Highlights of Japan

Leave Tokyo behind for Hakone, the gateway to Mt. Fuji and its stunning national park. Famous for its hot springs and authentic charm, Hakone offers breathtaking views and unique experiences. Use your Hakone Transport Pass to explore the park, ride the record-breaking ropeway over volcanic terrain, and cross Lake Ashinoko on a majestic replica pirate ship.

Savour local specialties like the kuro-tamago, an egg boiled in sulfuric hot springs said to add seven years to your life. On clear days, catch glimpses of Mt. Fuji’s iconic peak as you explore the natural beauty surrounding you.

In the evening, relax at a traditional ryokan with tatami mats and onsen baths. Enjoy a multi-course kaiseki dinner and unwind in your yukata before settling into your futon for a peaceful night.

Start your day with a final soak in the onsen before embarking on the 4.5-hour journey to Takayama. Travel on the iconic shinkansen, reaching speeds of up to 230kph, before switching to the Hida Wide View train for a scenic ride through towering mountains and deep gorges.

Nestled in the Hida alpine region, Takayama’s remote location allowed it to preserve a unique culture and beautifully maintained old town. Spend the afternoon exploring its charming streets or sampling sake at a local brewery, renowned for its high-quality water sources.

Tonight, stay at a traditional ryokan, complete with tatami mats and onsen baths. Dine on a kaiseki feast featuring Takayama’s famous Hida beef, local vegetables, and miso, and unwind in your yukata before a restful night.

Start your day at the Miyagawa morning market, where locals sell crafts and fresh produce. Sample the region’s seasonal fruit and vegetables before visiting the Takayama Festival Floats Museum, showcasing the elaborate floats from the town’s famous festival.

After lunch, take a bus to Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Shogawa River Valley. This picturesque region is known for its gassho-zukuri farmhouses, with steep thatched roofs designed to withstand heavy snow. These unique homes, resembling monks’ hands in prayer, were ingeniously crafted to create spacious attics for silkworm cultivation.

Tonight, stay in one of these historic farmhouses for a truly authentic experience. Enjoy the warmth of a traditional Japanese family home and gain a deeper appreciation for the timeless craftsmanship of gassho-zukuri architecture.

Begin your day with a bus journey to Kanazawa, a beautifully preserved castle town that was once Japan’s wealthiest cultural hub. Known for its thriving arts and heritage, the city offers a glimpse into Japan’s 17th-century elegance.

Explore Kanazawa’s highlights with the Kanazawa Sightseeing Bus, starting at the famous Kenroku-en Garden, ranked among Japan’s top three gardens. This serene oasis embodies the six attributes of a perfect garden: spaciousness, seclusion, artifice, antiquity, watercourses, and panoramas. Adjacent to the garden is Kanazawa Castle, accessible through the Ishikawa Gate, where its unique lead-tiled roof adds to its charm.

End your day in the Higashi Chaya District, one of Kanazawa’s best-preserved geisha districts. Stroll through the historic streets, visit traditional tea houses, and stop by Hakuza, a shop renowned for its gold leaf products. Don’t miss the extraordinary tearoom, entirely covered in gold, for a truly unique experience.

Today is at your leisure to explore more of this amazing city.

We suggest starting with Nagamachi, the old samurai district of Kanazawa. Here you will find Nomura-ke, a restored samurai house that showcases the artefacts during the golden era of the Japanese warriors.

Across town is the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, which is known for its progressive architecture and ever-changing exhibits. Also in the area is the D.T. Suzuki Museum, a homage to the man who helped bring zen Buddhism to the west.

Kanazawa is also home to many interesting temples as well as a bustling seafood market that you may want to explore.

Back on the train for the 4.5 hour journey to Hiroshima. The first leg of your journey will be via the limited express ‘Thunderbird’, which will give you views of Japan Sea and Lake Biwa. The second journey will be via another shinkansen.

Perhaps more than any city in the world, Hiroshima is famous for one moment in history. On 6 August 1945, it became the first target of an atomic bomb. However, Hiroshima has risen phoenix-like from the ashes, and rebuilt itself as one of Japan’s most laid-back, vibrant cities full of wide boulevards and art museums, great food, and friendly, welcoming people.

This afternoon head to the Peace Park and Museum for a sobering reminder of the events of 1945.

However, far from being a depressing experience, the overriding theme of the Museum is one of hope and peace.

Today take a short ferry ride to Miyajima Island, a famous wooded island located in the Inland Sea near Hiroshima. Here you will find perhaps the most photographed site in Japan – The Floating Torii Gate.

Famously known as one of Japan’s ‘3 Most Beautiful Views’, the shrine itself dates back to the 6th century and is designed in a pier like structure. Mere “commoners” were not allowed to set foot on this holy place.

You will have time to explore the island and its many shrines and temples, sample local goodies like maple leaf shaped cakes, and have the option to hike up to the peak of the island, Mt. Misen, to see spectacular views of the surrounding islands.

Embark on one last journey on the Shinkansen to Kyoto, Japan’s cultural heartland, rich with over 2,000 shrines and temples, including 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Explore this former imperial capital with a local guide using public transport. Your tour begins at the ornate Nijo Castle, known for its Momoyama architecture and ‘chirping’ nightingale floors, followed by a visit to Ryoan-ji, home to Japan’s most renowned rock garden and a centre for Zen meditation. Discover Kinkakuji (the Golden Pavilion), originally a shogun’s retreat, and Kiyomizu Temple, famous for its nail-free construction and breathtaking views across Kyoto from its towering veranda.

Wander through the historic Higashiyama district, bustling with shops offering local crafts and foods. The experience culminates in a beautifully restored machiya townhouse, where you’ll try on a kimono and participate in a traditional tea ceremony, learning the meticulous art of tea preparation.