Japan Uncovered

On arrival in Tokyo, you make your own way to the start accommodation, where you meet your Tour Leader and the rest of the group for a briefing on the trip ahead, with some useful tips for getting around Japan.

Our first evening begins with a teppanyaki Welcome Dinner, with each dish cooked on the grill in front of us and plenty of time to get to know the group. After dinner, we head to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building to watch its evening projection show light up the building.

Our day starts with a sushi masterclass, where local instructors teach us how to slice and roll our own sushi, which then becomes our lunch.

We then visit Meiji Shrine, set among trees in the centre of Tokyo and completed in 1920 in honour of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Our Tour Leader picks up an omamori charm for each of us and explains the meaning behind these traditional charms for protection and good luck.

Afterwards, we explore Harajuku, known for its fashion, street food and youth culture, before moving on to Shibuya Crossing and the Hachiko statue. If you would like a view over the city, you can head up to Shibuya Sky.

Today, we head to Shibamata, a neighbourhood in northeastern Tokyo with a nostalgic Showa-era feel. We wander along Taishakuten Sando, a street of old-fashioned shops and snacks, then visit Shibamata Taishakuten Temple and its garden.

Next, we visit Senso-ji, the oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo, passing beneath its giant lantern and exploring the streets around it.

In the evening, we take part in our Sumo Experience, meeting former wrestlers, learning about the traditions of the sport and posing for photos. Dinner is chanko-nabe, the dish wrestlers eat while in training.

Tokyo - Hakone. This morning, we leave Tokyo on the Romance Car train to Hakone-Yumoto, watching the city give way to forests, lakes and volcanic valleys.

In the afternoon, we cruise across Lake Ashi, surrounded by mountains and, if we are lucky, with Mt Fuji in view. We then ride the Hakone Ropeway up to Owakudani, an area of steaming volcanic vents and dramatic scenery.

Tonight, we stay in a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn, and relax in a Japanese onsen, bathing in hot spring water full of minerals, a tradition that goes back centuries.

Please note: Views of Mt Fuji depend on the weather. Rooms at the ryokan are gender-separated and shared by 2-5 people. If you are travelling with someone of a different gender, you will share with other members of the group of your own gender for this night.

Hakone - Kyoto. We leave Hakone this morning and travel to Odawara Station to board the Shinkansen to Kyoto. Before the train, you can pick up an ekiben, a Japanese lunch box sold at railway stations, to eat on the way.

In Kyoto, we visit Higashi Honganji Temple, with its huge wooden halls and calm atmosphere. One of its more unusual features is a giant rope made from human hair, donated by worshippers and used when the temple was rebuilt.

Later, we take up brush and ink for a calligraphy class, learning the basic strokes of this traditional art and creating a piece to take home. We round off the day with a karaoke night, a lively way to get to know the group better.

Our morning begins with a traditional tea ceremony. We watch the rituals of preparing matcha, then try whisking a bowl ourselves, served with Japanese sweets. If you would like to dress for the occasion, you have the option of joining a Kimono Experience at an additional cost of GBP 45 per person.

Next, we visit Kiyomizu-dera, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed Buddhist temple on the hillside, and look out over Kyoto from its wooden terrace. You then have free time for lunch and to browse the nearby shops.

In the afternoon, our Tour Leader takes us on a walk through Gion, the city’s Geisha district, and Pontocho Alley, with their wooden buildings, lantern-lit lanes and centuries of history. We end the day with a group dinner in Pontocho Alley, at the heart of Kyoto’s historic dining quarter.

Please note: The Kimono Experience must be booked before the trip.

Kyoto - Hiroshima. You have the morning free to spend as you like. You could catch sunrise at Fushimi Inari, visit Nijo Castle or the Golden Pavilion, walk through the bamboo grove at Arashiyama or make a short trip to Nara to see the deer. Alternatively, you can simply enjoy a relaxed morning in the city.

In the afternoon, we meet our Tour Leader and take the bullet train to Hiroshima. Dinner tonight is okonomiyaki, the local speciality, layered with savoury pancake, noodles, cabbage and sauce and cooked on a hot grill.

Hiroshima - Miyajima - Hiroshima. Today, we take the ferry to Miyajima, where the torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine appears to rise out of the water as we approach. At low tide, you may be able to walk out across the sand for a closer look.

We then ride the Miyajima Ropeway up Mt Misen for views over the island and the Seto Inland Sea. You can ride back down or follow the forest trail on foot. Later, you have free time for lunch and to explore the island.

Back in Hiroshima, we visit the Peace Memorial Museum and the Atomic Bomb Dome to learn about the 1945 atomic bombing and the city’s story of remembrance, resilience and peace. The evening is yours to relax or explore Hiroshima.

Hiroshima - Okayama - Osaka. This morning, we take the bullet train to Okayama and head to the Kurashiki Bikan Quarter, an Edo-period merchant district of canal-side streets, traditional shopfronts, cafes and sweet shops. We take a short boat ride along the canal beneath the willows.

Afterwards, we join a pottery workshop, choosing what to make and shaping our own piece before the experts complete the finishing.

We then board the Shinkansen to Osaka. Once you have checked in, the evening is free to rest or head out to Shinsekai with its retro neon, perhaps trying kushikatsu, the city’s deep-fried skewers.

Please note: The boat ride runs on a first-come, first-served basis and may be cancelled due to weather, water levels or availability. If this happens, our Tour Leader arranges an alternative.

Enjoy a short orientation walk of Shinsaibashi, Osaka's lively shopping district, There's time for lunch (not included) before we embark on our included Dotonbori boat cruise, allowing you take in the views of Osaka from the water.

In the evening, we gather for an included farewell meal (drinks not included) to toast the end of our trip.

Your Japan adventure ends today. If you would like us to arrange post-tour accommodation or train tickets back to Tokyo, then we can do this on request for you.