Tour Description

At Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari Shrine, climb the extraordinary path lined with hundreds of orange torii gates that snake through the forest up into the mountains above the city. Indulge in a delicious kaiseki lunch at a traditional ryokan and gain an insight into Japanese customs. The Activity Level of this tour is Dynamic, meaning this journey features 4+ miles of walking on some days and may involve steep hills.

Priced From:

$ 8125pp ^*

From: 2026-03-01

To: 2026-04-12

Start Location: Tokyo, Japan

End Location: Osaka, Japan

Trip Type: Asia

Tour Advisors

Tiffany McCrea-Lennon

Managing Director

Russell Mein

Travel Specialist

Caitlin Lennon

Travel Coordinator

Michelle Baldwin

Travel Specialist

Gaylyn Murdoch

Administration Manager

Holly Skene

Travel Co-ordinator

Kim Thomas

Broker

Itinerary

Konnichiwa Tokyo

Day 1

Duration: 1

Accommodation: New Otani Garden Tower

Your in-depth exploration of Japan begins in Tokyo. On arrival at Narita or Haneda Airport, take a shuttle bus transfer to your centrally located hotel, where you’ll join your Travel Director and fellow guests for a drink and local appetisers.

Explore Vibrant Tokyo

Day 2

Duration: 1

Accommodation: New Otani Garden Tower

Begin your city tour in Asakusa,Tokyo's historic entertainment district, where you’ll encounter the Sensoji Buddhist Temple, one of the city's most colourful and popular temples. Founded in 628 and rebuilt many times over the centuries, Sensoji is Tokyo’s oldest temple site. Next, stroll down Nakamise Street and immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of Shitamachi (downtown Tokyo), admiring the wooden dolls, colourful chiyogami(origami paper) and traditional Japanese sweets. Ascend Tokyo Skytree, the world's tallest free-standing broadcasting tower, for panoramic views of the city skyline.

Off to the Five Lakes District

Day 3

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Fuji Marriott Yamanakako

Start your day at the Imperial Palace Plaza, where you’ll view the two bridges leading to the palace’s inner grounds. Walk through the East Gardens, a peaceful space once part of the original Edo Castle. At the Tokyo National Museum, take time to browse the country’s oldest collection of Japanese art. Then, join a sushi chef to learn how to prepare this iconic dish. Head into the Fuji Five Lakes District and look out for Mt. Fuji dominating the horizon. In the small village of Oshino Hakkai, discover eight clear spring-fed ponds and see how snowmelt from Mt. Fuji supports rural life in this scenic part of Japan.

Majestic Mt. Fuji and Timeless Takayama

Day 4

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Associa Takayama Resort

Ride the Kachikachiyama Ropeway up Mt. Tenjo for panoramic views over Lake Kawaguchiko and, on clear days, Mt. Fuji. Continue your journey up Mt. Fuji by road to the 5th Station, sitting 2,300 m (7,546 ft) above sea level. From here, travel through the scenic landscapes of the Japanese Alps to Takayama, a hillside town known for its traditional streets and mountain setting. Tonight, settle into your hotel where you’ll sit down to dinner together.

Experience Gokayama and on to Kanazawa Dive Into Culture Make Travel Matter

Day 5

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Kanazawa Tokyu

Immerse yourself in tradition as you walk through the Edo-style streets of Takayama's Old Town. Indulge a lunch of Japanese Hida-gyu – beef from a black-haired Japanese cattle breed, renowned as one of the finest quality varieties of beef. Journey back in time this afternoon during a visit to the peaceful UNESCO-listed Gokayama, a mountain village set amidst five valleys. Admire the unique construction of the local Gassho-zukuri wooden houses that have been built without the use of nails with steeply sloped thatched roofs to prevent snow from building up on them. Meet with a local family in one of these houses. Observe local artisans making washi paper and try your hand at making your own. Make a difference to the sustainability of this small business during MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Stay overnight in Kanazawa.

Traditional Kanazawa

Day 6

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Kanazawa Tokyu

Join a Local Specialist this morning to learn the secrets of painting gold leaf, a delicate craft the Japanese have been perfecting since the 16th century. Continue to the tranquil gardens of Kenroku-en, which took shape over a hundred years to emerge as one of Japan’s most beautiful gardens. Connecting with your exquisite natural surrounds, you’ll stroll through ornate landscapes and past ponds and temples. Take a short walk through the Omicho market next to see the local fish catch and enjoy an insider’s view of everyday life in a busy coastal town. Then, visit the Nagamachi District with its beautifully preserved samurai houses that line the traditional stone streets. Here you will gain first-hand insights into samurai life during a visit to the Nomura house, an elegant samurai mansion.

Onwards to Kyoto Connect with Locals

Day 7

Duration: 1

Accommodation: The Hotel Higashiyama

Board an express train to Kyoto, where you’ll visit the UNESCO-listed Kinkakuji Temple. Originally a 14th-century villa, this striking Zen temple is now best known for its Golden Pavilion, reflected in the surrounding pond and gardens. Later, connect with locals at a traditional restaurant during your Be My Guest experience. Learn about Japanese customs as your hosts share stories of everyday life and regional traditions over a shared meal.

Discover Enchanting Kyoto

Day 8

Duration: 1

Accommodation: The Hotel Higashiyama

The blazing orange torii gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine guide your path through the forest, up into the mountains and to a sacred site that has heard prayers for prosperity and happiness since the 8th century. Continue to Sanjusangen-do Hall and admire the intricate detail of its 1,001 statues of the “thousand-handed” goddesses of mercy. Then, enjoy a walking tour through the Gion district, known for its traditional wooden machiya houses and geisha culture. This evening, indulge in dinner with your Travel Director and fellow travellers.

Sayonara Japan

Day 9

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Kotohira Grand Sakuranosho Ryokan

Your encounter with Japan’s age-old traditions and modern cityscapes comes to an end, take a transfer by airport shuttle service to Kansai International Airport for your onward flight.

Dates & prices

Start Date: 2026-03-01

End Date: 2026-03-09

twin

Child Price: 8245

Adult Price: 8375

triple

Child Price: 7995

Adult Price: 8125

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 9865

Start Date: 2026-03-08

End Date: 2026-03-16

twin

Child Price: 8245

Adult Price: 8375

triple

Child Price: 7995

Adult Price: 8125

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 9925

Start Date: 2026-03-15

End Date: 2026-03-23

twin

Child Price: 8320

Adult Price: 8450

triple

Child Price: 8070

Adult Price: 8200

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 10000

Start Date: 2026-03-18

End Date: 2026-03-26

twin

Child Price: 8320

Adult Price: 8450

triple

Child Price: 8070

Adult Price: 8200

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 10000

Start Date: 2026-03-22

End Date: 2026-03-30

twin

Child Price: 8320

Adult Price: 8450

triple

Child Price: 8070

Adult Price: 8200

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 10000

Start Date: 2026-03-25

End Date: 2026-04-02

twin

Child Price: 8320

Adult Price: 8450

triple

Child Price: 8070

Adult Price: 8200

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 10000

Start Date: 2026-03-29

End Date: 2026-04-06

twin

Child Price: 8320

Adult Price: 8450

triple

Child Price: 8070

Adult Price: 8200

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 10000

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-04-09

twin

Child Price: 8320

Adult Price: 8450

triple

Child Price: 8070

Adult Price: 8200

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 10000

Start Date: 2026-04-05

End Date: 2026-04-13

twin

Child Price: 8320

Adult Price: 8450

triple

Child Price: 8070

Adult Price: 8200

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 10000

Start Date: 2026-04-12

End Date: 2026-04-20

twin

Child Price: 8320

Adult Price: 8450

triple

Child Price: 8070

Adult Price: 8200

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 9940

Splendours of Japan

Tour Advisors

Itinerary

Dates & prices