Welcome to Japan’s capital. Upon arrival at Narita or Haneda Airport, you will be greeted by your guide, who will escort you to the airport limousine bus for a comfortable, direct transfer into the city. Your hotel is located less than a ten-minute walk from the bus stop, allowing for a swift and easy check-in.

The rest of the day is at leisure to relax after your flight or begin exploring Tokyo’s energetic neighbourhoods. Whether you stroll nearby streets, seek out your first taste of Japanese cuisine, or simply rest, your journey is just beginning.

Sunshine City Prince Hotel, Tokyo, or similar

Meet your guide in the hotel lobby for a short introduction to the days ahead, before travelling by local train to the tranquil Meiji Jingu Shrine, set in a lush forest and dedicated to Emperor Meiji.

Afterwards, wander along Harajuku’s famous Takeshita Dori, lined with colourful boutiques, cafés, and sweet shops, perfect for people-watching and soaking up Tokyo’s playful side.

Continue to the bustling Shibuya Crossing, where hundreds of pedestrians flow in every direction beneath glowing billboards. End the day at a “depachika” department store food hall, where beautifully presented bento boxes, fresh sweets, and gourmet delicacies offer a feast for the senses.

Sunshine City Prince Hotel, Tokyo, or similar

Breakfast

Begin the day in Asakusa at Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple, with its imposing Kaminarimon Gate and colourful street leading to the main hall.

Stroll through Kappabashi Dori – known as “Kitchen Town” – filled with shops selling professional cookware and fascinating plastic food models.

Next, ascend to the 450-metre observation deck of Tokyo Skytree for panoramic views stretching across the city.

In the afternoon, step back in time in Yanaka Ginza Old Town, with its nostalgic atmosphere, artisan shops, and peaceful Yanaka Cemetery lined with cherry trees. Time permitting, explore Nippori Fabric Town, a treasure trove for textiles and sewing enthusiasts.

Sunshine City Prince Hotel, Tokyo, or similar

Breakfast

Prepare an overnight bag, as your main luggage is sent ahead to Takayama before boarding the ‘Romance Car Train’ for Hakone, then connect via mountain railway and cable car to Sounzan Station. From here, take the ropeway to Owakudani, a volcanic valley with steaming vents and sulphur springs.

Continue by ropeway to Togendai and embark on a leisurely cruise across Lake Ashi, where, on clear days, Mount Fuji rises majestically in the distance.

Conclude with a bus transfer to your hotel, where a warm welcome and delicious dinner await, surrounded by Hakone’s mountain scenery.

Hotel Pax Yoshino, Hokane, or similar

Breakfast & Dinner

Travel aboard the Hikari bullet train to Nagoya, then transfer to a scenic express journey through the Japanese Alps to Takayama. Upon arrival, explore the beautifully preserved Sanmachi Old Town, where Edo-period wooden buildings house sake breweries, craft shops, and cosy cafés.

Enjoy free time to stroll cobbled streets, sample local delicacies, and browse unique souvenirs. As evening falls, check into your hotel in this charming mountain town, known for its slower pace and authentic character.

Takayama Ou’an Hotel, Takyama, or similar

Breakfast

Start today with a visit to Miyagawa Morning Market, where locals sell fresh produce, handmade goods, and tempting street food. Continue to Takayama Jinya, a former Edo-period government office with tatami rooms and historical artefacts.

Later, travel by coach to the UNESCO-listed Shirakawago Village, famed for its gassho-zukuri thatched farmhouses designed to withstand heavy snow. Visit the Wada House, one of the largest and best-preserved, then enjoy free time to explore the village at your own pace.

Arrive in Kanazawa in the early evening and settle into your hotel.

Hotel Forza, Kanazawa, or similar

Breakfast

This morning, wander through Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan’s most celebrated landscapes, with its ponds, bridges, teahouses, and seasonal charm. Continue to Omicho Market, a lively hub of fresh seafood and local delicacies, with time to enjoy lunch at your leisure.

In the afternoon, step into the Higashi Chaya district, where preserved geisha houses line narrow streets. Visit the historic Tea House ‘Shima’ to admire its elegant interiors and glimpse the refined world of Kanazawa’s geisha culture before returning to your hotel.

Hotel Forza, Kanazawa, or similar

Breakfast

Send your main luggage ahead to Osaka for next-day delivery before boarding the bullet train and a limited express service to Japan’s culinary capital. Upon arrival, enjoy free time to explore Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi, famous for neon lights, shopping, and street food.

In the afternoon, visit Osaka Castle, a symbol of Japan’s unification, surrounded by parkland and moats. Inside, a museum chronicles the city’s rich history.

Conclude the day by checking-in at your centrally located hotel for an evening at leisure.

Fairfield by Marriott Osaka Namba, or similar

Breakfast

Travel by train to Nara, where sika deer roam freely in the expansive Nara Park. Visit Todai-ji Temple to see the monumental bronze Great Buddha, housed in the vast Daibutsuden Hall.

After free time for lunch, continue to Horyu-ji Temple, home to some of the world’s oldest surviving wooden structures and a treasure trove of Asuka-period art. Return to Osaka in the evening, enriched by the day’s cultural encounters.

Fairfield by Marriott Osaka Namba, or similar

Breakfast

Send your luggage ahead to Kyoto before boarding the bullet train to Hiroshima. On arrival, enjoy a hearty lunch of okonomiyaki, the city’s beloved layered savoury pancake.

Visit the haunting A-Bomb Dome, preserved as a reminder of the events of 1945, and explore the Peace Memorial Museum, where exhibits tell the stories of survivors and the city’s recovery.

Stroll the surrounding parklands before checking into your hotel for the night.

Daiwa Roynet Hotel Hiroshima Ekimae, or similar

Breakfast & Lunch

Travel by ferry to Miyajima Island, famed for Itsukushima Shrine and its iconic “floating” torii gate. Stroll the waterfront, browse Omotesando shopping street, or sample local delicacies such as grilled oysters. For panoramic views, take the ropeway up Mount Misen before returning to Hiroshima.

Later, board the bullet train to Kyoto, arriving in the evening to check into your hotel.

Hotel Vischio Kyoto by GRANVIA, Kyoto, or similar

Breakfast

Begin at Kiyomizu-dera Temple, celebrated for its wooden stage and panoramic city views. Participate in a traditional tea ceremony, learning the art and etiquette of matcha preparation.

Wander the preserved lanes of Ninenzaka, browse artisan shops, and continue through Gion’s atmospheric streets to Kennin-ji, Kyoto’s oldest Zen temple. End the day at Sanjusangendo, home to 1,001 statues of Kannon, the deity of compassion.

Hotel Vischio Kyoto by GRANVIA, Kyoto, or similar

Breakfast

This morning, visit Fushimi Inari Shrine, with its endless tunnels of vermilion torii gates winding up the hillside. Enjoy free time to explore or relax before meeting your guide in the late afternoon.

Stroll through the Gion District before a farewell dinner in the company of a Maiko or Geisha, offering a rare insight into Kyoto’s refined arts and hospitality traditions.

Hotel Vischio Kyoto by GRANVIA, Kyoto, or similar

Breakfast, Dinner

All good things come to an end. Enjoy a leisurely final morning before making your own way to Kyoto Station for onward travel to the airport.

Breakfast