Japan Express

9 days

Indicative cost incl. flights:

£3,400pp

3 star & low season

£5,900pp
5 star & high season

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Tokyo

Hakone & Mt. Fuji

Kyoto

Day 1

Direct flights from London will get you to Tokyo in around 12 hours, arriving early the following morning.

Day 2

Our local representatives will meet you in the airport and provide you with the information and documentation you need for your quick jaunt to Japan. They will get you to your hotel where you are free to relax or explore the city at your own pace. There's plenty to do this evening - why not embrace the chaos and hit the alleyways on a street food tour? Delicious and eye-opening.

Day 3

We have an action-packed day planned for you, as your own private guide will escort you around some of Tokyo's best-loved attractions. The green lawns of Hamarikyu gardens, encircled by skyscrapers, and the tranquil park of Meiji Shrine, juxtaposed with the multicoloured madness of Harajuku - Tokyo is a city of contrasts just waiting to be discovered.

Day 4

Today is free to do as you choose. We would recommend a journey out to Kamakura, where you can visit impressive temples and the iconic Great Buddha statue. Alternatively, get to know more of Tokyo. We can recommend lots of trips, activities and excursions for you, so just let us know what you fancy doing - everything we do is tailor-made to your preferences.

Day 5

Depart Tokyo on the morning train and connect to quaint mountain railway as you arrive into the steaming, volcanic landscape of Hakone. There's plenty to see and do, so make the most of a full day in the region seeing sculpture parks, riding pirate ships and - if you're lucky - spotting Mt. Fuji! Spend the night enjoying a delicious multi-course kaiseki meal and a soak in some mineral-rich hot springs.

Day 6

Take some more time to enjoy the onsen town of Hakone before continuing by shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto. This city is brimming with sights - ancient temples, shrines, palaces and historical neighbourhoods. We would suggest a stroll this evening in Gion - one of Kyoto's geisha districts - where you can enjoy great food in the old wooden buildings.

Day 7

With your own private guide, get to see some of the city's most memorable sights and learn all about Kyoto's fascinating past. The grandiose Nijo Castle, the shimmering gold pavilion of Kinkakuji temple, the winding steps of Higashiyama leading to beautiful Kiyomizudera - this is a day that is sure to leave you in awe.

Day 8

With one full day remaining in Japan, we have left it up to you how to spend it. Maybe journey to Nara, Japan's ancient capital - a city that boasts vast Buddhist temples, parks full of friendly deer, and plenty of opportunities to pick up great souvenirs to take home with you. On the way back, be sure to stop at the vermilion torii gates of Fushimi Inari shrine, one of the most photographed locations in Japan... understandably!

Day 9

Fly from the nearby Kansai Airport back to London - or choose to extend the adventure with a journey back to Tokyo, or onto another one of Japan's incredible destinations.

Where you'll go
What you'll do
Where you'll stay

Similar Holidays

Everything we do is tailor-made; our itineraries are just suggestions to give you an idea of what is possible. Please contact us so we can tailor the perfect holiday exclusively for you.

This 9-day trip follows the ‘Golden Route’ for those who are short on time, but still want to hit up the key sights in Japan. Begin in the bustling metropolis of Tokyo, stop in the hot-spring resort town of Hakone, experience a traditional ryokan inn for the night, and finish with time in ancient Kyoto. This compact itinerary is the perfect whistle-stop journey through Japan, without compromising on content.

Take full advantage of the excellent railways on this holiday as you use bullet trains to swiftly cover vast distances of the country. We can recommend some alternative options to Hakone if you would like to divert from the ‘typical’ route between the two major cities – let us know your interests and we can find something that suits your budget and timescale perfectly.

1 night flying – 3 nights Tokyo – 1 night Hakone – 3 nights Kyoto