Discover Japan

Overview

Journey across the Japanese Alps to the cultural centres of Takayama, Shirakawago and Kanazawa on this extensive tour of Japan. On this extraordinary Japan holiday you will of course see modern Tokyo and beautiful Mt Fuji as well as historical Kyoto and Nara.

What’s Included

• Fully Inclusive: Guided touring and entrance fees.
• Meals: 11 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 11 dinners.
• Flights: International flights and current taxes.
• Accommodation: 11 nights in 3+/4-star hotels.
• Group Size: Maximum 28 passengers.
• Physical Rating: Moderate walking, some steps, and time on your feet.

Tour Highlights

• Explore Tokyo, Kyoto, and Nara.
• Visit Mount Fuji and enjoy breathtaking views.
• Experience gold leaf and washi paper making.
• Stroll through historic shrines and temples.
• Discover Osaka’s vibrant food scene.

Authentic Experiences

• Washi Paper Making: Learn the traditional art of Japanese paper making.
• Gold Leaf Crafting: Create intricate gold leaf designs with a skilled artisan.
• Miso Seasoning: Visit an old miso house and learn about this essential Japanese ingredient.
• Tea Ceremony & Origami: Participate in an authentic tea ceremony in Kyoto.

Tour Itinerary

Days 1-2: Fly to Tokyo

Fly overnight to Japan’s dazzling capital, Tokyo. Upon arrival, you will have some free time to begin soaking in the vibrant city atmosphere. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Day 3: Tokyo City Tour

Explore Tokyo’s dynamic blend of ancient tradition and modern innovation. Begin your journey at the Skytree, Japan’s tallest tower, for panoramic views of the city. Wander through the historic district of Asakusa, home to the Sensoji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple. Drive past the Imperial Palace Plaza before strolling through the serene Hamarikyu Gardens. In the evening, enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise on Tokyo Bay, taking in the city’s dazzling skyline.

Day 4: Mount Fuji

Travel via bullet train to Odawara before enjoying a scenic boat trip on Lake Ashi, where you can admire the reflections of the surrounding mountains. Take the Komagatake Ropeway for spectacular views before ascending Mount Fuji to the 5th Station, where breathtaking vistas of the Fuji Five Lakes region await (weather permitting).

Day 5: Matsumoto Castle & Takayama

Journey to Matsumoto to explore the impressive 16th-century Matsumoto Castle, a national treasure with its striking black exterior. Later, visit a traditional miso house to learn about the fermentation process of this essential Japanese seasoning. Continue your journey into the Japanese Alps, arriving in Takayama, a charming town known for its well-preserved Edo-period streets.

Day 6: Explore Takayama

Begin the day at the lively Miyagawa Morning Market, where local artisans sell handcrafted goods and fresh produce. Walk through the historic streets lined with beautifully preserved merchant houses. Visit the Festival Floats Museum, showcasing elaborate floats used in the town’s famous festival, and explore the Kusakabe Folk Crafts Museum and Takayama Jinya, a former government outpost. Later, enjoy free time in Kamisannomachi Street to explore its quaint shops and tea houses.

Day 7: Shirakawago & Kanazawa

Travel to the UNESCO-listed Shirakawago village, famous for its thatched-roof farmhouses built in the gassho-zukuri architectural style. Continue to Gokayama, where you’ll have the unique opportunity to make washi paper, a centuries-old Japanese craft. Later, arrive in Kanazawa and stroll through the Kenrokuen Garden, considered one of Japan’s most exquisite landscape gardens.

Day 8: Gold Leaf Making & Kyoto

Start the day by learning the delicate art of gold leaf crafting, a Kanazawa specialty. Then, explore the Higashi Chaya district, a beautifully preserved area featuring Ochaya Shima, a historical geisha house. In the afternoon, travel to Kyoto, the cultural heart of Japan, where ancient traditions and serene temples await.

Day 9: Explore Kyoto

Visit Ryoanji Temple, home to Japan’s most famous rock garden, before heading to the stunning Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), whose gold-leaf-covered exterior reflects beautifully in the surrounding pond. In the afternoon, take part in an authentic tea ceremony in a traditional wooden townhouse and try your hand at origami, the delicate art of paper folding.

Day 10: Discover Nara

Experience the mesmerizing Fushimi Inari Shrine, renowned for its 10,000 vermilion torii gates winding through the forested hillside. Continue to Nara, Japan’s first capital, where you’ll explore the grand Todaiji Temple, home to a colossal bronze Buddha statue. Walk through Nara Park, where friendly sika deer roam freely, before visiting the tranquil Isuien Garden.

Day 11: Koyasan & Osaka

Venture to the sacred mountain of Koyasan, the heart of Shingon Buddhism and home to over 100 monasteries. Stroll through the hauntingly beautiful Okunoin Cemetery, which holds over 200,000 stone stupas. Visit Kongobuji Temple and the Garan Temple Complex before heading to Osaka, a bustling metropolis known for its food scene and nightlife.

Day 12: Explore Osaka

Start the day at the iconic Osaka Castle, one of Japan’s most famous landmarks. Enjoy a short cruise along the Yodogawa River, taking in views of the city. Later, explore Dotonbori, a lively district packed with street food stalls and neon lights, where you can sample local delicacies. The rest of the day is free for you to discover more of the city at your own pace.

Day 13: Fly Osaka to UK

Bid farewell to Japan as you transfer to the airport for your return flight home. Depending on flight schedules, you will arrive in the UK on the same or the following day.