Day 1
Tokyo
Fly into Tokyo and make your way to your hotel independently.
Your adventure begins this evening! Feel free to explore the area before your welcome meeting but be sure to return on time to meet the group. Check the welcome note at the hotel for the exact meeting time. Once everyone is gathered, your Chief Experience Officer (CEO) will introduce themselves and go over the details of your tour. Spend the next three nights in Tokyo.
Accommodation: Hotel Gracery Shinjuku or similar
Day 2
Tokyo
Spend the day exploring the vibrant metropolis of Tokyo, one of the world's most populous cities, using the city's efficient public transit system. Start by immersing yourself in the traditional side of Tokyo with a visit to the Meiji Shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken. Afterwards, head to Harajuku, a hub of Japanese pop culture and an iconic spot for people-watching.
*Please note that activities on Day 2 and Day 3 may be swapped due to some departure dates
Accommodation: Hotel Gracery Shinjuku or similar.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 3
Tokyo
This morning, visit Tsukiji’s fish and seafood market, learning about Japan's fishing industry before taking a sushi-making class. Discover how to select, prepare, and present fresh fish, then enjoy your creations. After your sushi lunch, explore Asakusa, Tokyo’s historic district.
In the afternoon, choose from a variety of options: visit Ueno Park and its museums, shopping for electronics in Akihabara, checking out Harajuku's fashion, browsing high-end stores in Ginza, walking through the Imperial Palace East Garden, or simply strolling through Tokyo to find traditional spots hidden beneath the modern cityscape.
Accommodation: Hotel Gracery Shinjuku or similar.
Meals Included: Breakfast and lunch
Day 4
Tokyo – Tsumago via limited express train
Depart Tokyo by limited express train and arrive in Nagiso, where you'll stay in a traditional minshuku, a Japanese bed-and-breakfast. Take a scenic walk through the countryside to Tsumago, a charming Edo-period town with car-free streets and hidden power lines. After exploring, return to the minshuku for a kaiseki meal, a beautifully presented multi-course dinner that highlights fresh ingredients and traditional Japanese culinary artistry.
Accommodation: Hanaya Tsumago Ryokan or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast and dinner
Day 5
Tsumago – Kanazawa via limited express train
Continue your journey by train to Kanazawa, a historic city that was once the seat of the powerful Maeda clan during the Edo period. Explore Nagamachi, the well-preserved samurai district at the base of Kanazawa Castle, and learn about the lifestyle of Japan's ancient warrior class. Visit the Nomura Residence, a beautifully restored samurai home, where you’ll discover antique heirlooms and stroll through a serene, traditional garden. Overnight in Kanazawa for two nights.
Accommodation: ANA Crowne Plaza Kanazawa or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 6
Kanazawa
Spend the day exploring Kanazawa, starting with a visit to Myoryuji Temple, also known as the Ninja Temple, which served as a military outpost with secret defences and hidden escape routes. Next, take a stroll through the Higashi Chaya geisha district, where you’ll learn about the art of geisha culture and visit one of the district’s traditional wooden houses. Later, head to a local craft studio to discover Kanazawa’s time-honoured artisanal traditions and try your hand at painting chopsticks with gold leaf.
Accommodation: ANA Crowne Plaza Kanazawa or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 7
Kanazawa - Hiroshima via Shinkansen bullet train
Travel by the famous Shinkansen bullet train to Hiroshima, where we’ll visit the Peace Memorial Park and Museum, commemorating the 1945 atomic bombings. Wander through the park, stopping at memorials for the victims and the statue of Sadako Sasaki at the Children’s Peace Monument, honouring the many young lives lost. The park also features a flame that will burn until all nuclear weapons worldwide are eliminated, serving as a poignant symbol of peace. Overnight in Hiroshima for two nights.
Accommodation: ANA Crown Plaza Hiroshima or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 8
Hiroshima
Take a ferry to Itsukushima Island, also known as Miyajima, home to the stunning Itsukushima Shinto shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This 12th-century temple is built over the water, with a striking red torii gate that appears to float at high tide. Spend the afternoon exploring the island at your leisure, taking in its natural beauty and serene atmosphere.
Accommodation: ANA Crown Plaza Hiroshima or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 9
Hiroshima – Himeji – Kyoto via bullet train
This morning on board the bullet train to Himeji and visit its castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site and widely regarded as Japan’s most spectacular and best-preserved castle. Completed in the early 17th century, it boasts an elegant white facade and multiple wooden roofs
Later, take your second bullet train of the day to Kyoto, Japan’s imperial capital for over a thousand years. Spend the afternoon exploring the city’s stunning temples, shrines, and gardens at leisure, before enjoying a guided walk through the lantern-lined streets of Gion, Kyoto’s famous geisha district. Kyoto is home to over 2,000 historic sites, including temples, palaces, and traditional gardens. Overnight in Kyoto for three nights.
Accommodation: Hilton Garden Inn Kyoto Shijo Karasuma or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 10
Kyoto
Venture to the stunning Fushimi Inari Shrine just outside Kyoto, dedicated to the Shinto god of rice. Walk beneath its iconic red torii gates, famously featured in Memoirs of a Geisha. Later, enjoy a day trip exploring Nara, Japan's first capital. Visit the grand Todaiji Temple, home to the world’s largest bronze Buddha, and stroll the serene walkways of Kasuga Taisha, one of Japan’s most sacred Shinto shrines.
Accommodation: Hilton Garden Inn Kyoto Shijo Karasuma or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 11
Kyoto
This morning, visit a local temple to delve into the history and practice of Zen Buddhism in Japan. Meet a local monk for a lesson in Zen meditation and calligraphy. Next, we head to Kinkakuji, the "Golden Pavilion," one of Kyoto's most iconic and stunning temples. In the afternoon, learn the basics of samurai etiquette and kembu, the traditional art of Japanese swordplay. Try your hand at this delicate practice and enjoy a memorable performance by kembu masters. This evening concludes your tour of Japan.
Accommodation: Hilton Garden Inn Kyoto Shijo Karasuma or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 12
Kyoto
Enjoy breakfast at your own pace before heading to Kansai International airport independently for your flight home. Alternatively, how about extending your stay in Japan and take the bullet train to Osaka to spend a few days exploring at leisure!
Meals included: Breakfast
