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.
Day 2 – Tokyo like a local
In order to see the best of what Tokyo has to offer this morning you will meet your local, English speaking guide that 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 10am 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 – 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.
Day 4 – Free time in Hakone
Today, you’ll have time to explore Hakone and 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’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 and grab yourself some tasty Japanese cuisine at one of the many restaurants.
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! Discover more cultural treasures in central Kyoto, stroll through the bamboo forest of Arashiyama, or walk beneath the thousands of red torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine. Torii gates are the entrance gates to shrines, usually lined up one after the other, and you’ll see them all over Japan.
Day 6 – Kyoto 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.
Day 7 – Blissful bays of Okinawa
Today you’ll be collected from your hotel in Kyoto and taken to the airport to catch a flight to Okinawa, a subtropical archipelago that couldn’t differ more from mainland Japan. Think white sandy beaches, warm turquoise ocean and over 150 islands dotted around the East China Sea. With a distinctive islandic culture and a strong American influence, Okinawa has its own flavour. After all, neon lights and swaying palm trees go very well together. Who knew! You’ll land at Naha airport and get transferred to your beachside hotel, about an hour away. Here you’ll spend three blissful nights (let us know if you fancy having more downtime here!), falling asleep to the sound of crashing ocean waves. The hotel has an excellent restaurant and a huge swimming pool. And there are beaches and beautiful parks to keep you entertained, too.
Day 8 – Okinawa Snorkelling tour
While you are in Okinawa, we will arrange for you to explore the amazing underwater world on a snorkelling tour. You will be collected from your hotel and taken to board the boat, where your knowledgeable local guide awaits. They will take you and other travellers to some pretty spectacular snorkelling locations where you can observe coral reefs and their inhabitants. The variety of marine life here is exceptional! After the tour, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel.
Day 9 – Freetime in Okinawa
We haven’t planned anything else for your time in Okinawa, so you can enjoy your free time and explore the island at your own pace. Be sure to bring your swimsuit, as the water here is 21°C-30°C . It’s no wonder Okinawa is such a popular beach destination, teeming with tropical fish and beautiful coral. If you want to explore underwater further, then you could book a diving tour and go in search of Nemo, sea turtles, manta rays, and maybe even whales.
Days 10-11 – Neon night in Tokyo
At the end of your stay in Okinawa, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred back to Naha airport on time for your flight 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
