Complete Japan

Itinerary

3 Nights – Tokyo (Optional Nikko trip)
1 Night – Hakone
2 Nights – Takayama
2 Nights – Kanazawa
2 Nights – Hiroshima / Miyajima Island
3 Nights – Kyoto

✈  UK- Tokyo (3 nights): On your arrival in Tokyo you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel located in one of the old, traditional neighbourhoods of the city. With 3 nights in Tokyo you will be able to explore this ultra-modern city as well as its’ ancient past. Over the next few days you will have guided tours as well as free-time so you can soak up the atmosphere, see the sights and enjoy some of the fantastic restaurants. Start with a tour of the old town visiting Sensoji, the city’s oldest temple as well as the Imperial Palace and the beautiful Meji Shrine and gardens. In your own time you may like to visit the iconic fish market, some of the world-class museums and art galleries or hit the shops.

🚂 Tokyo – Hakone (1 night): You will then travel by train onto the mountainous Hakone National Park in the shadow of Mount Fuji where you can ride the ropeway over the hot springs and volcanic area to the top of Mt. Owakudani, take a cruise across Ashinoko Lake and then enjoy a restful soak in an Onsen hot spring. Staying in a traditional Japanese Inn you’ll feel you’ve been transported back to the Edo period!

🚂 Hakone – Takayama (2 nights): Taking the famous bullet train for the first leg of the journey to Takayama before changing onto one of the most scenic train routes in Japan you’ll wind through mountains and gorges. High up in the Hida alpine region you’ll arrive in the beautifully preserved old town of Takayama with its very unique culture for you to explore.

On your second day in this Edo period merchant town you’ll have a local guide to take you on the markets and the old town before going on a Sake brewery tour. There is also an option to visit a fascinating Hida Folk village where you can appreciate traditional Japanese life.

🚂 Takayama – Kanazawa (2 nights): Take the train from here onto the beautifully preserved town of Kanazawa where you will stay for 2 nights. You will visit a superb Samurai house before wandering through one of the ‘Three Great Gardens’ of Japan with its perfectly combined aesthetics. You will also be able to visit the DT Suzuki Museum to learn about the man who introduced Zen Buddhism to the West, here you can also practice mindfulness by the peaceful water gardens. With the next day to yourself you can explore the Geisha district of Kazuemachi with its original buildings, the castle remains and the Omicho market.

🚂 Kanazawa – Hiroshima (2 nights): Heading onto Hiroshima, the City of Water, you can visit the Peace Memorial Park and the A Bomb Dome, one of the few buildings that remained standing when the bomb exploded. The Orizuru Tower gives an amazing view of the famous floating Torii Gate and you can also visit the nearby Miyajima Island.

🚂  Hiroshima – Kyoto (3 Nights): Onto Kyoto, the ‘City of Ten Thousand Shrines’ where you will have 3 nights to take in the ancient splendour of this stunning city, famous for its’ temples and shrines. A must-see is the dramatic Fushimi Inari Shrine, home to over 10,000 red tori gates leading up the mountain. Visit the narrow shopping street of Kyoto’s kitchen as well as Gion, the home to Kyoto’s elusive Geisha. You’ll have a day with a guide too who will show you around the Zen temple of Ginkakuji and then the Yasaka Shrine and you will take part in an ancient tea ceremony before moving onto the Kodaiji Temple and gardens.

The following day you can enjoy taking part in a Bento Cooking class learning how to make sushi, tempura and miso soup – a great skill to learn as a lifelong reminder of your memorable holiday.

✈ Kyoto – UK: On your last day you will leave the ancient capital and travel to the airport for your return flight back to the UK.