bento boxes, a common commuter snack. When we arrive, we'll shift gears from the modern technology of the train to the tranquility of bamboo forests as we run through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. 

Get your cameras ready for the uniquely lush greenery and enjoy the day appreciating a new landscape. There will be time to wander and pick up souvenirs in the charming district of Arashiyama and then soak in the communal bathing tradition at the hotel onsen.

For dinner, we're eating Japanese BBQ (yakiniku) to sample Wagyu beef and classic grilled meats.

Rise and shine for a beautiful hike at the Fushimi Inari Shrine. Its thousands of red gates cast a warm morning glow on the pathways that carry our feet. 

Afterward, the rest of the day is yours to explore! We can help you book a multitude of cultural experiences like a Japanese tea ceremony, a chance to try on traditional Kimonos, shrine and temple tours (there are over 1,600 in Kyoto!), and more!

Tonight you'll explore Kyoto on your own for dinner. This is a great opportunity to enjoy sushi, ramen, or stop by an izakaya, or Japanese pub, for a local beer and yakiniku (grilled meats).

We'll board another train for a brief ride to the small city of Nara. When we arrive, we'll go on a short run which ends near Todaiji Temple and one of Japan's largest bronze statues of Buddha. 

Nara is known for its deer and we'll have a chance to meet and feed these cute little guys in Nara Park. With over 1,000 deer in the city they have become a symbol of the city and are a designated national treasure. We'll end our time here with a picnic lunch before we depart for Osaka where we'll spend the evening having dinner and free time.

We'll start tour last day off with a morning run at Osaka Castle. Afterward, we will tour this majestic wonder to learn about the important role the castle played in uniting Japan in the sixteenth century. 

Lunch follows our visit and then the rest of the day is yours to explore the area! Try takyoaki (octopus balls) and okonomiyaki for some local favorites. We will reconvene for our farewell dinner as we reflect on a week of joyful memories!