Cultural Wonders of Japan Expedition - 11 Days

Welcome to Japan – and to Osaka. On arrival, we’ll arrange your transfer to the hotel, where you’ll have time to relax and settle in. In the afternoon we’ll meet to brief you on the start of the tour and share the key details so you’re ready for the days ahead.

At 11:30 a.m., we depart Osaka for sacred Mount Koya – the principal centre of Shingon Buddhism in Japan and home to around 120 temples and monasteries. On arrival, we visit Okuno Mausoleum, a vast cemetery set in nature with more than 200,000 graves, and explore Kongobuji Temple, founded in 1593.

We stay overnight in a Buddhist monastery, where monks lead a guided Ajikan meditation. A vegetarian dinner is included. If you wish, you can attend the temple’s religious ceremony before breakfast.

Important notes: In winter – due to early nightfall – there may not be enough time to visit the interior of Kongobuji. Monastery stays are a rewarding experience but simple – traditional tatami rooms without private bathrooms, with shared facilities. Meditation sessions cannot be guaranteed during busy tourist periods. Temple accommodation on Mount Koya is limited – if necessary, we may arrange lodging in nearby hotels instead, with half board.

We begin with a traditional Japanese breakfast at the temple, then depart at first light for Kyoto. On arrival, you’ll have the rest of the day free to explore at your own pace – our guide will share recommendations and practical tips to help you make the most of your time and take in the city’s key sights.

We begin with breakfast, then follow the shores of one of Japan’s largest lakes to our first stop at Shirahige Ginra shrine by the water. We continue to Eihei–ji – a temple–monastery founded in 1244 and a major centre of Zen Buddhism – with admission included. Its architecture, gardens and calm setting reflect the discipline of a training centre where monks practise zazen meditation and follow a strict daily routine. In Katsuyama, we visit three key sites. First is the Dinosaur Museum at Japan’s largest dinosaur fossil site – you’ll have free time for lunch and to explore its educational displays featuring more than 40 dinosaur skeletons. Then we visit the Great Buddha of Echizen and its grand temple, along with a five–storey pagoda that we can climb for panoramic views. We arrive in Kanazawa by evening.

We spend a full day in Kanazawa, starting with a morning guided tour. Once a powerful rival to Kyoto and Tokyo, the city was largely spared from wartime air raids, leaving its historic quarters intact. We explore the castle precinct with its impressive walls and stroll through Nagamachi, the preserved samurai district of earthen walls, private gates, narrow lanes and water canals. We include entry to Kenrokuen – celebrated as one of Japan’s three great gardens. The tour finishes at Omicho Market, a lively spot with plenty of lunch options. The afternoon is free for you to explore at your own pace.

We leave Kanazawa and travel through mountain landscapes to the UNESCO World Heritage regions of Gokayama and Shirakawa-go. We stop in Ainokura, a small village of steep–roofed traditional houses nicknamed ‘praying hands’ for their resemblance to joined hands – built to withstand heavy winter snow. We then continue to Shirakawa-go Ogimachi, the larger and more popular village. There is time to stroll and enjoy lunch at your own pace.

In the afternoon we continue to Takayama to visit the Hida Folk Village, an open–air museum in a peaceful setting. More than 30 traditional houses from the Edo period 1603–1868 were relocated here in 1971, showcasing tools and utensils used in everyday life. Afterwards, you have free time to explore the old town with its wooden houses and traditional shops.

After breakfast in Takayama, we travel to Hida Furukawa for a guided stroll through its atmospheric old streets. The town’s festival is recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage for its large drums and beautifully decorated floats – we include admission to the museum to see the floats, costumes and drums. We then cross the Japanese Alps, known for their snow covered peaks for much of the year, and arrive in Matsumoto to visit its impressive castle, the black Crow Castle dating from the 16th century. You will have free time to find lunch and explore the town before we continue in the afternoon to Nagano for the night.

In Nagano, we visit Zenko-ji Temple, a major pilgrimage site believed to house Japan’s first Buddhist image, and we take part in the Gomakuyo ceremony – a traditional ritual intended to attract good fortune. We then head into the Japanese Alps to Jigokudani Monkey Park, where we follow forest trails beside rivers and hot springs to see colonies of Japanese macaques bathing in the warm waters.

Our route continues through high-mountain scenery – reaching 2,172 metres and passing semi-active volcanoes – to Kusatsu, a renowned hot-spring town. We take a gentle stroll through the city park with its open-air onsen, and you’ll have free time for lunch. We then continue to Ikaho, another historic hot-spring town, and stroll its old centre, known for its traditional stone stairways.

We stay overnight in a ryokan – a traditional Japanese inn – with a traditional dinner included. You may wish to relax in the hot-spring baths.

Please note: In autumn, the monkeys’ movement can be unpredictable and the park may close if they do not come down. The visit to Kusatsu may be cancelled due to weather conditions from November to April.

We continue to Nikko for a day of standout sights. We visit the Nikko-Toshogu Temple, including its famed room known for the sound of a dragon, and explore the serene Taiyuinbyo Mausoleum. We then take a riverside walk at Kanmangafuchi Abyss, where rows of Jizo statues watch over the banks. You’ll have free time to wander the town centre before we return to Tokyo – arriving at around 6.30 pm.

This morning we join a guided city tour of around seven hours. We stop at Zojoji Temple for the classic view of Tokyo Tower and to see the rows of Jizo statues. From the bus we take in the famous Shibuya Crossing, then visit Meiji Shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife. Admission is included to Tokyo Skytree up to the Tembo Deck at 350 metres for panoramic city views. We finish in Asakusa to explore Sensoji Temple and Nakamise Street, then return to the hotel, passing Akihabara – the Electric City and a centre of manga and anime culture – and Ginza.

At 6.30 pm we meet our guide in the hotel lobby and take the subway – tickets included – to Shinjuku for a guided walk, followed by dinner at a local restaurant – included. We return to the hotel by subway with our guide.

Note: The order of visits may change depending on our Skytree admission time. In case of bad weather or other exceptional circumstances, access to Tokyo Skytree may be limited – an alternative city viewpoint will be offered.

Today we conclude our journey in Tokyo. Please check your flight time – you may wish to book an additional night if required. The departure transfer to the airport is not included, but our guide will recommend the best public transport options for your route.