Japan 9-Day Tours & Itineraries

Explore 11 trips designed by local kimkim specialists to get ideas for your trip to Japan.

Experience a 9-day excursion of Japan with a kimkim curated list of itineraries. If you're drawn to Japanese culture, this trip through Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka will give you a chance to experience the city's historical and futuristic sides, from watching a sumo wrestling practice to sampling whiskey at a top distillery, walking among serene shrines and temples and experiencing geisha culture. If you'd like to see the traditional side of Japan, you can still venture through Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka and wander the streets in a kimono, enjoy a cruise on Lake Ashi, see Mount Fuji, visit Buddhist temples, gardens, palaces, and shrines, and treat yourself to local cuisine. You could also explore central Japan and experience modern life in Tokyo, see historical Kyoto, visit the famous gardens of Kanazawa, cycle through traditional thatched villages of the Hida region, and visit towns of the Kiso Valley.

See our itineraries below or read our guide to the best 9-day trips in Japan.

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Fushimi Inari Taisha
Map of Cultural Trip to Japan: Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka - 9 Days
Cultural Trip to Japan: Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka - 9 Days

Japan's culture is an intoxicating mix of old and new. Staying in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka over nine activity-filled days, you'll get under the skin of both sides of this fascinating country. See the historical and futuristic sides of Tokyo and cruise among the neon lights of Osaka. Immerse yourself in Japanese tradition, from watching a sumo wrestling practice to sampling whiskey at a top distillery. You'll also walk among Kyoto's serene shrines and temples and get to know geisha culture.

Explore the traditional side of Tokyo
Map of Explore Nature in Traditional Japan: Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto & Osaka - 9 Days
Explore Nature in Traditional Japan: Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto & Osaka - 9 Days

Explore Japan's natural beauty and intricate rituals on this fascinating nine-day itinerary. You'll travel back in time in Tokyo by wandering the streets in a kimono. Head to Hakone to cruise on Lake Ashi, enjoy spectacular views of Mount Fuji, and finish the day in soothing natural thermal springs. Continue to Kyoto for Buddhist temples, gardens, palaces, and shrines, then end in Osaka to revel in the city's dynamic "foodie" districts.

Cherry blossoms and Mount Fuji
Map of Touring Northern Japan - 9 Days
Touring Northern Japan - 9 Days

Get ready for a tour that celebrates the history, beauty, and culture of Japan. This nine-day adventure focuses on the north, where you'll enjoy city tours of Tokyo, visit iconic Mount Fuji, and (if you visit in spring) see the cherry blossoms in bloom. Rounding out the experience is a trip to the historic port city of Otaru and the far north ski hub of Sapporo.

The Nakasengo Trail entering the town of Magome in the Kiso Valley
Map of Central Japan Highlights: Tokyo, Kyoto & the Kiso Valley - 9 Days
Central Japan Highlights: Tokyo, Kyoto & the Kiso Valley - 9 Days

This active nine-day itinerary takes you on a memorable journey through central Japan's history and culture, from ultra-modern Tokyo to the historic imperial capital of Kyoto. In between, you'll visit the famous gardens of Kanazawa, cycle through traditional thatched villages of the Hida region, walk portions of the ancient Nakasendo Trail, and explore the preserved post towns of the Kiso Valley.

Great Torii at Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island
Map of Self-Guided Active Japan: Cycling, Hiking & Kayaking - 9 Days
Self-Guided Active Japan: Cycling, Hiking & Kayaking - 9 Days

Indulge your sense of adventure while soaking up the history and taking in the scenery of Hiroshima, the Seto Inland Sea, and Shikoku. You'll walk, hike, cycle, and paddle to temples, islands, shrines, and memorials and get a true sense of life in Seto Inland Sea communities. This trip is designed to accommodate travelers used to easy walks, hikes, and bicycle trips and is suitable for children ages 12 and up.

Join geishas for a tea ceremony in Kyoto
Classic Japan Unveiled Tour - 9 Days

This nine-day itinerary kicks off in Tokyo, where you'll take two full-day tours to explore the city's best highlights and cultural attractions. Then you're off to Hakone and Mount Fuji National Park for an outdoor excursion before finishing in Kyoto. Here you'll join a geisha tea ceremony, visit the deer in Nara, and take a day trip to Hiroshima to complete the adventure.

Get the best views of Mount Fuji on this nine-day adventure
Map of Highlights of Honshu: Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Kyoto & Osaka - 9 Days
Highlights of Honshu: Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Kyoto & Osaka - 9 Days

Keep your focus on Japan's main island of Honshu with this compact, nine-day tour. Begin at the modern museums and ancient temples of Tokyo, then take a day trip to see the famous Giant Buddha in Kamakura. Get the best views of Mount Fuji with a scenic lake cruise and gondola ride, and continue to the cultural capital of Kyoto for a forest shrine hike, a tea ceremony, and a day trip to meet the friendly deer of Nara. End your trip in vibrant Osaka, eating your way through the city's spectacular food scene.

Immerse yourself in Japan's spectacular food scene during this nine-day tour
Map of Foodie Tour of Tokyo, Fujikawaguchiko, Kyoto & Osaka - 9 Days
Foodie Tour of Tokyo, Fujikawaguchiko, Kyoto & Osaka - 9 Days

Enthrall your taste buds with this nine-day culinary adventure through Japan. Eat lunch with sumo wrestlers and learn to make sushi in Tokyo, then taste whisky at the base of Mount Fuji. Take a train to Kyoto to explore the famous shrines and learn to make Japanese specialties like matcha tea. In Osaka, explore the ancient castle, take a street food tour of the vibrant Dotonbori district, and cruise along the river. End your trip in Kobe, sampling its famous (and rare) beef and locally-made saké.

Combine iconic landmarks with off-the-beaten-path stops on this nine-day tour
Map of Highlights & Hidden Corners of Japan - 9 Days
Highlights & Hidden Corners of Japan - 9 Days

This nine-day getaway combines Japan's classic highlights with some off-the-beaten-path treasures. Explore modern districts and ancient temples in Tokyo, then head to Hakone on the shores of Lake Ashinoko to catch views of Mount Fuji by boat. Get an authentic look at the smaller cities of Takayama and Kanazawa with guided tours and cultural experiences, wander through the UNESCO-listed village of Shirakawa-go, and end in Kyoto, sampling local delicacies in its markets and touring its iconic shrines.

Explore the best cherry blossom spots around Tokyo and the Izu Peninsula on this nine-day tour
Map of Chasing Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo & the Izu Peninsula - 9 Days
Chasing Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo & the Izu Peninsula - 9 Days

Experience the wonder of Japan during spring on this nine-day getaway that starts with a tour of Tokyo's best spots to see the iconic cherry blossoms. Continue to hunt down blossoms all over the country, with a picnic under the trees in Yokohama and a swing with views of Mount Fuji framed by pink blooms. In Atami, gaze over the ocean while soaking in an onsen, then hike to waterfalls and through flower tunnels along the Kawazu River.

See the colorful flower fields of Farm Tomita on Hokkaido Island
Map of Active Family Fun on Hokkaido Island : Club Med, Cultural Tours & Outdoor Excursions - 9 Days
Active Family Fun on Hokkaido Island : Club Med, Cultural Tours & Outdoor Excursions - 9 Days

This nine-day adventure in northern Japan's Hokkaido Island is perfect for active families with kids aged six and over. Your vacation starts with a fun-filled stay in the all-inclusive Club Med Tomamu, where you'll explore the region's natural wonders before hot-footing it over to Sapporo. Spend two days indulging in a family-friendly tour of the town's Michelin-starred eateries and a delectable chocolate excursion before discovering the hot springs of Noboribetsu and a scenic cruise across Lake Toya.

Other durations: 5 days · 6 days · 7 days · 8 days · 9 days · 10 days · 11 days · 12 days · 13 days · 14 days · 15 days · 16 days