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A panoramic picture of Japan

  • Japan, aerial view of Tokyo
Tokyo – Kanazawa – Kyoto

A panoramic picture
of Japan

Placing past and future in parallel, rarely is a culture so distinctly recognisable like the land of the rising sun. Yet seeing more than just a snapshot of this enriching archipelago appears to be a fine art among the masses.

Between the ever-evolving innovations of its cities, and its samurai towns seemingly frozen in time, the picture of Japan plays out in the bloom of cherry blossoms, the rising steam of tea ceremonies, folds of sushi rolls, and the speed of Sumo wrestling. Experiencing each facet of these islands would take a lifetime of traversing from Hokkaido to Kyushu, so to capture their essence, our carefully chosen itinerary weaves though the elements integral to understanding this spiritual nation.

Beginning, of course, in the capital, this is no whistle-stop tour at bullet-train speed. Instead, you’ll slow down through Kanazawa and Kyoto, embracing the detail of each destination framing Japan as a country of incredible artistry across the ages. 

Sushi rolls
Japan, boast on a river lined with cherry blossom trees
Japan, two women performing a tea ceremony

Jump to...

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Where you’ll be going

Get to know where you'll be exploring in Japan, from the futuristic fashion of Tokyo to the historic arts of Kyoto.

  • A busy street full of neon signs in Tokyo

    DAY 1 - 4

    Tokyo

    Full of heritage highlights and futuristic delights, just to explore the must-see sights of the largest city in the world could take an entire trip. 

    Stay at: Mandarin Oriental Tokyo
  • A person in a traditional Japanese straw hat gardening beneath trees

    Day 5 - 6

    Kanazawa

    Hot on the heels of Kyoto’s traditions, Kanazawa’s Edo-period gems come with far less crowds, plentiful seafood and one of Japan’s best gardens.

    Stay at: Beniya Mukayu
  • Asia, Japan, Kyoto, boat surrounded by cherry blossoms

    Day 7-10

    Kyoto

    As expected from the birthplace of Geisha culture, Kyoto is beguilingly spiritual and beautifully traditional.

    Stay at: The Mitsui Kyoto
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03

A taste of what's to come A panoramic picture of Japan journal

Day 1
Day 4
Day 7
Day 9
Day 1
Day 4
Day 7
Day 9
  • Japan, Tokyo

    8:52pm

    Hello from Tokyo! We’ve officially made it to the land of the rising sun, and I feel like I’ve travelled in time – what a futuristic capital this is. I’m so excited to properly explore tomorrow; we’ve just been looking out over the city skyline at dinner, trying to spot where we might be wandering come the morning.

    Explore
  • Japan, Lake Chuzenji

    5:30pm

    Compared to the bustling metropolis of Tokyo, our day trip to Nikko today encouraged us to slow the pace. The spiritual atmosphere of the Tokugawa Iyeasu Shrine was so tangible, and the nature surrounding it more beautiful than my camera could capture. Though the highlight of the day just had to be Lake Chuzenji – today is going to be a hard one to beat!

    Explore
  • Japan, Geisha in the Higashiyama District

    7:19am

    We’re up early today to explore more of Japanese culture. Yesterday’s tour taught us the history of the Samurai warriors of the Edo period, and it was absolutely fascinating to tour the Nagamachi District. Today we’re off to the Higashiyama District, to learn about Geisha performance and hopefully take part in a traditional tea ceremony.

    Explore
  • Japan, Tenryu-ji Temple

    2:45pm

    It’s our last full day here so we’re savouring every moment. Our tours of Kyoto have been simply sublime, taking in the ancient Buddhist temples and bamboo forests. This hotel is a work of art too, and I’ve heard that the Kaiseki cuisine here is perfect for a celebration, so the evening ahead is teed up to be the best end to a truly memorable trip. I just know I won’t want to go home tomorrow.

    Explore
0:00


Where to stay

  • Asia, Japan, Tokyo, Mandarin Oriental Tokyo, Mandarin Lounge with view of Tokyo skyline
    Mandarin Oriental Tokyo
    Towering above the streets of Tokyo, uninterrupted views of the city’s skyline aren’t a tall order at any of Mandarin Oriental’s twelve in-house restaurants; sample them all for an international fare and find your favourite.
    Explore this hotel


Where to stay

  • Asia, Japan, Tokyo, Mandarin Oriental Tokyo, Mandarin Deluxe Room
    Mandarin Oriental Tokyo
    Towering above the streets of Tokyo, uninterrupted views of the city’s skyline aren’t a tall order at any of Mandarin Oriental’s twelve in-house restaurants; sample them all for an international fare and find your favourite.
    Explore this hotel


Where to stay

  • Asia, Japan, Beniya Mukayu, circular bath
    Beniya Mukayu
    Giving a modern makeover to the traditional Japanese Ryokan, Beniya Mukayu offers an elevated onsen experience characterised by minimalism and space, bathed in an appreciation for the natural world.
    Explore this hotel


Where to stay

  • Asia, Japan, Kyoto, The Mitsui Kyoto, garden
    The Mitsui Kyoto
    Greeting guests with its 18th-century Kajiimiya Gate, this reimagining from Mitsui elevates a centuries-old residence opposite Nijo Castle; where rooms designed by a world-renowned cast of creatives embrace a tranquil garden in tune with all seasons.
    Explore this hotel

Explore all the
places you can stay

  • Asia, Japan, Tokyo, Mandarin Oriental Tokyo, Mandarin Lounge with view of Tokyo skyline
    Japan
    Mandarin Oriental Tokyo

    Towering above the streets of Tokyo, uninterrupted views of the city’s skyline aren’t a tall order at any of Mandarin Oriental’s twelve in-house restaurants; sample them all for an international fare and find your favourite.

    Explore this place
    • Asia, Japan, Beniya Mukayu, circular bath
      Japan
      Beniya Mukayu

      Giving a modern makeover to the traditional Japanese Ryokan, Beniya Mukayu offers an elevated onsen experience characterised by minimalism and space, bathed in an appreciation for the natural world.

      Explore this place
    • Asia, Japan, Kyoto, The Mitsui Kyoto, garden
      Japan
      The Mitsui Kyoto

      Greeting guests with its 18th-century Kajiimiya Gate, this reimagining from Mitsui elevates a centuries-old residence opposite Nijo Castle; where rooms designed by a world-renowned cast of creatives embrace a tranquil garden in tune with all seasons.

      Explore this place

Extraordinary
experiences

    • A person practicing traditional Japanese caligraphy
      Learn the centuries-old artform of calligraphy

      Under the attentive eye of your private tutor, embrace the quiet nature of this traditional artform. Poised with a paintbrush as your pen, you’ll follow the forms of unfamiliar letters, easily keeping composure in such a subdued setting. By the end of the class, you’ll already have a souvenir from the very start of your trip.

    • Asia, Japan, Tosho-gu Shrine Nikko
      Tour the sights of nearby Nikko

      Beginning with a visit to the palatial shine of Tokugawa Ieyasu – the most revered samurai leader of the Edo period – delight in a day excursion immersed in nature. Admire the intricacies carved among the grandeur of the Toshogu Shrine, before continuing on to the magnificence of Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Falls, both formed from the lava flows of the sacred Mount Natai.

    • Asia, Japan, street in Nagamachi
      See the Samurai district of Nagamachi

      Explore the streets of Nagamachi, taking a step back in time to the era of the Samurai. Paying particular attention to architecture, visit an old Samurai house named Nomurake, to understand the warrior way of life under the Japanese feudal system.

    • Asia, Japan, Kenrokuen Garden
      Wander by the waterside of The Kenrokuen Garden

      Thought to be one of the most beautiful landscape gardens across all of Japan, The Kenrokuen Gardens are an expanse of idyllic scenery in any season. Once the outer garden of Kanazawa Castle, they display the six sublimities of a perfect garden relative to Chinese landscape theory; spaciousness, seclusion, artificiality, antiquity, abundant water and broad views.

    • Two women in traditional geisha attire and makeup walking through the streets of Kyoto with red umbrellas
      Understand the elegance of Geisha artistry

      Tour the lattice-front houses of the Higashiyama Geisha District, dating back to 1820. Preserving the history of traditional Kyoto, wooden shops sell local delicacies along narrow streets, while the Kaikaro Teahouse continues the tradition of Geisha performances, welcoming guests to gain a deeper understanding of this highly-respected element of Japanese culture.

    • A long pathway stretching through a tall green bamboo forest in Kyoto with a person standing in the distance
      Embrace the spirituality of ancient Buddhist practices

      Experience utter serenity in the Arashiyama Forest, on a day’s journey that makes the most of the outdoors. Begin at UNESCO World Heritage Site Tenryu-ji, a famed Zen Buddhist Temple surrounded by picturesque gardens, close to the Bamboo Forests. Enjoy a peaceful stroll flanked by towering bamboo, before continuing to the mountain retreat of Okochi Sanso. The temples of Adashino Nembutsuji and Otagi Nembutsuji round off the day, with row upon row of intriguing Buddhist figures.

Itinerary essentials
  • 9
    NIGHTS
IDEAL TIME
  • May - Jun
    SPRING SUN & CALMER CROWDS
WHEN TO GO
  • 12hrs
    LHR - HND
FLIGHT TIME
  • 8hrs
    BY ROAD
  • 4hrs 15min
    BY RAIL
ALL TRANSFERS
Get in touch your way…
We customise every trip to you and our quotes are bespoke. We’re here to offer advice, recommendations and answer your questions.
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