Japan's Scenic Wonders and Heritage Journey - 4 Days

From Tokyo, we travel towards the Mount Fuji area, taking in the changing landscapes en route. Our first stop is Arakurayama Sengen Park, known for its tiered pagodas and classic, wide-angle views of Mount Fuji.

We continue to Kawaguchiko, a lakeside town surrounded by low mountains. On arrival we visit Fuji Sengen Shrine, set among tall trees – traditionally the starting point for the Mount Fuji pilgrimage.

We then enjoy a boat ride on Lake Kawaguchiko before ascending by road towards the Fifth Station, reaching 2,305 metres (7,562 feet) through forested slopes. Note: in winter, access to the Fifth Station is often closed due to snow or weather conditions – in that case, we travel as far as permitted.

We return to Kawaguchiko for an overnight stay at a ryokan – a traditional Japanese inn – with dinner included. Some rooms are Japanese-style with tatami, while others are Western-style, and occasionally accommodation may be in a Western-style hotel instead. You can unwind in the onsen – a public hot spring bath – to round off the day. 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.

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. Its thatched houses host arts and crafts workshops, small eateries and cultural exhibits, offering a clear window into traditional life. We then continue to Shiraito Falls, where water fans out over a broad rock face and drops around 20 metres. From here we travel on to Nagoya to visit the Toyota Museum – admission included – a highlight for motoring enthusiasts and anyone interested in automotive innovation. We finish the day in Kyoto for our overnight stay.

We spend a full day discovering Kyoto – Japan’s capital from 794 to 1868 and seat of the Imperial Court. Remarkably spared from wartime bombing, the city preserves an exceptional artistic heritage, and it later gave its name to the 1997 Kyoto Protocol on climate action. We begin in Arashiyama to view the elegant Togetsukyo Bridge – the “Bridge over the Moon” – set against river and mountain scenery. We continue to Tenryuji, one of Kyoto’s five great Zen temples and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, followed by a quiet walk through its famed bamboo grove. We then visit Fushimi Inari Shrine with its iconic torii pathways, the Imperial Palace, and Kinkakuji – the Golden Pavilion – reflected in its surrounding gardens. The order of visits may vary.

After the tour, you have free time to wander Gion, Kyoto’s traditional entertainment district known for its historic teahouses and geisha culture.

We travel through beautiful rural landscapes to Tsumago, a charming wooden village where you’ll have free time to stroll and soak up its traditional atmosphere. Lunch is included at a local restaurant. We then continue to Matsumoto to visit its impressive 16th–century castle, nicknamed 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 depart for Tokyo, arriving by the end of the day.