Konnichiwa! Welcome to Japan. Your adventure begins in Tokyo with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. Bursting with contemporary urban culture, there are many sides of Tokyo to explore including fascinating museums, world-class shopping centres and neighbourhood backstreets lined with hole-in-the-wall eateries and bars. If you arrive early, maybe wander through the Hama Rikyu Garden, visit the Sumida Hokusai Museum or explore Ueno Park. After your meeting, maybe join your fellow travellers for dinner at a local restaurant. It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place. As you depart Tokyo tomorrow, it’s highly recommended you arrive a few days earlier to enjoy more of what this amazing city has to offer.

Enjoy a free morning in Tokyo and travel to Hakone in the afternoon – a scenic hot spring town in the foothills of Mt Fuji. When you arrive, the day is free for you to explore at your own pace. Maybe visit the iconic red gate that stands in the water of Lake Ashi, visit Hakone Shrine, wander through modern sculptures and beautiful gardens at the Hakone Open-Air Museum or simply relax in one of Hakone’s numerous onsens (hot springs). Tonight, why not find a local restaurant for dinner and try black eggs, which are cooked in the hot springs of Owakudani, paired with a local beer. Your travel time today will be approximately 1.5 hours. We will forward your big suitcase (one piece only) to Takayama this morning. So please ensure you have an overnight bag for your stay in Hakone with your essentials and valuables.

This morning, hop on a boat across Ashinoko Lake, then ride the Hakone ropeway cable car to the top of the surrounding mountains. The area around the lake offers plenty of stunning views, and you may even catch a glimpse of Mt Fuji in the distance if weather conditions are clear. The afternoon is free to further explore Hakone’s mountain scenery and volcanic sites. Maybe visit the boiling sulphur springs of Owakudani, go for a walk through the hills of the famed grassland ecosystem of Sengokuhara or discover a collection of art at the Pola Museum of Art.

Travel by a local train, then a shinkansen towards Takayama – a charming Edo period town in the Japanese Alps, famous for its traditional inns, sake breweries and the Hida Folk Village. The village is your first stop – an outdoor museum where the traditional thatched-roof architecture unique to the area has been relocated to a mountain setting to preserve traditional Japanese culture. Discover the techniques used to build farmhouses that could withstand fierce winters and long periods of isolation due to snow-closed roads. The thick thatching kept in warmth, and the roofs were angled to minimise snow build-up. Each house is like its own self-contained museum, with displays of personal items and traditional tools. Tonight, maybe join your group for dinner at a local restaurant – your leader will have the best recommendations. Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.

This morning, you’ll head to the markets in Gifu prefecture – these markets have been held for over 600 years and are known for their array of high-altitude vegetables. Browse the stalls of seasonal produce that’s brought in from the surrounding countryside and set up by local farm women from 7 am every morning. Look out for the unique local style of pickles, the bags of miso wrapped in leaves, genkotsu ame (soy bean candy), preserved fish, spices and the delicious marshmallow treat, owara tamaten. Then, head to Zenkoji Temple to learn how to make incense, which is believed to have purifying qualities. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the town at your own pace.

Travel by express train and shinkansen to Hiroshima today. When you arrive, you’ll visit Hiroshima’s Peace Park. The Genbaku (A-Bomb) Dome and Peace Memorial Museum stand testament to the fateful day in August 1945 when Hiroshima was chosen as target for the first ever wartime use of the atomic bomb. The dome was just metres from where the bomb detonated so it was able to retain its shape and the fact that it looks almost exactly as it did after the bombing has made it an enduring symbol of peace. The memorial park serves the same purpose, and has museums, memorials and monuments dedicated to the memory of victims. This evening, maybe head out with your leader for one of the city’s signature dishes for dinner – okonomiyaki (a savoury pancake of egg, cabbage, soba noodles and meat or seafood). Your travel time today is approximately 5 hours. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum is closed between 16-21 Feb, 2026 for maintenance. You'll visit Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall instead.

Today you'll make your way to the nearby island of Miyajima with its famous 'floating' torii gate. You might like to further explore the island by climbing to the top of Mt Miyajima (or hopping on the cable car instead) for 360-degree views of the Inland Sea. Keep your eyes out for inquisitive and hungry deer that roam the streets. You have the rest of the day free to enjoy some of the other sites. You could stop by the five-storied Hiroshima Castle, which originally dates to the 1590s. It was destroyed by the bomb but reconstructed in all its glory in the 1950s and now holds an informative museum. The wonderful Shukkeien Garden, with teahouses and waterfalls, is also a perfect place to decompress. Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours. Please note that you'll need to prepare an overnight bag with your valuables and essentials for the next two nights in Hagi. This will ease your travels to Hagi as you'll need to make a few transport exchanges. Your big luggage will be transferred to Kyoto from Hiroshima tomorrow.

This morning, travel to Hagi – a coastal city known for its spring cherry blossoms and forested slopes of Mt Shizuki. When you arrive, take a walking tour around the Samurai District. Wander through the middle- and lower-class samurai houses and merchants, then walk down the widest street and main road where the feudal lord’s processions passed. During your walking tour, you'll also visit the Former Kubota Family Residence - the old house of a former kimono and sake brewing business man, which is very representative of life in the area over 100 years ago. Tonight, meet your homestay family and join in the family with the preparation and cooking of your dinner. Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours. Your homestay here is a rare chance to gain some real insight into rural life in Japan. The group may be split to stay in different houses. Up to three or four travellers may share one household, and the facilities will be shared. You will sleep on traditional futons on tatami mats tonight, just like the locals do.

This morning, go with the flow and dive into the day to day life in Hagi with your host. Maybe check out their gardens and vegetables, visit the local supermarket for some shopping or walk around the neighbourhood. Each host will have their own plans. This afternoon, you’ll regroup and hop on a bike to explore the countryside of Hagi. But first, visit a local sake brewery and hear about the inspiring story of the local female sake brewer and how she’s broken the taboo and taken on the family business to continue brewing as one of the very few female sake brewers in the country. Then, continue your cycling tour to explore the countryside of Hagi. Later, head back to your homestay for another night with your host family. The cycling tour will be about 3 hours including stops. If you are hesitant about cycling, you may also choose to ride an electric bike. Occasionally, the sake brewer may not be available, and her mom will tell the story of her practice and family business instead.

Leave Hagi today and travel to Kyoto. Originally founded as Heian-kyo (‘tranquility and peace capital’) by Emperor Kammu in 794, Kyoto was the capital of Japan for over 1000 years, but the emperor and government are now in Tokyo. With over 2000 temples, shrines and gardens, there’s plenty to explore in this gorgeous city. Your leader will take you on a sunset walk through the Gion District (look out for wandering Geisha and Meiko!). Tonight, maybe find a local restaurant for dinner and try some traditional sushi or beef. Your travel time today will be approximately 4 to 5 hours.

Start your day with a visit to the iconic Kinkakuji Temple, with its impressive Golden Pavilion, immortalised by Yukio Mishima's novel. Then, visit the red tori gates in Fushimi Inari. For the more active, hiking up the mountain following the red torii gates is a great way to enjoy the forest and the views over the city! Your afternoon is free to explore Kyoto at your own pace. Maybe head out in the evening with your group to celebrate the end of your adventure together.

This morning, travel to Osaka – the vibrant unofficial culinary capital, whose motto is 'Kuidaore' (eat until you drop). When you arrive, you’ll have free time to wander the trendy streets or pick up some lunch in Dotombori, before another welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. After, maybe join your new travel companions for dinner at a local restaurant or wander the neon-lit streets for some street food and drinks. Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours. As this trip is a combination of shorter itineraries, the travellers in your group and your group leader are likely to change today.

Depart Osaka this morning and begin your journey west. Take the train across the bridge spanning the stunning Inland Sea, heading to Takamatsu. This may be the largest city on the island of Shikoku (the smallest of Japan’s four main islands), but it's a beautifully unpretentious town full of history, top-notch food and interesting local art. Here, you'll visit the beautifully manicured Ritsurin Garden. Dating back to the Edo period, the garden’s ponds and arched bridges are surrounded by strolling paths, tea pavilions and historic trees. There’s both a western and Japanese garden. The garden also houses the Sanuki Folk Craft Museum, which displays a variety of ceramics and basketwork dating from the time of the Tokugawa shoguns. Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

Take the ferry this morning for a daytrip to the island of Naoshima, located in the Inland Sea between Takamatsu and the mainland – famous for its modern art galleries, museums, avant-garde architecture and lovely natural setting. Explore the island’s galleries and outdoor art installations by public bus or bicycle. Wander between artworks as you hear the sound of waves lapping at quiet coves. Return to Takamatsu after a full day on the island, where you’ll have a free night. If there are particular art galleries or installations that you would like to visit on Naoshima Island, please check the official websites for their opening days and times so you can plan accordingly. An advance reservation is highly recommended.

This morning, take the train and head west to Matsuyama – one of Japan’s less-touristed prefectures coined ‘the citrus state’ by the locals. When you arrive and have maybe picked up a mikan (mandarin) or two, visit the hilltop Matsuyama Castle with your group. This is one of Japan's most impressive surviving castles, sitting right in the middle of the city. Unlike most castles in Japan, this one has an exciting collection of artefacts inside, so take the chance to check them out and learn a little more about Matsuyama's feudal history while you’re here. This afternoon, you’ll have some free time to relax and unwind. Maybe sink into the steaming waters of the Dogo Onsen – one of the oldest bath houses in Japan. Or, if you’d prefer more exploration, you could visit Ishiteji Temple – the 51st of the 88 temples that make up Shikoku’s 88 Temples circuit (Japan’s most famous pilgrimage route). Your travel time today will be approximately 1.5 hours.

Get ready for a bit of a travel day today. Jump on a train and then ferry for Usuki, on Kyushu Island – the third largest of Japan’s four main islands. When you arrive around midday, take a public bus to the village to visit the local sake brewery, where you’ll get to see how sake (Japan’s national drink, beloved by locals) is made, followed by a tasting of the brewery’s finest. Then, continue to your homestay. Your evening will be filled with collaborative dinner preparation with your hosts, followed by a delicious feast. Share stories with your hosts, hear about their life here and learn some tips about Japanese cooking that you can bring home with you. Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours. Today, we will send one piece of luggage to Beppu for you. You will need a small overnight bag for your stay in Usuki as you will not have access to your luggage again until tomorrow. Your homestay tonight will be in twin-share rooms with shared bathrooms. Depending on the group size and composition, the group may be divided into different households. You’ll sleep on a traditional tatami mat with a futon, with pillow and blankets provided.

Say goodbye to your hosts after a traditional home-cooked breakfast. Then, head to Beppu, famous for its variety of hot springs and onsens. Have lunch at a specialty restaurant that offers a unique dining experience where you can select the food you’d like, put the dishes in a steamer and watch as they’re cooked by the steam of the hot springs! The mineral-rich steam is said to enhance the flavours of the ingredients. Then, you’ll visit Jigoku (which translates to 'hell') – a collection of differently coloured steaming hot spring pools. After, head to a local onsen for a relaxing soak. The evening is yours to spend in this relaxing city. The onsen we visit today is tattoo friendly. Your leader will explain the etiquette for onsen prior to the visit. The basic entrance fee is included. This will allow you to try a variety of different public hot spring pools.

Today is a free day in Beppu. This is the perfect opportunity to take it easy in this onsen town, soaking your muscles and pausing to take in the scenery. Maybe explore other onsens in the city or, alternatively, explore Beppu at your own pace. Maybe check out Jigoku Onsen Museum or take the Mt Tsurumi Ropeway to the top for views overlooking the city. The lower station of the ropeway is a great spot for cherry blossom season. You might like to visit the Yawata Asami Shrine, Beppu Tower or take a daytrip to nearby Yufuin town. The day is yours!

Today’s all about chasing views! Hop in your private transfer this morning and head to Mt Aso, stopping at the Ogi Rice Terraces along the way. Soak up the scenic landscape of Ogi between Mt Aso and the Kuju Mountain Range. When you’ve snapped some photos, head to the Daikanbo natural observatory for some excellent views of the five central peaks of the mountain. This viewpoint is also known as the Nehan-zo, or Nirvana Buddha, referencing the image of the reclining Buddha. Stop for lunch, then get ready for a hike either on the moon-like Sunasenri trail to Nakadake Crater – the largest among the five craters of the mountain – or to the Kusasenri trail through grassland, depending on the crater's accessibility. After your hike, continue to your accommodation for tonight – you’ll be staying in a minshuku (traditional Japanese inn), right in the caldera formed from ancient volcanic eruptions. Surrounded by rice fields, you’re in for a peaceful night here. Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours. Your hiking time will be approximately 1 hour on established trails. There may be some sections that are a little steep, so make sure you wear comfortable and sturdy shoes with good grip. For those who prefer not to hike, you may take the bus to see the crater, but you’ll need to wait for the group to return from the hike. In cases where the weather or risk level is not suitable for the hike or to see the crater, you'll head to Kusasenri trail to hike on the grassland instead. We'll follow the local authority's advice in these cases. You’ll stay in twin-share rooms tonight with shared facilities. As is traditional, you’ll sleep on the tatami mat with a futon, pillows and blankets provided. Breakfasts and dinners are included here. Occasionally, we may not be able to book the minshuku on the caldera and an alternative minshuku or hotel will be booked in a different location.

This morning, say goodbye to your scenic guesthouse and hop on a train to Nagasaki, arriving in the early afternoon. In the 16th century, Nagasaki was the sole port in Japan for trade with the Netherlands and Portugal, so the city has a fascinating mixture of traditional Japanese and Western architectural influences. Follow your leader on an orientation walk, then head over to Glover Garden – an open-air museum where you can see old foreign merchant houses. See the Former Glover House, the city’s oldest wooden Western-style building, and learn about a different side of Nagasaki’s history. You then have a free afternoon – maybe ask your leader for the best spots to grab dinner! Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

Wake up in Nagasaki this morning. Today, you’ll visit the Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum for a sobering reminder of what happened on that dreadful day – the 9th of August 1945. You'll also attend a talk given by an A-bomb survivor – no doubt a powerful experience. If you wish to reflect and explore further, there are more museums nearby worth visiting. You’ll have a day pass for the city trams, so take advantage of this and explore Nagasaki in your free afternoon. Consider heading over to Dejima – this artificial island was once a Dutch trading post in the 17th to 19th centuries. The Twenty-Six Martyrs Monument, Oura Church and Dutch Slope also give you a glimpse into the life of the early Christians and European traders in Japan – these sites make up part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hidden Christian Sites. This evening, maybe slurp up some champon noodles (ramen, Nagasaki-style)!

Say goodbye to Kyushu and jump on the shinkansen (bullet train) back to Osaka. When you arrive this afternoon, soak up some free time to relax or explore. Tonight, why not head out for dinner and drinks with your leader and fellow travellers, to celebrate an amazing trip in southern Japan. Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours. There will be a few changeovers on your journey back to Osaka, involving quick transitions or going through crowds at train stations. You may want to check with your leader about luggage transfer from Nagasaki at your own expense if you prefer not to take your luggage with you on the train.

With no further activities planned, your trip comes to an end this morning. That doesn’t mean your time in Japan has to end! There’s plenty to do and explore in Osaka, so if you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.