Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Japan – Tokyo – Shuzenji – Kyoto – Nara – Ise
100% customisable for you
Rise and shine – your stylish sojourn in Japan starts today. Head to the airport, whizz through security and slip into the lounge (complimentary nibbles, anyone?). Flights to Tokyo take just under 14 hours, giving you plenty of time to sit back, relax and throw on a movie or crack open a good book.
You’ll land at Narita Airport the next morning, where you’ll be met by your private driver and whisked away into the heart of Tokyo – your base for the next two nights.
Once you’ve checked in and freshened up, the afternoon is yours to spend as you please. Raring to go? Venture out for a stroll. Still fighting off a dose of jet lag? Simply relax and enjoy the hotel’s facilities.
This evening, it’s time to level up (literally). Your restaurant tonight is perched at the top of a skyscraper in the buzzy Shinjuku district, offering panoramic views of the city. While you’re ogling the skyline, embark on a culinary journey with an Omakase meal, where each dish is tailored to your preferences.
This morning, you’ll be met by a local guide for a day of sightseeing around Tokyo. Everything will be tailored to your preferences, so you can be as spontaneous (and as picky) as you like.
Fancy a journey back in time? Head to Asakusa. Part of Tokyo’s old town, it was once the main geisha district and houses the city's oldest Buddhist temple: Sensoji. Keen for something a little more spiritual? Visit Meiji Jingu, Tokyo's most sacred shrine dedicated to the Emperor Meiji. Leaning towards a royal ramble? Don’t miss the Imperial Palace.
If you’d prefer to shop ‘til you drop, set your sights on the Ginza district, home to several luxury flagship stores. Finally, for that iconic photo, visit Shibuya, famed for its seriously crowded crossing – dubbed ‘the busiest pedestrian intersection in the world.’
For dinner tonight, bypass the back-and-forth and contact your trusty Concierge for some stellar restaurant recommendations. Time to tuck in.
Fuel up on an early breakfast, because we’ve arranged for you to observe a sumo training session this morning. A traditional form of Japanese wrestling, this sport involves man-to-man fighting on a clay mound called a dohyo.
This afternoon, it's time to leave the modern capital behind – for now – and head to Tokyo Station to catch the two-hour train to Shuzenji.
When you arrive, check into your ryokan for the next two nights. Once you’ve settled in and unpacked, soak up your scenic surroundings on a pre-dinner stroll – ideal for working up an appetite.
This evening, in classic ryokan style, you’ll enjoy a delicious multi-course kaiseki feast in your room.
Translating to ‘peace’ in Japanese, Shuzenji more than lives up to its name. Today, discover this serene slice of paradise however you please.
Keen to stretch your legs? The area surrounding the ancient hot spring of Tokko no Yu is ideal for a heavenly hike. For even more natural beauty, you could also venture out to nearby Joren Falls, a mesmerising (and superbly photogenic) waterfall on the outskirts of Izu city.
Back at your ryokan this evening, lounge by the fire, indulge in a spa treatment or continue your wandering with a walk through the verdant grounds.
After breakfast this morning, you’ll be privately transferred to Odawara Station to hop on one of Japan's world-famous bullet trains. You’re booked on the Shinkansen service – the quickest of them all – so the journey to Kyoto will only take a speedy one hour and 45 minutes.
When you arrive, you’ll be privately transferred to your central hotel in time to settle in, wind down and grab lunch.
Once you’ve fuelled up, head out to the temple of Daitoku-ji, located in the north of Kyoto. Here, you’ll meet a handful of Buddhist monks for an introduction to Zen meditation. Before you leave, the monks will also be happy to answer any questions you might have about Buddhism.
After your brief foray into the spiritual side of Kyoto, it’s time to tuck into a delicious dinner before sinking into bed for the night, ready to explore the city tomorrow...
One of the most culturally rich cities in Asia, Kyoto is home to 17 (yes, 17) UNESCO World Heritage sites, as well as 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines. This is truly where the soul of Japan shines.
To ease your exploration of this marvellous megalopolis, you’ll be meeting a friendly and knowledgeable local for a half-day tour of the city.
Start with a visit to Nijo Castle, an ornamental structure built for the Edo Shogunate in the early 17th century. Next, head to Kinkakuji, better known as the Golden Pavilion. This beautiful building was once the Shogun's retirement villa (not too shabby, if you ask us) and has since been transformed into a Buddhist temple.
This evening, treat yourself by dining in one of the city's many – and we do mean many – excellent restaurants. Anyone up for yudofu (simmered tofu)?
Today is dedicated to discovering the nearby city of Nara, less than an hour away from Kyoto. Full of UNESCO World Heritage-listed temples (and equally sacred deer), it’s a far cry from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo and Kyoto.
Throughout your exploration, you’ll be accompanied by a private driver – who conveniently doubles as a guide – giving you the freedom to see and do whatever intrigues you.
For Buddhist monuments, head to the Horuji Area. Prefer to stroll along the old pilgrimage routes? Visit the Kii Mountain Range, passing even more sacred sites as you go.
Of course, there’s also Nara Park, where you can witness the curiously cute spectacle of a deer bowing – just grab a few biscuits from one of the vendors to watch the magic unfold.
All aboard. This morning, it’s time to hop back on the train and ride the rails for two hours and 45 minutes to Kashikojima station, where you’ll be picked up for the 45-minute drive north to the coastal city of Ise.
Located on the Shima Peninsula, Ise is home to Japan’s most sacred shrines, which stand just a few miles apart and are connected by the UNESCO-listed Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trails.
When you’re not soaking up the spiritual splendour of these storied sites, spend the next few days strolling the picturesque gardens of Ago Bay, admiring the rugged coastline and trekking along even more ancient pilgrimage routes winding through the surrounding forests.
If you’ve had your fill of history, you could also meet traditional Ama female free-divers, embark on expert-led rituals and culinary tours or (deep breath) go paddleboarding, hiking, biking, fishing, cruising or golfing. The world – by which we mean Ise, of course – is your oyster.
In the evenings, don’t forget to tuck into some of the area’s outstandingly fresh food, including Ago Bay lobsters and Matsusaka Wagyu beef.
After tucking into your last meal in Ise (seafood for breakfast, anyone?), it’s time to head back to Tokyo. This morning, return to Kashikoima station to catch the train to Tokyo. With a connection in Nagoya, the journey takes around four hours.
Once you arrive in the city, drop your bags, freshen up and head out. Tonight, we’ve arranged for you to have dinner on the 52nd floor of the legendary Tokyo Tower skyscraper – talk about ending on a high note.
Sadly, your stylish sojourn in Japan comes to an end today. After breakfast at your hotel, meet your private driver for the transfer to Narita Airport. The flight home takes just under 15 hours, and thanks to the time difference, you’ll land in the UK early the following morning, already dreaming up your next jaunt to Japan.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from checking you in for your flights to our network of local Concierges
