Mountain Fuji

Highlights of Japan Holiday

  • TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAY IDEA

Duration

11 Days

Prices Start from

£4,890pp(ex. flights)

This classic Japan holiday includes many of the iconic highlights conjured up when one thinks of Japan. Tokyo, Kyoto and Mount Fuji coupled with food, geisha and gardens – perfect for a first time visitor.

Key Highlights of this Itinerary

Mans hands preparing Japanese snack food. 1

Tokyo Gourmet Walk

Take a guided walk through old Tokyo, eating specialities at local restaurants.

Mount Fuji, Lake Kawaguchiko, Tokyo, Japan 2

Mount Fuji

Spend a night in Hakone, home of hot springs and Mount Fuji views.

View across emerald water of Japanese garden, rmoss covered rocks in foreground and pink and green trees. 3

Kenroku-en Garden

Visit one of Japan’s most beautiful gardens in Kanazawa.

Maiko geisha walking on a street of Gion in Kyoto Japan 4

Geisha Experience

Dine in the company of an apprentice geisha in Kyoto, delving into their secretive world.

Why we like it

This varied and diverse holiday to Japan includes something for everyone and showcases some of the country’s best-known highlights via unique experiences. View Mount Fuji at its best, from a peaceful location away from the tourist trail, enter the fast disappearing world of the geisha and experience daily Japanese life with all its quirks. Temples, hot springs, street food and the diverse styles of gardens with their many meanings are the epitome of Japan.

Explore our suggested itinerary

  • Day 1

    Tokyo

  • Day 2 - 4

    Tokyo

  • Day 5

    Tokyo - Hakone

  • Day 6

    Hakone - Kanazawa

  • Day 7

    Kanazawa

  • Day 8

    Kanazawa - Kyoto

  • Day 9 - 10

    Kyoto

  • Day 11

    Kyoto - Osaka

Day 1

Tokyo

Day 2 - 4

Tokyo

Mans hands preparing Japanese snack food.

Take a guided walk through old Tokyo, eating specialities at local restaurants.

Day 5

Tokyo - Hakone

Mount Fuji, Lake Kawaguchiko, Tokyo, Japan

Spend a night in Hakone, home of hot springs and Mount Fuji views.

Day 6

Hakone - Kanazawa

Day 7

Kanazawa

View across emerald water of Japanese garden, rmoss covered rocks in foreground and pink and green trees.

Visit one of Japan’s most beautiful gardens in Kanazawa.

Day 8

Kanazawa - Kyoto

Day 9 - 10

Kyoto

Maiko geisha walking on a street of Gion in Kyoto Japan

Dine in the company of an apprentice geisha in Kyoto, delving into their secretive world.

Day 11

Kyoto - Osaka

Our travel experts can tailor this itinerary to suit you.

More Details

Autumnal foliage with lake and misty snow capped mount fuji beyond.
Mount Fuji in Autumn

The best way to experience Mount Fuji

We recommend including a few nights at Hoshinoya Fuji, a luxury glamping resort located on the shores of Lake Kawaguchi with views towards Mt Fuji. The joy of this iconic mountain is the view so rather than head onto the mountain itself for a rather touristy experience, admire it from afar. Standing at 3,776 metres high, Mount Fuji is Japan’s highest peak and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This dormant volcano last erupted in 1708 and its near-perfect cone shape is worshipped as a sacred mountain. Notoriously elusive, visibility of the mountain tends to be better during the colder months and in the early morning and late evening hours.

Alternatively, stay in Hakone where you can experience a hot spring bath whilst admiring the view. For those interested in climbing Mt Fuji, the mountain is officially open during July and August using several different routes.

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Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo

Cherry Blossom

Spring arrives in Japan with a candyfloss coloured bang and landscapes explode in pink and white. Normally between the months of March and April the blossom is incredibly fragile so there is normally a two-week window when the trees are in full bloom which is hard to predict with exact precision. Tokyo and Kyoto are popular spots to witness this beautiful spectacle with both cities boasting a wealth of parks, gardens and green spaces – equally magical when the blooms fall, creating a blossom carpet.

Book early to avoid disappointment as prices can increase and availability be tricky during this period.

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Young Geisha (Maiko), Kyoto, Japan
Young Geisha or Maiko in Kyoto

An evening with Geisha

Kyoto is the home of the geisha, or geiko as they are known in the city. Included in this holiday is an evening of immersion into the world of the geisha. Although a ‘tourist experience’ it is an authentic and magical one. The women you will spend time with spend their days training and attending lessons – this is truly a way of life for them. After a walk through the streets of Gion, the cities geisha district, enter an ochaya or tea house and dine in the company of an apprentice geisha, known as a maiko.

Spend time talking with them as well as the chance to see them perform a mesmerising dance and even play a traditional drinking game. Our guides will be on hand to interpret and give guidance on the often subtle customs and etiquette of this secretive world.

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Kenrokuen Gardens, Kanazawa, Japan
Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa

One of Japan's Top Three Gardens

Gardens have played an important role in Japanese culture since ancient times and are extremely symbolic in Japanese culture. Water symbolises calm and continuity, stones mean endurance, circles enlightenment, pine trees for perseverance and upright stones representing the crane, a symbol of longevity. In Kanazawa you will visit one of Japan’s top three gardens, Kenroku-en.

This beautiful garden was created over several hundred years and combines six important characteristics; spaciousness, seclusion, artifice, antiquity, water courses and panoramas. Explore with a guide for enlightenment or alone in the early morning for peaceful explorations.

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A note on price

Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.

This Itinerary
Price
From £4,890 Per person

When to travel

Japan in January

The weather is generally cool, dry and sunny in many parts of the country. In the north, there is heavy snowfall, making for excellent skiing conditions.

Japan in February

Ski season is in full swing in the north. Winter continues to bring some of the coolest but driest conditions to the rest of the country.

Japan in March

The start of the cherry blossom in southern Japan, as the weather warms. A popular time to visit Japan, especially towards the end of the month.

Japan in April

Perhaps the busiest month, as the cherry blossom spreads northwards across the country. A stunning time, but expect to plan accommodation and excursions in advance.

Japan in May

The cherry blossom reaches the far north of the country around Sapporo at this time, and temperatures are generally warm. It is generally dry in most parts, with vegetation vibrant and lush. It is worth avoiding Golden Week, a national holiday during the first week of May.

Japan in June

Many parts become hot and humid, with the rainy season occurring in Okinawa. A consequence of the rain is that the countryside and most gardens are at their best.

Japan in July

It can get very hot and humid in many parts of the country at this time, making it the perfect time to escape to the mountains. In particular, this time of year has the best conditions for the hike up Mount Fuji.

Japan in August

There are many festivals at this time and locals are on holiday, making it a busy time of year for travel. It is a great time to explore the Sapporo area, with cooler and less humid conditions.

Japan in September

September brings a quieter time for travel, with most locals back at work. The temperatures start to cool off a little, but the humidity generally remains.

Japan in October

The start of autumn for the majority of Japan, showcasing a wonderful array of autumn colours across the countryside. The weather is still pleasantly warm, with less rain.

Japan in November

Across the country, this is the best month to see the beautiful autumn colours. There are fewer visitors, and the temperatures remain mild, especially in the south.

Japan in December

The first couple of weeks of December are some of the quietest times to travel, and you can enjoy the natural thermal hot springs with snow on the ground.

Holiday Inspiration

Our experts have created and curated these tailor-made holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something that is the spark for your unique adventure.

Why Choose Steppes?

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