College Break Japan: Osaka to Tokyo

• Arrive at the airport in the morning and meet up with your Tour Director and fellow travelers before heading to your accommodation.
• Start settling in and get the deets on tomorrow’s schedule.

Ask your Tour Director:

• How to say simple phrases like “hello” and “thank you” in Japanese.
• What the best souvenir snacks are: Head to 7 Eleven, Family Mart, Don Quijote, and more.
• How to experience Japanese etiquette like a local: From bowing correctly to dining etiquette, get the insider scoop so you can blend in and respect local customs.
• Where to find the best street food: From takoyaki to okonomiyaki, your Tour Director can point you to the stalls locals line up for in Dotonbori and beyond.
• How to get around by train: They can show you how to use a transit card like Suica and which lines will get you to the city’s best neighborhoods fastest.
• Where to go for nightlife: Osaka’s bars and izakayas are some of Japan’s most fun, and your Tour Director can tell you where to go for a low-key drink or a late-night party.

• Join your Tour Director and dive into the neon chaos of Dotonbori, where the Glico Running Man, giant lit-up crabs, and a river of glowing signs make every step a photo op. Stroll the canal path, snap a pic with the Running Man, and wade through the crowd.
• Stop by Namba Yasaka Shrine to see its famous lion-head entrance, then keep going for crepes, ramen, and whatever catches your eye next.
• Slip into Hozenji Yokocho, a narrow, lantern-lit alley that feels like the old Osaka hiding behind all the neon. Find the moss-covered Fudo Myoo statue, pour a little water over it, and make a wish.
• Treat your taste buds to the city’s famous street snack—Takoyaki. These golden, fried balls are filled with tender octopus, green onions, and pickled ginger, then drizzled with savory sauce and mayo.

Osaka Aquarium: Here, each tank represents a different region of the Pacific Rim, so you’ll learn about what animals share the water, and where.

Osaka Castle: Stroll the huge park, then head up the castle tower for views over the city. It’s especially gorgeous in spring when the cherry blossoms are out.

Kuromon Ichiba Market: Graze your way down this narrow, covered street, where grilled wagyu skewers, fresh sushi, and sweet fruit are all within arm’s reach.

• Board your private coach bus to Kyoto where you’ll join a local guide for a tour of the city.
• Stroll through one of Japan’s most picturesque shrines, Fushimi Inari. Famous for its seemingly endless tunnel of 10,000 orange torii gates, the shrine is dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice and good fortune. As you walk beneath the glowing arches that wind up Mount Inari, you’ll spot fox statues everywhere—Inari’s sacred messengers.
• Marvel at Kinkaku-ji, aka the Golden Pavilion. This Zen Buddhist temple is literally covered in gold leaf and is one of Kyoto’s most photographed sites for good reason.

Nishiki market: Stock up on souvenirs and try all the best bites. This narrow, five-block shopping street has more than 100 shops and restaurants to check out.

Kyoto clubbin’: One of the best nightlife cities we’ve found, Kyoto is loaded with bars and clubs, and the party doesn’t stop until the early morning.

Gion District: Kyoto’s famous geisha neighborhood, full of tea houses, lantern-lit alleys, and traditional wooden machiya houses. Come around dusk for your best chance of spotting a mako (a geisha in training).

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove: You’ve seen the pics all over the internet, now your chance to snap your own on one of the stunning pathways. PS–There are monkeys.

Tea & Wagashi: Visit a local tea house to savor matcha paired with wagashi (Japanese sweets). A delicious and very Zen pause in your day.

Kyoto Imperial Palace & Gardens: Step into the former home of Japan’s emperors and explore the sprawling grounds, which are surprisingly tranquil for the middle of the city.

Ask your Tour Director:

• Where to find the best Kyoto sweets and souvenirs: From traditional wagashi (Japanese sweets) to matcha treats, your Tour Director will point you toward local shops and markets like Nishiki Market for the tastiest takeaways.
• The best hidden temples and gardens: Beyond the famous Kinkaku-ji and Fushimi Inari, your Tour Director knows quiet shrines, secret gardens, and hidden paths where you can escape the crowds.
• What cultural events or seasonal highlights are happening: From cherry blossom viewing spots in spring to lantern festivals in summer and autumn maple strolls, your guide will make sure you catch Kyoto at its most magical.
• How to experience traditional Kyoto culture: Learn about tea ceremony etiquette, kimono rentals, or local dining customs so you can fully embrace Kyoto’s history and traditions like a pro.

• Board your private coach bus for a short morning trip to Nagoya.
• Join your Tour Director and on a tour of Nagoya, stopping by the moat surrounding the stunning hilltop Nagoya Castle and spotting the golden shachihoko roof ornaments that have been the city’s pride since the 1600s.
• Walk the peaceful forest grounds of Atsuta Jingu, one of Japan’s most important shrines and home to the sacred Kusanagi sword. Watch locals toss coins, clap, and make wishes, then grab a snack from the nearby stalls.
• Dive into Osu Shopping Street, a covered arcade packed with thrift stores, vintage finds, cheap eats, and quirky souvenir shops. Duck into the side streets near Osu Kannon temple for a little more history and a lot more character. Save room for snacks, because you’ll want to try everything.

Sakae nightlife: Let the neon lead the way. This entertainment district is packed with bars, karaoke rooms, and late-night eats.

Nagoya TV Tower: Head up for big views over the city, then stroll through nearby Hisaya-odori Park. It’s the perfect mix of skyline sightseeing and chill green space.

Tokugawa Art Museum: Admire the beautiful surrounding gardens and centuries of samurai history, including treasures collected by the Tokugawa family, who are descended from the first Edo shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Noritake Garden: :earn about the famous Noritake porcelain brand, pick up some pretty pieces to take home, and take in the peaceful garden grounds.

Nagoya Port Aquarium: Get up close with dolphins, sea lions, and giant tanks full of marine life.

• Snap that postcard-perfect shot of Mt. Fuji on your way to Hakone—pro tip: the left side of the bullet train has the clearest view.
• Ride a cable car up Mt. Komagatake, where you’ll be able to see the cities of Odawara and Yokohama, Ohshima Island and Sagami Bay, and Lake Ashi from high above. Plus, even more killer panoramic views of Mt. Fuji (when the weather cooperates).
• Cruise through Lake Ashi which was formed by volcanic activity 3,000 years ago. Keep your camera ready for the iconic red torii gate of Hakone Shrine rising out of the water.
• Hop on your private coach bus and continue to Tokyo.

• Join a local guide for a bus and walking tour of Tokyo. You’ll get the scoop on everything from Shinto shrines to vending machine culture (yes, there are thousands of them—and they sell everything).
• Take a stroll through Harajuku and let the fashion, crepes, and colorful street style pull you in. Shop along Takeshita Street, then drift toward the calmer tree-lined paths of Omotesando.
• Take a break from the chaos of the city as you wander the serene forest paths of Meiji Kingu Shrine (and don’t forget to get your pic with the viral sake-barrel wall).
• Step back in time at Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple, Sensoji Temple, complete with the iconic red Kaminarimon Gate and Nakamise shopping street. Pro tip: cleanse your hands at the purification fountain and try your luck with an omikuji fortune.
• Enjoy some free time to walk down Nakamise shopping street, a lively lane of snacks, souvenirs, and tiny shops leading straight to the temple.

Ginza Shopping District: Tokyo’s version of Fifth Avenue, but shinier. Browse designer flagships, sprawling department stores, and maybe stop for high-end sushi while you’re here then head to the bustling street market for food stalls and bargain shopping.

Tokyo Skytree: Take in panoramic views from one of the tallest towers in the world. At 2,080 feet, it’s not just a skyline shot—it’s the see-all-of-Tokyo, maybe-even-Mount-Fuji kind of view.

Ask your Tour Director:

• How to navigate the subway like a pro: Get insider tips on reading Tokyo’s famously complex train maps, skipping the crowds, and finding the fastest routes to the spots you want to see.
• The best hidden food spots: From tiny ramen joints to hole-in-the-wall sushi bars, your Tour Director knows the local favorites that tourists often miss.
• What festivals or events are happening: Tokyo’s calendar is packed with seasonal festivals, pop-up events, and cultural celebrations—perfect for a spontaneous adventure.
• Where to snap the ultimate cityscape photos: Your Tour Director can point you to vantage points and secret rooftops to capture Tokyo’s skyline, from Shibuya Crossing chaos to Tokyo Tower at sunset.

Tsukiji Outer Market: Sushi for breakfast? Don’t mind if you do. Stroll through stalls stacked with fresh seafood, Japanese kitchenware, and street food snacks like tamagoyaki (rolled omelet).

Omoide Yokocho: Translation: memory lane. Slip into this lantern-lit alley near Shinjuku Station for smoky yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), tiny izakaya bars, and a throwback to post-WWII Tokyo.

Akihabara Electric Town: Dive headfirst into anime, manga, and gaming heaven. From multi-floor arcades to shops selling rare figurines and retro consoles, this is otaku paradise.