Western Japan

ARRIVAL IN JAPAN

• Please book your airfare to/from Kansai Int’l Airport (KIX) outside Osaka, or Haneda Int’l Airport (HND) / Narita Int’l Airport (NRT) near Tokyo*
• Meet your fellow travelers at the Hotel Nikko Kansai Airport, located directly across the terminal from Kansai International Airport (KIX)
• Begin your journey with a welcome dinner and short tour orientation

*The only activity on arrival day is an optional evening welcome dinner and orientation. Many guests choose to arrive a day early to adjust to jet lag. Travelers from North America should plan to depart the previous day. KIX is the most convenient airport, though Tokyo airports are viable if you can arrange your own transport to Osaka.

OSAKA PICKLEBALL

• Buffet breakfast at your accommodations
• Transfer to Esaka Tennis Center (~1:00 hrs)
• Morning Pickleball Trips clinic with our professional instructors (~3:00 hrs)
• Group lunch near the venue in Esaka
• Afternoon recreational play with local Osaka-area players (~3:00 hrs)
• Check into your accommodations in Umeda, the vibrant heart of the city
• Explore Osaka’s famous culinary scene with dinner on your own

NARA SIGHTS | WAZUKA TEA COUNTRY

• Buffet breakfast at your accommodations
• Scenic train ride to historic Nara (~1:00 hrs)
• Wander through Nara Deer Park to Todaiji Temple and Kasugataisha Shrine
• Sample Nara’s local delicacies with lunch on your own
• Private transfer to the rolling hills of Wazuka tea country (~0:30 hrs)
• Guided tea field walk, followed by an authentic Japanese tea experience
• Return to Nara (~0:30 hrs) for group dinner at a local restaurant
• Relax on the train journey back to Osaka (~1:00 hrs)

OSAKA PICKLEBALL | FREE AFTERNOON

• Buffet breakfast at your accommodations
• Return to the courts at Esaka Tennis Center (~0:15 hrs)
• Morning Pickleball Trips clinic with our professional instructors (~3:00 hrs)
• Group lunch near the venue in Esaka
• Return to accommodations in Umeda (~0:15 hrs)
• Enjoy an afternoon to explore Osaka at your own pace, including dinner

KYOTO SIGHTS

• Buffet breakfast at accommodations
• Transfer to Kyoto, the breathtaking ancient capital of Japan
• Discover the serenity of Nanzen-ji, stroll the Philosopher’s Path, stop along the way for lunch on your own, and admire the elegant Silver Pavilion
• Explore the iconic gates of Fushimi Inari, the beautiful Kiyomizu-dera, and the bustling Nishiki Market
• Return to accommodations in Umeda (~1:00 hrs)
• Dine on your own in one of Osaka’s lively districts

KOBE CRAFT WORKSHOP | AFTERNOON PICKLEBALL

• Buffet breakfast at accommodations
• Transfer to Kobe (~1:00 hrs)
• Local craft workshop
• Group lunch in the port city of Kobe
• Pickleball Trips clinic at brand new DPC Kobe courts with our professional instructors (~2:00 hrs)
• Enjoy friendly competition during recreational play with local Kobe players (~2:00 hrs)
• Group dinner alongside our local hosts
• Return to accommodations in Umeda (~1:00 hrs)

RURAL JAPAN EXCURSION

• Buffet breakfast at accommodations
• Private transfer to the ancient village of Asuka, the birthplace of Japanese civilization (~1:00 hrs)
• Guided morning tour of Asuka’s idyllic landscapes and prehistoric sites
• Traditional local lunch with the group
• Take a scenic transfer up into the mountains of Yoshino (~0:30 hrs)
• Afternoon exploration of Yoshino’s temples and panoramic viewpoints
• Return to accommodations in Umeda (~1:15 hrs)
• Enjoy dinner at your leisure in Osaka

OSAKA ~ HIROSHIMA

• Buffet breakfast at accommodations, prior to checking out
• Board the train to the beautiful city of Himeji (~1:00 hrs)
• Step back in time with a morning visit to the stunning Himeji Castle
• Group lunch near the castle in Himeji
• Friendly recreational play with the Himeji pickleball community (~3:00 hrs)
• Travel via bullet train to Hiroshima (~1:00 hrs)
• Experience Hiroshima’s evening ambiance with dinner on your own

MIYAJIMA | HIROSHIMA PEACE MEMORIAL MUSEUM

• Buffet breakfast at accommodations
• Board the ferry for a scenic passage through Hiroshima Bay to the sacred Miyajima Island (~0:45 hrs)
• Ascend Mount Misen via the Miyajima Ropeway (or a strenuous hike) for breathtaking views
• Browse the island’s charming shops and eateries at your own pace
• Return to the mainland via ferry (~0:45 hrs)
• Visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
• Enjoy a special finale dinner with the group in Hiroshima

DEPARTURE

• Buffet breakfast at accommodations, prior to checking out
• Depart from Hiroshima Station or Hiroshima Airport (HIJ), or transfer to your onward destination

* Please note that the tour officially ends in Hiroshima and guests are responsible for their own onward travel. We recommend avoiding morning flights out of KIX or either of the Tokyo airports on this day, as travel time back to these airports can be significant.

*Itineraries are subject to modification due to unforeseen circumstances, cancellations, new travel restrictions, etc. You will receive updated versions after registering for a tour.