Highlights of Japan

Arrive in Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, from where you will be transferred to your hotel in a shared vehicle.

Spend the next few days exploring this fascinating city of contrasts, where you find glittering skyscrapers rubbing shoulders with ancient shinto shrines. From manga and Michelin-starred restaurants to edgy fashion and beautiful parks, there is plenty to entertain you here.

Private Traditional Tokyo by Day Tour

Spend the day discovering Tokyo’s rich heritage in the company of a local expert. Begin in Asakusa, famed for its ‘shitamachi’, old-town charm. Next, visit Sensoji, the city’s oldest Buddhist temple, steeped in history and having spiritual significance. Nearby lies Nakamise-dōri, a traditional shopping street where you can try some local delicacies.

After, travel across town to Omotesando, a boulevard lined with avant-garde architecture and luxury flagship stores. End your journey at the serene Meiji Shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji. Nestled within a forest of over 300 tree species, the grounds often host traditional weddings, offering a delightful glimpse into Japanese customs.

Explore Tokyo’s Food Scene on your own

Tokyo offers an extraordinary range of dining experiences. You have casual eateries around major stations and department stores. Also known as izakaya, these informal taverns serve local favourites like yakitori and sashimi, typically paired with a cold beer. Omoide Yokocho, near Shinjuku, is a network of alleys filled with cozy eateries. There is also the underground restaurant district near Yurakucho station where you can stop by a yakitori restaurant or pub.

For fine dining, visit Ginza or the Shiodome district. You could also explore themed cafés in Akihabara and Ikebukuro. For the freshest sushi, begin your morning at Tsukiji Outer Market or the Toyosu Market.

Group Tokyo Riverside Cycling Tour

Enjoy a guided 12-mile cycling tour of Tokyo’s bay area. Meet your guide at the depot for a safety briefing, then pedal towards Toyosu Ohashi Bridge for sweeping views of Rainbow Bridge and Minato Ward.

The route continues through Monzen-Nakacho, home to the Tomioka Hachiman Shrine and Fukagawa Fudodo Temple. Pass through Tsukishima’s charming Nishi-Nakadori Street and the seafood-rich Tsukiji Outer Market. Then, cycle through glamorous Ginza, with its iconic department stores, elegant boutiques and charming cafes, before returning to base.

Explore Tsukiji Outer Market Walk on your own

Discover the diverse culinary scene of Tokyo’s Tsukiji Outer Market. Go on a stroll around the stalls and see the colourful produce, seasonal fruits, and fresh seafood. You will also find that cooking utensils, kitchenware, and tableware essential to Japanese cuisine are sold here.

Originally, the market catered only to wholesale professionals, but now retail customers are welcome as well. As you walk around, you will notice eateries, tearooms, and coffee shops. Treat yourself to refreshments, and local dishes such as sushi, sashimi, and ramen while you explore. Once you have had your fill, head back to your hotel.

Visit Hakone with Free Pass (3 Days)

Experience the natural and cultural beauty of Hakone with the Hakone Free Pass by Odakyu Railway. This three-day pass allows unlimited travel on Odakyu-affiliated transport and offers discounts at select museums, onsens, and restaurants.

Begin your journey at the Hakone Open-Air Museum, home to over 1,000 works of art. Highlights include the Picasso Pavilion and the Symphonic Sculpture. Then, from Gora, take the cable car to Sounzan, from there ascend by ropeway to Owakudani. Discover a dramatic volcanic valley with active sulphur vents and hot springs.

Over the next couple of days, visit Hakone Shrine, an ancient Shinto sanctuary nestled on the shores of Lake Ashi. Afterwards, board a replica pirate ship for a scenic cruise across the lake, from Togendai to Hakonemachi-ko. Disembark and walk to the historic Hakone Checkpoint, once a key post on the old Tokaido Road. Finally, at the Sekisho Museum, learn about travel during the Edo-period through historical artefacts and displays.

Explore Hakone on your own

Soak in the timeless charm of Hakone, framed by the majestic Mount Fuji. After breakfast at your ryokan, set out on a tranquil boat ride across Lake Ashi. From the water, take in views of forested hills and steaming volcanic vents, with Fuji rising beyond.

Visit the lakeside Hakone Shrine and its iconic red torii gate emerging from the lake. Take the ropeway over Ōwakudani Valley, with its volcanic landscape, and visit its sulphurous springs.

After, savour a lunch of teppanyaki chicken or wagyu beef with rice, paired with a local craft beer. Next, spend the afternoon exploring the area’s museums. At the Hakone Open-Air Museum, admire sculptures by Rodin and Henry Moore as well as Japanese masters. The Picasso Pavilion is not to be missed.

Stop at the Okada Museum of Art to view exquisite Japanese screen paintings, Chinese porcelain, and Korean ceramics from the private collection of Okada Kazuo. Follow this up with a quiet stroll through the surrounding gardens and woodland. Finally, relax with a pot of matcha and traditional sweets at a serene tea house.

Group Home-Style Cooking Lesson in Kyoto

Join a Japanese cooking class and master traditional Kyoto dishes. Under expert guidance, you’ll learn to prepare classics like miso soup and sushi rolls. Discover the key ingredients and techniques that make these dishes so special. You’ll also make sushi rice, shape the rolls, and prepare teriyaki chicken and crunchy tempura. Finally, enjoy the delicious dishes you learned to prepare before returning to your hotel.

Private Highlights of Kyoto Tour- Golden Temple, Bamboo Forest and Markets

Take in the sights, sounds and culture of Kyoto, Japan’s best preserved feudal city. Begin at the iconic Kinkaku-ji Temple, which was originally a villa built for the Shogun, and was later converted into a Buddhist temple. Continue to the 15th-century Nijo Castle, with its exquisite Edo-period gardens and intricate architecture. Later, walk through the atmospheric Nishiki Market, known as ‘Kyoto’s Kitchen’. At the restaurants and traditional eateries that line the market, you can enjoy regional delicacies including pickled vegetables, dried seafood and sushi. Conclude your tour with a stroll through the enchanting Arashiyama bamboo grove.

Group Tea Plantation Tour

Explore a famous tea plantation in the Wazuka region during this shared experience. In the morning, head to the plantation where your guide will be waiting. Enjoy a walk around the plantation that is encircled by mountains. Gain insight into how the area’s climate makes it the perfect spot to grow green tea. You will also learn how to identify if the leaves are ready for plucking. After, visit the factory and see the techniques used to process and powder the tea leaves. Then, enjoy a tea soba noodle lunch. Finally, participate in an interactive tasting experience, where you can sample some of the locally produced teas, before heading back.

Make your own way to Kyoto Station. Board your train for a 30-minute ride to Osaka. From Osaka Station head to your hotel.

Osaka, a hub of trade, is the third largest city in Japan. It attracts visitors from all over the world, who come to visit the country’s oldest temple, the Shinto Sumiyoshi-taisha, as well as the majestic 16th-century Osaka Castle. With a river winding through it, this city also offers plenty in the way of nightlife and excellent food.

Explore Osaka’s Museums on your own

Osaka offers a number of interesting  museums for the culturally curious. Begin at the Osaka Museum of History, with its impressive scale models that bring to life the city’s past. Peace Osaka presents a sobering look at the impact of World War II, with a particular focus on the city.

At the Osaka Science Museum, explore hands-on exhibits across four levels. Art lovers should visit the National Museum of Art, home to an excellent collection of Japanese and international contemporary works. For a touch of whimsy, tour the Cup Noodles Museum in Ikeda. Manga enthusiasts may enjoy the Osamu Tezuka Manga Museum, dedicated to the influential artist who is often hailed as the ‘God of Manga’.

Group Evening Food Tour of Osaka

Experience Osaka’s culinary delights on a guided walk. The city is considered to be the food capital of Japan. In the evening, meet your guide at one of the renowned food quarters. Walk down lively, pedestrian-only streets, sampling dishes that the people of Osaka eat. Visit ramen bars and restaurants that the locals frequent. Savour regional specialities such as takoyaki (fried octopus balls), okonomiyaki (savoury pancakes), and kushikatsu (skewered meats and vegetables).

For an in-depth taste of Japanese dining culture, conclude the evening at a traditional izakaya, an informal tavern offering small plates and drinks.