Your Travel Experience with ARRIVAL
Day 1
ARRIVAL
Fly into Tokyo Narita or Haneda. You will need to make your own way to Shinjuku, where you'll check into APA Hotel Shinjuku Kabukicho Tower. This is walking distance to Golden Gai and directly above one of the best onsens in the neighbourhood. The group meets in the lobby at 6:45pm. By 7pm you're at a Shinjuku izakaya for the welcome dinner – shared plates arriving gradually over the evening, two drinks included and the first real chance to work out who you've ended up in Japan with. You’ll be handed your Suica travel card for the following days of exploring. By 9pm the dinner wraps and the group heads into Golden Gai. Over a hundred unique bars in a space of a city block.
Day 1 - 3
APA Hotel Shinjuku Kabukicho Tower (or similar)
Walking distance to Golden Gai and Shinjuku Station. One of the best-located hotels in Shinjuku with an onsen on site and clean, modern twin rooms. The kind of base that makes coming back at the end of the night easy and starting the next morning a breeze
Day 1
Welcome Dinner and Golden Gai Pub Crawl
Shinjuku Izakaya-style shared plates for the welcome dinner followed by a self-directed crawl through the famous narrow bar laneways of Golden Gai. The guide explains the cover charge system before the group heads out.
Day 2
Harajuku, Meiji Shrine, Shibuya Crossing and Karaoke
Harajuku, Shibuya Morning walking tour through Harajuku's key sights including Meiji Jingu Shrine and Yoyogi Park. Optional teamLab Planets in Toyosu as an add-on at ¥4,400 per person. Book two months in advance for best pricing. Evening at Shibuya Crossing with rooftop viewing and one drink included, yakitori dinner nearby and two hours of private karaoke with all-you-can-drink to close the night.
Day 3 - 4
HOTEL MYSTAYS Fuji Onsen Resort (or similar)
Mt Fuji with views from the rooms and an onsen. Walking distance to the bus station and Fuji-Q Highlands. Simple, well-positioned and the onsen experience here is one of the best on the trip.
Day 3
Mt Fuji, Lakes and Culture or Fuji-Q Highlands
Mt Fuji Self-directed afternoon based on group preference. Lakes route includes Kawaguchi lake walks and Oshino Hakkai cultural village accessible by local bus. Fuji-Q Highlands available as an add-on at ¥6,000 entry.
Day 4
Bullet Train Experience, Kyoto Arrival and Gion Evening
Mishima to Kyoto Bento box lunch on the Shinkansen included. Evening walk along the Kamo River and into Gion's lantern-lit laneways.
Day 4 - 6
Kyoto Granbell Hotel (or similar)
A peaceful street on the edge of Gion with an onsen at the property and easy access to Fushimi Inari, the riverside walks and Kyoto Station. Well-located for everything Kyoto has to offer and a genuine step up in atmosphere from the city hotels.
Day 5
Fushimi Inari, Free Time and Kiyomizu-dera at Golden Hour
Kyoto Morning at Fushimi Inari. Walk the full route for the quieter experience above the crowds. Afternoon free time in Kyoto. Late afternoon taxi to Kiyomizu-dera with entry fee included, followed by the sunset walk back through Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka to Gion.
Day 6
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Osaka Arrival
Kyoto to Osaka Morning visit to the bamboo grove. Afternoon free time before the local train to Osaka. Evening along Dotonbori and into Shinsaibashi.
Day 6 - 9
Kamon Hotel Namba (or similar)
Right in the heart of the action. Minutes from Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi and the best food streets in Osaka. Clean, modern and with breakfast included to start the day properly after however the night ended.
Day 7
Osaka Bike Tour and Shinsekai Food Tour
Osaka Half-day bicycle tour through Kuromon Market, Nipponbashi and Ameri-mura. Bicycle rental included. Evening at Tennoji Park followed by dinner in Shinsekai included.
Day 8
Choose Your Own Day and Hanshin Tigers Baseball
Osaka Self-directed day across four options. There’s a Universal Studios add-on, a rest day in the city, Nara deer park or Kishiwada Danjiri Festival. By evening, Hanshin Tigers vs Chunichi Dragons at Koshien Stadium. Ticket and fan memorabilia included.
Day 9
Bullet Train to Tokyo, Asakusa and Hoppy Street
Osaka to Tokyo Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Tokyo with a reserved seat included. Afternoon in Asakusa. Dinner on Hoppy Street included. Late-night Don Quijote.
Day 9 - 11
Tamayura Hotel Asakusa (or similar)
Views of the Tokyo Skytree and the Sumida River from a hotel in the most traditionally preserved neighbourhood in central Tokyo. Walking distance to Senso-ji, Hoppy Street and the Ryogoku Kokugikan. The right place to end the trip.
Day 10
Yanaka, Nezu Shrine and Sumo Tournament
Tokyo Morning walk through Yanaka to Nezu Shrine. Afternoon at the September sumo tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan. Sumo ticket included. Farewell dinner included.
Day 11
Departure
You’ll need to make your own way back to Narita or Haneda for your onward flight. The hotel is centrally located in Asakusa with good subway access to both airports.