The Colours of Japan

After breakfast, meet with your guide for a day devoted to discovering Tokyo’s dynamic blend of tradition and innovation. Begin at the Imperial Palace Plaza, where you’ll take in views of the Nijubashi Bridge, a historic gateway to the imperial residence. Step into the Edo Fukagawa Museum, where full-scale replicas of streets and homes recreate the daily life of Tokyo's past. In the lively Asakusa district, wander the grounds of Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple, known for its giant red lantern and incense-filled courtyards. Nakamise-dori, the approach to the temple, is lined with traditional shops selling crafts and street food that evoke a bygone era.
Later, ascend to the Sunshine 60 Observatory, where sweeping city views stretch out toward the horizon. A set lunch is included today. Overnight in Tokyo

Today is yours to spend as you please.
Alternatively, you may choose an OPTIONAL guided excursion to Kamakura and Hakone (supplement applies).
In Kamakura, stand before the awe-inspiring Great Buddha, a bronze statue that has weathered centuries beneath open skies. Visit Hasedera Temple, a tranquil haven with hilltop views and seasonal blooms of hydrangeas and irises.
The journey continues to the mountain landscapes of Hakone, a region famed for its steaming volcanic terrain and lakeside shrines. From Hakone Shrine, nestled in the forest at the edge of Lake Ashi, to the otherworldly geothermal valley of Owakudani, the scenery here offers a vivid glimpse of Japan’s dramatic natural beauty.
Return to Tokyo in the evening. Meals are at your own arrangement.
Overnight in Tokyo.

After breakfast, your main luggage will be sent ahead to Osaka, so please remember to prepare an overnight bag for Kaga Onsen.
Transfer by private coach to and then depart Tokyo Station by Shinkansen, Japan’s famed bullet train, to Kanazawa, a city steeped in the refined culture of the Edo period. Here, you’ll walk through Kenroku-en, one of Japan’s most celebrated landscape gardens, known for its carefully placed bridges, reflective ponds, and teahouses. The atmosphere is one of peace and elegance.
Next, visit the preserved home of the Nomura samurai family, where antique weaponry, painted screens, and a serene inner garden reveal the lifestyle of a warrior elite. Finish with a walk through the Higashi Chaya district, once the domain of geisha houses, where wooden teahouses stand as reminders of a time when performance and beauty shaped the city’s cultural life.
Travel onward by coach to Kaga Onsen. Check in to your Ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn. Here, you can relax with a steaming bath drawn from the mineral-rich hot springs for which the region is famous. In the evening, savour a Japanese dinner served in the local style.
Overnight in Kaga Onsen.

Following a traditional Japanese breakfast, set out by coach for the remote mountain village of Shirakawago. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is famed for its gassho-zukuri farmhouses, designed with steep, thatched roofs resembling hands in prayer. Walking among these unique homes offers a window into rural life in centuries past.
From here, continue to Tsuruga Station and take the bullet train to Osaka. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and then take the evening to explore the city at your leisure. Known for its street food, neon lights, and friendly locals, Osaka offers a taste of modern Japanese urban life with a bold and playful edge. Overnight in Osaka.

After breakfast, your luggage will be sent ahead to Kyoto. Please remember to prepare an overnight bag for Hiroshima.
Your journey begins in Himeji, where you’ll stroll through the beautifully landscaped Kokoen Garden before touring Himeji Castle. With brilliant white walls and soaring towers, the castle is often compared to a heron in flight and is considered Japan’s most spectacular surviving example of feudal architecture.
From Himeji, travel onward to Hiroshima, arriving in the late afternoon. After checking into your hotel, the remainder of the evening is at leisure. Dinner is included tonight.
Overnight in Hiroshima.

Begin the day with a visit to the sacred island of Miyajima, reached by ferry. Here, the famous torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine rises from the sea, creating one of Japan’s most iconic views. The shrine, built on stilts above the tidal flats, appears to float at high tide, embodying the spiritual harmony between nature and human artistry.
Later, return to Hiroshima to visit the Peace Memorial Museum and Park, created in remembrance of the atomic bombing of 1945. The preserved Atomic Bomb Dome stands as a stark and powerful monument, reminding visitors of the resilience of the human spirit.
In the afternoon, board the Shinkansen to Kyoto. Upon arrival, walk to your nearby hotel. Overnight in Kyoto.

Today offers a journey into the spiritual and artistic heart of Japan. A full day is dedicated to visiting Kyoto and Nara with your guide and coach. Begin with the Golden Pavilion, Kinkaku-ji, a Zen temple whose shimmering upper floors are covered in gold leaf and reflected in a peaceful pond. Continue to Ryoan-ji Temple, where a minimalist rock garden captures the essence of Zen philosophy.
Travel to Nara in the afternoon, where you’ll visit Todai-ji Temple, home to the world’s largest bronze Buddha statue. The temple lies within Nara Park, where tame deer wander freely, believed by some to be messengers of the gods.
On the return to Kyoto, pause at Fushimi Inari Taisha. This iconic Shinto shrine is known for its thousands of vibrant red torii gates that form winding paths through the wooded hillside.
A traditional lunch is included. Overnight in Kyoto.

After breakfast, the day is yours to explore at your leisure or join an OPTIONAL guided tour (supplement applies).
The morning begins at Kiyomizu-dera Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site perched on a hillside with panoramic views of Kyoto. From here, stroll through the atmospheric streets of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, where stone pathways wind past old merchant houses and artisan shops.
In the afternoon, travel to Arashiyama. Stand on the historic Togetsu Bridge overlooking the Oi River, explore the tranquil Zen gardens of Tenryu-ji Temple, and wander through the otherworldly Bamboo Grove, where sunlight filters through swaying stalks in a whispering forest unlike any other. Overnight in Kyoto.

Following breakfast, check out by 10:00am. Independent transfer without assistance to the airport by public transport according to availability (tickets included). Departure from Kansai Airport.
* S A Y O N A R A *

• 9 nights accommodation as specified
• Breakfasts daily (In case of an early morning flight, breakfast cannot be guaranteed or refunded)
• 3 lunches
• 2 dinners
• Assistance on Day 1 at Tokyo Airport
• English speaking guide on days of touring
• Private transfers as specified
• Public transport Tokyo Airport-hotel-train station / Day 5 train station to the hotel in Osaka
• Luggage transportation Tokyo-Osaka-Kyoto – 1 piece per person (circumference of the three sides is less than 165 cm and 23 kg) – additional to be paid on the spot
• Public ferry Hiroshima-Miyajima-Hiroshima
• Limousine bus ticket Kyoto Sation – Osaka Airport
• 24/7 local operator support in Japan
• Trains: Shinkasen (2nd class, reserved seats) Tokyo – Kanazawa - Tsuruga, Hiroshima - Kyoto; Express train Tsuruga - Osaka

• International airfares
• Optional tours and excursions
• Drinks during meals
• Porterage
• Supplement for overnight assistance surcharge for arrivals in Japan between 8pm and 7am (in the case of arrival during times when public transport is not available, taxis will be used at an additional cost)
• Tipping/Gratuities (please refer to tour notes for a recommended guideline)
• Personal Expenses
• Departure taxes
• Hotel charges for minibar or any extra charges
• Insurance
• Any other services not clearly mentioned in the inclusions above