Japan's Great Castles & Samurai Heritage
14 Days Following the Footsteps of Samurai and Shoguns
DURATION
14Days / 13 Nights
GROUP SIZE
2 Guests
GUIDE
English-Speaking local Guide(Optional)
TRANSPORTATION
Limited express train, Shinkansen(Bullet train),Private airport transfer, Local Train unlimited pass
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Private airport transfer upon arrival in Osaka
- Explore iconic landmarks in Osaka & Tokyo
- Visit six of Japan's most historically significant castles, each representing a different chapter in the nation's journey to unification.
- Explore four National Treasure castles with original keeps – Himeji, Hikone, Inuyama and Matsumoto.
- Discover Osaka Castle, the iconic stronghold of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and the symbol of Japan's unification.
- Walk the grounds of the former Edo Castle, where the Tokugawa Shoguns ruled Japan for more than 260 years.
- Gain a deeper understanding of Japan's samurai heritage with private guided tours at every castle.
- Learn the fascinating stories of Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu, the three great unifiers of Japan.
- Experience charming historic castle towns, beautifully preserved gardens and authentic local culture throughout your journey.
- Travel comfortably by Japan's world-renowned rail network, including the scenic Limited Express Shinano and the Shinkansen.
- Enjoy a relaxed pace with plenty of free time to explore each destination independently.
- Combine Japan's rich samurai history with local culture, shopping, cuisine and seasonal attractions at your own pace.
Day1.Arrival at Osaka
Welcome to Japan! Upon arrival at Kansai International Airport, you will be met by your private driver and transferred to your hotel in Osaka. Spend the rest of the day relaxing after your journey or enjoy your first glimpse of Japan at your own pace.
✓ Included: Private airport transfer by private vehicle
× Not Included: Tour guide (Optional available)
Stay overnight in Osaka with breakfast
Day2.Osaka Castle: Toyotomi Hideyoshi's Dream of Unification
Your historical journey begins at Osaka Castle, the symbol of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the great military leader who succeeded in unifying much of Japan after decades of civil war during the Sengoku Period. During your guided visit, discover how Osaka Castle became the political and military centre of Hideyoshi's government and learn about the dramatic conflicts that eventually led to the rise of the Tokugawa Shogunate.
✓ Included:
・Private guided tour of Osaka castle
・Admission fees to Osaka castle
× Not Included:
Stay overnight in Osaka with breakfast
Day3.
Free Day or Visit Nijo Castle in Kyoto
Enjoy a day at leisure in Osaka. Those wishing to continue exploring Japan's history can easily visit Nijo Castle in Kyoto, located approximately one hour away by JR train and subway. Unlike Osaka Castle, which was built as a powerful military fortress, Nijo Castle served as the official Kyoto residence of the Tokugawa Shoguns and the administrative centre from which they demonstrated their authority over the Imperial Court. Visiting both castles offers a fascinating insight into the transition from the age of war to more than 260 years of peace under Tokugawa rule.
✓ Included:
・No service
× Not Included:
・Tour guide (Optional available)
Stay overnight in Osaka with breakfast
Day4.
Day Trip to Himeji Castle
Travel by JR train to Himeji, home to Japan's most magnificent surviving castle and a designated National Treasure and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Often regarded as the finest example of traditional Japanese castle architecture, Himeji Castle was completed during the early Edo Period and reflects the stability achieved after the country's unification. Explore its impressive defensive design before strolling through the beautiful Koko-en Garden and the surrounding castle town, then return to Osaka in the evening.
✓ Included:
・Private guided tour in Himeji castle (Meet at Himeji station)
・Admission fees to Himeji castle
× Not Included: Tour guide (Optional available)
Stay overnight in Osaka with breakfast
Day5.
Day Trip to Hikone Castle
Today, travel to Hikone to visit another of Japan's five National Treasure castles. Built by the Ii Clan, one of the Tokugawa family's most trusted allies, Hikone Castle became an important regional stronghold during the Edo Period. Explore the remarkably preserved castle keep, the elegant Genkyuen Garden and the charming castle town, where traditional merchant houses recreate the atmosphere of seventeenth-century Japan, before returning to Osaka.
✓ Included:
・Private guided tour in Hikone castle
・Admission fees to Hikone castle
× Not Included: Tour guide (Optional available)
Stay overnight in Osaka with breakfast
Day6.
Journey to Inuyama
Leave Osaka behind and travel by rail via Nagoya to Inuyama. Perched above the Kiso River, Inuyama Castle is one of Japan's oldest surviving castles and predates many of the grand castles built after national unification. It offers a glimpse into the turbulent years of the Sengoku Period, when regional warlords competed for power. After visiting the castle, enjoy the lively atmosphere of the beautifully preserved castle town.
✓ Included:
・Reserved seat from Shin-Osaka to Nagoya
・Private guided tour of Inuyama castle
・Admission fees to Inuyama castle
× Not Included:
・Local train ticket from Nagoya to Inuyama
Stay overnight in Inuyama with breakfast
Day7.
Discover Inuyama
Spend a relaxed day exploring Inuyama at your own pace. You may visit Meiji Mura, Japan's outstanding open-air museum of Meiji-era architecture, or enjoy the peaceful surroundings of Urakuen Garden and the National Treasure tea house Jo-an. For history enthusiasts, an optional excursion to nearby Gifu Castle provides further insight into the career of Oda Nobunaga, one of Japan's greatest military strategists.
✓ Included:
・No service
× Not Included: Tour guide (Optional available)
Stay overnight in Inuyama with breakfast
Day8.
Scenic Rail Journey to Matsumoto
After breakfast, depart Inuyama and travel by rail via Nagoya before boarding the Limited Express Shinano for one of Japan's most scenic railway journeys. As the train winds through the mountains and river valleys of central Japan, enjoy views of the Japanese Alps and the beautiful countryside that has connected eastern and western Japan for centuries.Upon arrival in Matsumoto, one of Japan's oldest castle towns, the remainder of the day is yours to explore at your leisure. Stroll through the historic streets, visit local cafés or simply relax while preparing for tomorrow's private guided tour of Matsumoto Castle.
✓ Included:
・Train ticket of limited express Shinano from Nagoya to Matsumoto
× Not Included:
Stay overnight in Matsumoto with breakfast
Day9.
Private Guided Tour of Matsumoto Castle
After breakfast, depart Inuyama and travel by rail via Nagoya before boarding the Limited Express Shinano for one of Japan's most scenic railway journeys. As the train winds through the mountains and river valleys of central Japan, enjoy views of the Japanese Alps and the beautiful countryside that has connected eastern and western Japan for centuries.Upon arrival in Matsumoto, one of Japan's oldest castle towns, the remainder of the day is yours to explore at your leisure. Stroll through the historic streets, visit local cafés or simply relax while preparing for tomorrow's private guided tour of Matsumoto Castle.
✓ Included:
・Admission fees to Matsumoto castle
・Private guided tour of National treasure, Matsumoto castle
× Not Included:
Stay overnight in Matsumoto with breakfast
Day10.
Discover Matsumoto at Your Leisure
Enjoy a free day to explore Matsumoto at your own pace. Wander through the historic streets, visit local museums or relax in one of the city's cafés. During the green season, an optional full-day excursion to Kamikochi is available. Located in the heart of the Japanese Alps, Kamikochi is one of Japan's most spectacular mountain valleys, renowned for its crystal-clear rivers, pristine forests and breathtaking alpine scenery. It offers an unforgettable contrast to the historic castles visited throughout your journey.
✓ Included: No service
× Not Included:
Stay overnight in Matsumoto with breakfast
Day11.
Journey to Tokyo
After breakfast, travel by Limited Express and Shinkansen from Matsumoto to Tokyo. Once known as Edo, the city became the political centre of Japan under the Tokugawa Shogunate and grew into one of the world's largest cities. After checking into your hotel, the remainder of the day is yours to explore Tokyo at your leisure or simply relax before tomorrow's historical tour.
✓ Included:
× Not Included:
Stay overnight in Tokyo with breakfast
Day12.
Guided Tour of Edo Castle
Today, discover the legacy of the Tokugawa Shoguns on a guided tour of the former Edo Castle, now the site of the Imperial Palace East Gardens. Although the original castle no longer stands, its impressive gates, stone walls and moats remain as reminders of the seat of power from which the Tokugawa family governed Japan for more than 260 years. Your guide will explain how Tokugawa Ieyasu transformed a nation divided by war into one of peace and stability, bringing your historical journey through Japan's great castles to its fitting conclusion.
✓ Included: Private guided tour at Imperial Palace
× Not Included:
Stay overnight in Tokyo with breakfast
Day13.
Explore Tokyo Freely
Spend your final full day in Japan exploring Tokyo at your own pace. Whether you choose to visit world-class museums, traditional neighbourhoods such as Asakusa, the fashionable districts of Ginza and Shibuya, or simply enjoy Japanese cuisine and shopping, today offers the perfect opportunity to experience the many faces of Japan's modern capital.
✓ Included: No service
× Not Included:
Stay overnight in Tokyo with breakfast
Day14.
Departure from Japan
After breakfast, your private driver will transfer you to the airport for your departure flight. As you leave Japan, take with you unforgettable memories of magnificent castles, samurai history and the remarkable story of the nation's unification—from the age of the great warlords to the peaceful Edo Period.
✓ Included:
・Private airport transfer
× Not Included: Tour guide (Optional available)
✓Include
・13 nights accommodation in carefully selected hotels Daily breakfast (5 nights in Osaka, 2 nights in Inuyama,3 nights in Matsumoto,3 nights in Tokyo)
・Private airport transfer upon arrival at Kansai International Airport (KIX)
・Private airport transfer on departure from Tokyo
・Private guided tour of Osaka Castle, Himeji castle, Hikone castle, Inuyama castle, Matsumoto castle, and Edo castle(Imperial palace)
・Admission fees to:
Osaka Castle
Nijo Castle (if included in the selected itinerary)
Himeji Castle & Koko-en Garden
Hikone Castle
Inuyama Castle
Matsumoto Castle
Imperial Palace East Gardens (where applicable)
・Limited Express Shinano ticket from Nagoya to Matsumoto
・Rail ticket from Matsumoto to Tokyo (Limited Express & Shinkansen)
・Digital travel documents
・24/7 English-speaking customer support throughout your stay
×Exclude
・International flights
・Personal expenses
・Lunch & dinner (unless specified)
・Travel insurance
・Optional activities
・Tips & gratuities
・Early check-in / Late check-out
・English-speaking local guide (available as an optional add-on for any number of days upon request)
TOUR PRICING
Price available upon request based on:
• Travel season
• Hotel category
• Availability at the time of booking
Contact us for a customized quotation.
Hotel Categories Available
• Standard 3-Star Accommodation
• Comfortable 4-Star Accommodation Options
• Twin / Double room arrangements available
• Single supplement upon request