Tuesday, October 7th – Osaka (World’s Fair)

Morning

• Arrival at your own convenience in Osaka, the third-largest city in Japan. It is well- connected to the rest of the world thanks to the Kansai International Airport.
• Self-transfer to the RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka and check-in.
• Pre-tour meeting will be held at the lobby of our hotel at 10:00 AM to discuss the tour itinerary and meet your fellow travellers and YPT guide.
• Welcome lunch nearby the hotel and departure to the World’s Fair.

Afternoon

• Spend the entire day exploring the various pavilions, exhibits, and cultural performances at the World’s Fair on Yumeshima Island. Immerse yourself in cutting-edge technology from around the globe. Just try not to get lost in the maze of pavilions – or the space- time continuum!
• The theme for Expo 2025 is “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.” It aims to explore solutions to global challenges through international cooperation, with a focus on well-being, sustainable innovation, and coexistence with nature.
• Dinner and overnight in Osaka.

Wednesday, October 8th – Osaka (World’s Fair)

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Continue your exploration of the World’s Fair, focusing on different areas and exhibits. Over 150 countries and international organizations are expected to showcase their innovations.
• Check out the highlight of Japan’s Pavilion, blending traditional aesthetics with cutting-edge technology.
• Lunch at the Expo.
• Visit many other themed pavilions and interactive experiences. Engage with futuristic technologies, including AI-powered guides, virtual reality experiences, and sustainable solutions demonstrations.
• Dinner and overnight in Osaka.

Thursday, October 9th – Osaka (City Tour)

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Explore Namba District, a bustling area known for its lively atmosphere, just a short walk from the famous Kuromon Ichiba Market and the iconic Dōtonbori entertainment district. The entertainment district is known for its neon signs, street performers, and delicious food. Just try not to get lost in the crowds.
• Lunch in Namba: Osaka is referred to as the “stomach of Japan” due to its amazing food scene.
• Visit iconic landmarks like Osaka Castle, built in 1583 and a symbol of unification. Its serene garden features over 600 cherry trees, which will be especially stunning during this time.

Afternoon

• Conquer Umeda Sky Building: This futuristic building, completed in 1993, consists of two 40-story towers connected at the top by a Floating Garden Observatory, including a skywalk experience and a basement underground market.
• Stop at the Shinsekai Toei Cinema, one of the last remaining old-style grindhouse movie theatre’s in Osaka. Films run almost continuously, with a brief break between 5:00 AM and 9:00 AM. The ticket machine offers three categories corresponding to the three screening rooms: the yellow buttons will get you tickets for the samurai movies on display, the blue buttons for the pink movies, and the red buttons for the gay pink movies. Pink movie theatre’s have become rare in Japan these days, and gay pink movie houses are close to extinction. In Shinsekai, however, old traditions live on.
• Dinner at Akadori Haruka: A restaurant specializing in raw chicken dishes. It is one of the few places in the world offering this adventurous dish. It is in a bustling area offering more options like offal BBQ.
• Head to Tobita Shinchi, an old red-light district that emerged in the early 1900s. Despite the official prohibition of prostitution in Japan since 1958, Tobita Shinchi retains its authentic character, and the old brothels, now officially converted into “Japanese restaurants,” still harbor their true activities with rooms showcasing women behind glass, often dressed provocatively.
• Even if you’re not interested in such services, the district is worth a visit as its atmosphere offers a glimpse into the past, with remnants of the Taisho era (1912-1925) visible in the surviving old wooden buildings adorned with sculptures, billboards, and lanterns. Grab a drink at Hog Haus and see how the night unfolds.
• Overnight in Osaka.

Friday, October 10th – Kyoto

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Take the Kintetsu Railway’s “Aoniyoshi” sightseeing train from Osaka-Umeda Station to Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station (9:32 AM – 10:15 AM), a special sightseeing train inspired by Kyoto’s nature and traditional architecture.
• Arrive in Kyoto and transfer to the hotel for dropping bags. The former imperial capital of Japan for over 1,000 years, Kyoto holds immense historical, cultural, and spiritual significance. Renowned as the heart of traditional Japan, it is home to 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including ancient temples, shrines, and gardens and we will step out to explore them.
• Lunch of Obanzai – locally sourced vegetables, tofu, and dried fish, cooked simply with soy sauce and dashi stock.

Afternoon

• Ride the cable car, which leads visitors to the Iwashimizu-Hachimangu Shrine. From the windows of the train, you can see the Kizu and Uji Rivers and the stunning cherry trees alongside – if you dare to look down!
• Enjoy a unique dining experience at Kitchen Rakuraku Kyoto, where the talented chef Akira creates personalized dishes based on your preferences. Since this is only suitable for smaller groups, we might head to Urbanguild, a vibrant dinner place that also serves as a gallery.
• Optional, if you still have lots of energy: Unwind at Atarashi-yu, a traditional public bathhouse, for a relaxing soak (please note that having tattoos is not allowed here).
• Overnight in Kyoto.

Saturday, October 11th – Tokyo

Morning

• Take the Shinkansen between Kyoto and Tokyo (~2.5 hours) and have breakfast on the train. Leave on train early (6 am)
• Transfer to our hotel to drop bags.
• Explore Odaiba Marine Park, a waterfront district with stunning views and attractions. Don’t forget to snap a selfie with the giant Gundam statue!
• Enjoy a unique food experience at DAWN Avatar Robot Café. The robots are actually manned by people with disabilities who can’t easily leave their homes. It’s a unique and touching experience!

Afternoon

• After lunch, we’ll head to the Maruha Pachinko Parlor. Unlike typical pachinko parlors with flashy neon lights and bustling noise, the Maruhan parlor stands out in its modern, well-designed, and tastefully decorated building. Rumor has it that this place has ties to the North Korean community and that all winnings go to North Korea.
• If you’re new to pachinko and don’t speak Japanese, the MARUHAN Shinjuku Building is a good place to start playing because staff members are fluent in English, Chinese, Korean, Turkish, and Spanish.
• Experience the Dark Side of Tokyo on a guided walking tour of Shinjuku Kabukicho, one of the city’s most infamous entertainment and red-light districts. Explore the neon jungle, its ghosts and urban legends, find hidden spots among the narrow alleys, and peek into Tokyo’s underbelly featuring adult entertainment venues, host and hostess clubs. Learn about the socio-economic factors that shaped the district, including its connections to Japan’s post-war recovery and the story of the never-built kabuki theater district.
• Enjoy a delicious dinner at Torafugu-tei Asakusa, a renowned fugu restaurant. Also known as blowfish or pufferfish, fugu is a delicacy in Japan, but it must be prepared carefully due to its toxicity.
• Optional, if you still have lots of energy: Finish the evening in the legendary Golden Gai area in Shinjuku. This festive and popular city district is famed for its narrow, winding alleys and numerous snug taverns.
• Overnight in Tokyo.

Sunday, October 12th – Tokyo

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Visit the Kagurazaka Ghost Cat Festival and step into the world of Japanese folklore at the ‘Bake Neko Festival’, a lively celebration of supernatural cat legends in Tokyo’s historic Kagurazaka district. Start your day with professional ghost cat makeup, then join the costumed parade of shape-shifting felines through the charming streets. Enjoy street performances, traditional taiko drumming, and indulge in cat-themed treats, making this a truly unique and immersive cultural experience.
• Challenge Sumo Wrestlers and enjoy a Chanko Nabe hot pot meal at Yokozuna Tonkatsu. Discover the history, training, and rules behind the typical sumo match as you watch real clashes. You can even try it yourself during a skirmish with a retired wrestler and then devour an authentic meal used by these hulking fighters to gain weight.

Late Afternoon

• Transfer to the Tokyo Imperial Palace, the main residence of the Emperor of Japan. It is a large park-like area with several buildings where the Emperor has his living quarters and where various ceremonies and receptions take place.
• The Imperial Palace, a symbol of Japan’s history and continuity, has its gardens open to the public for peaceful strolls.
• Not far from there and if time allows, we’ll visit the infamous Yasukuni Shrine. It serves as a memorial site for over 2.5 million people who died in conflicts, primarily during World War II. It is surrounded by controversy due to the inclusion of 14 convicted Class-A war criminals in the shrine, especially after visits by Japanese prime ministers.
• For dinner, experience Ainu cuisine and culture at Harukor, Tokyo’s only Ainu restaurant. Depending on the size of the group can only accommodate a smaller size.
• There’s about as much to do in Tokyo at night as during the day, so our itinerary continues with a visit to the Muscle Girls Bar. In this remarkable place, customers sit around the bar counter while muscular and friendly staff in brightly colored shirts chat with them. During the “muscle show time,” staff members scatter around the room, dance, and cheer to lively music.
• Depending on what services customers order, the main lights will go out, and disco lights will splash rays of color around the room as staff members dance, flex, and chug protein shakes. That’s the kind of drinking experience we like!
• Optional If you’re not ready to call it a night yet, we’ll continue to Burlesque Tokyo, a bustling venue with a festive vibe, offering a floorshow, dancing, plus drinks and snacks.
• Overnight in Tokyo.

Monday, October 13th – Tokyo

• Breakfast in hotel.
• Tour concludes. YPT are able to arrange additional nights in Tokyo and advice for further transport.
• If you want to have the total experience of Japan, you can connect to Fukushima & Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Tour which starts today at the Marunouchi North Exit of Tokyo Station at 7:30am

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