Enchanting Journey Through Timeless Japan - 6 Days

Welcome to Japan. After clearing immigration and customs, we’ll arrange your shared shuttle transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish — you can relax after the flight or take a gentle stroll nearby. In the afternoon, we’ll share the details for the start of your tour so you know what to expect tomorrow. Please note: This tour may have travellers joining or departing at various points along the route, meaning group composition can change during the tour. Please also be aware that depending on group composition, guiding may be in additional languages as well as English.

This morning we’ll set out on a guided tour of Tokyo lasting around seven hours, taking in its lively neighbourhoods and quieter corners. We’ll stop at Zojoji Temple for one of the city’s best views of Tokyo Tower and to see the rows of Jizo statues – guardians of children – dressed with knitted hats, bibs and pinwheels. From the bus we’ll observe the famous Shibuya Crossing, then continue to Meiji Shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his consort. Admission is included for Tokyo Skytree up to the Tembo Deck at 350 metres for sweeping city views. We’ll finish in Asakusa to explore Sensoji Temple and stroll Nakamise Street, then return to the hotel, passing Akihabara – the Electric City and a centre of manga and anime culture – and the Ginza district.

At 6:30 p.m. – we’ll meet our guide in the hotel lobby and take the subway (tickets included) to Shinjuku for a walk through this lively district before dinner at a local restaurant, which is included. We’ll return to the hotel by subway with our guide.

Please note the order of visits may change depending on our Tokyo Skytree admission time. In case of bad weather or other exceptional circumstances, access to the Skytree may be limited; if so, we’ll visit an alternative iconic viewpoint.

We depart early by bullet train to Kyoto – a swift journey of just over two hours covering nearly 500 km. On arrival, we devote the day to Japan’s former capital (794–1868) and seat of the Imperial Court, a city spared bombing in the Second World War and later host to the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. We visit key sights including Fushimi Inari Shrine, the Imperial Palace, and Kinkaku-ji – the Golden Pavilion – set within elegant gardens. Afterwards, we stroll through Gion, Kyoto’s traditional district known for its geisha culture, and you then have free time to continue exploring at your own pace.

We depart Kyoto for Tsumago, travelling through rural landscapes en route. This small village is known for its preserved wooden houses and is considered one of the prettiest places in Japan. You’ll have free time to explore before we stop for lunch – included. We then continue to Matsumoto to visit its impressive 16th century castle, nicknamed The Crow. Afterwards, you can wander the city at your own pace. We finish the day in Nagano, where we stay overnight.

This morning in Nagano we visit Zenko-ji Temple, a major pilgrimage site that houses Japan’s first Buddhist image, and we take part in the Gomakuyo ceremony – a traditional ritual to attract good fortune. We then head into the Japanese Alps to Jigokudani Monkey Park, walking along forest paths by rivers and hot springs where colonies of Japanese macaques live and bathe.

Our route continues through high-mountain scenery – reaching 2,172 metres – 7,126 feet – and passing semi-active volcanoes – to Kusatsu, a classic hot-spring town with a lively central square. We take a relaxed stroll through the city park, home to open-air onsen, and you have free time for lunch. Later we continue to Ikaho, another atmospheric onsen town, for a walk through its old centre famed for traditional stone stairways. We stay overnight in a ryokan, with a traditional Japanese dinner included, and you can enjoy the hot-spring baths.

Note: In autumn, the movement of the monkeys can be unpredictable and the park may close. From November to April, the visit to Kusatsu may be cancelled due to weather conditions.

We’ll continue to Nikko to visit the remarkable Nikko-Toshogu Temple – known for its ‘room with the sound of a dragon’ – and the serene Taiyuinbyo Mausoleum. We’ll then stroll along the Kanmangafuchi Abyss, where hundreds of Jizo statues watch over the riverbanks. You’ll have free time to explore the town centre before we return to Tokyo, arriving at approximately 18:30.

Our journey ends on arrival in Tokyo. Please check your flight time in case you need an additional night – departure transfers are not included, and our guide will advise on the best public transport options for your onward journey.