Essence of Japan

Duration7 Nights
StylePrivate Tour
When to GoMar - May & Sep - Oct
Price GuideFrom £3,150 Per Person

Discover the best of Japan in this compact but compelling 8-day itinerary. Begin in the fascinating city of Tokyo, exploring highlights such as the Imperial Palace, Sensoji Temple, and Omotesando shopping street. You’ll visit Tokyo’s famous Tsukiji Market and enjoy a sushi lunch created especially for you before heading to Hakone for private tour under the shadow of soaring Mount Fuji. Journey to Kyoto to wander through the famous Arashiyama bamboo grove and marvel at its magnificent temples, concluding with a tour of Nara and its famous deer park. Your transfers, accommodation, daily breakfasts and private tours are included.

At a Glance

Days 1-4

Tokyo
- Private airport transfer from Haneda or Narita airport
- Full-day private city tour including Hamarikyu Gardens, Asakusa, Meiji Shrine, and Omotesando
- Private tour of Tsukiji market with sushi-making class

Days 4-5

Hakone
- Transfer to Hakone by bullet train and then pre-booked taxi
- Overnight stay in ryokan accommodation, with breakfast and dinner
- Free afternoon to enjoy hot springs, hikes, and local attractions

Days 5-8

Kyoto
- Transfer to Kyoto by bullet train
- Evening private dining tour of the Gion district
- Full-day private city tour including Ryoanji, Kinkakuji, Nijo Castle, Kiyomizudera, and Higasahiyama
- Free day to arrange further activities or side trip to Nara or Osaka
- Transfer to Osaka Kansai Airport by express train or shuttle bus

Meet Our Expert

Phil

Asia Specialist

My travels have taken me far and wide across the diverse landscapes of Asia. From trekking in Nepal to island-hopping in the Maldives, navigating the slow waters of the Mekong, to exploring the cultural gems of India and experiencing the high-speed bullet trains of China and Japan.

CALL US ON: +44 208 004 2345

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What's Included

6 nights in 4-star boutique hotel accommodation with daily breakfast
1 night in 4-star ryokan accommodation with breakfast and dinner
1x further dinner and 1x further lunch including during food tours in Tokyo and Kyoto
Private arrival transfer from Tokyo Narita or Haneda Airport to Tokyo hotel
Shuttle bus or train departure transfer to Osaka Kansai Airport
Individual train tickets for all mentioned train travel in Ordinary Class
2-day Hakone Free Pass
Privately guided tours and experiences in Tokyo and Kyoto
Comprehensive self-guide travel pack and app
24/7 support from our dedicated staff
Flexible, personalised itinerary based on your interests

What's not Included

International flights from your country of origin
Tips or gratuities to guides, drivers, hotel staff
Any meals, tours, or activities other than those specifically mentioned in itinerary
Incidental local expenses - souvenirs, laundry, taxis, etc
Travel insurance - we strongly recommend you purchase travel insurance as soon as you have booked your trip.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1
Tokyo: Private transfer from Narita or Haneda Airport
Welcome to Japan! You will be met in the arrivals hall by our local representative, who will welcome you to Japan and go through any immediate questions you might have. You will then be assisted to a private car to enjoy a relaxed, hassle-free transfer to your downtown hotel. Depending on traffic, this transfer will take around 75-90 minutes.

After arriving and settling in, you might want to stretch your legs by doing a little exploring. There’s no clearly marked center, rather a patchwork of diverse neighborhoods, some evoking the past with their wooden buildings, temples, and glowing lanterns, others looking like something out of the future with their soaring skyscrapers.
Accommodation Options:
- Park Hotel, Tokyo
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  Park Hotel, Tokyo
  Highlights
  Full-service spa with Ayurvedic and Swedish massage therapies
  Multiple dining options, including restaurants serving Japanese and French fare
  A 25th-floor cocktail bar
  Diverse art-themed rooms on the 31st floor
  24-hour business center
  Park Hotel, Tokyo Overview
  Located in the heart of downtown, occupying the top 10 floors of the Shiodome Media Tower, Park Hotel provides spectacular views of Tokyo and a convenient location near the Shiodome Station. It’s close to attractions like the Tsukiji Fish Market and Hamarikyu Gardens, while all rooms and suites overlook either Tokyo Bay or the city from large picture windows. They come in a wide range of options, with the 31^st-floor rooms most notable, all with Japanese themes from Zen and sumo to geisha. The Cherry Blossoms Room is highlighted in gold leaf, while the Geisha Goldfish Room has a dream-like mural that floats above the bed and across the ceiling to the opposite wall. There are six different dining and drinking options to choose from, including restaurants serving French and Japanese cuisine. The lavish spa offers scrubs and facials along with massage options that combine Ayurvedic and Swedish techniques with traditional Thai methods.
- The Capitol Hotel Tokyu
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  The Capitol Hotel Tokyu
  Highlights
  Located in the heart of downtown Tokyo within easy access of the city's shopping & dining areas such as Ginza & Harajuku
  Modern city hotel 251 rooms & suites
  Spacious and stylish ensuite rooms with city views
  2 Onsite Restaurants offering Asian & Western cuisine
  Spa offering wide range of treatments
  About The Capitol Hotel Tokyu
  Situated conveniently in Akasaka, the heart of downtown Tokyo, The Capitol Hotel provides guests with easy access to Tokyo’s famous shopping and dining areas such as Ginza, Roppongi, Shibuya, Omotesando or Harajuku. With four subway lines directly connected to the hotel building, those wishing to escape the hustle and bustle of Tokyo and visit sites a little further afield can do so with ease.
  
  Designed by Kengo Kuma, and large by Tokyo standards, rooms at Tokyu Capitol Hotel offer a softly lit blend of the old and new, with paper screens and a large flat-screen TV and city views. A minibar and a large private bathroom with a bathtub are included. Free toiletries, slippers and a hairdryer are provided.
  
  Dining options include Star Hill Chinese Restaurant which serves lunch and dinner in stylish modern settings, Suiren offers various Japanese dishes including teppanyaki and sushi, whilst Asian and Western cuisines are available all day at Origami. The Capitol Bar offers mood lighting, natural wood and elegantly served cocktails. Guests can look out over Tokyo as they work out at the fitness center or relax in the hot tub, and enjoy a multitude of treatments at the Carju Rajah TIADO Spa.
- Park Hyatt, Tokyo
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  Park Hyatt, Tokyo
  Highlights
  Elegant rooms, all with beautiful Mount Fuji or city views.
  Home to the famous New York Bar where Bill Murray shot scenes from “Lost in Translation.”
  Luxurious spa with Vichy showers, steam rooms, saunas and pampering treatments.
  Large, naturally lit gym with high-end equipment and free fitness classes.
  Indoor pool with fantastic city views.
  Park Hyatt Tokyo Overview
  Park Hyatt Tokyo soars high above Shinjuku’s bustling streets, located on the 42^nd to 51^st floors of the Tange Kenzo-designed skyscraper. All feature large windows that showcase gorgeous views of Shinjuku or Mount Fuji which is what makes this property especially impressive, but the “wow” factor can be found throughout. Take fitness classes in the studio, enjoy a dip in the indoor pool with floor-to-ceiling windows, meditate or relax in the tranquil bamboo garden and indulge in decadent spa treatments. Guests also have access to a private library filled with art books. There are multiple dining and drinking options, including the New York Grill on the 52^nd-floor with breathtaking skyline views. The Peak Bar is the ideal spot to sip cocktails while watching the sunset, while the New York Bar is famous for its feature in the film “Lost in Translation.” For dessert, the Pastry Boutique offers especially sumptuous cakes.
Day 2
Tokyo: Full day private city tour
After a peaceful night’s rest, meet your local guide to discover some of the city’s most fascinating places, utilizing Tokyo’s user-friendly public transportation system. Your guide will first give you a practical overview of the tour to come, addressing any queries you have on public transport, trains, and activities, before you head out together to explore.

You will then head out together to explore. Start by visiting the home of the Imperial family, the Imperial Palace, and then explore the traditional side of the city in Asakusa, including a visit to Sensoji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest and most popular temple. Continue by subway to the Meiji Shrine, a shrine dedicated to the deified spirit of Emperor Meiji, and then if time allows, take a stroll down Omotesando shopping street, lined with the flagship stores of some of the top fashion brands in the world.

Please note the above is a recommended itinerary only. Your private guide will join you for 8 hours and your time together can be adapted to suit your particular interests. Please speak to the guide on the day on how best to spend your time together. You will get around the city using public transport and taxis – these costs are payable locally but will be covered by a pre-loaded transport card included in your pack.
Day 3
Tokyo: Tsukiji Market tour and sushi making class
This morning you’ll travel to the world-famous Tsukiji market for a guided tour through its maze of narrow streets and produce sellers, which – of course – a heavy focus on fresh sushi. Meet your guide at the of the market and start the day with a sumptuous sushi breakfast, enjoying the freshest cuts you’ve ever tried! You’ll then be led through Tsukiji, with your guide blending in conversation with local vendors and tips to select delicious seafood. Many of the shops and restaurants here have been in business for decades and hand down the store from generation to generation. Get a taste of fresh fish cooked in different ways, and stroll through the alleys of the charming Tsukiji area while learning entertaining historical anecdotes about the area.

The remainder of the day is then at leisure for you to explore independently. Please ask your consultant for suggestions on how to make the most of your free time in the Japanese capital.
Day 4
Tokyo: Transfer to Hakone by bullet train and then pre-booked taxi
This morning you will take Japan’s famous shinkansen bullet train to Odawara, just 35 minutes’ west of Tokyo, gateway to the beautiful Hakone National Park. The final leg of your transfer is by pre-booked taxi from Odawara station up into the hills of Hakone National Park to your deluxe ryokan accommodation.

On arrival you have the rest of the day to explore Hakone independently. While only 55 miles from Tokyo, Hakone feels like a totally different world, gazing out at the mountain scenery that towers above Lake Ashi and the hot spring villages that are dotted through the hills. You’ll be spending tonight in traditional ryokan accommodation, where after a long day you can enjoy a relaxing soak in the hot springs and be treated to lavish kaiseki dinners.
Accommodation Options:
- Kowakien Tenyu
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  Kowakien Tenyu
  Highlights
  Excellent location in the heart of Hakone National Park
  Traditional Japanese Ryokan 220 rooms
  Spacious rooms combining traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern comforts
  3 Onsite Restaurants offering a wide range of Japanese cuisine
  Indoor & Outdoor "Onsen" baths
  About Kowakien Tenyu
  Kowakien Tenyu is a highly attractive resort hotel located in the heart of Hakone National Park. The name “Kowakien” refers to the surrounding Kowakudani Valley, known for its scenic beauty and hot springs. “Tenyu” means “celestial hot spring” in Japanese. Kowakien Tenyu offers a high-end and immersive experience for guests, combining traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern comforts.
  
  This comfortable upscale property has 220 stylish rooms, which are a mix of Western and Japanese styles, with all boasting private open-air rotenburo baths.
  
  Facilities include an excellent in-house spa, and both indoor and outdoor natural hot spring ‘onsen’ baths, the highlight of which is a gorgeous infinity-style communal bath with mountain views. There are a selection of restaurants, but all guests should indulge in traditional kaiseki cuisine, a multi-course meal that showcases seasonal and locally sourced ingredients.
- Musashino Bekkan
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  Musashino Bekkan
  Highlights
  Stunning location a quiet corner of Hakone National Park
  Boutique property with just 12 rooms
  Spacious, comfortable rooms with traditional Japanese decor
  Onsite Restaurant offering Kaiseki cuisine
  Indoor & Outdoor "Onsen" baths with Mount Fuji Views
  About Musashino Bekkan
  Musashino Bekkan is an atmospheric ryokan located in a quiet corner of Hakone National Park, offering guests the chance to experience the true culture of Japan in a traditional setting.
  
  Each of the 12 rooms are spacious and comfortable, with traditional tatami mats on the floor and shoji screen doors opening out to views across the slopes. Bedding is laid out futon-style on the floor, while private bathrooms are equipped with small tubs and showers.
  
  Facilities include a large garden with koi ponds and both indoor and outdoor onsen hot spring baths which, on a good day, have views towards Mount Fuji. Buffet breakfasts are served in the main restaurant, with exquisite kaiseki dining offered for dinner each evening.
- Gora Byukadan
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  Gora Byukadan
  Highlights
  Excellent location in the heart of Hakone National Park
  Boutique property with just 16 rooms
  Spacious rooms including private terraces & Mountain views
  Onsite Restaurant offering Kaiseki cuisine
  Onsite Onsen (Hot Spring) & Spa offering a wide range of treatments
  About Gora Byukadan
  The Gora Byukadan is a luxurious hybrid ryokan nestled in the picturesque Gora region. The serene ambiance of the hotel’s onsen (hot spring) is perfect for relaxation, allowing guests to unwind and rejuvenate in the healing waters. The traditional Japanese garden creates a tranquil atmosphere, enhancing the overall sense of tranquility.
  
  All sixteen rooms at Gora Byukadan are elegantly designed, combining traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern comforts. Each room features tatami flooring, sliding shoji doors, and futon beds, creating an authentic and comfortable setting. All rooms have private terraces with fine views across the mountains, and some with indulgent private hot spring baths, providing a truly immersive experience.
  
  Whether it’s exploring the natural wonders of Hakone National Park, savoring delicious kaiseki cuisine, or simply enjoying the serene ambiance, Gora Byukadan offers an enchanting escape.
Day 5
Kyoto: Transfer to Kyoto by bullet train; evening Gion dining tour
This morning you’ll transfer back down to Odawara by taxi and then board the shinkansen again for the three-hour journey to Kyoto. Once arrived at your Kyoto hotel, take time to settle in and get refreshed.

In the evening you’ll meet a passionate Kyoto food guide for a voyage of gastronomic discovery. Your guide will be taking you on a food-influenced walking tour of the historic Gion district. This is Kyoto’s traditional heart, and for many visitors the most enticing neighborhood in the city: a network of tight cobbled streets lined with wooden machiya houses and stores, and an entrance into the world of the geisha. End the tour by indulging in one last dessert, after which the guide will drop you back at your hotel or – should you wish! – you can continue exploring the bars and eateries of historic Kyoto under your own steam.
Accommodation Options:
- Noku Kyoto
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  Noku Kyoto
  Highlights
  Central Kyoto location within walking distance of Nijo Castle
  Modern city hotel with 81 rooms
  Comfortable rooms with modern amenities & city views
  Onsite Restaurant offering Breakfast & light bites
  Onsite Gift Shop & 24hr Front Desk
  About Noku Kyoto
  The Noku is one of Kyoto’s newest boutique hotel additions, offering a smart, contemporary accommodation, a fantastic location, and great value. A striking, minimalist exterior leads to stylish, light-filled communal spaces which include a cozy bar, and a decent restaurant which is your venue for breakfast and light bites throughout the day.
  
  Comfortable, modern rooms are a good size for Japan and equipped with all the requisite amenities. The property is directly opposite Kyoto Gyoen National Gardens, within immediate walking distance of Nijo Castle, set directly above Marutamachi subway station for access to the wider city.
- Hotel Kanra, Kyoto
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  Hotel Kanra, Kyoto
  Highlights
  Electric bicycles for rent
  Multiple on-site dining options serving everything from Japanese cuisine with local seasonal ingredients to Italian dishes
  Lavish spa with Zen ambiance
  24-hour front desk and concierge service
  Complimentary Wi-Fi
  Hotel Kanra, Kyoto Overview
  This chic downtown boutique hotel is close to Kyoto Station, just over 10 minutes away on foot, making it easy to explore other districts. The property also offers electric bicycles for rent. It combines modern flare with traditional architecture, including ryokan elements. All rooms have tatami (woven straw) floors, sliding paper screens, deep soaking cypress tubs, traditional Kyoto Kiyomizu-Yaki ceramics and a Japanese-style seating area along with modern comforts like flat-screen TVs. Choose an upgraded suite and you’ll get an open-air stone bath and a tearoom. Two-story suites include garden courtyards or terraces. The aromas in the lobby change with the seasons, such as mint when the weather is warm and citrus when it’s cool. For breakfast, enjoy Japanese-style and Western set menus, while the on-site café serves dishes featuring local seasonal ingredients. Italian and Teppanyaki cuisine is available too. Exceptional service is provided, with staff going out of their way to ensure satisfaction.
- Ace Hotel Kyoto
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  Ace Hotel Kyoto
  Highlights
  Excellent location within walking distance of Nishiki Market & Nijo Castle
  Vibrant city hotel with 213 rooms
  Comfortable rooms combining American aesthetics & Japanese craftmanship
  Onsite Restaurant offering European & International cuisine
  Rooftop Bar & onsite Karaoke Room
  About Ace Hotel Kyoto
  Part renovation, part new-build, the bright and bold Ace Hotel spans the new Shin-Puh-Kan complex, housed in a landmark 1926 building by modernist master Tetsuro Yoshida. Kyoto hotels are famed for their strict minimalism, but Ace is a riot of color and texture.
  
  213 guestrooms boast a mesh of Japanese craftsmanship mixed with the Ace brand’s American DNA. Guests will find their rooms equipped with turntables, vintage records, Tivoli radios, alongside traditional plaster ceilings, paper wall lanterns, and clean-lined ceramic tables.
  
  The hotel restaurant is distinctly and purposefully non-Japanese: buzzy and intimate, the menu offers a modern-day take on Italian comfort food. It’s also the setting for breakfast with a choice of Continental, American or Californian menus. Other facilities include a cavernous, music-filled lobby lounge, a 24/7 gym, a rooftop bar, and a karaoke room.
Day 6
Kyoto: Full day private city tour
Today will be spent in the company of a private guide, using public transport and taxis to discover Kyoto’s rich array of cultural treasures. As with Tokyo, your guide will be with you for 8 hours, and again the itinerary is flexible and can be catered to your interest. A standard itinerary will cover the top heritage sights of the city: ornamental Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Temple), Ryoan-ji with its renowned Zen rock garden, and Kiyomizu-dera with its fabulous views across the city. With an experienced private guide at your side you’ll cover ground as efficiently as possible, as well as taking time to cover the backstreets and lesser-known highlights of the city.
Day 7
Kyoto: free day with optional day trip to Nara
Today is free to explore Kyoto as you wish. There is so much here, from stunning gardens and ancient temples to winding alleyways. Perhaps head out early to shop in Nishiki Market, gathering up local goodies for a later picnic in the grounds of the Imperial Palace. Away from the city center, the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove in western Kyoto is a magical wonderland of soaring bamboo trees, some of which tower more than 65 feet. When the sun filters through the darkness, walking in feels like walking into a dream. You can also continue to the Tenryuji Temple and Okouchi Sanso Garden, or Nijo Castle with its spectacular gardens and famous nightingale floors, an anti-ninja security measure designed to make chirping sounds when walked upon.

There are also many day trips possible from Kyoto: to the busy city of Osaka, Himeji with its’ fine castle, or Kobe with its excellent wagyu beef. The closest day trip is Nara, former capital of Japan from 710 to 784 AD. Here you can take in the largest wooden building in the world, Todaiji Temple, which also hosts the country’s largest Buddha. You’ll also marvel at Nara’s most celebrated shrine, Kasuga Taisha, and perhaps visit Nara Park, often referred to as Deer Park, home to more than a thousand free-roaming deer.
Day 8
Kyoto: Transfer to Osaka Airport for flight home
It is sadly now time to say ‘sayonara’ to Japan. At the appropriate time you’ll be transferred to Osaka Kansai International Airport for your return flight home. Transfer will be by express train or shuttle bus (whichever is most appropriate for you) and timed to have you at the airport in good time to check in for your onward flight. If you’re not ready to leave Japan just yet, contact our travel experts who will be happy to create a bespoke addition to your itinerary.