*Trip starts at 8AM on March 12 Japan time in Tokyo. If flying in from another country, be sure to be in Japan by that time.
Highlights
♨️ Unrivaled Relaxation Experience: prioritize wellness with four nights spent in deluxe hot spring resorts near Ise and Lake Hamana.
⛩️ Iconic Kansai Exploration Beyond the Tourist Path: Spend four days exploring the cultural heart of Japan, visiting must-see landmarks like Fushimi Inari Shrine and Osaka Castle, while also discovering the tranquil Philosopher's Path and the charming alley shops of Kyoto and Osaka.
🌸 Early Spring Bloom and Scenic Views: Experience the unique sight of Japan's earliest cherry blossoms blooming in Irago and enjoy stunning panoramic views of the ocean and the serene shores of Lake Hamana.
💰 Exceptional Value for a Premium Spring Trip: Enjoy a 9-day journey featuring four-star accommodations (including half the trip in resorts), many meals, all in-country transport, and an expert guide.
Why settle for the same old trip to Kyoto and Osaka when you could be relaxing in Japan's best hot springs as well?
If the internet has told you that one night in Hakone is all the time you’ll need at a hot spring resort after you’ve done the whole “Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka” thing, we’d like to offer a rebuttal: you should put as much thought into your relax time as you do the time planning which cultural sites to see. Allow us to show you what we mean with our Spring Special Adventure that combines the most iconic cities of the Kansai region, Kyoto and Osaka, with some of Japan’s best spots for relaxation, Ise and Lake Hamana.
There’s a lot to see in Kansai of course, and our journey will include many of the must-sees: the Bamboo Groves and tree-lined rivers of Arashiyama, the shrine gate tunnels of Fushimi Inari Shrine, the massive Osaka Castle, and Kiyomizu Temple. However, we’ll also be spending a lot of our time in Kyoto and Osaka on the pathways that define those cities; specifically, the Philosopher’s Path that runs along the foothills on the east side of Kyoto, the alley shops of Tenma and Namba in Osaka, and more! After four amazing days in Kansai (and a special dinner), we’ll board a deluxe express train to Ise, where you can visit the Ise Jingu Shrine and marvel at the bay where the pearl divers dive… or just spend every moment in the relaxing hot spring resort you’re staying in (your choice). You’ll see Japan’s earliest Cherry Blossoms bloom in Irago, gaze at views of the ocean, and finally we’ll put a bow on the entire journey with two nights at another resort by Lake Hamana, where more blossom views and cool breezes will remind you that yes, this whole thing is also your vacation, and vacation needs to be about relaxing too, right? Right.
Don’t just follow the hordes to Tokyo and overpay for hotels in the high season! Join Spring Special and discover the best of Japan in the spring, all for a decent price (and way fewer other tourists around). You’re welcome. <3
Trip itinerary
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Meet in Tokyo (or in Osaka - it’s up to you) and the adventure begins! Our first stops will be the famed grounds of Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s old haunt, Osaka Castle. From there, we’ll explore the oft-overlooked Tenmabashi Market and Arcade to see what cafes and oddball shops we can discover.
Lodging: Villa Fontaine Grand Osaka Umeda or similar
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Our first stop in Kyoto will be a visit to the famous bamboo forests, zen gardens, and mountain-lined riverbanks of Arashiyama! After some exploring and snacking, we’ll make our way to the "shrine gate tunnels" of Fushimi Inari Shrine.
Lodging: Villa Fontaine Grand Osaka Umeda or similar
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We’ll begin at the famous “silver” zen pavilion of Ginkakuji before we walk the famed “philosopher’s path” down to Nanzenji, where we’ll explore old aqueducts and climb inside the giant Sanmon Gate! 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.
Lodging: Villa Fontaine Grand Osaka Umeda or similar
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It’s time to explore our own backyard a bit more! We begin in the Shinsaibashi neighborhood for fashion and good food before we stop by Namba, home to the Doguyasuji kitchen supply shopping area and the “Otaku Road”/Den Den Town. Less inclined to shop? Your guide will be on hand to show you to Tsuruhashi Koreatown and Tennoji upon request. In the evening, join us for a special feast to bring our time in the city to a close.
Lodging: Villa Fontaine Grand Osaka Umeda or similar
Meals: Dinner included -
After an optional morning trip to a cafe, we’ll hop on an express train and cruise east to Ise, where our resort (and a very nice hot spring) awaits.
Lodging: XIV Toba Resort or similar
Meals: Dinner included -
Take the day to relax at the resort, or join your guides for a trip to one of Japan’s most culturally significant shrines, Ise Jingu! We’ll see the shrine and the environs, get a few souvenirs, and check out some other spots around Toba before heading back to the resort to unwind more.
Lodging: XIV Toba Resort or similar
Meals: Breakfast, dinner included -
We depart from Toba by ferry to the Irago Peninsula, where we’ll picnic under some of Japan’s earliest blossoming cherry blossoms and see other seasonal blossoms (weather permitting). After we get our fill of ocean views, we’ll head to Lake Hamana to check in at our next resort.
Lodging: Hoshino Kai Enshu Resort or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner -
See the iconic Kanzanji Temple, take in views from the Ropeway, and have a fancy dinner next to beautiful Lake Hamana.
Lodging: Hoshino Kai Enshu Resort or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner -
We’ll grab a shinkansen (bullet train) from Hamamatsu back to Tokyo to finish the journey. From there, you can transfer to the airport OR continue your journey as you like.
Meals: Breakfast included
This trip includes…
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Trip Status |
Open for signups |
Deadline |
Jan. 16, 2026 |
Minimum guest #: |
8 guests |
Fly → JP On*: |
Mar. 10, 2026 |
Starts in JP On: |
Mar. 12 (8AM), 2026 |
TRIP PACE |
Medium-light. Most of the walking is at the start of the journey in the cities, with things becoming a lot more chill when we get to the hot springs. |
Extras |
Single Room (Hotels): +$400 Single (All lodging): +$1500 |
*This is the date you should leave your home country.
Click for more info about:
FLIGHTS • REFUND POLICY
Click for more info about:
🛌 8 nights four-star accommodations, including four nights in resorts (yes, FOUR)
🥢 Includes 4 breakfasts and 5 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.
Photos courtesy Ise CVB, JNTO, and PacSet.
