Japan Adventure - 20 Days

Konnichiwa! Welcome to Japan. Your adventure starts with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight in Tokyo. Bursting with contemporary urban culture, Tokyo has fascinating museums, world-class shopping and backstreets stuffed with restaurants and karaoke bars. If you arrive early, maybe check out an Urban Adventure Tour in Tokyo or walk down Shinjuku’s Omoide Tokocho (Memory Lane) – a crowded alley of busy restaurants and bar stalls that's now one of the best spots to try some of Tokyo’s local fast food. After your meeting, follow your leader on an orientation walk, then maybe head out for dinner and get to know your fellow travellers.

Dive right into Tokyo today by exploring historic Asakusa – one of the older and more traditional parts of the city. Visit the city’s oldest temple, Senso-ji – founded almost 1400 years ago when Tokyo was nothing more than a fishing village. Then, browse the many interesting stalls along the shopping street of Nakamise Dori. After, hop on the metro and head to the buzzing Shibuya area. Check out one of the busiest intersections in the world before heading into a depachika (underground food hall) for a mouth-watering array of tempting Japanese treats. Next, allow the city sounds to fade away as you visit Meiji Shrine, surrounded by forest. Then it’s back into the city streets to explore the Harajuku district – the home of Japan’s quirky youth pop culture. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to spend at your leisure.

Today, you’ll hop on a local train to Kanaya station, then transfer to the scenic train that travels through the mountains and gorges of Kawane. The ride is especially beautiful during cherry blossom season in the spring and when the colours change in autumn! Watch out for a glimpse of Mt. Fuji on the way when the weather is good! This afternoon, visit a local tea farm, try your hand at tea picking and learn how the tea is properly brewed. After this experience, your host for the night will welcome you to their home. Dinner will be a home-cooked feast using seasonal vegetables from their garden, and your host will be able to teach you a thing or two about Japanese home cooking.

For some departures, you'll travel to Gotemba instead. This is to ensure that we do not overwhelm our Kawane hosts with too many groups and ensure we are working with local communities in a sustainable manner. For these departures, you'll travel to Gotemba instead and your local hosts will welcome you into their home. You'll be able to help pick the vegetables that'll be used for dinner from their garden, learn about their life in the countryside and enjoy a fantastic home-cooked dinner together.

After a home-cooked, Japanese-style breakfast, hop on the bus and a Shinkansen bullet train to Kyoto. One of Kyoto’s original names was Heian-kyo, which translates to ‘tranquility and peace capital’, and the thousands of temples, shrines and gardens make it clear why. In the afternoon, head to the Nishiki Market and stroll through ‘Kyoto’s Kitchen’ for the perfect introduction to Kyoto's regional specialties – from pickled vegetables hidden beneath layers of fermented rice to delicious and ornate Kyo-wagashi (Kyoto sweets) and other local produce. As the sun goes down, continue to Gion – the city’s cultural centre and most famous geisha district. You may catch a glimpse of an elegantly attired geisha or maiko moving between teahouses here, though much of this high-class world of entertainment is still off-limits to outsiders.

Today, you’ll head to one of the most photogenic spots in Kyoto – Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine. Famous for the thousands of scarlet torii (square archways) along the path, this shrine is dedicated to Inari – the god of rice. The rest of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace. Maybe visit the Path of Philosophy, see the Old Town and explore the wooden houses, or visit Kinkakuhi Temple, which was immortalised in Yukio Mishima’s novel ‘The Golden Pavilion’. Tonight, maybe find a local restaurant for dinner – your leader will have the best recommendations.

Travel by express train and shinkansen to Hiroshima today. Depending on what time you arrive today, you may visit Hiroshima’s Peace Park this afternoon or tomorrow morning. The Genbaku (A-Bomb) Dome and Peace Memorial Museum stand testament to the fateful day in August 1945. The dome was just metres from where the bomb detonated, so it was able to retain its shape. The fact that it looks almost exactly as it did after the bombing has made it an enduring symbol of peace. The memorial park serves the same purpose, and has museums, memorials and monuments dedicated to the memory of victims. This evening, head out with your leader for one of the city’s signature dishes for dinner – okonomiyaki (a savoury pancake of egg, cabbage, soba noodles and meat or seafood).

Today you'll make your way to the nearby island of Miyajima with its well-known 'floating' torii gate. When you arrive, maybe explore the island further by climbing to the top of Mt Miyajima (or hopping on the cable car instead) for 360-degree views of the Inland Sea. Keep your eyes out for inquisitive and hungry deer that roam the streets. After, visit the Saijo Sake Brewery Street and taste some locally produced sake. The rest of the day is then free for you to explore Hiroshima at your own pace. Maybe stop by the five-storied Hiroshima Castle, which originally dates to the 1590s. It was destroyed by the bomb but reconstructed in all its glory in the 1950s and now holds an informative museum. The wonderful Shukkeien Garden, with teahouses and waterfalls, is also a perfect place to decompress.

Jump back on the train this morning and head to Osaka – Japan’s unofficial food capital. When you arrive, follow your leader on an orientation walk, then explore the city at your own pace. Meet in the evening for a street food walking tour with your group through Dotombori District and Kuromon Market and celebrate the last night of your trip.

This morning, you’ll board a train to Tokyo. The rest of the day is then free for you to explore until your second welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. In your free time maybe, wander through the Yoyog Park or visit the Imperial Palace. After you welcome meeting, maybe get to know your new travellers over dinner at a local restaurant.

Hop on a bullet train (shinkansen) this morning and head north to Aomori, where you can relax and enjoy the countryside views. When you arrive, get your bearings with a leader-led orientation walk and then enjoy a free afternoon. Maybe visit the Sannai-Maruyama Archaeological Site, which gives an insight into how prehistoric Japanese people lived, or the Aomori Museum of Art, which features an impressive blend of contemporary art and local heritage exhibitions. Seafood lovers might want to check out Aomori Nokkedon – a market where you can sample a variety of local seafood, such as sea urchin and squid, using a fun ticket-based system (simply exchange a ticket for the seafood of your choice).

Hop on a train this morning and head to Hirosaki for the day. One of the most famous festivals in Japan is held here every August – the Nebuta Matsuri – featuring large lantern floats of mythological warriors. You’ll see some of these floats on display in Tsugaru Neputa Village, before you make your way to Hirosaki Castle. Enjoy a tour of the feudal-era three-storey castle and hear more about its role in the annual Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival before heading back to Aomari for a free afternoon.

Today you’ll make your way to Hokkaido Island via bullet train. When you arrive in Hakodate, your leader will guide you on an orientation walk, with a stop at a fish market for lunch. It’s famous for its fresh seafood and is a great spot to try some local delicacies like kaisuke (oysters) or kaisendon (seafood donburi). Continue to Goryokaku Tower for wonderful views of the national historic site Goryokaku – a star-shaped public park which was once a fort designed to modernise the island’s military defence. The evening is free for you to explore Hakodate as you wish – feel free to ask your leader for any restaurant recommendations!

Traverse more of Hokkaido today by heading to Noboribetsu by train – a famous onsen (hot spring) town, part of the larger Shikotsu-Toya National Park. You’ll go straight to Jigokundani, literally meaning ‘Hell Valley’, this is an apt name for the volcanic activity on display! There are nine different types of onsen in Nororibetsu and they’re all powered by the geothermal activity at this volcanic crater. Tonight, you’ll stay in a ryokan hotel (traditional Japanese inn) that offers a range of onsen baths to try – the perfect chance to soak away your travel fatigue.

Pass through rural Hokkaido as you travel to Shikotsuko by train and bus, where you’ll be welcomed by the sight of Lake Shikotsu – a caldera lake formed by volcanic activity. Cruise along the clear water in the afternoon in a canoe and admire the surrounding forests. Shikotsuko is known for its natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere so soak up the calm vibe on the lake. Return to another ryokan hotel this evening and take advantage once again of the relaxing hot springs. Then, tuck into a kaiseki dinner – a traditional Japanese fine dining multi-course experience.

Today you’ll journey to Asahikawa – the second largest city in Hokkaido, located in the heart of the island. It’s one of the coldest cities in Japan so make sure you layer up for your leader-led orientation walk if you’re visiting during winter. After, maybe check out Otokoyama Sake Brewing Museum, where you can learn about sake-making methods and sample some of the renowned local beverage. You can also opt to walk along Japan’s first permanent pedestrian shopping street – Heiwa Dori Shopping Street – or visit Alley Furarito for some casual dining or izakaya (Japanese-style pub) options.

Start your day with a visit to the Kawamura Kaneto Ainu Museum and learn about the rich culture of Ainu people – an Indigenous group from the northern regions of Japan. This is the first Ainu museum in Hokkaido and set up back in the 30s by an Ainue family who was hoping to preserve Ainu culture through the museum, and it's still owned by the same family. Join a guided tour, and if you are lucky, it may be led by a member of the Ainu family who established the museum, and gain insight into their history and traditions. After, get familiar with Ainu food during a cooking demonstration showcasing Ainu dumplings (and then sample some for yourself!).

Hop in a private transfer to Asahidake Ropeway – a line that climbs Mount Asahi, the tallest mountain in Hokkaido. Get all the rewards without the sweaty workout by riding the ropeway up the mountain, taking in the elevated views. After, drive to the Blue Pond – a body of water with a deep blue hue due to natural minerals – before continuing to Furano, where you’ll spend the night. Perhaps try some local delicacies like Furano wine and cheese for dinner this evening.

Stop and smell the flowers with a morning visit to Tomita Farm. From late June to early August, you’ll see the expansive lavender fields that have made the farm famous in Japan and beyond – and there are plenty of other colourful crops to admire outside of those summer months. Travel by train then to Sapporo, the capital city of Hokkaido. Known for its winter sports scene, Sapporo is bordered by mountains and ski hills. You’ll also notice it has a grid-based street layout, which is very rare for Japan – and easy to navigate! The evening is yours to explore at our own pace – maybe stop for a Sapporo beer and miso ramen in a local restaurant.

Head out on daytrip today to Otaru – a nearby town with a scenic canal area – and enjoy some free time roaming the streets. Maybe visit the Otaru Music Book Museum, home to 25,000 music boxes and lots of information on the city’s music box craftsmanship. If you visit during February, you might catch the Snow Light Path Festival – a winter wonderland of lanterns and ice sculptures. Head back to Sapporo for a farewell dinner of Sapporo's signature Genghis Khan roasted lamb and toast to your Japanese adventure with your group.

Your trip comes to an end this morning after breakfast. You can leave at any time before the checkout time.