14 Day Japan Premium Small Group Tour

Welcome to Osaka, Japan! Upon arrival at Kansai Airport, clear customs and immigration before you make your own way to your accommodation.

Airport transfers are not included. Our transfer portal offers the option to book your airport transfers for an easier arrival experience (additional charges apply). Access to this portal will be available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed.

This morning, we travel the short distance to Nara. Visit Tōdai-ji (Great Eastern Temple), famed for its Great Buddha Hall, which remains one of the largest wooden buildings in the world. This impressive building houses a 15m-tall bronze statue of the Buddha Vairocana. Following this we'll wander through gorgeous Nara Park, where more than 1200 tame sika deer roam freely.

We will then head back to Osaka and stop at Osaka Castle. We will then finish our day with a tour of Osaka's central food and entertainment area, Dotonbori, where we will also enjoy a welcome dinner together.

Today we will take the super fast shinkansen bullet train from Osaka to Kyoto.

Upon reaching Kyoto, we will first visit Kinkakuji, otherwise known as the Golden Pavilion. This is a Zen temple and a UNESCO World Heritage Site with two floors covered entirely in thin layers of pure gold. The site is set within a beautiful classical Zen garden. The detailed architecture of Kinkaku-ji incorporates three distinct architectural styles – Shinden, Samurai, and Zen.

Next we'll visit magnificent Fushimi Inari Shrine. Famous for its thousands of vermilion torii (shrine gates), which straddle a network of trails behind its main temples, the Fushimi Inari Shrine is incredibly photogenic. The trails lead into the forest of the sacred Mount Inari, which stands at 233m and belongs to the shrine grounds. Fushimi Inari is the most important of several thousands of shrines dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice. 

Today is a full free day to spend in Kyoto. This golden city was once the capital of Japan and sits on the island of Honshu. It's famous for its numerous classical Buddhist temples, as well as gardens, imperial palaces, Shinto shrines and traditional wooden houses. Beautiful Geisha are often found in the Gion district.

This morning we visit Nijo Castle, the former residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo period, and a designated UNESCO world heritage site.

Then we will make our way to Arashiyama to see Togetsu Bridge and the Bamboo Grove, iconic sights of Western Kyoto. We then continue to the city of Kanazawa on the northwestern shore of Honshu, once the base for the powerful Maeda clan. During World War II, Kanazawa was Japan’s second largest city (after Kyoto) to escape destruction by air raids. This means that parts of the old castle town, such as the Nagamachi samurai district and chaya entertainment districts, have survived.

Today we will explore the castle town of Kanazawa. First up is a visit to Omicho Market, where you can try some local favorites, such as fresh seafood and gold leaf ice cream.

Next, we visit Kenrokuen Garden. This is one of Japan's three best landscape gardens, and is considered the most beautiful of them all.

Finish up your day by taking a stroll down the streets of Higashi Chaya, a geisha district in Kanazawa known for its quaint old buildings and teahouses.

After breakfast we’ll travel to Shirakawa-gō Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has more than 100 'Gassho-style' houses, which feature steeply-pitched roofs. Built many hundreds of years ago, these historic houses stand together in a beautiful natural setting. From the site’s observation deck you can enjoy a panoramic view of this unique village, its thatched-roof houses sitting among gorgeous mountain scenery.

Afterwards, we continue to Takayama.

Before leaving Takayama we'll stop at Kamisannomachi Street in Takayama’s Old Town, a wonderfully well-preserved slice of old Japan, with houses and shops dating back to the Edo period (1600-1868). As well as the charming architecture, there are several quaint cafés and a number of old saké breweries to explore. Then we will visit the open air museum of Hida Folk Village, followed by Takayama Jinya, the former local government office which was in use from 1692 right up until 1969. Next, we visit Matsuri no Mori (Festival Museum), an impressive

museum about the famous Takayama Matsuri (festival) that is held twice a year in the town. Before leaving Takayama, we visit Yatai Kaikan (Festival Float Exhibition Hall) where some of the centuries old festival floats are on display to the public.

Upon finishing your tour in Takayama we travel to Nagano, home to nature walks, natural hot springs and never ending mountains.

After breakfast, we will head to Hokusai Museum to discover the great artworks of Katsuhika Hokusai (1760-1849), one of Japan's leading Edo period ukiyo-e painters.

Winter departures (January and February): You will visit the famous Snow Monkey Park in lieu of the Hokusai Museum. Witness Japanese macaque monkeys soaking in the onsen during the cold winter months. It’s an adorable sight.

Then, we will depart for Zenkoji Temple, which was founded over 1,400 years ago. Continue on to Matsumoto, where you will have the opportunity to see one of Japan's last remaining original castles, Matsumoto Castle. Not far from the castle is Nakamachi Street, where you can see preserved shops, houses and warehouses.

Today we depart Matsumoto for the Mount Fuji area. Our first stop is at Oishi Park on the shores of Lake Kawaguchi, well known for its serene, flower-lined walking path and its spectacular view of Mount Fuji.

Then, stop by the eight ponds at Oshino Hakkai, a small village in the Fuji Five Lake region fed by the snow melt from the nearby mountains. See traditional thatched roof farmhouses and try some of the local delicacies.

Stay the night in the Mount Fuji area and enjoy a special dinner with your fellow travellers.

Today, after departing Kawaguchiko, we travel by coach to visit Mount Fuji's 5th Station, which is halfway up the active volcano. Mount Fuji is the country’s tallest peak and it is considered one of Japan’s three holy mountains. Here, above the clouds, we'll view the mountain’s enormous summit if weather permits. Then we will visit Gotemba Peace Park to capture another breathtaking view of Mount Fuji.

Tonight, we make our way to Tokyo, Japan's largest city and the nation's capital.

Our first stop today will be Tokyo Tower, which offers wonderful views of the surrounding city from its observation deck. Later, we visit the Tsukiji Outer Market, a shopping district adjacent to the enormous former wholesale fish market. This lively area is home to everything food-related – fresh ingredients, street food vendors, kitchen utensils. There’s great sushi and other restaurants around here, too.

This afternoon, a quick stop at Imperial Palace to see the famous Nijubashi Bridge before we will finish our day in the Shibuya Crossing, the incredible scramble that occurs every time the traffic lights turn red.

Today is a full free day in Tokyo. There is no end to the spectacular sightseeing and activities available to you, as Tokyo truly has something for everyone. Take as much time as you like to relax at your leisure, explore the city, shop for souvenirs and eat the delectable cuisine. Be sure to ask your guide for recommendations on more must-see spots around the city.

At the appropriate time you will make your own way to the airport for your homeward flight.

Airport transfers are not included. Our transfer portal offers the option to book your airport transfers for an easier arrival experience (additional charges apply). Access to this portal will be available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed.