Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Japan - Tokyo - Shuzenji - Kyoto
100% customisable for you
Grab your wooly hats and gloves because today, you’re setting off for your winter adventure in Japan. After arriving at the airport in the evening, whizz through security and relax in the lounge. Your overnight flight to Tokyo is around 14 hours long, allowing plenty of time to watch a movie (or three), enjoy a tipple and try to catch some shut eye.
After landing in the morning, you’ll be privately transferred from the airport to your centrally located hotel. Dump your bags, freshen up and head outside; it’s time to explore.
As one of the largest and busiest cities in the world, Tokyo takes some acclimatising to. We’ve left today free for you to spend how you choose, but our recommendation is to stroll the streets to soak in the city’s sights and sounds. Stuck on where to go? Your trusty Concierge is just a WhatsApp message away and will be delighted to recommend some local restaurants, museums and activities to keep you busy.
Today, discover Tokyo through the eyes of a local with a guided walking tour led by an English-speaking resident. Most of our guides are expatriates who have embraced Japanese culture and lifestyle, becoming more like locals each year. With an in-depth knowledge of the city, they offer an authentic glimpse into daily life in Tokyo. Your tour will be fully personalised to match your interests, be it food, art or history.
The evening is yours to spend as you please. We recommend wrapping up warm and going to see the magical winter illuminations in the Marunouchi, Roppongi and Shibuya districts.
Rise bright and early, as today’s your final full day in Tokyo and you’ll want to make the most of it. After filling up with a traditional Japanese breakfast (think steamed rice and miso soup), head out for another day of exploring.
While there’s plenty to see by yourself, we can arrange activities like ramen tasting and manga workshops to keep you busy and immerse you in Tokyo’s culture.
Wave goodbye to Tokyo because today, you’re taking the train to the charming city of Hida Furukawa. After boarding, settle in and enjoy the wintery views – it's a five-hour journey, so there’s plenty to see.
After arriving, settle into your comfortable hotel for the next two nights. We recommend wandering around the narrow, traditional alleys and trying some of the famous local beef for dinner.
Winter in Hida Furukawa is magical, and today you’re diving into one of the city’s best seasonal activities: snowshoeing. Ideal for beginners, this tour offers an immersive experience in local nature and culture, featuring beautiful views of nearby mountains and, on clear days, breathtaking glimpses of the distant Japanese Alps.
If you’d like, this evening we can also arrange for you to enjoy a private and authentic cooking class. Visit a traditional house and learn the fundamentals of Japanese cuisine, with a particular focus on seasonal dishes from Hida Furukawa.
Enjoy one last morning in Hida Furukawa, then head to the station and board a train to the coastal city of Kanazawa. The journey is a speedy two hours and 50 minutes, giving you plenty of time to explore when you arrive.
How about a visit to Myoryuji Temple? Commonly known as Ninjadera (Ninja Temple), it’s famed for its many defensive mechanisms – from hidden tunnels to secret rooms – and is the city’s most renowned attraction. The stunning Kenrokuen Garden is well worth a visit too. With its water features, bridges, teahouses and fabulous flowering trees that change with the season, it’s easy to see why this is one of Japan’s top three stroll gardens.
We hope you’re hungry – on the menu for today is a foodie tour of Kanazawa. Guided by an English expatriate, discover the city’s culinary scene, from local markets and traditional sweet shops to hidden izakayas (laid-back bars) and fresh seafood stalls. Along the way, learn about regional ingredients, cultural food customs and the stories behind some of Kanazawa’s most beloved dishes. Winter favourites include jibuni (duck or chicken in a thick soy sauce broth) and oden (seafood-based broth).
Hungry for more? We can also arrange for you to enjoy a private samurai and Japanese sword handling workshop. Visit a well-preserved samurai house, meet a merchant family to learn about samurai culture, see replicas of Japanese swords and try on a samurai outfit.
Another scenic train ride is in store for you today, and this time you’re headed for Kyoto. The journey should take around two-and-a-half hours, so settle in and enjoy the view.
After dumping your bags at your hotel, head out and explore the city at your own pace. Home to an impressive 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites, over 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines, there’s plenty to see and do.
What better way to begin your day than with a warming cup of tea? This morning, you’ll take part in a private tea ceremony known as Chanoyu – a centuries-old ritual centred on the mindful preparation of matcha, the finely ground green tea that has become a hit with tea lovers worldwide. Designed to foster harmony and inner calm, the ceremony ends with a quiet moment to savour the tea you’ve helped prepare.
If you want to explore Kyoto further, there’s also the option to tour Kyoto alongside a local. Guided by an English expatriate, you’ll discover the city according to your tastes for an authentic immersion into Japanese culture. Chat about everything from current affairs to manga culture and Kyoto’s fascinating architectural history.
Your time in Japan isn’t over quite yet. If you’re looking for one last activity, we can arrange an exclusive cultural experience in Kyoto with a private geisha (a female skilled in traditional arts). Visit an authentic teahouse and watch her perform classical dance and play traditional instruments like the shamisen before tucking into a bento lunch.
Tonight is your last evening in Japan, so it’s certainly cause for celebration. Ask your Concierge to snag you a table at one of the hottest restaurants in town and raise a glass to your wonderful winter adventure.
Sadly, the time has come to make your way home. We’ll arrange a private transfer to Osaka airport in good time for your 15-hour flight back to the UK.
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 fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
