Tokyo Gourmet Walk
Take a guided walk through old Tokyo, eating specialities at local restaurants.
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.
Take a guided walk through old Tokyo, eating specialities at local restaurants.
Spend a night in Hakone, home of hot springs and Mount Fuji views.
Visit one of Japan’s most beautiful gardens in Kanazawa.
Dine in the company of an apprentice geisha in Kyoto, delving into their secretive world.
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.
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
Take a guided walk through old Tokyo, eating specialities at local restaurants.
Day 5
Tokyo - Hakone
Spend a night in Hakone, home of hot springs and Mount Fuji views.
Day 6
Hakone - Kanazawa
Day 7
Kanazawa
Visit one of Japan’s most beautiful gardens in Kanazawa.
Day 8
Kanazawa - Kyoto
Day 9 - 10
Kyoto
Dine in the company of an apprentice geisha in Kyoto, delving into their secretive world.
Day 11
Kyoto - Osaka
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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