The Kansai Region (West Japan) was the political center of Japan in its early days (c. 300–1600), and now it has become a travel destination where you can see many well-preserved historical and cultural sites. We have combined this main element with many astonishing views of natural sights and tasty foods to enrich your journey.
Follow this itinerary and you won't feel bored in Kansai. Whether you enjoy natural scenery of the mountains and sea, the busy streets of Osaka, the storytelling history of Kyoto, or the different traditional Japanese building styles of Ine fishing village and Miyama's thatched village, there's something for everyone!
This is an ideal tour for first-time visitors and families. Sign up for your favorite part of the tour or simply treat the whole tour as inspiration, designing each element specially for you.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
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Japan, Vietnam extraordinary
The professionalism and knowledge of their cities speak high of all the guides. Jennifer in Tokio was so special that on the last day in Tokio she went to the train station to make sure we boarded the right train, and brought us snacks to take with us. NG in Kyoto suggested us to make up a day to go to Hiroshima, we got the approval from Asia Highlights and he went with us to visit this historic city. More
Francisco Miranda, Oct 2024
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Amazingly good experience!
Alisa was responsible for the Japan period and in a week at most we had figured it out as it was done 15 days before our trip; that said we are from Brazil which means that China is 11 hour ahead of us and that was no impediment at all. More
Andrea J, Sep 2024
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Tokyo Meiji Shrine with a great guide, Johnny!
He explained colorful background stories -- more than this review can hold, but if you are fortunate enough to have Johnny as your guide, you will learn so much more (and enjoyably) than if you go on your own. His knowledge, friendliness and flexibility to conform a tour to his clients' needs is remarkable. We recommend him to family and friends alike who are traveling to Japan. More
Anne Green, Sep 2024
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Highlights
Merge yourself into the vibrant streets of Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi.
Step up onto Rokko Mountain and reward yourself with fresh air and a panorama of Kobe.
Taste the best-known Japanese beef — Kobe Wagyu, and a challenging delicacy — pufferfish.
Wander between different traditional and local building styles.
Cruise across Ine Bay, watch the seagulls, and be careful of the eagles!
Take a cable car up to Kasamatsu Park for the astonishing view of Amanohashidate — a stunning sandbar across a bay.
Experience a Japanese Tea Ceremony and have a short hike in Gion, Kyoto's old entertainment district.
Enjoy the local cultural highlights of Kyoto.
Enter the Japanese Buddhism universe at Koyasan.
Discover the coastline of Shirahama — try a glass-bottom boat cruise and/or its hot springs.
Journey Route
Itinerary in Detail
We arrange plenty of cultural activities to help create memorable experiences along the way. We also take time to admire the nature, and enjoy great foods. Of course, all of them are adjustable according to your ideas!
Welcome to Osaka — a charming, relaxed city, best known for its food and culture!
Arrive in Kansai International Airport (KIX) and travel to your hotel by private transfer. Catch the night atmosphere of Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi Shopping Street and sample various local delicacies, if there is time available after arrival.
Witness the best of Kobe and taste its world-famous Wagyu beef and seafood:
- Step onto Akashi Strait Bridge, the suspension bridge across the Akashi Strait in west-central Japan. It was the world's longest suspension bridge when it opened on April 5, 1998.
- Have a walk on the Maiko Marine Promenade — suspended 47 meters above the sea, it has a total length of 317 meters overlooking the Akashi Strait.
- Visit the Awaji Yumebutai hillside complex that is designed for you to feel as many natural elements as possible, such as water, wind, light, shade, mountains, gardens, sky, and ocean, which you might need more of if your daily lives lack them.
- Finish the day with the incredible panorama of Kobe see from the Mt. Rokko Observatory — selected as one of the "Three Major Night Views of Japan".
- Have some famous Kobe Wagyu ('Japanese beef') for lunch and a seafood buffet for dinner.
On day 3, we would travel from Kobe to northern Kyoto:
- Visit various Western-style buildings that were built during the Meiji and Taisho eras (1868–1926) at Kobe Kitano Ijinkan Gai — the old foreign settlement quarter.
- Moving to northern Kyoto, explore Ine Fishing Village with a cruise for an overall view of the charming village — the distinctive boathouses that line the bay offer an interesting historical perspective.
- Back to Kyoto, take a cable car up to Kasamatsu Park Observatory for a superb hillside view of Amanohashidate — a pine-covered sandbar famous as one of "Japan's Three Scenic Views".
This is a special day for experiencing the local cultural and traditional elements of Kyoto:
- Walk around Miyama's Thatched Village and enjoy the atmosphere and charming views of its tall thatched roofs mirroring a mountain backdrop.
- Back in Kyoto, have a local tea ceremony and pastries for a restful interlude.
- Then, have a short walk in Gion — a district of Kyoto in front of Gion Shrine. Originating as an entertainment district in the Sengoku Period (1467–1573), it eventually evolved to become one of the most exclusive and well-known geisha districts in all of Japan.
On day 5, we would visit the top highlights of Kyoto:
- See the impressive shining Zen temple — the Golden Pavilion — a structure built overlooking a large pond, its top two floors completely covered in gold leaf.
- Then, enter the pleasant area of Arashiyama, a popular destination since the Heian Period (794–1185), when nobles would enjoy its natural setting.
- Get some great photos at Fushimi Inari Shrine — an important Shinto shrine in southern Kyoto, famous for its thousands of vermillion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings.
Looking for something different? On day 6, we would head to Koyasan and immerse ourselves in Shingon Buddhism:
- Drive to Koyasan in the morning from Kyoto, and spend the whole day and night getting a taste of a monk's lifestyle, eating vegetarian monk's cuisine, and attending the morning prayers there.
- Free at leisure and feel the Zen atmosphere.
The day is mainly for relaxing after 5 days of travel and discovery:
- Back at the seaside, check out Senjojiki — 'One Thousand Tatami Mats'. A relaxing walk on its smooth stone formations would be fun!
- Enjoy a sunbathe or swim at Shirarahama Beach — the best beach in Kansai.
- Take a glass-bottom boat to discover the wonders of the clear sea, or simply have a hot spring bath at Shirahama Onsen — Japan's oldest hot spring resort.
- Enjoy fugu ryori (a Japanese pufferfish delicacy) after the daytrip.
- We hope the journey home provides a happy ending to your west Japan experience!
- An Osaka Kansai Airport private transfer would be arranged.
Hand-Picked Hotels
We have selected hotels with different styles and for different budgets. Let us know your preferences and we will help you find the right one.
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Hotel in Osaka with walking distance to Dotonbori
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Traditional Temple Lodging in Koyasan
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Hotel with convenient location in Kobe
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Great hotel for leisure in Miyazu, Kyoto
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Unique hotel with fine location in Kyoto
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Tour Price:
- The price is based on a private tour for 2 people during the low season.
- The price varies based on program, travel date, number of people.
- We could also price a tour including both 4-star and 5-star hotels for you.
- We accept payments in multiple currencies (GBP, AUD, CAD, EUR...).
Price Includes:
- Privately-driven air-conditioned vehicle with ample space (except where stated)
- English-speaking local guide for the sightseeing
- Attraction tickets and itinerary activities
- Accommodation for all nights
- Hotel breakfasts and itinerary lunches/dinners
- 24/7 helpline while touring
- Governmental taxes
Price Excludes:
- International flights not mentioned in the itinerary
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Visa fee, if applicable
- Tips for guides and drivers
- Personal expenses
Tour code: ah-jp-14
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