Classic Japan: Land of the Rising Sun

Welcome to the capital of Japan! Settle into your hotel and enjoy free time to explore the neon-lit streets and vibrant atmosphere of Tokyo before the tour officially begins.

Start your morning by meeting your Tour Director and fellow travellers before heading out to explore Tokyo. Your first stop is the Meiji Shrine, an impressive 20th-century Shinto monument surrounded by a large man-made forest. Next, you will visit Shinjuku Gyoen Garden. Originally established in the early 1600s, the garden was destroyed during World War II and reopened to the public in 1949. Today, it is a highly popular park for both locals and visitors, featuring one thousand cherry blossom trees. Your final guided stop for the morning is the busy Asakusa Kannon Temple, followed by time to browse the stalls at the Nakamise shopping arcade. The rest of the afternoon is yours to spend at your leisure, giving you time to relax or explore more of the city at your own pace.

Enjoy the day at your leisure to discover more of this sprawling metropolis. You have the freedom to spend your time exactly as you please, exploring the city at your own pace.

his morning, you will leave Tokyo and travel south along the coast to the beautiful Five Lakes region. If the weather permits, you will take a cable-car ride to enjoy panoramic views of Lake Kawaguchi and the spectacular Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest mountain, which locals call Fujisan. Afterwards, you will visit the Chureito Pagoda. Here, you will have the perfect opportunity to take your own photograph of the pagoda with Mount Fuji in the background.

This morning, you will board Japan’s famous shinkansen (bullet train) for your journey to Osaka. Upon arrival, you will join your Tour Director for a guided walking tour of the Minami district. Comprising the areas of Shinsaibashi, Namba, and Dotonbori, this district is well known for its excellent dining and nightlife, alongside some of the city’s most fashionable shops and department stores. This evening, you have free time to relax or continue exploring Osaka on your own.

Your sightseeing tour begins at the Open-Air Museum of Old Japanese Farmhouses. Here, you can explore historic architecture and view traditional thatched-roof farmhouses that have been carefully restored from the Edo period. Next, you will visit the famous Osaka Castle. Once the guided tour concludes, the afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy at your leisure. You might choose to return to the Dotonbori district this evening to sample the local cuisine and take in the bright neon lights.

This morning, you will drive south to Okayama to visit Koraku-en, recognised as one of the “Three Great Gardens of Japan.” The 30-acre site features ponds, plum groves, and tea fields. Unusually for traditional Japanese gardens, Koraku-en also includes wide lawns, which are believed to uplift the spirit and promote open-mindedness. Next, you will travel to Kurashiki for some free time in the Bikan Historical Quarter, which was once the political and commercial centre of the city. The canal-lined, whitewashed stone streets reflect the Edo period (1603-1867) and offer a clear look at traditional Japanese architecture. After your time in Kurashiki, you will continue your journey onward to Hiroshima.

Today features a full day of sightseeing, including visits to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Peace Memorial Park and Itsukushima Shrine. You will start at Peace Memorial Park, where you can view the Peace Memorial, commonly known as the Atomic Bomb Dome. This structure has been preserved exactly as it was immediately after the bombing on 6 August 1945. While here, you will also visit the Memorial Museum and the Memorial Hall, which commemorate the lives lost that day. For lunch, you will have the chance to try a legendary local dish called okonomiyaki, a delicious Japanese-style savoury pancake. After lunch, you will travel to Miyajima Island to visit the Itsukushima Shrine, which is famous for its beautiful floating Torii Gate.

Today, you will drive north to Bizen to visit a traditional pottery workshop. Here, you will learn about Bizen-yaki, one of Japan’s six ancient pottery styles that dates back over 1,000 years. Next, you will stop in Himeji to visit Himeji Castle. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the finest surviving example of early 17th-century Japanese castle architecture, combining both function and elegance. Following your visit, you will continue your journey to Kyoto. Accommodation Highlight: Optional Ryokan Stay This evening, you have the choice to book an optional overnight stay at a traditional Japanese ryokan. This experience includes: Traditional room features such as tatami mat floors and a thin sleeping mattress. The chance to use a Japanese-style bath, alongside the convenience of a modern private bathroom. A traditional Japanese dinner and breakfast included with your stay. Please note: Space for this accommodation is very limited. You must pre-book this option before arriving in Japan, and an additional fee applies.

Your day begins with a visit to the stunning Kinkakuji, also known as the Temple of the Gold Pavilion, which is covered in shimmering gold leaf. Following this, you will walk through the busy Nishiki Market. This narrow, five-block-long shopping street is lined with more than one hundred shops and restaurants. You will then participate in a tea ceremony, a time-honoured and carefully choreographed ritual of preparing and serving Japanese green tea. After lunch, your tour continues with a visit to Sanjusangendo Temple, famous for its 1,001 statues of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy. You will also visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine, which is well known for its thousands of brightly hued Torii Gates. To finish the day's sightseeing, you will take a walking tour through Gion, Kyoto’s most famous geisha district, where you will get to sample a local Japanese treat.

Today, you have a full day at your leisure to explore more of Kyoto’s historic sites and shrines at your own pace. You may also consider taking an optional afternoon trip to Nara Park. This spacious park is famous for its free-roaming deer, which wander freely among the local shrines and temples.

Your tour concludes this morning after breakfast. We wish you a safe onward journey!