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Discover ultra-modern cities filled with skyscrapers, hi-tech industry and futuristic technology alongside ancient architecture and beautifully preserved tradition. From golden temples and Shinto shrines to feudal castles, there's rich and interesting history to uncover throughout this vast land. Escape the cities to find a natural wonderland of snow-capped mountains, glistening lakes and verdant gardens and parkland. This tour is the perfect introduction to Japan, great for travellers visiting Japan for the first time who want to sample everything this rich culture has to offer.
- 7 nights in four-star accommodation
- Return flights and transfers from UK with checked luggage
- 7 breakfasts
- Expert tour manager
- From £3,299 pp based on 2 people sharing (£4,068 solo traveller)
- Based on 27th November 2025 departure
- See the famous sights of Tokyo including the Imperial Palace, Shibuya Crossing and Sensoji.
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Enjoy astonishing views of Mount Fuji from Lake Yamanaka and Lake Kawaguchi.
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Travel at 200mph on the high-speed bullet train.
- Explore Kyoto on a guided tour including Kinkakuji, an incredible golden temple, Honmaru Gardens and the famous rock garden of Ryōan-ji.
- Visit the charming coastal town of Kamakura home to a great Buddhist statue, temple and gardens.
Itineraries
Day 1
Arrival in Kyoto
You'll arrive in Osaka and transfer to the neighbouring city of Kyoto, where you’ll stay for two nights. Your four-star hotel is situated in the Higashiyama district, famous for its traditional wooden buildings and merchant shops. Take a short walk through picturesque streets and alleyways towards Gion district and Pontocho Alley to find your first authentic Japanese meal of the trip. This area boasts some of the most delightfully atmospheric restaurants in Kyoto - the perfect introduction to delicious Japanese cuisine.
Day 2
Kyoto
After a leisurely morning acclimatising and exploring the hotel's facilities, including a private spa, you’ll spend the afternoon in the company of a local expert for a tour of the city. The former capital city of Japan and its cultural heart, Kyoto attracts millions of visitors every year looking for a taste of traditional Japanese culture. Your tour starts with Kinkakuji, an incredible golden temple that glistens in the sun from its picturesque lakeside perch, before heading to Nijo Castle. Built in 1603, this impressive complex takes you back to the dominance of the Shogun, showcasing some of the famed architectural styles. You also enjoy the nearby Honmaru Gardens, created for the visit of Emperor Meiji in 1896. The zen garden was designed, in part, by the emperor, who had a full view of the garden from the top floor of Honmaru-Goten Palace.
Gion district
In the early evening, you’ll join a local guide for a fascinating walk around the Gion district of Kyoto. Gion is regarded as Kyoto's entertainment neighbourhood with modern and traditional theatres, atmospheric tea houses, and so much more. In the early evening, lanterns bathe the area in soft light, adding to the magical ambience. You may even spot traditional Geisha as they head to their engagements.
Day 3
The Bullet Train
This morning you’ll head to southeast Kyoto to the incredible Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine. Dedicated to the Inari, the deity of a good harvest and success in business, the shrine features thousands of bright vermillion and black shrine gates, known as tori. The shrine sits at the base of Mount Inari, and it's designed to draw guests through forest, pagodas and koi ponds. In the afternoon, you’ll continue our journey west to Mount Fuji on another Japanese icon: the Bullet Train. The two-hour train ride is an interesting experience; watch the Japanese countryside fly by as you cruise at up 200 mph.
Day 4
Mount Fuji
You’ll spend the day around Mount Fuji. You start your day with a visit to Lake Yamanaka, the largest of the five lakes surrounding Fuji. Encompassed by pretty parkland, the views of the mountain are incredible if you wish to take photos. You continue to Lake Kawaguchi. Smaller but equally beautiful, you may even be lucky enough to see a perfect reflection of the mountain on a calm day. Nearby, at the Ichiku Kubota Museum, you’ll discover more about the national dress of Japan, the Kimono. The vibrant colours and patterns are synonymous with Japanese culture, and you may even decide to treat yourself to a keepsake to take home. Finally, you’ll ascend the Kachi Kachi Ropeway in a cable car to the summit of Mount Tenjo, 400 metres over the lake shore. The observation deck at the top of Mount Tenjo offers unparalleled views of the lake and mountain. In the evening, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the hotel, including the open top-floor bathing
pools.
Day 5
Kamakura
You’ll arrive in Kamakura along the coast of Sagai Bay. The charming small town has a selection of shops specialising in local arts and crafts as well as delicious traditional foods. Enjoy free time to visit the Great Buddha, or Kotoku-in, that dominates the town's Buddhist temple or explore the gardens of Hasedera, known as the Hydrangea Temple. Wander through this stunning garden passing pools and shrines on the ascent up the hillside to appreciate the views out to sea. You’ll continue to Toyko later in the afternoon and check in to a hotel located just a short walk from Tokyo Tower and the nearby Shogun's Zojoji Temple.
Day 6
Tokyo
Spend the day exploring one of the largest cities in the world, Tokyo. You begin your day with a tour of some of the city's highlights, including The Imperial Palace - the residence of the Emperor of Japan. At times, the palace feels more like a park than a residence, the grounds help tell the story of Tokyo from a 17th-century former castle to the current seat of the Imperial family. You’ll visit Shibuya's iconic zebra crossing, rumoured to be the busiest crossing in the world. Up to 2.4 million people cross this four-way crossing per day; watch the orderly spectacle as hundreds of pedestrians patiently wait for the lights to go green before crossing in a number of directions. As you continue your tour, you’ll pass a statue dedicated to Japan's most loved dog, Hachiko, whose loyalty to his owner is celebrated outside the nearby station. Your last stop of the day is to Sensoji in Asakusa, the oldest temple in the city. This vibrant red Buddhist temple is neighboured by the iconic five-roofed temple, the Kaminarimon Gate and Nakamise shopping street, Tokyo's biggest souvenir market.
Day 7
Tokyo
Today, you can explore the city at your leisure. Enjoy a slower pace with a visit to Shinjuku's national gardens, take a stroll through Yoyogi Park to watch the artists at work, sword jugglers practising or dance troupes honing their skills or visit Tokyo's National Museum and see the wealth of artefacts that celebrate Japanese culture, heritage and traditions. For those who want to seek new heights, there are a number of panoramic viewpoints throughout the city. From the government building in Shinjuku, which is free to enter, to Tokyo Tower and the latest addition, the Skytree. Your dedicated Tour Manager can recommend lots of places to visit. For everything from the latest technology, cameras and computers, Akihabara, or Electric Town, is a sensory treat for lovers of all things electronic. Browse the shops as they vie for your attention with bright neon signs. Food lovers will enjoy a visit to the Golden Gai, a network of narrow streets teeming with tiny restaurants with open kitchens – many specialising in just one or two traditional Japanese dishes.
Day 8
Return home
Travel home with wonderful memories of your time away.
The price for this holiday is based on two people sharing a twin bedded room with single rooms available at the relevant supplement. Price includes:
- Seven nights’ accommodation
- Daily breakfast
- Return flights to and from UK
- Hotel porterage of one item of luggage per person
- 5 tours and visits
- Bullet Train ticket
- All local accommodation taxes
- All airport/flight taxes
- The services of a Riviera Travel tour manager
- Gibraltar - UK Flights (we can arrange these upon request)
7 nights from £3,299 pp
Price correct at time of publication 26/06/2025
