Japan's Cultural Treasures

Overnight flight from London (regional connections available) to Tokyo Haneda airport via Dubai with Emirates. (N)

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

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) and a visit to the Hakone Open-Air Museum. (B, L)

Full-day tour visiting Asakusa Kannon temple, Tokyo National Museum, the Imperial East Garden and the peaceful Meiji shrine. Lunch will be a kushiage meal of fried meat and vegetables. (B, L)

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 (or similar). (B)

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. (B)

Travel by express train to Kyoto. Afternoon visit to Nijo castle, then experience a traditional tea ceremony in a machiya (wooden townhouse), followed by a visit to Nishiki market. Stay 2 nights at the Kyoto Hotel Okura (or similar). (B, L)

Morning visit to Kinkakuji temple (Golden Pavilion), then Ryoanji temple, famous for its zen rock garden. Afternoon tour of the historic city of Nara. Return to Kyoto. (B)

Morning at leisure to explore Kyoto at your own pace. Afternoon bullet train journey to Hiroshima. Stay 2 nights at the Granvia Hiroshima / Sheraton Hiroshima. (B)

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. (B)

Take a bullet train north to Himeji city. Take a tour of Himeji castle, still in its original form and arguably the finest example of medieval castle architecture in Japan. 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 coach on to Osaka airport for the overnight flight with Emirates back to London, via Dubai. (B)

Early morning arrival in London. (N)

As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.