Konnichiwa, and welcome to Japan! Upon your arrival at Tokyo International Airport (HND) or Narita International Airport (NRT), make your way to your hotel for check-in.
A thriving metropolis, Tokyo is brimming with life and culture. Enjoy the day at leisure to explore its many sights, before congregating with your fellow travellers for a meet and greet with your tour director at 5pm. Then, sit down for dinner to fuel for the following day’s adventures.
Arrival & Transfers:
Please book your flights to arrive at Tokyo International Airport (HND) or Narita International Airport (NRT) at 2pm. Airport transfers are not included for your tour. The hotel is located approximately a one-hour drive from Tokyo International Airport (HND) or Narita International Airport (NRT). Check-in on day one is at 3pm.
Following breakfast at your hotel, meet with your guide in the lobby at 9.30am for a day of discovery in Tokyo. Your tour departs at 10am as you journey to Tsukiji Outer Market – a bustling hub selling fresh seafood and other local delicacies.
Continue on to historic Asakusa, home to Tokyo’s oldest temple, Senso-ji, then window shop along Nakamise shopping street, full of Japanese souvenir shops and traditional snacks.
Finish your city tour by ascending to Tokyo Skytree’s observation deck for panoramic views from one of the world’s tallest towers.
In the evening, indulge in traditional Japanese cuisine and a cultural exchange with fellow travellers at your welcome dinner in a local restaurant.
Enjoy a full day at your leisure in Tokyo. For the brave, scramble amongst the crowds through Shibuya Crossing, or head over to Harajuku and explore Takeshita Street, renowned for its shops, fashion boutiques and trendy cafes.
This morning, wave goodbye to Tokyo as you set off for Hakone, where you’ll cruise on the waters of Lake Ashi as you take in the surrounding forests.
If the day is clear, you’ll be treated to some fantastic views of Mount Fuji. Then, enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding volcanic landscape from a new vantage point on a scenic journey aboard the Hakone Ropeway.
Later, check-in to your accommodation for a restful evening.
Travel time: Driving – approx. three hours
Lake Ashi scenic cruise
After breakfast, ensure you have an overnight bag packed; your luggage will be picked up from your Hakone hotel and transported to Kanazawa for pickup on Day 6.
Board the Shinkansen and zip through the landscape from Hakone to Nagoya, taking in the countryside views. From Nagoya, an express train will bring you to Takayama, in the mountainous region of Hida. Known for its well-preserved Edo-period streets and traditional wooden houses, Takayama offers idyllic scenery with an old-world charm. The city is also famous for its biannual spring and autumn festivals.
This afternoon, visit Takayama Jinya – a former government office during the Edo period. Due to the region’s abundant timber, Takayama was placed under direct shogun control in the 17th century. Today, this complex serves as a museum showcasing the city’s history.
The evening is yours to spend at your leisure.
Travel time: Train – approx. five hours
Please note: Due to Shinkansen travel requirements, luggage must be sent onward via transfer service. Travellers should prepare a small bag to carry with them on the train. Luggage will then arrive at your Kanazawa hotel on Day 6.
After breakfast, venture to remote Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage site famed for its Gassho-Zukuri farmhouses, which translates to ‘praying hands construction’. Designed to bear the weight of heavy snow, these traditional thatched-roof buildings present a unique image of rural Japan.
In Gokayama, discover the centuries-old craft of Gokayama Washi with a paper-making class to learn the secrets of this traditional handmade paper treasured since the Edo period and still crafted with care in mountain villages today.
Later, travel to Kanazawa and set out on a walking tour for a brief introduction of this storied town. Stroll through Kanazawa’s well-preserved samurai and geisha districts and admire its Edo-period architecture.
Check-in to your hotel and relax for the evening.
Travel time: Driving – approx. two hours
Washi paper-making class
Get to know the city with a trip to Omicho Market. Then, venture out to the Kenroku-en gardens, originally belonging to nearby Kanazawa Castle. Kenroku-en earns its place as one of the ‘Three Great Gardens of Japan’ thanks to its autumn leaves and the cherry and plum blossoms in spring. After wandering the grounds of Kanazawa Castle, stop for lunch, then visit the historic geisha district of Higashi Chaya. Discover traditional wooden townhouses – known as machiya – and choose to take a moment of reflection at one of the historic teahouses.
Back at the hotel, unwind with some free time.
Please note: Due to Shinkansen travel requirements, luggage must be sent onward via transfer service. Travellers should prepare a small bag to carry with them on the train. Luggage will then arrive at your Kyoto hotel on Day 9.
Bid farewell to Kanazawa, then take the Bullet Train from Kanazawa to Tsuruga, where you’ll transfer to an express train heading to Kyoto.
Upon arrival at Kyoto Station, catch a bus to Gion, the famous geisha district. Begin your exploration with a traditional tea ceremony, where you’ll experience the tranquil art of Japanese tea preparation and enjoy matcha in an authentic setting. After the ceremony, take some time for a leisurely lunch at a restaurant of your choice. Spend the afternoon wandering through Gion, exploring its historic streets and wooden machiya houses. Walk along Hanamikoji Street, where you might spot a geisha or maiko.
In the evening, head to your hotel for check-in and enjoy dinner with your fellow travellers.
Travel time: Train – approx. two hours / Driving approx. one hour
Traditional tea ceremony
Meet your guide in the morning at your hotel lobby and set off for Nara. Your first stop is Todaiji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for housing the Great Buddha, one of Japan’s largest bronze statues. As you walk through Nara Park, you will interact with the friendly deer that freely roam the area. The deer are considered sacred messengers of the gods in the Shinto religion. Next, explore Kasuga Taisha Shrine, renowned for its hundreds of bronze and stone lanterns that line the pathways and adorn the shrine.
Finish your day with a visit to the Gekkeikan Sake Museum in the Fushimi district. The museum is housed in a former sake brewery and provides insights into the history and production process of sake.
Return to your hotel for a free evening.
Travel time: Driving – approx. two hours
Today starts with a trip to Kinkaku-ji temple, known as the Golden Pavilion thanks to the gold leaf that coats the top two floors.
Next, visit Arashiyama and walk through the swaying stalks of Bamboo Grove, listening to the gentle clacking as you crane your neck toward the canopy.
This afternoon, visit the famous Fushimi Inari Shrine, known for thousands of red torii gates that form a network of trails behind its main buildings. The shrine is dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice and agriculture, and you’ll see many fox statues, which are considered messengers of Inari. Climb the winding steps through thousands of bright red torii gates.
Conclude your day at Tenryu-ji, Kyoto’s most cherished Zen temple. Meander through carefully designed gardens, strolling around the central pond and taking in the view of the nearby Arashiyama Mountains.
Please note: Due to Shinkansen travel requirements, luggage must be sent onward via transfer service. Travellers should prepare a small bag to carry with them on the train. Luggage will then arrive at your Osaka hotel on Day 12.
Fushimi Inari shrine visit
Following breakfast at your hotel, checkout and send your luggage to your hotel in Osaka. Bringing your overnight bag, switch up the tempo as you board a bullet train to Hiroshima, zipping through the countryside in comfort.
This afternoon, travel to the sacred island of Miyajima, where the iconic Itsukushima Shrine is marked by an enormous, floating torii gate.
Check-in at your hotel for the evening and spend your downtime preparing for another day of discovery ahead.
Travel time: Train – approx. three hours
Following breakfast, check out of your hotel and take a public train to the Atomic Bomb Museum, where you will see artifacts and exhibits detailing the events of August 6, 1945. The museum provides a sombre and educational experience, showcasing the devastating impact of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Adjacent to the museum is the Peace Memorial Park, where you can see monuments like the Atomic Bomb Dome, the Children’s Peace Monument and the Cenotaph, all dedicated to promoting peace and commemorating victims.
Return to Hiroshima, where you can grab an ‘Ekiben’ at the train station to bring on your next Shinkansen journey. The Ekiben are a special type of boxed meal sold at train stations, perfect for a delicious and hearty meal on the go.
As you journey to Osaka, visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Himeji Castle – an imposing hilltop structure with a graceful white exterior, dating back to the feudal age. With its strategic position and sprawling grounds, Himeji is one of only a dozen such feudal castles still standing.
Arrive in Osaka and check in to your hotel, where you’ll spend the remainder of the evening as you wish.
Travel time: Train – approx. one hour / Driving – approx. 90 minutes
Begin your day with a visit to Abeno Harukas, one of Osaka’s tallest skyscrapers, standing at 300 meters. From the observation deck on the 60th floor, you will enjoy panoramic views of Osaka’s cityscape.
Next, head to Shinsekai, a district known for its retro charm. The area is famous for local eateries, where you can try kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers of meat and vegetables).
In the afternoon, explore the districts of Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori. Shinsaibashi is a major shopping area with a variety of stores, from high-end boutiques to quirky fashion shops. Dotonbori, known for its nightlife and neon lights, offers many dining options and glowing landmarks like the Glico Running Man sign and the Kani Doraku crab billboard.
Explore the thoroughfare, then feast on local bites as you say farewell to your travel companions.
After one final breakfast, it’s time to say sayonara to Japan. Make your way to Kansai International Airport (KIX) where your journey comes to a close.
Departure & Transfers:
Checkout on your final day is at 10am. Please book your flights to depart from Kansai International Airport (KIX) after 10am. Airport transfers are not included for your tour. The hotel is located approximately a 40-minute drive from Kansai International Airport (KIX).