Your adventure starts in the incredible city of Tokyo. When you land, you’ll be greeted at the airport by our friendly team on the ground, who will make sure you have all of the information and documents needed for your journey ahead. Once you make your way to your hotel, the rest of the day is yours to relax or get your bearings around the city at your own pace. There's a lot of New World influence everywhere you look here, but there are plenty of ancient, soulful treasures to be uncovered, too – you won't need to look hard.

This morning, you’ll head off with your own private local guide to explore some of Tokyo’s greatest sights. We can fully customise your tour today to make sure the activities and attractions visited are the perfect fit for you and your interests. It’s a big city, with an almost overwhelming amount to see, so, as always, just chat to us about what’s important to you and we’ll make it happen. We’d personally recommend the Asakusa neighbourhood – home to Sensoji, one of Japan’s most popular Buddhist temples.

Today you’ll get your very first chance to marvel at the punctuality and comfort of Japanese trains as you ride the rails from Tokyo to the city of Matsumoto. After a few hours and scenic train travel through the countryside, you’ll arrive at your next destination, ready to take in the sights of this slightly slower-paced city. The key sight to see is one you simply can’t miss: the towering Matsumoto Castle that stands proud in the centre of town. Once you’ve visited the castle, the surrounding streets have plenty of quirky shops and interesting museums to explore, too. 

By local train, you’ll leave Matsumoto today and journey on to the nearby Kiso Valley, home to the famous Nakasendo Way. This ancient path linking Tokyo and Kyoto can still be hiked today, with the well-preserved post towns along the route being some of the very best examples of Edo-period architecture in modern Japan. You’ll spend your first night in a traditional family-run inn tonight, complete with a big slice of traditional Japanese hospitality, a delicious local dinner and archetypal futon beds. It's a truly special experience, sure to be a highlight of your Japan holiday.

Lace up your walking shoes this morning and take a stroll between some of the picture-perfect post towns nearby. We’d recommend the 3-hour walk between Tsumago and Magome, in either direction, but there are lots of other routes to explore too. If you’re not much of a hiker, there are still plenty of great places to see and ways to see them! Hop on the local trains and/or buses to explore some local treasures (we can help with this!), before returning to your ryokan for another wholesome dinner and a peaceful kip in the countryside. 

Your journey continues by train today, where you’ll find yourself in Japan’s most-visited city, Kyoto! With a wealth of attractions to visit, the hardest part is picking where you want to go. After checking into your hotel, we highly recommend starting your time in the city with a stroll around the streets of the Gion neighbourhood. This ancient district has retained all of its old world charm, is lined with ancient tea houses and is one of the spots in the city where geckos (geisha) still work and live. It’s also a great place to try some tasty local food, in one of the most atmospheric parts of the city. Always our favourite way to pass the time here at HA.

Today starts bright and early with a private guided tour of the city. You’ll visit the enigmatic rock gardens in Zen temple Ryoanji, the shimmering gold Kinkakuji, and the architectural wonders of Nijo Castle. This afternoon is free to explore further on your own. But, as always, we’re here with a host of recommendations if needed. One suggestion would be heading out to Arashiyama with its bamboo groves and beautiful riverside location. Or, take a walk up through the vermilion torii gates heading up the mountain of Fushimi Inari Shrine. If you wait until the sun starts setting, the crowds will have thinned out a little. 

You’ll leave Kyoto behind for the day today and take a day trip to Uji, a town famed for its matcha green tea and the stunning Phoenix Hall of Byodoin temple. You’ll join a brilliant and knowledgeable local guide for a tour around this lesser-known city, uncovering all the hidden nooks and crannies and venturing where few tourists do. Sip on a delicious cup of ocha (green tea) for yourself whilst your guide teaches you all about his home. Your afternoon is free to spend however you’d like. You might continue to journey south to visit magical Nara, where deer line the streets and ancient temples pop up everywhere you look. Or head back to Kyoto to spend some more time exploring the treasures that make it such a popular city. 

Your next stop awaits at the end of another train ride, this time back into the glorious mountainous interior of the country. The pretty town of Takayama, famed for its clear waters, hot springs and delicious sake rice wine, is one of Japan’s most beautiful destinations – and one of our favourites. Meander through the well-preserved historical streets before soaking up the famous Japanese hospitality with a delicious evening meal tonight in your ryokan. 

Wake up today with a wonderfully slow-paced day ahead of you. Explore the fields and villages surrounding Takayama by bike, soaking up the charm and magic of everyday life unfolding before your eyes. This afternoon, don’t miss the chance to soak in the onsen (hot springs) at your accommodation. It’s such a staple Japanese experience, and one not to be missed.

Your exploration through the Hida countryside isn’t done yet. Today, you’ll head off on a journey to the all-too-often skipped Kanazawa. On the way, you’ll stop off at the impossibly picturesque village of Shirakawago, where you’ll feel like you’ve landed straight in a living postcard. Take a few hours to amble around and soak up the mountain air before continuing on to Kanazawa. Known as ‘Little Kyoto’, we know it’s a cliche, but this city really does qualify for the title of ‘hidden gem’. We’d recommend an evening stroll through the Higashi Chaya district – a quieter version of Kyoto’s Gion, but no less wonderful to explore when the sun goes down. 

This morning we’d suggest a visit to Kanazawa’s most famous sight, the Kenrokuen Gardens, one of the most-loved in all of Japan. A landscaped garden full of ponds, lanterns, bridges and trees – it’s beyond peaceful. A few hours here will be the perfect antidote to the bustle of modern Japan. This afternoon, you’ll meet your tour guide to learn all about some of Kanazawa’s most celebrated crafts – and the city has a lot! You’ll familiarise yourself with the techniques of gold-leaf work, test your kimono-dying skills and learn all about lacquerware. 

Another ride on the iconic bullet train will take you back to the capital in style today. You’ve got one last night in the country before your adventure comes to an end, so we know you’ll want to make the most of every second. We can suggest some extra places to stop off en route back to Tokyo if you’d like to break up the journey. Or, we can help with extra things to do and see in Tokyo itself (there’s plenty after all!) Whichever option you choose, you can rest assured that your last day in Japan will be a memorable one. 

Today, you'll say goodbye to Japan and all of the traditions and soul that make it such a special place. Until next time, Japan.