SONDER
Japan felt, not followed
March in Japan: The Beginning of Magic
There’s a quiet kind of magic that starts to bloom in Japan come March. The air shifts. The plum blossoms open first—soft hints of pink against temples and quiet streets. Then, almost overnight, cherry blossoms (sakura) burst into life, and the country glows in a way no photo can really explain. It’s the season of beginnings in Japan—school years, fiscal years, and new adventures. It's when locals pause under trees to share food, laughter, and stories. It’s also when we start our very first Sondered Trip to Japan.
And we want you to be part of it.
10 Days | Tokyo → Mt. Fuji → Kyoto → Nara
March 14 - 24 2026 | 7–15 people | Thoughtfully curated + fully taken care of
This trip isn’t about checking boxes. It’s about stepping into the story—yours, Japan’s, and the unexpected one that unfolds when strangers become travel companions. We’re keeping the group intentionally small to make room for real conversations, spontaneous detours, and space to feel what you feel.
From the buzzing backstreets of Tokyo to the quiet stillness near Mt. Fuji’s lakes. From the soul of Kyoto’s ancient alleyways to feeding deer under the bowing pines of Nara, we’ll move at a pace that gives you time to take it all in.
And we’ll be with you every step of the way.
End-to-End Travel, Fully Handled
We take care of it all—flights, visas, transport, stays, and every “wait, how do I…?” moment in between. You don’t need to know Japanese. You don’t need to stress over logistics. All we ask is that you show up with curiosity (and maybe comfy shoes).
But before anything’s booked, we’ll meet with you , one-on-one. Because we want to know: Why Japan? What are you hoping to feel, find, or understand? That pre-trip conversation helps us shape a shared itinerary that balances the group experience with your personal must-do's. Whether it’s sipping matcha in a centuries-old tea house or finding that off-grid bookshop you saw once in a film, we’ll do our best to make it happen.
This trip is called Sonder for a reason: that word , the realization that every passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own is what drives us. We believe in travel that opens you up. That brings people together. That turns “that one trip” into “the trip that changed everything.”
March is a perfect time to start.
Spots are limited.
Message us to learn more, ask all your questions, or just say hi.
We’re already excited to meet you.
Sonder Is Boarding – March ‘26
The Sondered Trail
Every journey has a trail—but this one is different. It’s not just about getting from Tokyo to Kyoto or seeing Mt. Fuji rise behind a lake. It’s about the small moments in between: a shared silence on a train, the first time someone tries mochi, a laugh that only makes sense there.
This is what we call a Sondered trail—a route across Japan that we’ve carefully mapped, but one that bends to the people walking it.
That’s the magic. That’s the journey. That’s the point.
At Sonder, we offer two kinds of journeys - the Sondered Premium and the Regular Sonder experience.
Both are rooted in storytelling, slow travel, and immersive discovery. What changes is the pace, comfort and budget.
Our Sondered Premium experiences are curated for travellers who enjoy life with a little more sparkle. Think boutique stays, private guides, and elevated access.
Our Regular Sonder trips keep it easygoing, intimate, and thoughtful , perfect for the curious soul looking to explore without the frills.
Both run four times a year. Trails will be mixed and matched from the list below ensuring every itinerary is a unique blend of culture, craft, heritage, and wonder.
Different travellers, same Sonder magic.
Tokyo 東京
The Start of Everything
Where ancient shrines sit quietly between vending machines, and subways hum beneath neighborhoods that have watched centuries pass. Tokyo is contradiction at its most beautiful—chaos and calm, neon and nature. Wander through Shinjuku’s electric heartbeat, sip matcha in Yanaka’s sleepy alleys, or follow the scent of grilled skewers to a tiny izakaya where the night slows down. Spend a slow morning in Yoyogi Park, tracing the lives of locals, or chase the surreal at teamLab Planets. Walk the Murakami trail—bookstores, jazz bars, and the quiet corners that inspired his pages. And when the sun dips, Tokyo wakes up again: Golden Gai, rooftop bars, backstreet ramen, and the glow of Tokyo Tower in the distance.
Must-sees: Meiji Shrine, Gotokuji Cat temple, Yoyogi Park, Tokyo Tower, local izakayas, Murakami-inspired stopsNext stop: Mt. Fuji — 2.5 hours by train or bus
Mt. Fuji (Kawaguchiko) 富士山
Stillness Beneath a Giant
Here, everything slows down. Fuji isn’t just a mountain, it’s a presence. You’ll see it from the edge of Lake Kawaguchi, reflected perfectly in still water, or while soaking in an onsen, steam rising like mist. For the adventurous, you can climb Fuji in season and collect shuin (stamps) from stations along the trail, each one a quiet badge of the climb. At night, stay in a traditional Japanese ryokan, with tatami floors, paper sliding doors, and dinners that feel like art. Here, the silence isn’t empty, it’s sacred.
Must-sees: Lake Kawaguchi, Chureito Pagoda, onsen views, traditional ryokan stay, Mt. Fuji summit climb + stamps (in season)
Next stop: Kyoto — 4 hours by train (via Mishima or Tokyo)
Kyoto 京都
The City of Quiet Wonders
Temples with golden reflections. The smell of incense, tatami, and roasted mochi lingers in the air. Kyoto invites you to walk slower, speak softer, and notice more. In the early morning, follow the trail of torii gates at Fushimi Inari, or get lost under the green hush of Arashiyama’s Bamboo Grove. Sit down for a tea ceremony and, if you’re lucky, share a quiet moment with a geisha—a glimpse into centuries-old grace. Try your hand at kintsugi, the art of repairing broken pottery with gold, and leave with a piece of beauty born from imperfection. This city doesn't demand attention—it earns it.
Must-sees: Fushimi Inari Taisha, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Gion, Kinkaku-ji, geisha tea experience, kintsugi workshop
Next stop: Nara — 45 minutes by local train
Nara 奈良
The Place That Bows Back
Deer that nod. Buddhas that have seen centuries. And parks so calm they make time feel irrelevant. Feed bowing deer in the park, light a lantern at Kasuga-taisha, and stand beneath the giant bronze Buddha in Todai-ji. Watch a monk sweep temple steps at dawn. Share a persimmon sweet from a third-generation shop. Sit still long enough to hear the silence shift. Nara invites presence—and rewards it.
Must-sees: Todai-ji Temple, Nara Deer Park, Kasuga-taisha Shrine, local sweets, early-morning temple walks
Next stop: Osaka — 45 minutes by train
Osaka 大阪
Where the Food Has Personality
Bold signs, louder streets, and some of the best street food in Japan. Osaka doesn’t whisper, it sings. Taste takoyaki from a street vendor who flips each ball with care. Share laughter over steaming bowls of okonomiyaki with locals at a tiny neighborhood spot. Wander through Dotonbori’s neon-lit chaos and pause to watch a street performer’s impromptu show. Visit Osaka Castle and imagine samurai footsteps echoing beneath the cherry blossoms. Grab a late-night snack with new friends, and feel how this city feeds more than just your appetite.
Must-sees: Dotonbori, Kuromon Market, Osaka Castle, takoyaki & okonomiyaki, local izakayas, street performances
Next stop: Hiroshima (for Miyajima) — 1.5 hours by Shinkansen
Itsukushima 厳島
A Gate That Floats at High Tide
A short ferry ride from Hiroshima takes you to Miyajima, where a vermillion torii gate stands in the sea like a quiet guardian. Monks chant nearby. Deer roam freely. It feels like a place caught between worlds.
Must-sees: Itsukushima Shrine, Mount Misen hike, floating torii at sunset
Next stop: Tokyo — 5 hours by Shinkansen or 1.5-hour flight
Nikko (日光市)
Temples in the Forest Mist
Two hours north of Tokyo, Nikkō is where nature and devotion meet. Carved dragons, ancient bridges, and forests that feel like myth. Wander through Toshogu Shrine, where gold glints through the trees, then follow the path to Kegon Falls, thunderous and alive. Cross Shinkyo Bridge, red and regal, and pause beside a monk scribbling calligraphy on handmade paper. A quiet, sacred breath before the city returns.
Must-sees: Toshogu Shrine, Shink
