Japan Express

Fly into Japan's legendary capital and make your way to our hotel in the Asakusa neighbourhood. Meet the rest of the group over a Japanese feast and a few sakes this evening before an evening visit to incense-scented Senso-Ji Temple.

Pick up some simple Japanese and learn about local customs at an orientation meeting. Then explore kawaii, cosplay, and everything pink in Harajuku, see the Meiji Shrine in Yoyogi Park and hit the arcades in Akihabara, Tokyo's electric town.

Explore the city at your own pace today, before an evening in lively Shinjuku for the most amazing city skyline views and dinner in the yakitori shacks on Omoide Yokocho alley. Round off with a visit to Shibuya Crossing, the busiest intersection in the world.

Ride the Romance Car to the mountain town of Hakone. Wander the leafy hiking trails and gaze at Mt Fuji in the background, before heading back to our guest house for a family-style dinner and a night on traditional tatami mat beds.

Take the bullet train to Kyoto, Japan's cultural heart. Spend the evening discovering the lantern-lit alleyways, traditional teahouses and machiya (wooden townhouses), keeping your eyes peeled for geisha all the while, before dinner at a top yakitori joint.

Ride the subway to Fushimi-Inari before dawn today to see its endless orange torii gates before the crowds arrive. Next up it's Kiyomizu-Dera. Take in the views from its large wooden terrace, before an optional tea ceremony complete with kimono hire!

Hop on the train to the mountain town of Arashiyama. Take a peaceful walk through the emerald green corridors of the town's famous bamboo forest before meeting some of the cheeky residents of Monkey Mountain.

Visit the one and only Golden Pavilion, a jaw-dropping temple which is gilded in gold and sits atop a lake. Explore the zen gardens of Daitoku-Ji, before taking a bullet train to Osaka. Take a street food tour around the colourful Dotonburi district and finish the night with an epic karaoke battle!

Enjoy a free morning in Osaka which you can use to dive into Japan's culinary history at the Ramen Museum, visit the trendy AmericaTown or receive a wellness treatment at Spa World. Then this evening, we'll regroup to visit the majestic Osaka Castle at sunset. Our final stop are the busy neon-lit streets of Shinsekai, maybe digging into street food and seeing where tonight takes us!

Rise bright and early this morning for our train journey to Nara, a traditional city known for its Seven Great Temples and friendly resident deer. We'll wander to the main park from the station and enjoy some free time to wander around the temples or to feed crackers purchasable at vendors to the deer. Then we'll head back to Osaka later today for a free evening, where you can join an optional excursion through Osaka's mesmerising backstreets with a local guide and learn all about the city's secrets!

Later today we'll journey to Hiroshima and uncover its history with a visit to the deeply moving Peace Memorial Park and museum. View the Atomic Dome, ring the Peace Bell and pray at the eternal flame, with a local guide providing insight into Hiroshima's past. This evening is free time, with an optional archery class.

Escape the city life and discover a breathtaking island filled with forests, beaches, ancient temples and one of the most recognisable shrines in all of Japan - the orange torii gates of Itsukushima floating in the water. Enjoy a free afternoon to wander around, visit a few temples and maybe do some hiking. Then back in Hiroshima, head out with the group for a final night out to celebrate our adventure!

Say goodbye to your new friends and trip leader. Your trip finishes here and you can depart at any time.