Tokyo, Kyoto and Alps GO by Europamundo – 6-Day Tour

Tokyo’s urban rush, Kyoto’s shrine paths, and Japanese Alps hot springs all fit into six days here. The most unusual stop is Jigokudani Monkey Park, where Japanese macaques may bathe in natural hot springs, followed by a night in a traditional ryokan in Ikaho.

I like the mix of city and country stops: you get Tokyo and Kyoto’s headline sights, but also Tsumago’s old wooden streets, Matsumoto Castle, and Nikko’s sacred sites. I also like that key admissions, the Tokyo to Kyoto bullet train, and an English-speaking tour leader are included, which takes much of the planning off your plate.

The trade-off is pace. Several days are tightly scheduled, and the drive from Kyoto through Tsumago and Matsumoto to Nagano is a long one. If you want hours to linger at each temple, shop, or eat at your own pace, this route may feel rushed.

At a glance: the details that shape this trip

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• Tokyo Skytree reaches 350 meters: Admission to its Tembo Deck is included, along with visits to Meiji Shrine, Sensoji Temple, and other city landmarks.
• Kyoto comes after a fast rail ride: The bullet train covers nearly 500 kilometers from Tokyo in just over two hours.
• Tsumago and Matsumoto break up the coach journey: You get time in an old post town and a visit to Matsumoto Castle before continuing to Nagano.
• The monkey park requires a walk: Expect forest trails, and know that macaques may not come down to the park in autumn.
• Ikaho brings a ryokan night: A traditional Japanese dinner is included, and hot-spring baths are available at the inn.
• Nikko finishes the route: After its major shrines and a walk beside the Kanmangafuchi Abyss, the group returns to Tokyo around 6:30 p.m.

👉 See our pick of the 25 Best Guided Tours In Tokyo

Tokyo temples, a giant crossing, and the city from above

Your first day is for arrival and recovery. A shared shuttle takes you from the airport to the hotel, and the rest of the day is free. The tour team provides the start details in the afternoon, so keep an eye out for that information before heading off on your own.

The hotels used for the first two nights may include Shinagawa Prince Hotel, Tokyo Dome Hotel, or Ibis Styles Tokyo Ginza East. They differ in location and category, but the operator describes its hotels as selected for quality, price, and access to public transport rather than luxury. Your exact hotel matters: check its location when planning any free-time outings.

Day two is a long guided tour, about seven hours, followed by an evening outing. Zojoji Temple offers a striking view toward Tokyo Tower, along with rows of small Jizo figures dressed in hats and bibs. At Shibuya Crossing, the bus provides a look at the famous intersection, but this is a short viewing stop rather than time to explore the area on foot.

Meiji Shrine brings a quieter pause among trees. Then Tokyo Skytree shifts the view from street level to the broad city panorama, with admission to the Tembo Deck included. Weather or exceptional conditions can restrict access; if that happens, the tour offers another city viewpoint.

In Asakusa, Sensoji Temple and Nakamise Street give you a taste of an older, more traditional part of Tokyo. The walk through Nakamise passes shops and food stalls, though the schedule may not leave much time for browsing. You’ll pass Akihabara and Ginza on the return to the hotel, rather than having a dedicated visit to either district.

The evening trip to Shinjuku uses the subway, with tickets included and the guide accompanying the group. Dinner at a local restaurant is included. This is helpful on a full day, but it still makes for a lot of sightseeing, transport, and walking. Take comfortable shoes and save some energy for the evening.

Kyoto’s torii gates and the Golden Pavilion

The early departure for Kyoto is one of the tour’s big practical wins. The bullet train makes a long cross-country journey in just over two hours, leaving much of the day for sightseeing. It also gives you a taste of Japan’s efficient rail system without asking you to navigate a major station and book the trip yourself.

The day includes Fushimi Inari Shrine, the Imperial Palace grounds, and Kinkakuji, better known as the Golden Pavilion. Fushimi Inari is famous for its rows of red torii gates, while Kinkakuji’s gold-colored pavilion and garden make a very different impression. With several headline sights in one day, expect a sampler, not a slow study of each place.

The route ends with time in Gion, Kyoto’s traditional district. You can stroll around independently after the guided visits, but don’t assume a group ride back to the hotel is included after your free time. Check the plan with your guide and make sure you know how to return.

Hotel options include New Miyako Hotel or Miyako Kyoto Hachijo. The schedule is full, but a little free time in Gion is valuable: it gives you a chance to pause and choose how you want to spend the evening.

Tsumago, Matsumoto Castle, and a long road to Nagano

Day four is a substantial coach journey from Kyoto through Tsumago and Matsumoto to Nagano. That mileage is the price of seeing smaller towns and mountain-country sights in a short tour. One past participant described this leg as a long time on the coach, so bring water, a book, or another way to pass the hours.

Tsumago is a former post town known for its traditional wooden houses. You get free time to walk around, and lunch is included. The village offers a useful change of scale after Tokyo and Kyoto, though the visit is brief by design.

At Matsumoto, the main stop is the 16th-century castle known as the Crow. You have time to see the castle and explore the city independently before boarding the coach again. A castle visit is a welcome change from the run of temples and shrines, but the schedule won’t provide a full day in Matsumoto.

You spend the night in Nagano, with Metropolitan Nagano or Jal City Nagano listed as hotel possibilities. The specific hotel can vary, so don’t plan around a particular property until your booking is confirmed.

Zenko-ji, macaques, and hot-spring towns

Nagano’s Zenko-ji Temple is an important pilgrimage site, and the tour includes a Gomakuyo ceremony, a traditional ritual associated with good fortune. This is one of the itinerary’s more distinctive cultural moments: you’re not just looking at the temple exterior, but taking part in a specific practice.

Next comes the walk to Jigokudani Monkey Park. The trails pass through forest and alongside rivers and hot springs, so bring shoes suited to uneven paths. The macaques are the draw, but their movements are unpredictable, especially in autumn when food availability in the mountains can affect whether they come down to the park. The stop is appealing, but no one can promise a close-up sighting.

The coach then travels through high mountain terrain, reaching about 2,172 meters, before a stop in Kusatsu. This hot-spring town has an active central square and a city park with open-air onsen. You’ll have free time for lunch, but the visit may be canceled from November through April due to weather.

The day ends in Ikaho, another hot-spring town, known for its stone stairways. You’ll stay at a ryokan and have a traditional Japanese dinner included. Hot-spring bathing at the inn is optional, so check the property’s facilities and bathing arrangements if that is a priority. The accommodation options include Hotel Moriaki Ryokan, Kishigon Ryokan, or Hibikino Ryokan; the exact property may vary.

The ryokan night is one of the tour’s most memorable changes of pace. It is also worth setting expectations: traditional Japanese inns can differ from Western hotels in room style and sleeping arrangements. One participant particularly enjoyed wearing traditional Japanese clothing and sleeping on a padded mat, but that detail may depend on the accommodation and arrangement for your departure.

Nikko’s ornate shrine and a quiet riverside walk

On the final day, the coach takes you from Ikaho to Nikko. Toshogu Shrine is known for elaborate decoration and the room with the sound of a dragon. Nearby, Taiyuinbyo Mausoleum offers a quieter contrast. Both are important sites, and admission to them is included.

The walk along Kanmangafuchi Abyss passes rows of Jizo statues beside the river. It gives the day a calmer stretch between major monuments. You’ll also have free time in Nikko’s town center before returning to Tokyo, where arrival is expected around 6:30 p.m.

That arrival time is an estimate, not a good reason to book a tight onward connection. Traffic and other exceptional conditions can change the schedule, and the tour does not include a departure transfer to the airport. The guide can advise you on public transport, but consider staying an extra night if you have an early flight.

What the price includes, and where value depends on you

The starting price is $2,300 for the cheapest room, though the amount you see will depend on departure and room availability. For six days, the package includes hotel accommodation, breakfast, an arrival transfer, an English-speaking tour leader, basic travel insurance, many major admissions, and transport between the listed stops. The Tokyo to Kyoto train and subway tickets for the Shinjuku outing are included as well.

Meals are more limited than the sightseeing. The included meals are one lunch in Tsumago and two dinners, one in Shinjuku and one at the Ikaho ryokan. You’ll need to budget for other lunches and dinners. Food received the lowest category score in the supplied rating breakdown, so I would not book this tour expecting culinary discovery to be its main strength. One past participant specifically wished for better food choices, while another enjoyed the included ryokan dinner.

The value is strongest if you want a guided overview and would otherwise spend time arranging transport, admissions, and hotel changes. The route covers a lot of ground, and the coach links places that would take more work to combine independently. On the other hand, the bus schedule controls your pace, and the group can include anywhere from 2 to 72 people.

Accommodation scores are relatively strong, and the listed hotels range from three to four stars. Still, the operator says the hotels are not luxury properties and that room sizes, beds, and standards vary. Treat the named hotels as possible options, not a guarantee of a specific one.

The guide is central to the experience. The listed tour is conducted in English, and past participants have praised guides including Tania in Tokyo, Ken in Kyoto, and David in the Alps, as well as guides such as Eduardo, Kiko, Pablo, and Marcos on other departures. Staff and assignments can change, but the comments point to attentive explanations and strong trip organization as recurring strengths.

Is this six-day Japan route right for you?

I’d choose this tour if you have limited time, want to see several regions, and value having transport and sightseeing organized for you. It offers an appealing combination of major city sights, a historic post town, a castle, a mountain monkey park, hot-spring towns, and Nikko’s shrines.

I’d hesitate if your ideal Japan trip means slow mornings, long meals, and plenty of unplanned time. Several stops are short, and long coach days are part of the deal. For a first visit when you want a broad introduction and can handle a packed schedule, it is a practical way to connect Tokyo, Kyoto, and the Alps. If you book, pack for walking, confirm your hotel and language arrangements, and leave breathing room after the final Tokyo arrival.

FAQ

What is included in the tour price?

Accommodation, breakfast, an arrival transfer, basic travel insurance, an English-speaking tour leader, transport between destinations, and listed admissions are included. The package also includes a Tsumago lunch and dinners in Shinjuku and Ikaho.

How many people can be in the group?

The stated group size ranges from 2 to 72 people. The group may be small or large depending on the departure.

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. The tour is listed as conducted entirely in English, with an English-speaking tour leader providing explanations and assistance.

How much walking should I expect?

The tour is rated low intensity, but it includes city walks, temple visits, and forest trails at Jigokudani Monkey Park. Comfortable walking shoes are a sensible choice.

Are the snow monkeys guaranteed to appear?

No. In autumn, food availability can affect whether the macaques come down to the park. The visit may take place without a close sighting.

Which meals are included?

One lunch in Tsumago and two dinners are included: one in Shinjuku and one at the Ikaho ryokan. Other meals are not listed as included.

Does the tour include a transfer to the airport at the end?

No. The tour returns to Tokyo at about 6:30 p.m., but a departure transfer is not included. The guide can recommend public transport options.