Tokyo, Fuji & Kyoto

Our classic introduction to Japan, pairing Tokyo’s energy with the Mount Fuji region and the temples of Kyoto, with your flights, hotels, rail travel and guided days all arranged.

Start with four nights in Tokyo, including a private full-day tour, with time to explore on your own or take a day trip to Nikko. Then head to Hakone for a night in the Mount Fuji region, with a Hakone Free Pass and a traditional kaiseki dinner included.

The bullet train takes you on to Kyoto for four nights, with two full days of guided sightseeing among its temples, gardens and the historic Gion district.

Like all our trips, it’s easy to adjust: add nights where you’d like longer, choose superior or deluxe hotels, or change the route to suit you.

Is this a private trip, and can I change it?

It’s a private trip built around your dates, not a group tour on fixed departures. A private guide shows you round Tokyo for a day, and you have two full days of guided sightseeing in Kyoto. The rest of the time is yours. You can change anything: add nights, swap places, upgrade hotels or slow the pace, and we’ll reprice it for you.

When is the best time to go?

Spring (late March to May) and autumn (October and November) are the most comfortable times, with mild weather, cherry blossom in spring and autumn leaves later in the year. Both are popular, so it pays to book early.

June to mid-July is the rainy season, and July and August are hot and humid. Winter is cold and clear, quieter in the cities, and good for snow in the north. Golden Week, from late April to early May, is one of Japan’s busiest holiday periods, so we usually plan around it.

Which airlines do you use?

We most often use British Airways or Japan Airlines, which fly direct from London to Tokyo, or Finnair via Helsinki, which is often good value. We can also book flights from regional UK airports.

Flights to Japan are overnight, so you arrive the day after you leave. Most flights home leave in the morning and land in the UK the same day, though some connecting flights are overnight.

What are the hotels like?

In the cities we choose well-run hotels close to the main stations, which makes travelling by train much easier. Boutique hotels are rare in Japanese cities, so many are modern business-style hotels. They’re spotless and efficient, but the rooms are small, especially in Tokyo. Check-in is usually from 3pm and check-out around 10 or 11am. On most trips you can upgrade to superior or deluxe hotels.

What’s it like staying in a ryokan?

A ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn. You sleep on futons laid out on tatami mats, dinner is usually a multi-course kaiseki meal, and most have hot spring baths. The baths are often shared and separated by gender, and some still don’t allow visible tattoos. If that’s a concern, we can choose a ryokan with a private bath. We can add a ryokan night to any trip.

View itinerary in detail

To get a feel for the trip, choose one of the options below to view a sample day-by-day itinerary. This will open in a new window.

All of our Japan holidays are completely tailor-made, so this is simply a starting point.

We can of course adjust the route, hotels and pace to suit your plans.