Best of Japan

Welcome to Tokyo, the bustling capital city of Japan! After settling into your hotel, explore the city at your leisure, perhaps taking a stroll through the colorful streets of Shibuya or checking out the trendy shops of Harajuku.

3* Tokyo Hotel

This morning, you will take the subway to Asakusa, a lively district of Tokyo which is famous for its historic Sensoji Buddhist temple. After visiting the temple we'll have time to explore the area which has an abundance of interesting souvenir and craft stalls.

This afternoon offers a guided tour of the Tokyo National Museum, housing a number of exhibitions from galleries to Japanese archaeology. The Tokyo National Museum is located in Ueno Park, a large public park within central Tokyo and famous for a number of museums held within it's grounds. The remainder of the day offers free time to independently explore.

3* Tokyo Hotel

This morning we board a train for our day trip to Kamakura, Japan’s first feudal capital, which is just an hour from Tokyo. Kamakura is a popular seaside location with a quaint village life feel and some stunning Zen temples. Here we’ll visit the iconic bronze Big Buddha and the Zen Temple of Hokokuji with its beautiful bamboo garden. You can drink tea before walking the cobbled shopping district - adorned with lovely locally made items before returning to Japan’s bustling capital for the night.

Head to Harajuku, which is a mecca for young and fashionable Tokyoites who flock to the trendy shops and cafes on Takeshita Street.

You will visit the revered Meiji Shrine where the emperor Meiji and his wife are enshrined. Our last stop of the day is the famed Shibuya Crossing - regarded as one of the busiest pedestrian crossings in the world. 'The Scramble' as it's known is an amazing spectacle as people come from all directions at once – sometimes over a thousand with every light change – yet they still manage to duck and weave without causing collision.

This is the perfect place to grab a coffee and perch ourselves on a barstool at Starbucks to watch the spectacle. The remainder of the day offers free time to independently explore as you wish. If travelling during May and September you might like spend the evening watching a Sumo tournament (bookings must be made in advance). See our Trip Notes for more information.
 

This morning we travel by highway bus to Lake Kawaguchi, located at the foot of Mt Fuji in the Fuji Hakone Izu National Park. The scenery is stunning with panoramic views of a snow-capped Fuji most of the year. Upon arrival we’ll travel along the Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway and visit the observatory. 

We then travel by bus to Mishima, then bullet train to Kyoto - Japan’s ancient and cultural capital. As one of the most culturally rich cities in Asia, Kyoto is home to an abundance of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. Here we enjoy a guided tour of Sanjusagen-do Temple, famous for its statues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. Late this afternoon we head to Gion, for a walking tour of this famous Geisha District. After, you may wish to watch a cultural performance at Gion Corner Theatre where you'll have the opportunity to see a Maiko (apprentice Geisha) performing.

This morning, we enjoy a guided tour of Nijo Castle, one of the city’s most impressive UNESCO sites. Built by the first Tokugawa shogun in 1603, the exquisite Nijo Castle is a wonderful example of Momoyama architecture. After, we visit Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) a stunning Zen Buddhist temple and part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto World Heritage Site. The top two floors of the monument are completely covered in gold leaf.

This afternoon offers free time for you to relax or to further discover the many sights of Kyoto your own way. Consider visiting Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its winding path lined by thousands of bright red torii gates. Just a short train ride away from the main Kyoto Station, this must-see sight is free to visit and is open 24 hours a day.