JAPAN TOUR

                                                11-SEPTEMBER-2025 TO 9-OCTOBER-2025

AMAR, RAVI, SATISH & UMA.

                                                                   

                                                      

                                   

        SATISH.                              AMAR.                               RAVI                                     UMA

                          FINAL ITINERARY FOR JAPAN

                                        

			DAY TO DAY ITINENARY FOR JAPAN TRIP
SL NO	DATE	PLACE	DETAILS	MODE	DETAILS	HOTEL
1	11/9/25	TOKYO	Arrive by JL 754 at 2.25pm	AIR	JL 754	CENTURION HOTEL UENO
	to	NARITA	checkin to hotel			Booking No. 73201876296699
	17/9/25		HOTEL:			2-3-4 Ueno, Taito-Ku,Tokyo
						Booking No. 73201876296699
	12/9/25	TOKYO CITY	city tour
		6 NIGHTS	Tokyo skytree, senso ji temple, shibuya crossing
	13/9/25		meiju jingu shrine,shinjuku national garden
			Ueno Park,Tokyo tower,
	14/9/25		yokohoma day tour	BUS	47KMS
			Night tour, sea paradise, sky garden
	15/9/25		Hakone day tour	BUS	70 kms
			lake ashi,volcanic valley,Ropeway, Hot spring
	16/9/25		World Athletics
			100m Race, long jump
2	17/9/25	NAGOYA	Nagoya			COMFORT HOTEL YOKKAICHI
	to	5 NIGHTS	Nagoya castle,Tokyoto Museum,Noritake Garden,	By Train	271 kms	53 HAMADA CHO, YOKKAICHI
	19/9/25		LEGOLAND, Osu Shopping, Botanical Garden			510 0067
						BOOKING # 73201922258065
	19/9/25		kyoto	by train	128 kms
	to		Mount Fuji,Fushimi shrine, Kinkakuji,Nijo castle
	22/9/25		kyoto Tower, Arashiyama Gion
			NARA	BY TRAIN	50KMS
			Mount wakakusa, Nara National Museum
			Nara Park, Isuien Park
			Yoshikien Garden
3	23/9/25	OSAKA	OSAKA	BY TRAIN	82KMS	BEST WESTREN OSAKA TSUKAMOTO
	to	5 NIGHTS	Sumo show, Osaka sky vista, Dotonbori Sushi Making			2-21-9 TSUKAMOTO
	26/9/25		KOBE	by bus	36 KMS	YODOGAWA-KU
			Kobe Suma Seaworld, Sorafune Rooftop Observation			BOOKING No. 73202007508298
			Mt Roko View, Kobe Cruise, Aquarium			COMFORT hiroshima ote-machi
4	26/9/25	HIROSHIMA	HIROSHIMA	by train	302 KMS	3-7-9 Ote-machi,naka-ku
	TO	3 NIGHTS	Walking Tour, Hiyajima Island, Lagoon Night Club			Hirsoshima-ken 730-0051
	30/9/25		Hiroshima Peace Cycling, Atomic Bomb			Booking No.73202025048069
5	30/9/25	FUKUOKA	FUKUOKA	by train	283 KMS	HOTEL WING INTERNATIONAL
	to	3 NIGHTS	Dragon Cruise, Teamlab forest,Mt. Aso Volcano			SELECT HAKATA EKIMAE
	3/10/25		Kusasenri  Grassland, Marine world,Mystical Kyushu			3-22-19 HAKATAEKIMAE,
			Akiyoshido Cave			HAKATA-KU FUKUOKA 812-0011
			NAGASAKI	by train	153KMS	BOOKING NO. 73202070397604
			Day trip Gunkanjima,Dutch Themed Pottery town, Arita,
			Imari
6	3/10/25	NAGANO	NAGASAKI TO TOKYO TO NAGANO	BY TRAIN	1223 KMS	NOGANO TOKYU REI HOTEL
	TO	3 NIGHTS	NAGANO	BULLET		1-28-3 MINAMI-CHITOSE,NAGANO-KEN
	6/10/25		Zenkoji Temple,Snow Monkeys,Matsumoto,waterfall			3800823
		NIKKO	Nikko Toshogu,Kegon /Waterfalls,Shinkyo Bridge,
			Yudaki Cascade,Edo wonderland,Nikko Tamozawa
7	6/10/25	TOKYO	BACK TO TOKYO	BY TRAIN	150 KMS	CENTURION HOTEL UENO
	TO	3 NIGHTS	TOKYO CITY TOUR			TAITU-KU TOKYO
	9/10/25		FLIGHT BACK TO INDIA BY JAL 753	BY FLIGHT		BOOKING NO.

   TOKYO

                                                

1). Ueno Park   -  A large historic park known for its museums, the Ueno zoo, temples & shrines and significant historical sides. The Shinobazu pond in the park with lotus blossoms.

Museums: Tokyo National Museum, National Museum of Nature and Science, National Museum of Western Art and the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum.

We went around the park and visited the Tokyo National Museum. Typically it will take 2 or 3 days to see all museums, zoo & the shrines.

2). Tokyo National Museum (Ueno park)     -  World largest collection of Japanese Art.Collection of some 120,000 objects mainly Japanese art and craft pieces. 

3).  Sensoji Temple - Asakusa   - Tokyo’s oldest temple is a major Buddhist site dedicated to Kannon & founded in 645  AD.   Sensoji receives Approximately 30 million visitors annually making it the most visited shrine in the world.

When approaching the temple, visitors first enter through the Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate), the outer gate of Sensoji Temple and the symbol of Asakusa and the entire city of Tokyo.

A shopping street of over 200 meters, called Nakamise, leads from the outer gate to the temple's second gate, the Hozomon. Alongside typical Japanese souvenirs such as yukata and folding fans, various traditional local snacks from the Asakusa area are sold along the Nakamise. The shopping street has a history of several centuries.

Beyond the Hozomon Gate stands the temple's main hall and a five storied pagoda. Destroyed in the war, the buildings are relatively recent reconstructions. The Asakusa Shrine, built in the year 1649 by Tokugawa Iemitsu, stands immediately adjacent to the temple's main building.

 A must visit destination.

4). Tokyo Skytree.         

                            

The Tokyo Skytree (東京スカイツリー) is a television broadcasting tower and landmark of Tokyo. It is the centerpiece of the Tokyo Skytree Town in the Sumida City Ward, not far away from Asakusa. With a height of 634 meters it is the tallest structure in Japan and was the second tallest in the world at the time of its completion. A large shopping complex with an aquarium is located at its base.

 We visited the Skytree at night and we could see Tokyo well lit. The view was breathtaking & city is well planned and laid out. Ensure you buy your ticket in advance as there is always a great demand. We visited the lower deck but suggest you also visit the upper deck.

5). Imperial Palace.                                     -      Royal Family Residence

The current Imperial Palace (皇居, Kōkyo) is located on the former site of Edo Castle, a large park area surrounded by moats and massive stone walls in the center of Tokyo, a short walk from Tokyo Station. It is the residence of Japan's Imperial Family.

 We only visited the grounds & had a look at the palace. Recommend you to take an arranged tour.

6). Shibuyu Crossing.                                -       Worlds largest crossing

Shibuya Crossing is one of Tokyo's most recognizable sights, pictured in countless films, magazines and blogs. During its busiest times, an estimated 1,000 to 2,500 people forge their way across this intersection every two minutes, enough to quickly fill up a football stadium.

7). Teamlab Borderless -  Art museum that blurs the boundary between art & viewer

People understand and recognise the world through their bodies, moving freely and forming connections and relationships with others. As a consequence, the body has its own sense of time. In the mind, the boundaries between different thoughts are ambiguous, causing them to influence and sometimes intermingle with each other.The Borderless world transforms according to our presence and we immerse and meld ourselves into this unified world.

It is a unique experience and worth the visit. Need to book the tickets online as there is a great demand.

Nagoya

From Tokyo we took a bullet train to Nagoya. We stayed in Yokkaichi & daily went to Nagoya for sightseeing. Yokkaichi is a small town on the coast, quiet & beautiful. Nothing much to see there.

Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology 

Built in the birthplace of the Toyota Group, the museum preserves the original 20th century plant as industrial heritage. It allows visitors to experience the changes in textile technology that underpinned the development of modern Japan and in automobile technologies that are still breaking through new horizons today, through the dynamic exhibits and demos of actual machinery.

A must visit place. Shows how Toyota evolved & the scientific innovations.

                                                      

Nagoya Castle - A major landmark that houses a museum with art treasures and a reconstructed palace. Visitors are not allowed inside the castle.

                               

Nagoya City Science Museum -  The Nagoya City Science Museum has many highlights such as an external appearance of landmark design featuring the spherical shape of the world's biggest planetarium with a diameter of 35 meters, a highly realistic starry sky that shown on the planetarium's screen, a -30 degree ?C room where you can see aurora images.

The building itself is the exhibition with its photovoltaic power generation equipment used to power the building, the green wall, and a way to see its earthquake-proof contraction as well as its elevator structure.
Please come visit the Nagoya City Science Museum not only for its value as a learning facility but as a tourist attraction as well.

                        A must visit destination. A treasure house of knowledge & learning.

 

Osu Kannan Temple 

Osu Kannon (大須観音, Ōsu Kannon) is a popular Buddhist temple in central Nagoya. Originally built during the Kamakura Period (1192-1333) in neighboring Gifu Prefecture, the temple was moved to its current site by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1612 after the original temple had been repeatedly damaged by flooding. The current buildings are 20th century reconstructions.

A flea market is held on the temple grounds on the 18th and 28th of every month. The modestly sized market includes around 60 stalls selling everything from souvenirs and antiques to clothes and second hand goods. Just beside the temple is the entrance to the Osu Shopping Arcade, a network of aging but charming covered shopping streets with over 400 shops and restaurants. The area is sometimes compared to Tokyo's Akihabara district as there are a lot of stores that specialize in electronics, cosplay, anime, J-pop and idol goods.

Not a must visit place. If you have spare time probably you can go there.

Tokugawa Art Museum

        

The Tokugawa Art Museum houses an extensive, and perhaps unrivaled, collection of samurai artifacts from the most senior of the three sub-branches of the house of the Tokugawa shogunate. It is a must for those with an interest in Japan's vast, storied history.

A may be visiting site.

Osaka

From Yokkaichi we took a local train to Nagoya & from there a bus to Osaka.

Umeda Sky Building

The Umeda Sky Building (梅田スカイビル) is a spectacular high rise building in the Kita district of Osaka, near Osaka and Umeda stations. It is also known as the "New Umeda City".

The 173 meter tall building consists of two towers that are connected with each other by the "Floating Garden Observatory" on the 39th floor. The observatory offers great views of the city through its windows and from its open-air deck. In the basement, there is a restaurant floor that replicates a town of the early Showa Period, while offices occupy most other floors.

                                                                         

Beautiful view of Osaka. A must visit destination.

Osaka Castle

The construction of Osaka Castle (大阪城, Ōsakajō) started in 1583 on the former site of the Ishiyama Honganji Temple, which had been destroyed by Oda Nobunaga thirteen years earlier. Toyotomi Hideyoshi intended the castle to become the center of a new, unified Japan under Toyotomi rule. It was the largest castle at the time.

However, a few years after Hideyoshi's death, Tokugawa troops attacked and destroyed the castle and terminated the Toyotomi lineage in 1615. Osaka Castle was rebuilt by Tokugawa Hidetada in the 1620s, but its main castle tower was struck by lightening in 1665, burnt down, and was not rebuilt during the feudal ages.

We did not go into the castle because of a long queue. Book tickets in advance for the castle & museum.

  Osaka Aquarium              

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan (海遊館, Kaiyūkan) is located in the Tempozan Harbor Village of Osaka's bay area, and is one of Japan's most spectacular aquariums. It introduces various forms of life inhabiting the Pacific Rim in a well organized and impressive way.

Marine life is displayed in over a dozen tanks, each representing a specific region of the Pacific Rim. The central tank, representing the Pacifc Ocean, is nine meters deep and home to a whale shark, the aquarium's main attraction.

Visitors start their tour of the aquarium on the 8th floor and slowly spiral down floor by floor around the central tank. Some of the tanks stretch over several floors, making it possible to observe the animals from different depths and perspectives.

 Aquarium was not so great as expected. An optional choice for visit.

Kyoto

Fushimi Inari Shrine

Fushimi Inari Shrine (伏見稲荷大社, Fushimi Inari Taisha) is an important Shinto shrine in southern Kyoto. It is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings. The trails lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari, which stands at 233 meters and belongs to the shrine grounds.

Fushimi Inari is the most important of several thousands of shrines dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice. Foxes are thought to be Inari's messengers, resulting in many fox statues across the shrine grounds. Fushimi Inari Shrine has ancient origins, predating the capital's move to Kyoto in 794.

At the very back of the shrine's main grounds is the entrance to the torii gate-covered hiking trail, which starts with two dense, parallel rows of gates called Senbon Torii ("thousands of torii gates"). The torii gates along the entire trail are donations by individuals and companies, and you will find the donator's name and the date of the donation inscribed on the back of each gate. The donation amount starts around 400,000 yen for a smaller gate and increases to over one million yen for a large gate.

Amazing place. Need to spend at least half a day. There are many trails extending to about 4 kms which can be explored.

Arashiyama Bamboo grooves

Bamboo Groves

The paths that cut through the bamboo groves make for a nice walk. The groves are particularly attractive when there is a light wind and the tall bamboo stalks sway gently back and forth. The bamboo has been used to manufacture various products, such as baskets, cups, boxes and mats at local workshops for centuries.

Beautiful place. Spend more time & relax here. Walk around the place & relax.

Nishiki Market

Nishiki Market (錦市場, Nishiki Ichiba) is a narrow, five block long shopping street lined by more than one hundred shops and restaurants. Known as "Kyoto's Kitchen", this lively retail marketspecializes in all things food related, like fresh seafood, produce, knives and cookware, and is a great place to find seasonal foods and Kyoto specialties, such as Japanese sweets, pickles, dried seafood and sushi.

Nishiki Market has a pleasant but busy atmosphere that is inviting to those who want to explore the variety of culinary delights that Kyoto is famous for. The stores range from small narrow stalls to larger two story shops. Most specialize in a particular type of food, and almost everything sold at the market is locally produced and procured.

A unique market for foodies where you can spend a lot of time.

Kobe

Kobe Harborland Cruise

You can take several cruises from Kobe Harborland, including the luxury Concerto restaurant cruise for dining and live music, or a shorter, more affordable Kobe Bay Cruise on a modern or vintage-style boat. The Concerto offers French cuisine or Kobe beef teppanyaki with scenic views of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, while the shorter cruise provides a quick loop of the port. Another unique option is the Japanese-style Atakemaru ship, which resembles a historic warship. 

We took a standard one hour cruise.

Nunobiki Herb Gardens & Ropeway

Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden, located on the slopes of Mount Rokkō in Kobe, is one of Japan’s largest and most picturesque herb gardens. Accessible via the Shin-Kobe Ropeway, this garden offers stunning views of Kobe city and the surrounding landscape. Spanning approximately 40 acres, the garden features over 200 varieties of herbs and seasonal flowers that bloom throughout the year, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and visitors seeking tranquility.

The garden is divided into multiple themed areas, such as the “Fragrance Garden,” where aromatic plants are cultivated, and the “Rose Symphony Garden,” which showcases a diverse collection of roses. Additionally, the “Glasshouse” houses tropical plants and herbs, providing a lush indoor escape regardless of the weather. Along the winding paths, visitors can enjoy interactive herb displays, educational panels, and rest areas that invite relaxation amidst the greenery.

A must visit location. The flowers, gardens, greenery etc is just amazing. Nature at its best. A different experience compared to visiting bustling town, museum etc.

Nara

Japan's first permanent capital was established in the year 710 at Heijo, the city now known as Nara (奈良). Prior to that, the capital was moved to a new location whenever a new emperorascended to the throne.

However, as the influence and political ambitions of the city's powerful Buddhist monasteries grew to become a serious threat to the government, the capital was moved away from Nara to Nagaoka in 784 and a few years later to Kyoto.

Nara is located less than one hour from Kyoto and Osaka. Due to its historical importance, the city remains full of cultural treasures, including some of Japan's oldest and largest temples.

Alongside Naramachi and Nishinokyo, Nara Park is one of the must-see areas in Nara City. The vast area covers 660 hectares and is renowned for its free-roaming deer and world famous temples. Feeding the deer is an attraction in itself and special crackers are on sale all around the park. For human refreshments, there are traditional tea houses as well as kiosks selling snacks and souvenirs.

Not so impressive as written. A may be visit place.

Hiroshima

We travelled from Osaka to Hiroshima by Shinkansen ( bullet train) from Shin-Osaka station.

Hiroshima (広島) is the principal city of the Chugoku Region and home to over a million inhabitants.When the first atomic bomb was dropped over Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, the city became known worldwide for this unenviable distinction. The destructive power of the bomb was tremendous and obliterated nearly everything within a two kilometer radius.After the war, great efforts were taken to rebuild the city. Destroyed monuments of Hiroshima's historical heritage, like Hiroshima Castle and Shukkeien Garden, were reconstructed. In the center of the city a large park was built and given a name that would reflect the aspirations of the re-born city: Peace Memorial Park.

 Atomic Bomb Dome & Peace Memorial Museuem

Miyajima Island

Miyajima (宮島) is a small island less than an hour outside the city of Hiroshima. It is most famous for its giant torii gate, which at high tide seems to float on the water. The sight is ranked as one of Japan's three best views.

While officially named Itsukushima, the island is more commonly referred to as Miyajima, Japanese for "shrine island". This is because the island is so closely related to its key shrine, Itsukushima Shrine. Like the torii gate, the shrine's main buildings are built over water.

Miyajima is a romantic place, best enjoyed by staying overnight at one of the island's ryokan. While there are usually many daytime tourists, in the evening the area becomes much quieter and more peaceful. There are also wild deer on the island that have become accustomed to people. In the day the deer wander around the same sites as the tourists, and in the evening they sleep along the walking paths. Unlike in Nara, the deer on Miyajima must not be fed.

A beautiful place that must be visited.

Fukuoka 

Fukuoka (福岡) is Kyushu's largest and one of Japan's ten most populated cities. Because of its closeness to the Asian mainland (closer to Seoul than to Tokyo), Fukuoka has been an important harbor city for many centuries and was chosen by the Mongol invasion forces as their landing point in the 13th century.

We just relaxed & had nothing to do. We should have returned back after completing Hiroshima visit.

Nagasaki 

We stayed in Fukuoka & went to Nagasaki by bus & returned the same day.

On August 9, 1945, at 11:02 a.m. - three days after the first atomic bomb was droppedonHiroshima - the second atomic bomb exploded over the Urakami district of Nagasaki. This      bomb killed or injured 150,000 people. Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum covers the history of this event in the accessible form of a story.

Other than the atomic bomb site there was nothing to see. Since it is in the south it is hot. Not many people visit the city unlike Hiroshima. You can skip the visit.

Nagano 

Nagano City (長野) is the capital of Nagano Prefecture. It evolved as a temple town around Zenkoji, one of Japan's most popular temples. In 1998, the city hosted the Winter Olympic Games, and some former Olympic facilities can still be viewed around town.

In the forested mountains northwest of the city center lies the Togakushi area which attracts tourists with its popular shrines and as the legendary home of the Togakure Ninja School. The Togakushi Ninpo Museum and the Kids Ninja Village provide good entertainment and a glimpse of the area's ninja past.

Located north of Tokyo it is a ski resort. It is cooler than the other places we visited. Good place to relax & be with nature.

Mount Fuji

Japan’s Mt. Fuji is an active volcano about 100 kilometers southwest of Tokyo. Commonly called “Fuji-san,” it’s the country’s tallest peak, at 3,776 meters. A pilgrimage site for centuries, it’s considered one of Japan’s 3 sacred mountains, and summit hikes remain a popular activity. Its iconic profile is the subject of numerous works of art, notably Edo Period prints by Hokusai and Hiroshige.

We took an organised on day tour from Tokyo. It was misty & a cloudy day but could get a view of Mt. Fuji when the mist cleared. After finishing Mt. Fuji we went to a lake & cable car ride. An iconic symbol of Japan that is visited by more than 30 million tourists.

Conclusion

A fantastic tour of Japan that left us with sweet memories. No other country in the world can be compared to Japan for its cleanliness, politeness, quality, punctuality, bullet train……We would definitely visit Japan again probably to see places in the north or stay in a tranquil village and experience the serene countryside & beautiful nature.