Commence your day with a captivating journey through Asakusa District. Once an entertainment hub during the Edo era, Asakusa now brims with quaint shops and eateries, alongside the venerable Sensoji Temple. Stroll along Nakamise Street, a centuries-old souvenir haven, indulging in shopping for unique mementos or sampling local delicacies. Following your Asakusa adventure, traverse Tokyo to reach Meiji Shrine. This revered Shinto shrine, dedicated to the former Emperor and his wife, offers serene surroundings steeped in tradition. Conclude your tour by immersing yourself in the vibrant heart of Tokyo's youth culture at Shibuya. Explore cutting-edge fashion trends and dynamic entertainment in this bustling district, culminating at Shibuya Station, where you can further explore at your leisure. 

Note: The tour utilises public transport for transportation.

This morning get ready to depart to Hakone National Park for a day of fresh air and sightseeing at one of Japan’s most iconic parks in the shadow of Mt. Fuji. Throughout the tour you will have a chance to take a glimpse at this awe-inspiring mountain, but please bear in mind that it needs to be a clear day.

Meet your guide at your hotel before transferring to Shinjuku Station where you’ll hop on the ‘Romance Car’, for an hour and a half long journey into Hakone. Transfer to Hakone Machi-ko where you’ll board a pirate ship and sail across Lake Ashi to Togendai. A crater formed by a volcano nearly three-thousand years ago, these charming waters offer beautiful views of the enveloping mountains and even Mt. Fuji on a clear day.

Now, ride in a cablecar to the Hakone Ropeway, soar above the active volcanic site, Owakudani, which translates to the Great Boiling Valley. Watch the steam rising from the mountain, as thermal water grazes just under the rocky façade at extraordinarily hot temperatures. Stop amongst the steamy rocks, and see if you can spot Mt. Fuji in the distance before trying kuro-tamago, or a black egg. Boiled in the sulfuric hot springs each egg turns black as its cooked; it’s rumored that eating it will add several years to your life.  Finally, take Cable car to Gora Station.

Finally, it’s time to bid farewell to Hakone, so hope on a bus to Odawara to catch your bullet train back to Tokyo.

A full day to further explore Takayama with your private guide.

The Higashiyama Walking Course is a relaxing walking route through Takayama's temple area and Shiroyama Park, a wooded hill and former site of Takayama Castle. Along the 3.5 kilometer long course, you will pass more than a dozen common temples and shrines, the ruins of Takayama's former castle and ordinary scenes of a rural Japanese town. While the Higashiyama Walking Course is by no means a stunning sightseeing experience, it offers a pleasant way to spend one or two hours and get to know Takayama's calmer side.

The Matsuri no Mori festival museum can be reached in a 15-minute bus ride from Takayama Station south of the city center. The "Sarubobo Bus" provides hourly connections for 210 yen per ride or 620 yen for a one day pass that will also cover access to the Hida Folk Village. Matsuri no Mori or Festival Forest provides more depth on the Takayama Festival which is held in Spring and Autumn and is known as one the of the three most beautiful festivals in Japan. The main exhibition space is located underground at the end of a 50m long hallway and contains life size replica floats providing a close view of their intricate design work. With the floats and the largest Taiko Drums in the world, Matsuri no Mori makes for an interesting trip out of town.

Get a glimpse of Japan’s traditional and rural side on this full-day tour in the Toyama Prefecture, from Takayama and ending in Kanazawa.

Depart from Takayama and travel to Inami by private car. Having made a name for itself as Japan’s woodcarving capital, the town is home to over 120 workshops and 300 craftsmen - a great destination to witness the traditional craft. Stroll along Yokamachi Street, glimpsing sculptors at work and admiring the impressive handiwork at the numerous workshops lining the stone-paved street. Continue walking until reaching Zuisenji Temple. Set up at the turn of the 14th century by the famous head monk, Saint Shakunyo, the Buddhist temple is regarded as the birthplace of Inami woodcarving tradition. Take in the intricately carved decorations before joining the guild and getting hands-on in a woodcarving workshop. Learn how to use the chisel and carve a beautiful, wooden sake cup. More than a unique souvenir - this personal masterpiece can be used right away for a tasting of the beloved fermented rice beverage (for those over 20years old who would like to participate).

After this unique insight into Japan’s woodcarving tradition, travel to the historical village of Ainokura. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the quaint village is surrounded by a spectacular mountain scenery and comprises nearly 20 thatched farmhouses, built in traditional Gassho-zukuri style. Take a stroll through the charming countryside village, capturing the awe-inspiring views along the way, and stop by a folk museum to learn about the iconic architecture style. Take a last deep breath in the tranquil atmosphere of the countryside before travelling to Kanazawa, marking the end of the tour.

Your guide will meet you in the lobby of your hotel and escort you on a short subway ride to Kyoto Station. From here you will board the iconic Shinkansen bullet train to Himeji. After enjoying the breath-taking views of the Shoshan Ropeway, you will arrive at the historic Shoshazan Temple complex. 

The Engyoji Temple buildings are spread out across a densely forested area on to top of the scenic Mount Shosha. Enjoy the mountain trails as you explore the various temple structures and surrounding nature. See the massive wooden temple halls known as the Mitsunodo and an observation point with stunning views over the urban sprawl of Himeji.

Due to the beautiful scenery and absence of modern infrastructure, Mount Shosha is frequently used as a filming location for historical movies. This makes it the perfect place for amazing holiday snaps. The Hollywood movie "The Last Samurai" was partially shot on the mountain, incorporating scenes taken around and inside the halls of Mitsunodo.

After a short break for lunch, continue to the imposing Himeji Castle, also known as the White Heron Castle (Shirasagijo) due to its white walls and elegant appearance. The castle complex is over 400 years old and comprises over eighty buildings, connected by a series of gates and winding paths.

After exploring the fascinating history of Himeji Castle, return to Kyoto via the Shinkansen.

Tour finishes back at your hotel about 10 hours after the starting time.

Discover more of the ancient and more recent history of ‘the city of water’, Hiroshima on this unique day tour. This morning, transfer by Shinkansen from Kyoto Station to Hiroshima Station, where you will meet your guide, before heading to Memorial Peace Park. Hiroshima’s tribute to its tragic past and hopes for the future. Visit the Peace Memorial Museum next, whose exhibits display artefacts and photographs of the bombing and its aftermath. Despite the severity of the subject, the museum itself is not about being divisive or placing blame but serves as a reminder not to take peace for granted. 

Once finished, have some free time for lunch before riding the train to the ferry to cross the shore to Miyajima Island. This island is an ancient holy site, a sacred and beautiful national treasure of Japan. Featuring stunning Shinto shrines, Buddhist pagodas and temples, spectacular natural beauty, and charming Edo-style walkways, the island offers a slice of ancient Japanese culture. Arrive at the main complex Itsukushima shrine, a lovely family Shinto shrine founded in the 6th century. At high tide, it appears to be floating above the water, in addition to its floating torii gate, the iconic Otorii. This massive gateway is one of the most photographed structures in Japan. 

You’ll have free time to explore more of the Island now. Pass tame wild deer who wander the island freely, as you venture along the charming pathways. Consider taking the ropeway to the summit of Mt. Misen, over 500 metres above sea-level. Here take in one of the most gorgeous viewpoints as you overlook Hiroshima, its surrounding mountains or the sea and its islands on the other side. You can also wander to Daisho-in, a Buddhist temple with a trail of hundreds of happy Buddha statues leading the way. Afterwards, make some time to stop and shop at the charming souvenir shops in town, or try some local delicacies. The island has farmed oysters for over 300 years, so be sure to try some. Or, sample some maple leaf castellas filled with red bean paste, a classic snack unique to the island. Now it’s time to bid farewell to Miyajima and return to the mainland, before heading back to Hiroshima Station, where you will board your train back to Kyoto.

This morning hop on a short train ride to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Nara with your guide. For 74 years during the 8th century, Nara was Japan’s first capital, and became the centre of power. With great prosperity it became the face of Japanese culture and politics and ushered in a great number of changes. Therefore, Nara is home to some of the most impressive and ancient historical landmarks in the country.

Start off your adventure in this historic area at the jaw dropping Todaiji Temple, the world’s largest wooden building. Enter the enormous wooden gateway, towering over 25 meters high and fashioned from 800 year old trees, passing the guardian king statues of the temple. Take in the stunning complex grounds, as you gaze upon this impressive structure. Next, head inside to see the world’s largest bronze Buddha statue enveloped in a golden halo.

Next, head off to Nara's most celebrated shrine, the bright and beautiful Kasuga Taisha. This grand Shinto shrine was established in 768 AD, when four deities were invited to live here. Kasuga Taisha is not only ancient, but architecturally stunning with bright vermillion buildings and halls surrounded by Nara’s beautiful woods. Be sure to walk through the hallways which house hundreds of bronze and stone lanterns donated by worshipers over the centuries. *Please note on some irregular days, the special area of Kasuga Taisha may be closed. On these days, the main building of the shrine only will be visited.

Now, before returning to Kyoto, take a wander through Nara Park. One of the oldest parks in Japan, over a thousand tamed yet wild deer freely roam its grounds. Considered in Shintoism to be sacred messengers of the gods, the deer are still protected as national treasures and they call this park home. Stroll through “deer park” as the locals call it, as you take in the quaint yet ancient charm of the grounds.

Return to Kyoto but make a stop at the brilliant and impressive Fushimi Inari Shrine. From the main shrine, hike up the mountain by passing through thousands of torii gates. There are over ten thousand total, donated since the Edo period as wishes or in gratitude to the deities. If time allows, walk up to Yotsutsuji intersection to enjoy the panorama of Kyoto below, before descending and returning to your hotel.