Japan’s Cultural Treasures

Overnight flight from London (regional connections available) to Tokyo Haneda airport with British Airways.

Arrive and transfer to the Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa (or similar) for 3 nights. 

Full-day excursion to the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park for views of Mount Fuji, a cruise on Lake Ashi and a ride on the Mount Komagatake Ropeway (cable car).

Morning departure by shinkansen (bullet train) to Kanazawa. Visit Kanazawa castle park and the Kenroku-en garden. Stay 2 nights at the Crowne Plaza ANA Kanazawa.

Early morning stroll in the Higashi-Chayamachi district, home to various traditional buildings, then visit the busy Omi fresh food market. Afternoon excursion to Shirakawago to see the Unesco-listed gassho-zukuri houses and their unique architectural style.

Travel by express train to Kyoto. Visits include Nijo castle, a walking tour of Nishiki market to tour the numerous food stalls, and the WAK cultural centre, housed in a wooden townhouse known as a machiya, for a cooking class and a traditional tea ceremony experience. The following day is at leisure to explore Kyoto at your own pace. Stay 2 nights at the New Miyako Hotel.

Morning visit to Kinkakuji temple (Golden Pavilion), then Ryoanji temple, famous for its Zen rock garden. Afternoon tour of the historic city of Nara, then continue to Osaka to catch the bullet train south to Hiroshima. Stay two nights at the Granvia Hiroshima / Sheraton Hiroshima.

Take the ferry to Miyajima island to visit the Itsukushima shrine and see the Torii gate. Return to the mainland and take the train back to the city to visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and the Memorial Museum. 

Board a bullet train for the journey north to Himeji city. Take a tour of Himeji castle, which, unlike most castles in Japan, is still in its original form and is arguably the finest example of medieval castle architecture in the country. Afterwards, take a stroll in the Koko-en gardens, which consist of nine separate, walled gardens with ponds, waterfalls and a tea ceremony house. Travel by train on to Tokyo, and stay at the Royal Park Haneda (or similar) for 1 night.

Transfer to the airport and board a British Airways flight back to London, arriving later the same day.