Welcome to Japan! Upon arrival in Tokyo, you’ll be met by your expert guide who will provide an introduction to Japanese culture during your transfer to the hotel. After settling in, your guide will offer personalised recommendations based on your interests, perhaps suggesting a quiet neighbourhood café for authentic Japanese coffee or a local market where you can practice your first few words of Japanese with friendly vendors.

You will have the flexibility to explore at your own rhythm, whether that’s discovering hidden shrines tucked between skyscrapers, sampling street food from a local vendor who’s been perfecting their craft for decades, or simply absorbing the fascinating contrasts of this incredible city.

This evening, consider joining your fellow travellers for an optional informal dinner at a traditional izakaya, where locals gather after work, the perfect introduction to Tokyo’s authentic dining culture.

Sunshine City prince Hotel or similar

Begin your intimate exploration of Tokyo alongside your expert guide, who will share personal stories and local insights as you navigate the city like a true Tokyoite. At the tranquil Meiji Jingu shrine, your guide will teach you the proper ritual of purification and explain the significance of the towering 12-metre torii gate, allowing you to participate respectfully in this sacred space.

Your group will then stroll to the Imperial Palace, where your guide’s connections provide access to lesser-known viewpoints of the historic Nijubashi bridge, built in 1888. Learn fascinating tales of imperial history that most visitors never hear.

The afternoon’s highlight takes you deep into Tokyo’s sumo culture. In intimate company with active sumo wrestlers, you’ll share stories over a traditional chanko hot pot lunch, discovering their daily routines, training philosophies, and personal journeys. This authentic encounter continues as you don a sumo suit for a private coaching session with a professional wrestler, an experience tailored to your group’s comfort level and curiosity.

Your exploration of atmospheric Asakusa is a guided food adventure, where your local guide introduces you to family-run establishments that have served the neighbourhood for generations, ensuring genuine cultural exchange with the people who call this thriving district home.

Sunshine City prince Hotel or similar

Breakfast, Lunch

Journey by train from Tokyo to the scenic resort town of Hakone, renowned for its spectacular mountain vistas, pristine natural beauty, and therapeutic hot springs. Your small group will experience this region’s highlights in an intimate and unhurried manner, beginning with a cable car ascent that reveals breathtaking panoramic views of Lake Ashi and, weather permitting, magnificent glimpses of iconic Mount Fuji.

Your Lake Ashi experience continues with a leisurely cruise aboard one of the area’s distinctive pirate ships, offering unique perspectives of the surrounding volcanic landscape and traditional lakeside settlements that have welcomed travellers for centuries.

This evening marks a truly authentic cultural immersion as your group settles into a traditional Ryokan Inn. Your experienced hosts will guide you through the customs and etiquette of ryokan life, from the art of wearing a yukata robe to the proper way to enjoy the communal onsen hot spring baths. Savour a meticulously prepared kaiseki dinner featuring seasonal local ingredients, then retire to your tatami-floored room where you’ll sleep on comfortable futon bedding, a quintessentially Japanese experience that connects you directly with centuries of hospitality tradition.

This intimate accommodation allows you to fully appreciate the tranquillity and mindful pace that defines traditional Japanese hospitality.

Hotel Pax Yoshino or similar

Breakfast, Dinner

Depart Hakone by train for the historic mountain town of Takayama, celebrated for its exceptionally preserved Edo-period architecture and authentic traditional atmosphere. Your journey through the Japanese Alps becomes part of the experience as you enjoy a carefully selected regional bento box lunch, featuring local specialities that reflect the culinary heritage of the regions you’re travelling through.

Upon arrival in Takayama, your expert guide will lead your small group through an in-depth exploration of Takayama Jinya, the remarkably well-preserved former government headquarters. Here, you’ll gain exclusive insights into the complex administrative systems that governed rural Japan during the Edo period.

Your intimate walking tour continues along the atmospheric Kami Sannomachi Street, where your guide’s relationships with local artisans and shopkeepers provide opportunities for meaningful cultural exchanges. Admire the exquisite craftsmanship of the traditional wooden machiya townhouses whilst learning about the architectural techniques that have preserved these structures for centuries.

At the Takayama Matsuri Yatai Kaikan, discover the intricate artistry of the town’s famous festival floats, with your guide explaining the cultural significance and craftsmanship behind these magnificent creations. The remainder of your afternoon allows for personal exploration, perhaps visiting recommended local workshops or sampling regional sake varieties.

As evening falls, you might choose to relax in one of the town’s family-run eateries or stroll along the softly lit streets, soaking in the gentle pace that makes Takayama so captivating. Tomorrow offers the freedom to explore even further.

Takayama Ou’an Hotel or similar

Breakfast, Lunch

Today is yours to shape as you wish, with the freedom to explore Takayama and its surrounding treasures at your own pace. Perhaps you’ll journey to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed village of Shirakawa-go, where traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, with their steeply pitched thatched roofs, stand in harmony with the dramatic alpine landscape. Designed to withstand the region’s deep winter snow, these remarkable structures offer a fascinating glimpse into centuries-old rural life.

Alternatively, wander through the peaceful Teramachi district, where an atmospheric collection of temples and shrines reveals the spiritual heritage of the town. For a different perspective, consider a short excursion to Hida-Furukawa, a charming riverside town where white-walled storehouses and narrow streets evoke the elegance of Japan’s past.

Takayama Ou’an Hotel or similar

Breakfast

This morning, board the train to Kyoto, Japan’s cultural heart and a city steeped in centuries of tradition. Known for its refined kaiseki cuisine, exquisitely maintained temples, and enduring geisha heritage, Kyoto offers a captivating contrast to the mountain serenity of Takayama.

Upon arrival, you’ll have time to settle into your hotel and enjoy a few hours of personal exploration. Perhaps take a gentle stroll through a nearby temple garden, browse an artisan tea shop, or simply pause in a quiet kissaten café to watch the city move at its own graceful pace.

In the late afternoon, your guide will lead you on an atmospheric walking tour through the lantern-lit lanes of Ponto-chō and Hanami-kōji in the Gion district. Here, centuries-old wooden ochaya teahouses still welcome patrons, and the air hums softly with the presence of tradition. As dusk falls, keep watch for the fleeting, elegant sight of a geisha or maiko making her way between engagements, a rare moment that feels almost like stepping back in time.

Hotel Vischio Kyoto by GRANVIA or similar

Breakfast

Today your exploration of Kyoto unfolds on foot and by public transport, offering a true local’s perspective of the city’s most treasured sights. Begin in the enchanting district of Arashiyama, where the rustle of leaves accompanies your walk through the famed Bamboo Grove. Towering green stalks rise high above, creating a dreamlike canopy that shifts gently with the wind.

From here, step into the serene grounds of Tenryū-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where exquisitely landscaped gardens frame views of the surrounding mountains. A short stroll brings you to the graceful Togetsukyō Bridge, spanning the Katsura River, a scene celebrated in Japanese art and poetry for centuries.

Continue your journey aboard the charming purple Randen train to Ryoan-ji Temple, home to Japan’s most celebrated Zen rock garden. Here, your guide will share the symbolism and meditative philosophy behind the carefully placed stones, inviting you to pause and reflect in this tranquil space.

Your final stop is the iconic Golden Pavilion, or Kinkaku-ji, a 14th-century masterpiece shimmering in gold leaf and perfectly mirrored in its reflective pond. As the light shifts across its gilded façade, you’ll understand why this is one of Japan’s most beloved and enduring symbols of beauty.

Hotel Vischio Kyoto by GRANVIA or similar

Breakfast

This morning, meet your guide at Kyoto Station and board a local train for the scenic journey to Nara, Japan’s first permanent capital and a city where ancient traditions remain vibrantly alive. The hour-long ride offers glimpses of rural landscapes and quiet towns, a gentle transition from Kyoto’s elegance to Nara’s historic charm.

Upon arrival, you’ll enjoy a leisurely stroll through Nara Deer Park, where hundreds of free-roaming sacred deer bow politely in exchange for senbei crackers. Your path leads to the monumental Tōdai-ji Temple, home to the awe-inspiring Great Buddha, a towering bronze statue housed within one of the world’s largest wooden buildings.

After time for personal reflection, continue to the lively Higashimuki and Mochidono shopping streets, where narrow arcades brim with local eateries and traditional confectioners. Here, you might sample freshly pounded mochi or enjoy a seasonal lunch in a family-run restaurant.

In the afternoon, travel to Hōryū-ji Temple, recognised as the world’s oldest surviving wooden structure and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As your guide shares the stories behind its remarkable preservation, you’ll walk among architectural treasures that have endured for over thirteen centuries.

Return to Kyoto in the early evening, with the remainder of the night free to relax or perhaps explore the city’s softly illuminated streets at your own pace.

Hotel Vischio Kyoto by GRANVIA or similar

Breakfast

Your final full day in Kyoto is yours to enjoy on your own. You may wish to wander through a quiet temple garden, browse a local craft market, or lose yourself in the narrow backstreets where small teahouses and hidden shrines reveal the city’s more intimate side. Whether seeking final souvenirs, revisiting a favourite district, or simply absorbing the city’s timeless atmosphere, today offers space to reflect on the experiences that have shaped your journey.

This evening, gather with your fellow travellers for a memorable farewell celebration, an exquisite kaiseki dinner, the pinnacle of Japanese culinary artistry. Each seasonal course is presented with meticulous attention to detail, offering flavours that capture the essence of Kyoto’s gastronomic heritage. As you dine, you will be joined by a maiko, an apprentice geisha, whose graceful performances and warm conversation provide rare insight into one of Japan’s most enduring cultural traditions.

It is a fitting conclusion to your adventure: an evening that unites artistry, hospitality, and the shared memories of your time in Japan, leaving you with moments to treasure long after you return home.

Hotel Vischio Kyoto by GRANVIA or similar

Breakfast, Dinner

Sadly this Japan tour comes to an end today as it is time to make your own way to the airport for an continue your onward journey.