Complete Japan

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 arrival in Tokyo, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in one of the city’s traditional neighbourhoods. With three nights here, you’ll have time to explore both the ultra-modern and historic sides of Japan’s vibrant capital. Over the next few days, enjoy a mix of guided tours and free time to soak up the atmosphere, see the sights and sample Tokyo’s incredible cuisine. Start with a guided tour of the old town, visiting Sensō-ji, Tokyo’s oldest temple, as well as the Imperial Palace and the beautiful Meiji Shrine and gardens. In your own time, you might visit the famous Toyosu Fish Market, browse world-class museums and art galleries, or indulge in some retail therapy in Tokyo’s sleek shopping districts.

🚝 Tokyo – Hakone (1 night): Travel by train to Hakone National Park, a mountainous retreat in the shadow of Mount Fuji. Ride the ropeway over the hot springs and volcanic Owakudani Valley, take a scenic cruise across Lake Ashinoko, and unwind with a relaxing soak in an onsen hot spring. Staying in a traditional ryokan (Japanese inn), you’ll experience authentic hospitality, complete with tatami mats, sliding doors and exquisite local cuisine.

🚝 Hakone – Takayama (2 nights): Take the bullet train for the first leg of your journey to Takayama before connecting onto one of Japan’s most scenic rail routes through dramatic gorges and mountain landscapes. High in the Hida alpine region, you’ll arrive in the beautifully preserved old town of Takayama, a place where traditional architecture and local culture remain intact. The next day, a local guide will introduce you to the morning markets and merchant houses before you enjoy a sake brewery tour. You may also visit the fascinating Hida Folk Village to learn about traditional Japanese life.

🚝 Takayama – Kanazawa (2 nights): Continue by train to the beautifully preserved town of Kanazawa for a two-night stay. Visit a former samurai residence, stroll through Kenroku-en, one of Japan’s “Three Great Gardens” and explore the D.T. Suzuki Museum, dedicated to the philosopher who introduced Zen Buddhism to the West. Here, you can practise mindfulness by the tranquil water gardens. With the following day free, wander through the geisha district of Kazue-machi, visit Kanazawa Castle’s remains and browse the bustling Omicho Market.

🚝 Kanazawa – Hiroshima (2 nights): Head south to Hiroshima, the City of Water, where resilience and reflection define its spirit. Visit the Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome, one of the few buildings that survived the 1945 blast. Enjoy views of the “floating” Torii Gate from Orizuru Tower and take a short trip to nearby Miyajima Island for one of Japan’s most iconic sights.

🚝 Hiroshima – Kyoto (3 nights): Continue to Kyoto, the City of Ten Thousand Shrines, and spend three nights uncovering the ancient splendour of Japan’s cultural capital. Visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its 10,000 red torii gates, and explore Nishiki Market, known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen.” Wander through Gion, home to Kyoto’s elusive geisha, and visit Zen temples such as Ginkaku-ji and the Yasaka Shrine. You’ll also enjoy a guided tour that includes a traditional tea ceremony and a visit to Kodaiji Temple and its peaceful gardens. On your final day, take part in a fun bento cooking class, learning to make sushi, tempura and miso soup – a delicious souvenir of your Japanese journey.

✈️ Kyoto – UK: On your final day, you’ll leave the ancient capital and travel to the airport for your flight back to the UK.