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Experiences you have as you travel often hold the longest memories. As part of their research trips, our specialists seek out authentic ways to get to know Japan, and the best local guides. These activities reflect some of their best-loved experiences.
Tokyo City Tour
Begin your day with a visit to Meiji Jingu shrine in Harajuku, one of Tokyo's busiest sights but an oasis of calm in the early morning. From here wander through the shopping streets of Harajuku and head south to Shibuya for morning coffee and people watching at the Hachiko pedestrian crossing.
Geisha District Walk
Explore around the Gion district and other parts of Kyoto to help shed some light on the exclusive and mysterious world of the Geisha and other aspects of Japanese culture.
Kenrokuen Garden
Kanazawa’s number one attraction, ranked by the Japanese as one of the top three gardens in Japan, is a must-see for any visitor to Kanazawa.
Miyajima Island Excursion
Begin your sightseeing with a visit to the shoreline to see the torii gate at its most photogenic — when the tide is high, but also interesting when the waters have receded and you can walk up to the huge structure and admire it close up.
Kurokawa Visit
The main reason to come to Kurokawa is to unwind and enjoy the geothermal hot springs that spill from the surrounding volcanoes. The village is only small, but Kurokawa offers some of the top onsen in Japan and is well known throughout the country.
Visit the Ghibli Anime Museum
Mitaka is a pleasant suburb of Tokyo. The town is home to the Ghibli Museum, an interactive exhibition containing all things related to the animated world created by Studio Ghibli, Japan's premiere animation studio.
Kyoto Cultural Experience
Take the opportunity to learn more about a traditional Japanese pastime of your choice. These courses are instigated and run by the Women's Association of Kyoto and you will visit the home of one of the members.
Hakone National Park
The full day Hakone Free Pass allows you unlimited access to the local scenic train line, the bus network, a funicular train up Mt Kami which leads on to a gondola rope-way, and a cruise boat on Lake Ashi. Mt Fuji can be sighted from various points around the park, weather permitting.
Hiking in the Northern Alps
There are walks of all grades and lengths possible using Kamikochi as a base, with the easiest keeping to the river valley and more strenuous options leading up to the summits of nearby peaks.
Dewa-sanzan Climbing
Dewa-sanzan is the collective name for the three holy mountains of Haguro-san, Gas-san and Yudono-san. The mountains gained their holy status over 1,400 years ago after the son of the reigning Emperor made a pilgrimage to the area to practise severe aesthetic religious exercises which later became the founding principles of Shugendo Buddhism.
Nakasendo Highway Hike
The Nakasendo was once the principal route linking Kyoto and Tokyo, originally covering several hundred miles through the forested mountains of central Japan.
Asahidake Trekking
From Asahidake Onsen the cable car ride to the midway point of Mt Asahidake is the main attraction, and deservedly so — the views get more and more breathtaking the higher up you climb.
Traditional Kyoto Cuisine Walking Tour
Enjoy a day of culinary delights with trips to Kyoto's Nishiki Market, Horino Sake Museum to learn all about sake production, and then a traditional machiya (teahouse) for a Japanese cooking class.
Dinner with Maiko Performance
Maiko are trainee Geisha (Geiko in Kyoto dialect) who train for six years before becoming fully fledged Geisha. They learn skills such as dance, singing, instrument playing as well as how to entertain guests with conversation.
Takayama Visit
After exploring the old streets and museums of Sanmachi District, head out on the trail around the many temples and shrines of Teramachi, before strolling through Shiroyama Park. You should also attempt to fit in a visit to the open-air museum of Hida Folk Village.
Nara Excursion
Like nearby Kyoto, Nara was once the Japanese capital and a source of enormous cultural and religious outpourings. Unlike its more celebrated neighbour, however, Nara has survived relatively untouched by modern advances and remains a relaxed town dotted with temples, shrines and parkland.
Visit Tokyo Disneyland
Enjoy the rides and atmosphere at Tokyo's Disneyland and DisneySea.
