Best of Japan

Itinerary Highlights

Explore the contrasting shopping streets of Nakamise and Omotesando in Tokyo
Take a boat ride on volcanic Lake Ashi and hopefully catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji
Discover the breath-taking beauty of Kanazawa’s Kenrokuen Garden
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed Shirakawago village with its ‘praying hands’ rooftops

What's Included

Accommodation Throughout
International Flights

14 nights from £6,887 per person

Lucy

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There is plenty to see and do on our 14-night Japan itinerary. Discover the contrasting historical and cultural side of Tokyo with its more modern and futuristic side, before you explore Hakone, a natural wonderland famous for its hot springs, outdoor pursuits and views of the nearby Mount Fuji. Take the bullet train to Takayama, often called Little Kyoto with its plethora of temples, shrines, rivers and bridges.

Kanazawa once rivalled Kyoto and Tokyo as a town of great cultural achievements, and while it is still an important city, it is now most famous for the beautiful Kenrokuen Gardens, one of Japan’s ‘three best landscape gardens’.

Hiroshima is notorious for its destruction when the first Atomic Bomb was dropped over the city during the Second World War, and the city’s tragic past makes it a fascinating place to visit. Wander round the Peace Memorial Park and be moved by the haunting Peace Memorial Museum.

Kyoto is the nation’s former capital and is a must-see destination in Japan. Kyoto represents the Japan of old and you can find its cultural and historical past in the city’s narrow alleyways where teahouses are aplenty and kimono-clad geishas hurry from elegant function to function.

There is much to experience on this tour from temples, shrines, cooking classes, boat rides, train journeys, gardens, lakes, markets and sky-scrapers.

Itinerary

Day 1 UK to Tokyo

Upon arrival at Tokyo airport you will be transferred to your hotel, where the rest of your day can be spent at your leisure. Wander out and explore some of Tokyo’s bustling streets, where there are plenty of shops and restaurants to discover. Or take a relaxing stroll around the Imperial Palace Park.

Staying at

Club Floor Premier Grand Room at Keio Plaza Hotel, Tokyo

Tea Ceremony Room at Keio Plaza Hotel, Tokyo

Day 2 Tokyo

Wander around Asakusa and soak in the atmosphere of old Tokyo, and visit Sensoji, Tokyo’s oldest temple. Wander down Nakamise shopping street, then travel down the Sumidagawa River on Tokyo’s water bus to Hamarikyu Garden, an Edo period Japanese garden. Here you will find the modern Shiodome district’s futuristic skyscrapers. Later, enjoy a visit to Meiji Shrine, then take a walk down Omotesando, a broad tree-lined avenue full of flagship stores and modern architecture.

Staying at

Day 3 Tokyo

Visit Tsukiji Market, which was until recently the world’s largest fish market. While the inner market has moved, you can still explore the outer market with its impressive seafood section and fruit and vegetable stalls. After, you will visit a typical Japanese home. Learn to prepare maki sushi, gunkan maki and nigiri sushi, before enjoying your delicious sushi for lunch.

Staying at

Day 4 Tokyo – Hakone

Travel by train to Hakone, the gateway to the Mount Fuji region. Armed with your Hakone Pass, ride the world’s second longest cable car to the top of Mt. Owakudani, passing over the pools of boiling hot water that give the mountain its name, “Hells Valley”. Sail across the volcanic Lake Ashi to get a great view of Mount Fuji and explore some of the museums, shrines and shops scattered around the area.

Staying at

Dinner Restaurant at Hakone Kowakien Tenyu, Japan

Maisonette Superior Room with Open-air Bath at Hakone Kowakien Tenyu, Japan

Superior Room with Open-air Bath at Hakone Kowakien Tenyu, Japan

Day 5 Takayama

From Hakone, take the world-famous Shinkansen Bullet Train, reaching speeds of up to 300km/h. You will then change on to the Limited Express Hida Wideview for one of the most scenic train journeys in Japan, winding your way through mountains and stunning gorges to Takayama. Make your own way to your accommodation and spend your free afternoon by visiting one of the towns many sake breweries for a taste of the local drop.

Day 6 Takayama

Today can be spent at your leisure - we recommend heading up to the Miyagawa morning markets which sell local crafts and produce. A short bus ride will take you to Hida No Sato Folk Village, an open-air museum exhibiting over 30 typical farmhouses and other traditional buildings from the Hida region. Visit the Takayama Festival Floats Museum displaying floats from the famous Takayama festival or simply wander through the beautifully preserved old town.

Day 7 Takayama - Kanazawa via Shirakawago

Today is self-guided. Using your included coach tickets and visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed Shirakawago village, famous for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some of which are more than 250 years old. Gassho-zukuri translates as “praying hands” as the farmhouses steep thatched roofs resemble the hands of Buddhist monks pressed together in prayer. Afterwards, you will continue via coach journey to Kanazawa.

Day 8 Kanazawa

Kanazawa

A free day to explore Kanazawa. The highlight of any visit is Kenrokuen Garden, as its breathtaking beauty shines through in any season. We also recommend visiting Kanazawa Castle just next to the garden, along with the Nagamachi Samurai District and the Saihitsuan Yuzen Silk Centre, demonstrating the centuries old Yuzen silk painting technique, and the Nomura Samurai House, a traditional Japanese home with a tea-ceremony room, interior courtyard garden and artifacts from the Edo period.

Day 9 Kanazawa - Hiroshima

Today you will travel to Hiroshima by train. The journey takes around four hours, with one change at Shin Osaka. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure.

Staying at

Corner club suite bedroom, Sheraton Grand Hiroshima Hotel

swimming pool, Sheraton Grand Hiroshima Hotel

corner club suite living room, Sheraton Grand Hiroshima Hotel

Day 10 Hiroshima and Miyajima

Visit the Peace Memorial Park. Stroll through the park and discover the many memorials, monuments and statues before heading into the Peace Memorial Museum to learn about Hiroshima's dark history. From Hiroshima take a short ferry ride to Miyajima Island, where you will find Itsukushima Shrine and possibly the most photographed site in Japan, the stunning ‘Floating’ Torii Gate.

Day 11 Kyoto

Today you will travel by Bullet train to Kyoto. The journey takes around two hours. In the afternoon enjoy a private cooking lesson, where you will learn about Kyoto’s typical kappo cuisine and try your hand at making some of the dishes that made this cuisine so popular around the world. In Japanese, kappo means to cut ingredients with a knife and cook them over a fire.

Staying at

Luxury Treat Room at Kyoto Tokyu Hotel, Japan

Superior Twin Room at Kyoto Tokyu Hotel, Japan

Day 12 Kyoto

Explore the former imperial capital, starting with a visit to Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion), built as a retirement villa for the Shogun. Continue on to Nijo Castle, famous for its architecture and “chirping” nightingale floors. Take a walk down Nishiki Market, known as Kyoto’s Kitchen as it specialises in all things food related. Later visit either Kiyomizu (Pure Water) Temple or Sanjusangendo Temple, famous for its 1001 statues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy.

Staying at

Day 13 Nara

Head to Nara, Japan’s capital city during the 8th century, by train (45 minutes). Visit Todaiji Temple, the world’s largest wooden building and home to Japan’s largest Buddha. Next is Nara’s largest shrine, Kasuga Taisha, known for its hundreds of bronze and stone lanterns. Wander through Nara Park, home to more than 1,000 tame deer before visiting Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its 10,000 red torii gates, on your way back to Kyoto.

Staying at