Treasures of Japan

On arrival into Japan’s metropolitan capital, we transfer to the Hilton Tokyo Hotel in the heart of Shinjuku, our base for the next three nights. The remainder of the day is left free to relax and settle in.

Our first full day in Tokyo begins with a visit to the tranquil Meiji Jingu Shrine. Set in a beautiful forested area, this Shinto shrine was built in 1920 in memory of the Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken, and offers a great spot to start the day immersed in nature and spirituality. After a brief photo stop at the impressive Imperial Palace, we continue to Tokyo Tower. Inspired by the design of the Eiffel Tower, Tokyo Tower remains an iconic symbol with panoramic views across the bustling city, despite now being dwarfed by the Tokyo Skytree. We return to our hotel this afternoon and later, meet our Tour Manager and fellow travellers for a welcome dinner, providing a great way to get to know one another and learn about our upcoming adventure.

Today, we delve deeper into Tokyo’s cultural and historic heart. We visit the district of Asakusa, home to Tokyo’s oldest temple, Sensoji. Built in AD645, we take in the intricate architecture and atmosphere before exploring the vibrant Nakamise Shopping Street, a great place to pick up souvenirs or try a traditional snack. Next, we try our hand at shaping a bonsai tree – a delicate process requiring plenty of patience. We learn about the history, philosophy and techniques of this unique Japanese tradition during this hands-on workshop. Following lunch, we head to the Edo Tokyo Museum to see displays on the city’s fascinating history. Returning to our hotel, the evening is free to relax or explore the city at your own pace.

Today is focused on cultural immersion and we begin with a visit to Byodoin Temple in nearby Uji, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the striking Phoenix Hall at its heart. Dating back to 1053 during the Heian period, this structure is so important that it features on the back of the Japanese ten yen coin. Next, we explore Mampukuji Temple, offering a rare insight into monastic practices and a chance to learn about Zen meditation. We enjoy a Fucha Ryori lunch, a vegetarian Zen cuisine. Uji is also famous for its green tea cultivation and we participate in a tasting session this afternoon, sampling Uji’s renowned matcha too. Our evening is free to explore Kyoto’s vibrant nightlife, wander through the lantern-lit streets, or relax at the hotel.

Saying goodbye to Kyoto this morning, we board the bullet train to Hiroshima on one of the fastest trains in the country, with top speeds of up to 200 miles per hour. This modern city, known for its poignant history and resilient spirit, is a great spot for reflection. On arrival, we embark on a guided tour of the Memorial Peace Park, museum and infamous Atomic Bomb Dome, a moving tribute to the victims of the atomic bombing during the Second World War. After a thought-provoking day, we check into our hotel for the next two nights, the RIHGA Royal Hotel Hiroshima, ideally located for exploring the city. This evening, we head to a local restaurant to savour Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki – a delicious savoury pancake typically filled with cabbage, meat or seafood, served with various sauces on top.

After breakfast we travel to the scenic island of Miyajima, famous for its giant torii gate at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Itsukushima Shinto Shrine. We begin by visiting a local oyster farm to find out about their cultivation before exploring Itsukushima Shrine and view the torii gate that appears to magically float on the water at high tide. There is time to wander through the pretty streets and enjoy lunch on the island before we return to our hotel. You may wish to further explore the city – Hiroshima Castle or Shukkeien Garden are within easy walking distance of our hotel – before we enjoy dinner at our hotel this evening.

Our sightseeing in Okayama starts with Okayama Castle, nicknamed ‘Crow Castle’ due to its dark clapboard facade. The castle has a rare pentagonal shape with intricate designs on its many towers, and offers stunning views of the surrounding area. We explore the landscaped Koraku-en Garden, one of Japan’s top three gardens, described as a ‘strolling garden’ due to the variety of views from the pathways which wind through its pond, stream, lawns and teahouse. We enjoy lunch with an opportunity to sample locally-produced sake, beer or gin. Returning to our hotel, the remainder of our day is at leisure.

This morning, we travel to the city of Osaka. On the way we stop at a sake brewery for a fascinating insight into traditional sake production and experience a tasting paired with a delicious lunch. On arrival in Osaka we visit the Umeda Sky Building, offering panoramic views of the city skyline from its floating garden observatory. We then check into the RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka for our final two nights in Japan. Osaka is renowned for its vibrant nightlife and is often referred to as the ‘Kitchen of Japan’ due to its wide array of delicious local dishes. This evening has been left free for you to explore.

Today’s excursion takes us to Nara, Japan’s first permanent capital from AD710 to 794, and the site of Todai-ji Temple. The temple was constructed in AD752, as the head of all provincial Buddhist temples in Japan, and is home to one of the largest bronze statues of Buddha in the world. After our visit, stroll through lovely Nara Park where friendly deer roam freely. We return to Osaka and head to the lively Dotonbori area, famous for its bustling street food scene. Here we can try Takoyaki, a popular local dish of octopus-filled dough balls, and Kushikatsu, a dish of deep-fried skewered meat and vegetables. Later we discover the bustling Tsutenkaku area before enjoying a farewell dinner at our hotel, celebrating our memorable journey through Japan together.

Our final day in Japan is at leisure until we travel to Osaka Airport for our evening flight to the UK. You may like to relax before your flight, or possibly purchase some last-minute souvenirs. All flights with Cathay Pacific travel via Hong Kong. Alternatively, if choosing Japan Airlines, you will fly to the UK via Tokyo.

After 16 wonderful days exploring the Treasures of Japan, we arrive back into the UK, bringing our adventure to an end.