Overview

If you are going to fly ten hours from India to Japan, do it properly. That is the thinking behind this 7 Nights / 8 Days itinerary - an extra day compared to most standard packages, used to slow things down rather than cram more in. The additional night goes to Hakone, where you stay in a traditional Ryokan, access an onsen, and wake up with Fuji views rather than rushing back to Tokyo before dinner.

The full route: Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, and Osaka. Four cities, each with its own character, none of them rushed. For Indian travellers making this trip for the first time - or the first time properly - this is the structure we recommend.

Why 8 Days Makes More Sense Than 6

The standard argument for a shorter Japan trip is efficiency. Cover the highlights, fit it into annual leave, and keep costs down. Fair enough. But there are a few specific reasons why 8 days works better for travellers coming from India:

The first day is genuinely a write-off.
A flight from Delhi or Mumbai to Tokyo — with a layover in Singapore or Bangkok — takes anywhere from nine to twelve hours total. Arrival immigration at Narita or Haneda can add another hour. By the time you reach your hotel in central Tokyo, it is evening. You have enough energy for dinner, maybe a short walk. That is Day 1. Build it into the plan rather than pretending it is a sightseeing day.

Hakone is an overnight, not a day trip.
Almost every 6-night Japan package includes a day trip to Hakone from Tokyo — ropeway, lake, and back by dinner. Staying overnight changes the experience entirely. You get the mountain at dusk and at dawn. You eat a proper multi-course Kaiseki dinner at the Ryokan. You use the onsen in the morning without a crowd. It is one of the most genuinely Japanese things you can do on this trip.

Kyoto needs two days.
Fushimi Inari alone, if you go past the lower gates and walk the full trail, takes three to four hours. Arashiyama is half a day when done right. Throw in Nishiki Market, Gion in the evening, and anything else on your list — one day is not enough. This itinerary gives Kyoto the space it deserves.

India-Specific Details for This Trip

Visa: The Japan tourist visa for Indian passport holders requires a valid passport (at least six months' validity), bank statements for the past three months, confirmed bookings, and a cover letter. Japanese consulates in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru handle applications. Give yourself at least three weeks before your travel date — four to six weeks during peak season.

Flights: Delhi and Mumbai have the most direct routing options. Most connect through Singapore, Bangkok, or Kuala Lumpur. We advise on layover timing so the journey out and back is not unnecessarily exhausting.

Currency: The exchange rate for INR to JPY has been reasonably favourable in recent years. Carry a mix — Forex card for hotel payments and larger spends, cash for temples, local eateries, and transport in smaller towns. We recommend how much of each based on your specific itinerary.

Food: Japan is not an easy country for strict vegetarians, though Buddhist temple cuisine (Shojin Ryori) in Kyoto is a beautiful exception. Sushi, ramen, udon, and convenience store food are very accessible. Most major cities have Indian restaurants if needed. We give every traveller a practical food guide before departure.

 

 

 

7 Nights 8 Days Available on request
Inclusions/Exclusions
What we'll give. What we won't

What is included in the tour

  • 7 nights accommodation — 6 hotel nights plus 1 Ryokan overnight in Hakone (twin / double sharing basis)

  • Daily breakfast; Kaiseki dinner included in the Ryokan night in Hakone

  • Airport arrival and departure transfers

  • All intercity transport, including Shinkansen tickets

  • Local sightseeing transfers by private vehicle

  • English-speaking tour guide/escort on sightseeing days

  • Entrance fees to all included attractions listed in the itinerary

  • Ryokan onsen access in Hakone at night

  • Pocket WiFi device for the full duration

  • Japan visa documentation checklist and guidance

  • Pre-departure travel briefing specific to Indian travellers

What is NOT included in the tour

  • 5% GST

  • International airfare (India to Japan and return)

  • Japan tourist visa fees and consulate charges

  • Alcoholic / Non-Alcoholic beverages

  • Meals other than daily breakfast (and the included Ryokan dinner)

  • Optional activities and entrance fees not mentioned in the itinerary

  • Expenses caused by factors beyond our control, like rail and flight delays, roadblocks, vehicle malfunctions, political disturbances, etc.

  • All personal expenses (shopping, laundry, tips, telephone calls, etc.)

  • Travel insurance

  • Upgrades to rooms, transport class, or any additional services requested during the trip

Highlights
What makes this tour special

Here are some of the experiences you can include in your trip:

  • Tokyo city exploration

  • Shibuya Crossing & Asakusa Temple

  • Tokyo Skytree Observatory

  • Mt. Fuji & Hakone excursion

  • Ropeway ride & Lake Ashi cruise

  • Bullet train (Shinkansen) experience

  • Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

  • Fushimi Inari Shrine

  • Nara Deer Park

  • Osaka city & shopping streets

  • Optional: Kimono experience & tea ceremony

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Tokyo: Airport, transfer to hotel, rest. Easy first evening.

Day 2 – Tokyo: Asakusa and Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo Skytree, Shibuya Crossing. Evening in Shinjuku.

Day 3 – Tokyo: Harajuku, Meiji Shrine, Omotesando. Optional: teamLab Borderless or Planets (book in advance).

Day 4 – Hakone (Overnight): Travel to Hakone. Hakone Ropeway over the Owakudani volcanic valley. Lake Ashi cruise. Overnight at a traditional Ryokan — Kaiseki dinner, onsen access.

Day 5 – Hakone to Osaka via Kyoto: Morning at leisure in Hakone. Shinkansen to Kyoto — afternoon in Gion. Continue to Osaka for the night.

Day 6 – Kyoto: Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Tenryu-ji Temple gardens, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Nishiki Market.

Day 7 – Nara & Osaka: Nara Deer Park and Todai-ji Temple in the morning. Back to Osaka for the afternoon — Dotonbori, Kuromon Ichiba Market, Shinsaibashi.

Day 8 – Departure: Transfer to Kansai Airport for return to India.

Frequently Asked Questions

1) Is 8 days a realistic amount of time for Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, and Osaka?
Yes — and it is the minimum we would recommend for this circuit if you want to do it properly. Two days in Tokyo, an overnight in Hakone, two days in Kyoto and Osaka. The pace is comfortable without wasting time. If you have ten days, that opens up Hiroshima and a more relaxed Osaka stay.

2) Can this package be adjusted for a family travelling from India?
Of course. Family trips require some adjustments to the default plan — the Hakone Ryokan setup, the pace of Fushimi Inari, and restaurant choices for picky eaters. Nara's Deer Park is a genuine hit with kids, and the Bullet Train experience tends to be a highlight for everyone. We build the family version with all of this in mind.

3) What does this Japan travel package from India cost?
Starting from ₹3,65,000 per person. The final figure depends on hotel category, flight class, your departure city, and any additions or customisations. We share a full breakdown during the consultation — no hidden items.

4) How early should I start the Japan visa process from India?
Start three to four weeks before your travel date at a minimum. If you are travelling in April (cherry blossom season), six weeks gives you enough buffer for any back-and-forth on documents.