10 Days - Quintessential Japan

Welcome to Japan! Arrive in Tokyo and meet your local guide at the airport before transferring by private vehicle to your hotel. Depending on arrival time, enjoy a short orientation walk to get your bearings and see how this vast city blends order with energy. The drive from Haneda takes about 50 minutes, while Narita is roughly 1 hour 20 minutes.

Begin the afternoon at Meiji Jingu, a grand Shinto shrine hidden within an evergreen forest that feels detached from the surrounding metropolis. Walk through towering wooden torii gates, notice barrels of sake offered in prayer, and observe quiet rituals that express Japan’s enduring spiritual traditions. The shrine honours Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, who guided the country’s shift toward modernisation in the late 19th century.

A short journey away, explore Harajuku and Omotesando, adjoining areas that capture Tokyo’s dual personality. Harajuku buzzes with colour, pop culture and youthful trends, while Omotesando showcases architecture, cafés and international design houses. Together they illustrate how Tokyo embraces both experimentation and refinement.

Continue to Shibuya, where the famous scramble crossing epitomises the city’s rhythm. Watch the lights change as hundreds of people move in perfect harmony, then wander side streets filled with ramen bars, small izakaya and music venues. The nearby Hachiko statue and Shibuya Stream precinct give insight into the city’s loyalty to both tradition and innovation.

As evening settles, venture to Shinjuku’s Omoide Yokocho, an alleyway packed with smoky yakitori stalls and pocket-sized bars. Locals chat elbow to elbow under hanging lanterns, creating an atmosphere that feels timeless. Settle in for a casual meal and toast your first night in Japan before returning to your hotel to rest.

After breakfast, meet your guide in the lobby and set out by public train to Asakusa, one of Tokyo’s oldest neighbourhoods and a focal point of Edo-period culture. The journey offers a window into the city’s contrasts, passing from sleek business districts to older residential quarters. As you step out at Asakusa Station, the pace slows and the air carries the scent of incense from the nearby temple grounds.

Enter through the imposing Kaminarimon Gate, marked by its giant red lantern and protective statues. The path leads to Nakamise Shopping Street, one of Japan’s oldest commercial avenues, where traders have been selling traditional goods for centuries. Browse shops offering handmade fans, sweets, calligraphy brushes and yukata, and sample snacks such as ningyo-yaki cakes and rice crackers hot off the grill.

At the end of the street stands Sensoji, Tokyo’s most significant Buddhist temple. Founded in the 7th century, it has survived fires and wars to remain a symbol of resilience. Walk through the main hall, admire the striking five-storey pagoda, and observe locals drawing omikuji fortunes or offering prayers for health and good luck. Take time to wander through nearby lanes that still preserve the atmosphere of old Edo.

Enjoy lunch at one of the many family-run eateries that have served pilgrims for generations. Options range from long-established tempura restaurants to simple noodle houses where the recipes have barely changed. Your guide can suggest local favourites or help arrange a casual dining stop along the Sumida River promenade, a quieter area lined with cherry trees.

In the afternoon, continue to Tokyo Skytree, Japan’s tallest tower and a striking example of contemporary design. From its 450-metre-high observation deck, enjoy an expansive view of the city stretching toward the horizon, with Mount Fuji visible on clear days. The Solamachi complex at the base offers shops, aquariums and small museums that connect the modern experience to local culture. Return to the Shibuya area in the evening, where your guide concludes for the day, leaving you free to explore Tokyo’s nightlife or relax at your hotel.

Leave Tokyo in the morning aboard a scenic train, travelling about two and a half hours toward the foothills of Mount Fuji. The city’s skyline gives way to quiet countryside, where rice fields and small towns spread across the landscape. For group tours, travel is arranged by private coach, ensuring a smooth journey through rural valleys framed by forested slopes.

Arrive at Oshino Hakkai, a small village known for its eight clear ponds fed by spring water filtered through Mount Fuji’s volcanic rock. The ponds shimmer with remarkable clarity, reflecting the snow-capped peak on calm days. Stroll the walking paths lined with traditional thatched houses, small shrines and craft stalls selling local delicacies such as grilled sweetfish and rice dumplings. It is an ideal place to appreciate rural Japan and the spiritual significance long associated with the mountain.

After a short drive, board a gentle cruise on Lake Kawaguchi, the most accessible of Fuji’s five lakes. The view from the water captures the mountain’s symmetrical form and its reflection on the lake’s surface, a scene that has inspired countless paintings and photographs. The surrounding hills change colour dramatically with the seasons, from spring cherry blossom to the vivid reds and golds of autumn.

Pause nearby for lunch at a lakeside restaurant where you can sample regional dishes, often featuring freshwater fish or handmade noodles. Many eateries offer window seats facing the lake, allowing time to simply take in the scenery. Your guide will share insight into how Mount Fuji has shaped local life, from agriculture to art and pilgrimage routes that continue to attract climbers each summer.

End the day at Oishi Park, a broad open space along the northern shore known for its flower gardens and uninterrupted mountain views. Walk the lakeside trail among seasonal blooms and enjoy the contrast between the calm water and towering peak beyond. In the late afternoon, return to Tokyo by train (or private coach for larger groups), arriving back at your hotel in the evening with time to rest or explore nearby restaurants independently.

This morning travel by bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto, a journey of around 2.5 hours that crosses Japan’s main island from east to west. Watch as the city’s skyline fades into farmland and forested hills, and on clear days catch glimpses of Mount Fuji through the train windows. On arrival at Kyoto Station, meet your local guide and begin exploring the city that served as Japan’s imperial capital for more than a thousand years.

Start at Kiyomizu Temple, one of Kyoto’s most celebrated landmarks. Built on a hillside overlooking the city, its large wooden terrace is supported by hundreds of pillars and offers panoramic views. The temple is dedicated to the goddess of mercy and is especially beautiful in spring and autumn when the surrounding trees change colour. Walk through its halls, visit the Otowa Waterfall and drink from its streams, which are believed to bring health, success and longevity.

Continue down the historic lanes of Higashiyama, lined with preserved wooden houses and traditional craft shops. A nearby tea house introduces the quiet discipline of a Japanese tea ceremony. Dressed in kimono, you’ll learn the graceful steps of preparing and serving matcha, understanding the values of harmony and respect that underpin this centuries-old custom. Women may also experience traditional hairstyling, completing an elegant cultural portrait.

Later, stroll through the streets of Gion, Kyoto’s most famous geisha district. As lanterns begin to glow and the scent of grilled food drifts through narrow alleys, the area comes alive with movement. Wooden machiya houses line the cobbled lanes, some operating as exclusive teahouses where geiko and maiko entertain guests with song and dance. Your guide can explain the etiquette and history of this unique world that still thrives today.

Dinner this evening is at leisure. Kyoto’s dining options range from refined kaiseki restaurants to casual noodle shops, many within walking distance of Gion and the Kamo River. Enjoy a relaxed evening and absorb the atmosphere of Japan’s cultural heart before returning to your hotel for the night.

Begin the morning with a drive to Kyoto’s western district of Arashiyama, an area known for its scenic beauty and connection to the city’s artistic traditions. Arriving early allows time to walk the famous Bamboo Grove before the crowds. The tall green stalks rise high above the narrow path, creating a shifting play of light and sound in the breeze. For those who wish, a rickshaw ride through the grove offers a relaxed way to take in the atmosphere and hidden corners of the area.

Continue on foot to Tenryuji Temple, one of Kyoto’s major Zen temples and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple’s garden, designed in the 14th century, remains almost unchanged and perfectly reflects the principles of Zen harmony between landscape and architecture. From the temple grounds, cross the Togetsukyo Bridge spanning the Katsura River, a scene celebrated for centuries in poetry and painting.

Arashiyama’s riverbanks and surrounding hills have long been a retreat for Kyoto’s aristocrats, and the area still carries that sense of calm. Small cafés, souvenir shops and traditional sweet stalls line the nearby streets, making it an inviting place to pause for tea or a light lunch. Your guide can recommend local specialties such as yuba (tofu skin) or matcha desserts made from Kyoto’s finest green tea.

In the afternoon, travel north to Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavilion. The temple’s top two floors are covered entirely in gold leaf, reflecting in the pond below and changing tone with the shifting light. Originally built as a villa for a shogun, it later became a Zen temple and stands as one of Japan’s most recognisable landmarks. Take your time walking the circular path around the gardens, noting the careful balance between architecture, water and surrounding pine trees.

Conclude the day with a return to central Kyoto. The evening is at leisure to explore local restaurants or stroll through Pontocho Alley along the river, where small eateries and traditional bars capture the mood of old Kyoto after dark. Rest overnight in the city, ready for tomorrow’s journey to Nara.

Begin the morning with a short train journey from Kyoto to Fushimi Inari Taisha, one of Japan’s most photographed and spiritually significant shrines. Arriving early allows you to walk quietly through the thousands of vermilion gates that stretch up the wooded slopes of Mount Inari. Each gate has been donated by individuals and businesses in gratitude or prayer, forming a striking tunnel that glows with shifting light. The site’s connection to prosperity and harvest makes it a living part of modern Japanese belief.

Continue by express train to Nara, Japan’s first permanent capital and one of the country’s great repositories of art and religion. Your first stop is Todaiji Temple, home to the immense bronze statue of the Great Buddha. The temple’s wooden hall is among the largest of its kind in the world, constructed in the 8th century and rebuilt with remarkable precision after fires and earthquakes. Inside, the scent of incense and the scale of the statue evoke both reverence and awe.

After exploring the temple and its surrounding gardens, walk to Kasuga Taisha, Nara’s most venerated Shinto shrine. The forest path leading to its entrance is lined with hundreds of stone and bronze lanterns, each placed as an offering over centuries. Within the grounds, the shrine’s vermilion buildings contrast beautifully with the surrounding cedar trees, creating one of Japan’s most poetic religious settings.

Spend the afternoon in Nara Park, where hundreds of free-roaming deer wander through open lawns and temple paths. Considered messengers of the gods in ancient times, the deer now symbolise the city’s long coexistence of nature and culture. Visitors can purchase special crackers to feed them, though the deer have been known to bow politely before accepting a treat.

As the day concludes, enjoy a relaxed walk through the park’s wide boulevards and small cafés before returning to Kyoto by express train in the early evening. The journey takes around forty-five minutes and brings you back in time for dinner at leisure, marking the end of a day steeped in Japan’s early history and living traditions.

This morning board the bullet train bound for Hiroshima, a journey of about 2 hours. The route crosses the heart of western Honshu, passing through rural towns and forested hills before arriving in a city that has become a global symbol of peace and renewal. On arrival, meet your local guide and transfer to the central district for a day of reflection and learning.

Begin at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, located within the vast Peace Memorial Park. The museum documents the events of August 6, 1945, through photographs, artefacts and survivor accounts that convey both the devastation and the city’s extraordinary recovery. The exhibits are designed to educate rather than shock, leaving a lasting impression of the importance of peace and reconciliation.

After the museum, walk through the surrounding park, a beautifully landscaped area filled with monuments and memorials dedicated to the victims of the atomic bombing. Pause at the Cenotaph for the Victims and the Flame of Peace, which will continue to burn until the world is free of nuclear weapons. Follow the river path to the Atomic Bomb Dome, the preserved remains of a former exhibition hall that withstood the blast and now stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Hiroshima today is a lively, forward-looking city, known for its wide boulevards and relaxed atmosphere. Take time to stroll along Hondori Street, where cafés, shops and art installations reflect the city’s creative spirit. Your guide can also share stories of local communities who rebuilt their lives after the war, offering insight into how Hiroshima transformed itself into a centre for peace education.

As evening approaches, join a hands-on cooking session to prepare Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, a savoury pancake layered with noodles, cabbage, and sauces cooked on a hot plate. Locals often gather around shared grills to enjoy this dish together, making it a fitting and interactive end to the day. Return to your hotel for the night, carrying a deeper understanding of Hiroshima’s resilience and hope.

Begin the morning with a short ferry ride across the Seto Inland Sea to Miyajima Island, one of Japan’s most scenic and spiritually significant places. The twenty-minute journey offers striking views of the coastline, and as the island draws closer, the famous torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine appears to float gracefully on the water. The sight at high tide is one of Japan’s most enduring images, symbolising harmony between faith and nature.

Step ashore and walk through the vermilion-painted halls of Itsukushima Shrine, built on stilts above the bay so the tide flows beneath its wooden floors. The shrine has stood for centuries as a centre of worship for sailors and traders, and its balance of architecture and setting captures the essence of Shinto belief. Explore the nearby five-storey pagoda and take in the island’s peaceful rhythm, where deer wander freely and visitors move at an unhurried pace.

For those who enjoy walking, the trails leading up Mount Misen offer forest paths shaded by ancient trees and dotted with small stone temples. Alternatively, take the ropeway to the upper slopes for a panoramic view across the inland sea and its many islands. On clear days, the horizon stretches endlessly, revealing the full scale of western Japan’s coastal landscape.

Before returning to the mainland, stroll along Miyajima’s small shopping street lined with local eateries and souvenir stalls. Sample oysters freshly grilled over charcoal or try Momiji Manju, maple-leaf-shaped cakes filled with sweet bean paste that have become the island’s signature treat. The relaxed tempo of the island contrasts beautifully with the pace of the cities visited earlier in the journey.

In the late afternoon, return by ferry and board the bullet train bound for Osaka, the final city on your itinerary. The journey takes around one hour and fifty minutes. On arrival, head to Dotonbori, a lively entertainment district famous for its bright lights and canal-side restaurants. Try regional dishes such as takoyaki or Osaka-style okonomiyaki, and take in the buzzing atmosphere beneath the glowing Glico running man sign before checking in to your hotel for the night.

Start the morning with a visit to Osaka Castle, one of Japan’s most important historical landmarks. Approach through the broad park that surrounds it, following paths shaded by cherry and maple trees. Cross the stone bridges and moat before reaching the towering walls built from massive granite blocks. Inside, explore a modern museum that traces the castle’s turbulent history through the rise and fall of samurai leaders. From the upper observation deck, the view stretches across the city, highlighting Osaka’s scale and vitality.

Afterward, take a short train ride to Shinsekai, a lively district that preserves the retro atmosphere of early twentieth-century Osaka. Its narrow streets are filled with casual eateries, small bars and colourful signboards that glow day and night. The area reflects Osaka’s down-to-earth character and love of food, especially kushikatsu, deep-fried skewers served with dipping sauce.

At the heart of Shinsekai stands Tsutenkaku Tower, a local symbol inspired by the Eiffel Tower and first built in 1912. Ride to the top for a full view of Osaka’s urban sprawl, where old neighbourhoods meet clusters of modern high-rises. The observation deck provides a striking contrast between the city’s industrial roots and its creative present.

Continue to Kuromon Market, a covered arcade where the stalls overflow with seafood, fresh produce and street snacks. This is one of the best places to experience Osaka’s reputation as the “kitchen of Japan.” Sample grilled scallops, wagyu skewers or seasonal fruit while mingling with shoppers and stall owners who embody the city’s cheerful spirit.

End the day in the bustling Shinsaibashi and Namba districts, where fashion boutiques, department stores and underground walkways merge into one continuous stretch of activity. The long shopping arcade offers both international brands and quirky local finds, ideal for picking up final souvenirs. Pause at a café or ramen shop for a quick bite before returning to your hotel, surrounded by the energy that defines Osaka.

Enjoy a relaxed start to your final morning in Osaka with breakfast at the hotel. Take a moment to reflect on the journey through Japan, from Tokyo’s lively streets and Mount Fuji’s calm waters to Kyoto’s timeless traditions and the poignant history of Hiroshima. The city around you is already stirring with the rhythm of commuters and market vendors, offering one last glimpse of everyday life in Japan’s most dynamic metropolis.

If time allows before checkout, take a short walk near your hotel or visit a nearby café to enjoy a final cup of Japanese coffee. Osaka’s neighbourhoods are known for their hospitality, and even a brief stroll reveals small bakeries, flower stalls and shops that make this city so approachable and human in scale.

Your driver will meet you at your accommodation for the transfer to Kansai International Airport. The journey takes around one hour from central Osaka, passing across the long bridge that links the mainland to the airport’s man-made island. The view from the causeway offers a fitting farewell to the country’s landscape of sea and city.

As you travel, your guide or driver can share local insights or help review onward travel arrangements. Many visitors choose to extend their time in Japan, combining this itinerary with additional nights in Tokyo or a side trip to the nearby art islands of Naoshima and Teshima.

Arrive at Kansai International Airport with time for check-in and departure formalities. Carry with you the impressions of Japan’s contrasts - the precision of its cities, the grace of its temples, and the quiet pride of its people - each leaving a lasting sense of connection and respect.