Highlights of Japan

Depart for our holiday to Japan, arriving in Osaka.

We have arrived in Osaka! We meet with our local guide, and transfer by coach to our hotel in Kyoto.  

Join us for a welcome dinner at a nearby local restaurant.

Please note your welcome dinner may be on day two, if your flight arrives in late in the evening.

Breakfast at our hotel is included on each day of our ten night stay in Japan.

After breakfast, we experience our full day guided tour. Start our day with a visit to Ginkakuji temple and Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. Next we travel by coach to Japan’s second largest city, Osaka (approximately 1 hour per way from our hotel in Kyoto).

Today on our guided excursion we visit Umeda Skydeck Observatory, nineteenth tallest building in Osaka and one of the city's most recognisable structures.  We also visit Osaka Castle, another of Japan’s famous landmarks. After, we take a stroll through Dotonbori. Known for its bright lights and extravagant signage, it is considered one of the most colourful districts in Osaka and is also a hub of the city’s vibrant food culture. Later we return to our hotel in Kyoto.

The day is not over! Let's get together at a local restaurant for dinner.

We return to our hotel and relax for the evening after a busy day exploring our first highlights of Japan.

We set off with our expert local guide, to discover some of the highlights of the beautiful and picturesque city of Kyoto!   

Uncover the treasures of the Sanjusangendo Temple, founded in 1164 and famous for its 1001 statues of Kannon, goddess of mercy. The temple hall, measuring 120 metres, is the longest wooden structure in Japan. Afterwards, we visit Nijo Castle, official Kyoto residence of the first Tokugawa shogun, Ieyasu, and witness to many important events in Japanese history.  Within this 400-year-old complex, experience one of the golden ages of Japanese architecture and design, the early Edo period.

Enjoy lunch (included) at a local restaurant and savour some typical dishes of the region. 

After lunch, we continue to see more of Kyoto’s highlights.  Firstly, let’s enjoy some “Zen time” at Ryoan-ji, originally a private villa, later converted to a temple and home to one of Japan’s most famous rock gardens.  

We finish the day at the awe-inspiring Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion, whose two top floors are completely covered in gold leaf. The garden and architecture around the Kinkaku are said to represent the world of paradise.

Join us for dinner this evening at a local restaurant, where we uncover more of Japan’s unique culture with a Geisha performance!

Today we’ll see more, on a full day excursion to Nara, former 8th century capital of Japan. The city is filled with historic treasures including some of Japan's oldest and largest temples. Our guided tour today includes a visit to Nara Park, one of the oldest parks in Japan, with over one thousand resident deer.

Another stop on the tour is Tōdai-ji Temple, one of the country’s most notable temples, housing one of the largest Buddhas in Japan, fifteen metres tall!

Also included is a visit to the ancient Kasuga-Taisha, Nara’s celebrated Shinto shrine, set amidst forest pathways and decorated with many bronze and stone lanterns donated by worshippers.

Lunch is included at a local restaurant today.

After lunch we visit the Koufukuji Temple (Tokondo is not included), once the sanctuary of the powerful aristocratic clan, the Fujiwara. This vast complex boasts an impressive five-storied pagoda, housing holy relics.

At the end of the tour, we return to our hotel and enjoy the rest of our evening to experience Kyoto at our leisure.

Today is free to enjoy Kyoto at our own pace. Our expert guide will be happy to tell us of further sightseeing and activities to do in this area.

There is the option to visit Hiroshima and Miyajima by ferry. This pre-bookable tour is a full day guided excursion, returning in the late evening.

After breakfast, we walk to Kyoto station (approx.15 mins), for our train journey to Hiroshima (1hr 45 mins each way). The tour includes a visit to Miyajima and Itsukushima Shrine, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Museum, and the Atomic Bomb Dome

‘Minimum numbers apply for the operation of this tour and subject to availability’. 

To avoid disappointment, it is recommended to pre book this excursion. It may not be available to book locally.

The tour includes lunch at a local restaurant.

This morning, we set off on foot to the train station (bags transferred separately) to experience more of Japan’s highlights.  It’s “All Aboard” for your journey on one of the famous “Bullet Trains”, to Odawara. We say farewell to our Kyoto guide and board the train. Bye, bye Kyoto and hello Odawara! On arrival, we meet our new guide and commence a full day tour of Hakone.

Discover the city of Hakone on a guided tour, including the Hakone Open Air Museum with its unique sculptures and landscaped gardens.  

Afterwards, we set sail on Lake Ashi, soaking up the tranquil atmosphere of the surrounding Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. We see even more as we take a ride on the Komagatake Ropeway Cable Car, which on a clear day offers an excellent photo opportunity of Mount Fuji.

Lunch is included at a local restaurant.

After a delightful day of discovery, we make our way to our hotel in Hakone.

Relax, unwind and take time out to re-charge for tomorrow’s excursions.

Dinner is included tonight.

We check out of our hotel and travel to Kamakura to experience its most popular sights, including part of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, a Shinto Shrine, dedicated to Hachiman, patron god of the Minamoto family and of the samurai in general.

Also included is a visit to Kotokuin which has the second tallest bronze Buddha in Japan, and Hase Kannon Temple with its eleven-headed statue of Kannon, goddess of mercy. We also visit trendy Komachi Street, filled with fashion boutiques, souvenir shops, cafes, restaurants, and bakeries.

Lunch is included today at a local restaurant.

After our full day excursion of Kamakura, we transfer by coach to our hotel in Tokyo.

Check in and enjoy the evening at leisure.

We uncover more as we take in some of the sights and sounds of bustling Tokyo! Included today are visits to Imperial Palace Plaza, home to the Japanese Imperial family, and Koishikawa Korakuen, one of Tokyo’s oldest and best Japanese gardens, with its beautiful contrasts throughout the seasons.

We continue to the Hamarikyu Gardens, a traditionally styled garden landscape in central Tokyo. After the tour, in the late afternoon, return to your hotel

Enjoy an evening at leisure in Tokyo. Our guide will be pleased to offer recommendations for sightseeing and dining.

This morning, we see more of this vibrant city including a visit to Ueno Park, boasting over one thousand cherry trees! Afterwards, we uncover more of Japan’s ancient arts by witnessing a tea ceremony and learning the Japanese art of Ikebana (flower arranging).

The rest of the afternoon is yours at leisure, to discover the city at your own pace. “Shop till you drop” in in the trendy Ginza district, a must for shopaholics. Now is also the perfect time to buy some souvenirs, as a reminder of your memorable trip.  Sail on a cruise around Tokyo Bay or explore one of the many beautiful city parks, temples and museums. Or if you are a cat lover, you might like to experience one of Tokyo’s many “cat cafés”, where you can take time out and savour a matcha tea with a few furry café friends!

Our knowledgeable guide will be happy to tell us about other activities to enhance your time in Tokyo and experience even more in this thrilling metropolis.

This morning we discover more of this fascinating city, with visits to Asakusa Kannon Temple, Nakamise Street with its traditional shopping arcade, and high-end shoppers’ paradise Ginza, before we enjoy a well-earned lunch at a local restaurant (included).

In the afternoon we stroll through the Harajuku district, known internationally as the centre of Japanese youth culture and fashion and renowned for its colourful street art.  We will also view the Meiji Shrine. This Shinto grand shrine is dedicated to Emperor Meiji (1852-1912) and Empress Shoken, modern Japan's first emperor and empress.

After we stroll Harajuku, Omotesando, and marvel at the Tokyo Government building Observatory.

After another busy day of sightseeing, we return to our hotel and spend the evening at leisure to relax and unwind.

Today we say farewell to our guide and the unforgettable city of Tokyo.  

Enjoy time at leisure and some last-minute shopping, before transferring by coach to Tokyo Airport for your overnight flights home.