Arrive at Tokyo’s Narita or Haneda International Airport. After clearing customs, you’ll be met by a meet n’ greet assistant who will escort you to a shared shuttle bus to your hotel.

Upon arrival at the hotel, your Japan Holidays’ Tour Leader, Juliane Suzuki, will be there to greet you and help settle you in. Juliane will remain with you for the entire tour

Accommodation: Millennium Mitsui Garden Hotel Tokyo (3 nights)

Today we have a Full Day Tour of Tokyo with our local expert guide to show us all the must-see sights and some hidden gems as well. This evening Japan Holidays will host a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.

Today we visit the ancient Capital of Kamakura for a Full Day Tour.
We visit the historical sites and a serene bamboo grove to revitalise ourselves with an authentic cup of warm Matcha with traditional Japanese sweets.
After lunch, we have some time to walk the local shopping street for some great souvenirs before we visit the Great Buddha and then make our way back to Tokyo in the comfort of our private bus.

This morning we travel to the hot springs town of Hakone, via bullet train, where we will have 2 nights to enjoy the area and gaze upon the iconic Mt Fuji.

Our Ryokan is situated right on Lake Ashi, giving you a view of the magnificent mountain from your room! After dropping our bags, we will walk in the footsteps of merchants, lords and princesses along the Old Cedar path in Hakone, which is part of the route that connected Kyoto & Tokyo (Edo) during the Edo period.

We will also visit Hakone Shrine and there will be time to shop for local souvenirs as well. Tonight, we enjoy a traditional Kaiseki dinner.

Mount Fuji can be elusive and some people visit Japan many times without catching a glimpse of her beauty.

Your room at Ryuguden has a lake view and on a good day, you can also see Mt Fuji from Ryuguden.

Our chartered bus will take us up to Owakudani, which last erupted some 3,000 years ago. We will enjoy a cable car ride, walk in the footsteps of feudal lords along the old Cedar route with its massive oaks trees and enjoy a demonstration from a master craftsman showing us how Hakone’s famous ‘wooden puzzle boxes’ are made.

Another wonderful opportunity to purchase some truly unique Japanese souvenirs (and yes, you can take them back into Australia)

Today we farewell Hakone and head to Kyoto on one 2hr bullet train ride.

We have some free time before we enjoy the spectacular Miyako Odori Geisha Performance late this afternoon.

Travelling south via bullet train today, we visit Kurashiki and Okayama.

Known for its historical quarter with centuries-old buildings and beautiful canals, Kurashiki is where we will spend the morning, followed by an afternoon in nearby Okayama at the famous Korakuen gardens and Okayama Castle.

We escape the crowds today via chartered bus into the countryside to Shigaraki, which is japan’s oldest pottery producing area and the birthplace of the tea ceremony in Japan.

We visit a tea plantation and learn how Japan’s first organic green tea plantation was born. A visit to the Miho museum followed by the unique kilns of Shigaraki and some
essential shopping time before heading back to Kyoto.

Our Day Tour of Kyoto by private bus includes all the must-see locations in Kyoto from the iconic temples of Kiyomizudera and the Golden pavilion of Kinkakuji to the beautifully preserved streets around Ninenzaka and the tranquil rock garden of Ryoanji.
All surrounded by magnificent cherry blossoms, it’s truly a beautiful day!!

We travel by bullet train and chartered coach to Seki, known as the City of Blades because this is where knifes and swords have been made for over 800 years. We take part in a sword forging experience and you’ll have the opportunity to buy some great knifes from the manufacturer!!

We arrive in Takayama early afternoon, where we have time to explore.

Our guide will meet us around 9am and we have a leisurely morning
exploring Takayama, known as ‘Little Kyoto.’ The afternoon is free to explore
yourselves.

This morning we will visit the morning markets, then travel via chartered bus to Kanazawa visiting ,the World Heritage Village of Shirakawa-go, famous for its unique Gassho-zukuri styled farmhouses.

After lunch we visit the quieter Gokayama and try our hands at traditional paper ‘washi’ making before going to Kanazawa.

Our guide will take us on a tour of the must see sights in Kanazawa via chartered bus.

Enjoy a relaxing day exploring historical Kanazawa Castle precinct, the enchanting Kenrokuen Garden, Higashi-chaya Geisha district and a quiet zen temple. One of the finest landscape gardens in Japan, Kenrokuen will be bursting with Cherry Blossoms
for spectacular photos!

Departure day – After breakfast, we make our way back to Tokyo for your flight home. We ride in the luxurious Gran Class Carriage!