Japan's Cultural and Natural Treasures - 8 Days

Arrive in Tokyo – welcome to Japan. After you clear customs, we’ll arrange your shared shuttle bus transfer to your hotel for a smooth start. The rest of the day is yours at leisure – you can relax after the flight or explore the neighbourhood at your own pace. In the afternoon we’ll share details about the start of your tour so you’re set for 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 set out on a guided tour of Tokyo lasting about seven hours by bus and on foot. We stop at Zojoji Temple for a classic view of Tokyo Tower and to see the rows of Jizo statues – guardians of children, often dressed with knitted caps and pinwheels. From the bus we observe the famous Shibuya Crossing, then visit Meiji Shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife. Admission is included for Tokyo Skytree up to the Tembo Deck at 350 metres for panoramic city views. We finish in Asakusa to explore Sensoji Temple and stroll Nakamise Street before returning to the hotel via Akihabara – the Electric City and a hub 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 walk through this lively district, followed by dinner at a local restaurant – included. We return to the hotel by subway with our guide. Note: The order of visits may vary depending on the Skytree admission time. In case of bad weather or other exceptional circumstances limiting access to Tokyo Skytree, an alternative iconic city viewpoint will be offered.

We leave Tokyo for Kamakura – a peaceful former capital known for its shrines, temples and gardens. At Hokoku-ji Zen Temple we wander its bamboo grove, with admission included, and enjoy a cup of green tea, before visiting Sugimoto-dera, founded in 734 and considered the oldest temple in the city. You’ll then have free time in the pleasant city centre before we visit the Great Buddha (Daibutsu) – admission included. We continue along a scenic coastal road beside the Pacific Ocean to Enoshima, where you’ll have free time for lunch and a walk on the island, linked to the mainland by a bridge. We then continue to Odawara to visit its castle – a medieval fortress restored in the 20th century from the Edo period and one of Japan’s most important castles – with admission included. Overnight stay.

Today we travel into the Hakone area, a region of lakes and mountains near Mount Fuji. We start at Owakudani – the ‘Valley of Hell’ – a volcanic crater with steam vents, bubbling mud and sulphurous gases. If access is closed due to activity, we’ll visit Arakurayama Sengen Park instead. We then continue to Oshino Hakkai, a small village with eight spring fed ponds and clear views of Mount Fuji, before heading to Kawaguchiko, a lakeside town of small houses, flowers and surrounding mountains, where we’ll take a boat ride on Lake Kawaguchiko. Later, we drive up Mount Fuji to the Fifth Station, reaching 2,305 metres – 7,562 feet – along a scenic forest road. In winter the road is often closed by snow or weather, so we’ll go as far as permitted. We return to Kawaguchiko for the night at a ryokan – a traditional Japanese inn – where you can unwind in the onsen public hot spring bath. Dinner is included. Rooms may be Japanese style with tatami or Western style, and on occasion accommodation may be in a Western style hotel instead.

In the morning, we follow a scenic lakeside route to Iyashi no Sato Nenba, a village rebuilt after a 1966 typhoon and now an open air museum, where traditional houses host arts and crafts shops, restaurants and cultural exhibits. We then visit Shiraito Falls, with water dropping 20 metres. From here we continue to Nagoya to visit the Toyota Museum – admission included – a highlight for car enthusiasts and anyone curious about automotive innovation. We finish the day in Kyoto for our overnight stay.

We spend a full day exploring Kyoto, Japan’s capital from 794 to 1868 and home to the Imperial Court – spared bombing during the Second World War, it retains a remarkable artistic heritage and later hosted the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. We begin in Arashiyama to admire the Togetsukyo Bridge – the Bridge over the Moon – with views of the surrounding hills. We then visit Tenryuji, one of Kyoto’s five great Zen temples and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, followed by a calm walk through the nearby bamboo forest. Next we explore Fushimi Inari Shrine, the Imperial Palace, and Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavilion, set within its classic gardens – the order of visits may vary. After the tour, you can take time to wander through Gion, Kyoto’s traditional district known for its lively atmosphere and geisha.

We depart Kyoto and travel through rural landscapes to Tsumago, a beautifully preserved wooden village regarded as one of Japan’s most picturesque. You’ll have free time to wander its streets before we regroup for an included lunch at a local restaurant. We then continue to Matsumoto to visit its impressive 16th–century castle, known as the Crow for its black exterior. After the visit, you’ll have time to explore the town at your own pace. In the afternoon we set off for Tokyo, arriving by the end of the day.

After breakfast, we conclude our journey in Tokyo – tour services end at the hotel. You’re free to continue your travels or make your own onward arrangements. We hope you leave with wonderful memories of your time in Japan.