Discover Japan | Tailoremade Tour with Inspiring Travel

Itinerary Highlights

Enjoy a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony
Learn about the legendary samurai warriors and the basics of the sword-dance, Kenbu
Visit stunning Fushimi Inari Shrine with its 10,000 red torii gates
Experience the thrill of the iconic Bullet Train
Best time to travel March - November

What's Included

Accommodation Throughout
Breakfast
English Speaking Guide
International Flights

14 nights from £7,910 per person

Samantha

Travel Specialist

01244 722 137

I'm here to tailor-make your perfect Asia holiday. Give me a call and I'll use my expertise to create your personalised experience.

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A 14-night tailor-made tour of Japan with plenty of experiences included to make it a memorable adventure. Visit the iconic sights of Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Sensoji and Nakamise in Tokyo, the Golden Pavilion and Nijo Castle in Kyoto, the Peace Memorial in Hiroshima and Koshi-byo in Nagasaki are just some of the places you will visit. Wonderful experiences include learning about Samurai, sake tasting, a traditional tea ceremony, taking the Bullet train and experiencing the lively street food scene while sampling local delicacies such as octopus dumplings!

Itinerary

Day 1 UK to Toyko

Upon arrival at Tokyo airport you will be transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is to be spent at your leisure. Wander out and explore some of Tokyo’s bustling streets, with plenty of shops and restaurants to discover. Or take a relaxing stroll around the Imperial Palace Park.

Staying at

Club Floor Premier Grand Room at Keio Plaza Hotel, Tokyo

Tea Ceremony Room at Keio Plaza Hotel, Tokyo

Day 2 Tokyo

Start your day in Asakusa, Tokyo’s old town, before visiting Sensoji, Tokyo’s oldest temple. Wander down Nakamise shopping street, then travel down the Sumidagawa River on Tokyo’s water bus and arrive at Hamarikyu Garden, an Edo period Japanese garden surrounded by the Shiodome district’s futuristic skyscrapers. After lunch, enjoy a visit to Meiji Shrine. As dusk arrives, take a walk down Omotesando, a broad tree-lined avenue full of flagship stores and modern architecture.

Staying at

Day 3 Tokyo

Enjoy a Samurai Sword dance experience, where you will learn about the legendary samurai warriors and wear a samurai costume while learning about the lifestyle and etiquette of the samurai. You will then be shown the basics of Kenbu, a highly stylised sword-dance that samurai used to perform as training and to find concentration. The instructors are skilled Kenbu masters who are also fluent in English.

Staying at

Day 4 Tokyo – Hakone

Today an English-speaking assistant will escort you from your hotel to the train station. From here you will ride the Bullet train to Odawara station. The journey takes around 30-minutes, and then the rest of the day is yours to enjoy. Tonight, experience a stay in a traditional ryokan and indulge in a gourmet Japanese Kaiseki dinner.

Staying at

Dinner Restaurant at Hakone Kowakien Tenyu, Japan

Maisonette Superior Room with Open-air Bath at Hakone Kowakien Tenyu, Japan

Superior Room with Open-air Bath at Hakone Kowakien Tenyu, Japan

Day 5 Hakone

Today visit Hakone, the gateway to Mt. Fuji and the surrounding national park. Ride the world’s second longest cable car up Mt. Owakudani, passing over the sulphurous hot springs and rivers in this volcanic area. A majestic replica pirate ship will sweep you across Lake Ashinoko where you will hopefully admire the wonderful view of Mt. Fuji (sightings are not guaranteed). Later, experience the Hakone Tozan “switchback train” that zig-zags through the mountains.

Staying at

Day 6 Hakone - Kyoto

Today you will travel to Kyoto on the Bullet train. The journey takes around three hours - we recommend you upgrade to Green class with reserved seats (premium class). Upon arrival in Kyoto you will be transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, experience a traditional tea ceremony and learn about the rituals, different types of tea and the instruments used to prepare it.

Staying at

Guest Room at Hyatt Regency Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto Suite at Hyatt Regency Kyoto, Japan

Day 7 Kyoto

Today explore the former imperial capital with a local guide. Visit Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion), one of Kyoto’s most well-known temples, then explore Nijo Castle with its famous ‘chirping’ nightingale floors. Take a walk down Nishiki Market, known as ‘Kyoto’s kitchen’ and experience the lively market, specialising in fresh seafood, local produce and other Japanese specialities. End the day at Kiyomizu (Pure Water) Temple, where you can enjoy amazing views of the whole of Kyoto.

Staying at

Day 8 Kyoto

Head to the Arashiyama district in the western outskirts of Kyoto. Explore Okochi Mountain Villa, the former villa of the popular samurai film star Okochi Denjiro. Take a walk through the famous Bamboo forest before discovering Tenryuji Temple and its attractive gardens, one of Kyoto’s UNESCO World Heritage sites. Experience a ride on the Sagano Scenic Railway, known as the Romantic Train, running along the Hozugawa River.

Staying at

Day 9 Kyoto

Visit the iconic Fushimi Inari Shrine with its 10,000 red torii gates which form an impressive path through thick forest and along the mountain behind the temple. After, quench your thirst at a sake brewery. Learn about traditional brewing processes and sample different types of sake. In the evening take a train to Osaka to experience the lively street food culture and sample local foods, including the ubiquitous and delicious ‘octopus dumplings’.

Staying at

Day 10 Kyoto – Hiroshima

Today you will travel to Hiroshima on the Bullet train. The journey takes around two hours and we recommend you upgrade to Green class with reserved seats (premium class). Upon arrival at Hiroshima station, make your own way to the hotel, which is conveniently located in front of the station. The rest of the day can be enjoyed at your leisure.

Staying at

Corner club suite bedroom, Sheraton Grand Hiroshima Hotel

swimming pool, Sheraton Grand Hiroshima Hotel

corner club suite living room, Sheraton Grand Hiroshima Hotel

Day 11 Hiroshima

Visit the Peace Memorial Park. Stroll through the park and discover the many memorials, monuments and statues in the park before heading into the Peace Memorial Museum. From Hiroshima take a short ferry ride to Miyajima Island where you will find Itsukushima Shrine and possibly the most photographed site in Japan, the stunning ‘Floating’ Torii Gate.

Staying at

Day 12 Hiroshima – Nagasaki

Today you will travel by Bullet train to Nagasaki. The journey takes around four hours, with one change at Hakata station. We recommend you upgrade to Green class with reserved seats (premium class). Upon arrival at Nagasaki station, you will be transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your own leisure.

Day 13 Nagasaki

Enjoy a day tour of Nagasaki and explore the Glover Hill open air museum, where exhibited buildings include the mansions of British merchants and a stunning panorama of the city and bay can be enjoyed from the garden. Visit Koshi-byo, a shrine dedicated to the Chinese philosopher Confucius. Next stop is Chinatown and its delicious street food, then walk around Nagasaki Peace Park and view the massive Peace statue.

Day 14 Nagasaki – Tokyo

Today you will travel back to Tokyo on the Bullet train. The journey takes around five hours, with one change at Hakata station. We recommend you upgrade to Green class with reserved seats (premium class). Upon arrival at Tokyo station, you will be transferred to your hotel. The rest of your day will then be free to enjoy at your leisure.

Staying at