Timeless Japan - 13 Days

Upon arrival at either Narita or Haneda Airport, you’ll be warmly greeted by our assistant guide at the arrival gate. From there, board your included airport bus transfer (shared) into the city, followed by a short walk of less than 10 minutes to the hotel. The rest of today is free for you to settle in or head out and start exploring the Japanese capital.

Our Tokyo exploration begins with a 9:00 meeting in the hotel lobby for a short briefing with our guide. We then head out to visit the iconic Senso-ji Temple and enjoy a wander along vibrant Nakamise Street.

Next, we enjoy a 35-minute Sumida River cruise, offering unique views of the city (ticket included). Continue with a walk through the Edo-period Hamarikyu Garden (ticket included). There's free time for lunch before we head to the world's busiest pedestrian crossing: Shibuya. We get back to the hotel at around 17:00 and the rest of the day is at leisure.

Tokyo - Kanazawa. We meet at 9:15 in the lobby to depart for Kanazawa. Your luggage will be sent on ahead, and you will need to pack an overnight bag for tonight.

We head to the train station to catch the bullet train to Kanazawa, arriving at lunchtime (ticket included). Upon arrival, enjoy free time at Omicho Market, where you can sample fresh seafood for lunch (not included). In the afternoon, we visit the serene D.T. Suzuki Museum (ticket included), before checking into our hotel around 17:30 - the evening is at leisure.

Meet with our guide this morning for a full day of exploring Kanazawa’s rich history and culture. Start with Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan’s finest landscape gardens (ticket included). We also visit the Shima Old Geisha House (ticket included), then there's free time for you to wander the Higashi Chaya Geisha District and have lunch at your leisure.

In the afternoon, we visit the Samurai Residence and Kurando Terashima's House, before returning to the hotel at around 16:00. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Kanazawa - Kyoto. After breakfast this morning, we transfer from Kanazawa to Kyoto by bullet train to Tsuruga and onward train to Kyoto, arriving around midday.

Drop off your bags at the hotel before we head straight to the Fushimi Inari Shrine. Explore the iconic torii gates and browse the shops and food stalls along Sando Street before we return to the hotel at around 16:00 for a well-earned rest.

Today begins with a visit to the impressive Kiyomizu Temple (ticket included). Afterwards, enjoy free time to explore the picturesque streets of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, where you can stop for lunch at a traditional tea house.

In the afternoon, we continue with a stroll through the serene Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, then head to the historic Gion District. Visit Kenninji Temple (ticket included) before returning to the hotel by 17:00. The evening is at leisure.

Kyoto - Fukuoka. We meet our guide at 8:30 and walk to Kyoto Station to catch the bullet train to Fukuoka, on the northern shore of Japan’s Kyushu Island. Your luggage will be sent ahead to Beppu, so bring an overnight bag for Fukuoka and Kumamoto (2 nights).

Arriving just after midday, we visit the Hakata Machiya Folk Museum (ticket included) and explore nearby Kushida Shrine. We then make our way to the hotel to check in and freshen up before heading out to the Yatai food stalls, where your guide will help you sample local delicacies (not included).

Fukuoka - Kumamoto. This morning we catch the bullet train south to Kumamoto, arriving just after 10:00. From the station, we continue to Mt Aso and take in the spectacular views at the Mt Aso View Point (ticket included). Afterwards, we return to Kumamoto to visit the impressive Kumamoto Castle (ticket included), before heading to the hotel for a relaxing evening.

Kumamoto - Beppu. At 9:00, we depart with our guide to Takachiho Gorge, where you’ll have time to explore the scenic gorge and enjoy lunch at your own pace (not included). Afterwards, we visit Amano Iwato Shrine and, if time permits, continue to Amano Yasukawara Cave. Later in the afternoon, we transfer to Beppu, arriving at the hotel around 18:30 - here you'll be reunited with your luggage!

Today we discover Beppu’s renowned hot springs and geothermal wonders. Begin with a scenic ride on the Mt. Tsurumi Ropeway, offering stunning panoramic views of the region (ticket included).

In the early afternoon, we join an onsen steam cooking class and enjoy a unique lunch prepared using natural geothermal steam (ticket included). In the afternoon, we visit the Jigoku Onsen Museum and the striking Umijigoku, or Sea Blue Hell, hot spring (tickets included). This hot spring is renowned for its vibrant cobalt blue water. After a dip, we return to the hotel for free time to unwind with a relaxing soak in the onsen.

Beppu - Osaka. Enjoy a free day in Beppu to explore at your own pace. You might soak in more onsen, visit the charming town of Yufuin, or take part in hands-on activities at Space Beppu. Your main luggage will be transferred ahead to Osaka, arriving the following day.

Meet our guide at approximately 16:45 for a local bus transfer to the port, where you’ll board the ferry for our overnight cruise back to Japan's main island of Honshu and Osaka. Dinner is available onboard (not included).

We arrive in Osaka early, at around 6:35. We transfer to the hotel to drop our bags and freshen up, or enjoy a coffee. At around 9:00, we visit Osaka Castle and its beautiful gardens (ticket included). We then continue to the Umeda Sky Building Observatory (ticket included) for panoramic city views. After some downtime at the hotel in the afternoon, make your way to Dotonbori in the early evening for an included farewell dinner at a traditional izakaya.

Our tour comes to an end after breakfast and hotel check out. Make your way to the airport or your next destination independently. Safe travels!