Premium Highlights of Japan
Tour Description
Day 1: Tokyo
If you want to experience a few (of the many) highlights of Japan, all while staying in comfortable accommodation with like-minded travellers, this Premium adventure from Tokyo to Kyoto is a must! You’ll spend nine days exploring world-class shopping neighbourhoods, geisha districts, hole-in-the-wall eateries, ancient temples and markets with some of the freshest seafood you’ll find. Learn about the history of samurai from a family of contemporary ninjas, feast on monjayaki and teppanyaki on a dinner cruise in Tokyo, try to find snow monkeys bathing in hot springs on the mountain in Yamanouchi, wander through a designated Place of Scenic Beauty in Arashiyama and Japan’s most celebrated landscape garden in Kanazawa and follow the trail at a sacred shrine in Kyoto.
Itinerary
Day 1: Tokyo
Konnichiwa! Welcome to Japan. Your adventure begins in Tokyo with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. Bursting with contemporary urban culture, Tokyo has many sides to explore, from fascinating museums and world-class shopping to neighbourhood backstreets lined with hole-in-the-wall eateries and bars. After your meeting tonight, you’ll head out for an included welcome dinner with your new trip leader and fellow travellers.
Day 2: Tokyo
This morning after breakfast at your hotel, you’ll head out for a leader-led walking tour of Asakusa – an area of Tokyo that retains the vibe of older Tokyo, lined with craft shops and street-food stalls. Asakusa’s main attraction is Sensoji Temple. You’ll explore this ancient Buddhist temple, the oldest and one of the most significant in the city and learn how it became independent from the Tendai sect of Buddhism after World War II. Then, head to a non-profit family-owned dojo boasting over 400 years of operation for an authentic samurai experience run by contemporary ninjas. Learn about the history and culture of Samurai, from a descendant of an original Samurai clan, see and touch real weaponry and try on some traditional costumes. Tonight, you’ll hop on a yakatabune (a traditional houseboat) for a dinner cruise down the Sumida River. Floating by some of Tokyo’s best sights, you’ll feast on teppanyaki and monjayaki (savoury pancake) and enjoy bottomless drinks.
Day 3: Tokyo
Head out on a day trip to Kamakura – a small coastal town known for its historical treasures, sometimes called ‘the Kyoto of Eastern Japan’. See the sites with a unique mode of transport – a traditional rickshaw. Your knowledgeable driver (there are no wheels on this rickshaw, only your guide’s feet) will tell you all about the local history, the best spots to pick up some local favourites for lunch and maybe even take you to some secret spots along the way. See the Jufukuji Temple, the Eishoji Temple and Kawakita Film Museum, as well as the giant Buddha at Kotoku-in. After, you’ll switch your guide’s feet for train tracks on a traditional Enoden ride – the electric railway that the Enoden travels on is the sixth oldest railway in all of Japan! This train will take you through some winding, narrow alleyways that no other train could ride through.
Day 4: Yudanaka
Make the train journey to Yamanouchi – home of the famed snow monkeys who live at the Jigokudani Monkey Park. When you arrive, head to your Feature Stay to settle in – a traditional-style onsen (hot springs and the bathing facilities and inns that surround the springs). Head out on a group hike to the park. This is the only place in the world where monkeys bathe in hot springs! If the season’s right, you can watch the Japanese macaques (snow monkeys) bathing, pruning each other and relaxing in the steaming waters by the mountain. Back at the accommodation, maybe take a quick dip in the onsite hot springs, some overlooking the rolling greens of the mountain surroundings. Tonight, you’ll enjoy a group dinner at your accommodation of seasonal wild plants, fresh local vegetables and natural river fish from the Chikuma River nearby.
Day 5: Kanazawa
Take the train to Kanazawa, known for its well-preserved Edo-era districts, art museums, handicrafts, garden and castle. When you arrive, pick up some lunch, then you’ll visit Kenrokuen Garden – Japan’s most celebrated landscape garden, which began in the 17th century. This park is celebrated for its classic landscape designs that feature ponds and streams, promoting well-being, a clear mind and a connection to nature. After wandering through the garden, you’ll walk by the foot of the former Kanazawa Castle – this historic area was once a residential district for the city’s samurai. After exploring Nagamachi Samurai District and learning about the area’s past, continue exploring in the Higashi Chaya District – a small neighbourhood with teahouses, alleys and lots of shops and restaurants. Maybe ask your leader for recommendations on how to spend the late afternoon.
Day 6: Kanazawa
After breakfast, you’ll continue exploring Kanazawa with a tour of Omicho Market – the hub of the local food culture, famous for its seafood and locally grown produce. With a local guide with all the insight into the region, the food and the market, you’ll wind your way through the stalls and learn how to spot the freshest ingredients. Then head back to your guide’s kitchen and learn some tips and tricks on how to cook a traditional Kanazawa meal. Sit down as a group and enjoy the fruits of your labour, before enjoying an afternoon at your leisure.
Day 7: Kyoto
Today, you’ll leave Kanazawa and head to Kyoto by Shinkansen and the Thunderbird train. Once the capital of Japan, this city in Honshu is famous for its classic Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, gardens, imperial palaces and traditional architecture. When you arrive, you’ll head to Arashiyama – in the west, this area is a nationally designated Historic Site and Place of Scenic Beauty. Explore the Togetsu-kyo Bridge, the Bamboo Grove, Tenryu-ji Temple and Kameyama-koen Park on the hilltop. After some time for lunch, head to a townhouse for a hands-on workshop where you’ll learn how to make traditional Japanese confectionary, which are adorned with cute designs. Learn about mochi, dried sweets, fresh sweets and even make a matcha green tea to go with them! In the evening, head to Gion, the geisha district, filled with shops, restaurants and teahouses. This area is a geisha district, meaning hostesses in colourful kimonos are often sighted on the Tatsumi Bridge and in the boutiques of Hanamikoji Street.
Day 8: Kyoto
Visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine – known for the distinctly red tunnels of more than 10,000 vermilion torii gates that wind over the hills of Mount Inari. After, head to Nishiki Market, where you might like to grab a bite to eat from one of the hundred shops and restaurants that line this narrow shopping street. Your leader will know some of the best spots in the marketplace, so you don’t miss out on any must-try delights. Tonight, you’ll sit down for an included group dinner to say goodbye, share stories (and great photos) and celebrate a trip well-travelled.
Day 9: Kyoto
With no activities planned today, your trip will come to an end. If you’d like to spend longer in Kyoto, just speak to your booking agent.
Departure Dates
| Start Date | End Date | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 6, 2025 | Sep 14, 2025 | $7,536.00 | |
| Sep 13, 2025 | Sep 21, 2025 | $8,068.00 | |
| Sep 27, 2025 | Oct 5, 2025 | $7,976.00 | |
| Oct 4, 2025 | Oct 12, 2025 | $8,076.00 | |
| Oct 11, 2025 | Oct 19, 2025 | $8,072.00 | |
| Oct 15, 2025 | Oct 23, 2025 | $7,896.00 | |
| Oct 18, 2025 | Oct 26, 2025 | $7,888.00 | |
| Nov 8, 2025 | Nov 16, 2025 | $7,604.00 | |
| Nov 29, 2025 | Dec 7, 2025 | $7,536.00 | |
| Dec 6, 2025 | Dec 14, 2025 | $6,140.00 | |
| Dec 20, 2025 | Dec 28, 2025 | $9,420.00 | |
| Jan 17, 2026 | Jan 25, 2026 | $9,860.00 | |
| Feb 14, 2026 | Feb 22, 2026 | $10,025.00 | |
| Mar 7, 2026 | Mar 15, 2026 | $9,280.00 | |
| Mar 14, 2026 | Mar 22, 2026 | $9,865.00 | |
| Mar 21, 2026 | Mar 29, 2026 | $9,865.00 | |
| Mar 25, 2026 | Apr 2, 2026 | $9,865.00 | |
| Mar 28, 2026 | Apr 5, 2026 | $9,865.00 | |
| Apr 1, 2026 | Apr 9, 2026 | $10,250.00 | |
| Apr 4, 2026 | Apr 12, 2026 | $10,250.00 | |
| Apr 8, 2026 | Apr 16, 2026 | $10,250.00 | |
| Apr 11, 2026 | Apr 19, 2026 | $10,250.00 | |
| Apr 15, 2026 | Apr 23, 2026 | $10,250.00 | |
| May 9, 2026 | May 17, 2026 | $9,865.00 | |
| May 13, 2026 | May 21, 2026 | $9,865.00 | |
| May 16, 2026 | May 24, 2026 | $9,865.00 | |
| May 23, 2026 | May 31, 2026 | $9,865.00 | |
| May 30, 2026 | Jun 7, 2026 | $9,865.00 | |
| Jun 13, 2026 | Jun 21, 2026 | $9,675.00 | |
| Jun 27, 2026 | Jul 5, 2026 | $8,890.00 | |
| Jul 22, 2026 | Jul 30, 2026 | $9,675.00 | |
| Aug 22, 2026 | Aug 30, 2026 | $8,890.00 | |
| Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | $9,865.00 | |
| Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | $9,865.00 | |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | $10,250.00 | |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Oct 8, 2026 | $10,250.00 | |
| Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | $10,250.00 | |
| Oct 7, 2026 | Oct 15, 2026 | $10,250.00 | |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | $10,250.00 | |
| Oct 14, 2026 | Oct 22, 2026 | $10,250.00 | |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | $9,865.00 | |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | $9,865.00 | |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | $9,865.00 | |
| Nov 14, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | $9,865.00 | |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | $8,890.00 | |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | $8,890.00 | |
| Dec 5, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | $8,890.00 | |
| Dec 19, 2026 | Dec 27, 2026 | $8,890.00 | |
| Jan 16, 2027 | Jan 24, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| Feb 13, 2027 | Feb 21, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| Mar 6, 2027 | Mar 14, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| Mar 13, 2027 | Mar 21, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| Mar 20, 2027 | Mar 28, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| Mar 24, 2027 | Apr 1, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| Mar 27, 2027 | Apr 4, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| Mar 31, 2027 | Apr 8, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| Apr 3, 2027 | Apr 11, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| Apr 5, 2027 | Apr 13, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| Apr 7, 2027 | Apr 15, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| Apr 10, 2027 | Apr 18, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Apr 22, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| May 8, 2027 | May 16, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| May 12, 2027 | May 20, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| May 15, 2027 | May 23, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| May 22, 2027 | May 30, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| May 29, 2027 | Jun 6, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| Jun 5, 2027 | Jun 13, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| Jun 12, 2027 | Jun 20, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| Jun 26, 2027 | Jul 4, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| Jul 3, 2027 | Jul 11, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| Jul 21, 2027 | Jul 29, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| Jul 28, 2027 | Aug 5, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| Aug 14, 2027 | Aug 22, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| Aug 18, 2027 | Aug 26, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| Aug 21, 2027 | Aug 29, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| Sep 4, 2027 | Sep 12, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| Sep 11, 2027 | Sep 19, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| Sep 15, 2027 | Sep 23, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| Sep 25, 2027 | Oct 3, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| Sep 29, 2027 | Oct 7, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| Oct 2, 2027 | Oct 10, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| Oct 6, 2027 | Oct 14, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| Oct 9, 2027 | Oct 17, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| Oct 13, 2027 | Oct 21, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| Oct 16, 2027 | Oct 24, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| Oct 23, 2027 | Oct 31, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| Oct 30, 2027 | Nov 7, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| Nov 6, 2027 | Nov 14, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| Nov 10, 2027 | Nov 18, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| Nov 13, 2027 | Nov 21, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| Nov 20, 2027 | Nov 28, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| Nov 27, 2027 | Dec 5, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| Dec 4, 2027 | Dec 12, 2027 | $9,235.00 | |
| Dec 18, 2027 | Dec 26, 2027 | $9,235.00 |