Itinerary
- Days 1 - 2
Tokyo
You'll fly overnight to Tokyo, Japan's capital. Once you arrive, the rest of your day is flexible depending on your flight time, so you can start getting a feel for the local culture at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 3
Tokyo
Begin with a walk through the Imperial Palace East Garden, then head to Meiji Shrine, a Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. After that, you'll make your way to Shibuya to cross the world's most famous pedestrian crossing. You'll have time to yourself in the afternoon, and later you'll board a dinner cruise on Tokyo Bay to see the city glowing at night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner cruise on Tokyo Bay)
Included Activities
- Stroll through Imperial Palace East Garden
- Visit Meiji Shrine
- Walk the world's most famous pedestrian crossing in Shibuya
- Dinner cruise on Tokyo Bay
Optional Activities
- Explore Shibuya district at leisure in the afternoon
Landmarks/POIs Imperial Palace East Garden Meiji Shrine Shibuya Crossing Tokyo Bay - Day 4
Tokyo
You'll wander through the vibrant Asakusa district and visit Senso-ji, Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple. Walk along Nakamise Street where souvenir shops line both sides. In the afternoon, head up to the observation deck of Tokyo Skytree, which stands 634 metres tall and offers views across the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Stroll through Asakusa district
- Visit Senso-ji Temple
- Walk along Nakamise Street
- Observation deck visit at Tokyo Skytree
Landmarks/POIs Asakusa District Senso-ji Temple Nakamise Street Tokyo Skytree - Day 5
Tokyo to Mount Fuji - Hakone
You'll travel by road through the foothills of Mount Fuji to its base and the Fuji Five Lakes region. After that, you'll take a boat trip on Lake Ashi for views of Mount Fuji's cone, then ride the Hakone Ropeway up to the volcanic Owakudani Valley.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Road journey to Mount Fuji base
- Boat trip on Lake Ashi
- Hakone Ropeway ascent to Owakudani Valley
Landmarks/POIs Mount Fuji Fuji Five Lakes Lake Ashi Hakone Ropeway Owakudani Valley - Day 6
Mount Fuji to Nagano
You'll drive over 2,000 metres up Mount Fuji to the 5th Station for views of the Fuji Five Lakes area below, weather permitting. Then you'll visit the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum to see elaborate dyed silk pieces, before continuing by road to Nagano.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Mount Fuji 5th Station visit
- Itchiku Kubota Art Museum visit
Landmarks/POIs Mount Fuji 5th Station Itchiku Kubota Art Museum - Day 7
Nagano to Yudanaka
You'll head deeper into the Japanese Alps toward the small town of Yudanaka. There's a light forest hike to Jigokudani Monkey Park where you may see Japanese macaques soaking in their hot spring pool. After lunch, you'll visit Zenko-ji, one of Japan's most prolific Buddhist temples.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Light hike to Jigokudani Monkey Park
- Visit Zenko-ji Temple
Optional Activities
- Observe Japanese macaques at Jigokudani Monkey Park (weather and wildlife dependent)
Landmarks/POIs Jigokudani Monkey Park Zenko-ji Temple - Day 8
Yudanaka to Takayama
You'll travel to Matsumoto and visit the Ishii Miso House to learn about this essential Japanese seasoning, then walk through the formidable 16th-century Matsumoto Castle. Later you'll continue by road to Takayama and relax in the hot springs at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Ishii Miso House
- Matsumoto Castle visit
- Hot spring relaxation at hotel
Landmarks/POIs Ishii Miso House Matsumoto Castle - Day 9
Takayama
You'll spend the day exploring Takayama. Browse local handicrafts and fresh produce at the Miyagawa Open Air Market, wander through traditional houses, and check out Takayama Jinya, a former government office. You'll also visit several local museums, including the Yatai Kaikan with its traditional festival floats and the Kusakabe Folk Crafts Museum.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Miyagawa Open Air Market browse
- Takayama Jinya visit
- Yatai Kaikan museum visit
- Kusakabe Folk Crafts Museum visit
- Explore traditional houses in Takayama
Landmarks/POIs Miyagawa Open Air Market Takayama Jinya Yatai Kaikan Museum Kusakabe Folk Crafts Museum - Day 10
Takayama to Kanazawa
You'll travel by road to Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its thatched roof houses. You'll explore a 300-year-old Gassho-style Wada House, then try hands-on washi paper making in Gokayama. Before reaching Kanazawa, you'll stop at the Nomura Samurai House along the way.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Shirakawa-go village
- Visit Wada House
- Washi paper making experience
- Nomura Samurai House visit
Landmarks/POIs Shirakawa-go Wada House Gokayama Nomura Samurai House - Day 11
Kanazawa to Kyoto
You'll start with a stroll through Kenroku-en, one of the 'Three Great Gardens of Japan', with its waterfalls, ponds and charming tea houses. Then you'll continue by road to Kyoto, Japan's capital for 1,000 years, a city with over 2,000 temples and shrines and exceptionally preserved wooden buildings.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Stroll through Kenroku-en Garden
Landmarks/POIs Kenroku-en Garden - Day 12
Kyoto
You'll explore some of Kyoto's key sites starting at Kiyomizu, an 8th-century Buddhist temple. You'll experience the rituals of a traditional tea ceremony with a tea master. Later in the day, you'll visit Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its 10,000 vermilion torii gates winding up the hillside.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Kiyomizu Temple
- Traditional tea ceremony with tea master
- Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine
Landmarks/POIs Kiyomizu Temple Fushimi Inari Shrine - Day 13
Kyoto to Hiroshima
You'll start with a visit to Kinkaku-ji Temple, also known as the 'Golden Pavilion'. Continue to Ryoan-ji, the 'Peaceful Dragon Temple', which has the most famous rock garden in Japan. Later you'll take the bullet train to Hiroshima.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Kinkaku-ji Temple
- Visit Ryoan-ji Temple
- Bullet train to Hiroshima
Landmarks/POIs Kinkaku-ji Temple Ryoan-ji Temple - Day 14
Hiroshima to Miyajima
You'll spend time at the Peace Memorial Park and Museum in Hiroshima, reflecting on the events of 1945 and paying respects to those who suffered. From there, you'll take the ferry to the holy island of Miyajima to visit the Itsukushima Shrine and enjoy some leisure time.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Peace Memorial Park visit
- Peace Memorial Museum visit
- Ferry to Miyajima
- Itsukushima Shrine visit
Optional Activities
- Leisure time on Miyajima
Landmarks/POIs Peace Memorial Park Peace Memorial Museum Miyajima Island Itsukushima Shrine - Day 15
Hiroshima to Osaka
You'll leave Hiroshima and stop to explore the 17th-century Hime-ji Castle, also known as the 'White Heron Castle' for its white exterior and elegant design. You'll take a stroll through Koko-en, a traditional-style garden, then continue by road to Osaka.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hime-ji Castle visit
- Stroll through Koko-en garden
Landmarks/POIs Hime-ji Castle Koko-en Garden - Day 16
Osaka to Nara and back to Osaka
You'll spend the morning in Nara, Japan's first capital and a small city filled with history. You'll walk through Nara Park to Todai-ji Temple and see the traditional Isuien Garden. After returning to Osaka, you'll grab lunch at the famous Dontonburi Street, followed by a visit to Osaka Castle.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Dontonburi Street), Dinner
Included Activities
- Stroll through Nara Park
- Visit Todai-ji Temple
- Visit Isuien Garden
- Lunch at Dontonburi Street
- Visit Osaka Castle
Landmarks/POIs Nara Park Todai-ji Temple Isuien Garden Dontonburi Street Osaka Castle - Day 17
Osaka to UK
You'll fly to the UK, arriving home the same day or the following day depending on your flight time.
