Japan holidays, tailor made
| country: | Japan |
| departures: | This trip can be tailor-made and departures can be arranged all year. The sample itinerary below can be modified to your personal wishes including departure date, duration, accommodation used & how long you spend in each destination. |
| price: | From £3200 (14 days) including flights from the UK. Price includes shared airport transfers, accommodation and some guided excursions. We can arrange flights from the UK |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
read 4 travellers reviews
"The excitement of Tokyo’s bright light city contrasting with more spiritual places such as Mount Koya, is a fantastic mix of sights and sounds to give you a real feel for the variety this country has to offer. The highlight for me would be to visit the home of the Geisha in Kyoto to appreciate cherry blossom adorned gardens and the art of the intricately detailed kimonos."
- Lisa, responsibletravel.com
- Lisa, responsibletravel.com
the amazing things you'll be doing
Japan is a country of glorious contrasts, leading the world in the rush towards the future while maintaining a wealth of historical traditions from its long and glorious past. This itinerary explores the older side of Japan, emphasising the distinctive culture and scenery of this amazing country.
Starting in Tokyo you will be impressed by the thoroughly modern and space-age society with its strong emphasis on development and technology. Even here, though, you will find glimpses of a more dignified Japan in the tea ceremony and local monuments such as the impressive Meiji Shrine. From Tokyo you head into the mountainous scenery of central Honshu Island, visiting the historic Kiso Valley with its preserved post towns along the ancient Nakasendo Highway, and Takayama with its beautiful merchant quarter.
You will also head to the Buddhist settlement of Mount Koya, with its plethora of monasteries and temples, where you will stay in temple lodgings and learn something about the strong Buddhist culture underpinning Japanese society.
Finally you reach Kyoto, famed for its gardens and Geisha, where you will visit some of Japan's most important cultural monuments and learn something of the art of the Japanese garden. Much of the itinerary offers the chance to stay in traditional Japanese inns, which offer glorious kaiseki cuisine and the chance to experience the famous Japanese bathing rituals. With just two short weeks in this unusual holiday destination you will have experienced more of Japanese culture and traditions than most foreigners will ever see.
Starting in Tokyo you will be impressed by the thoroughly modern and space-age society with its strong emphasis on development and technology. Even here, though, you will find glimpses of a more dignified Japan in the tea ceremony and local monuments such as the impressive Meiji Shrine. From Tokyo you head into the mountainous scenery of central Honshu Island, visiting the historic Kiso Valley with its preserved post towns along the ancient Nakasendo Highway, and Takayama with its beautiful merchant quarter.
You will also head to the Buddhist settlement of Mount Koya, with its plethora of monasteries and temples, where you will stay in temple lodgings and learn something about the strong Buddhist culture underpinning Japanese society.
Finally you reach Kyoto, famed for its gardens and Geisha, where you will visit some of Japan's most important cultural monuments and learn something of the art of the Japanese garden. Much of the itinerary offers the chance to stay in traditional Japanese inns, which offer glorious kaiseki cuisine and the chance to experience the famous Japanese bathing rituals. With just two short weeks in this unusual holiday destination you will have experienced more of Japanese culture and traditions than most foreigners will ever see.
best time to travel
Spring and autumn offer the best weather to visit these destinations. In particular late March/ early April is the season to see the famed cherry blossom, and November, though colder, is the season to see the beautiful red leaves. It is also possible to organise the itinerary to visit Takayama during the fascinating autumn and spring festivals, but book early!day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Fly from London direct to Tokyo. |
| Day 2: | You arrive in Tokyo, and will be met by our representative and shown to the correct limousine bus to take you to your town centre hotel. |
| Day 3: | Full day tour of Tokyo. Join a full day city tour to get your bearings. A chance to experience the traditional Japanese art of tea ceremony is included. |
| Day 4: | Have a day in Tokyo to explore at your leisure. |
| Day 5: | Travel from Tokyo to the beautiful Kiso Valley, where the traditional post towns have been carefully preserved to stand as relics of a bygone age. |
| Day 6: | Today you walk a section of the historic Nakasendo Highway, which linked Tokyo and Kyoto during the days of the samurai. Enjoy the beautiful scenery. |
| Day 7: | Travel on to the mountain town of Takayama by bus and train, and spend the afternoon at leisure. |
| Day 8: | You have a full day to explore this delightful town, with its preserved merchant quarter and traditional craft shops. We recommend visiting the museum to see the floats and learn about the spring and autumn festivals. |
| Day 9: | Using the local transport systems, travel up to Mount Koya, the ancient stronghold of Shingon Buddhism where you will stay in temple lodgings. |
| Day 10: | Have a full day to explore this sacred mountain area, which has recently been made a World Heritage Site in order to protect its religious roots. |
| Day 11: | Travel back down the mountain to Osaka, where you catch a local train to Kyoto. In the afternoon visit a local home for an introduction to the ancient cultural art of your choice. Choices include Kimono-wearing, Ikebana flower-arranging and calligraphy. |
| Day 12: | Join a morning city tour of Kyoto to get a feel for the town, and spend the afternoon exploring the traditional gardens for which the city is famous. |
| Day 13: | We recommend a visit to the local pottery town of Bizen, where craftsmen still create their pots in the customary local style. |
| Day 14: | Take a jumbo taxi from your hotel to the airport for your return flights home. |
travellers' tales
It's hard to say just which part was the most memorable because it all was (more)
tailor made holidays
This trip can be tailor made to create a unique holiday for your individual requirements by travel experts with intimate knowledge of the destination. It is a more individual trip that will suit those who enjoy immersing themselves in new cultures and environments, with the flexibility to plan a trip at your own pace. Quality and value are the hallmark of these trips, with most services being provided on a private basis.how this holiday makes a difference
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This itinerary shows the visitor to Japan a more cultural and historic side to the country, which is often overlooked among the tourist rush from city to city. Clients will have the chance to get out into the countryside and experience older, more traditional towns, and the itinerary has a strong emphasis on experiencing and enjoying cultural pastimes which are becoming less and less subscribed among today's youth and are in danger of disappearing.
Starting and ending with the two most famous cities in Japan, the central part of the itinerary is entirely based in the mountainous scenery of the country's interior, visiting well-preserved historic towns and allowing an insight into the Buddhist religion on which Japan's seemingly arreligious culture rests. Accommodation will be in small local hotels and traditional inns, helping to support local communities and allowing you to try the famous Japanese hospitality and local food, and at Mount Koya you will also be invited to join in the prayer rituals at your temple lodgings. Travel will be by local public transport throughout. |
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