Konnichiwa, Tokyo! Welcome to this dazzling orchestra of light, sound and intersecting subway lines. Meet your crew, get the trip vibes flowing, then your evening’s yours.
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! You do you.
Today’s yours to do Tokyo your way (just remember to top up your transport card before you head out). Dive into everything the city does best, from neon streets and anime hubs to museums, parks, and food spots. There’s a couple of optional experiences on offer too. First up, a robot cafe where robots deliver your drinks and each table has an avatar you can chat with, piloted by people with disabilities who can’t work in a traditional setting. Then tonight (since it’s our last evening in Tokyo), it’s the perfect time to check out a Maid Cafe in Akihabara, Tokyo's tech paradise.
Before we leg it out of Japan's capital, we have some very serious business to tend to - a visit to Tsukiji - one of the world's most famous fish markets. After, you can opt to join a sushi making class or enjoy one last wander in Tokyo before we head to the countryside. 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 & hopefully catch a glimpse of Mt Fuji. 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!
Waving our supremely hospitable hosts goodbye, we’ll hit the road in search of a long valley amidst the Japanese mountains. Fingers crossed for one last chance to see Mt. Fuji before a quick stop at a nearby farm to pick & eat fresh local seasonal fruits (if that's your vibe). Welcome to Matsumoto, nestled beside Japan’s highest mountain range – the Hida Mountains. First things first, we'll check out Matsumoto castle for a dose of samurai history and grab a quick conbini lunch before hitting the road once again. 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.
Dark wooden buildings, Kanji signs & surrounding hillsides will see us totally taken by Takayama. Rent a bike and take a cycle, then unwind from it all with a Japanese onsen. Relaxation stations. After a full day watching the Japanese countryside roll by, there’s only one move left — kick your legs up and unwind here in 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. We’ll arrive in Hiroshima after a ride on Japan’s iconic Shinkansen, then head out on a private tour with a local guide to learn the city’s story. This includes entry to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, before you’ve got time to explore the city your way afterwards.
Wakey wakey. After brekkie, we’re on the move again, hopping on the tram and ferry over to the magical island of 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... …and dinner! We’ll end our day in Hiroshima with more excitement to follow tomorrow.
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. Welcome to Kyoto, Japan’s cultural heart — home to graceful geisha, serene gardens, and countless shrines and temples. Today’s fully guided sightseeing is packed (so we'll make the most of every moment). First, we’ll visit iconic spots like Fushimi Inari Shrine, with its endless vermilion torii gates. Then hit up Kinkaku-ji and the historic Gion district. Oh, and keep your eyes peeled for a glimpse of Kyoto’s famed geisha as we uncover the city’s rich cultural layers.
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 yours for Kyoto adventuring. Don a kimono and check out the bamboo forest, take some photos at the iconic Yasaka Pagoda and keep your eyes peeled for a glimpse of Kyoto’s famed geisha in the Gion district.
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. 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 Monastery, eating traditional vegetarian 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.
It's our last full day of the trip - make the most of it by rising early and partaking in the tradition of an early morning Buddhist service, before we move onto our final destination - Osaka. After a morning of peaceful serenity, it's time to get back to the big city life as we head to Osaka. Known as Japan’s kitchen, here you will have a chance to taste your way through the local food scene (which is basically mandatory). Once your food cravings are satisfied, why not shop around Americamura, pop into a Pokémon store, or just wander and see what grabs you - options aplenty.
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!
