Days 1-2 Fly to Tokyo
Fly overnight to the dazzling metropolis of Tokyo, Japan's capital city. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.
Day 3 Tokyo City Tour
Tokyo is the ultimate 24-hour city, but look behind its busy, high-tech frontage and you'll find plenty of tranquil backstreets and old temples to explore. Begin at the observation deck of the 634-metre Skytree, the world's tallest tower, before wandering through the old district of Asakusa. Stop to seek out the tranquillity of the ancient Buddhist Sensoji Temple, Tokyo's oldest. Drive by the Imperial Palace Plaza and later stroll through the classical landscapes of Hamarikyu Garden. This evening, take a relaxed dinner cruise on Tokyo Bay for excellent city vistas.
Day 4 Mount Fuji
Take the super-fast bullet train to Odawara. Enjoy a boat trip on Lake Ashi for spectacular panoramas of this beautiful area before venturing up the Komagatake Ropeway. Next, ascend over 2,000 metres up Mount Fuji to the 5th Station, (weather permitting) and take in the breathtaking views over the Fuji Five Lakes area below.
Day 5 Matsumoto Castle
Transfer to Matsumoto and explore the formidable 16th-century Matsumoto Castle. Stop at a Miso House to learn about the process of making this famous Japanese seasoning. Travel on to Takayama, nestled high in the mountainous Hida region, also known as the Japanese Alps.
Day 6 Explore Takayama
Browse the local handicrafts and fresh produce at the Miyagawa morning market and wander past some of the lovely traditional houses. You'll also visit several of the excellent local museums – including the Festival Floats Museum, Kusakabe Folk Crafts Museum and Takayama Jinya. Also, enjoy some free time in Kamisannomachi Street.
Day 7 Shirakawago & Kanazawa
Get a glimpse of rural Japan at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Shirakawago which is famous for its farmhouses built in the unique gassho-zukuri architectural style. Continue to Gokayama to have a go at washi paper making, then travel to Kanazawa and meander through the beautiful Kenrokuen Garden, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan.
Day 8 Gold Leaf Making
Begin the day learning the process of making gold leaf. Next, stroll through traditional Higashi Chaya (Eastern Teahouse District), visiting Ochaya Shima – a historical geisha house. Later, the journey to Kyoto. Capital for 1,000 years, until 1879, today Kyoto is the legacy of ancient Japan, full of tranquil temples, silk-clad geisha and sublime gardens.
Day 9 Explore Kyoto
Start the day with a visit to Ryoanji, the 'temple of the peaceful dragon' and the famous Kinkakuji, also known as the 'Golden Pavilion'. In the afternoon, head to a restored Japanese wooden townhouse and try your hand at origami and enjoy the age-old rituals of a tea ceremony with a tea master.
Day 10 Discover Nara
Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine, remarkable for its 10,000 vermilion torii gates. Continue to Nara, a relaxed and charming town virtually untouched by the ravages of modernity. Home to many archetypal pieces of early art and architecture, stroll through Nara Park to Todaiji Temple, meeting the resident sika deer en-route, before exploring Isuien Garden.
Day 11 Koyasan
The holy mountain of Koyasan is home to over 100 monasteries nestled in a valley enclosed by peaks said to resemble a lotus flower. Arguably the most sacred mountain in all of Japan, Koyasan is the heart of Shingon Buddhism and the resting place of Japan's best known Buddhist, known as both Kukai and Kobo Daishi. Wander around Okunoin – a vast cemetery of 200,000 stupas and enjoy the tranquillity and spectacular views as you discover Kongobuji Temple and the Garan Temple Complex. Later, continue to Osaka.
Day 12 Explore Osaka
Begin the day exploring Osaka Castle, which is one of Japan's most famous. Next, take a short cruise along the Yodogawa River and stroll through Dotonbori, a restaurant mecca, where you can sample the local delicacies for lunch. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore this fascinating city.
Day 13 Fly Osaka to UK
Fly to the UK, arriving home the same or following day
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