A Perfect Introduction to Japan

14 days from £8,640 for 2025 per person

• Tokyo
• Hakone
• Kyoto
• Kanazawa

Japan is a varied and culturally rich country which rewards repeat visits. First-timers can cover a lot of ground culturally as well as geographically though by taking the bullet train and some well-planned day excursions. This itinerary is designed for those who have limited time but are eager to have a wide spectrum of experiences without it becoming a whistle-stop tour.

Start at the heart of modern Japan in Tokyo, the world’s largest metropolis. Explore the Shinjuku area, with layer upon layer of neon-drenched main streets and mysterious passageways with shops and restaurants on every floor. Nearby are the teen fashion mecca of Shibuya, the flagship luxury stores of Omotesando nicknamed ‘Japan’s Champs Elysees’, and the majestic Meiji shrine. Have a private guide with you to help you make sense of the sometimes bewildering public transport system and venture to the stylish streets of Ginza or Akihabara ‘electric city’.

Travelling south from Tokyo you will catch some of the best views of Mt Fuji en-route to the national park of Hakone. Enjoy the cable car rides and lake plateau pirate ships while getting glimpses of the ‘shy mountain’ when the peak isn’t hidden in cloud, and explore the beautiful Open Air Museum. Continue on to Kyoto, the beating cultural heart of Japan. Fortunately spared bombing in the war, its 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites are largely still intact. Countless temples and gardens await you, and while there isn’t time to encompass it all in one holiday there will be a guide on hand to unravel the mysteries of these ancient sights and decipher kanji for you. Kyoto has long been a leading light in luxury textile design and production as well as many other fine arts, and the Gion quarter is the best place to catch a glimpse of Geisha as well as local women in kimonos during Japan holiday seasons. We recommend dining on Pontocho street or at one of the terrace restaurants along the Kamogawa river one evening to soak up the sophisticated atmosphere of this city.

Afterward, travel to Kanazawa, where you’ll experience Kenroku-en Garden and the renowned 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art. You’ll also learn about traditional crafts like gold leaf art and take private gallery tours with a local curator. The final days of your tour will bring you back to Tokyo for one last blast to experience the best shopping, Michelin-starred dining and cultural sights. 

This tour is purely a suggested itinerary, we are on hand to help you make a wishlist and then we can make your holiday as organised or leisurely as you wish. If you'd like to see similar trips, take a look at our other Japan itineraries.

I can't think of anything that excites a greater sense of childlike wonder than to be in a country where you are ignorant of almost everything.
Bill Bryson