Yen-Friendly Japan

15 days

Indicative cost incl. flights:

A typical 3* holiday costs from

£4,960pp

(Based on two people travelling. 4* and 5* hotels, and high season, can be substantially more expensive.)

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Tokyo

Matsumoto & The Kiso Valley

Takayama

Hiroshima & Miyajima

Kyoto

Day 1

Take a flight from the UK to Japan, arriving the following day. Sometimes the cheapest flights will be indirect and can arrive late in the evening - though lots of the top airlines in Asia will offer free layovers too, to maximise your adventure.

Day 2

Our team will meet you on arrival to give you your documentation, including your prebooked train tickets to travel across Japan. They will also help you get to your city-centre hotel, where you can relax or begin to explore Tokyo independently.

Day 3

This morning, meet your local guide who will take you around the city to see some of the key sights on offer - including Sensoji temple, astir with visitors. After lunch, continue to explore for yourself - we can give you plenty of ideas for things to do, so don't hesitate to ask!

Day 4

Today is entirely free to spend as you choose. We would recommend a trip by train to either Nikko - in the mountains north of Tokyo - or Kamakura - heading south towards the coast. Both are incredible destinations, though Tokyo itself has a wealth of things to do too.

Day 5

Jump on the train to the castle town of Matsumoto. This beautiful city in the mountainous Nagano region is a great place to wander around and explore, a chilled-out contrast to the hubbub of Tokyo.

Day 6

With a full day to yourselves in this region you may choose to head into the Kiso Valley, for some hiking and to visit well-maintained historical towns, or even journey to Kamikochi or Yamanouchi to meet some cheeky wildlife.

Day 7

Hop on a bus through spectacular countryside for the quaint town of Takayama. Perfect to explore on foot, the old town here is one of the best in all of Japan. Be sure to try some of the incredible food here - melt-in-your-mouth Hida beef is a particular favourite of ours.

Day 8

After breakfast, join a guided walk around the old town as you taste the regional delicacies available from the morning markets. Try some sake (rice wine) in one of the breweries that have operated here for over a hundred years. This afternoon, stroll on your own through the temple-lined streets of the Higashiyama Yuhodo.

Day 9

Pick up an ekiben (lunchbox) from the station before today's journey by train - a few hours through green countryside to begin with, then onto a bullet train between some major cities for a few more hours. Arrive this afternoon in Hiroshima, a city that requires little introduction, but one you are sure to enjoy. Your evening is at leisure - the downtown area has wonderful nightlife, shopping and dining to experience - so go and enjoy!

Day 10

Get on your bike to see the major sights and landmarks of this city, and learn more about its tragic past, as well as its impressive accomplishments in rebuilding itself. This afternoon is free to explore further at your own pace.

Day 11

Take the ferry over to Miyajima island, home to a significant shrine that has welcomed pilgrims for centuries. You could add on a kayaking adventure here, paddling around the iconic Floating Torii gate, and then spend the afternoon meeting the local deer as you explore the rest of the mountainous island.

Day 12

Say farewell to Hiroshima and take the shinkansen bullet train to your last stop - Kyoto, the eternal city. You have the full day free so let us recommend the best things to see along the way, or to check out upon arrival.

Day 13

Explore a selection of the thousand temples and shrines in Kyoto - don't panic, we will point you in the right direction! We can also organise added activities for you here - whether that is a tranquil tea ceremony, or an active samurai training session - let us know your interests and we will do the rest.

Day 14

Your last full day in Kyoto can be spent as you wish. There are plenty of places you can visit by train, and we can help you choose the right one for you based on your interests. Osaka and Nara are both a quick train ride away, but we have plenty more ideas up our sleeves too.

Day 15

Your time in Japan has come to an end - fly home from Kansai Aiport to the UK, then start planning where to go next time you come to Japan.

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.

Contrary to popular belief, Japan doesn’t need to bankrupt you as a holiday destination. We have designed a wonderful two-week itinerary to show you the best of Japan, with incredible experiences included to make it truly unforgettable and special. If you’re an intrepid traveller who loves to discover a place for themselves, but would like some expert help in planning the complicated logistics, this is definitely the tour for you.

For the most part you will explore the major cities independently, but that’s not to say you’re on your own completely. You will benefit from our years of experience in planning out your days, and we will give you all the tips you need to navigate both the urban hustle and the cross-country railways. We will suggest the cheapest places to eat, the best free attractions to visit, and even find you some bargains to ‘upgrade’ the hotels here and there. We know how to find value in Japan, and the best time of year to find a deal on your flights – let us plan a trip that suits your budget, but still exceeds all your expectations.

1 night flying – 3 nights Tokyo – 2 nights Matsumoto – 2 nights Takayama – 3 nights Hiroshima – 3 nights Kyoto

When to go:

Oct-Apr & July-Aug (High Season) May-June & Sept (Low Season)

Weather:

Average Temp: 0°C in January to 30°C in August Average Rainfall: 50mm in December to 240mm in June

Flight time:

14 hours from London (direct)

Testimonials:

“ We had an amazing time. The itinerary, reservations and organisation of it all ran to perfection and we had no issues whatsoever. HA were checking up on us as we went and were always available should any issues arise which gave great peace of mind. ”

Sam W