*Trip begins at 9AM on July 15 Japan Time in Tokyo; please make sure that your inbound flight has you there by that time.
Highlights
✨ Osaka's Urban Thrills & Kyoto's Gion Festival: Dive into the vibrant energy of Osaka's food scene and shopping, then experience the cultural splendor of Kyoto, including day and night immersion in the famous Gion Festival!
🏞️ Relaxation in Untapped Shimane: Escape the city rush with a serene retreat to Tamatsukuri Onsen in Matsue, Shimane—one of Japan's best-kept secrets for soothing hot springs and stunning views of Lake Shinji.
🍵 Seamless & Guided Adventure: Enjoy a stress-free experience with 7 nights of four-star lodging (including resorts!), all scheduled internal transport (Shinkansen!), baggage shipping, and a bilingual guide to handle all the details.
🎉 Explosive Finale & Complimentary Perks: Cap off your Kansai time with fireworks and enjoy unique amenities like nightly turndown service with local sweets and a complimentary concierge service for customizing your entire journey!
Give your Japan summer vacation the tune up it deserves.
New for 2026, From the City to the Lake takes some of the best parts of our Best of Japan trip and combines them with some highlights from Shimane Prefecture for a quick summer trip that works as a standalone adventure or a perfect addition to your existing summer plans.
After taking the Shinkansen into Osaka, we’ll check out the best parts of the city, from vibrant shopping arcades to the canals by Namba that feature some of the best food in all of Japan. The famous Gion Festival and Kyoto await us next, where you’ll have the chance to experience the festival in both the daytime and nighttime hours with the locals. To start getting us into relaxation mode, we’ll enjoy sweets and cafe time in the green tea capital of Uji next, followed by taking in panoramic views of the entire area from Kobe. Our Kansai time will be capped with fireworks, along with the chance to check out anything else you’d like to see on a free day.
If the running around the city has you feeling tired, you’ll love what’s next: Tamatsukuri Onsen in Matsue, Shimane. Truly one of Japan’s underexplored hot spring gems, the calming waters of the hot spring and views of the old castle on the shore of Lake Shinji will be exactly what you need before the trip home (or before you continue your journey!).
No matter if this is your first trip to Japan or your seventh, this week-long adventure is the best way to take your summer from “usual” to “unique.” Join today and get ready to make memories!
Trip itinerary
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After meeting in Tokyo to catch the shinkansen, we’ll gather in Osaka to begin the adventure! Visit a whale shark and cute seals at the Kaiyukan Aquarium before heading into Osaka city center to shop and eat our way through their famous shopping arcades in Namba, where we’ll have a special dinner to kick off the trip.
Lodging: Hotel Vischio Osaka or similar
Meals: Dinner included -
Today we visit the old capital of Kyoto, where we'll see Kiyomizu Temple and wander through cool neighborhoods to Yasaka Shrine, where we’ll join the party at the Gion Festival that takes over the whole city.
Lodging: Hotel Vischio Osaka or similar
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We begin today in Uji for some green tea and sweets by the river. Then we’ll take the Shinkansen across Kansai to Kobe, where we’ll get a great view of the entire urban center after a ride up the side of a mountain over (yes, OVER) the Nunobiki Waterfall. In the evening, we’ll check out Kobe’s Sannomiya neighborhood for amazing desserts and souvenirs.
Lodging: Hotel Vischio Osaka or similar
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Today we’ll see more of Osaka and Kyoto before having a picnic for a local fireworks display!
Lodging: Hotel Vischio Osaka or similar
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Today is a free day! Your guides will be on hand to help you get directions to wherever you need to go.
Lodging: Hotel Vischio Osaka or similar
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After a shinkansen and a change to the Yakumo Express, we’ll arrive in Matsue and Tamatsukuri Onsen! Before getting into the views of our onsen town, we’ll head into Matsue City to gaze at Lake Shinji (and the sea!) from the top floor of Matsue Castle.
Lodging: Chorakuen Resort or similar
Meals: Dinner included -
We’ll spend the day enjoying the onsen here, which means you can join the guide to explore Tamatsukuri, go further afield to see the Izumo Taisha Shrine, or just relax with a spa treatment – it’s up to you. :)
Lodging: Chorakuen Resort or similar
Meals: Breakfast, dinner included -
Last morning at the onsen! After breakfast, we’ll get you to the airport for the flight back to Tokyo, where you can head home or continue your trip.
Meals: Breakfast included
This trip includes…
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Trip Status |
Open for signups |
Deadline |
May 11, 2026 |
Minimum guest #: |
8 guests |
Fly → JP On*: |
July 12 or 13, 2026 |
Starts in JP On: |
July 15 (9AM), 2026 |
TRIP PACE |
Medium-hot. Urban walking that will mainly be made tougher due to the heat; drinking water and taking breaks will be essential. Last two days: very, very light. |
Extras |
Single Room (Hotels): +$600 Single (All lodging): +$1200 |
*This is the date you should leave your home country.
Click for more info about:
FLIGHTS • REFUND POLICY
Click for more info about:
🛌 7 nights four-star accommodations, including two nights in resorts
🥢 Includes 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 3 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:
EDUCATOR DISCOUNT: Teachers and education professionals will receive an additional $200 off their final payment.
HEAT STROKE: This trip travels at a time when there is an elevated risk for heat stroke.
*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.