Arrive at any time. We highly recommend booking pre- or post-accommodation in Tokyo to take full advantage of this spectacular city.
In the morning collect your JR Pass. Board a bullet train for Kanazawa in the afternoon. The evening is yours to explore, or opt to attend a dinner with the group. Take a short train ride to Kanazawa. In the 17th century, this beautifully preserved castle town was Japan's wealthiest, and it became a thriving center for culture and arts.
Explore the city's well-preserved geisha district. Then, stroll through Keroku-en, ranked one of the nation's top three gardens before exploring the historic Nagamachi samurai district. After strolling through the expansive gardens of Kenrokuen, opt to stop at the massive Kanazawa castle next door.
Kanazawa is also home to many interesting museums, opt to visit one or learn more about local crafts. Loving the food in the city? Take a trip to the local seafood market to see where some of the fresh, tasty ingredients come from.
Arrive in picturesque Takayama and relax in the traditional Japanese inn. Arrive in Takayama in the afternoon and begin taking in the beautiful scenery of this traditional city.
Explore the Hida No Sato traditional folk village, and walk the quaint streets of the old town – lined with sake breweries and craft shops. Enjoy the rest of the day to explore the area. Enjoy free time to explore this beautiful landscape. Discover traces of a feudal past in the thatched houses and rice fields. Opt to visit one of the markets or rent a bike and cycle out of the town centre and into the countryside.
Arrive in Hiroshima and visit the Peace Park and Museum to learn more about the tragic history of this city. The large Peace Park in the centre of the city is an extremely moving place dotted with memorials of those killed by the atomic bomb and others who subsequently died. The burning flame in the park will only be extinguished when all nuclear weapons in the world have been destroyed. Take a tram ride through the city to reach Peace Park.
Take a ferry to the sacred island of Miyajima to see the famous floating Torii Gate and meet the friendly local deer. Take a short ferry ride to Miyajima Island, not far from the coast.
Here, view one of the most photographed sights in Japan?? the floating Torii Gate. The shrine itself dates back to the 6th century and is designed in a pier-like structure.
Enjoy time to explore the island and its many shrines and temples. Sample local treats like maple leaf shaped cakes, and opt to hike up to the peak of the island, Mt Misen, to see spectacular views of the surrounding islands.
Travel to historic Kyoto. Explore the marvellous Fushimi Inari shrine and walk under thousands of torii gates. Continue on to Kyoto, the former imperial capital and home of the country's most treasured remnants of Japanese imperial life.
Walk around Gion and perhaps catch a glimpse of a geisha going from teahouse to teahouse.
Wander the impressive Nijo Castle and gardens before visiting Kyoto's iconic Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion.
Spend a full free day discovering the Zen gardens, huge wooden temples, pagodas and shrines of Kyoto. Opt to enjoy the Zen gardens of Ryoan-ji and the Silver Pavilion, and take a leisurely stroll down the lovely Philosopher's path to Nanzen-ji.
Travel to the Mt Fuji region and enjoy optional walks around Lake Kawaguchi. Savour an amazing multi-course Japanese kaiseki dinner. Leave Kyoto and travel to Kawaguchiko arriving mid afternoon. Take the rest of the afternoon to visit the Onsen Spa at tonight's accommodation before dinner.
Enjoy a morning in Kawaguchiko exploring the Five Lakes region on foot. Later, travel to Tokyo by train.
Explore buzzing Tokyo with a free day. Opt take in some more sights, visit the museums and gardens, or do some shopping. Meet with the group later tonight for our final dinner together.
Depart at any time. We highly recommend booking post-accommodation to fully experience this vibrant city.
