Itinerary
- Days 1 - 2
Sapporo
You'll fly overnight to Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido in northern Japan. Once you arrive, the rest of your day opens up depending on when you land. You can walk around the city, check out some local spots, and get a feel for the culture here. It's a good chance to shake off travel fatigue and start settling in.
Landmarks/POIs Sapporo - Day 3
Sapporo to Otaru
Take a chair lift up to Okurayama viewing point and see the ski jump site from the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics. After that, head to Otaru, a charming port town where you can walk through the streets and along the canal. Later in the evening, you'll try some local beer and have Genghis Khan for dinner, which is grilled lamb and a specialty in Sapporo.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Genghis Khan dinner - barbecue lamb, a Sapporo special)
Included Activities
- Ascend to Okurayama viewing point via chair lift to Sapporo Winter Olympics ski jump summit
- Walk through Otaru village streets and along the canal
- Visit local brewery for beer tasting
- Genghis Khan dinner (barbecue lamb)
Landmarks/POIs Okurayama Otaru - Day 4
Sapporo to Hakodate
Leave Sapporo and go to a lakeside museum that focuses on Ainu culture, the indigenous people here. Then you'll visit Noboribetsu Jigokudani, also called Hell Valley, where you can walk through a volcanic caldera with steam vents and hot springs. You'll take a train to Hakodate, a harbor city, and in the evening take a ropeway up Mount Hakodate to see the city lights from above.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Ainu culture museum at lakeside location
- Walk through Noboribetsu Jigokudani volcanic caldera with steam jets, vents and hot springs
- Evening tour in Hakodate
- Ascend Mount Hakodate via ropeway with city views
Landmarks/POIs Noboribetsu Jigokudani Mount Hakodate Hakodate - Day 5
Hakodate to Aomori
Start early at Hakodate's asaichi, the morning market, which has hundreds of stalls with fresh produce, seafood, and souvenirs. Climb Goryokaku Tower for views over the fort and Mount Hakodate. Later, take the bullet train north to Aomori and check out the Nebuta Warasse museum, which covers the city's famous Nebuta Matsuri summer festival that goes back 300 years.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Hakodate asaichi morning market
- Ascend Goryokaku Tower for views over Goryokaku Fort and Mount Hakodate
- Visit Nebuta Warasse museum dedicated to Nebuta Matsuri festival
Landmarks/POIs Goryokaku Tower Goryokaku Fort Nebuta Warasse - Day 6
Aomori to Kakunodate to Tsunagi
Travel to Kakunodate, an old samurai stronghold. You'll visit the Aoyagi Samurai Manor Museum to learn about samurai culture and see the traditional Ishiguro House samurai residence. From there, continue to Tsunagi, a hot spring resort, where you can relax at the onsen facilities at your ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Aoyagi Samurai Manor Museum
- Explore Ishiguro House traditional samurai residence
- Use onsen facilities at ryokan in Tsunagi
Landmarks/POIs Kakunodate Aoyagi Samurai Manor Museum Ishiguro House - Day 7
Tsunagi to Hiraizumi to Matsushima
Head to Hiraizumi and explore Chusonji Temple with its beautiful gold leaf-covered hall. Then go to Matsushima and take a relaxed cruise on the bay, passing small pine-covered islands. The water and islands create a calm, scenic landscape that's nice to take in from the boat.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Chusonji Temple with its gold leaf-covered hall
- Cruise on Matsushima Bay passing small pine tree-covered islands
Landmarks/POIs Chusonji Temple Matsushima Matsushima Bay - Day 8
Matsushima to Nikko to Tokyo
Walk to Sendai station and catch the bullet train to Nikko. You'll explore Nikko National Park and visit Toshogu Shrine, which was built in the 1600s as the final resting place of shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. It's one of the most elaborate shrines in Japan. See the Kegon Waterfall from a 100-metre elevator at the viewing platform. After, transfer to Tokyo.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Toshogu Shrine in Nikko National Park
- View Kegon Waterfall via 100-metre tall elevator to viewing platform
Landmarks/POIs Nikko National Park Toshogu Shrine Kegon Waterfall - Day 9
Tokyo
Explore Tokyo, the 24-hour capital. Start in Asakusa and visit Sensoji, Tokyo's oldest temple, then wander Nakamise shopping street. Check out Tokyo National Museum. After lunch, walk through the peaceful Meiji Jingu Shrine complex and go up to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building observatory deck for city views from above.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Sensoji Temple in Asakusa
- Walk Nakamise shopping street
- Visit Tokyo National Museum
- Stroll through Meiji Jingu Shrine complex
- Ascend Tokyo Metropolitan Government building observatory deck
Landmarks/POIs Sensoji Temple Nakamise shopping street Tokyo National Museum Meiji Jingu Shrine Tokyo Metropolitan Government building - Day 10
Tokyo to Mount Fuji to Hakone
Travel by road from Tokyo toward Mount Fuji and go up 2,400 metres to the 5th Station if weather allows. Transfer to the Hakone area and take a cruise on Lake Ashi. Ride the Komagatake Ropeway for high views above the lake, then head back to Tokyo.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Ascend Mount Fuji to 5th Station at 2,400 metres (weather permitting)
- Cruise on Lake Ashi
- Ride Komagatake Ropeway above Lake Ashi
Landmarks/POIs Mount Fuji Lake Ashi Komagatake Ropeway - Day 11
Tokyo to Kyoto
Take the bullet train to Kyoto, Japan's ancient capital for 1,000 years. The city today holds the legacy of old Japan, with quiet temples and gardens throughout. This afternoon, visit Togetsukyo Bridge in the Arashiyama district and walk through the bamboo forest with its tall bamboo thickets.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama district
- Walk through bamboo forest in Arashiyama
Landmarks/POIs Togetsukyo Bridge Arashiyama Arashiyama Bamboo Forest - Day 12
Kyoto
Visit Kinkakuji, one of Japan's most well-known temples called the Golden Pavilion. The main hall is covered in gold leaf and sits on the edge of a reflecting pool with classical Zen gardens. Explore Nishiki Market, called Kyoto's kitchen, with many food and sake shops. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore however you'd like.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) temple
- Explore Nishiki Market with food and sake stores
Landmarks/POIs Kinkakuji Nishiki Market - Day 13
Kyoto to Osaka
Try your hand at traditional handkerchief dyeing and take part in an authentic tea ceremony. After lunch, walk through the vermilion torii gate pathways at Fushimi Inari Shrine and tour a traditional sake brewery with tastings. Then continue on to Osaka.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Handkerchief dyeing activity
- Authentic tea ceremony
- Walk through Fushimi Inari Shrine torii gate pathways
- Tour traditional sake brewery with tastings
Landmarks/POIs Fushimi Inari Shrine - Day 14
Osaka to UK
Fly to the UK, arriving home either the same day or the next day, depending on your flight time and connections.
