Cross Hotel, Osaka

A Walk Through Old Japan

Go Local Off-the-beaten-track + 1 more + 2 more

Walk in the footsteps of samurai on Japan's ancient Nakasendo Way.

14 days

from £6,955 pp

including flights

Japan with Teenagers

Family Adventure + 1 more + 2 more

From samurai workshops to Universal Studios, this is a family holiday to remember.

14 days

from £5,930 pp

including flights

Gastronomic Japan

Family Foodie + 2 more + 3 more

A delicious journey around Japan's foodie highlights.

15 days

from £7,135 pp

including flights

Soul of Japan

Go Local Adventure + 1 more + 2 more

Step back in time with a journey to the heart of Japan's traditions.

14 days

from £6,729 pp

including flights

Japan's Road Less Travelled

Go Local Off-the-beaten-track + 1 more + 2 more

Experience a quieter side of Japan.

15 days

from £6,650 pp

including flights

Japan In-Depth

Romantic Ultimate + 1 more + 2 more

Our ultimate, three-week adventure through Japan’s most iconic cities and hidden spots.

21 days

from £9,280 pp

including flights

Quirky excursions

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Soul Food and Neon Lights

What better way to experience the joys of Osaka's soul food than to try as much of it as possible? Do as the Osakans do and 'eat 'til you drop' on this delectable day trip. This evening tour will take you along the lively Dotonbori canal, emblazoned with neon and bustling with fellow revellers, to get a taste of all things delicious. Varied local delicacies such as takoyaki (octopus dumplings) and okonomiyaki (savoury pancakes) are on offer, so let your guide whisk you through the wide streets and hidden alleyways to discover your new favourite food.

Vintage Osaka Street Food Stroll

Venture into Osaka's nostalgic neighbourhood of Shinsekai, to experience a different side of the famous local cuisine. Build in the early 1900's to evoke both New York's Coney Island, and the streets of Paris, this is the true-to-life Osaka that most visitors skip over. The area around the iconic Tsutenkaku tower - a shameless homage to the Eiffel Tower - is a warren of backstreets and food stalls, serving up incredible treats and tasty, calorific snacks. Satiate your appetite while also enjoying the dazzling lights and sights of the alleyways of Osaka's underbelly.

Majestic Himeji (Full Day)

Himeji is justifiably famous for its dazzling white castle, one of the most intact and best-preserved feudal-era castles in Japan today. Shirasagijo - or White Heron Castle, as it is sometimes known - perches high over the city, encircled by walls, fortification, grand gates and cherry-treed lawns. The view of the keep from the gardens outside can be enjoyed free of charge, but this is one of the best opportunities to see the interior of a 400-year old national treasure. A meticulous restoration that was finished in 2015 now allows visitors to see an authentic snapshot of a bygone time - though be aware that the narrow and steep stairs may be a bit tricky to scale for some. The elegant and iconic castle is easy to reach from the train station - taking a few hours here is a great way to break up a journey along the Tokaido-Sanyo shinkansen route. If you have a little longer to spare though, the atmospheric temple of Enyogi - in the dense forest atop Mount Shosha - is a worthwhile diversion. The shooting location for countless films and TV shows in Japan - as well as the Hollywood movie The Last Samurai - you can easily believe you have stepped back in time as you explore the wooden buildings within pristine natural surroundings. A ropeway takes you the majority of the way up to the temple complex, but be prepared for a bit more of a hike to reach the summit.

Timeless Nara (Full Day)

Nara was declared the first permanent capital of Japan back in the 8th century, leading to the rapid construction of some of the country's most important temples and shrines. To this day, a lot of these cultural and historical treasures are still standing, making it one of Japan's most popular tourist destinations. Due to its proximity to Kyoto and Osaka, you can enjoy all the wonders of Nara without even needing to move hotels - though there's some wonderful accommodation available to those who wish to explore the city for longer. Begin your morning with a visit to the beautiful Isui Garden, admiring the views of Mt. Wakakusayama as you sip some refreshing tea. Next, stroll to Todaji temple - one of the largest wooden buildings in the world, housing the grandest Buddha statue in all of Japan. Learn about the history of this Buddhist landmark, and its influence on the early days of Japanese history. Head next to the Kasuga Taisha shrine, a much-celebrated place of worship, famed for its hundreds of donated lanterns that line the approach. Finish with a meander through Nara Park, meeting its celebrity inhabitants - hundreds of mostly friendly, occasionally boisterous, semi-tame deer. Before departing Nara, for nearby Kyoto or Osaka, check out the former merchant neighbourhood of Naramachi - now home to boutique stores and traditional inns.

Koyasan - Mountain Haven (Overnight Trip)

Mount Koya - or Koyasan - is a beautiful and remote temple town, home to Buddhist monks and monasteries, ambient forests and World Heritage wonders. The slow but scenic journey from Osaka or Kyoto will be just as enjoyable as the final destination, as you switch between mountain railways, a steep funicular cable-car, and winding, bending alpine roads. There are more than 50 monasteries in the area that allow overnight stays for pilgrims and worshippers, as well as the curious tourists looking to experience a slower pace of life than found in the cities of modern Japan. Try the vegetarian Buddhist cuisine shojin-ryori and sleep in the spartan rooms of a shukubo temple retreat for an unforgettable experience. Witness the morning prayers of the resident monks and gain a clearer understanding of Japan's oft-forgotten spiritual past. The town of Koyasan itself also offers some unrivalled gems, from the stunning head temple of Shingon Buddhism - Kongobuji - to its most revered site - Okuno-in - where the mausoleum of the religion's founder, Kobo Daishi, is to be found. The spiritual significance of this temple is apparent in the vast cemetery that lays outside of the inner grounds, where over 200,000 memorial towers and tombstones stretch over the approaching paths for two kilometres. Especially atmospheric in the early morning, as the light breaks through the surrounding trees and monuments, it's hard not to be moved by this most-holy of pilgrimage spots.