Trip Overview
Join Travel Buddies as we embark on this incredible dream trip to Japan, a country quite like no other. A completely immersive and fully guided tour that will see us exploring the ancient traditions of the Geisha, visiting ornate palaces, Shinto Shrines, traditional markets and so so much more. This multi city tour covers the BEST OF JAPAN and promises to be an unforgettable experience.
Highlights
- Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka
- Boat ride on Ashi Lake.
- Hakone Ropeway.
- Sushi Making class.
- Calligraphy Class.
- Ride on a bullet train.
Itinerary
Today we will meet at the airport and board our overnight flight to Tokyo to set off on our incredible adventure.
Upon our arrival at Tokyo Narita airport we will transfer to our hotel where we will be staying for 4 nights. We will be able to check in and have the evening to relax. Throughout the tour we will be staying in twin rooms but there is an option to have a room to yourself for the trip. If you wish to have a room to yourself for the 12 nights the supplement will be £425.
After breakfast we will embark on a full day tour on public transport with our English speaking guide.
We will visit the Meji Jingu Shrine, one of the Shinto Shrines set in the vast forest lands in the middle of the “Megacity of Tokyo. We will wander through the forest until we reach the shrine of the Emperor who began Japan’s transformation from feudal to modern society in the early 20th century.
After that, it’s Harajuku, Tokyo’s fashion district, to see the fruits of the transformation started by Meiji. French maids, punks, goths, lolitas, technicolour hair – anything goes in Harajuku. Stand back and watch or grab some hair dye and get involved!
Enjoy the unique Omotesando Street ( known as the Champs-Elysees of Tokyo) and Shibuya, with the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world , which is also known as Shibuya Scramble Crossing.
We will end the day with a Sushi Making class.
Meals Included Breakfast, Dinner.
Today we visit the Imperial Palace and the Asakusa Sensoji Temple..
A traditional lunch of Chanko Nabi hotpot is included.
This afternoon we will visit the Tokyo Skyline ( lower observatory) and Akihabara – Japan’s “electric town” and hub of Anime and Manga, and also home to Japan’s most famous J-pop group, AKB48.
You might even fancy popping into a maid cafe… I have to say for the group of Travel Buddies that went to Japan last time I can honestly say it was one of the most surreal and strange experiences of our lives 🙂 I have never seen anything like it since!
Maid cafes are cosplay-themed restaurants where guests are served by waitresses who are typically dressed as French maids. In addition to serving food, the maids engage in conversation and games with the customers.
Meals Included Breakfast,Lunch.
This morning we will board our coach for a full day tour to the Hakone Open Air Museum, Hakone Ropeway, Owakudani Valley and a Boat cruise on Lake Ashi.
If the skies are clear we should be able to see the great mount Fuji and even get to try some Black eggs. Eating one black egg is said to add seven years to your life!
Meals Included Breakfast,Lunch.
Today upon check out we need to ensure we have packed a smaller bag that has everything that we will need for the next 2 days. Our main luggage will be transported to our hotel in Kyoto. (maximum 1 suitcase per person)
This morning we head to Tokyo station to take a Bullet train to Takayama station. There will be one change at Nagoya.
Upon arrival we will be able to leave our overnight bags securely at the hotel before enjoying a walking tour with our guide of the Takayama Jinya and Sammachi Street before enjoying a Sake tasting at Funasaka Shuzo Brewery.
Overnight at our hotel in Takayama
Meals Included Breakfast.
Today we take a full day tour in a private coach to Shirakawago and Kanazawa.
The World heritage village at Shirakawago welcomes visitors from all over the world and will enlighten us as to how some families lived many years ago in these areas.
Nestled in a remote valley and flanked by the mountains of Gifu, Shirakawa-go is the type of place where it’s very easy to forget the rest of the world exists. Mountainous forests occupy almost 96% of the historic village’s area, and while it’s a stunning place to be, it’s easy to imagine that life here—especially generations ago—would be difficult. But it’s a life you are soon to discover that was made possible by a powerful philosophy which the locals call ‘yui’.
In Kanazawa we visit the Nomura Samurai Residence :The family successively held executive posts from generation to generation under the rule of the Maeda family.
The house has a coffered ceiling totally made of Japanese cypress and fusuma-e (paintings on sliding-door panels) created by the Maeda family’s personal painter. The garden inside the residence has a Japanese bayberry over 400 years old and a meandering stream surrounded by ancient and strangely shaped rocks.
Overnight at our hotel in Kanazawa.
Meals Included Breakfast, Lunch
Our morning guided walking tour this morning takes us to Omicho Market Omicho Market which has been Kanazawa’s largest fresh food market since the Edo Period (1603-1868), Kenrokuen Garden and Higashi Chayagai Street before we board our afternoon bullet train to Kyoto.
Upon arrival in Kyoto we will check in to our hotel where we will be staying for 4 nights
Meals Included Breakfast,
After breakfast at the hotel we head out for a full day tour of the Arashiyama Area including the Bamboo Forest and the Togetsukyo Bridge.
Then put your creative skills to the test with a class in the ancient Japanese art of Calligraphy.
Afternoon visits to the Kiyomizudera Temple and the Gion Area.
Gion is Kyoto’s geisha district, with hostesses in colorful kimonos often sighted on the wooden Tatsumi Bridge, or amid upscale Japanese restaurants and boutiques on Hanamikoji Street. Gion Corner hosts traditional Kyomai dances, while Kennin-ji Temple is known for its Zen garden and Yasaka Shrine has seasonal festivals in a lantern-lit courtyard. Nightlife ranges from quiet sake bars to buzzing, pub-like izakayas
Arrival at the hotel in the evening.
Meals Included Breakfast,
Today is a completely free day. You may wish to spend the day at a more relaxing pace or get up and out early to visit more attractions…. The choice is totally yours.
Meals Included Breakfast,
Our full day tour today starts with a visit to the Samurai Museum in Kyoto. The samurai were a warrior class in Japan who served from the 12th century until the late 1870s. They were highly trained soldiers who were skilled with the sword and bow. The samurai were a key part of Japanese armies during the medieval period. They followed a strict moral code called bushido, which emphasized loyalty, self-discipline, and ethical behavior.
~We then continue to Nara and visit the Todaiji Temple, Nara Deer Park and the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine.
Overnight at our hotel in Kyoto
Meals Included Breakfast.
Once again we need to ensure we have packed an overnight bag that has everything that we will need for the next day. Our main luggage will be transported to our hotel in Osaka. (maximum 1 suitcase per person)
We will take the walk to the station and onwards to Hiroshima today. Highlights of the guided day tour include Miyajima, Itsukushima Shrine, the Peace Memorial Park and museum and the Atomic Bomb Dome.
Overnight at our hotel in Hiroshima.
Meals Included Breakfast.
Today we take our final bullet train to Osaka and have a full afternoon tour exploring the highlights of the city, the Umeda sky building observation deck, Osaka Castle and the Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi Areas.
Meals Included Breakfast.
This morning we have an early check and take our private transfer to the Airport for our flight back to the UK.
Includes/Excludes
Cost Includes
- 12 nights accommodation sharing twin rooms in 3 and 4 * hotels.
- Breakfast each morning.
- 3 lunches and 1 dinner.
- Travel Buddies tour leader.
- English speaking guide for all tours..
- All daily full day tours as described above.
- Boat ride on Ashi Lake
- Hakone Ropeway 1 way ticket.
- Sushi Making class.
- Calligraphy Class.
- All transport as above on a minibus.
- Bullet train tickets, second class.
Cost Excludes
- Entrance fees, transport fees and meals other than those listed above.
- Tips for the guide and driver.
- International Flights.
FAQs
You need to book your own flights and they are with Air China.
Below is the flight that Di will be going on. The best way to book is via Skyscanner as a (multi trip)
If you would prefer to travel from an alternative UK airport or book a different flight, that is absolutely fine. Please let us know when you book. You will need to arrange your own hotel transfers.
Non Direct Air China
06/04/2026 – Depart London Heathrow 20.25. Arrive PEK Beijing Capital 13.10+1
Flight Number CA938
07/04/26 – Depart PEK Beijing Capital 14.15. Arrive NRT Tokyo Narita 18.50
Flight Number CA113
Non Direct Air China
19/4/26 – Depart KIX Kansai International (Osaka) 09.05. Arrive PEK Beijing Capital 11.25
Flight Number CA162
19/4/2026 – Depart PEK Beijing Capital 14.00 . Arrive – London Heathrow 17.45
Flight Number CA937
This tour requires a good level of fitness. There is a lot of walking and the use of public transport is frequent (as it is the most time efficient and effective way to tour Japan). You will need to be able to walk many hours per day, except on the free day. On some of our days when we are on the bullet trains there will be time to relax on these journeys but please do bear this in mind if you will be joining us on this tour.
To learn more on how we protect your money, please visit:https://www.protectedtrustservices.com/consumer-protection/
If you are travelling on a British passport you can get a visa on arrival in Japan for tourism or business for up to 90 days. You do not need to apply before you travel. You will need to have one blank page in your passport for the visa. Please contact me if you will be traveling on a passport issued in a different country.
