Japan In Style

Example Itinerary

Overview

Begin in the nation’s capital, Tokyo, taking a guided tour to visit some of the most interesting neighbourhoods and also have a day for self-exploration, perhaps take in some of the fine museums and art galleries. Continue on to two historical cities, Kanazawa and Kyoto, both are home to hundreds of shrines, temples and much traditional architecture. As well as exploring the UNESCO sights take time for a traditional tea ceremony and a morning visiting a market and learning some recipes on ...
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Meet the Experts

Speak to Jonny to start planning your trip to Japan

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

How Tailor-Made Works

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Discuss your initial ideas with one of our experts, the types of things you want to see and do.

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Your expert will start designing your perfect trip. Within a day or two we'll send a suggested itinerary.

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At this stage you can still tweak anything from accommodation to experiences and dates, using our expert advice.

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Time to prepare for your trip, safe in the knowledge you'll be in the expert hands of local guides and drivers throughout.

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Relax and enjoy...through our partners you'll have support on the ground as well as 24-hour emergency assistance in the UK.

Example Itinerary

This is an example itinerary. Our experts have all travelled widely in the region and will be happy to tailor any of our itineraries to suit your tastes and budget, or build a trip from scratch.

Day 1 Tokyo: Arrival

Arriving in the Japanese capital, you will be met on arrival and assisted with the transfer to your hotel.

Park Hotel

Day 2 Tokyo: Vibrant Neighbourhoods

Meet your guide to spend today exploring Tokyo by way of its efficient metro system. The day will be tailored by your guide for your interests, however you could start with an early morning visit to the Meiji Shrine, dedicated to the late emperor, entering through the torii gate into the forest of 100,000 trees. Beyond the shrine’s tree-lined confines lies Harajuku and the shops and cafes of Takeshita Street, explore this eclectic, vibrant neighbourhood and wander through nearby Omotesando, Tokyo's very own Champs-Elysées. After lunch take public transport to Koishikawa Korakuen Garden, a traditional Japanese garden introducing you to the traditional design concepts. End the day in Asakusa, the city's oldest Geisha district, home to the country’s oldest Buddhist temple, Senso-ji on Nakamise Street. Enjoy a stroll in this traditional neighbourhood, busy with market stalls.

Park Hotel Breakfast

Day 3 Tokyo: Temples & Shrines

A day of self-guided exploration in Tokyo, you may like to head to the Tsukiji Outer Market, a bustling area of around 400 shops selling delicious food and local specialities. Next visit the Zojoji Temple, the main temple for the Jodo sect of Buddhism in the region and dating from the 14th century. The Tokyo Tower is close by to photograph before heading to the Nijubashi Bridge in the grounds of the Imperial Palace. Next head to the National Diet of Japan, it is here that the Diet sessions of Japanese politics are held and various chambers are open to the public. For your final stop we recommend the Hie Shrine in Akasaka, a beautiful hilltop (with escalators!) shrine, head to the back of the shrine to see the 90 red torii gates stretching out under a canopy of trees.

Park Hotel Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4 Tokyo – Kanazawa: Historical City

Take the train to Kanazawa, a city with a huge array of cultural highlights, on your self-guided exploration you could head first of all to the Kenroku-en garden, considered to be one of Japan’s top three gardens. The garden is also home to the oldest water fountain in the country and a couple of tea houses. From the gardens head through the Ishikawa-mon Gate to Kanazawa Castle Park, the castle was a huge structure in use for 300 years before being destroyed by fire. An excellent option for lunch is the Omicho Market, a hive of fishmongers and restaurants known for their seafood and sushi. In the afternoon head to the Samurai District and visit Nomura House, a restored house of the a high ranking Samurai family.

Kanazawa Chaya Breakfast

Day 5 Kanazawa: Local Cookery Experience

This morning you will meet a local from Kanazawa who will take you first of all to Omicho Market where together you will select some fresh produce, mainly vegetables and seafood ahead of cooking up some local cuisine. The season and what is available will dictate the menu but dishes may include sliced sashimi, miso soup, rolled egg omelet and a special Kanazawa dish. The afternoon is free for you to explore the city further, Kanazawa is known for its crafts such as gold leaf, silk dyes and lacquerware so you may like to explore some of the local craft shops.

Kanazawa Chaya Breakfast

Day 6 Kanazawa – Kyoto: Explore the Historic City

Hop on the train to Kyoto and then embark on a self-guided tour of this remarkable city, home to over 1000 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines with 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sights. Kyoto is compact and easily walkable and you will discover traditional neighbourhoods and beautiful parks and gardens. One option would be to head first to Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion to see the beautiful main hall, covered in gold leaf. In the afternoon visit the Imperial Palace, the original seat of the Emperor of Japan, in a large walled complex. After, as sunset approaches, enjoy views over Kyoto in Kiyomizo before heading down the hill to Gion, the traditional entertainment district lit with lanterns.

Noku Hotel Breakfast

Day 7 Kyoto: Traditional Tea Ceremony

The morning is free for you to continue exploring, perhaps go to Arashiyama to see the much photographed bamboo grove and then walk the 4km path through the Fushimi Inari-Taisha, a large shrine complex with five shrines, bountiful torii gates and hundreds of stone foxes. If you have worked up an appetite on the walk, head to the Nishiki Market with its many food stalls for lunch. After lunch meet with your guide to visit a machiya, a traditional townhouse you will see throughout Kyoto, learn about the architecture and history as you tour the house. Then, slip into a kimono, the traditional garment worn by Japanese for formal events. You will then take part in a traditional ceremony with a tea master, see the process for brewing and serving the tea and of course enjoy some along with the traditional sweets. The evening is at leisure, you may like to see a Geisha performance in a traditional theatre.

Noku Hotel Breakfast

Day 8 Kyoto – Ine: Coastal Exploration

Heading to the coast today, take the train to Amanohashidate to meet your guide and start exploring Kyoto by the Sea. This picturesque coast is home to delightful villages and wonderful views along with the Amanohashidate sandbar, an island stretching across the bay, it is said to have been a ladder used by the gods. After lunch visit the Motoise Kono Shrine, once where the Sun Goddess Amaterasu was enshrined and an important historical shrine. A cable car will take you up to Kasamatsu Park to admire the views before you board a speedboat for the journey along the coast to the fishing village of Ine and your funaya (boathouse) over the sea for the next two nights.

Traditional Funaya Breakfast

Day 9 Ine: Historic Fishing Village

The village of Ine is home to 200 funaya creating a unique waterside landscape and where the inhabitants have lived in harmony with the sea for centuries. On your self-guided day you will learn more about the village and the way of life here, experiences are carefully chosen and tourist numbers managed to maintain the essence of the village and avoid over tourism and crowding. Take a water taxi ride around the bay to learn about the history of the village and see the funaya from a different perspective. In the afternoon explore the village by visiting one of the preserved funaya, wandering through the narrow streets or stop in at the Visitors’ Centre for some handicrafts. Alternatively you may like to join an e-bike tour.

Traditional Funaya Breakfast

Day 10 Ine – Kinosaki Onsen: Local Crafts

Meet your guide and head to the Kyotango region where you will be introduced to some of the master crafts of the area. Start off at the sword forge where you will learn about the history of the Samurai swords, see them being forged and try your hand at it if you wish! Next head to the Tamiya Raden Weaving Workshop, Kyotango is known for producing some of the finest kimono silk and here you will see the processes and the weavers at work. You will be earning your lunch today with a hands-on cooking activity with a local food educator. The food in the region is often considered the reason why there are so many centenarians in Kyotango. You will learn about the sauces and ingredients that are the pillars of Japanese cooking. After your lunch you will drive on to Kinosaki Onsen a hot spring town and where you will stay in a ryokan, the classic Japanese style with futon beds, paper sliding doors, hot spring baths and a traditional multi-course meal.

Onishiya Suishoen Breakfast

Day 11 Kinosaki Onsen – Hachigoro Wetlands - Osaka: Oriental White Stork

Today is a chance to see something of Japan’s wildlife, visiting the Hachigoro Wetlands, an area of brackish marsh to see the Oriental White Stork, a large endangered bird with a wingspan of up to two metres. Breeding programmes and protection have seen numbers increase in recent decades after they fell dangerously low. Take a short walk with one of the local volunteers to see the birds before visiting the Oriental White Stork Museum. The reserve is set amongst organic paddy fields which provides both an excellent environment for the birds and also high quality sustainable rice. Enjoy a lunch with organic regional vegetables alongside the rice before returning to Kinosaki. From here you will take a train to Osaka, Japan’s gastronomic centre. We recommend hitting the streets of Dotonbori this evening to see the bright lights and enjoy some excellent food.

Osaka Marriott Miyako Hotel Breakfast

Day 12 Osaka: Departure

Take the train to Kansai Airport for your return flight.

Breakfast

EXAMPLE ACCOMMODATION

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Accommodation listed here is intended as a guide only, to give you a taste of what we can do. Our experts can tailor any aspect of this itinerary and accommodation to suit your budget and tastes.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

13 days from £5,190

MEALS

As specified in the itinerary, sampling some of the country's finest cuisine.

TRANSPORT

Private air-conditioned vehicles with experienced, dedicated drivers, unless otherwise stated.

ENTRANCE FEES

Tours and admission fees, including tickets specified in the itinerary.

EXPERT TEAM

Licensed English-speaking guides and a support team available 24/7.

ACCOMMODATION

As specified in the itinerary, using some of our favourite local properties.

WILD MILES

This tour will earn you 11912 Wild Miles

ACCOMMODATION

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Wild Miles Club

When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:

Blue More than 10,000 points 2.5% discount
Bronze More than 30,000 points 5% discount
Silver More than 45,000 points 7.5% discount
Gold More than 60,000 points 10% discount

This itinerary is aimed to give you an idea of what we can offer. The price shown above is per person, based on two people travelling outside of peak periods. As this itinerary is only a suggestion and can be tailor-made to suit your interests and budget, your final price may differ.

Positive Impact of this Trip

Tree
Ten trees are planted per passenger on this trip
Community
Supports Wild Frontiers Foundation community projects
Wind Turbine
A contribution to renewable energy projects

Making a Difference

Community Tourism

People and local communities have always been at the heart of Wild Frontiers and the travel experiences we offer. Through community tourism we have the opportunity to generate real positive impact, supporting people we visit through sustainable local development, and in turn help to alleviate poverty and protect culture and environments in often more vulnerable destinations. While doing so, our clients gain richer travel experiences and more meaningful connections with the people they meet.

Conservation and Climate Action

As a travel company, we hold a responsibility to minimise our environmental footprint and contribute to sustainability, and work closely with local communities to support their efforts. By implementing initiatives such as carbon measuring, tree-planting, reducing single-use plastic and promoting eco-friendly practices, we can help mitigate the negative impacts of tourism on fragile ecosystems and local communities. Additionally, prioritising conservation efforts helps preserve natural habitats and wildlife, ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy the wonders of our planet.

Wild Frontiers Foundation

The Wild Frontiers Foundation aims to provide a platform to create awareness, raise money and deliver funding to projects in countries where we operate as a travel company. Through the foundation, we are able to channel money into grass roots projects, which we have either established ourselves or support through charity partners. These include initiatives focused around education, the empowerment of local people and community conservation.

WHEN TO GO

START PLANNING YOUR TRIP

Our team of experts have a wealth of knowledge and experience to help you plan your adventure of a lifetime.

WHY WILD FRONTIERS?

OTHER ITINERARIES IN JAPAN

Check out our group tours in Japan

As well as private tailor-made trips, we also offer small group tours (max size 12) to Japan. Led by an experienced tour leader, travel with a group of like-minded people on one of our award-winning group tours.

View Group Tours in Japan