The Capitol Hotel Tokyu

Classic Japan

Family Classic + 2 more + 3 more

Our favourite introduction to the Land of the Rising Sun.

12 days

from £5,840 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

Alternative Japan

Off-the-beaten-track Adventure + 3 more + 3 more

Dive deeper than Japan's highlights on this quirky journey beyond the ordinary.

14 days

from £6,430 pp

including flights

Yen-Friendly Japan

Family Classic + 2 more + 3 more

Our most wallet-friendly Japan holiday, thoughtfully designed and full of highlights.

15 days

from £4,960 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

View all excursions in Japan

Nikko

Nikko is quite literally a breath of fresh air – a mountain town where gleaming shrines reside in perfect harmony with an arboreal landscape. Just a few hours north of Tokyo, the city and its picturesque environs offer natural beauty, with everchanging colours, and an unrivalled collection of cultural treasures. Over a hundred buildings, spread across two Shinto shrines and one Buddhist temple, make up a spectacular religious complex, rightfully declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. The most visited of these - Toshogu - is a richly decorated shrine dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of Japan’s last shogunate. Intricate wood carvings and lavish gilded elements make this one of Japan’s most fascinating and photogenic attractions, a sprawling mausoleum that you could spend many hours exploring. While the manmade treasures of Nikko are reason enough to visit, the natural stage they sit upon is one of utmost wonder. With towering avenues of cedars, stunning waterfalls, and the crystal-clear mirror of Lake Chuzenji, the scenery around Nikko is truly unforgettable. The autumn colours here are deservedly famous, but the region exceeds expectations in all seasons. Whether to witness the blooming azaleas on a welcome break from the summer humidity, or to find a secret spot for some late-Spring cherry blossoms, it is obvious why Nikko is one of the most popular countryside jaunts from Tokyo. Despite its popularity as a daytrip destination, it is hugely rewarding for those who are able to spend more time here. Sleeping overnight in the historical Kanaya Hotel - the oldest Western-style hotel in Japan – will add your name to a long list of famous former guests, such as Albert Einstein, Ulysses S. Grant and Eleanor Roosevelt. With a lengthier stay in the Nikko region you can enjoy some incredible long hikes too – circumnavigating the aforementioned lake, looping around the Senjogahara Marsh, or trekking up to one of the many iconic waterfalls. With so much sacred history and noteworthy scenery, there is something for everyone. To paraphrase an old Japanese saying - never say you have seen enough beauty until you have seen Nikko.

Hidden Tokyo Cycling

Embark on a two-wheeled adventure in the parts of Tokyo that tourists seldom see. This shared trip will change with the seasons to make the most of the scenery, be it the plum and cherry blossoms in spring, or the autumn foliage of reds and oranges. Explore the local streets, quiet parks and quirky neighbourhoods with your English-speaking guide, slowly savouring a calmer side of Tokyo from the saddle. Bicycles and helmets are provided - so wear something comfortable, and away you go!

Tokyo Through A Lens

Capture your very own winning images this afternoon, as you conquer the urban landscapes of Tokyo. Make sure your camera battery is fully charged as you take to the streets in search of the perfect shot. Your expert local guide will give you tips and pointers, share their own technical prowess, and will help you discover the optimal vantage point to create the greatest images. What better souvenir to take home from Japan with you than a set of dazzling photographs - unique and entirely of your own creation.

Manga - An Introduction

Head to the hectic Nakano district in the west of Tokyo, famous for its anime and video game stores, to try your hand at some art of your own. Learn about the history of Manga - the quintessentially Japanese comics and graphic novels that are now popular around the world. Get some hands-on training from a Manga artist and learn to draw your own unique designs as part of a fun and informative workshop.

Karuizawa

Karuizawa is a popular escape from the heat and humidity of Tokyo in the summertime - an alpine town that could, at a glance, be in the centre of Europe rather than the centre of Japan. This is no accident - in the late 19th century, Western residents of Japan's capital grew tired of the sweat and the stickiness and did what any one would do in that situation... they ran away to the cool mountain air of a quaint mountain resort, and put their own cultural stamp on it. Many wealthy city-folk still come here for a weekend away, a respite from the urban hustle. There's a lot on offer here - outdoor pursuits such as hiking or cycling are huge here, though there's shopping and golf aplenty, if you that's more your bag. The area shines during the autumn too - a great place to enjoy a hot drink, surrounded by the reds and oranges of fall, or maybe a stroll through the volcanic landscape of Onioshidashi Park, next to the towering, active Mt. Asama. Due to it's altitude and geography, Karuizawa is also a wonderful spot for some winter sports too - skiing, of course, but also ice-skating (if you prefer things at a more gentle pace). Local cuisine features a lot of European influences: German sausages, Swiss fondue, and there are numerous French or Scandinavian-style bakeries and cafes scattered throughout town. The craft beer scene is better than most of Japan, and there's something wholly satisfying about drinking a hipster-tipple while dipping bread into melted cheese. Despite all this, the town is still unmistakeably Japanese - oddities and curios fill the shops, green tea and soba noodles share the menu with escargot, and the service received everywhere is so faultless, that you couldn't possibly be anywhere else in the world. The real treasures of Karuizawa lie in the wilderness that surrounds it. The stunning Shiraito Waterfall - a curved wall of water just three metres high, but seventy metres wide - is a sight to behold in the lush greens of summer. Throughout the seasons, the Karuizawa National Wild Bird Sanctuary Forest is one of the best places in the country to spot charming endemic species, such as the Green Woodpecker and the Copper Pheasant. As well as its winged residents, the trees are also home to the Japanese Serow - a deer-like creature that is actually a close relative of cattle - and the elusive Momonga, or Japanese dwarf flying squirrel. Asian Black Bears also roam these parts, and it's advisable to wear a bell if you go adventuring - it's certainly not the best idea to surprise them! Organised nature and wildlife trips - both during the day time and after dark - can be arranged while in town, weather allowing. What better way to round out your stay in the mountain than by searching for nocturnal animals in the moonlight?