Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Japan – Tokyo – Shuzenji – Kyoto
100% customisable for you
Rise and shine – your jaunt to Japan awaits. Head to the airport, whizz through security and slip away to the lounge for some peace and quiet before take-off. Flights to Tokyo take 13-and-a-half hours, giving you plenty of time to sit back and put eye masks on.
Open your eyes to views over Tokyo the following morning. Then, once you’ve landed and collected your luggage, catch a train to the city centre and check into your conveniently central hotel.
The rest of today is free to spend as you please. If you're craving downtime after your long journey, indulge in some R&R by enjoying the facilities at your hotel. But if you’re raring to go, head out for a preliminary stroll through the streets.
When stomachs begin to rumble this evening, reach out to our trusty Concierge for some stellar restaurant recommendations. Let's make your first dinner in Japan one to remember.
Fuel up on a hearty breakfast this morning before hitting the streets to explore the Japanese capital with an expert local guide. Time to let unbridled curiosity lead the way…
There’s so much to see and do in Tokyo. For eccentric fashion, head to the cosplayer-filled streets of Harajuku. For trippy tech, visit the Akihabara district. To kick back with a cold one, duck into one of the roughly 200 pubs and taverns (yes, really) along Shinjuku Golden Gai.
If you’d prefer to embark on some good-old-fashioned museum visits today, check out the Daimyo Clock Museum, Tokyo Toy Museum and Tabi Museum.
Elsewhere, you can immerse yourself in traditional culture by attending a kabuki or noh theatre show (both forms of dance-drama). And if that’s too tame, there’s also sumo wrestling...
Finally, those seeking a more relaxed brush with history can visit the old Yanaka district, Meiji Shrine or Fukugawa Edo Museum. And, of course, there’s always the option to slip away to the Rikugien or Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens.
Having racked up quite the step count yesterday, we have something a little more relaxed – but equally exciting – in store today. After breakfast, return to the streets to meet up with another local guide.
The name of the game this time around: sampling local specialities in Shibuya. While renowned for its iconic pedestrian crossing (yes, that one), the Shibuya district is perhaps less well known for its vibrant culinary scene. We're here to change that.
Sidestep the tourist-centric restaurants today to uncover the hidden gems frequented by locals with your guide. Along the way, enjoy tastings of a variety of exquisite dishes and traditional desserts in a string of coveted spots tucked away in the back alleys. Food comas pending...
Wake up bright and early this morning to make the most of your last full day in Tokyo. Today, you’ll visit the incredible teamLab Planets exhibition, a digital universe where lights, mirrors and innovative tech come together to create another world. Think of it as the pinnacle of Tokyo’s modernity.
Tickets at the ready and shoes and socks off (part of the course requires you to be barefoot) as you prepare to move through a series of spaces that multiply, change colour, blur and regenerate.
Keep the good times rolling later on by rounding out your time in Tokyo with one last delicious dinner. Our Concierge can reserve you a table at the swankiest spot in town.
Bid a fond farewell to Tokyo this morning as you grab your bags and catch a train to Shuzenji Onsen on the Izu Peninsula. The journey takes around one hour and 40 minutes, so be sure to stock up on snacks at the station before you leave.
When you arrive, check in for the night at a traditional ryokan, where you’ll experience the best of Japanese hospitality. After settling into your new room, don’t miss the opportunity to take a dip in the thermal baths fed by a natural hot spring. Pure bliss.
But if you’d prefer to stretch your legs this afternoon, a walk through the forested paths is another great way to soak up the tranquil atmosphere. After which, you can enjoy some washoku (Japanese adaptations of Western dishes) in the on-site restaurant this evening.
Tuck into a tasty breakfast overlooking the lush scenery of Shuzenji Onsen this morning before checking out and hopping on a three-and-a-half-hour train to Kyoto, the artistic and historic capital.
Having pulled into the station, head to your hotel in the centre of the city, where you’ll spend the final four nights of your trip. Unpack, unwind and freshen up before hitting the streets this evening in search of dinner. Time to fall in love with another local speciality: obanzai ryori (traditional Kyoto cuisine).
Enjoy the first of many bountiful Kyoto breakfasts this morning before meeting a local guide for an introduction to the city. Home to 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites, over 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines, it’s safe to say you’ll have no shortage of places to explore.
Start with the traditional machiya townhouses of Gion before heading to the 17th-century Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Then, continue west to the Kyoto Station Skyway, a rooftop garden offering pretty panoramas over the city. From here, you can head north to the Ryoanji Temple to see its marvellous mineral garden. Cameras at the ready...
Return to your hotel this afternoon to indulge in some well-earned downtime and perhaps a pre-dinner cocktail (you are on holiday, after all) before taking to the streets again this evening in search of another mouth-watering meal.
Hold off on the tea at breakfast this morning, because today, you’ll head to the Camellia Garden Tea House to take part in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.
Chanoyu, the ritual of preparing and drinking green tea, is said to have originated from Zen Buddhism. At its core, it’s about sharing a moment of harmony or even spiritual connection. As Japanese as the iconic traditions of sumo and onsen, chanoyu is yet another way for you to soak up the rich culture of this captivating country.
Armed with newfound – or perhaps just expanded – knowledge on the intricacies of Japanese tea ceremonies, it’s time to switch tack and embark on a more physical pursuit today. Fuel up on a hearty breakfast before embarking on two spectacularly scenic hikes.
Kibune and Kurama are a pair of mountain villages north of Kyoto, famous for their pleasant trails that lead to temples and hot springs. Strap on a pair of hiking boots (or well-worn trainers) and set off on foot along the two-and-a-half-mile trail.
Then, having worked up quite a sweat, return to the city this afternoon for some well-earned downtime in the lead up to dinner tonight. It’s your last one of the holiday, so don’t forget to toast to a trip well spent. Kanpai (cheers)!
Sadly, your far-flung adventure in Japan comes to an end today. Luxuriate in one last leisurely breakfast before grabbing your bags and meeting your private transfer for the two-hour drive to Osaka Airport. After snacking on some complimentary nibbles in the lounge, board your return flight to the UK.
The journey connects through Tokyo and takes a total of 21 hours, so you’ll arrive home the following morning, just in time to use your nifty tea knowledge to craft a seriously revitalising cuppa.
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
