Japan in a Nutshell
Itinerary
Our itineraries feature some of our favourite experiences, but if it's not quite for you, we have a variety of unique tours that your Japan Specialist can help you pick.
Day 1 – Let’s go Tokyo!
One of the world’s truly great cities, Tokyo is a thrilling mix of the past and future, complete with incredible cuisine, neon-lit nightlife and unique pop culture. After being picked up from the airport and transferred to your hotel near the heart of the city, you’ll have plenty of time to visit the contrasting areas which make up this unique metropolis. If you’re feeling a little jaded from the flight, then there are plenty of places on your doorstep where you’ll be able to have a little drink and get your first taste of real Japanese cuisine, before turning in for the night.
Day 2 – Explore the city with a local
To experience the best of what Tokyo has to offer this morning, you will meet your local, English-speaking guide, who has lived in the city for a while and can provide a unique insight into the people, customs, and Japanese etiquette, as well as visiting the well-known attractions. Tokyo’s hi-tech public transport system is an experience in itself and makes it easy and fast to travel through the different parts of the city.
Discover the old and the new Tokyo as you walk along the Ameyoko market street and through the Ueno Park, which is full of historical sights and gives you a good insight into Japanese history. Continue to the famous Yanaka Cemetery, where your guide will tell you more about Japanese funeral traditions. The cemetery lies in the beautiful Yanesen district, which was largely spared during the Second World War, so you can discover many small temples and old houses here. After lunch (not included), you will get to know modern Tokyo. Find an insight into some of the most interesting subcultures of Tokyo in Nakano, and as a last stop, you will visit the districts of Harajuku or Shibuya. Finally, your guide will give you tips for the rest of the afternoon and where you can eat in the evening. In total, this city tour takes about 6 hours, and you always have the option to add the night tour if you wish.
Day 3 – At the foot of Fuji
Today, you will make your own way to the train station to collect your Rail Pass before getting your first taste of train travel in Japan en route to Hakone, the gateway to Mount Fuji. For the next couple of days, you’ll stay in Hakone, located near the foot of the mountain and beside Ashino-ko Lake, providing a spectacular setting from which to take in the majesty of Fuji. The town is understandably popular and provides multiple tourist attractions and facilities, so we’ll provide a pass so that you can experience them at your own pace.
Day 4 – Exploring Hakone
You’ll have plenty of options today – you could ride the railway, take a boat trip on Ashino-ko Lake, visit the impressive Hakone Shrine or some of the many museums – it’s totally up to you! There are also some great hiking trails if you feel like escaping the crowds. After a full day of exploring, you can relax in one of the town’s many Onsen, baths heated by volcanic hot springs.
The town has lots of great places to eat and drink, so as evening draws in, you can find yourself a nice spot to watch the world go by whilst filling up on delicious Japanese cuisine. We can recommend The Gyoza Centre for traditional Japanese dumplings.
Day 5 – Uncover the heart of Kyoto
Next up you will make your way to the train station and head to pretty Kyoto. When you think of Japan, you might imagine ancient temples, perfectly manicured zen gardens and time honoured tea ceremonies. Well, that’s Kyoto in a nutshell! During this trip you’ll spend 2 nights in this pretty city and hop aboard a bike to discover the city’s hidden backstreets. You can expect to whizz past willow lined rivers, along narrow streets and alongside traditional merchant houses.
Day 6 – Morning bike tour
This morning, you’ll head out to meet your English-speaking guide and hop on your bike. Cycling through the back streets feels like a world (and century) away from the car-congested highways. You’ll visit the old entertainment districts with their wooden houses and make a stop at Shinto shrines with their Torri gates. You’ll finish at Kyoto station at about 1 pm, giving you the rest of the day to do as you please.
Days 7 & 8 – Return to Tokyo & departure from Japan
Finally, it’s time for your last train back to Tokyo for another night in the neon city. As your Japanese adventure comes to an end, you will spend one more night in this bustling city, take a final walk past the towering skyscrapers and tuck into some tasty sushi.
Today, your Japanese experience comes to an end as you’re transferred to the airport for your overnight international flight home. Before heading through customs and security, remember to post your pocket wifi unit back through the airport post office.
Accommodation
