Highlights of Japan

15 days

Indicative cost incl. flights:

A typical 4* holiday costs from

£6,270pp

(Based on two people travelling. 3* can be cheaper, and 5* hotels can be substantially more expensive.)

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Tokyo

Kanazawa

Takayama

Kyoto

Hiroshima & Miyajima

Osaka

Day 1

Fly from the UK to Tokyo, either direct from London or via another city if using a regional airport or cheaper airline. Arrive the following day in this buzzing mega-city.

Day 2

You will be welcomed in Tokyo airport by our local team, and given all the documents and tickets you need for the next few weeks. They will ensure you get to your starting hotel, where you can relax or choose to head straight out into the city for some neon-lit fun.

Day 3

After breakfast, meet your private guide for the day to tackle the sights of the city. From skyscraper-filled, crowded streets to quiet, tranquil parks and shrines, Tokyo is a diverse and exciting introduction to modern Japan. We can tailor the specifics of today's touring if you have any particular interests or must-see attractions.

Day 4

With a full day left free, it's up to you what you wish to do with your time. We have plenty of recommendations - both within the city limits, and easily reachable by train as a day trip.

Day 5

Hop on the Hokuriku bullet train and head to Kanazawa - a city known as 'Little Kyoto' due to its cultural treasures, well-preserved historical neighbourhoods and carefully crafted local cuisine.

Day 6

We would suggest a morning stroll around the beautiful Kenrokuen gardens, or a few hours in one of the world-class museums nearby. This afternoon, our knowledgeable guide will take you around the captivating streets of the city to learn about traditional crafts, such as gold-leaf work and kimono-dying.

Day 7

Take a bus to the picturesque village of Shirakawago and spend a couple of hours exploring this archetypal Hida farming community. Continue onto the town of Takayama, your home for the next few nights. This beautiful town has a lot to offer visitors, including mouth-watering cuisine, welcoming ryokan (inns) to spend the night, and an old town filled with wooden houses that feels like a living museum.

Day 8

Take a morning tour around town to try the local food for yourself - and enjoy a taste of the local sake (rice wine) that this region is famous for. Your afternoon is free to relax at your ryokan, soaking in the hot baths, or exploring the area further.

Day 9

Take the scenic train to Nagoya and hop onto a shinkansen (bullet train) through to Kyoto. This modern city has a rich heritage, and boasts over a dozen designated World Heritage monuments - so get exploring!

Day 10

Meet your private guide and spend a morning visiting a selection of Kyoto's many wonders. This afternoon, gain a better understanding of Japan's culture with a tea ceremony and a traditional craft lesson.

Day 11

We would recommend spending today exploring the ancient capital - Nara - which is tantalisingly close to Kyoto. As well as being home to the famous wooden temple of Todaiji, Nara Park is filled with friendly, wild deer, all keen to make your acquaintance.

Day 12

Back on to the bullet train towards Hiroshima. Make the most of the reliable local transport and break up the journey in Himeji to see the famous 'white heron' castle, before continuing to Hiroshima - a vibrant city with lots to see and do.

Day 13

Together with your private local guide, head to spiritual Miyajima, a mountainous island in the Seto Inland Sea, where the much-photographed Itsukushima torii gate appears to float on the water at high tide. Returning to the mainland, learn all about the tragic events that ended the Pacific War when the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, and the resilience of the city as it rose from the ashes.

Day 14

Your final stop is Osaka - the yin to Tokyo's yang, a laid-back and down-to-earth metropolis that is famed for its hedonistic nightlife, indulgent cuisine and easygoing outlook. We have organised an evening escapade for you to try some of the celebrated food for yourself - try not to stay up too late though, as you fly tomorrow!

Day 15

Fly back to the UK from Kansai Airport - or, if your time is more flexible - add some more nights in Osaka (or back in Tokyo) to keep the adventure going.

Where you'll go
What you'll do
Where you'll stay

Similar Holidays

Everything we do is tailor-made; our itineraries are just suggestions to give you an idea of what is possible. Please contact us so we can tailor the perfect holiday exclusively for you.

This two-week adventure around Japan will allow you to see a little bit of everything that the country has to offer. It’s an action-packed introduction to a diverse and fascinating destination, ideal for anyone looking to experience more than just the major cities.

Begin with a few days in hectic Tokyo, then head through to the rich-cultured city of Kanazawa and the mountain town of Takayama. Continue onward for a few nights in beautiful Kyoto, and then to Hiroshima and the island of Miyajima. Finish your travels with a night in Osaka – though you could also return to Kyoto or Tokyo again if preferred. All our tours are flexible, but this is the perfect framework to start building your own fortnight in the Land of the Rising Sun.

1 night flying – 3 nights Tokyo – 2 nights Kanazawa – 2 nights Takayama – 3 nights Kyoto – 2 nights Hiroshima – 1 night Osaka