Your tailor-made holiday will be as unique as you are. These itineraries are just a starting point – a bit of inspiration to show what’s possible. Your own trip all starts with a conversation with one of our Japan experts, who’ll take the time to understand what matters most to you and design the perfect Japan holiday to match.
If you ask us, there’s no better way to truly appreciate the rich history and stunning scenery of Japan than on foot. This Japan holiday idea is for the rambling wanderers who wish to escape the neon-lit cities to explore the rural parts of this beautiful country, walking through the wilderness and sleeping in traditional, authentic accommodation, soaking up the very best of that famed Japanese hospitality as you go.
Away from the skyscrapers, robots, and 24-hour karaoke bars is a calmer Japan, where age-old temples and monasteries still operate as they did a thousand years ago. Family-run ryokan (traditional inns) still welcome guests with humble graciousness and a home-cooked dinner, exactly as it was before Western tourists arrived. Making full use of the country’s reliable railways, this Japan walking holiday idea takes in the quieter spots, giving you the opportunity to savour the warmth of Japanese hospitality every step of the way.
Here's a summary of what you might get up to day-to-day on this Japan holiday. As always, this is just an idea. Every single day of your holiday will be tailored to suit you.
Your adventure begins with an overnight flight from the UK to Tokyo. You'll arrive in the mega-metropolis of Tokyo the following day.
Our team will meet you on arrival and will get you into central Tokyo. There's still a quiet side to this gigantic city, and we'll point you in the direction of the best places to get away from the crowds, find moments of tranquillity and see the traditional alongside the modern. We'd recommend staying in Asakusa - the spiritual soul of Tokyo - but there are incredible snippets of history to be found in all corners of this city, wherever you spend the night.
Meet with your friendly and knowledgeable guide today for a full-day tour of Tokyo. Stroll around the landscaped gardens of Hamarikyu, and sip green tea in the peaceful surroundings. Stop at the impressive Sensoji temple and the Meiji Shrine for a taste of the spiritual peace and Zen culture Japan is so known for. For a contrast, factor in a visit to the youthful and wacky Harajuku to soak up the crazy side of Tokyo – a real mecca for the fashionable and fantastic.
Escape Tokyo this morning and head to the scenic Kawaguchiko lake, near the imposing and iconic Mount Fuji. Hike through the wilderness of Okuniwa National Park for the chance to see this unmistakable peak up close (if the weather is kind!) Later, head to the 5th Station, this is where summer climbers begin their ascent of Fujisan. Tonight you'll stay in a traditional ryokan inn and enjoy a wonderful dinner, a soak in the hot spring baths and a traditional room with tatami mats and futon mattress.
After a rejuvenating sleep in the countryside, either explore some of Kawaguchiko's wonderful museums or take a leisurely boat ride on the lake itself. This afternoon, you'll return to Tokyo by bus for another night in the busy city - we hugely recommend venturing out for dinner in a local izakaya (Japanese pub) alongside the locals for an authentic Tokyo evening.
Board a train from Tokyo and head into the mountains of the Kiso Valley. The scenery along the way is unforgettable and gorgeous regardless of the season. You'll hop off at one of the traditional, perfectly preserved post towns to experience Japan as it would have looked over a hundred years ago, on the long road from Edo (Tokyo) to Kyoto. Bed down in a ryokan tonight, ready for a day of hiking tomorrow.
Get up early today and start your hike along the Nakasendo Way - the famous ancient route taken by pilgrims, poets and merchants during Japan's feudal era. Our recommended route is the 3-hour trek from Magome to Tsumago (or vice versa) to experience great scenery, as well as enjoying first-hand these immaculately-preserved towns, a far cry from the modernity and hi-tech distractions of Japan's big cities. You'll head back to your ryokan this evening, ready for some traditional, filling food and beautiful star-filled skies.
As the ancient walkers did before you, continue your travels to Kyoto - the city of a thousand temples. This train journey will be a beautiful one, so sit back, enjoy it and give your legs a well-deserved rest. When you get to Kyoto, the day is yours to do what you wish. We'd recommend taking a stroll around the photogenic neighbourhood of Gion, where the local geiko (geisha) still work to this day.
With help from our unbeatable local guides, today will be spent checking out the key sights of Kyoto from the saddle of a bike - an energetic but incredible way to see the best the city has to offer. Colourful Buddhist temples, dazzling golden pavilions, atmospheric bamboo forests - Kyoto has a lot to offer you!
After a week and a half of busy sightseeing, today is a day to unwind... with a difference. Jump on the train from Kyoto to Lake Biwa, a great escape from the city, where you'll try some wholesome food, clear your mind with yoga, and find your zen on this beautiful shoreline.
Step back in time as you head for an overnight stay in Koyasan, one of the holiest places in Japan. This mountaintop sanctuary is the perfect place to escape from modern life with a shukubo (temple stay). Tonight will be spent in a working Buddhist monastery, complete with a delicious vegan meal, as you learn how the monks live in this modern world. This truly authentic experience is a real honour, and the perfect way to experience Buddhist culture for yourself.
Be sure to get up early to watch and listen to the monks' daily prayers, and take a wander through the misty-morning light in Okunoin cemetery. The journey back to day gone by – by bus, cable-car and multiple trains – is an enjoyable one, with photo opportunities around every corner. Your travels today take you to Hiroshima, where you'll hop on a ferry to Miyajima, your home for the next few nights.
Miyajima is a beautiful island with free-roaming deer, ancient shrines, and a wooden mountainside that is perfect for walking year-round. The traditional ryokan inns here serve up beautiful multicourse meals each evening, and your hours of hiking will be rewarded with a soak in the natural hot spring onsen baths - perfect!
Today, you'll leave Miyajima and head back along the coast, via the historically infamous city of Hiroshima. Spend some time exploring the sights of this hugely resilient city, taking in the extent to which it's managed to rebuild since the tragedy of the atomic bomb in 1945. We recommend breaking up your journey to Osaka with a stop at the dazzling castle of Himeji and the atmospheric mountain temple of Enyogi. Your final night will be spent back in Kyoto, or (for something different) in the hustle and bustle of Osaka, Japan's culinary capital.
Bid farewell to Japan and take your return flight home, filled with a greater understanding of the traditions, history and spectacular mountain scenery of this incomparable destination.
We offer tailor-made holidays to suit a wide range of tastes. Our experts Emma and Fenton are dedicated to all things Japan and are here to help you plan your perfect trip.
A self-confessed ramen lover and hiking enthusiast, Emma fell hard for Japan’s food and lush countryside. She’s full of ideas for getting off the well-trodden trail and soaking up the quieter, greener side of this one-of-a-kind country.
Fenton’s passion for Japan runs deep – he’s studied the language, explored all corners of the country from Hokkaido to Kyushu, and even named his cat Kyoto. If you want an expert who lives and breathes the place, he’s your guy.
Speak to one of our travel specialists today.
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