Jan
min : 1°C
max : 10°C
We Love —
- From the metropolis of Tokyo and the picturesque gardens of Kanazawa to the ancient temples of Kyoto, the contrast of culture is simply breathtaking to behold.
- Discover a magical country that brings centuries of ancient culture together with futuristic technology the likes of which are not seen anywhere else in the world.
- Immerse yourself in the unique culture as you unearth modern cities and ancient marvels alike.
Book Now, Pay Later —
Booking 35 days in advance and spending over £500 per person? No need to pay in full today! Just select the 30% deposit option on our payment page (terms & conditions apply)
Your Destinations —
One of the world’s most cutting-edge capitals, Tokyo is a city of contrasts. Famous for its modernity, neon-lit landscape and towering skyscrapers, it is also home to sprawling parkland, peaceful shrines and temples and lovingly tended gardens.
Despite its love affair with manga pop culture, fashion, high-tech trends and conspicuous consumption, below the surface is a city that has its roots in ancient heritage. Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples stand close to skyscrapers as a reminder of a more contemplative time and at the heart of the hyperactive centre lies the serene Imperial Palace, the home of the ruling emperor that provides a tangible link to the city’s historical past.
Behind the shopping, entertainment and commercial Emporia can be found quaint wooden houses, private gardens with meticulously clipped bonsai trees and the Zen-like calm of the Hamarikyu Gardens. Discover the fascinating and exquisite culture of Japan where the ancient and modern worlds collide. The city’s reputation as a mega-expensive metropolis is ill-conceived and visitors can take advantage of inexpensive izakaya bars and neighbourhood cafes that serve delicious noodles and rice dishes.
In Tokyo, gigantic robots battle in subterranean restaurants and unmarked stairways lead to sultry music dens that never close.
Spend some time exploring the ukkei-en garden, with 200 Yoshino cherry trees, mountain cherry trees and weeping cherry trees that blossom in the spring! The Memorial Peace Park & Museum is definitely worth a visit too.
Poised on the coast at the western end of the Inland Sea, Hiroshima is also the jumping-off point for several islands, including Miyajima, home of the beautiful shrine Itsukushima-jinja. The view out to the red torii gate standing in the shallows in front of the shrine is rightly one of Japan’s most celebrated...
Wander around the beautifully preserved city of Takayama, situated in the mountainous Hida region of Gifu Prefecture. This very picturesque city, "bright and beautiful", will add that rural element of your itinerary in Japan.
Arrive before midday and explore the Takayama Morning Markets. Known as 'Little Kyoto', visit the three main streets of the Sanmachi-Suji district. Offering the soothing sounds of water, nearby or in the background, wander through the contrasting dull gray of the alleys and the dark brown of private homes and inns, and visit one of many sake breweries Don't miss the Yoshijima-ke Heritage House famed for serving as a residence and sake brewery, and Kusakabe Heritage House formally owned by the Kusakabe family, successful money lenders.
The final, crowning grace of the area is the pretty boutique town of Takayama, an hour from Shirakawa-go, and more seductive and foreigner-friendly than almost anywhere else in Japan.
Touched with the grand allure of its past, Kanazawa prides itself on being a historical jewel of Japan. It is best known for being home to one of Japan's most beautiful landscaped gardens - Kenrokuen - a castle garden originating from the 17th century. It's easy to discover this nostalgic city in a few days, admiring its celebrated penchant for the traditional arts, including hand-painted silks and lacquerware, ceramics and delicate gold leaf work. Spot a geisha at work, discover authentic tea houses and inns, and wade your way through the market.
Thanks to being spared during the Second World War, the city has maintained much of its old world charm, from its old geisha district to a beautifully preserved garden of a samurai house.
If you're looking for old Japan, Kyoto is a must: tranquil gardens, sublime temples and colourful shrines can be found in abundance. While the rest of Japan has embraced modernity, Kyoto still keeps traditions alive. Take a stroll through the Nishijin district and spy some of the older residents emerging from the machiya (traditional townhouses) to ladle water onto their porch.
If you go by an old shōtengai (shopping street) you can admire the ancient speciality shops: tofu sellers, fishmongers, pickle vendors and tea merchants.
A red-lipped, kimono-clad geisha vanishing around a corner. Riverside cherry trees bursting into cloudlike bloom. Zen gardens with raked sand and haiku-inspiring rock formations. While Tokyo is all high-speed trains, flashes of neon and skyscrapers, Kyoto moves to an altogether different rhythm.
Your Itinerary —
Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo
Transfer to central Tokyo by Limousine Bus.
Days 2-3: Tokyo
Free day to explore Tokyo.
Our suggestions:
- Asakusa district and Senso-ji temple
- The Tokyo Skytree, 634 metres high, and Tokyo Tower, the symbol of the city.
- Ueno Park with its many museums
- Shibuya and Shinjuku districts
- The Imperial Palace Garden
- Meiji-Jingu Shrine- Tsukiji Fish Market
Read more
Our Offers —
Our members can choose to add the following optional extras at the next stage of the booking process for an additional fee:
Option 1: Guided day tour in small group (meals, transportation and site entrance charges are not included)
- Tokyo Discovery 1-day guided tour
Visit Meiji-jingu shrine in the center of Tokyo and Harajuku. Then explore Shinjuku, its garden and the Government Building for a breathtaking view.
- Kanazawa half day guided tour
Discover Kenrokuen, also known as the “Garden of the Six Sublimities”, next to Kanazawa Castle. Then visit the samurai district of Nagamachi.
- Kyoto Discovery 1-day guided tour
Explore Nijo Castle, the Kyoto residence of the Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu and Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion). Then onto Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion) and the Gion district.
Option 2: 2 extra nights in Tokyo (breakfast included)
Arrive in Tokyo two days earlier to enjoy the capital properly or take some day trips.
Here are some suggestions for possible day trips:
- Nikko, with its temples and shrines in the heart of the forest. The train journey to Nikko is covered with the JR Pass. (2 hours)
- Kamakura and the Great Buddha (Daibutsu). The train to Kamakura is covered withthe JR Pass. (1 hour)
- Visit Hakone to admire the iconic Mount Fuji and the idyllic views of its surrounding valleys. The train journey is covered by the JR Pass until Odawara (40 minutes) and then you need to change for a private line to reach Hakone-Yumoto (20 minutes).
Option 3: 2 extra nights in Kyoto (breakfast included)
Departs from Kyoto two days later to enjoy the ancient capital properly or take some day trips.
Here are some suggestions for possible day trips:
- Osaka and Nara. Trip covered by the Japan Rail Pass (30 to 45 minutes)
- Fushimi-Inari Taisha shrine and its thousands of vermilion torii gates. Trip covered bythe Japan Rail Pass (5 minutes)
- Himeji Castle, also known as the White Heron Castle. Trip covered by the Japan RailPass (1.5 hours)
- Hiroshima and Miyajima (2 hours)
Option 4: 2 extra nights in Tokyo & 2 extra nights in Kyoto (breakfast included)
Combine options 2 & 3 lots of time to explore.
Option 5: Pocket Wifi rental for the duration of your stay
Renting a Pocket WiFi in Japan is ideal if you’re looking for fast and unlimited internet access for the entire duration of your trip. Lightweight and with a long battery life, its nationwide coverage guarantees internet access wherever you are, on any kind of device (iPhone, Android smartphone, laptop). Pick it up at the airport and return it at the end of your trip by using the prepaid envelope included. The envelope can be mailed from any Japanese postbox.
Your Accommodation —
Our members can choose between 3* or 4* accommodation.
You will be staying in Standard Rooms throughout on a Bed & Breakfast board basis. There will also be a dinner in Hakone.
2 Adults
Please note: If any of these hotels are not available, hotels of a similar standard will be found.
3* Hotels
Tokyo: 3 or 5 nights at B Akasaka Mitsuke Hotel.
Hakone: 1 night at The Gora Ichinoyu Hotel.
Takayame: 1 night at Takayama Country Hotel.
Kanazawa: 2 nights at Dormy Inn Hotel.
Kyoto: 4 or 6 night at The B Kyoto Sanjo.
4* Hotels
Tokyo: 3 or 5 nights at The Marunouchi Hotel.
Hakone: 1 night at Odakyu de Yama Hotel.
Takayame: 1 night at Hotel Takayama Ouan.
Kanazawa: 2 nights at Nikko Kanazawa Hotel.
Kyoto: 4 or 6 night at Nikko Princess Hotel.
Your Journey —
Flights: The flights included are with either a scheduled or no-frills airline and are subject to live availability and prices can change. You can choose your preferred departure times during the booking process. Please select your flight options carefully as departure and arrival airports may differ.
Transfers: Shared airport transfers from Tokyo airport to the hotel are included, plus a 7 or 14 day JR pass. We have also included a pre-paid Pasmo Card with ¥1,500 on it so you can travel through Tokyo & Kyoto with ease.
JR Pass: You can go anywhere you want on the Japan Railways railroad network. With the JR Pass, booking is not an obligation and any non-reserved (and available) seat can be occupied upon presentation of your Japan Rail Pass. You can also reserve a seat without additional charges by going to a travel service centre or JR ticket office (“midori nomadoguchi”) before taking the train. Simply show your Japan Rail Pass and you can get a seat ticket.
The following trips are covered by the JR Pass:
- The train journey between Tokyo and Odawara by Shinkansen, to get to Hakone; approximately 1hour 40.
- The train journey between Odawara and Takayama by train, approximately 5 hours.
- The train journey between Takayama and Kanazawa by Shinkansen, approximately 2 hours and a half.
- The train journey between Kanazawa and Kyoto by Shinkansen, approximately 2 hours and a half.
- Any train journeys on JR lines that you want to do during the validation period.
The Japan Rail Pass does not cover:
- Subway and buses in Tokyo and Kyoto
- Private lines (that are not JR)
- Nozomi and Mizuho Shinkansen
