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. You’ll also take an evening tour of Shibuya with a guide popping into a few well-chosen eateries where you can have drinks and try out some delicious bar food. At the end of the tour, you’ll be well prepped to explore the dazzling streets of Tokyo all by yourself, like a true local.
Days 3-4 – At the foot of Fuji
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.
You’ll have plenty of options – ride the railway, take a boat trip on the lake, visit the impressive Hakone Shrine or some of the many museums – it 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, and grab yourself some tasty Japanese cuisine at one of the many excellent restaurants.
Days 5-6 – 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!
Late-morning the following day, 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.
Days 7-8 – 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.
Days 9-10 – 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.
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
