Best of Japan

An overnight flight, arriving on day two, will bring you Tokyo’s Narita Airport.

A private driver will meet you at the airport to bring you to your city centre accommodation. Take a moment to relax or head out to explore your surroundings. In the superior option you’ll have Tokyo’s oldest temple – Sensoji – on your doorstep while the deluxe option overlooks the Imperial Palace grounds. In both, you’ll be greeted by that quintessentially Japanese architectural style that favours bold reds and graceful arcs. It’s one that has lasted from 7th century Nara temples to 18th century Edo period residences. Perhaps make use of your preloaded transport card to head further afield and experience Tokyo’s famed nightlife and restaurant scene in Shinjuku.

Stay: Gate Hotel Kaminarimon (Superior) or Hotel Okura Tokyo (Deluxe)

Today, using the city’s famed public transport once more, a local guide will arrange a private tour of the Japanese capital, visiting the sights that appeal to you. You might want to wake up early to experience the commotion that is Tsukiji Fish Market where the world’s best sashimi grade fish are busily bartered over. Then, after sampling some at a local sushi restaurant, picked out by your guide, perhaps discover the more historic side of this ultra-modern city. In Yoyogi Park you’ll find Meiji era shrines tucked away among surprisingly large forests while your guide will also be able to shed new light on the Imperial Palace’s moated gardens. We’ve also included tickets to the Tokyo Skytree, which, at 634m high, is the tallest tower in the world. Unsurprisingly it offers unrivalled city views.

Stay: Gate Hotel Kaminarimon (Superior) or Hotel Okura Tokyo (Deluxe)

On your last day in Tokyo, explore further or make use of your unlimited rail pass to head beyond the city limits. Perhaps make your way to Kamakura; just an hour’s west of Tokyo this former capital is home to a stunning collection of shrines and temples. The most impressive of which is Kotokuin where a giant bronze Buddha looks out over pretty traditional gardens. For a green alternative to Tokyo’s bright lights, Mt. Takao’s national park trails make for pretty hikes past temples and statues to reach summit views back to Tokyo. A little further afield, Nikko’s park lakes and waterfalls are speckled with Shinto shrines, including the impressive Toshogu. Intricately carved and picked out in bright colours, it’s one of Japan’s most important pilgrim sites.

Stay: Gate Hotel Kaminarimon (Superior) or Hotel Okura Tokyo (Deluxe)

Your first Shinkansen journey will bring you to Odawara Station, the gateway to Hakone National Park. Here, a private driver will bring you to your traditional ryokan accommodation. Your superior option is a historic, timber inn complete with tatami mats, private hot spring baths and kaiseki multicourse banquets. Over the next two days, you’ll then take full advantage of your Freepass to explore Hakone. Make use of ropeway cable cars to reach picturesque hill walks, climb aboard a mountain railway to visit remote hamlets or take to the waters on a boat cruise past lakeside shrines, a fitting foreground to Mt. Fuji’s imperious gaze.

Stay: Motoyu Kansuiro (Superior) or KAI Hakone (Deluxe)

Retrace your steps with a private car ride back to Odawara Station where you’ll catch your next bullet train down to Kyoto, tracing Japan’s eastern seaboard as you travel at speeds of up to 200 mph. While its grid system features all the trappings of a modern city, look between the lines to find one of the world’s most culturally rich cities. In the early evening, a private tour with a professional English-speaking guide will introduce you to the sights and culture of Gion, Kyoto’s famed geisha district. Making your way through narrow lanes and hidden alleys, your guide will keep you informed on the age-old traditions that keep this secretive side-world alive. You’ll be sure to spot geishas and their apprentice maiko hurrying between appointments.

Stay: Granvia Kyoto (Superior) or Hyatt Regency, Kyoto (Deluxe)

Once again, a private guided tour will be tailor-made to your interests. If you want to continue in your introduction to geisha culture, perhaps take part in a tea ceremony or head to the Imperial Palace for a walk through its palatial gardens. And, what with over 2,000 religious sites, there’s plenty to keep you occupied between beautifully ornate Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, complemented by perfectly formed Zen gardens. Don’t miss out on a walk through the Arashiyama Bamboo Groves where bright green shoots all but block out the sun.

Stay: Granvia Kyoto (Superior) or Hyatt Regency, Kyoto (Deluxe)

Making full use of your train pass on the short 40-minute journey out to Nara. Like its Kyoto neighbour, Nara was once the Japanese capital, a position that has gifted it with a wealth of heritage. As such, you’ll find grand Buddhist monasteries and temples set against a backdrop of low-lying mountains. Prime among them is Todaiji; as the world’s largest wooden building, it features a giant bronze Buddha and looks out over Nara Park where deer roam free. The next day, take a local train to your home cooking course where you’ll learn to prepare a traditional Japanese dish of your choosing. Your English-speaking instructor will teach you to use readily available ingredients to create one of the country’s regional specialities, either sushi, tempura, obanzai – a local Kyoto favourite – or traditional Japanese sweets. It’s also a chance to get a glimpse into modern Japanese home life. Lasting around three hours, a private transfer will bring you back to your accommodation.

Stay: Granvia Kyoto (Superior) or Hyatt Regency, Kyoto (Deluxe)

Follow the coast west to Hiroshima, a distance of 400km covered in just two bullet train hours. In the Western world, you’ll know the city for its nuclear holocaust. While this is referenced in poignant shell ruins and the atmospheric Peace Park and Museum, you’ll find a city that has emerged from its tragic past in spectacular gardens dotted with intimate teahouses and a range of contemporary arts museums. Don’t forget to try the local savoury pancakes; termed okonomiyaki, the name translates as ‘everything grilled’ meaning endless choices of toppings. After eating your fill, catch the train to the port where you’ll making the ferry crossing to Miyajima. This 10-minute journey is among the most scenic, with views of the island’s iconic floating torii gate whose bright red struts are reflected in watery ripples. You’ll then check into your second ryokan to enjoy yet more kaiseki banquets.

Stay: Iwaso, Miyajima (Superior) or Itsukushima Iroha Ryokan (Deluxe)

Take some time to relax in your accommodation’s onsen hot pools and drink in the ocean views. Then, set out to explore what translates as ‘Shrine Island’ by visiting the Itsukushima Shrine that, like its gate counterpart, appears to float serenely on the waters. Alternatively, hire a bike to take cycle paths round to white sand beaches or catch a cable car to the summit of Mt. Misen where you’ll find yet more pretty Buddhist temples and deer. You’ll also be able to look back across the bay’s islands to Hiroshima.

Stay: Iwaso, Miyajima (Superior) or Itsukushima Iroha Ryokan (Deluxe)

Leaving Miyajima behind, you’ll board a ferry back to the mainland before getting a local train to Hiroshima Station where you’ll catch the Shinkansen to Osaka. As always, you can use your rail pass at each stage – even the ferry. Upon arriving in Japan’s second largest city, check into your hotel before heading out to explore. By day, visit the Umeda Sky Building for a stunning overview of the city before heading to Osaka Castle whose double moated grounds make for atmospheric walks. However, Osaka really comes to life at night. 3D signage covers entire building sides and fine dining restaurants come stacked upon one another. Go for a walk through waterside Dotonbori to take it all in.

Stay: Osaka Marriott Miyako (Superior) or Conrad Osaka (Deluxe)

A private car will bring you to Osaka Airport where you’ll board your flight back to the UK, arriving home the same day.