Itinerary
- Days 1 - 2
Tokyo Arrival
After arriving in Tokyo, you'll have the afternoon and evening to settle in at your own pace. Start soaking up the local culture, grab some food, or just rest up from your flight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 3
Tokyo Highlights
This morning, head to Shibuya Crossing and check out the lively energy of Shinjuku. Later, you'll walk through Meiji Jingu, a Shinto shrine set in forest, and learn about the Meiji emperor and how Japan transformed from a feudal state to a modern power.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Shibuya Crossing
- Explore Shinjuku neighbourhood
- Visit Meiji Jingu Shinto shrine
Landmarks/POIs Shibuya Crossing Shinjuku Meiji Jingu - Day 4
Tokyo Old Town and City Views
Start in Asakusa and visit Sensoji, Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple. From there, head to the National Museum in Ueno Park to see centuries of art and archaeology. Later, take the Skytree viewing deck up for city views, then end your day walking through Tokyo's Christmas illuminations.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Sensoji temple in Asakusa
- Visit National Museum in Ueno Park
- Ascend Skytree viewing deck
- Explore Tokyo's Christmas illuminations
Landmarks/POIs Sensoji Asakusa National Museum Ueno Park Tokyo Skytree - Day 5
Tokyo to Hakone and Mount Fuji
Head west toward Hakone where winter gives you the best shot at seeing Mount Fuji with snow. You'll take a cruise across Lake Ashi and then ride a cable car up the Hakone Ropeway to Owakudani to experience volcanic hot springs and steam vents. You'll stay in the Fuji area for two nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise across Lake Ashi
- Ride cable car on Hakone Ropeway to Owakudani
Landmarks/POIs Mount Fuji Lake Ashi Hakone Ropeway Owakudani - Day 6
Hakone to Kawaguchiko
Today, check out Oshino Hakkai, a village known for its mineral-rich ponds and traditional spinning water wheels. Then drive to Kawaguchiko, which has some of the best Mount Fuji views around. Visit the Fujisan World Heritage Centre to learn why the mountain matters so much, and grab photos from the viewing deck.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Oshino Hakkai village
- Visit Fujisan World Heritage Centre
- Access viewing deck at Fujisan World Heritage Centre
Landmarks/POIs Oshino Hakkai Kawaguchiko Fujisan World Heritage Centre - Day 7
Kawaguchiko to Takayama via Matsumoto
Head into the Japanese Alps, stopping first at Matsumoto to see its iconic black castle. The main tower was built in the late 16th century and is Japan's oldest surviving castle tower. After that, continue on to Takayama, a small mountain city in Gifu province.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Matsumoto Castle
Landmarks/POIs Matsumoto Castle Matsumoto Takayama - Day 8
Takayama
Spend the day in Takayama, considered Gifu's crown jewel. Walk through the well-preserved old town streets and visit the Festival Floats Museum before grabbing lunch. Your afternoon is open to explore more or relax at your hotel's onsen hot spring facilities.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Takayama old town
- Visit Festival Floats Museum
Optional Activities
- Use onsen facilities at hotel
Landmarks/POIs Takayama Old Town Festival Floats Museum - Day 9
Takayama to Shirakawa-go to Kanazawa
Drive north to Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO village known for traditional wooden gassho houses with steep thatched roofs often heavy with snow. This is one of Japan's most iconic winter scenes. You'll visit the Wada House to learn about rural life here, then continue to Kanazawa, a calm city with a strong samurai history.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Shirakawa-go village
- Visit Wada House
Landmarks/POIs Shirakawa-go Wada House Kanazawa - Day 10
Kanazawa to Kyoto
In Kanazawa, walk through Kenrokuen, one of Japan's Three Great Gardens, where you'll see yukitsuri, the traditional technique of using ropes to hold up snow-laden pine branches. Stroll the Nagamachi District from the Edo period and check out an old samurai house. Later, board the Thunderbird train to Kyoto, Japan's cultural center.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Kenrokuen garden
- Explore Nagamachi District
- Visit samurai house in Nagamachi
- Travel on Thunderbird train to Kyoto
Landmarks/POIs Kenrokuen Nagamachi District Kyoto - Day 11
Kyoto Highlights
Explore Kyoto's highlights starting at Kiyomizu Temple, which has views across the city. Later, see the vermilion torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine and visit Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Kiyomizu Temple
- Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine
- Visit Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
Landmarks/POIs Kiyomizu Temple Fushimi Inari Shrine Kinkaku-ji - Day 12
Kyoto Christmas Day
Spend Christmas Day in Kyoto doing something different. Start your morning at a traditional tea house where you can wear a kimono if you want and participate in a tea ceremony and wagashi sweet-making. Have a special Christmas lunch, then your afternoon is yours to explore Kyoto, call home, or just relax before dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Special Christmas lunch), Dinner
Included Activities
- Traditional tea ceremony and wagashi sweet-making experience at tea house
- Special Christmas lunch
Optional Activities
- Wear kimono at tea house
- Explore Kyoto
- Free time for personal activities
- Day 13
Kyoto to Nara to Osaka
Leave Kyoto and drive to Nara, another former capital. Visit Todai-ji Temple, a UNESCO site, and meet the sacred deer that roam freely and bow for visitors. Stop at a traditional Japanese garden, then head to Osaka to try the street food and atmosphere in the Dotonbori area.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Todai-ji Temple
- Meet sacred deer in Nara
- Visit traditional Japanese garden
Optional Activities
- Culinary adventure in Dotonburi area
Landmarks/POIs Todai-ji Temple Nara Dotonburi Osaka - Day 14
Mount Koya
Experience Mount Koya, the heart of Shingon Buddhism, on a quiet winter day. Wander through Okunoin Cemetery with centuries of gravestones, softly glowing lanterns, and tall cedars frosted with ice. It's an otherworldly place. Then return to Osaka.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Mount Koya
- Explore Okunoin Cemetery
Landmarks/POIs Mount Koya Okunoin Cemetery - Day 15
Osaka to Himeji to Kobe
Drive to Himeji and see one of Japan's most magnificent castles. Explore the grand 17th-century keep before lunch. After that, head to Kobe where you'll visit a sake brewery museum and the Christmas market, then enjoy a farewell dinner with Kobe's famous Wagyu beef or a vegetarian option. Return to Osaka for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Farewell dinner featuring Kobe Wagyu beef or vegetarian alternative)
Included Activities
- Visit Himeji Castle
- Visit sake brewery museum
- Visit Christmas market
- Farewell dinner with Kobe Wagyu beef or vegetarian alternative
Landmarks/POIs Himeji Castle Himeji Kobe - Day 16
Departure
Head to the airport for your flight back to the UK. You'll arrive home the same day or the following day, depending on your flight time.
