13-Day Traditional and Cultural Japan Unrivalled Tour from Tokyo: Hakone, Isawa, Matsumoto, Takayama, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Kyoto and Osaka

Kon'nichiwa Tokyo!

Welcome to this dazzling orchestra of light, sound and intersecting subway lines. This is the city where the future fuses with the past in the most fascinating way possible, and we'll have a free evening to bond, explore and soak it all in.

Today we'll bounce out of bed ready and raring to uncover Tokyo. The ancient Buddhist temple of Asakusa Senso-ji & the Meiji Jingu shrine are just some of the doors we will open to this city. If history and religion don't get you going, the wild fashion of Harajuku & the shopping district of Nakamise Street might see you more wide-eyed. Or perhaps your idea of fun is to take to the streets of Shibuya, attempting to cross the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world, or even catching a baseball game! You do you.

Day Highlight:
*Visit Tokyo's oldest Buddhist Temple (INCLUDED EXPERIENCES)——Check out the Sensoji Temple, one of the most significant temples in Japan, decked with a 5-storey pagoda. Don't forget to snap a pic under the giant red lantern!
*Shop for souvenirs at Nakamise Street (INCLUDED EXPERIENCES)——Get a piece of Japan to take back home from one of the many little stalls here on Nakamise Street, just a short walk from the Sensoji Temple.
*Admire the peaceful Meiji Shrine (INCLUDED EXPERIENCES)——Visit this Shinto shrine in Shibuya, dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shōken. You'll have the chance to wander through a tranquil forest, passing under the world-famous Tori Gate. And ofc, stop for a picture in front of the many colourful Sake barrels, and make a wish at the sacred Camphor tree.
*Feel the energy of Harijuku (INCLUDED EXPERIENCES)——Get ready for a riot of colour and vibrant fashion. This was (and still is) a home for Japanese fashion. Grab a vintage bag, a pair of sneakers or a kawaii outfit. And don't get us started on the food! You'll find rainbow cotton candy, candy covered strawberries or a rainbow cheese sandwich.
*Walk across the iconic Shibuya Scramble Crossing (INCLUDED EXPERIENCES)——It's only the biggest pedestrian intersection in the world! Come watch the world go by (and grab an iconic picture) on the crossing.
*Catch a Baseball Game at the Tokyo Dome (Free-time add on)——Wanna see a different side of Japanese culture? Come see a baseball game at the famous Tokyo Dome, AKA the home of the Yomiuri Giants team! It's the best way to mingle with your crew and the locals (and even learn a team song or two). One more item off your bucket list!
Please Note: This Optional Experience must be pre-booked before your trip via the reservations team as availability can't be guaranteed once on the trip. This will be offered on select departures due to game schedule.

Today is yours to take on Tokyo your way. Luckily, there's no end to what you can do here. Check out the anime and electronics packed buildings of Akihabara. Marvel at the beautiful Ueno Park. Or how about tasting some Japanese food, served by remote-controlled robots followed by a chance to check out a cosplay cafe.

Day Highlight:
*Dine on Food Served by Robots (MAKE TRAVEL MATTER ® Experience)(Free-time add on)——You won't find any human waitstaff here. Instead, you'll be served by state-of-the-art robots! But don't worry. These aren't soulless AI machines. Each robot is remotely piloted by a person who otherwise wouldn't be able to work at a café. It's a peak Japan experience!
*Visit a Japanese Maid Cafe (Free-time add on)——Ever wanted to check out a cosplay restaurant? Then the Maidreamin Cafe is the place for you! You'll get entry passes for 2 hours with unlimited drinks, two maid shows and even get a chance to take pics in the cafe.

Tokyo
Before we leg it out of Japan's capital we have some very serious business to tend to - a guided tour of famous Tsukiji - the world's largest and busiest fish market. Here, why not opt to learn the art of sushi making, or just kick back in one of the markets sushi bars and soak in the atmosphere.

Hakone
Our first overland journey takes us south to Hakone, completely removing us from Tokyo's fast city pace. We will take in Japanese mountain vistas from the Hakone Ropeway & spend the night in a traditional guesthouse where we'll be treated to some local Japanese hospitality. 

Isawa
It's time to pamper ourselves! Check-in at our super chill Ryokan special stay, soak in those healing hot springs, and chillax. Tonight's dinner is a feast of flavors - Japanese kaiseki style!

Day Highlight:
*Visit Tsukiji Fish Market (INCLUDED EXPERIENCES)——Heads up seafood fans! Check out the weird and wonderful fish at this bustling market. 
*Brave the Hakone Ropeway and (maybe) catch a glimpse of Mt Fuji (INCLUDED EXPERIENCES) ——Tour this beautiful mountain town, famed for its views of Mount Fuji. And get your kicks on the epic cable car ride. 
*Kaiseki Dinner (INCLUDED EXPERIENCES)——Nothing beats sitting down to enjoy a slap up meal. This is portion after portion of authentic Japanese cuisine at its finest.
*Sushi-Making Class (Free-time add on)——Japan is known for its seafood industry, fish markets & of course it's SUSHI! Learn how to make sushi from a local expert, the perfect skill to take back home & practice like a pro. Once you've perfected your culinary talents, dig into a delicious lunch prepared by your own fair hands.

Isawa
Waving our supremely hospitable hosts goodbye, we'll hit the road in search of a long valley amidst the Japanese mountains, checking out the tranquil Tenkuno Torii Gate first. And then picking & eating fresh fruit at a nearby farm (if that's your vibe).

Matsumoto
Mountainside city escape. Welcome to Matsumoto, nestled beside Japan's highest mountain range – the Hida Mountains. Famous for its samurai history and thriving foodie scene, this one will have you taking snaps at every turn.

Takayama
Tonight is yours to explore as you wish, but we have an inkling you won't want to miss the mouthwatering hida beef for dinner. 

Day Highlight:
*Go Fruit Picking like a Local (INCLUDED EXPERIENCES)——We'll visit a fruit farm where you'll have the chance to go pick and eat seasonal fruits (think: peaches, grapes. strawberries & more) - just like a local. It's a peak a Japanese experience!
*Fairytale Vibes at Matsumoto Castle (INCLUDED EXPERIENCES)——The towering ‘Black Crow’ castle is a national treasure. It looks like nothing short of a Samurai castle with its cherry trees (that blossom during spring!) and Alpine backdrop. 
*Hida Beef Dinner (Free-time add on)——Meat lovers listen up! Another must-try in Japan is melt-in-the-mouth, specially grown Hida Beef. Tonight is your chance to truly indulge in this speciality as you try a range of cuts & grill it yourself on your own hot plate. And for the veggie-lovers, there are tofu & vegetable options available too.

Dark wooden buildings, Kanji signs & surrounding hillsides will see us totally taken by Takayama. Grab a bike and take a cycle, then unwind from it all with a Japanese footbath. Relaxation stations. After a full day of exploring and ogling at the Japanese countryside, it’s perfectly acceptable to crash out in Takayama. 

Day Highlight:
*See a Traditional Japanese Street (INCLUDED EXPERIENCES)——The wooden ‘Edo’ buildings of Takayama really capture the vibe of ancient Japan. 

Takayama
In usual circumstances we'd be quite sad to be leaving the soul-stirring town of Takayama, but with the bullet train experience whizzing us to Hiroshima it's hard not to get excited. 

Hiroshima
We did it! We travelled on land at a casual 320 kilometers per hour on the Shinkansen - the world's fastest train. That's a big old tick off the Japan bucket list. Hiroshima is yours this afternoon to explore your way.

Day Highlight:
*Okonomiyaki Cooking Experience (Free-time add on)——Dine with locals Hiroshima style at the traditional Yatai (street food stalls). Watch the masters & get a chance to create this crazy fusion of ingredients. A savoury pancake fried with noodles, egg, vegetables & a whole bunch of other fillings, typical of the Hiroshima area. Put your teppan skills to the test & indulge in this culinary delight! 
Please note: this cooking class may not be available on certain departures.

Hiroshima
A morning of reflection. The site of the world’s first nuclear bombing, Hiroshima has now been declared a City of Peace. Our day here will be one of learning as we take in the tragic recounts of World War II at the Peace Memorial Museum.

Miyajima
A gateway island. We’ll take a detour to the tranquil isle of Miyajima, where you’ll get a spellbinding view of the giant orange Great Torii Gate (you know the one, even if you don’t.) Expect forests, temples, roaming deer and much more...

Hiroshima
We’ll end our day in Hiroshima with more excitement to follow tomorrow.

Day Highlight:
*See the Itsukushima Shrine & Miyajima Island (INCLUDED EXPERIENCES)——This way to amazing! These are the sites you always see in those impossibly tranquil pictures of Japan. IRL. 
*Remember Hiroshima with a Peace Park Guided Tour (INCLUDED EXPERIENCES)——Visit the Peace Park and Peace Memorial Museum to commemorate the lives lost after the atomic bomb was dropped on the city. 

Hiroshima
With 3 more destinations left to uncover on the Japanese map, we hit the road this morning and leave the historical metropolis of Hiroshima behind. 

Kyoto
Welcome to the culture hub of Japan. Geisha girls, artfully manicured gardens, shrines & temples aplenty - looks like we're in Kyoto! Thinking of checking out the Fushimi Inari Shrine? Approx 233 metres above sea level, the journey to the shrine begins at the base of the mountain. We won't waste a minute peeling back this city's layers, taking you to Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion & the Gion Area with our guide. You'll also have plenty of free time to check the place out any old way you please, and go on the lookout for glamorous geishas. 

Day Highlight:
*Experience Traditional Kyoto (INCLUDED EXPERIENCES)——Tea houses. The Golden Pavilion. Geishas. It’s all so surreal. You’ll feel like you’ve wandered into a film set. 
*See Fushimi Inari Shrine (INCLUDED EXPERIENCES)——Walk through the endless path of orange torii gates, kindly ask Inari for good luck and then you might want to sample a fortune cookie. 

Didn't feel like you had enough time yesterday to really get under the skin of this utterly unique city? We've got good news for you - today is completely free for Kyoto adventuring. Ask your Trip Manager for the essentials on what to eat and where to go, then our best advice? Go get yourself a little lost, it's undeniably the best way to get to know a new city.

Kyoto
Enjoy a slow and leisurely morning in Kyoto to get in the zen frame of mind for what lies ahead. On the train we make tracks for Mt Koya.

Koyasan
You would think that by this stage of the trip all the phenomenal moments might be behind us. Oh how wrong you would be. Tonight we stay in a Buddhist guesthouse, eating traditional food and savouring the mindfulness & beauty of this incredible experience. For those looking for a digital detox amongst nature, it doesn't get better than this. 

Day Highlight:
*Catch some Zen at Kongobuji Temple (INCLUDED EXPERIENCES)——Take off your shoes, enter the golden doors and marvel at the wonders. Then chill in the rock garden. And breathe...
*Help Preserve the Age-old Traditions at our Shukubo Special Stay MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience (INCLUDED EXPERIENCES)——Think sleepover but at a Buddhist temple! Take a sneak-peek into the lives of monks in this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Every penny we spend to stay at the Shukubo helps preserve ancient traditions that are in decline. Who knew you could do so much good by simply taking time to relax?

Koyasan
It's our last full day of the trip - make the most of it by rising early this morning and partaking in the tradition of an early morning Buddhist service. A Local Guide will then walk us through the beauty of the Koyasan area and centuries old cemetery before we move on to our last destination.

Osaka
For those who have stepped out of their quiet zone from the morning of serenity, it will be time to relish in Osaka and take on the traditional Japanese pastime of Karaoke. A couple of Asahis or Sakes - you know, for tradition - should stimulate your bravery. 

Day Highlight:
*Join a Morning Buddhist Service (INCLUDED EXPERIENCES)——Start your journey towards enlightenment at this spiritual ceremony in Mount Koya. And breathe… 
*Izakaya Dinner (Free-time add on)——Tonight's your chance to finish the trip right & really rub shoulders with the locals at an Izakaya in the bustling hub of Dotonburi. These traditional little restaurants are like a trip back in time, with rice beer, sake & locals finishing up their days. From menus on the wall & lots of sharing plates to keep things social, take it slow & enjoy the vibe. The perfect way to end the trip!

Today our Japanese fairytale comes to an end. Whilst we'll be crying silent (or not so silent) tears, our life-lasting memories, army of new friends and deep appreciation for Japan will be enough to keep the smiles on our faces.

Sayōnara, globe trotters!