Highlights of Ancient Japan

Arrive in Tokyo and check in at the hotel. No activities are planned for the rest of the day, but perhaps you’d like to soak up some of Tokyo’s vibrant sights and enjoy some traditional Japanese cuisine.

Overnight: Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu, Tokyo

This morning we’ll visit some of Tokyo’s ancient temples and shrines. We’ll start in Asakusa, a historic district home to the Senso-ji Temple, the city’s oldest and most popular Buddhist sanctuary. We’ll also visit the Asakusa-jinja Shrine, one of the most famous Shinto shrines in Tokyo. This area is also famous for the uniquely Japanese souvenir stalls that line the street leading to the temple.

Next, we’ll check out the popular Zenkoku-ji Temple, before heading to the Yasukuni-jinja Shrine. This controversial Shinto shrine honours those killed in service to their country. We will also visit the adjoining Yushukan Museum, which presents a Japanese nationalist view of history. In the evening we’ll enjoy a welcome dinner in a Japanese restaurant.

Overnight: Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu, Tokyo

Meals: breakfast

Transport: Train

Activities: English-speaking guide, entrance fees

Today we’ll travel on the Fuji Express to one of the natural wonders of Japan, the majestic Mount Fuji. As the tallest peak in the country, Mount Fuji holds special significance in Japan, and is especially stunning during the autumn months.

We’ll visit Gotemba Peace Park to take in the beautiful autumn foliage and spectacular views of Mount Fuji, before boarding a pirate ship to cruise on Lake Ashi. We’ll then travel on the Hakone Ropeway, which offers breathtaking views of Owakudani, Lake Ashi and Mount Fuji. We’ll also travel to the famous 5th Station of Mount Fuji, where you can admire the spectacular views of the magnificent mountain. We’ll return to Tokyo late in the afternoon.

Overnight: Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu, Tokyo

Meals: breakfast

Transport: cable car, train, boat

Activities: entrance fees

We’ll leave Tokyo in the early morning, travelling by fast train to Takayama. Takayama is a charming Edo-period town located in the Japanese alps, famous for its traditional inns, sake breweries and the Hida Folk Village.

After checking in to our accommodation, we’ll spend the afternoon wandering through the quaint streets filled with traditional thatched roof buildings and merchant homes.

Overnight: Oyadokoto No Yume, Takayama

Meals: breakfast

Transport: train

Activities: entrance fees

In the morning we’ll visit Shirakawa-go, a charming historical village and UNESCO World Heritage Site. This fairytale-like village is known for its unique style of architecture, Gassho-zukuri, where houses are constructed without nails and metal. Located at the foot of Mount Hakusan, one of Japan’s holy mountains, the setting is especially stunning during the autumn months.

In the afternoon we’ll take the train to Kanazawa, arriving in the late afternoon. We’ll be staying in a ryokan, a traditional inn that offers the opportunity to experience Japanese culture and hospitality.

Overnight: Nakayasu Ryokan/Onyado Nono, Kanazawa

Meals: breakfast

Transport: bus, train

Activities: entrance fees

We’ll spend the day exploring the many ancient sights of Kanazawa. This city is known for its Edo-era districts, historical attractions, bustling markets and modern art museums. We’ll start by visiting the 17th century Kenrokuen Garden, famous for its classic designs incorporating ponds and streams, and considered by many to be the most beautiful landscaped garden in Japan. Following this we’ll visit Kanazawa Castle, built in the 1580s after the defeat of the Peasant’s Kingdom, Japan’s only Buddhist fiefdom.

In the afternoon we’ll head to the historic Nagamachi samurai district, where we’ll explore the narrow streets and former residencies of samurai. In the evening we’ll travel to the famous geisha district and wander the peaceful laneways lined with traditional tea rooms.

Overnight: Nakayasu Ryokan/Onyado Nono, Kanazawa

Meals: breakfast

Transport: train

Activities: entrance fees

After breakfast we’ll leave Kanazawa and travel to Kyoto by train. This ancient Japanese city, home to countless temples and centuries of religious practice, is the perfect setting for soaking up Japan’s ancient culture. After checking in to our hotel, we’ll experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. This ceremonial way of preparing and drinking green tea is typically held in a traditional tearoom with a tatami floor. Beyond just serving and receiving tea, one of the main purposes of the tea ceremony is for the guests to enjoy the hospitality of the host in an atmosphere distinct from the fast pace of everyday life. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure.

Overnight: Mercure, Kyoto Station

Meals: breakfast

Transport: train

Activities: entrance fees, tea ceremony

Today we’ll experience the beautiful colours of autumn whilst taking in the stunning sights of Kyoto. We’ll visit the famous red torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine and marvel at the towering bamboo of the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. We’ll visit the Yasaka Shrine and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kiyomizu-dera Temple, learning about the symbols and practices of Japanese religions along the way. We’ll also explore some of Kyoto’s hidden gems, including Ninna-ji Temple, a World Heritage site with a long history, and Jojakko-ji Temple, which stands at the foot of Mount Ogura. We’ll stop for lunch at a Japanese restaurant where you can sample Japanese dishes like Kyoto-style ramen and curry rice. If you like, you can also visit a long-standing and popular izakaya (Japanese-style tavern) near Fushimi Inari Shrine after the tour.

Overnight: Mercure, Kyoto Station

Meals: breakfast

Transport: train

Activities: English-speaking guide, entrance fees

Leaving in the early morning, we’ll take a train to Nara, where we’ll enjoy a heritage walking tour of Nara Park, popularly known as ‘Deer Park’ due to the many free-roaming deer. Along the way we’ll visit Todai-ji Temple’s Daibutsu-den (Great Buddha Hall), which houses a 16-metre-tall image of the Rushana Buddha in bronze and gold, and is the largest wooden building in the world. We’ll also visit the Shinto shrine of Kasuga, which features a collection of more than 3,000 stone and bronze lanterns.

After a late lunch, we’ll stroll through Nara’s ancient laneways before returning by train to Kyoto.

Overnight Mercure, Kyoto Station

Meals: breakfast

Transport: train

Activities: English-speaking guide, entrance fees

This morning we’ll bid farewell to Kyoto and travel by train and cable car to Mount Koya, also known as Koyasan. Koyasan is Shingon Buddhism’s holiest site and is home to the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi, the founder of the Buddhist sect.

Upon arrival, we’ll check in to our shukubo (temple lodgings) before taking in some of the many beautiful temples of Mount Koya, including Kongobuji Temple, the head monastery of the Shingon sect.

After an early dinner at our shukubo, you may wish to take a relaxing bath for the perfect end to a spectacular day.

Take an overnight bag with you as your main luggage will be transferred to Osaka.

Overnight: Muryoko-in Shukubo, Mount Koya

Meals: breakfast, dinner

Transport: train and cable car

Activities: entrance fees 

This morning we’ll rise early for the Buddhist goma taki fire ritual which takes place in the main worship hall. The goma taki fire ritual is the daily lighting and consecration of the sacrificial fire, which involves invoking divinities and making offerings of prayers on wooden tablets. The rich colours, intoxicating scents and rhythmical chants of the monks are enchanting, and you will be invited to make offerings of incense, allowing for an immersive experience.

After breakfast we’ll take a walk through the Okunoin cemetery where Kobo Daishi’s mausoleum is located.

We’ll transfer back to Gokurakubashi by cable car, admiring the spectacular views along the way. In the afternoon we’ll take a train to Osaka. Upon arrival we’ll check in to our accommodation before visiting some of the local sights, including Osaka Castle and the Dotonbori entertainment district for dinner.

Overnight: Hotel New Hankyu, Osaka

Meals: breakfast

Transport: train and cable car

Activities: entrance fees

Today we’ll take a day trip to visit Japan’s most impressive samurai castle at Himeji, travelling by shinkansen. The building, which has survived earthquakes and war since the mid-16th century, was restored to its full glory in 2015. The moats, baileys, towers and walled alleyways were ingeniously designed to trick attackers, perhaps so intimidatingly that they were never in fact tested. Explore the castle that was once home to over 10,000 samurai families and look out over the castle grounds and the city below from the seventh floor.

In the afternoon we’ll return to Osaka for our farewell dinner.

Overnight: Hotel New Hankyu, Osaka

Meals: breakfast, farewell dinner

Transport: train and cable car

Activities: entrance fees  

Today out tour ends. After breakfast the day is free up until it is time to transfer to the airport for your return flight.

Meals: breakfast