Highlights
⛩️ Anime Insider Access: Go beyond the typical tourist route, exploring iconic Tokyo hubs like Akihabara, Harajuku, and Nakano Broadway alongside local favorites and unique shopping arcades, all while making new friends.
🚅 Three-City Deep Dive: Experience a truly comprehensive journey, including the Tokyo metropolis, the cultural heart of Kyoto and Osaka's Otaku Road (Namba) in the Kansai region, and a special stop in Nagoya to visit the acclaimed Ghibli Park (see note) and Osu-dori.
🌸 Exclusive Springtime Magic: Savor the beauty of Japan's most famous season with a special dinner cruise sailing under the cherry blossoms, plus chances to enjoy the trees in bloom and attend the massive Anime Japan festival in Odaiba.
💖 Comfort & Care: Enjoy 13 nights of accommodations, complimentary baggage shipping, all scheduled transport within Japan, admission to all activities, and personalized service from our team.
The most unique Anime fan-centric trip, well, ever.
Akihabara. Harajuku. Nakano Broadway. Shibuya. Ikebukuro. Sure, you’ve heard about the spots for Anime fans in Japan… but if you want a more in-depth experience that is as much about making new friends, hanging with the locals, and exploring as it is about shopping for the latest figures at Kotobukiya, this is the trip for you!
Animated Spring whisks guests to all the destinations above, but also offers guests the chance to sail under the cherry blossoms on a special dinner cruise, scour unique shopping arcades in three different cities, and customize free days so you can cross all those wishes off your wish list. In Kansai†, you’ll get to explore the famous temples and shrines of Kyoto, shop Osaka’s “Otaku Road” in Namba, savor the region’s famous food, and check out the unique street views of Kobe. We’ll also spend two nights in Nagoya so you can experience the Ghibli Park^ (see note) and the retro-meets-counterculture shopping alleys of Osu-dori.
Ready to go? Sign up below and get ready for a tuned up Animated Spring unlike any you’ve experienced before!
† = Kansai and Nagoya stops are not part of the Tokyo Only trip.
^ = Due to Ghibli’s decision to utilize arcane ticketing practices, there is a small chance that we will not enter the park. In that case, we will arrange an alternative activity.
Trip itinerary
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Arrive in Japan and get settled in before the trip begins!
Lodging: Hankyu Ours Inn (Hotel), Shinagawa-shuku (Hostel) or similar facilities
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Asakusa is stop #1 today! Shop the traditional Nakamise-dori arcade that leads to Sensoji Temple before we regroup for a cruise across Tokyo Bay to the home of the giant Gundam on Odaiba. After a break, we’ll head to Akihabara, where the afternoon is yours to explore and shop. Not sure where to start in the Anime capital of Japan? Don't worry; your guides will be along to help lead smaller groups to area hotspots.
Lodging: Hankyu Ours Inn (Hotel), Shinagawa-shuku (Hostel) or similar facilities
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We'll visit the legendary Meiji Jingu Shrine and shop for souvenirs, fashion, and more in Harajuku and Shibuya! In the evening, turn in or join us for a fabulous Tempura dinner cruise on a Yakatabune longboat in Tokyo Bay.
Lodging: Hankyu Ours Inn (Hotel), Shinagawa-shuku (Hostel) or similar facilities
Meals: Dinner included -
Today, you can do your own thing or join your guides for one of two optional adventures! Choose a seaside lunch followed by a trip to the spectacular lookouts, carvings, and scenery of Mt. Nokogiri. Or, take a trip to Tokyo Disney Sea amusement park to discover why "Sea" has earned accolades from Disney fans all over the world.
Lodging: Hankyu Ours Inn (Hotel), Shinagawa-shuku (Hostel) or similar facilities.
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The journey continues as we make our way to Ikebukuro, where you can visit exclusive anime shops, browse the fangirl-centric Otome Road, or sample fancy desserts at countless cake shops near the station. In the afternoon, we head to Ueno to join locals for the cherry blossom festival!
Lodging: Hankyu Ours Inn (Hotel), Shinagawa-shuku (Hostel) or similar facilities
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We'll visit the AnimeJapan trade show on Odaiba today to check out what's new and what's next in Anime. Afterwards, hang out at the show or join us for a visit to the attic of Anime fandom, Nakano Broadway! In the evening, we return to Akihabara for a timeless Animated Spring tradition: a special group dinner with bottomless drinks!
Lodging: Hankyu Ours Inn (Hotel), Shinagawa-shuku (Hostel) or similar facilities
Meals: Dinner included -
Today is a free day! Take the day to explore a new place, check out a place you missed, or more. Your guides will be on hand to help you with any directions you may need.
Lodging: Hankyu Ours Inn (Hotel), Shinagawa-shuku (Hostel) or similar facilities
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We grab the shinkansen today and bid Tokyo farewell. The second stop of our adventure: Nagoya, and a fun day out in the busy, eclectic neighborhood around Osu-dori.
Lodging: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Nagoya Taikoguchi (Hotel), ibis Styles Nagoya, or similar facilities
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We head east to the hills to spend the day at Ghibli Park, a musuem and park dedicated to all things Ghibli! ^
Lodging: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Nagoya Taikoguchi (Hotel), ibis Styles Nagoya, or similar facilities
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Welcome to Kansai! Today, we dive into the Anime-centric neighborhood of Ota-Road in Osaka. After our first big shopping stop, we'll make our way through some of Osaka's iconic shopping arcades and food-centric fun spots to Shinsaibashi/Amerika-mura, where you'll get the chance to shop for countercultural fashion, records, or just tackle a plate of fried skewers.
Lodging: Villa Fontaine Grand Osaka Umeda (Hotel) , Hostel OGK or similar facilities
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We’ll begin at the famous “golden” zen pavilion of Kinkakuji before we visit the picturesque gardens of Kodaiji Temple. From there, we travel to Kiyomizu Temple to take in beautiful views and sample the flavors of the city on the area’s famous Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka boulevards. Finally, we’ll visit Nijo Castle for a special seasonal treat: the yearly illumination of the cherry blossoms on the castle grounds.
Lodging: Villa Fontaine Grand Osaka Umeda (Hotel) , Hostel OGK or similar facilities
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In the morning, we’ll make an optional stop at the Fushimi Inari Shrine to explore the famed shrine gate tunnels on the mountain. The afternoon is free time for everyone, so it’s a good time to get a reservation at the Nintendo Museum if you can nab one. ;)
Lodging: Villa Fontaine Grand Osaka Umeda (Hotel) , Hostel OGK or similar facilities
Note: We cannot help you enter the lottery for the Nintendo Museum since they insist on having everyone enter by lottery. Yeah, we think it’s silly too.
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Today we head to Kobe, where you can begin your adventure with a visit to the iconic Arima Onsen hot spring or check out the views from the Kobe Herb Garden (it’s up to you). Next: explore the Anime goods area of Sannomiya and visit Chinatown before we gather for a picnic under the cherry blossoms (weather permitting).
Lodging: Villa Fontaine Grand Osaka Umeda (Hotel) , Hostel OGK or similar facilities
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Return home and tell your friends how much fun you had!
This trip includes…
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Trip Status |
Open for signups |
Deadline |
Jan. 2, 2026 |
Minimum guest #: |
8 guests |
Fly → JP On*: |
March 22, 2026 |
Starts in JP On: |
March 23, 2026 |
TRIP PACE |
Medium. Mostly urban walking. Remember to take breaks when shopping; standing all day will begin to hurt! |
Optional Extras |
Single Room (Tokyo Only): +$800 Single (Full Trip): +$1500 Single Rooms NOT available with Hostel option. |
*This is the date you should leave your home country.
Click for more info about:
FLIGHTS • REFUND POLICY
Click for more info about:
🛌 13 nights three-star accommodations for hotel guests/13 nights hostel accommodations for hostel guests (Tokyo Only guests: 7 nights)
🥢 Includes 2 dinners
🚅 All scheduled rail, sea, and air transport within Japan.**
🧳 Baggage shipping (up to 3 complimentary luggage transfers for one suitcase per trip)
😀 Professional, bilingual guides there to help with anything you might need
🎟️ Admission to all scheduled activities
📗 Customized Trip Guidebook and Pre-Trip Orientation Materials, mailed to you before the trip so you can prepare for the journey before leaving home!
🍫 Nightly turndown service with local sweets
❤️ Complimentary concierge service: we can help plan extra stops, pre-and-post-trip extensions, and more.
🗾 Much, much more!
NOT INCLUDED:
❌ Flights to Japan from your home country
❌ Travel insurance
❌ Meals not listed above
NOTES:
ADVANCE DEPOSIT: The trip does not have a final price yet. Final price to be announced later; anyone who signs up early gets a $50 discount and may get a fee-free refund of the deposit if they do not approve of the final price when it is announced.
*All initial payments are a $300 deposit. The balance for the trip is due at the deadline for the trip.
**If a guest decides to go long distances on rail during free times, extra charges may apply.