Japan: Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka

Tokyo is a city of contrasts, where neon lights mix with tranquil temples and cutting-edge technology blends with age-old traditions. With your local guide, start at Senso-ji Temple, where incense smoke is believed to heal. Continue to the Meiji Shrine, honoring Emperor Meiji and his empress, then explore the vibrant Harajuku District, famed for bold fashion and youth culture.

Visit Tokyo’s Akihabara district, the epicenter of electronic goods and otaku culture. Explore countless shops filled with anime, manga, and video games, making it a paradise for fans and tech lovers alike.

Karaoke, which originated in Japan, remains one of Tokyo’s favorite pastimes. Step into a lively venue, grab a mic, pick your favorite song, and sing your heart out alongside friends.

Escape to Hakone, a favorite retreat for Tokyo locals, where lakes, gardens, and shrines create a scene like a living watercolor. Cruise across Lake Ashi with views of Mt. Fuji, then ride the Hakone Ropeway to Owakudani Boiling Valley, where sulfur vents and hot springs mark the volcanic landscape. Conclude with a visit to Hakone Shrine, hidden among towering cedars along the lakeshore.

Jump on the fastest train in the world and zip to Kyoto aboard the Shinkansen “bullet” train. First inaugurated in 1964, it has been continually improved and now travels up to 200 miles per hour. Using advanced aviation technology to reduce wind resistance and noise, the train offers a safe, comfortable, and incredibly fast ride.

Discover Nara, where history and tradition come to life. At Todai-ji Temple, marvel at the 50-foot bronze Buddha, dedicated in AD 752, and learn the story of its symbolic “eye-opening.” Continue to Kasuga Grand Shrine, famed for its thousand bronze lanterns. Conclude with a stroll through Nara Deer Park, home to wild deer once regarded as messengers of the gods and still protected as a national treasure.

One of Japan’s best-preserved imperial cities, Kyoto, is home to more than 2,000 temples and shrines. Visit Kinkaku-ji, the famed Golden Pavilion, whose top floors gleam with gold leaf above a reflective pond. Continue to Fushimi Inari Taisha, where thousands of bright red torii gates wind up the hillside. Conclude at Sanjusangendo Temple, with its hall of 1,000 life-size guardian statues.

Explore one of Kyoto’s most iconic sights. Walking among the towering green stalks feels otherworldly, as light and shadow shift through the dense forest canopy.

Osaka’s 16th-century castle, renovated in 1997, anchors the city’s historic past even as futuristic architecture pushes it forward. Take in sweeping views from the Umeda Sky Building’s Floating Garden Observatory, rising 550 feet above the skyline. Then dive into the city’s vibrant food culture at Kuromon Market before strolling through the neon lights and lively canals of the Dotonbori District.