Tokyo To Takayama - 13 Days

Saturday. Upon arrival to Tokyo you will be met at either Narita or Haneda International Airport by your guide. Travel by train into the heart of the city and check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free to spend at your leisure. We recommend arriving before 3pm on this day, as there will be a Welcome Meeting at 6pm, where you will meet your guide and the rest of the group.

This morning we take the subway to Asakusa, a lively district of Tokyo which is famous for its historic Sensoji Buddhist temple. After visiting the temple we'll have time to explore the area which has an abundance of interesting souvenir and craft stalls. This afternoon we head to Harajuku, which is a mecca for young and fashionable Tokyoites who flock to the trendy shops and cafes on Takeshita Street. Here, we’ll visit the revered Meiji Shrine where the emperor Meiji and his wife are enshrined. Our last stop of the day is the famed Shibuya Crossing - regarded as one of the busiest pedestrian crossings in the world. 'The Scramble' as it's known is an amazing spectacle as people come from all directions at once – sometimes over a thousand with every light change – yet they still manage to duck and weave without causing collision. Here, we’ll grab a coffee and perch ourselves on a barstool at Starbucks to watch the spectacle. This evening offers free time, though if travelling during May and September you might like spend the evening watching a Sumo tournament (bookings must be made in advance). See our Trip Notes for more information.

Tokyo - Kamakura - Tokyo. Today we head out of the city to Kamakura, Japan’s first feudal capital, which is just an hour from Tokyo. Here, we’ll visit the iconic bronze Big Buddha and the Zen Temple of Hokokuji with its towering bamboo garden where you can drink tea and learn about tea ceremony’s, before walking the cobbled pedestrian alleys - adorned with locally made items. Return to Japan’s bustling capital for the night and tonight we’ll organise a Shabu Shabu (a traditional Japanese hot pot meal) for those who are interested.