Autumn Japan Tour: Osaka - Kobe - Kyoto - Yamanashi, Flying Vietnam Airlines from Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) 2025

NIGHT BEFORE DEPARTURE: HO CHI MINH CITY – OSAKA (OVERNIGHT & LIGHT MEAL ON BOARD) 

Evening: Please arrive at Tan Son Nhat Airport. Your tour guide will meet and assist you with check-in for Vietnam Airlines flight VN320 (00:10 – 07:00) to Osaka, Japan. You'll spend the night on board.

DAY 1: OSAKA – KOBE – OSAKA (BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER) 

Morning: Upon arrival at Kansai International Airport (Osaka), complete immigration procedures and collect your luggage.

• Enjoy a light breakfast (rice balls + fruit juice).
• Then, depart for sightseeing: Visit Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum, located in one of Japan's renowned Sake production regions. Learn about the Sake brewing process and enjoy a tasting of various delicious Sake types. 

Lunch: Enjoy a special Kobe Beef lunch at a restaurant, where you can watch the chefs perform grilling right before your eyes, savoring the sounds and aromas.

• Visit Osaka Castle (photos from outside) – the most famous landmark in Osaka. Built in the late 16th century as the residence of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who unified Japan at the time, this massive castle took over 16 years to complete and is considered a symbol of Japan.
• Experience a Geisha Show: Geisha are traditional Japanese entertainers, trained in music, dance, poetry, and conversation. They often perform at tea ceremonies, cultural events, and entertainment districts. Geisha attire is elaborate and exquisite, typically consisting of vibrant Kimonos, intricate makeup, and tall hair ornaments. Enjoy tea and mochi cakes during the show.
• Explore Shinsaibashi Shopping Street, stretching 580m with over 180 clothing stores and eateries. It's Osaka's most famous shopping district, offering a wide range of goods from renowned brands to independent designer products. 

Evening: Enjoy a Shabu-shabu hotpot dinner.

• Return to Osaka and check into your hotel. Overnight stay in Osaka.

DAY 2: OSAKA – KYOTO – TOYOHASHI (BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER) 

Morning: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and check out. Depart for Kyoto for sightseeing.

• Visit Arashiyama Bamboo Grove – a culturally significant site in Japan, ranked by CNN as one of the world's top 100 most beautiful paths. The sounds of the forest are listed among the "100 Soundscapes of Japan" by the Ministry of Environment. 

Lunch: Enjoy an all-you-can-eat Shabu-shabu buffet lunch.

• Afterward, continue sightseeing: Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine – a legendary shrine in Japan famous for its approximately 10,000 vermilion torii gates winding along a two-hour walking path. Shortly after the shrine's construction, to signify worshippers' contributions, a torii gate would be built with their name inscribed. Soon, hundreds of thousands sought similar good fortune, coming to this famous shrine to purchase their own torii gates, creating the "Senbon Torii" tunnel seen today. 

Afternoon: Depart for Toyohashi (approximately 190km). 

Evening: Enjoy a buffet dinner at the hotel. Check into your room. Overnight stay in Toyohashi.

DAY 3: TOYOHASHI – YAMANASHI (BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER) 

Morning: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and check out.

• Experience a ride on the Shinkansen (bullet train) – the pride of Japan.
• Afterward, depart for Yamanashi. Visit one of the following three spots:
  • Momiji Maple Leaf Festival by Lake Kawaguchi (for autumn foliage viewing).
  • Oshino Hakkai Ancient Village – nestled at the foot of Mount Fuji, this charming village, though developed for tourism, retains its traditional essence. The village houses are still inhabited, with moss-covered roofs and walls adorned with dried agricultural products. 

Lunch: Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Afterward, continue sightseeing:

• Enjoy a Swan Boat ride on Lake Yamanaka – where visitors can admire Mount Fuji. Lake Yamanaka is home to many swans, earning it the nickname "Swan Lake." If lucky, you might spot flocks of swans flying or swimming on the water. Some spots along the lakeside sell swan feed, allowing visitors to purchase and feed the swans, and take photos with these graceful birds. 

Evening: Return to the hotel, have Snow Crab dinner, and relax in Yamanashi.

• Enjoy a complimentary Onsen (natural hot spring bath) within the hotel premises, a traditional Japanese therapy believed to relieve joint pain, fatigue, and other ailments. Also, experience wearing a summer Kimono (Yukata).

DAY 4: MOUNT FUJI – TOKYO – NARITA (BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER) 

Morning: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Complete check-out procedures.

• Visit Mount Fuji – the iconic symbol and highest active volcano in Japan, standing at 3776m, surrounded by five lakes. Visit the 5th station if weather permits (if weather is poor, photos will be taken at the base of the mountain). 

Afternoon: Depart for Tokyo.

• Enjoy a BBQ buffet lunch at a restaurant. Continue sightseeing:
  • Visit Asakusa Kannon Temple – Tokyo's most sacred temple, hosting major national festivals and steeped in mysterious legends of its origin.
  • View and photograph Tokyo Skytree from the temple grounds (cost to ascend the tower is not included).
• Visit Meiji Jingu Gaien Park: a famous autumn destination in Tokyo known for its beautiful golden leaves.
• Shop at Akihabara electronic district – the world's leading electronics hub. Akihabara offers a wide range of electronic goods, focusing on home appliances. During Japan's rapid economic growth, specialty CD, record, game shops flourished, and later, many hobby and anime shops emerged, shaping Akihabara into what it is today (if time permits). 

Evening: Enjoy dinner and stay overnight in Narita.

DAY 5: NARITA – HO CHI MINH CITY (BREAKFAST, LIGHT MEAL ON BOARD) 

Morning: Enjoy a light breakfast. The vehicle will transfer you to Narita Airport. Enjoy a fast food breakfast on the bus. Complete check-in and exit procedures for your flight VN307 (09:30 – 14:10) back to Ho Chi Minh City. 

The tour concludes upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport. We bid farewell and look forward to welcoming you on your next journey.

Note: The order of the program may be adjusted by the company to suit actual conditions while ensuring all mentioned attractions are visited. The blooming schedule of flowers is dependent on current weather conditions.