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.
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.
Spend some time exploring 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...
Explore Japan's second city and enjoy the lively neighbourhoods of Namba and Dotombori, try an izakaya, Japanese bar-restaurants! Enjoy the local specialities: okonomiyaki, savoury cabbage pancake, or takoyaki, small octopus dough balls. Continue your adventure with a trip to Osaka Castle Park with its 300 Yoshino cherry trees or to Shi-Tennoji Temple which is the oldest in Japan.
[Osaka] packs more colour than most. The acres of concrete are cloaked in dazzling neon; shopfronts are vivid, unabashed cries for attention. This is not a city that prefers to dress all in black. Above all, Osaka is a city that loves to eat: it's unofficial slogan is kuidaore ('eat until you drop'). It really shines in the evening, when it seems that everyone is out for a good meal – and a good time.
Our Offer —
Offer 1: 12 night tour in 3* accommodation
Offer 2: 12 night tour in 4* accommodation
Offer 3: 14 night tour in 3* accommodation
Offer 4: 14 night tour in 4* accommodation
Your Itinerary —
Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo
Arrival at Tokyo airport, transfer to hotel by bus and enjoy free time in Tokyo.
Day 2-3: Free Time in Tokyo
Get your JR Pass in one of the Tokyo stations and enjoy your free time in Tokyo! (Valid from Day 3)
Our Suggestions:
Start your trip by visiting the famous and peaceful Meiji Jingu Shrine, and walk through the Takeshita Dori, stopping by few incredible shops while strolling down this famous street. Then, take a walk along the Omotesandō avenue to admire the architecture, or go shopping in the Shibuya district to discover the crazy and fashionable Tokyo! Enjoy the traditional districts of the city, such as Asakusa and Ueno where you will travel back in time while visiting the Sensō-ji temple and the Sumida park. Go for some sightseeing in Yanaka, also known as the "old Tokyo". Don’t miss playing video games in Akihabara; go find the mangas (comic characters) of your childhood, and delve into the universe of Cosplay!
Day 4: Tokyo - Kanazawa
Go to Tokyo Station and jump aboard a train to Kanazawa.
Day 5: Free Time in Kanazawa
Spend the day exploring Kanazawa.
Our Suggestions:
Be charmed by the old-fashioned feel of this city: small characterful streets, castles, and the Kenrokuen garden creating an ambience of another era. Kanazawa is also renowned for its crafts. Take the opportunity here to discover silk kimonos, ceramics, or Wajima lacquers. This region and Gokayama’s region have several villages known for their authenticity and the style of their thatched houses, such as Shirakawago. Ogimachi is the best known and it also offers art and craft museums. Take the day to visit these villages and dive into another era, while admiring the beautiful mountainous landscapes of the Japanese Alps.
Day 6: Kanazawa - Kyoto
Depart by train for Kyoto and enjoy a free afternoon here.
Day 7-9: Kyoto
Enjoy free days exploring Kyoto and enjoy a tea ceremony to experience the traditions of Japan.
Our Suggestions:
This charming city is sure to seduce you thanks to its well-kept traditions. This former imperial capital of Japan has kept its prestige and few cultural treasures that will make your trip incredible. Start with a zen walk in the bamboo field of Arashiyama, and visit the Tenryu-ji temple. Go on with plenty of sightseeing in the centre, especially in the Gion district where you can find the wonderful Geishas. You can stop by Nishiki market, famous for its impressive size, and the diverse type of food that you can find there. Do not leave Kyoto if you haven’t seen the fabulous Fushimi Inari-taisha shinto shrine and its thousands of red toriis in the middle of the forest. You can go ahead with a tour in the south of Higashiyama to discover the Kiyomizu-dera temple, the Maruyama koen park, or the Chion-in temple. The Nanzen-ji temple also worth a visit. Be sure to also visit the UNESCO-listed Kinkaku-ji temple and the rock garden of Ryoan-ji.
Day 10: Kyoto - Hiroshima
Travel from Kyoto to Hiroshima.
Day 11: Free Time in Hiroshima
Spend the day exploring this infamous city.
Day 12: Hiroshima - Osaka
Travel from Hiroshima to Osaka by train.
Day 13: Departure
Take the train to Kansai Airport for your flight back to the UK.
If you opt for a 14 night stay you will enjoy an extra day in Tokyo & Kyoto, the rest of the itinerary will be the same.
Your Hotels —
Our members can choose between 3* or 4* accommodation.
Our members can choose to add an authentic night in a Ryokan in Nara at the next stage of the booking process.
3* Accommodation
If opting for this category, you will stay at the below hotels in a Standard Room with breakfast included throughout.
Tokyo: 3 or 4 nights at Agora Palace Asakusa.
Kanazawa: 2 nights at Route Inn Kanazawa.
Kyoto: 4 or 5 nights at B Kyoto Sanjo.
Hiroshima: 2 nights at Chisun Hotel Hiroshima.
Osaka: 1 night at Dormy Inn Umeda Higashi.
Sleeps up to
2 Adults
4* Accommodation
If opting for this category, you will stay at the below hotels in a Standard Room with breakfast included throughout.
Tokyo: 3 or 4 nights at Toshi Center.
Kanazawa: 2 nights at Ana Crowne Plaza Kanazawa.
Kyoto: 4 or 5 nights at Kyoto Tokyo Hotel.
Hiroshima: 2 nights at Ana Crowne Plaza Hiroshima.
Osaka: 1 night at Monterey Osaka.
Sleeps up to
2 Adults
Please note: If any of these hotels are not available, hotels of a similar standard will be found.
Your Excursions —
Optional Excursions
You may choose to add the following excursions at the next stage of the booking process.
Spend some time flitting from one neon-signed shop to another in Tokyo's vast and fabulous shopping centre, befitting the capital of the world's second-largest economy. Shopping in Tokyo mirrors the eclectic style of the city around you: high-end fashion and traditional crafts, posh boutiques and gleaming department stores...no where does old & new like Tokyo!
Excursion in Nikko (from Tokyo)
This excursion will take you to some of Nikko's must-sees Toshogu Shrine, the magnificent Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji. This option is the perfect way to enjoy the nature and legacy of Nikko. The trip will take approximately 4hrs& includes lunch, a tour guide & transport via minibus.
Your sushi workshop starts early in the afternoon, learn to make different types of Sushi’s (Nigiri, Inari, Hosomaki and California roll). Make your favourite Sushi’s and then take time to taste them with a traditional Miso soup! (from 13:30 to 16:30).
Excursion to Kamakura
Venture further afield to Kamakura, a former capital of Japan where you will find the renowned Great Buddha Statue, a famous icon of Japan. This monumental bronze statue of Amitabha Buddha towers over visitors at 43.8 ft tall and if you want to discover more of Japan's spiritual side it is well worth a visit.
Tea Ceremony
Opt for a reverent tea ceremony to experience the traditions of Japan.
Discover the cultural capital of Japan via bike. Start with an idyllic trip along the Kamo River & head towards the impressive Nanzenji Temple, one of the most important Zen temples in the country. You then continue on the Promenade of the Philosopher lined with cherry trees. Finally, you return to the station of Kyoto along a beautiful canal with ancient tea houses.
Excursion to Nara (from Kyoto)
Spend the morning in Nara & discover the famous Todaiji temple, the deer park and the Kofukuji temple. Most tours are on foot (about 4/5 km walk).
Hiroshima & Miyajima
Visit the famous Itsukushima jinja temple and its iconic floating torii gate. Then take a ferry and tram to the Peace Memorial Park and Peace Museum.
Your Journey —
Flights: You may choose from Economy, Premium or Business class flights on sectors that they operate, at the next stage of the booking process.
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.
Internal Transport: This offer includes a 14-day Japan Rail Pass. The JR Pass allows you almost unlimited travel for 7 days on all Japan Rail lines throughout the country. It allows you to travel on the world-famous Bullet Train (Shinkansen).
This offer also includes a one-way shuttle transfer from the airport to your 1st hotel.
