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.
We’ve designed this 9-day Japan holiday to be perfect if you’re a little short on time. This compact itinerary follows Japan’s ‘Golden Route’ on a whistlestop journey through the country, all whilst making sure you’re taking in the highlights and never compromising on experiences. It's also just the start; no two holidays we design are the same. This is just to give you a taste of what's possible over a quick 9-day holiday to Japan, we’ll tailor it until it’s just right for you.
Your adventure begins in the busy metropolis of Tokyo, straight to the heart of Japan’s magic. Next, you’ll stop in the hot-spring resort town of Hakone, experience traditional Japanese hospitality with a stay at a traditional ryokan inn, and finish with time spent in ancient Kyoto. Take full advantage of the excellent railways on this Japan holiday as you use bullet trains to fly across huge distances of the country. We can recommend some alternative options to Hakone if you’d like to divert from the ‘typical’ route between the two major cities – as always, we'll chat to you about your interests and make sure we find something that suits your budget and timescale perfectly.
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.
Direct flights from London will get you to Tokyo in around 12 hours, arriving early the following morning ready for your whirlwind adventure to begin.
Welcome to Japan! You'll be met at the airport by our local team, who will provide you with all the information and documents you need for your quick holiday to Japan. They will help get you to your hotel, where you'll be free to relax or explore the city at your own pace. There's plenty to do this evening - why not embrace the chaos and hit the alleyways on a street food tour? Delicious, eye-opening, and the perfect way to get to grips with the flavours of Japan the first chance you get!
We have an action-packed day planned for you, as your own private guide will lead you around some of Tokyo's best-loved attractions. The green lawns of Hamarikyu gardens, encircled by skyscrapers, and the tranquil park of Meiji Shrine, all existing alongside the multicoloured madness of Harajuku, it might sound cliche to describe Tokyo as a city of contrasts, but it really is.
Today is free to do as you choose. We'd recommend a journey out to Kamakura, where you can visit impressive temples and the iconic Great Buddha statue. Alternatively, spend the time exploring more of amazing Tokyo. We can suggest lots of trips, activities and excursions for you, so just let us know what you fancy doing - everything we do is tailor-made to your preferences.
Grab a train and leave Tokyo behind this morning before connecting to a quaint mountain railway to the steaming, volcanic landscape of Hakone. There's plenty to see and do here, so make the most of a full day in the region. Check out the sculpture parks, ride pirate ships and, if you're lucky, catch a glimpse of elusive Mt. Fuji! Spend the night enjoying a delicious multi-course kaiseki meal at your traditional ryokan and a soak in some mineral-rich hot springs.
Take some more time to soak up the onsen town tranquillity of Hakone before continuing by shinkansen (bullet train) to one of the real gems of Japan, Kyoto. This city is brimming with sights - ancient temples, shrines, palaces and historical neighbourhoods. We'd suggest a stroll this evening through Gion, one of Kyoto's geisha districts, where you can enjoy great local food behind the walls of ancient wooden buildings.
With your own private guide, explore some of the city's most memorable sights and learn all about Kyoto's fascinating past today. From the grandiose Nijo Castle and the shimmering gold pavilion of Kinkakuji temple, to the winding steps of Higashiyama that lead to beautiful Kiyomizudera - you'll end the day understanding completely why Kyoto is considered one of the top highlights of Japan.
With one full day remaining in Japan, we've left it up to you how to spend it. Maybe you'll journey to Nara, Japan's ancient capital - a city that boasts vast Buddhist temples, parks full of friendly deer, and plenty of opportunities to pick up great souvenirs to take home with you. On the way back, be sure to stop at the vermilion torii gates of Fushimi Inari shrine, one of the most photographed locations in Japan... It's popular and often quite busy, but it's more than worth a visit!
Today, your short Japan holiday has come to an end. Head to the nearby Kansai Airport to hop on your flight back to London, or choose to extend the adventure with a journey back to Tokyo, or onto another one of Japan's incredible destinations. Your holiday will always be tailored to your wishes and timescales!
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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