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Japan Golden Route Luxury Itinerary: Osaka, Kyoto & Tokyo

  • Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Tokyo
  • 9 nights / 10 days, prices start from USD $6,500 per person

Japan’s Golden Route distils the country’s essential experiences into a single elegant journey, moving from the food halls and castles of Osaka to the temples of Kyoto and the energy of Tokyo. Guided privately throughout and paced to allow for genuine discovery, the itinerary balances iconic sights with quieter cultural moments, from sacred deer parks to a private performance in Gion. Entirely bespoke, every element can be tailored to your interests.

 Explore all our Japan luxury travel options here. 

Top Highlights

  • Osaka Castle, Kuromon Ichiba Market, and the Kaiyukan Aquarium
  • Kyoto's Golden Pavilion, the torii gates of Fushimi Inari, and the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
  • A private Maiko dinner and performance in the historic Gion district
  • Nara's sacred deer park, the Great Buddha at Todai-ji, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine
  • teamLab Planets and panoramic views from Tokyo Skytree
  • Day excursions to Kamakura, Yokohama, and the Mount Fuji region

What’s Included

We design unforgettable and luxurious journeys just for you. Our bespoke trips include:

  • Double room accommodations
  • Breakfast at hotels
  • All listed tours and private transfers, including entry fees
  • Shinkansen bullet train from Kyoto to Tokyo
  • Private tours and experiences
  • Full support from your travel designer and on the ground

Itinerary

Arrive in Osaka

Osaka & Nara

Arrive at Kansai International Airport, where your private guide meets you and transfers you to your hotel in the heart of Namba. The first evening is yours to settle in at leisure. The following day moves across Osaka’s highlights: the bustling stalls of Kuromon Ichiba Market, the storied grounds of Osaka Castle, and the vast tanks of Kaiyukan, among the finest aquariums in the world. Evenings invite a stroll through Dotonbori, perhaps over a celebrated snow crab dinner. A day in Nara follows, Japan’s first permanent capital, where sacred deer roam freely, the Great Buddha presides over Todai-ji, and thousands of lanterns line the approach to Kasuga Taisha.

SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION: SWISSOTEL NANKAI OSAKA

Kyoto

A short journey brings you to Kyoto, the cultural heart of Japan. Days here move between the gold-leafed splendour of Kinkaku-ji, the Edo-era halls and nightingale floors of Nijo Castle, and the hillside views from Kiyomizu-dera, with time to wander the tea houses and craft shops of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka. The bamboo groves of Arashiyama, the vermilion torii gates of Fushimi Inari, and the lantern-lit streets of Gion complete the picture, closing with a private Maiko dinner and performance steeped in centuries of tradition.

SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION: RYOKAN KARAKU GION KYOTO

Tokyo

The Shinkansen carries you swiftly to Tokyo, where tradition and innovation sit side by side. Explore the Imperial Palace East Gardens, the serene forests of Meiji Jingu, and the youthful energy of Harajuku, Shinjuku, and Shibuya, with sweeping views from Tokyo Tower and Skytree. A morning at Tsukiji Outer Market, the boutiques of Ginza Six, and the immersive galleries of teamLab Planets reveal the city’s many moods. Two excursions round out the journey: the temples and seaside calm of Kamakura paired with the Yokohama waterfront, and the lakes, springs, and viewpoints of the Mount Fuji region. A private transfer to the airport marks the end of your journey.

SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION: Fairmont Tokyo

Depart from Tokyo

We design each itinerary around you, so this suggested itinerary is a starting point that we can tweak or transform into something completely bespoke to you.

Hear it from our clients first

Our family vacation to Greece, which included Athens, Crete, Santorini and Mykonos, was unforgettable!

The accommodations were lovely and centrally located to maximize our time at all of the hot spot destinations. Our private guides were very informative with all of the history and culture that Greece has to offer. Various transportation needs were met through planes, boats and private transfers which made travel effortless from one destination to the next. Thank you G/Hardy Tours for putting together a remarkable experience for the whole family to enjoy and providing memories to last a lifetime.
— Tammy and Jason /
Toronto, Ontario
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The GHardy team planned the perfect family vacation to Italy for us!

The hotels, private tours and excursions were all exceptional and exactly what we were hoping for! We didn’t have to stress over anything – we just showed up and there was always someone to meet us. We also took great comfort knowing if any issue did arise, the G/Hardy Tours team, as well as a 24/7 emergency contact on the ground in Italy were always a message or call away.
— Kerri Torrey /
Toronto, Ontario
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Thank you so much for arranging everything for our Italy trip.

We had an amazing time without focusing on planning logistics. Your driver and guides are top of the line and mesmerized us with their in-depth knowledge. We cannot express our sincere gratitude with everything you have done for us. Thanks to you, we LOVED, LOVED, LOVED our experience in Italy!
— Rob Romero /
King City, Canada
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I had an absolutely incredible experience with G/Hardy Tours for my trip to Switzerland.

From start to finish, everything was flawlessly organized and executed. The attention to detail was remarkable – from the seamless travel arrangements to the carefully selected accommodations that provided stunning views of the Alps. I can confidently say this was one of the best travel experiences I’ve ever had. I’m already looking forward to my next adventure with them!
— Tamara Bahry /
Toronto Canada

Why we are the top choice for your next luxury trip.

Our unique approach to planning transformative experiences ensures our clients gain more than just a vacation: they come away with a greater understanding of the world, their place in it, and how the journey has enriched their lives.

  • We prioritize personalized experiences tailored to guests’ wants and needs, from holiday getaways to educational trips and everything in between.
  • Travel is about more than just going from point A to point B. It's an experience; we're here to help you create the best possible one for you and your family or friends.
  • Taste. Indulge. Immerse. Each destination has unique flavours and dishes. Bespoke travel is the perfect way to indulge your senses.
  • Our team of experienced travel planners has an eye for detail, meaning no stone goes unturned when crafting the perfect itinerary. Whenever you want it, the way you want it.