Japan Family Adventure - 12 Days

Welcome to the start of your Japan tour! On arrival in Tokyo, make your way to the hotel, where you will meet your tour leader and fellow travellers for a welcome briefing and introductions.

We start our adventure with a hands-on sushi masterclass in Asakusa. Guided by a professional chef, we learn to roll perfect sushi before enjoying our own creations for dinner.

As evening falls, we visit Sensoji Temple to see its glowing lanterns and lively streets illuminated after dark. Afterwards, you have free time to explore Tokyo as you wish.

This morning, we visit TeamLab Borderless, an extraordinary digital art exhibition where light, movement, and colour blend into a truly immersive experience.

Next, we explore Akihabara, Japan’s famous Electric Town, filled with anime, manga, and gaming culture. After some free time for lunch, we enjoy a visit to a Tokyo arcade to test our skills on both classic and modern games.

Later, we stroll through Yanaka Ginza, a nostalgic shopping street lined with small family-run shops and local food stalls that capture the charm of old Tokyo.

In the evening, you may wish to visit the Dawn Avatar Robot Café, an inspiring place where robot servers are remotely operated by people with disabilities.

We begin the day with a visit to Meiji Shrine, a peaceful forest sanctuary dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken.

We then make our way to Harajuku, Tokyo’s lively fashion district. You have time to explore the colourful shops along Takeshita Street, browse second-hand boutiques, or enjoy lunch at a local café.

In the afternoon we experience the famous Shibuya Crossing, the busiest intersection in the world, before stopping to see the beloved Hachiko Statue, a symbol of loyalty and one of Tokyo’s most photographed landmarks.

Today is free for you to explore Tokyo in your own way. You might like to visit Hanayashiki Amusement Park, wander along Hoppy Street, or browse the kitchenware shops of Kappabashi Street. You could also take a trip to Kawaguchiko for beautiful views of Mount Fuji, admire the skyline from Tokyo Tower or the Skytree, or enjoy a sumo-themed lunch.

This is also the day we forward our main luggage to Hiroshima, so please keep a smaller overnight bag ready for our stay in Hakone.

In the evening, we come together for a lively teppanyaki group dinner, an enjoyable mid-tour meal where we can relax, chat, and share our experiences so far.

Tokyo - Hakone. We leave the excitement of Tokyo behind and travel by Romance Car to Hakone Yumoto, arriving before lunch.

In the afternoon, we take a cable car up to Owakudani, a dramatic volcanic valley known for its steaming vents and mineral-rich hot springs. From there, we continue with a cruise across Lake Ashi on a themed pirate ship, surrounded by mountain scenery and, weather permitting, views of Mount Fuji.

In the evening, we unwind in a traditional onsen, enjoying a soothing soak in the natural hot springs.

Hakone - Odawara - Hiroshima, After a relaxed morning in Hakone we begin our journey west by bullet train, watching the countryside race by at remarkable speed. Along the way, you may like to try a traditional Ekiben lunch box, a Japanese favourite for travellers.

On arrival in Hiroshima, we settle into our hotel before heading out for dinner to try the city’s speciality dish, okonomiyaki, a savoury pancake cooked to perfection on a hotplate right before us.

Hiroshima - Miyajima - Hiroshima. We start the day by taking the ferry to Miyajima Island, home to the magnificent Itsukushima Shrine and its famous floating torii gate. We also enjoy a ride on the Miyajima Ropeway for sweeping views across the island before returning to admire the shrine and gate up close.

Later, we take part in a charm-making class at Okeiko Japan, creating our own keepsakes to take home.

In the afternoon, we return to the city to visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and the Atomic Bomb Dome, both powerful reminders of the city’s past and its message of peace.

Hiroshima - Himeji - Kyoto. We depart Hiroshima and make our way to Kyoto, stopping en route to explore Himeji Castle, Japan’s most admired fortress. Known as the White Heron Castle for its elegant white walls, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a remarkable example of traditional Japanese design.

On arrival in Kyoto we check in and take some time to relax. In the evening, you may wish to join an optional karaoke session, a fun and light-hearted way to spend the night.

This morning, we travel to the scenic Arashiyama district, where we walk through the famous Bamboo Forest and visit Tenryuji Temple, a UNESCO-listed Zen temple surrounded by peaceful gardens.

In the afternoon, we explore Toei Kyoto Studio Park, an interactive theme park and working film set that recreates the streets of old Japan. It is a fun and engaging way to learn about the country’s film culture and history.

We begin the day with a traditional tea ceremony at Camellia, where we learn how to prepare and serve matcha while enjoying traditional sweets.

Next, we visit Kiyomizu dera Temple, one of Japan’s most famous Buddhist landmarks, before continuing to Fushimi Inari Shrine with its endless tunnels of red torii gates leading up the hillside. You can choose to hike to the top for panoramic views or stay below to enjoy local food stalls and shops.

In the evening, we join our Adventure Leader for a guided walk through the atmospheric Gion district, known for its wooden teahouses and lantern-lit streets.

Enjoy your final day in Kyoto exploring at your own pace. You might visit the Kyoto Railway Museum, explore the city by bicycle, or admire the shimmering Golden Pavilion. Alternatively, you could take a day trip to Nara Park to meet the friendly deer, or head to Osaka to visit Universal Studios Japan or the impressive Osaka Aquarium.

In the evening, we come together for a farewell dinner to celebrate our journey and the unforgettable memories we have made across Japan.

Sadly, today marks the end of your Japan family adventure.

You can either transfer to Osaka’s Kansai airport to fly home, or hop on the bullet train back to Tokyo and fly home from there. Transfers are not included but can be booked on request for a supplement.