Highlights of Japan (2024 departures)

City sightseeing tours of Kamakura and Hakone: Visit the city of Kamakura which is a laid-back seaside Japanese city that is home to numerous Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. See the city’s famous Great Buddha in the Kōtoku-in Temple as well as the Tsurugaoka Hachimangū Shinto shrine - the city’s most important shrine. Next up is Hakone where you can admire Hakone Shrine - located in a beautiful spot on the edge of Lake Ashi.

Mount Fuji photo stop: Make a photo stop in Hakone where you will find excellent views of the famous Mount Fuji - Japan’s iconic volcano.

Take in the views from Nihondaira: Admire the panoramic vistas from Nihondaira. This ancient plateau offers incredible views of Mount Fuji, the Pacific Ocean as well as the beautiful tea plantations in the area. 

Visit a tea farm: Shizuoka is known as the green tea capital of Japan! Enjoy a visit to a working tea farm to see how this widely loved drink is produced. You can even try out a bit of tea picking for yourself! 

Tour a miso factory: Take a tour around a miso factory to see how this popular Japanese ingredient is produced. Miso is a paste made from fermented soybeans, which is widely used in Japanese cooking - it gives dishes the distinct, salty ‘umami’ flavour.

See a Ninja demonstration: Enjoy a guided tour around the Iga Ninja Museum which is dedicated to celebrating the history of the ninja! Look forward to a demonstration displaying impressive Ninja skills and weaponry. Ninjas were warriors during Japan’s feudal ages known for their unconventional warfare and stealth. 

Experience the world of Sumo: Visit the Kehaya Sumo Museum in Nara for insight into all things sumo! Sumo originated in Japan and is a full-contact form of wrestling. Learn all about the history and traditions during the visit - the museum even has its own Sumo arena! 

Todai Temple and Deer Park in Nara: Enjoy a visit to Tokai Temple in Nara - this temple is famous for housing the world’s largest bronze statue of Buddha Vairocana. Afterwards, enjoy time to wander around Nara Park and encounter the resident, free-roaming deer! Deer are symbols of Nara and while in the park, you can buy crackers to feed the beautiful animals.

Visit the Himeji Castle: Enjoy a visit to one of the finest surviving examples of Japan’s castle architecture. Himeji Castle’s construction dates back to the 1300s and it survived extensive bombings in the area during WW2. The brilliant white walls and unique shape were created to resemble a bird taking flight. Himeji is Japan’s most visited castle and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a truly impressive sight to behold! 

Wander through the Korakuen Garden: A visit to Korakuen Garden in Okayama is sure to be memorable! Korakuen is located next to Okayama Castle and is one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. Take a stroll through the grounds and admire the incredible landscapes.

Okonomiyaki dinner: Tuck into a classic Japanese dish during tonight’s included Okonomiyaki dinner. Okonomiyaki is a Japanese Teppanyaki (a style of cooking which uses an iron griddle to cook food) and is a savoury pancake. Popular toppings include pork belly, seafood, cabbage and Okonomiyaki sauce!

Visit the Kintaikyo Bridge: Take a walk across this impressive, curved wooden bridge which is a distinguished landmark in Yamaguchi.

Visit the Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island: Take a trip to Miyajima and see the iconic “floating” gate or torii, which the shrine is famous for. This Shinto Shrine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and many of the buildings and significant items within have been declared national treasures by the Japanese government.

Explore the Peace Memorial Park and Museum: Visit one of the most prominent sites in Hiroshima. The Peace Memorial Park and Museum were built to remember the dropping of the atomic bomb in 1945 and honour the hundreds of thousands of victims of the attack. Explore the museums on-site, see the A-bomb dome and visit the numerous monuments throughout the park.

Sightseeing tour of Okayama: See the highlights of the city which boasts some of the best weather in Japan! It is home to the Okayama Castle (also known as “Crow Castle” thanks to the black exterior) and the beautiful Korakuen formal garden.

Enjoy a city tour of Kurashiki: Get to know more about this charming old merchant town. See the canals and traditional Japanese houses surrounded by beautiful willow trees. 

Sip on sake in Nada: The Nada region is Japan’s foremost sake-producing region. Visit the Sake Museum to learn all about this Japanese rice wine that is enjoyed throughout the country and the world!

Wander through the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest: Visiting this majestic bamboo grove feels like an otherworldly experience! Take a stroll along the path that runs through the towering green stalks. This is one of Kyoto’s most photographed spots! 

Visit Kinkakuji, also known as the Golden Pavilion: Pay a visit to this beautiful building which is one of Japan’s most popular! Kinkakuji is a Zen temple and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Interestingly, this temple uses a different style of Japanese architecture on each floor. 

Explore the Kiyomizu Temple: This picturesque Buddhist temple is one of Japan’s most celebrated temples. Kiyomizu, which means Pure Water Temple, was named after the nearby Otowa Waterfall. Admire the views of the surroundings from the large wooden deck. 

Greet geishas in the Gion district: Visit Gion to see geishas adorned in colourful garments. Along with these Japanese hostesses, Gion is home to streets filled with shops, a great number of Japanese teahouses and excellent restaurants. 

Farewell dinner in Osaka: Celebrate the last night on an incredible tour with a group farewell dinner this evening.