Tokyo’s futuristic cityscape provides the perfect launch pad for your comprehensive tour through Japan’s modern centres and ancient capitals. Upon arrival at either Tokyo Narita or Haneda Airport, you’ll be transferred by comfortable airport shuttle to your centrally located hotel, allowing you to settle in and begin absorbing the incredible energy of this remarkable city.

This evening offers your first opportunity to connect with your expert tour guide and fellow travellers during a welcoming drinks reception complete with carefully selected Japanese appetisers. This relaxed introduction provides the ideal chance to discuss the exciting experiences ahead whilst sampling your first taste of authentic Japanese hospitality and cuisine. Your tour guide will share valuable insights about the days to come, ensuring you’re well-prepared for the cultural adventures and unforgettable moments that await throughout your Classic Japan Tour.

New Otani Garden Tower, Tokyo, or similar

Drinks & Appetisers

Immerse yourself in authentic Tokyo culture this morning as you explore the bustling Ameyoko Street Market alongside local residents. This fascinating market has a remarkable history as a former black market that sold American goods following World War II, and your guide will share captivating stories about its transformation into today’s thriving marketplace.

Continue to the atmospheric Asakusa district, Tokyo’s traditional entertainment quarter, where you’ll visit the magnificent Sensoji Buddhist Temple. This sacred site holds the distinction of being Tokyo’s oldest temple, originally founded in 628 and rebuilt numerous times throughout its extraordinary history. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the charming Nakamise shopping street, with free time to sample local delicacies for lunch and browse traditional crafts from local vendors.

Your cultural immersion deepens as you join a skilled local specialist to learn the mesmerising rhythmic art of Taiko drumming, one of Japan’s most celebrated cultural traditions. This hands-on experience provides insight into the precision and passion behind this ancient art form.

Later, board a scenic cruise along the historic Sumida River, where you’ll admire the striking contrast between Tokyo’s gleaming modern skyline and the traditional neighbourhoods of old Edo, plus the serene beauty of Hamarikyu Garden. Your day concludes with dinner at an authentic Sumo-themed izakaya restaurant, offering a perfect introduction to Japan’s distinctive dining culture.

New Otani Garden Tower, Tokyo, or similar

Breakfast & Dinner

Journey from Tokyo towards the majestic snow-capped slopes of Mount Fuji, Japan’s most celebrated UNESCO World Heritage site. Weather permitting, you’ll ascend to the 5th station at an impressive 2,300 metres, where spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding countryside await.

Following lunch at a local restaurant featuring regional specialities, continue to the fascinating volcanic valley of Owakudani. Here you can witness active geothermal activity and sample the famous local black eggs, naturally boiled in the area’s hot springs and believed to add years to your life according to local legend.

Return to your Tokyo hotel with the remainder of the evening free to explore independently, perhaps discovering local neighbourhoods or simply relaxing after your memorable mountain adventure.

New Otani Garden Tower, Tokyo, or similar

Breakfast & Lunch

Board Japan’s famous high-speed bullet train this morning for your journey to Kyoto, the former imperial capital and cultural heart of Japan for over a thousand years. Experience the remarkable efficiency of this iconic transport system as you travel at speeds of up to 320 kilometres per hour.

Upon arrival in Kyoto, embark on a guided walking tour of the atmospheric Gion District, where you’ll absorb the energy of Kawaramachi street and perhaps catch a glimpse of geishas heading to their evening appointments. Continue to the magnificent Kinkakuji Temple, home to the glittering Golden Pavilion that’s universally recognised as Kyoto’s most iconic symbol.

This stunning three-storey structure, covered in gold leaf and perfectly reflected in its surrounding pond, provides an unforgettable introduction to Kyoto’s architectural treasures. Return to your hotel with the evening free to explore this enchanting city at your own pace.

The Hotel Higashiyama, Kyoto, or similar

Breakfast

Today’s journey takes you to one of Kyoto’s most beloved districts, historic Arashiyama, where nature, tradition, and seasonal beauty intertwine. In spring, the riverside is framed by delicate cherry blossoms, while autumn sets the surrounding hills ablaze with colour, making this area a delight in every season.

Enjoy a gentle stroll through the enchanting Bamboo Grove, where towering green stalks sway softly above you, creating a dreamlike path towards the elegant Togetsukyō Bridge. From here, step into the serene Zen gardens of Tenryū-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose landscaped beauty has inspired visitors for centuries.

In the afternoon, return to the city’s vibrant heart for time at Nishiki Market, affectionately known to locals as “Kyoto’s Pantry.” This bustling arcade offers a feast for the senses, with stalls showcasing everything from fragrant pickles and artisanal sweets to freshly grilled seafood.

You may choose to return to your hotel to relax, or join an optional Japanese traditional tea ceremony, where every movement is infused with centuries-old ritual, offering a moment of calm reflection to close the day.

The Hotel Higashiyama, Kyoto, or similar

Breakfast

Begin your day in Sumiyama Village, a peaceful rural community with a remarkable heritage. Here, discover the exquisite craft of Kiyomizu pottery, a tradition dating back around 500 years to central Kyoto. Learn how skilled artisans, once based in the city, relocated to this serene setting when concerns over kiln smoke prompted a move to the countryside. Watch as delicate forms and glazes take shape, each piece reflecting generations of dedication to the craft.

Late in the morning, you’ll connect with locals during an experience at the home of a local farmer. Share fresh tea and a lovingly prepared home-cooked meal while gaining personal insight into rural life, family traditions, and the rhythms of working a tea plantation. Afterwards, stroll through the lush tea fields, learning about cultivation and harvest techniques that have been refined over centuries.

In the afternoon, journey to Nara, Japan’s first permanent capital and a city rich in ancient history. Visit the grand Tōdai-ji Temple, one of the powerful Seven Great Temples, and stand before its immense bronze Buddha, a sight that continues to inspire awe. Conclude your visit with a gentle walk through Nara Park, where hundreds of free-roaming deer bow politely in exchange for treats, before returning to Kyoto for an evening at leisure.

The Hotel Higashiyama, Kyoto, or similar

Breakfast & Lunch

This morning, board a high-speed bullet train to Hiroshima, a vibrant and forward-looking city that has become a global symbol of peace and resilience. Upon arrival, your first stop is a local restaurant where you’ll join a Local Specialist for a hands-on okonomiyaki experience. Learn the art of crafting this savoury pancake – layering batter, noodles, vegetables, and your choice of toppings, before cooking it on a sizzling hot plate and savouring your creation for lunch.

In the afternoon, take the ferry across the Seto Inland Sea to Miyajima Island, famed for its picturesque scenery and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Itsukushima Shrine. Here, the shrine’s iconic vermilion torii gate appears to float gracefully upon the tide, a sight that has inspired artists and pilgrims for centuries.

Your visit continues with another taste of local tradition as you learn to make momiji manju, a delicately shaped steamed bun filled with sweet red bean paste and moulded into the form of a maple leaf, a symbol of the island. Enjoy your handmade treat before returning to Hiroshima by ferry, the day’s experiences leaving you with a richer appreciation of the region’s history, flavours, and beauty.

Rihga Royal Hotel, Hiroshima, or similar

Breakfast & Lunch

Following yesterday’s introduction to Hiroshima’s cultural and culinary traditions, today offers a deeper reflection on its history and enduring message of peace. Begin at the Peace Memorial Park and Museum, where the UNESCO-listed Peace Memorial stands as the sole surviving structure from the moment the first atomic bomb struck in 1945. Take time to contemplate its powerful symbolism, a reminder of resilience and a call for lasting harmony.

The afternoon is yours to spend at leisure, perhaps revisiting a favourite part of the city or exploring its riverside districts. Alternatively, join an optional visit to Shukkei-en Garden, a beautifully preserved Edo-period landscape garden in the heart of Hiroshima. Wander along winding paths that meander over arched bridges, past small islands and delicate pines, each view carefully composed to reflect Japan’s scenic beauty in miniature.

Later, ascend Orizuru Tower, named for the folded paper crane, a worldwide emblem of peace. From its open-air observation deck, take in panoramic views over Hiroshima, with Miyajima Island glimmering in the distance on clear days. Learn about the transformation of the city before and after 1945, then fold your own origami crane, a quiet, personal gesture to conclude your time in this remarkable city.

Rihga Royal Hotel, Hiroshima, or similar

Breakfast & Lunch

This morning, board a high-speed bullet train to Osaka, Japan’s lively culinary capital and a city renowned for its bold architecture, vibrant nightlife, and warm hospitality. On arrival, enjoy an orientation drive through the city centre, taking in your first glimpses of its striking landmarks, including the futuristic Umeda Sky Building, with its dramatic twin towers linked by a floating observation deck.

After checking in to your hotel, the remainder of the afternoon and evening is yours to explore at your own pace. You might choose to wander through the neon-lit streets of Dōtonbori, sample local street food specialities such as takoyaki (octopus balls) or okonomiyaki, or simply relax and absorb the energetic pulse of this captivating city.

Sheraton Miyako Hotel, Osaka, or similar

Breakfast

Experience Osaka from a fresh perspective this morning as you board the aqua-bus for a leisurely cruise along the Okawa River. Glide past the Japan Mint, City Hall, the cultural hub of Nakanoshima, and the imposing walls of Osaka Castle, one of Japan’s most celebrated landmarks, whose history stretches back to the 16th century.

Continue to the nostalgic downtown district of Shinsekai, where the retro charm of Tsutenkaku Tower recalls the optimism of post-war Osaka. From here, make your way to the lively Dōtonbori area, where you’ll have free time to explore its neon-lit streets, bustling canalside, and endless variety of street food stalls.

In the heart of Umeda, pause at the Tsuyunoten Shrine, a place of quiet devotion linked to the tragic Edo-period love story of Ohatsu and Tokubei. Your guide will share the tale as you see the ema, small wooden plaques upon which visitors write prayers for romance, many adorned with the lovers’ image.

Your day concludes with breathtaking views from the Floating Garden Observatory, an open-air platform connecting the twin towers of the Umeda Sky Building. As the city lights sparkle below, join your fellow travellers and tour guide for a final dinner in a local restaurant.

Sheraton Miyako Hotel, Osaka, or similar

Breakfast & Dinner

As your tour through Japan’s past and present comes to an end, you will be able to take an airport shuttle transfer to wither Kansai International or Osaka Itami Airport for your onward journey.

Breakfast