Itinerary
- Days 1 - 2
Tokyo
After arriving in Tokyo, the day is yours to explore at your own pace. Take your time experiencing the local culture and getting oriented in the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 3
Tokyo
Start at Skytree observation deck to see Tokyo from above, then head to historic Asakusa and the ancient Senso-ji Temple. You'll drive past the Imperial Palace Plaza and stroll through Hamarikyu Gardens. By evening, take a dinner cruise on Tokyo Bay with city views.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Relaxed dinner cruise on Tokyo Bay)
Included Activities
- Visit observation deck of Tokyo Skytree (634 metres)
- Explore Asakusa old district
- Visit Senso-ji Temple
- Drive by Imperial Palace Plaza
- Stroll through Hamarikyu Gardens
- Dinner cruise on Tokyo Bay
Landmarks/POIs Tokyo Skytree Senso-ji Temple Imperial Palace Plaza Hamarikyu Gardens - Day 4
Mount Fuji
Take the bullet train to Odawara and enjoy a boat trip on Lake Ashi with scenic views. Ascend the Komagatake Ropeway, then head up Mount Fuji to the 5th Station (weather permitting) for views over the Fuji Five Lakes area.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bullet train to Odawara
- Boat trip on Lake Ashi
- Komagatake Ropeway ascent
- Mount Fuji ascent to 5th Station
Landmarks/POIs Lake Ashi Mount Fuji Fuji Five Lakes - Day 5
Takayama
Transfer to Matsumoto to explore the impressive 16th-century castle. You'll stop at a Miso House to learn about making this famous Japanese seasoning. Then travel to Takayama, located in the mountainous Hida region, also known as the Japanese Alps.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Matsumoto Castle
- Visit Miso House
Landmarks/POIs Matsumoto Castle - Day 6
Takayama
Browse local handicrafts and fresh produce at the Miyagawa morning market and wander past traditional houses. Visit several excellent local museums including the Festival Floats Museum, Kusakabe Folk Crafts Museum, and Takayama Jinya. You'll have free time to explore Kamisannomachi Street.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Browse Miyagawa morning market
- Visit Festival Floats Museum
- Visit Kusakabe Folk Crafts Museum
- Visit Takayama Jinya
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore Kamisannomachi Street
Landmarks/POIs Miyagawa Morning Market Festival Floats Museum Kusakabe Folk Crafts Museum Takayama Jinya Kamisannomachi Street - Day 7
Gokayama - Kanazawa
See rural Japan at UNESCO World Heritage-listed Shirakawa-go, famous for its unique gassho-zukuri farmhouse architecture. Continue to Gokayama to try washi paper making, then travel to Kanazawa to stroll through Kenroku-en Garden, one of Japan's Three Great Gardens.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Shirakawa-go
- Washi paper making at Gokayama
- Stroll through Kenroku-en Garden
Landmarks/POIs Shirakawa-go Kenroku-en Garden - Day 8
Kyoto
Begin the day learning the process of making gold leaf. Stroll through traditional Higashi Chaya (Eastern Teahouse District), visiting Ochaya Shima, a historical geisha house. Later, journey to Kyoto, Japan's ancient capital for 1,000 years, full of tranquil temples and sublime gardens.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Learn gold leaf making process
- Stroll through Higashi Chaya (Eastern Teahouse District)
- Visit Ochaya Shima geisha house
Landmarks/POIs Higashi Chaya District Ochaya Shima - Day 9
Kyoto
Start with a visit to Ryoan-ji, the temple of the peaceful dragon, and Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion). In the afternoon, head to a restored Japanese wooden townhouse to try origami and experience the age-old rituals of a traditional tea ceremony.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Ryoan-ji Temple
- Visit Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
- Origami workshop
- Traditional tea ceremony
Landmarks/POIs Ryoan-ji Temple Kinkaku-ji - Day 10
Nara
Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine, remarkable for its 10,000 vermilion torii gates. Continue to Nara, a charming town untouched by modernity. Stroll through Nara Park to Todai-ji Temple, meeting the resident sika deer along the way, before exploring Isui-en Garden.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine
- Stroll through Nara Park
- Visit Todai-ji Temple
- Explore Isui-en Garden
Landmarks/POIs Fushimi Inari Shrine Nara Park Todai-ji Temple Isui-en Garden - Day 11
Osaka
Visit the holy mountain of Koyasan, home to over 100 monasteries in a valley. Explore the vast Okunoin cemetery with 200,000 stupas, discover Kongobu-ji Temple and the Garan Temple Complex while taking in tranquil views. Later, continue to Osaka.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Koyasan monasteries
- Wander Okunoin cemetery
- Visit Kongobu-ji Temple
- Visit Garan Temple Complex
Landmarks/POIs Koyasan Okunoin Kongobu-ji Temple Garan Temple Complex - Day 12
Osaka
Check out Osaka Castle, one of Japan's most famous. Take a short cruise along the Yodogawa River and stroll through Dotonbori, a restaurant mecca where you can sample local delicacies for lunch. The remainder of the day is free to explore the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Local delicacies in Dotonbori), Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Osaka Castle
- Cruise on Yodogawa River
- Stroll through Dotonbori
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore Osaka
Landmarks/POIs Osaka Castle Yodogawa River Dotonbori - Day 13
Return to UK
Fly to the UK, arriving home the same day or the following day depending on your flight time.
