Japan's Cultural & Culinary Wonders

Fly from the UK to Tokyo, Japan.

Welcome to Tokyo, where your adventure begins in the stylish district of Ginza. Tokyo’s allure lies in its blend of ancient tradition and cutting-edge modernity. During your stay, roll up your sleeves for a sushi-making class with a master chef, learning to shape delicate nigiri the way it’s been done for generations. Find calm beneath the towering trees of Meiji Shrine, then graze your way around Tsukiji Outer Market, where the morning’s catch is grilled, sliced and served from tiny stalls. As night falls, follow the glow of the lanterns into the narrow alleys of Yurakucho, where smoke curls from the yakitori grills.

After the energy of Tokyo, it’s time to unwind in Hakone, famed for its hot springs and views of Mount Fuji. Cruise across Lake Ashi, or ride the ropeway up to the steaming Owakudani Valley to taste the local speciality: black eggs cooked in the volcanic springs. Stroll through the sculptures of the Hakone Open-Air Museum, then return to your hotel for dinner and a long soak in the onsen. As the morning mist lifts off the lake, Fuji appears, snow-capped and still.

Step back into feudal Japan in Kanazawa, once ruled by the mighty Maeda clan and one of the few cities whose old quarters survived the war intact. Wander the stone lanes of the Nagamachi samurai district, where canals run beneath earthen walls and the Nomura family’s restored home reveals how the warrior class once lived. Stroll Kenroku-en, the Maeda lords’ own garden and one of Japan’s three great gardens. Then step inside Myoryu-ji, the “Ninja Temple”, with its hidden staircases and trapdoors. After dark, a local guide leads your complimentary night walking tour through both worlds. You’ll follow the samurai streets by lantern light, then slip into the wooden teahouse lanes of Higashi Chaya, where geisha still entertain behind latticed windows. As the lanterns glow amber, the faint notes of a shamisen drift into the night.

Arrive in Kyoto, Japan’s ancient capital and a treasure trove of cultural wonders. Don a kimono and take part in an elegant tea ceremony, a ritual of precision and grace. Wander the historic streets of Gion and the swaying bamboo groves of Arashiyama, then marvel at Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, and the thousands of vermilion torii gates winding up Fushimi Inari. At dusk in Gion, listen for the soft clip of wooden sandals on the stone lanes.

On a private day tour, discover Hiroshima, where past and present meet in quiet harmony. Pay your respects at the Peace Memorial Park and Museum, reflecting on the city’s history and its remarkable recovery. Then take a short ferry to Miyajima Island, home to the floating torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine, where friendly deer wander the scenic paths. Before you leave, try Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, layered and sizzling on the hotplate. As the tide rises around the great torii, the island falls still.

End your journey in Osaka, the city locals call Japan’s kitchen. With a local guide, uncover the city’s hotspots and hidden gems, from the neon-lit canals of Dotonbori to tiny backstreet eateries most visitors walk straight past. Try takoyaki, okonomiyaki and kushikatsu, each one a taste of Osaka’s love of food and fun. Follow the scent of sizzling batter beneath the flickering signs for a fitting farewell to Japan.

Fly from Osaka to the UK.