Sample Itinerary

The tours featured throughout our website are intended to give you ideas for what's possible when you travel with us. Treat them simply as inspiration, because your trip will be created individually by one of our specialists to match your tastes and budget.

Tokyo

Our representative will meet you at Narita International Airport or Haneda Airport (assuming your flight arrives after 8:00am and before 21:30) and taken to your hotel in Tokyo by public transportation. They will hand you all your transportation tickets including an IC Card with an initial credit of 2000 yen. They will also hand you a pocket internet device and give you an orientation. When you arrive at your hotel they will check you in and show you where you can find some food and the like. The train from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station will take approximately 1 hour.

Tokyo is home to approximately 12 million people and can be a bit overwhelming. Beneath this surface lies a city of contradictions: ancient temples and shrines beside high-tech department stores; traditional festivals held in modern neighborhoods; peaceful Japanese gardens below intelligent skyscrapers. For its size and sprawl, Tokyo is an incredibly safe, efficient city with a low crime rate, the trains running on time. Tokyo is a vibrant metropolis overflowing with many fascinating sights, sounds, and experiences for you to enjoy.

Tokyo

Your private local guide will meet you in the lobby of your hotel and will show you Tokyo. They will take you to sights that interest you and will also make suggestions. We can work on the sightseeing itinerary or activities before you go to Tokyo to better tailor your sightseeing. Some places you might enjoy are Shinjuku, Harajuku, Asakura or many other options. Your guide will also make suggestions for things to do in the evening.

Kakunodate

Kakunodate is a former castle and samurai town. Though the castle no longer remains, its samurai and merchant districts are relatively unchanged from its founding in 1620. Well preserved former residences that now serve as museums offer a glimpse into the samurai lifestyle. The Aoyagi House, with its thatched roof, is one of the most interesting. The Ishiguro House has a collection of samurai armor and clothing on display. The bullet train from Tokyo Station to Kakunodate will take a little over 3 hours.

Kakunodate

With its hundreds of cherry trees, Kakunodate is one of the region’s most popular places to enjoy spring blossoms. The industry of cherry-bark veneer handicrafts, called kabazaiku, thrives here and visitors can purchase locally crafted items as souvenirs. Kabazaiku demonstrations are given in the Denshokan Museum, where these and other regional crafts are on display.

Nyuto Onsen

Nyuto Onsen is a hot spring resort in the rural setting, surrounded by deep forest and mountains. Main features of Nyuto Onsen are simply to enjoy plenty of mountain and forest scenery, taste traditional Japanese meals and appreciate their natural hot-springs. Dinner will be served at your ryokan (Japanese Inn). In summer, thousands of flowers blossom and open up around you. While leaves on trees change to shiny golden colors in autumn which attracts many season admirers, on the other hand you may surprise the volume of snow falls in winter. The transfer from Kakunodate to Nyuto Onsen will take about 45 minutes.

Matsushima

Today you will travel to Matsushima, a group of about 260 shima, small islands, covered in matsu, pine trees where a tasty dinner will be waiting for you. Along with Miyajima and Amanohashidate, Matsushima Bay is considered one of the most scenic places in Japan. The islands can be viewed from various lookout points, or by taking a local cruise. Please let us know if you wish to take a bay cruise and we will arrange it for you. The transfer from Nyuto Onsen to Matsushima will take about 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Matsushima

Today you will explore Matsushima at your pace. Godaido temple, located next to Matsushima Pier, is interesting for its outer walls decorated with carvings. Zuigan-ji temple is well known for its caves carved into the rock which are used for memorial services. An art museum on Zuigan-ji’s temple grounds displays calligraphy, fusuma paintings, tea cups and portraits. Oshima Island, close to Matsushima Pier, can be reached on foot by crossing a bridge. The island has caves which were used by monks to pray and meditate in. Overlooking Matsushima Bay, Karantei is the largest Momoyama-style tea house in Japan. Originally built in Kyoto, it was moved to Matsushima in 1645. Behind Karantei the Matsushima Museum has tools, armor and weapons on display.

Nikko

Today, after breakfast in Matsushima you will take a train to Nikko to see where the first of the Tokugawa Shoguns is enshrined at Toshogu Shrine. You will also visit Taiyuinbyo, Rinnoji temple and other places of interest. You will be staying at a ryokan (Japanese Inn) where a traditional dinner will be served. The transfer from Matsushima to Nikko will take about 3 hours.

Nikko

A former sacred spot for the Edo Shogunate, this area is known for its glorious shrines and temples set in a beautiful surrounding with waterfalls and lakes. One of the main attractions in Nikko is the Toshogu Shrine where the first shogun of the Edo Shogunate (17th-19th century), Ieyasu Tokugawa, is enshrined. As many as 127,000 craftsmen were involved in constructing the building, using the highest level of technology available at the time. In the back of the shrine, you can see the famous carvings of the ‘three monkeys’, known throughout the world for their ‘see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil’ poses. In 1999, the buildings on Mount Nikko and the forest areas in the surrounding area were registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.

Hakone

After breakfast you will be going to Hakone, which is one of the finest hot spring resorts in Japan. This area has been popular as a hot spring resort for hundreds of years. Its natural beauty and abundance of hot spring baths make it an ideal spot to relax after spending time in the capital, just as feudal lords did hundreds of years ago. While in Hakone you will have the chance to walk parts of the old Tokaido highway which connected Edo (Tokyo) with Kyoto in times past, ride the scenic Tozan Railway through the mountains, and visit the breathtaking Lake Ashinoko. The train from Nikko Station to Hakone Yumoto Station will take approximately 3 hour.

Hakone

After breakfast served at your ryokan you will visit Hakone at your pace. Possible sights include the Open Air Museum (Modern museum Exhibiting sculptures and paintings), Owakudani (an active volcanic zone where sulfurous fumes, hot springs and hot rivers can be experienced), sightseeing cruise on Lake Ashonoko,…Please let us know if you wish to visit a particular sight or enjoy a specific activity and we will arrange it for you. Dinner is also included for this evening so make sure to come back on time at your ryokan.

Tokyo

Today you will head back to Tokyo for your last evening in Japan. This should be the perfect time to relax, get souvenirs, visit a few more sights… The train from Hakone Yumoto Station to Tokyo will take about 1 hour.

Today will be your last day in Japan and your last chance for sightseeing and shopping. Please make sure you arrive at Narita Airport or Haneda Airport at least 2 hours before your scheduled flight. The trip to either airport will take about 1 hour.

What Our Customers Have To Say

The tours featured throughout our website are intended to give you ideas for what's possible when you travel with us. Treat them simply as inspiration, because your trip will be created individually by one of our specialists to match your tastes and budget.

John Moawad

Classical Japan Tour

It was our first trip to Japan. Working with Jeff was a pleasure. His knowledge of the country and local contacts were very helpful. Choice...

Marina Boyer

North Central Exploration

Working with Jeff at Rediscover Tours was a wonderful experience. He helped me plan a 10 day trip of a lifetime to Japan with my mother...

Edan Ecker

Shoguns and Samurai

I would like to take this opportunity to commend and thank you for the marvelous vacation we recently enjoyed in Japan. The entire experience exceeded...

Our Team Of Local Experts

Our team of Japan experts have all lived in Japan for years and know its the hidden treasures. Our team is here to answer all your questions and to build your tour just the way you want it.

Jeff Aasgaard


Tour Sales Director

Jeff was born in a south suburb of Chicago named South Holland and lived in Japan for 14 years. He now lives in Commerce Township, Michigan with his wife Yoshimi, son Shota, and daughter Mina. He enjoys playing with his kids, volunteering with his daughter’s marching band, cycling and training and teaching Aikido.

Michiyo Kakiuchi

Tour Arrangement Manager

Michiyo was born in Noboribetsu, Hokkaido Prefecture though currently lives in Takarazuka, Hyogo Prefecture. Her main passions in life is traveling all around the world and enjoying their cultures.

Izumi Yamauchi

Tour Arrangement team

Izumi has spent most of her life in the Kansai region, except for the 10 years that she enjoyed in the UK. Living abroad has made her appreciate her own culture and local beauty even more. She currently lives in Osaka with her family, including two cats and two dogs.

Why Rediscover Tours

Great trips don't just happen; it takes expert knowledge and years of experience to create a truly memorable holiday. You can rely on Rediscover Tours to make your perfect Japanese experience. Our dedication to excellence makes the difference.

Trips Made for You


Your Japan travel expert will create your trip just for you


Your interests and travel style will be front and center when designing your tour


Accommodations will be selected based on your style and we will inform them of all your special meal and physical requirements


Japan Experts


Your Japan expert has lived in Japan or is Japanese


They know the hidden treasures of Japan that you will love and most tourists miss


Most of our team lives in Japan giving them first hand knowledge of the latest trends and experiences for you to enjoy


Finest Guides


Private local guides add a whole new depth to your Japanese tour


We only hire the best guides and review each trip with them insuring excellent experience


Your private guide will listen to you, show you sights of interest and will make on the fly changes to match the weather and crowds


With Confidence


Our office in Japan is here to assist and support you


Rediscover Tours has been organizing travel to Japan since 2000


You will arrive comfortable in the knowledge that all details are taken care of and that our Japan office is just a call away