Small-group tour · Japan
Temples, Alps & Castles
Fourteen days from Tokyo's shrines to Hiroshima and Miyajima — through the Japanese Alps, the Kiso Valley's post towns, Kyoto and Himeji Castle. Never more than eight travellers.
Why this journey
One route, one private guide and one coach from arrival to departure — so the group moves at its own pace and your luggage is forwarded ahead on the long legs.
The Japanese Alps
Matsumoto Castle, the Kiso Valley walk between Magome and Tsumago, Takayama's old town and the thatched farmhouses of Shirakawa-go.
Classical Kyoto & Nara
The Golden Pavilion, Ryoan-ji's rock garden, Kiyomizu-dera and Gion, then Nara's Great Buddha at Todai-ji.
Castles, peace & the sea
Himeji Castle, Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park and the ferry to Miyajima — then the bullet train back to Tokyo.
Day by day
B = breakfast, D = dinner. The order of visits may change on the day for weather, opening times or local events.
- Day 1
Depart the UK
Overnight flight to Tokyo. International flights are not included; we can advise on routings that arrive at Haneda in time for the group transfer.
- Day 2
Arrive Tokyo
Met at Haneda by your guide and private coach. Afternoon at Senso-ji temple in Asakusa and the vermilion gates of Nezu Shrine, ending in Shibuya.
Overnight: Tokyo · Meals: D
- Day 3
Tokyo, old and new
Tsukiji's outer market, the Tokyo National Museum and Meiji Shrine, then Omotesando's architecture and the evening lights of Shinjuku.
Overnight: Tokyo · Meals: B, D
- Day 4
Kamakura & Hakone
The Great Buddha of Kamakura, the Hakone Open-Air Museum, and the ropeway over the volcanic valley of Owakudani, with Mount Fuji views on a clear day.
Overnight: Hakone / Lake Kawaguchiko · Meals: B, D
- Day 5
Shosenkyo Gorge to Matsumoto
A walk in Shosenkyo Gorge, then into the Alps: Matsumoto City Museum of Art, home to Yayoi Kusama's work, and Matsumoto Castle, one of Japan's original keeps.
Overnight: Matsumoto · Meals: B, D
- Day 6
Kiso Valley to Takayama
A wasabi farm in Azumino, the old post-road towns of Magome and Tsumago in the Kiso Valley, and Takayama's festival float hall. Tonight, Japanese-style rooms and a Hida beef dinner.
Overnight: Takayama · Meals: B, D
- Day 7
Shirakawa-go to Kanazawa
Takayama's morning market, then the steep-roofed farmhouses of Shirakawa-go and its open-air museum, before continuing to Kanazawa.
Overnight: Kanazawa · Meals: B, D
- Day 8
Kanazawa to Kyoto
Kenroku-en garden, the Nomura samurai residence and the Shima geisha house in the Higashi Chaya district, then on to Kyoto.
Overnight: Kyoto · Meals: B, D
- Day 9
Kyoto
The rock garden of Ryoan-ji, Kinkaku-ji's Golden Pavilion, Kiyomizu-dera on its wooden stage, and an evening walk through Gion.
Overnight: Kyoto · Meals: B, D
- Day 10
Kyoto to Osaka
Heian Shrine and Nijo Castle, then to Osaka for dinner in the neon of Dotonbori.
Overnight: Osaka · Meals: B, D
- Day 11
Nara & Himeji Castle
The Great Buddha at Todai-ji and Kasuga Taisha in Nara, then Himeji, Japan's finest surviving castle. Luggage is forwarded ahead today.
Overnight: Okayama area · Meals: B, D
- Day 12
Hiroshima & Miyajima
The Peace Memorial Park and Museum, then the ferry to Miyajima island and Daisho-in temple. Okonomiyaki for dinner.
Overnight: Hiroshima · Meals: B, D
- Day 13
Bullet train to Tokyo
Shukkei-en garden, then the Nozomi Shinkansen to Tokyo. Ueno Park and Ginza, and a farewell dinner together.
Overnight: Tokyo · Meals: B, D
- Day 14
Depart Tokyo
Private transfer to Narita Airport for your flight home.
Meals: B
What's included
Included
- Hotel accommodation throughout, including Japanese-style rooms in Takayama
- Half board: breakfast and dinner daily (dinner only on day 2, breakfast only on day 14)
- Private English-speaking guide throughout
- Private air-conditioned coach for all road travel
- Airport transfers: Haneda on arrival, Narita on departure
- Nozomi Shinkansen, Hiroshima to Tokyo
- Hakone ropeway and Miyajima return ferry
- Entrance fees for all visits in the itinerary
- Luggage forwarding on two travel days
Not included
- International flights to and from Japan
- Travel insurance (required for every traveller)
- Lunches and drinks
- Gratuities and personal expenses
- Single room supplement: on request
Price & booking
£5,200 per person
Based on two people sharing a twin or double room. Land-only package: accommodation, guide, transport, entrances and half board as listed.
- Departures
- Mon 1 March – Sun 14 March 2027Mon 15 March – Sun 28 March 2027Thu 29 April – Wed 12 May 2027
- Deposit
- 25% of the tour price (£1,300 per person)
- Balance due
- 12 weeks (84 days) before departure
- Single room
- on request
- Group size
- Maximum 8 travellers