The Very Best of Japan Tour

Depart with Emirates, from London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stanstead, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle or Glasgow, via Dubai.

Alternative airline – Japan Airlines. Should you prefer, fly direct to Tokyo from London Heathrow with Japan Airlines for a supplement, from £250 per person return.

On arrival into Japan’s metropolitan capital, we transfer to the centrally-located Keio Plaza Hotel or the Sheraton Miyako Hotel Tokyo. The remainder of the day is left free to relax.

Alternative airline – Japan Airlines

Should you prefer, fly direct to Tokyo from London Heathrow with Japan Airlines for a supplement, from £250 per person return.

We start our Japanese adventure in the district of Asakusa, home to Tokyo’s oldest temple, Sensoji, founded in AD645. The approach to the temple is through the Kaminarimon Gate, which leads to the Nakamise, a shopping street that has been providing temple visitors with a variety of traditional local snacks and tourist souvenirs for centuries. We make our way to a local restaurant where we will learn the art of Japanese sushi-making, before enjoying our own culinary creation for lunch. We finish our day with a visit to the Tokyo National Museum. This evening, enjoy a welcome drink with your Tour Manager and fellow travellers.

After breakfast, we make our way to Tokyo Tower. Standing at 333m, it’s 13m taller than the Eiffel Tower, which was the inspiration for its design. Although surpassed in height by Tokyo Skytree in 2012, Tokyo Tower remains a beloved symbol of the city. After a brief photo stop at the impressive Imperial Palace, we make our way to Japan’s most famous Shinto Shrine, Meiji Jingu. Dedicated to Emperor Meiji, the shrine sits in a large forest area that contains more than 100,000 trees, gifted by the people to their beloved emperor. We return to our hotel, where the remainder of the day is at leisure.

This morning we head to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, famous for its hot springs and views of what is easily Japan’s most iconic image, Mount Fuji. Our first stop is Lake Ashi, a crater lake formed over 200,000 years ago. We board our boat for a short cruise on this beautiful lake before taking a cable car into the Owakudani Valley. The result of a volcanic eruption over 3,000 years ago, the area is still active with many sulphur vents and bubbling hot springs. We continue our journey through picturesque landscapes to the area known as Fuji Five Lakes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our home for the next two nights is the Fuji Marriott Hotel Lake Yamanaka. After settling into our accommodation, there is free time to relax before we dine together in the hotel’s restaurant.

Tour Highlight

Mt. Fuji, or Fuji-san as it is more affectionately known, can be a little shy, but fingers crossed a clear sky will reward us with some impressive views. Our first stop is the small, but delightful, Kubota Icchiku Art Museum. Kubota revived the lost art of Tsujigahana silk dyeing and the museum exhibits several of the artist’s stunning kimono creations, which depict themes of nature, the cosmos and the seasons. Our next stop is a visit to the Oishi Tsumugi for a handkerchief dyeing experience. Following a lunch of Hoto noodles, we continue to the Fuji-san World Heritage Centre which showcases traditional artwork and videos of this sacred mountain. Our final stop is the shores of Lake Kawaguchi where there is time for a stroll along this picturesque lake. This evening we dine together in our hotel.

This morning, we begin our journey towards the majestic Japanese Alps. We stop at Matsumoto castle, the oldest existing castle in Japan, for a fabulous photo opportunity and continue to a miso factory, to discover how this staple Japanese food is made. Afterwards, enjoy a spectacular journey through the mountains to Takayama. Our hotel for the next two nights is the centrally-located Takayama Green Hotel, or the Hotel Associa Takayama Resort. Alternatively, you may wish to experience a stay in a traditional Japanese inn (a Ryokan) for the evening.

Stay in a traditional ryokan – Overnight from £175 per person

During our time in Takayama, for those who want to experience traditional hospitality, there is an opportunity to spend a night in a Ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn. Enjoy delicious local cuisine, relax in your yukata (casual kimono) and maybe even try the onsen, a hot spring bath. Subject to availability, please call for details.

Tour Highlight

Takayama is best explored on foot and we begin our day with a visit to the morning market. Afterwards, we make our way to the Takayama-Jinya, which served as government headquarters under the Tokugawa shogunate of 1692 to 1871. We end our morning in the heart of Takayama’s picturesque old town, lined with traditional houses, shops, restaurants, sake breweries and cafes. Our afternoon is at leisure to enjoy this delightful area. Perhaps sample some of the many delicious delicacies, try some locally-brewed sake, or visit one of the many museums, such as the Festival Floats Exhibition Hall. Tonight, there is the opportunity to dine on Japan’s famous Hida beef, a variety of wagyu beef local to this area.

Today we head to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shirakawa-go. The villages, mostly cut off until as recently as the 1960s, are today famous for their traditional style of housing, the Gassho-Zukuri, which means ‘like praying hands’. We continue to Kanazawa and the Omicho Market, a lively food market famous for its abundance of fresh seafood, which has been in operation since 1721. Later, we visit Nomura Samurai House, a restored samurai residence. Finally, arrive at either the Kanazawa Tokyu Hotel or the Hyatt Centric Kanazawa, where we will stay for the next two nights.

Following breakfast, we visit the delightful Kenroku-en garden, considered by the Japanese as one of the top three gardens in the country. The name Kenroku-en means the ‘garden combining six’, referring to the six attributes all gardens should include: seclusion, antiquity, spaciousness, human ingenuity, water and scenic views. The city is also famed for gold leaf and it is used in abundance. We visit a local establishment to learn about gold leaf production, and decorate our own chopsticks in gold leaf – we even have the opportunity to purchase a gold leaf ice-cream. We head to the Higashi Chaya area of the city with its lovely neighbourhood of beautifully-preserved geisha houses. Many have now been converted into restaurants or teahouses, although some are still open to the public. The afternoon is free to continue exploring Kanazawa at your own pace. There is a plethora of museums and local arts and crafts to explore. Alternatively, you have the option to join an afternoon tour which visits the Kutani Pottery and Kagayuzen Kimono Centre.

This morning, we make our way to Kanazawa Station for our train journey to Kyoto. The capital of Imperial Japan for over 1,000 years, Kyoto is Japan’s cultural capital. This afternoon, we head to Arashiyama and its famous Bamboo Grove, where there will be plenty of time to wander through the impressive towering alley of bamboo. Our hotel for the next three nights is either the Kyoto Tokyu Hotel, or the RIHGA Royal Hotel Kyoto.

Tour Highlight

The distinctive white face, red lips and elaborately decorated hairstyle of the geisha is an enduring image portrayed throughout the globe. Yet the world in which they live remains a mystery. Tonight, we have arranged a traditional Japanese meal, a kaisei, where we will be joined by a maiko, an apprentice geisha, who will perform traditional song and dance.

We begin our day of sightseeing at the impressive UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kinkaku-Ji Temple. Fondly referred to as the Golden Pavilion, this richly decorated golden temple is a truly beautiful sight to behold. Our next stop is another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the rock garden of Ryoanji Temple. The garden’s fifteen stones are cleverly arranged so that there is always one rock that is hidden from view. We head to Gion, Kyoto’s famous geisha district, where we have free time to explore, before taking part in a traditional tea ceremony. Tonight, there is an opportunity to experience a Japanese barbecue at a local restaurant.

Today, we head out of the city to the Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its tunnels of more than 10,000 closely-spaced torii gates, each of which has been individually donated. We finish our morning with a visit to a sake brewery to learn about the brewing and production process of this famous Japanese rice wine. Later, we return to the city for an afternoon at leisure. If you prefer, you can join an optional tour of Sanju-Sangendo, with an opportunity to paint and take away your own paper fan. Tonight, there is the option to try Japanese shabu-shabu at a local restaurant.

After a leisurely breakfast, we transfer to the station for our ride on Japan’s iconic Bullet Train. Running at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour, the train smoothly whisks us across the country to our next port of call, Hiroshima. Hiroshima is perhaps best known for being the place where an atomic bomb was dropped during the Second World War. This afternoon, we talk to a local about their recollection of the attack, visit the Memorial Peace Park and its moving museum, as well as the Atomic Bomb Dome. After a thought-provoking day, we transfer to the Rihga Royal Hotel Hiroshima for the next two nights, ideally located for exploring the city. Tonight, we have the opportunity to visit a local Okonomiyaki pancake restaurant.

We Recommend  – Okonomiyaki Pancakes

With some 2,000 Okonomiyaki restaurants in Hiroshima alone, this dish is adored by locals.

A morning visit takes us to the peaceful and pretty island of Miyajima, famous for its giant torii gate, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Itsukushima Shinto Shrine. After viewing the shrine, there is plenty of time to wander around the city’s pretty streets. Our afternoon has been left at leisure, but we highly recommend a stroll to Hiroshima Castle, Shukkeien garden and Orizuru Tower, which are all within easy walking distance of our hotel.

Travel to the old merchant settlement of Kurashiki, whose main draw is its beautiful willow-lined canal. Many former storehouses have been converted into museums, boutiques and cafes, providing the perfect backdrop for a leisurely stroll. This afternoon we visit Koraku-en Garden, another of Japan’s top three gardens. It is most aptly described as a “strolling garden”, due to its variety of views from the pathways which wind through the pond, stream, lawns and teahouse. We return to Kurashiki for an overnight stay at the Kurashiki Royal Art Hotel. Tonight, there is an opportunity to dine at a local restaurant.

Tour Highlight

Today we journey to our final destination, Osaka, via the city of Himeji, famous for Japan’s finest surviving feudal castle, Himeji Castle. The first fortifications of this UNESCO World Heritage Site were completed in the 1400s. Gradually enlarged over the centuries, the castle complex, as it survives today, is over 400 years old and is an imposing and majestic site. After exploring the castle and grounds, we make our way to Osaka. Our home for our final two nights is the delightful Nikko Osaka Hotel.

Our sightseeing today takes us to Nara, Japan’s first permanent capital. One of the first sights we will experience is the thousands of sacred deer that roam freely through the city, and have learned to bow for treats! We visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Todaiji Temple. Founded in AD745, the vast temple took over 15 years to complete. The main hall houses a colossal bronze Buddha statue and remains the world’s largest wooden building. After a morning of sightseeing, we return to Osaka, where our afternoon has been left free to relax or possibly purchase some last-minute souvenirs.

Our day is at leisure until we travel to Osaka Airport for our evening flight to the UK. All flights with Emirates will travel via Dubai. Alternatively, if choosing Japan Airlines, you will fly to the UK via Tokyo.

After 20 spectacular days, we arrive into the UK, bringing our incredible Very Best of Japan tour to an end.