14-Day Private Tour of Japan

Welcome to Japan! On arrival at one of Tokyo’s international airports, our escort will meet you and take you to your hotel in Tokyo.

This morning you will meet your guide at your hotel lobby after breakfast and have a private guided tour of Tokyo. The day's program will be completely customised for your interests and preferences. You can visit old parts of Tokyo such as Asakusa, fashionable Shibuya and Omotesando, the political and commercial centre of Japan, Marunouchi, or anything in between. The day is yours to explore the modern and the quirky sides of this mega capital.

Lunch and dinner are not included but we will make recommendations if you like.

Tokyo is fun. It is Day 3 and your turn to venture out to this massive city. But don't worry, Tokyo's transport system is super efficient and organised, and the city is very safe.

Your guide the day before will give you all the information you need, and it is simply so exciting to walk around spontaneously to discover your own treasures. However, if you prefer to have a guide, there is an option, too. Please tell us your preference.

This morning you will leave Tokyo by train with your guide to head west to the town of Kawaguchiko, located in the Five Lakes district in the foothills of Mt Fuji.

Kawaguchiko offers some breathtaking views of the majestic Mt Fuji, and its lakes and beautiful natural landscape only add to the beauty of the area.

The visit to Itchiku Kubota Art Museum is strongly recommended, where you see superb examples of kimono art using the centuries-old “shibori” tie-dyeing technique.

Tonight you will stay at a traditional Japanese inn, and have the chance to soak in a hot-spring onsen bath with dramatic views of Mt Fuji across the lake (weather permitting of course!). Dinner will be a multi-course Japanese kaiseki banquet. (Western bed accommodation options are also available.)

This morning you experience a traditional Japanese-style breakfast – a nutritious mix of grilled fish, miso soup, rice and pickles! After spending some time in Kawaguchiko, you will head to Matsumoto in Nagano Prefecture, heartland of the Japan Alps.

While in Matsumoto, Matsumoto’s castle is a top of must-see list. It is Japan’s oldest wooden castle and one of the nation’s five castles designated national treasures. The castle garden is home to a number of flowering cherry trees, which we hope will be in blossom during your visit.

Matsumoto is also popular for its cosmopolitan atmosphere and galleries amongst the stunning alpine setting. You can visit the Matsumoto City Museum of Art featuring the avant-garde works of internationally renowned artist Yayoi Kusama.

Today, you will take a local coach to travel over the Japan Alps through the spectacular scenery to the historical city of Takayama in Hida region. The region was developed as a stronghold of the central government in Edo Period. It still retains many traditional industries such as sake making, rice production, timber furniture and lacquerware. The streets are preserved and you can see the traditional architecture in some of the houses. Today, they mostly house small cafes and shops, making Takayama very attractive to tourists.

This morning you will visit a nearby UNESCO World Heritage site of Shirakawago by local coach. Shirakawago is known for a unique architecture called "Gassho Zukuri" with steep thatched roof. Gassho means "hands clasped in a prayer form" You walk around the village with your guide, and learn the life of traditional agricultural village in mountains.

Afternoon is your time to explore back in the town of Takayama at your own pace. Why not trying mouthwatering Hida brand wagyu beef for dinner tonight?

This morning you will take an express train from Takayama to through very scenic valleys and mountains. You will change to shinkansen (bullet train) at Nagoya - there is an option of spending some time here if you prefer. Nagoya is home to the Toyota Industry and Technology Museum and Noritake Garden.

After arriving at Kyoto Station, your private guide will meet you there and take you on a guided tour. Kyoto has myriad of attractions and we will designed the guided tours to match your interests. Apart from iconic sites such as Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), Fushimi Inari, Nijo-jo Castle and Heian Jingu Shrine, you can visit more discrete temple gardens, high quality craft and antique galleries such as pottery and silk, or simply stroll atmospheric streets of Kyoto such as the Gion.

There are variety of choices in terms of accommodation and restaurants in Kyoto. Please let us know of your preferences. If you are a group, why not try a private banquet with a maiko (apprentice geisha) to join you for dinner. It will be an unique opportunity to engage with her in person and learn more about this centuries-old art form and the life of a modern-day geisha.

You will continue your exploration of Kyoto. The full day guided tour with your private guide will give you an opportunity to visit a nearby locations such as Arashiyama, Takao, Kifune or even Nara if you prefer. All our private tours are developed in close contact with our clients to accommodate their interests and preferences as well as personal experiences from our in-depth knowledge and recommendations.

Today is your day to explore Kyoto. You can join a cooking class, tea ceremony experience or how about meditation class at a temple? Perhaps it is time to do the all important shopping as Kyoto has endless choices for traditional and modern products.

Whatever it is, we are here to help you plan your memorable day.

Today you will hop onboard Japan’s famous shinkansen and journey down to the iconic sites of Hiroshima.

On arriving in Hiroshima, you will meet our Hiroshima guide at the station and have a guided tour of the Peace Memorial Park and Atomic Bomb Museum. Despite its tragic past, present-day Hiroshima remains very welcoming and vibrant, characterized by wide boulevards and attractive leafy parks. Enjoy some of its characteristic cuisine such as Hiroshima style okonomiyaki.

This morning a short train and ferry ride take you to one of Japan’s top scenic sites – Miyajima. This sacred island is best known for the vermillion-red floating torii gate that sits in the sea in front of Itsukushima Shrine (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).

You can have a guided tour of the shrine, which was originally constructed in 593 when the island was designated a sacred island to be inhabited only by the gods. In the afternoon stroll around Miyajima’s Buddhist temples or take the ropeway to the top of the island for breath-taking views of the Inland Sea.

Tonight we recommend you stay overnight at the island, experience ryokan (Japanese style accommodation) once more, and enjoy the kaiseki dinner and futon bedding. However there is an option of going back to Hiroshima and stay another night at a western style hotel there.

This morning you experience some quiet time in Miyajima, before the day visitors arrive, and then make your way back to your final destination Osaka. You will have time to discover the vibrant culture of Osaka in the afternoon and evening with a guided tour.

Today you will transfer from your hotel to your exiting airport after breakfast. You can exit Japan from Kansai International Airport or go back to Tokyo and leave from one of the international airports there. We will arrange the transfer for you whichever way you choose.

And of course, you can extend your stay in Japan. Please browse our Tour Extension Model Itineraries on our Private tours page for ideas.