Japan
Japan in Nine Days
If you only have limited time, this short tour offers the highlights of Japan, combining the fast-paced and futuristic city of Tokyo with the traditional and historical city of Kyoto. You’ll also visit Hakone, renowned for its hot springs and the ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle and soak up the beautiful scenery.
Highlights
See Tokyo’s iconic Shibuya crossing
Escape the crowds at Meiji Shrine
Visit Japan’s pop culture home
See the UNESCO Toshogu Shrine
Take a beautiful bike ride in Hakone
Experience the bullet train
Look for traditional geishas in Kyoto
9 days from £2,500 pp
Plus international flights from £1,000
A 9-day holiday to Japan for a family of four would usually cost a minimum of around £10,000 plus flights.
Japan in Nine Days – day-to-day itinerary
Day 1, Tokyo
When you arrive in Tokyo you will be transferred to your hotel.
Day 2, Tokyo
After breakfast, set out to explore Tokyo with a private guide.
This really is a city of contrasts, with diverse neighbourhoods that range from futuristic neon to historic temples. It may seem daunting, but your guide will help you navigate the efficient metro system.
First visit Asakusa and the striking Sensoji Temple, before checking out Tsukiji Outer Market for lunch and a browse through the interesting stalls. Afterwards, visit Meiji Jingu Shrine, an antidote to hectic city life. If it’s the weekend you may see a wedding taking place, the bride (in a white kimono) and the groom (in a black one) walking together under a red umbrella.
You’ll also explore the famous Harajuku area, ‘spiritual home’ for Japan’s unique pop culture, frequented by teenagers dressed up as their favourite manga characters. Finally, head to Shibuya, known for one of the world’s busiest crossings.
Day 3, Tokyo
This morning enjoy a mind-blowing experience at teamLab Planets on the island of Toyosu, an immersive digital art experience featuring incredible art and light installations. The children will absolutely love it.
Afterwards, you are free to explore further, either around Toyosu and nearby Odaiba, or elsewhere in the city. Check out shoppers’ paradise Ginza for the most amazing department stores, or explore Electronics Town Akihabara, famous for its otaku or nerds. Otaku take their hobby seriously and whatever line of video games, comics, anime, manga, cos-play they’re into, this is where they come to get their fix.
For something more relaxing, take the Sumida River water bus to the leafy tranquil area that is Hamarikyu Gardens – seemingly unchanged since Edo times, when it was used by the shoguns and aristocracy for tea ceremonies and horse-riding practice.
Day 4, Tokyo – Hakone
Leave the freneticism of Tokyo behind and travel to Hakone. Here there are endless vistas of tree-clad hills dotted with quaint villages, all in the shadow of Mt Fuji, Japan’s most sacred mountain.
You will be provided with a ‘Hakone Pass’ that covers entrance to the main sights in the area. These include the famous open-air museum which uses the surrounding natural beauty as a backdrop for its exhibits. Popular with children is the Hakone Ropeway, a long cable car that offers panoramic views over the countryside.
In the evening, after settling in at your hotel, you can enjoy the local hot springs.
Day 5, Hakone
You have a full day to explore Hakone. Those with older children might enjoy escaping the crowds on a guided cycling tour, following a peaceful series of back roads through the beautiful scenery and stopping en route for a picnic lunch.
Read More Day 6, Hakone – Kyoto This afternoon, take part in a Samurai experience; try on traditional samurai armour and have a chance to handle a 300-year-old katana. Day 7, Kyoto The afternoon is free. As the centre of traditional Japanese culture, Kyoto offers a wide range of activities to suit children of all ages. These include dressing up in a kimono, learning to cook ‘Bento box’ style, an origami or taiko drumming class or perhaps watching a ninja show. Also popular with families is a bike tour around the streets of the old town, hoping to catch a glimpse of a geisha strolling along the streets of Gion. Day 8, Kyoto You can also visit Fushimi Inari, one of Kyoto’s most photographed shrines. Here you can enjoy the iconic spectacle of thousands of orange torii gates lining the temple’s sacred mountain trails. Day 9, Kyoto – Osaka
This morning, travel by train to Kyoto. This is Japan’s ancient capital, a city firmly rooted in the past where deeply held traditions linger on. It is a city of ancient shrines, Zen gardens and geisha. With 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites (more than any other city), this is where you learn about Old Japan.
This morning you will have a private guided tour of the city. First stop is Kiyomizudera Temple, famous for its long history dating back to 780, and its structure completely made of connected wooden beams. Head to Nishiki Market for lunch, well known for its local offerings, and where you can try out many of Kyoto’s delicacies – delicious! Continue to the grand Nijo castle, dating back to the early 17th century. This sprawling and impressive building was the Kyoto home of the Tokugawa Shogun – listen out for the ‘nightingale floors!’.
You have a free day today. Highly recommended is a day trip to Nara, Japan’s picturesque first capital. Top of the attractions here is the Giant Buddha Todai-ji Temple. Just behind the Buddha statue is a small hole, said to be the same size as Buddha’s nostril. Apparently if you can squeeze through the hole you will achieve enlightenment in your next life! Also make sure you visit Kasuga-Taisha, an ancient Shinto shrine set in a forest with semi-wild deer wandering around.
Make your way by train to the airport for your flight home.
Japan in pictures
Why choose us?
- Unparalleled family travel experience
- Specialist knowledge across six continents
- Hand-picked local partners
- Every holiday is tailor-made for you
- 100% financial protection
- 24hr emergency contact number
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Protection
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