5-Day Tokyo, Mt. Fuji and Nikko Discovery Tour

First Impressions of Japan: Tokyo, Mount Fuji and the World Heritage Sites of Nikko

This brief itinerary will take you to the essence of Japan. Tokyo is the starting point of your journey. First, visit the famous Sensoji Temple and Meiji Shrine, and experience the century-old life atmosphere of Nakamise Shopping Street. Then head to the most iconic Mount Fuji. At the end of the trip, you will explore Nikko, where you can find the Toshogu Shrine listed as a World Heritage Site, the 1,200-year-old Rinnoji Temple, and the beautiful Kegon Falls.

During your short few-day trip, you will be able to see the most representative natural and cultural landscapes of Japan. We believe it will leave you with a very wonderful first impression of Japan.

Itinerary Sketch

Tour Highlights

1. Visit the oldest temple and commercial street in Tokyo.

2. Exploring the Best Angles to Appreciate Mount Fuji.

3. Experience the charm of world cultural heritage sites.

Itinerary Overview

This is a short-term Japan travel route. The itinerary is brief but highly representative. It is particularly suitable for your short-term trip to Japan. There can be many short-term travel routes starting from Tokyo. We are more than willing to customize one for you based on your interests and preferences.

Day 1   Tokyo Arrival

Welcome to Tokyo, the capital of Japan, a world-class metropolis that is extremely busy. As soon as you set foot on this land, you will quickly find that it is a well-ordered society that is very friendly to tourists from all over the world.

After arriving in Tokyo, meet your driver at the airport and then take a private car to your hotel. Your tour guide will receive you and make preparations for tomorrow's itinerary.

Day 2  Tokyo highlights.

The tour begins with a visit to Sensoji Temple, the oldest temple in Tokyo, led by a dedicated guide.

Sensoji Temple is a popular destination with a distinct "Edo-style" charm, and its most famous feature is the large red lantern hanging at the temple gate. The temple houses many renowned buildings and historical sites that are worth a thorough exploration. In front of the temple lies Nakamise Shopping Street, which took shape as a commercial street in the late 17th century and is one of the oldest in Japan, now it offers a variety of traditional snacks and rich and interesting souvenirs for visitors.

In the afternoon, visit Meiji Shrine, which enshrines the spirit of Emperor Meiji and is a popular venue for traditional Japanese weddings. It covers an area of 70 hectares and has over 200 kinds of trees planted inside. The trees are tall and luxuriant, making it a quiet place in the bustling city of Tokyo.

Day 3  From Tokyo to the foot of Mount Fuji

After breakfast, we drive for about two hours to Fujiyoshida City at the foot of Mount Fuji. Here, the mountain seemed so close that it felt within reach.

Oshino Hakkai is renowned for their charming rural scenery. The shimmering lake water blends seamlessly with the majestic Mount Fuji, creating a breathtaking view. Countless photographers come here to capture the natural beauty of Mount Fuji and the well-preserved village.

Fuji Sengen Shrine is the earliest Sengen Shrine built on the northern slope of Mount Fuji. However, what makes this place most famous is not its historic buildings but seven huge cedar trees that have been growing for nearly 1,200 years. Among them, the largest tree has a girth of 7 meters and a height of 45 meters.

Arakurayama Sengen Park is one of the best spots to enjoy Mount Fuji. At the highest point of the park, you can capture the iconic mountain from an excellent angle. During the cherry blossom season, you can even photograph the three most representative symbols of Japan at the same time.

Day 4  Exploring the World Cultural Heritage of Nikko.

Nikko is a small city, but it has a long history and profound cultural heritage. It boasts captivating natural beauty and numerous historical sites. Nikko is located about 130 kilometers north of Tokyo and is an ideal destination for a short trip from the capital.

Toshogu Shrine was established in the early 17th century during the Edo Shogunate and is listed as a World Heritage Site. Here, you will see dozens of ancient buildings nestled among lush forests, with towering ancient trees. The buildings are elaborately decorated and feature exquisite wood carvings, among which the "Three Monkeys" and the "Sleeping Cat" are the most famous.

Rinnoji Temple is another must-see attraction in Nikko and an important base for Tendai Buddhists. The most impressive building in the temple is the Sanbutsudo Hall, which houses three gilded Buddha statues each standing at a height of 8 meters.

About half an hour's west of the Rinnoji Temple, on the west bank of Lake Chuzenji, a waterfall named "Kegon Fall" plunges down approximately 100 meters. It is one of the three most beautiful waterfalls in Japan.

Day 5  Bid farewell to Tokyo.

After spending a night in Nikko, we return to Tokyo this morning and get ready for departure.

We believe that during this trip to Japan, there must be some wonderful moments that you will always remember.