A Taste of Japan
Itinerary
Days 1-2 – 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
In order to see 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 give you a unique insight into the people, customs and Japanese etiquette, as well as visiting the well-known attractions. You will meet the guide around 10 am and explore the city together on foot and by metro (payable locally). 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 – Arrival in Hakone
Today you will make your own way to the train station to get 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 – Castle in the Clouds – Matsumoto
After a scenic train journey from Hakone, taking in the beautiful Japanese Alps, you’ll arrive at Matsumoto. Nestled amongst the mountain peaks, this small cosmopolitan city awaits, offering you a tranquil base for the next few days. The wonderful Matsumoto Castle should be first on everyone’s list, but the city has plenty of other charms too. The Nakamachi district is made up of attractive Edo-period streets, home to a huge selection of cafes and galleries, you could easily lose a few hours just strolling through the maze of streets. There are alpine views all around, so you might just find yourself a nice spot for lunch and end up staying far too long!
Day 6 – Soba noodle making & free time
Late-morning today, you’ll head to a local restaurant in the centre of town, which dates back over 130 years. Here you’ll learn how to make one of the region’s most famous foods, soba noodles, from a local chef. After kneading and cutting them, they’ll be cooked up Shinshu-style for you to enjoy as a delicious lunch. With a full belly, you can set off to explore more of the city, but if you’re feeling a little more active, you can head to the Tourist Office for info about some great day-hikes in the area.
Day 7 – Strolling down the Nakasendo Way
Today, you will hop on another train for a short journey to Kiso Valley – home to The Nakasendo Way, an ancient walking trail of the Edo period that connects Tokyo with Kyoto. You’ll spend two nights in Kiso-Fukushima, exploring the historical and important checkpoint on the Nakasendo, before embarking on the famous hike from Magome to Tsumago. Both these towns are known as the most attractive Nakasendo towns, where you’ll pass Japan’s rural scenery of thickly forests, cobblestone roads and traditional-style Japanese houses. Once you reach Tsumago later that afternoon, it’ll feel like you’re in an open-air museum, where everything has been preserved from over 200 years ago.
Day 8 – Kiso Valley Sightseeing
This morning you’ll be provided with a combined entry ticket that lets you explore three of Kiso-Fukushima’s most popular attractions. You’ll first visit the Yamamura Residence, the former home of the local Owari clan governor. You’ll also visit the Ko Zenji Temple, home to Asia’s largest dry rock garden. The temple is known for its beautiful, expansive garden and for its gorgeous setting at the foot of the Chuo Alps. Your ticket also gives you access to the Fukushima Sekisho-Ato, which overlooks the Kiso River.
Day 9 – 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 10 – 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 11-12 – Night In Tokyo
At the end of your stay in Kyoto, you will make your own way to the train station to catch the 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. The following morning you will be collected and taken to the airport for your international flight home. Before heading through customs and security, remember to post your pocket wifi unit back through the airport post office.
Accommodation
