Day 1 14th April - Welcome to Japan!
Konnichiwa, welcome to Japan. Arrive into Tokyo and make your way to the hotel. Tonight we will have our first chance to try out the amazing Japanese cuisine and meet the whole group. After dinner when the crowds have all calmed down, we will explore the iconic Tokyo Senso-ji Temple by night. Overnight in hotel in Tokyo. Meal plan: (Welcome Dinner)
Day 2 15th April – Explore Tokyo, Harajuku, Mei-ji Shrine & Akihabara.
We’ll start the morning off with a a Japan Orientation Briefing. You’ll learn simple Japanese customs and phrases to help you dictate your way across the country. We’ll then head out to the birth place of Japanese teen pop culture, Harajuku. We’ll then head into Yoyogi park, where the beautiful Meiji Shrine is. Afterwards, we’ll head to Akihabara – Tokyo’s electric town - and be blinded by the all the neon lights and crazy shops. You can also challenge each other in the arcades, we will also visit the one of the many famous Maid Cafes. Overnight in hotel in Tokyo. Meal plan: (Breakfast)
Day 3 16th April - Tokyo, Sushi Making Class & Shibuya Crossing.
In the morning after breakfast we will head over to our own private sushi making class! You will learn how to make Miso soup, three types of sushi and the secrets behind Teriyaki! Vegetarian option is available but you must notify me a week before the tour starts. We will also visit the TeamLab Planets. This evening we head to Shinjuku, we’ll see an unparalleled skyline of Tokyo, check out the famous Omoide Yokocho alley & grab dinner, before viewing the famous Shibuya Crossing. Overnight in hotel in Tokyo. Meal plan: (Breakfast & lunch)
Day 4 17th April - Hakone, Mt Fuji Viewing & Romance Car.
This morning we take the “Romance Car” to the stunning mountain town of Hakone. After checking into our guest house, we will spend the day exploring the surrounding areas on a variety of different transports. Why is Hakone so special? Well, you can get a spectacular view of Mt Fuji (weather dependent of course). After a day of exploring and hopefully taking photos of Japan’s most famous mountain we’ll arrange a traditional Japanese Family Nabe dinner in our guesthouse and relax for the evening. Meal plan: (Breakfast & dinner)
Day 5 18th April - Takayama, Sake Tasting, Temple Stay & Old Town Tour.
This is the day we ride the world-famous Shinkansen (Bullet train) for the first time. Watch them fly by on the platform before boarding one of the world’s fastest train. Keep an eye out for Mt Fuji on the way. First stop is the UNESCO World Heritage town of Takayama. Here we will be staying at a stunning temple for the night. In the afternoon, we’ll sample sake in a local brewery and you can even treat yourself to some famous Hida beef! Overnight in Temple (multi share). Meal plan (n/a)
Day 6 19th April – Morning Market Walk, To Kyoto! Gion District Walking Tour.
Start the morning with a pray at the temple if you like (7am) and also after there is the optional extra of a meditation class (extra charge for meditation class). Then we will walk around the beautiful old town and village of Takayama as well as a visit to the morning market on the banks of the Miyagawa River. We will then head to Kyoto by bullet train. In the evening a local tour guide will guide us around Kyoto’s Gion district, known for its beautiful Geisha’s (Japan’s traditional art form of entertainment), if we are lucky enough, we might even spot one. Overnight in Kyoto.
Meal plan (n/a)
Day 7 20th April - Kyoto, Kiyomizu-Dera, Fushimi-Inari & Tea Ceremony.
We’ll rise before dawn and take the subway to the Fushimi-Inari Shrine. We arrive early to escape the large crowds of tourists and work our way through the mountain exploring corridors of never ending red gates. After, we will head to Kiyomizu-dera temple, one of Japan’s most famous temples. A stunning bamboo and wooden complex that sits high in the mountain side. We finish up with a traditional Tea Ceremony, where I have also included kimono rental for everyone so we can do it in traditional Japanese style! We will have the rest of the day free to explore. Overnight in Kyoto. Meal plan: (Breakfast)
Day 8 21st April – Kyoto, Golden Pavilion! Zen Garden & Kendo Class.
We head to the stunning Golden Pavilion, a beautiful gold laden building surrounded by a lake. After we’ll head to Daitoku-ji, a quiet, leafy complex of old temples. In the afternoon we head to a traditional Kendo class housed in the dojo where it all began. Your authentic Bushido instructor, a descendant of a Japanese Samurai, will teach you the way of this respectful martial art. Overnight in Kyoto.
Meal plan: (Breakfast)
Day 9 22nd April – Bamboo Forest, Monkey Mountain, Osaka.
This morning we take the train to Arashiyama. We’ll start off by wandering through the Insta-worthy bamboo forest, before climbing the steps up to Monkey Mountain. Once we make our way down, we’ll board a private row boat and explore the valleys the traditional Japanese way. We’ll then head to Osaka. After checking in we will head out into the Dotonbori area. The ‘kitchen of Japan’ will take you in with its lights, colours, food and people. In the evening – Karaoke time! Overnight in Osaka.
Meal plan: (Breakfast)
Day 10 23rd April –Nara Park, Osaka Castle, Dotonbori & Karaoke Finale!
An action packed last day as we start our morning in Nara with the deer & finish off in the famous Dotonbori for street food & karaoke! We will head to Nara in the morning & after arriving we leave the train station and begin our walk towards the main park, keep your eyes out for the friendly locals along the way. Nara is famous for being a city that lives symbiotically with deer and is historically important as the former capital of ancient Japan. We’ll make our way around the serene park & stunning temples before heading back to Osaka to visit the Osaka Castle Gardens. A beautiful structure in the centre of the city surrounded by lush gardens. We’ll have some free time in the afternoon to get your last minute shopping in, before meeting up for our final night together. We explore the neon lights & craziness of Dotonbori & trying out all the amazing street food made famous in Osaka, before heading to our big karaoke room booked privately just for us! Overnight in Osaka. Meal plan: (Breakfast & Dinner)
Day 11 24th April – Depart Osaka
Today it's time to say goodbye to everyone as we end the tour. Airport transfer is not included, but I will help you make the required arrangements to get to the airport. Please book a late evening flight after 7pm if flying home from Tokyo as you will need time to get to the airport (leave Osaka at 11am)
Meal plan: (Breakfast)
Total cost €3195 per person sharing
Please note the tour starts in Tokyo and ends in Osaka. You can fly home from Osaka airport or get the bullet train back to Tokyo. KLM fly to Tokyo Narita airport and fly from Osaka Kansai airport. Also note with regards to Luggage, a small suitcase or backpack is recommended as we will need to carry our luggage up some stairs at times!
Included: All transport days 2 to 10, all accommodation (hotels, guest house and temple), Welcome dinner, 8 x Breakfasts, 1 x Lunch, 3 x Dinners, Maid Cafe, Sushi Making Class, TeamLabs Planets, Sake Tasting, Takayama Old Town Tour, Tea Ceremony and Kimono Hire, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Monkey Mountain, Boat Tour, Nara Deer Park.
NOT included: Airport transfers (but all details will be giving on how to get to first hotel it's very straightforward), International flights to/from Japan, Travel insurance (compulsory), meals not listed in the itinerary.
Fine print:
Please not itinerary may be subject to small changes due to any unforeseen circumstances that may arise. All rooms on all trips are shared, with 2 people in each room.
Terms and conditions:
If you are happy with the itinerary and want to go ahead. A deposit of €500 will be required to secure your booking within upon confirmation of spot. This deposit is non-refundable.
If you are happy with the itinerary and want to go ahead. A deposit of €500 will be required to secure your booking within upon confirmation of spot.
The balance of €2695 will be due 10 weeks before trip start date (3rd of February 2025). You can make the payments in instalments after the deposit is paid if that suits you.
With regards to a refund: Your deposit is non-refundable. The deposit is required to book all accommodation and transportation which are non-refundable or changeable.
For the balance of your payment, I maybe able to refund this up 10 weeks before the trip should you have an emergency and need to cancel. Anything closer than 10 weeks, and I cannot refund you.
I suggest you take out comprehensive travel-insurance that covers trip cancellations, that way should you have to cancel you are covered, you will get a full pay out from your insurance company. Keep an eye on the excess required.
I am really excited to have you all on this trip to Japan with me ❤️
Brenda x