Japan Adventure: From Castles to Temples

jorge pastor

10 Mar 2024

Embark on an 18-day journey through the cultural wonders of Japan. Explore the majestic Ōsaka-jō, immerse yourself in the ancient beauty of Kyoto, discover the charm of Kanazawa, and experience the traditional atmosphere of Takayama. Finally, dive into the vibrant city life of Tokyo. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure!

Trip to Ōsaka-jō

Tours & Activities

Viator Tours

Day 1Unveiling the Treasures of Ōsaka-jō

$20

$ 9

Traditional temple dating to the 12th century featuring Buddha sculptures made from crushed bones.

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

•

Free

9 - 11 min

Directions

Small shrine featuring a ritualistic performance stage in the shape of a lion's head.

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

•

Free

7 - 9 min

Directions

Famous for its neon lights, this landmark features an observation deck open to the public.

No time set

•

$20

8 - 10 min

Directions

Spacious market with vendors selling street food, fresh produce & shellfish, plus souvenirs.

No time set

•

Free

Day 2Serenity and Nature in Osaka

$13

$ 6

Shinto shrine with a peaceful garden, plus structures rebuilt repeatedly since the 3rd century.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

Free

19 - 23 min

Directions

Large tree- & flower-filled park with open, grassy lawns, a baseball field & swimming pool.

10:30 AM - 1:30 PM

•

Free

28 - 34 min

Directions

Landscaped city park offering lawns, flowerbeds, paved areas, fountains & cafes.

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

•

Free

11 - 16 min

Directions

Restored Buddhist temple first built in 593 with a 5-story pagoda, statues & ponds with turtles.

4:30 PM - 6:30 PM

•

$13

Day 3Exploring the Vibrant Streets of Osaka

$ 3

Bustling urban area known for its Korean restaurants, shopping venues & street food.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

Free

26 - 32 min

Directions

Lively entertainment district known for its soaring illuminated billboards, restaurants & theaters.

10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

•

Free

1 - 2 min

Directions

Famed giant billboard installed in 1935 as an advertisement for the Glico confectionery company.

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

•

Free

4 - 6 min

Directions

Bustling shopping district featuring a wide range of high-end tax-free shops with airport delivery.

2:30 PM - 4:30 PM

•

Free

Day 4Divine Shrines and Historic Landmarks

$25

$ 9

Ancient, ornate Ebisu Shinto shrine that's known for its Tōka-Ebisu festival & "Lucky Man" race.

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

•

Free

22 - 27 min

Directions

Osaka International Convention Center (Grand Cube Osaka)

9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

•

$13

12 - 18 min

Directions

Rectangular recreational park featuring a rose garden, tennis center, sports courts & eateries.

12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

•

Free

23 - 28 min

Directions

10th-century Shinto shrine & site of one of Japan's biggest festivals, Tenjin Matsuri, held in July.

2:30 PM - 4:00 PM

•

Free

19 - 23 min

Directions

Vast green space offering gardens with cherry blossoms, athletic fields, open-air theaters & more.

4:30 PM - 7:30 PM

•

$13

Day 5Thrills and Magic at Universal Studios Japan

$225

$ 3

This sprawling theme park dedicated to popular American movies features rides & live entertainment.

8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

•

$200

34 - 41 min

Directions

This museum features re-creations of buildings & streets in Osaka to depict life in the past.

2:30 PM - 4:00 PM

•

$25

Day 6Parks, Castles, and a Tower of Wonder

$113

$ 9

Large park & botanical garden with a pond, sports facilities & tulip farm with quaint windmill.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

Free

37 - 45 min

Directions

Revered castle dating to 1597 & since rebuilt, featuring gardens & a museum with varied exhibits.

10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

•

$25

21 - 32 min

Directions

Contemporary museum with exhibits detailing Osaka history from ancient times to the present day.

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

•

$25

15 - 18 min

Directions

City onsen offering a range of facilities & treatments centered around the natural hot springs.

3:30 PM - 5:30 PM

•

$50

37 - 45 min

Directions

Huge, offbeat sculpture built for the 1970 World’s Fair & offering tours with advance booking.

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

•

$13

Budget breakdown: $1280 In total

Activities & Food:$1191

Transport:$89

Trip to Kyoto

Tours & Activities

Viator Tours

Day 1Unveiling the Treasures of Ōsaka-jō

$38

Historic Buddhist temple with a 5-story wooden pagoda & sculptures of deities from the 8th century.

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

•

$13

27 - 40 min

Directions

Contemporary space with exhibits on the railway & an array of locomotives & trains on display.

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

•

$25

Day 2Serenity and Nature in Osaka

$38

$ 8

Historic, tranquil temple with a gold-leaf facade set amid landscaped gardens & a reflecting pond.

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

•

$13

16 - 20 min

Directions

Palace complex & former Imperial family residence reconstructed in 1855, with gardens & gates.

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

•

Free

27 - 33 min

Directions

Iconic Buddhist temple on Mount Otowa known for the scenic views afforded from its sizable veranda.

12:30 PM - 2:30 PM

•

$25

Day 3Exploring the Vibrant Streets of Osaka

$33

$ 8

Built in 1603, this cypress-wood castle with extensive gardens was a home for the shogun Ieyasu.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

$20

22 - 27 min

Directions

Mountainside Shinto shrine dating from 711 A.D. featuring a path with hundreds of traditional gates.

10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

•

Free

34 - 41 min

Directions

Tours are offered of this iconic temple with a scenic pond & garden, plus a building with artifacts.

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

•

$13

Budget breakdown: $1280 In total

Activities & Food:$1191

Transport:$89

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Trip to Takayama

Tours & Activities

Viator Tours

Day 1Unveiling the Treasures of Ōsaka-jō

$48

$ 3

Open-air museum featuring Edo-period farmhouses, known for their thatched roofs & wood construction.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

$20

7 - 9 min

Directions

Tours are offered of this historical, restored government building with a Japanese garden.

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

•

$13

8 - 12 min

Directions

Retro museum presenting displays, objects & memorabilia dedicated to the Showa period (1926–1989).

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM

•

$15

Budget breakdown: $1280 In total

Activities & Food:$1191

Transport:$89

Trip to Tokyo

Tours & Activities

Viator Tours

Day 1Unveiling the Treasures of Ōsaka-jō

$ 6

This site with scenic gardens & tours of the grounds is the main residence of the emperor of Japan.

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

•

Free

8 - 10 min

Directions

Western-style city park featuring flower beds, outdoor music venues & public halls.

11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

•

Free

11 - 14 min

Directions

Large, modern venue presenting temporary exhibitions of Japanese & international art.

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

•

Free

Day 2Serenity and Nature in Osaka

$83

$ 6

World's tallest freestanding broadcasting tower with an observation deck boasting 360-degree views.

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

•

$38

16 - 20 min

Directions

Museum of fine art, sculpture & photography, with 6 exhibition halls, cafes & restaurants.

9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

•

$25

3 - 4 min

Directions

19th-century zoo with 400+ animal species, including pandas, a petting area & a 5-story pagoda.

12:00 PM - 3:00 PM

•

$20

16 - 20 min

Directions

Urban entertainment complex boasting a dome-shaped baseball stadium, roller coasters & a mall.

3:30 PM - 6:30 PM

•

Free

Day 3Exploring the Vibrant Streets of Osaka

$120

$ 3

Popular city park featuring ample walking paths, a lake with boat rentals, a zoo & several museums.

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

•

Free

53 - 64 min

Directions

Tokyo offshoot of the iconic theme park known for its rides, live shows & costumed characters.

11:30 AM - 5:30 PM

•

$120

Day 4Divine Shrines and Historic Landmarks

$13

$ 3

Surrounded by forest, this venerable Shinto shrine features a seasonal iris garden.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

Free

16 - 24 min

Directions

Large, public city park with lakes, fountains & forested areas with mature trees.

10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

•

Free

73 - 88 min

Directions

Sprawling national park with extensive trails, bike paths & a variety of gardens & woods.

1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

•

$13

Day 5Thrills and Magic at Universal Studios Japan

$30

$ 6

Whimsical museum dedicated to the famed animation studio with a play area, theater & rooftop garden.

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

•

$25

33 - 40 min

Directions

This former estate is now a 144-acre park with diverse garden areas, grassy expanses & a greenhouse.

11:30 AM - 2:30 PM

•

49 - 59 min

Directions

Sprawling waterfront green space with a Ferris wheel, lush gardens, a BBQ area & pathways.

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

•

Free

Day 6Parks, Castles, and a Tower of Wonder

$158

$ 3

Part of the Disney resort, this large park has 7 themed ports of call with rides, shows & dining.

8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

•

$120

30 - 36 min

Directions

Landscaped park that has an artificial gorge with a waterfall & is planted with ornamental trees.

2:30 PM - 4:30 PM

•

Free

10 - 15 min

Directions

Reminiscent of the Eiffel Tower, this landmark features observation areas & other attractions.

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

•

$38

Budget breakdown: $1280 In total

Activities & Food:$1191

Transport:$89

Trip to Ōsaka-jō

Tours & Activities

Viator Tours

Day 1Unveiling the Treasures of Ōsaka-jō

$238

$ 6

This sprawling theme park dedicated to popular American movies features rides & live entertainment.

8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

•

$200

33 - 40 min

Directions

Lively entertainment district known for its soaring illuminated billboards, restaurants & theaters.

2:30 PM - 4:30 PM

•

Free

18 - 22 min

Directions

Vast green space offering gardens with cherry blossoms, athletic fields, open-air theaters & more.

5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

•

$13

3 - 4 min

Directions

Revered castle dating to 1597 & since rebuilt, featuring gardens & a museum with varied exhibits.

8:30 PM - 10:30 PM

•

$25

Budget breakdown: $1280 In total

Activities & Food:$1191

Transport:$89