Embarking on a tour of Japan is not just about experiencing the harmonious contrasts of old and new – it’s about unique moments and lifelong memories

Your tour of Japan begins as we meet the Tour Manager and fellow travellers at London Heathrow for our flight to Tokyo in the 'Land of the Rising Sun'.

Japan is a fascinating country culturally, spiritually and geographically. An archipelago of more than 14,000 islands, its mountainous interior is dotted with pristine forests and fairytale villages. A blend of Shinto and Buddhism, beautifully ornate temples appear seemingly on every street corner. Yet, side by side with these idyllic scenes, are neon-lit futuristic cities piercing the sky with shimmering glass skyscrapers. This union of modern and traditional fuses impressively to create a country of captivating contrasts that has entranced visitors ever since it came out of self-imposed isolation in 1863 - after more than 200 years of being closed off from the outside world.

We touch down in Tokyo ready to begin an incredible exploration of Japan. With a population similar to that of Canada in an area roughly the same size as North Yorkshire, urban Tokyo is the world's most populus city. Yet, it regularly finds itself in the top ranks for liveability due to its well-organised dynamism and cleanliness.

After transferring to our four-star hotel in the popular Shinjuku district, we can view this metropolis from the observatory deck of the nearby Tokyo Metropolitan Government building. Here we can soak up the panoramic views of the iconic Tokyo skyline.

Alternatively, you can spend some time at leisure before we gather for a welcome drink and dinner. As night falls, Tokyo is illuminated by twinkling lights from towers stretching as far as the eye can see. This stunning spectacle is ours to observe from our vantage point in the hotel's restaurant on the 45th floor.

After breakfast at our hotel, we meet our English-speaking guide, who will remain with us throughout the holiday. On a coach tour of Tokyo, we witness the city's contrasts, starting at the vast landscaped Hama Rikyu Gardens - an oasis of calm amid gleaming skyscrapers. Maple, ginkgo and peonies gather round sea-fed lakes on the site of a former 17th-century shogun villa.

Next, we visit two enchanting temples. A symbol of the city, the Senso-Ji temple in Asakusa dates from the 7th century and was built to honour Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy. With its sweeping, tiled roof, intricately carved wood and giant red lanterns, Senso-Ji is the epitome of Japanese Buddhist architecture, while Harajuku's Meiji-Jingu shrine boasts fantastic Shinto design, constructed in honour of modern Japan's first emperor.

As if to demonstrate the intertwining of the tranquil and bustling, we travel a short distance to the famed Shibuya crossing, where up to 3,000 people at a time inundate the crossing from all directions. This evening, you are free to enjoy some Japanese cuisine on your own.

A relaxed morning with breakfast at our hotel is followed by our first trip on the famous Japanese railways. Walking the short distance to the world's busiest station, Shinjuku, we board the Shonan Express to Odawara. Transferring into the mountains, we enjoy an incredible ride on the Hakone Ropeway - a 20-minute cable car journey providing amazing views of iconic Mount Fuji in the distance. As we travel above this area of outstanding natural wonders, we witness the rising plumes of steam from the sulphurous hot springs that dot Mount Hakone - a volcano that last erupted in 1170.

Arriving on the shores of Lake Ashi, our trip continues with a cruise across the crater lake to our hotel. Enroute, look for the striking red of Shinto torii gates dotting the shoreline and keep an eye out for more beautiful views of Mount Fuji.

Our hotel overlooks the lake, framed by overlapping mountains dipping towards the tranquil waters. There is time to relax before dinner at the hotel's restaurant this evening.

Today is all about Japan's most revered peak, Mount Fuji - the UNESCO-listed active volcano. Instantly recognisable from artworks including woodcut prints by Hokusai, the country's sacred symbol is remarkable due to its symmetry and prominence.

After breakfast at our hotel, we travel by coach to Mount Fuji Fifth Station (weather permitting). Climbing ever higher through lush woodlands, we reach this popular sightseeing spot. There's time to hopefully admire the views of both Fuji and the surrounding countryside from this excellent vantage point. From here, we visit the World Heritage Centre to learn more about Mount Fuji.

Some of the most iconic images of the volcano are taken from Oishi Park, beside Lake Kawaguchiko. We spend time here this afternoon, where you can search for that picture-perfect view. Later, we head into the mountains to the alpine town of Matsumoto, where there is a free evening after checking in to our hotel.

Our explorations of this charming town begin after breakfast. First, we enjoy a guided tour of a miso factory to discover why this paste - a mixture of fermented soya beans with salt and other umami-based ingredients - is so important in Japanese cooking, before tasting the distinctive flavours for ourselves.

Continuing to Matsumoto Castle, we encounter a five-storey pagoda-style fortress known as 'Crow Castle' due to its unusual black exterior. Built in the 1500s, this is the oldest remaining castle of its kind in Japan.

After time to look around, we continue through the scenic Kiso Valley to Nagoya. Along this historic Edo-period trade route between Tokyo and Kyoto, we see Japan in all its glory and stop off to view the traditional towns of Tsumago and Magome. These beautifully preserved towns showcase dark-wood buildings and ancient cobbled streets - a magical glimpse of alpine Japan from a bygone era. Arriving in Nagoya, we check in to our four-star hotel in the city centre.

Hopping aboard a train after breakfast this morning, we make our way to Himeji to view its incredible castle. Dating from the early 1600s, this sprawling UNESCO-listed fortress is Japan's largest and most visited castle. With its striking white exterior, it is said to resemble an egret or heron taking flight. Outside the castle moat, we find Koko-en, a traditional Japanese garden with nine sections, displaying water features, cherry trees and koi carp ponds.

After free time over lunch, we enjoy our first taste of the world-renowned Shinkansen bullet trains as we dash to Hiroshima at speeds of up to 186 miles per hour. This emotive city is renowned for the unprecedented devastation it suffered during World War Two, but Hiroshima's parks and museums now stand as embodiments of peace.

After checking in to our hotel, there is a free evening to dine independently. Japan is famed for its delicious food, and you might like to find a restaurant serving fresh sushi, ramen noodles, yakiniku barbeque or revered wagyu beef.

Travelling by local train and boat to Miyajima today, we soak up the tranquillity of this secluded destination known for its age-old temples and fairytale forests. Also known as Itsukushima (Island of the Gods), we enjoy a walking tour which includes a visit to Itsukushima Shrine and the iconic Great Torii Gate that guards its entrance. Partially submerged at high tide, this stunning red structure was built in the 12th century and is an enduring image of traditional Japan.

There is free time over lunch to explore the peaceful shrines and museums that line this serene shoreline before we return to Hiroshima later this afternoon.

The evening is at leisure, and you might like to take a stroll along the popular Hondori shopping street or head to a restaurant to sample one of the city's famous dishes - okonomiyaki, a delicious savoury, teppanyaki pancake. Alternatively, spend some time in a lively 'izakaya' in the nearby Nagarekawacho district to enjoy a drink with some local snacks.

This morning, we embark on a tour of Hiroshima's most moving locations. The city has become a byword for the horrors of war after an atomic bomb was dropped by the US Air Force at 8.15am on Monday 6th August 1945. Friendly Hiroshima now stands as a symbol of peace.

We begin with a tour of the Peace Memorial Park that commemorates the victims and visit the Atomic Bomb Dome - the emotive remains of the scorched shell of a building destroyed on that fateful day. In the Peace Memorial Museum, we view items salvaged from the rubble.

Early this afternoon, we board a bullet train to Kyoto - Japan's former capital that's now a living museum of the country's artistic heritage, with an impressive 17 UNESCO-listed sites. We enjoy a walking tour of the Gion district - one of the few places where you might catch a glimpse of a real-life geisha. After watching a performance at the Gion Corner Theatre, we indulge in a Japanese dinner in Ponto-cho Alley, a lantern-lit street filled with authentic restaurants and shops.

A historic city where the beauty of old Japan is writ large, we explore Kyoto's spellbinding sights today. After breakfast at our hotel, we embark on a half-day tour, beginning at Kinkakuji Temple. Renowned for gorgeous blooms of sakura cherry blossom, Kyoto brims with astonishingly beautiful temples - and Kinkakuji is home to one of the country's best-known sights. Dating from 1397, the 'golden pavilion' shimmers in brilliant gold leaf on the edge of a reflecting pond, surrounded by lush forest.

Afterwards, we take part in a zen tea ceremony, a tradition steeped in history. Learning how to brew, serve and drink the celebrated matcha tea, we also gain a glimpse into the spirituality and culture of Japan. Afterwards, we visit Nishiki market, where there's free time to find some lunch.

The rest of the day is free, and you might like to visit Kiyomizu Temple, the Kyoto Railway Museum or the Fushimi Inari shrine. Kyoto has many excellent restaurants for you to experience tonight, serving everything from refined dining to casual street food.

Pre-dating Kyoto as the nation's premier city, Nara is our destination after breakfast today. As the capital from 710 to 794AD, this beautiful and compact city oozes history and grace, with a backdrop of wooded hills.

Accompanied by our expert, English-speaking guide, we enjoy a walking tour, including the Todaji Temple where we view one of the world's largest bronze statues. The Great Buddha or 'Daibutsu' was first installed in 752AD and is set within an ornate temple recorded as the largest wooden building in the world. Nearby, the landscaped grounds of Nara's serene deer park are full of delightful ponds and deer. These animals were once revered as messengers of the gods and now roam freely. They are so used to human visitors that they often bow in greeting. Leaving Nara, we stop at a traditional sake brewery on our way back to Kyoto, where we gain an insight into this traditional beverage.

This evening is at leisure, and you can explore Kyoto's picturesque streets and parks or enjoy local cuisine independently.

Leaving Kyoto after breakfast this morning, we visit Arashiyama bamboo forest. We stroll down the Sagano path, marvelling at the jade-hued sunlight piercing through the towering bamboo stalks.

Transferring by coach to Osaka, we get to know this relaxed port city from one of its most jaw-dropping sights. Connecting the two distinctive 40-storey towers of the Umeda Sky Building is the Floating Garden Observatory. Standing nearly 570 feet above the ground, this unique vantage point provides panoramic views across Osaka. After observing Japan's third most populus city from above, we delve into its neon-lit Dotonbori district to experience the beating heart of Osaka from street level. With illuminated signs, mechanical billboards and even a huge blowfish lantern lining the streets, Dotonbori is a quintessentially Japanese experience, full of vibrant entertainment and appealing restaurants.

There is free time to relax after checking in to our four-star hotel before we have dinner together tonight.

After breakfast at our hotel, we have a day at leisure in Osaka until we transfer to the airport in mid-afternoon.

Built at the end of the 16th century, the grounds of Osaka Castle cover 15 acres and its main keep is recognised as one of the most important cultural sites in Japan. Surrounded by moats and imposing stone walls, this multi-storey swirl of jade, gold and white sits at the centre of tranquil parkland where you can wander amongst sculpted topiary with more than 1,000 plum trees. For some last-minute retail therapy, head to the long, covered shopping street of Shinsaibashi or the quirky nearby neighbourhood of Amerika-Mura, where the eagle-eyed may spot a replica of the Statue of Liberty perched on a rooftop.

This afternoon, our incredible holiday to Japan concludes as we leave our Osaka hotel and travel to the airport ready for our flight home, via Tokyo.

The peaceful spirituality of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines sit alongside dynamic cities to create a captivating and compelling country. From the slopes of iconic Mount Fuji and the tranquility of the ancient Kiso Valley, we travelled by world-famous bullet train to emotive Hiroshima. Japan's historic former capitals of Kyoto and Nara enthralled with their temples and welcoming wildlife, before Osaka impressed with its blend of history, bustling streets and laid-back charm.

Your discovery of Japan concludes as we arrive back in London this morning and bid farewell to the Tour Manager and travelling group.

Please note that while every departure of this tour will feature the same excursions, the order may differ from that shown above.

Some hotels may vary. All alternative hotels are of a comparable standard.

Our Classic range is what we're known for. Enjoy curated moments with plenty of inclusions. Centrally located hotels, premium travel options and engaging group tours with a seasoned expert are included. You'll be in groups with an average of 20-25 travellers and a maximum of 30*. *Scandinavian and Worldwide tours are on average 30-35 and a maximum of 40.

Shinkansen refers to the dedicated high-speed Japanese rail network that provides a link to most major cities on the islands of Hokkaido, Honshu and Kyushu. The name 'Shinkansen' is also used to refer to the trains that run on the network - which are perhaps better known to westerners as 'Bullet Trains'. Renowned for their punctuality, comfort and safety, the trains are frequent and fast, regularly running at speeds of up to 186mph (300km/h). The trains offer comfortable reclining seats and there are usually refreshment trolleys selling snacks and beverages.

Also known as the Fujiya Hotel Lake View Annex, the 4-Star Hakone Hotel in Hakone has a superb location on the shores of Lake Ashi with fantastic views of Mount Fuji. The hotel has two restaurants, a Teppenyaki restaurant and Il Miraggio, which offers French cuisine. There is a lake-view lounge and bar as well as gardens on the lake shore, a souvenir shop and a hot spring bath. The air-conditioned rooms are equipped with a telephone, television, free Wi-Fi, hot water jugs, a Japanese tea set, a fridge and a hairdryer.

This 4-Star hotel on the tranquil shores of Lake Ashi is close to the station and in view of the monumental Mount Fuji. Benefitting from exquisite view that come with being at the heart of the beautiful Japanese countryside, the hotel has an extensive range of facilities including a hot spring bath, a Kaede spa, a shopping area and two restaurants. Air-conditioned guest rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, minibar, safe and fridge.

Located on Peace Boulevard, this modern 4-Star hotel in central Hiroshima is just a short distance from the Peace Memorial Park. There are various on-site restaurants and bar serving Japanese and Chinese food, as well as light bites, while guests can relax with massages and treatments at the hotel's spa. Air-conditioned guest rooms are decorated with wood furnishings and come equipped with free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, fridge, safe and kettle.

The 4-Star Hotel Granvia Hiroshima is our base in Hiroshima and is located close to the city's train station. On the 21st floor, you'll find the unique sky restaurant, offering wonderful views across the city. There's also a steak house as well as both Japanese and Chinese restaurants, a lobby lounge and a karaoke bar. The well-appointed rooms are equipped with a television, air-conditioning, a mini bar and complimentary Wi-Fi.

The 4-Star ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Kyoto is situated opposite the Nijo Castle and features an indoor swimming pool and five restaurants, serving a range of cuisine from authentic French dishes to Japanese and Chinese meals. The lobby bar overlooks a traditional Japanese garden and there is a lounge available for refreshments. Guest rooms are air-conditioned and feature a minibar, a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, a kettle and a hairdryer.

Conveniently located just a short distance from Kyoto's main railway station, this modern, western-style 4-Star hotel offers a selection of amenities. Restaurants serve Japanese and international cuisine, while there is also a coffee shop, a lounge and bar. The hotel has an indoor swimming pool and a jacuzzi, as well as hair and beauty salons. The well-appointed rooms are air-conditioned and feature free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, tea & coffee-making facilities, minibar and hairdryer.

Set in the heart of Matsumoto, the sleek 4-Star Hotel Buena Vista boasts a number of eateries serving up a range of Japanese, Chinese and French cuisine. There's also a café, bar and a bakery on site if you find yourself a little peckish. Rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, a telephone, flat-screen television and either city or park views.

We stay at the 4-Star Sheraton Miyako Hotel in Osaka, a wonderful base from which to explore thanks to the nearby public transport links. Decorated in elegant and neutral colours, this hotel is a fascinating mixture of traditional and modern. The four restaurants on site offer a variety of cuisines while the bar and a café serve up refreshing drinks and light bites. As well as dining, there's also a health club, flower shop and beauty salon on site. The comfortable guest rooms feature a television, a mini bar, tea & coffee making facilities, air-conditioning, and an en-suite bathroom.

The 4-Star Keio Plaza Hotel in Tokyo is close to Shinjuku railway station and ideally placed for exploring the city. The hotel has a wide range of restaurants serving Japanese, Chinese, Korean and European cuisine, as well as a coffee shop, cocktail and tea lounge, and a Sky Bar offering magnificent views over Tokyo from the 45th floor. There's also a chemist, a number of boutique shops and a beauty salon on site. Guests have complimentary use of the hotel's outdoor pool (seasonal) and gym. The contemporary western-style rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, flatscreen TV, tea & coffee-making facilities, safe, minibar and hairdryer.

A 5-Star hotel connected to Nagoya's train station, the Marriott Associa is elegantly decorated and well-placed for visitors to the city. Facilities include an indoor swimming pool and a fitness centre, plus eight on-site restaurants, serving a wide range of cuisines from French to local specialities. Air-conditioned guest rooms have sweeping views of Nagoya and come equipped with free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, safety deposit box, kettle, hairdryer and complimentary toiletries.

In the riverside Inuyama district of Nagoya, this 5-Star hotel sits adjacent to the historic Urakuen Garden and the iconic Inuyama Castle. With views across to the castle, and direct access to the renowned Jo-an teahouse, the hotel is perfectly located to explore these designated National Treasures of Japan. The hotel's décor honours local traditions, blending motifs inspired by the Inuyama Festival and the Jo-an teahouse to create a beautiful environment. Facilities include a hot spring bath, sauna and fitness centre, while the modern restaurant serves French cuisine. Air-conditioned guest rooms have balconies and come equipped with free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, safety deposit box, tea & coffee-making facilities, minibar, hairdryer and complimentary toiletries.

The 4-Star Nikko Osaka is situated on Midosuji Avenue, Osaka's main boulevard, within walking distance of the city's shopping and entertainment districts, including Dotonbori and Namba. The hotel's interior design incorporates elements inspired by the ginkgo trees of Midosuji, blending traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern comfort. Air-conditioned guest rooms are equipped free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, fridge, kettle and air purifiers.

Flight upgrades are available. For information regarding the types of upgrades offered by the various airlines we use, call our expert team for details.

Spending a night in London before your tour can make such a difference to the first day of your holiday - you can arrive in the capital in good time, relaxed and ready to join your Tour Manager the next morning. You may even want to take in a show on the West End or dine in one of London's famous restaurants. Perhaps on your return to London, you would like to break your journey with an overnight stay before continuing home.

We can book a wide range of hotels in central London or, for our holidays beginning with a flight, at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester Airport for the night before or after your holiday. If you require a quote for single occupancy at any of the hotels, please contact us on 01904 734 805.

Buying tickets for UK train services can be a tricky business - there are so many fares to choose from, each with different rules and restrictions. As you are connecting with an international departure, we strongly recommend that you book a fully flexible ticket to ensure that should the departure times for your holiday change, your rail ticket can allow for these changes.

We can book fully-flexible UK rail tickets from your local station to join your holiday whether this be a European holiday from St Pancras or a UK holiday. The prices are competitive and tickets are not restricted to a particular train or time of day, and in most cases offer you a free choice of routes.

For an up to date quote from your local station, please ask one of our Tour Advisors.