Highlights of Japan

We depart for Japan, where our unforgettable journey begins.

On arrival in Osaka, we meet our local guide before transferring by coach to our hotel in Kyoto, our base for the next five nights of our holiday.

Breakfast is included each morning throughout our ten-night stay in Japan.

After breakfast, we travel by coach to Osaka, Japan's second-largest city, for a busy full day of guided sightseeing, with plenty to see and experience in a short space of time.

• Our day begins with a visit to Sanjusangendo Temple, founded in 1164
• We then continue to Osaka Castle, one of Japan's most famous historic landmarks
• Next, we enjoy a stroll through the lively Dotonbori district. Known for its colourful neon signs, bustling streets and vibrant food scene, it is one of Osaka's most iconic neighbourhoods
• We finish our sightseeing at the Umeda Sky Building Observatory, one of Osaka's most recognisable landmarks, offering impressive views across the city

We then travel by coach back to our hotel in Kyoto, arriving in the evening. After some time at the hotel, we head out for dinner.

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.

Today we discover the timeless beauty of Kyoto, Japan's ancient imperial capital, on a full-day guided tour.
Our first stop is the enchanting Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, where towering bamboo creates one of Kyoto's most iconic landscapes.

Lunch is included today.

This afternoon, we continue to some of Kyoto's most celebrated UNESCO-listed landmarks.

• We visit the magnificent Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), whose gold-covered exterior reflects beautifully across the surrounding pond
• Then, we explore Ryoan-ji Temple, renowned for its world-famous Zen rock garden
• Our journey continues to Nijo Castle, the former residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu
• Within this remarkable 400-year-old complex, we admire elegant architecture, ornate interiors and beautifully landscaped gardens that reflect the grandeur of Japan's Edo Period

Returning to our hotel in the evening, we have time to freshen up before heading out for dinner and a memorable Geisha performance.

Tonight, we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before experiencing a traditional Geisha performance. Music, dance and centuries-old customs offer a fascinating insight into Kyoto's rich cultural heritage and provide the perfect ending to a rewarding day.

Today's excursion begins at the famous Fushimi Inari Taisha, one of Japan's most recognisable landmarks, celebrated for its thousands of vibrant red torii gates.

We then continue to Nara, Japan's first permanent capital. Here we visit:

• Nara Park, home to more than 1,000 freely roaming deer
• Tōdai-ji Temple and its impressive Great Buddha
• Kasuga Taisha Shrine, known for its peaceful woodland setting and hundreds of traditional lanterns

Lunch is included at a local restaurant.

Following our guided tour, we return to Kyoto in the evening, with the remainder of the day free to enjoy at your own pace.

Today is free to experience more of Kyoto independently. You may choose to:

• Wander through the historic Gion district, renowned for its traditional wooden buildings and teahouses
• Stroll through the charming streets of Higashiyama, lined with independent shops, cafés and local crafts
• Experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony
• Enjoy browsing Kyoto's many shopping streets

Whatever you choose, our guide will be happy to recommend additional places to visit and activities to enjoy.

You also have the opportunity to join a pre-bookable full-day guided excursion to Hiroshima and Miyajima.

• After breakfast, we walk to Kyoto Station (approximately 15 minutes) to board the train to Hiroshima. The journey takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes each way
• During the excursion, we visit Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island by ferry
• Visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Museum, and the Atomic Bomb Dome
• A light lunch at a local restaurant is included

Please note: Minimum numbers apply and availability cannot be guaranteed locally. Pre-booking is recommended to avoid disappointment.

This morning, we walk to the station while our luggage is transferred separately. We board one of Japan's famous Bullet Trains for our journey to Odawara, saying farewell to Kyoto and our guide before continuing our adventure. On arrival, we meet our new local guide and begin exploring the beautiful Hakone region.

This day includes: 

• The Hakone Open Air Museum, where impressive sculptures are displayed among beautifully landscaped gardens
• A relaxing cruise on Lake Ashi, surrounded by the spectacular scenery of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park
• Riding the Komagatake Ropeway, which on a clear day, offers wonderful views of Mount Fuji
• Lunch is included at a local restaurant.

Later, we transfer to our hotel in Hakone. Dinner is included this evening, with the remainder of the night free to relax after another memorable day.

After checking out of our hotel, we travel by coach to the historic coastal city of Kamakura.

• We begin at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, Kamakura’s most important Shinto shrine and a symbol of the city’s samurai heritage
• Then, you can enjoy free time along lively Komachi Street, where traditional shops, cafés and local food stalls line the bustling avenue
• Lunch is included at a local restaurant
• In the afternoon, we visit Kotoku-in, home to the iconic Great Buddha
• This is followed by Hase Temple, renowned for its beautiful gardens and impressive eleven-headed statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy

Following our sightseeing, we continue by coach to Tokyo and check into our hotel.

The evening is free to begin discovering Japan's vibrant capital, with its dazzling skyline and lively streets.

Today we experience some of Tokyo's most famous landmarks.

• Our tour begins at Imperial Palace Plaza, home to the Japanese Imperial Family
• Then, we continue to Koishikawa Korakuen, one of Tokyo's oldest and most beautiful Japanese gardens
• We also visit the peaceful Meiji Shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Surrounded by woodland in the heart of the city, it provides a tranquil contrast to Tokyo's modern skyline

Returning to our hotel in the late afternoon, the evening is free to explore. Perhaps enjoy a local café, browse nearby shops or admire the city lights from one of Tokyo's observation decks.

This morning, we enjoy a fascinating half-day excursion offering an insight into two cherished Japanese traditions:

• Take part in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, experiencing the graceful rituals and customs of this time-honoured practice
• Discover Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging, and learn about its distinctive principles of balance, harmony and simplicity

We’ll also visit Ueno Park, one of Tokyo’s most popular parks, famous for having more than 1,000 cherry trees.

The remainder of the afternoon is yours to spend as you choose. You may wish to:

• Browse the fashionable shops of Ginza
• Explore more of Tokyo's parks, temples and museums
• Enjoy a cruise on Tokyo Bay
• Visit one of the city's unique cat cafés

Our guide will be happy to recommend additional places to visit during your free time.

This morning, we continue exploring Tokyo's vibrant neighbourhoods and cultural landmarks.

• Our first stop is Senso-ji (Asakusa Kannon Temple), Tokyo's oldest and most famous Buddhist temple
• We then stroll along Nakamise Street, a lively shopping arcade filled with traditional snacks, artisan crafts and souvenirs
• Later, we enjoy panoramic views across the city from either Tokyo Skytree or Tokyo City View, where, on a clear day, we may even catch sight of Mount Fuji
• No visit to Tokyo would be complete without experiencing the famous Shibuya Crossing, one of the busiest pedestrian crossings in the world
• Dinner is included this evening

Today we bid farewell to Japan and our guide. Depending on our flight time, there may be an opportunity for some last-minute sightseeing or shopping before we transfer by coach to Tokyo Airport for our overnight flight home.