Essential Japan - Tokyo, Mount Fuji and Kyoto

Our tour starts today in Tokyo, Japan's ultra-modern capital. A sprawling metropolis, Tokyo is one of the world's most populous cities and a dazzling blend of traditional culture and all things new. For those arriving in time, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6.30pm for a welcome meeting. Afterwards, there is the option to head out for dinner at a nearby local restaurant where you'll have the chance to sample various dishes in an 'izakaya' style Japanese restaurant. If some of the group are arriving on later flights, the main introductory briefing will take place on the morning of Day 2 with everybody present. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to arrive in Tokyo at any time. If you miss the welcome meeting, your leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Tokyo's Haneda Airport (HND) or Narita Airport (NRT). The hotel is around an hour away from Haneda Airport and an hour and a half from Narita. You'll be met in the arrivals hall and transferred to the hotel by public shuttle bus or private vehicle. The shuttle bus may stop at other hotels before dropping you at our hotel. Japanese hotels have strict rules regarding check-in and all customers are required to wait until 3 PM for room access. You will be able to store your luggage while waiting but if you require an early check-in, then you should request this at the time of booking. We do not guarantee this will be possible and depending on availability an extra fee will be charged. Please note, while our itinerary gives us two days in Japan's capital, there's a lot to pack in. If you really want to get to grips with Tokyo's sites, we highly recommend adding additional nights to your trip pre-tour.

Today, we'll explore Tokyo both on foot and using the super-efficient metro system along with the locals on a full-day walking tour that blends history, local life and hands-on cultural experiences. Starting in Asakusa district, we'll discover Senso-ji Temple, the oldest temple in Tokyo and a site that deserves to be high on any explorer's list. We enter through the imposing Thunder Gate, flanked on either side by massive, fierce statues of the gods of wind and rain. We continue north for a leisurely walk through Ueno Park, one of Japan's oldest parks, famous for its museums. Passing green spaces and local neighbourhoods we'll arrive at Ameyoko Market, a lively street market that offers a glimpse into Tokyo's post-war trading culture. After some free time to grab some lunch, we'll step into the quieter atmosphere of Yanaka, a shopping street lined with small family-run shops and traditional snacks. Our day concludes with a hands-on wagashi and tea-making experience, where we'll learn about the artistry, seasonality and symbolism behind traditional Japanese sweets, paired with tea culture. It's a relaxed and meaningful way to connect with Tokyo's living traditions. We cover a lot of ground on foot throughout this tour, so we recommend bringing comfortable footwear.

This morning we have a half-day guided visit to a local artisan workshop, where we'll learn about the history and techniques of traditional lantern-making using kanji script. After choosing your kanji characters or message you will then draw them, with guidance from our instructor, on to our own lanterns. The lanterns collapse down easily to fit into a container so we can take them home as a souvenir of our time here. When the paper lantern workshop is not available (typically in January, May and September when the artisan is hired for the Tokyo sumo tournaments), we'll take part in a Amezaiku candy-craft workshop instead, learning to shape corn starch into figures using methods that date back to the Heian period. We should be finished by around midday, and the remainder of the day is free. You may like to visit the nearby Tokyo Skytree for panoramic city views, and there are plenty of lunch and shopping opportunities here as well. Speak with your tour leader for advice and instructions for your free time in the capital. You may like to visit Shibuya, known for one of the busiest crossings in the world. It's a hub of up-and-coming fashion, technology and design with a variety of shops, museums and galleries to explore. It's easy to return to Asakusa by metro from here, or you can continue to the skyscraper district of Shinjuku.

We have a busy day ahead today as we leave Tokyo and begin to explore more of Japan. First, we take the subway then board a one-hour bullet train to Shizuoka. Shizuoka is situated along Suruga Bay on the historic Tokaido route between Nagoya and Tokyo, and it is here where Tokugawa Ieyasu - the shogun who reunified Japan in 1600 - grew up and lived out his final years. The surrounding region is known as Japan's green tea heartland and local specialties include wasabi, unagi (eel), tuna and great seafood. We'll meet our charter bus which we'll use for the next two days. First up is a visit to a local tea farm to learn about the production of green tea in the area and specifically of gyokuro, one of Japan's most prized green teas. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant, featuring seasonal dishes and sweets prepared with tea leaves. In the afternoon, we visit Nihondaira Yume Terrace for panoramic views of the coastline and, weather permitting, Mount Fuji. We'll catch the ropeway or cable car to Kunozan Tosho-gu, thought to be the original burial place of the first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate, set on a forested hillside. At the end of the day, we'll check in to our hotel, which is centrally located near Shizuoka station. Please note, our main luggage will be forwarded to our hotel in Kyoto today, and we'll be travelling with just our overnight bags. Depending on local arrangements, you might need to leave your luggage in reception the night of Day 3 or before breakfast this morning - your tour leader will advise you on the time. For more information, please refer to the Budgeting & Packing section of the Trip Information.

After an early breakfast, we'll check out of our hotel and board our charter bus to explore the area west of Mount Fuji. We'll start with a scenic drive of around one hour and 30 minutes to Lake Tanuki, an artificial lake located on the western foot of Fuji. We plan to walk the short scenic trail around the lake which should take around one hour. At some point, we plan to stop for lunch (not included) at Fuji Milk Land, where we can sample local dairy products and regional flavours. We'll also visit Shiraito Falls, known for its curtain-like streams fed by Mt. Fuji's spring water, followed by nearby Otodome Falls, a powerful contrast with its narrow cascade. Mount Fuji World Heritage Center is a great place to learn all about Japan's most iconic mountain with interactive exhibits that introduce its cultural, spiritual and natural significance. In the afternoon, we return to Shizuoka Station to board the Shinkansen or bullet train to Kyoto, continuing our journey west. The train journey takes about 90 minutes and we should reach our hotel in Kyoto for check in around 6pm. We'll be reunited with our main luggage at check-in. Please note, the view of Mount Fuji is dependent on the weather - our tour leader may change the order of today's itinerary to give us the best chance of seeing the iconic mountain. The summer months (June to August) are generally the poorest for visibility due to the humidity, clouds and haze. Winter (December to February) generally brings the most reliable conditions. Autumn (late October to November) is good for photography thanks to the changing foliage, as is spring, when you can see the famous blossoms, too.

Today we start exploring Kyoto, the old capital of Japan, beginning with a Zen meditation session led by a local Buddhist monk at a traditional temple. Guided through the basics of seated meditation, posture and breathing, this experience offers a calm and meaningful introduction to Zen practices rooted in centuries-old monastic tradition. The session will last around one hour in total. Next up we continue to Sanjusangen-do Temple, renowned for its long wooden hall housing 1,001 statues of Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy,. Finally, we visit Kiyomizu-dera, dramatically constructed on wooden pillars overlooking the Higashiyama hills and offering panoramic views over Kyoto. We'll finish our sightseeing before lunch and the rest of the day is free to explore at your own pace. There's plenty to see in Kyoto, from the classic Nijo Palace and Gardens to the modern visual spectacle at teamLab. Speak with your tour leader for advice and help if needed.

Early this morning, we take the local train to the mountain village of Kurama (around one hour). From here, we begin the scenic Kurama-Kibune trail nestled in the mountains north of Kyoto. We start with a steady ascent through the temple grounds of Kurama-dera, following a mix of paved paths and stone steps. The walk is mostly on steps up through the local forest, with occasional views, and is quite steep in places. The trail continues over a forested ridge, becoming a natural woodland path with cedar trees, exposed roots, and a peaceful mountain atmosphere. The hike covers around 4.5 kilometres/2.8 miles, with a total ascent and descent of 380 metres/1,246 feet, and we have graded it moderate. There is a cable car at the start and you may choose to use this to save around 100 metres/328 feet of ascent. The walk ends in the pretty riverside village of Kibune where we catch a shuttle bus the short distance to the train station. You can either return to Kyoto in time for lunch or enjoy a relaxed lunch here in the village. The afternoon is then free for you to explore more at your own pace. This evening, we'll come together for an included farewell dinner, a final opportunity to reflect on your journey and enjoy Kyoto's cuisine.

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Kyoto. Kyoto is a wonderful city with so much to see and do - you might like to consider extending your stay when booking your trip to give your more time here. Alternatively, why not continue your adventure in Japan by booking our JPK “Highlights of Japan - Kyushu Island” trip? The departure dates are planned so you can easily combine the two trips together and from the bullet train runs from Kyoto to Fukuoka. Contact us for more information and if you need assistance with your bullet train tickets. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Kyoto at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Kansai International Airport (KIX), which is approximately one hour and thirty minutes by train, or Osaka International Airport (ITM) which takes around one hour by shuttle bus. Please note that you'll be required to walk a short distance from the hotel to the train station or bus collection point and the transfer will be unescorted. Your tour leader will provide the tickets and clear instructions to help navigate the easy journey.