ARRIVAL Takeover Japan: Golden Gai, Temple Streets and Osaka Nights
Seven nights through Japan's greatest contrasts with a small ARRIVAL crew, and all key transport included throughout Kyoto, Osaka and back to Tokyo. Golden Gai pub crawl. Shibuya Crossing from above. Bullet train to Kyoto. Kiyomizu-dera Buddhist temple at golden hour. Osaka by bicycle. Sumo in Asakusa. This is the essential ARRIVAL Japan trip, with a dedicated ARRIVAL Host and enough free time built in to make it yours.
Overview
The lowdown
Japan doesn't waste your time. Neither does this trip. Seven nights moving through the country's three greatest cities, and every single one of them delivers something the last one didn't. You land in Tokyo and check into a capsule pod in Shinjuku. By 7pm you're at an izakaya eating local food and by 10pm you're in Golden Gai, over a hundred bars compressed into laneways so narrow two people can barely pass each other. Day two is Harajuku, Shibuya Crossing from a rooftop and karaoke until midnight with all-you-can-drink and a room full of people who already feel like old friends. Day three is the bullet train through Japanese countryside, arriving into Kyoto in the afternoon for Kiyomizu-dera at golden hour and the walk back through Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka as the lanterns light the way home. Osaka arrives on Day 4. Louder. Brighter. Dotonbori at dusk, a bicycle tour through the markets and retro backstreets and dinner in Shinsekai surrounded by locals who've been coming here for years. Then back to Tokyo for the finale, sumo at the Ryogoku Kokugikan, where bouts that last less than ten seconds leave the whole room holding its breath. Small ARRIVAL crew throughout. Local guide for the key moments. All major transport handled. Daily breakfast sorted. This is Japan with the logistics taken care of and the freedom completely intact.
Highlights
The best bits
Golden Gai After Dark
Over a hundred bars compressed into a few narrow laneways in Shinjuku, each one completely its own thing. Jazz bars, whisky bars, bars with no name and no English menu and the real magic of Tokyo nightlife that begins humbly and leads you somewhere you didn't plan on being. The group will naturally find their favourite to kick-on, or tap out at your own pace with a short walk home
Itinerary
The day to day
Day 1
Arrive in Tokyo. Shinjuku and Golden Gai.
Day 2
Harajuku, Shibuya and Karaoke.
Day 3
Tokyo to Kyoto. Temple Streets at Golden Hour.
Day 4
Kyoto to Osaka.
Day 5
Osaka Castle, Nakanoshima and Umeda Sky Building.
Day 6
Osaka Bike Tour and Shinsekai Dinner.
Day 7
Osaka to Tokyo. Sumo and the Farewell.
Day 8
Departure
Location
The setting
Host
The experts
ARRIVAL
Curated by ARRIVAL, designed for you – adventure, comfort and local insight all in one.
Accommodation
The quarters
Walking distance to Golden Gai and Shinjuku Station. Private pod accommodation with shared bathroom facilities, clean, well-designed and a genuinely iconic Japan experience. Breakfast included.
Shinjuku Kuyakusho-mae Capsule Hotel (or similar)
Shinjuku City, JP
A well-located hotel in central Kyoto within easy reach of Gion, the riverside walks and Kyoto Station. Clean, comfortable twin share rooms and the right base for a day and evening in one of Japan's most extraordinary cities. Breakfast included.
SOLARIA Nishitetsu Hotel Kyoto Premier (or similar)
Kyoto, JP
Right in the heart of Namba with Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi and the best food streets in Osaka all within walking distance. Clean, modern and with breakfast included to start the day properly after however the night ended.
Hotel Keihan Namba Grande (or similar)
Osaka, JP
Views of the Tokyo Skytree and the Sumida River from a hotel in the most traditionally preserved neighbourhood in central Tokyo. Walking distance to Senso-ji, Hoppy Street and the Ryogoku Kokugikan. Breakfast included.
Tamayura Hotel Asakusa (or similar)
Taito City, JP
Activities
The fun stuff
Shinjuku Izakaya-style shared plates for the welcome dinner followed by a self-directed crawl through Golden Gai's famous laneways full of eclectic bars. Dinner and two drinks included.
Welcome Dinner and Golden Gai Pub Crawl
Shinjuku City, JP
Morning walking tour through Harajuku including Meiji Jingu Shrine and Yoyogi Park. Rooftop entry above Shibuya Crossing with one drink included. Yakitori dinner nearby. Two hours of private karaoke with all-you-can-drink to close the night.
Harajuku, Meiji Shrine, Shibuya Crossing and Karaoke Harajuku
Shibuya, JP
Shinkansen reserved seat with bento box lunch included. Afternoon taxi to Kiyomizu-dera with entry fee included. Sunset walk back through Sannenzaka, Ninenzaka and Gion to close the day.
Bullet Train to Kyoto and Kiyomizu-dera at Golden Hour Tokyo to Kyoto
Kyoto, JP
Self-directed morning in Kyoto, Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama bamboo grove or Kinkaku-ji depending on group preference. Local train to Osaka in the late afternoon covered by Suica card. Evening along Dotonbori and into Shinsaibashi.
Kyoto Free Time and Osaka Arrival Kyoto to Osaka
Osaka, JP
Explore Osaka Castle with the ARRIVAL guide, the river park at Nakanoshima and sunset from the Umeda Sky Building. Universal Studios available as an alternative at your own cost.
Osaka Castle, Nakanoshima Park and Umeda Sky Building
Osaka, JP
Half-day bicycle tour through Kuromon Market, Nipponbashi and Ameri-mura. Bicycle rental included. Afternoon at Tennoji Park. Evening group dinner in Shinsekai included
Osaka Bike Tour and Shinsekai Food Tour
Osaka, JP
Early Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Tokyo with reserved seat included. Afternoon in Asakusa. Sumo ticket included for the September tournament. Senso-ji Temple at night. Farewell dinner on Hoppy Street with two drinks included.
Bullet Train to Tokyo, Sumo Tournament and Farewell Dinner
Tokyo, JP
Fine Print
The small stuff
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