Gems of Japan & Shikoku

Gems of Japan & Shikoku – Tour Overview

Tour Details

• Duration: 15 days
• Tour Type: Group Tour
• Tour Style: Classic
• Price From: £7,390pp
• Max Group Size: 28
• Physical Rating: 1 – Light walking, some steps

Tour Summary

Discover Japan’s contrasts — from Tokyo’s neon skyline to the calm landscapes of Shikoku and the timeless beauty of Kyoto.

Travel through citrus groves, art islands, mountain vistas, and historic cities. Meet an apprentice geisha, explore Naoshima’s contemporary art scene, pay respects in Hiroshima, enjoy Mount Fuji views, and take part in a traditional tea ceremony.
Perfect for travellers who want Japan’s iconic highlights plus the quieter, culturally rich corners of Shikoku and the Seto Inland Sea.

What’s Included:

Fully Inclusive Touring

• Expert guides
• All entrance fees

Meals Included

• 13 breakfasts
• 12 lunches
• 13 dinners

Flights

• International flights
• Current taxes included

Accommodation

• 13 nights in 3+/4-star hotels

Rail Journeys

• 2 scenic rail journeys

Booking Benefits

• Price Promise
• Flexible Booking Guarantee

Tour Highlights

Explore Japan’s culture, landscapes, and traditions through immersive experiences and iconic sights.

Go Orange-Picking in Shikoku

Join a local farmer in Shikoku’s famous citrus groves and pick your own mikan (mandarin oranges). The region is known as Japan’s Citrus Kingdom.

Awa Odori Festival Dance

Watch a lively performance of Tokushima’s Awa Odori — a centuries-old festival dance filled with rhythm, humour, and energetic movement.

Meet a Geisha in Kyoto

Enjoy a special lunchtime appearance by a maiko (apprentice geisha). With geisha becoming increasingly rare, this is a guaranteed glimpse into their traditionally private world.

Days 1–2 — Fly to Tokyo

Arrive in Japan’s capital and settle in before the adventure begins.

Day 3 — Tokyo Past & Present

Explore both the traditional and modern sides of Tokyo.

Day 4 — Art & Heritage of Tokyo

Discover the city’s cultural highlights, galleries, and historic districts.

Day 5 — Tea Farms & Fuji Views

Travel to Shizuoka for tea-farm experiences and scenic views of Mount Fuji.

Day 6 — Nagoya → Kyoto

Transfer to Kyoto, Japan’s cultural heart.

Day 7 — Kyoto’s Tea, Temples & Geisha

Visit iconic temples and enjoy a special meeting with a maiko (apprentice geisha).

Day 8 — Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Free Time

Wander the famous bamboo grove and enjoy the afternoon at your own pace in Kyoto.

Day 9 — Himeji Castle • Koko-en Gardens • Hiroshima

Tour Japan’s most spectacular castle and tranquil gardens before travelling onward to Hiroshima.

Day 10 — Hiroshima & Miyajima Island

Learn Hiroshima’s history and visit the iconic floating torii gate on Miyajima.

Day 11 — Across the Inland Sea to Shikoku

Ferry across the Seto Inland Sea to reach Shikoku.

Day 12 — Farms & Gardens of Shikoku

Meet local farmers, pick mikan oranges, and explore regional gardens.

Day 13 — Arts of Naoshima & Benesse House

Experience Japan’s contemporary art island, including Benesse House Museum.

Day 14 — Festival Dances, Whirlpools & Osaka

Enjoy an Awa Odori dance performance, witness the Naruto whirlpools, and continue to Osaka.

Day 15 — Departure

Return flight from Osaka.