Arriving into Tokyo, a private transfer awaits to transport you through to your luxury hotel, the Hyatt Regency Tokyo. Located in a thriving business, shopping, and entertainment district in the centre of Tokyo, the Hyatt Regency Tokyo provides the perfect base from which to explore this extraordinary city during your day at leisure. This evening meet your Journey Director and fellow travellers for a welcome dinner.

Overnight: Hyatt Regency Tokyo or similar

Japan’s alluring capital is a destination of great depth, where soulful cultural traditions seamlessly meld with ultra-modernity.  We begin the day with a visit to the ‘Borderless’ exhibition by acclaimed teamLab where art is immersive and spills beyond the frame, creativity enhanced with modern technology. The different pieces and spaces communicate, influence and sometimes intermingle with one another, forming an overarching borderless world. 

We move on to explore Asakusa, a part of Tokyo’s Shitamachi (old town), one of the city’s oldest Geisha districts. Here we will enjoy lunch and take in a demonstration of Sumo wrestling, Japan’s national combat sport, which is highly ritualised with its roots in ancient Shinto. Later, visit one of Japan’s most colourful and popular temples, Sensoji then take a scenic river cruise on Tokyo Bay to Hinode Pier.  Tonight’s dinner will be at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Hyatt Regency Tokyo or similar

Today we drive to Nikko for a full day of sightseeing. We visit the Toshogu Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is the final resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate that ruled Japan for over 250 years. Nikko is also famous for spectacular scenery such as Lake Chuzenji and the Kegon waterfall, all sights we will visit today before returning to our hotel.

Overnight: Hyatt Regency Tokyo or similar 

Departing Tokyo, our journey continues to the idyllic countryside location of Hakone, crowned by Mount Fuji and stunning mountain scenery. Upon arrival we board the famed replica pirate ship that cruises along Ashinoko Lake, a body of water that was formed after a volcanic eruption that occurred more than 3,000 years ago. After our lunch we ride the Guinness World Record-holder ropeway all the way up to Mt. Owakudani, passing over sulfurous fumes and hot springs. From the mountain, take the ropeway bound for Togendai. Check in to our exceptional accommodation, a contemporary and refined hot spring hotel surrounded by majestic mountains and greenery, each room featuring a private onsen. 

Overnight: Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora or similar 

After breakfast, for those interested, there is a chance to soak in an Onsen, a traditional Japanese hot spring. Our journey continues today to Kyoto by Japan Rail Shinkansen, a bullet train in first class. Running at speeds of up to 320 km/h, the Shinkansen is known for punctuality (most trains depart on time to the second), comfort (relatively silent cars with spacious, always forward facing seats), safety and efficiency. 

Home to an astonishing 2000 shrines and temples, here in Kyoto you will explore the beautiful Kinkakuji-temple (Golden Pavilion); originally built as a retirement villa for the Shogun, after his death it became a Buddhist Temple. We also visit the Ryōan-ji (Rock) garden which is considered one of the finest surviving examples of kare-sansui (dry landscape). This refined type of Japanese Zen temple garden design generally features distinctive larger rock formations arranged amidst a sweep of smooth pebbles raked into linear patterns that facilitate meditation. 

We also visit the famous Philosopher’s Walk, a stone path through the northern part of Kyoto’s Higashiyama district. We transfer to our hotel, the award-winning Kyoto Hotel Okura noted for its elegance and warm hospitality.

Overnight: Kyoto Hotel Okura or similar 

A full day sightseeing today including a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Todaiji, in the city of Nara. Its Great Buddha Hall houses the world’s largest bronze statue of the Buddha. We visit Nara Park also known as Deer Park which is home to hundreds of freely roaming deer, considered in Shinto to be messengers of the gods. Nara’s nearly 1200 deer have become a symbol of the city and have even been designated as a natural treasure. We visit the Kodaiji Temple, an outstanding temple in Kyoto’s Higashiyama District established in 1606. This evening’s dinner is with a Geisha at a local restaurant. 

Overnight: Kyoto Hotel Okura or similar 

Continue your exploration of Kyoto today. We begin at Arashiyama, famous for its beautiful scenery and the bamboo forest. Then, enjoy an immersive Japanese cultural experience as we dress in traditional Kimono and take part in a Japanese tea ceremony in a machiya house (traditional Japanese house) followed by a discussion about the nuances of these practices. 

Overnight: Kyoto Hotel Okura or similar 

Our journey continues today to Hiroshima by Shinkansen. We will visit the moving Peace Memorial Park and Atomic Bomb Dome. The area where the park now lies was ground zero for the atomic bomb on 6^th August 1945 and holds many memorials, monuments and statues. Here we will see the Childrens Memorial, Peace Bell and Eternal Flame. The main attraction of the park is the Peace Memorial Museum that poignantly depicts the history of Hiroshima. 

Later, we take a ferry to the small shrine island of Miyajima. This island is home to the world-renowned red floating Torii Gate that leads to the Itsukushima Shrine. 

Overnight: Hilton Hotel, Hiroshima or similar 

This morning, we head to Osaka, Japan’s third largest city by Shinkansen. On arrival, we visit Himeji Castle, a hilltop Japanese castle complex regarded as the finest surviving example of prototypical Japanese castle architecture. The largest castle in Japan, it is one of Japan’s first UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Also visit Kokoen, a Japanese walled garden located next to Himeji Castle. This afternoon, we check in to our hotel and have some time at leisure to explore or relax. Tonight, our farewell dinner will be an authentic Japanese dinner to celebrate the conclusion of a wonderful adventure.

Overnight: Hotel New Otani Osaka or similar

Enjoy the facilities of the hotel before transferring to the airport to board your flight home taking with you fond memories of an unforgettable Japanese discovery.