Hidden Gems of Japan

Heading from the city to the mountains to the coast – and back again – get ready to discover the diversity of Japan on this tailor-made itinerary. A variety of experiences and excursions really showcase this unique destination – from bathing in natural hot springs, to wine-tasting in the Northern Alps.

ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS

Explore some of Tokyo’s local favourites – including Zen gardens and the ritzy Omotsesando district

Stay in a traditional Japanese ryokan amid the Northern Alps, bathing in the natural hot spring onsen

Your itinerary of cultural Kanazawa includes a visit to the gorgeous Kenroku-en gardens

Stay at the iconic Park Hyatt, Tokyo, that you might recognise from the award-winning blockbuster ‘Lost in Translation’

Authentic Experience

The volcanic soils of the Shinshu region are great for grape growing. Pay a visit to the highly regarded Yamabe Winery, enjoying an engaging itinerary of the fermentation room, wine cellar and bottling room. Of course, you can taste the wine for yourself, before a delicious lunch in the winery’s restaurant – cooked using the wine!

BACK TO ITINERARIES

Call our Luxury Travel Specialists

Make an enquiry for this itinerary

Request Quote

ITINERARY DETAILS

DAY 1-2Tokyo, Japan

DAY 1-2 DETAILS ACCOMMODATION

Tour terrific Tokyo with an expert guide, visiting some of its verdant delights, including the 17th century Koishikawa Korakuen and Shinjuku Gyoen gardens. Browse the designer shops of the fashionable Omotesando area, before refuelling with an authentic teppanyaki lunch.

TRANSFERS

Take a private car transfer to Shinjuku station for your train to Matsumoto. From here, take a private car transfer – through the stunning Japanese Alps – to Tobira Onsen Myojinkan.

Aman Tokyo

Type: Luxury Hotel
Summary: An ultra-stylish retreat atop a Tokyo skyscraper
Feature: The Aman Spa embraces Japanese practices and ingredients
Rooms: 84 rooms & suites
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Star rating: 5 Star

MEAL BASIS

Breakfast

DAY 3-4Matsumoto, Japan

DAY 3-4 DETAILS ACCOMMODATION

Stay in the charming Tobira Onsen Myojinkan ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn amid the heart of Japan’s Northern Alps, home to hot spring baths (onsen) and serving authentic Kaiseki-style cuisine. Visit the Yamabe Winery, touring the facilities, before enjoying a taste of the quality wine and lunch.

TRANSFERS

Take a private car transfer to Matsumoto station for your train to Nagano and onward bullet train to Kanazawa. From here, take a private car transfer to Beniya Mukayu, Yamashiro Onsen.

Tobira Onsen Myojinkan

Type: Boutique Hotel
Summary: A unique and utterly serene hideaway in the Japanese Alps
Feature: A hot spring onsen and French-inspired macrobiotic cuisine
Rooms: 27 Japanese and 17 Western Style Rooms
Location: Nagano, Japan
Star rating: Member of 'Relais & Châteaux'

MEAL BASIS

Half Board

DAY 5Ishikawa, Japan

DAY 5 DETAILS ACCOMMODATION

Stay in the hot spring resort of Yamashiro Onsen, that has been famous for its mineral rich hot springs for over 700 years. Take a tour of the nearby city of Kanazawa, exploring the 17th century Kenroku-en garden, ranked one of the top three in Japan, as well as the adjacent Kanazawa castle. Visit the traditional Nomura Samurai House, stroll the Higashi Chaya geisha district, and sip green tea in the Shima teahouse.

TRANSFERS

Take the hotel shuttle to Kaga Onsen station for your train to Kyoto.

Beniya Mukayu

Type: Boutique Hotel
Summary: An airy, open plan retreat that embraces its surroundings
Feature: Each room features a private onsen bath
Rooms: 16 rooms and suites
Location: Kanazawa and the Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan

DAY 6-7Kyoto, Japan

DAY 6-7 DETAILS ACCOMMODATION

Upon arriving in Kyoto, a private guide will whisk you off for a tour of the Arashiyama district. Marvel at one of Kyoto’s 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the impressive Tenryuji temple, before stopping for a lunch of tofu, the region’s signature dish. Peruse the tea houses and Zen meditation hall of the Okochi Mountain Villa, once home to popular samurai film star Okochi Denjiro, followed by a stroll through Kyoto’s famed bamboo groves. After the tour, take a private car transfer to Hoshinoya Kyoto for a one night stay.

TRANSFERS

Take a private car transfer to L’Auberge de Plaisances Sakurai.

Hoshinoya Kyoto

MEAL BASIS

Half Board

DAY 8-9Sakurai, Japan

DAY 8-9 DETAILS ACCOMMODATION

Stay amid the enchanting countryside outside the city of Sakurai in the unique L'Auberge de Plaisance Sakurai inn, where the stunning vistas are matched by some seriously exceptional French cuisine made using local ingredients, all washed down with quality French wine.

TRANSFERS

Take a private car transfer to Yamatoyagi station for your train to Kashikojima. From here, take a resort shuttle transfer to Amanemu, Ise-Shima.

L'Auberge de Plaisance Sakurai

Summary:
A unique inn surrounded by rolling countryside

MEAL BASIS

Half Board

DAY 10-11Ago Bay

DAY 10-11 DETAILS ACCOMMODATION

Located in the enchanting Ise-Shima National Park, Ago Bay is famous for the elite Ama Divers, women who free-dive for abalone, sea urchins, and pearls. Ama – translating to “sea woman” – have been diving in Japan for up to 3,000 years! With the time here at your leisure to enjoy the stunning Amanemu, why not visit the Mikimoto Pearl Island museum or the Ise Grand Shrine, dedicated to the Sun Goddess Amaterasu?

TRANSFERS

Take a private car transfer to Kashikojima Station for your train to Kintesnsu Nagoya and onward bullet train to Tokyo. From here, take a private car transfer to Park Hyatt Tokyo.

Amanemu

Type: Luxury Hotel
Summary: A luxurious rustic retreat that embraces Japanese tradition
Feature: The Aman spa boasts a traditional mineral-rich hot spring
Rooms: 24 suites and 4 villas
Location: Ise Shima National Park, Japan
Star rating: 5 Star

MEAL BASIS

Breakfast

DAY 12-13Tokyo, Japan

DAY 12-13 DETAILS ACCOMMODATION

Spend another night in Japan’s capital before you fly home. You may recognise the iconic Park Hyatt, Tokyo from the award-winning blockbuster ‘Lost in Translation’.

TRANSFERS

Take a private car transfer to Narita International Airport for your flight to the UK.

Park Hyatt Tokyo

Summary: An iconic hotel spanning the 39th to 52nd floor of a glass tower
Feature: The glamorous 52nd-floor New York Bar and Grill was the setting for much of blockbuster 'Lost in Translation'
Rooms: 177 rooms

MEAL BASIS

Breakfast

DAY 1-2ACCOMMODATION

Tokyo, Japan

TRANSFERS

Take a private car transfer to Shinjuku station for your train to Matsumoto. From here, take a private car transfer – through the stunning Japanese Alps – to Tobira Onsen Myojinkan.

Aman Tokyo

Type: Luxury Hotel
Summary: An ultra-stylish retreat atop a Tokyo skyscraper
Feature: The Aman Spa embraces Japanese practices and ingredients
Rooms: 84 rooms & suites
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Star rating: 5 Star

MEAL BASIS

Breakfast

DAY 3-4ACCOMMODATION

Matsumoto, Japan

TRANSFERS

Take a private car transfer to Matsumoto station for your train to Nagano and onward bullet train to Kanazawa. From here, take a private car transfer to Beniya Mukayu, Yamashiro Onsen.

Tobira Onsen Myojinkan

Type: Boutique Hotel
Summary: A unique and utterly serene hideaway in the Japanese Alps
Feature: A hot spring onsen and French-inspired macrobiotic cuisine
Rooms: 27 Japanese and 17 Western Style Rooms
Location: Nagano, Japan
Star rating: Member of 'Relais & Châteaux'

MEAL BASIS

Half Board

DAY 5ACCOMMODATION

Ishikawa, Japan

TRANSFERS

Take the hotel shuttle to Kaga Onsen station for your train to Kyoto.

Beniya Mukayu

Type: Boutique Hotel
Summary: An airy, open plan retreat that embraces its surroundings
Feature: Each room features a private onsen bath
Rooms: 16 rooms and suites
Location: Kanazawa and the Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan

DAY 6-7ACCOMMODATION

Kyoto, Japan

TRANSFERS

Take a private car transfer to L’Auberge de Plaisances Sakurai.

Hoshinoya Kyoto

MEAL BASIS

Half Board

DAY 8-9ACCOMMODATION

Sakurai, Japan

TRANSFERS

Take a private car transfer to Yamatoyagi station for your train to Kashikojima. From here, take a resort shuttle transfer to Amanemu, Ise-Shima.

L'Auberge de Plaisance Sakurai

Summary:
A unique inn surrounded by rolling countryside

MEAL BASIS

Half Board

DAY 10-11ACCOMMODATION

Ago Bay

TRANSFERS

Take a private car transfer to Kashikojima Station for your train to Kintesnsu Nagoya and onward bullet train to Tokyo. From here, take a private car transfer to Park Hyatt Tokyo.

Amanemu

Type: Luxury Hotel
Summary: A luxurious rustic retreat that embraces Japanese tradition
Feature: The Aman spa boasts a traditional mineral-rich hot spring
Rooms: 24 suites and 4 villas
Location: Ise Shima National Park, Japan
Star rating: 5 Star

MEAL BASIS

Breakfast

DAY 12-13ACCOMMODATION

Tokyo, Japan

Spend another night in Japan’s capital before you fly home. You may recognise the iconic Park Hyatt, Tokyo from the award-winning blockbuster ‘Lost in Translation’.

TRANSFERS

Take a private car transfer to Narita International Airport for your flight to the UK.

Park Hyatt Tokyo

Summary: An iconic hotel spanning the 39th to 52nd floor of a glass tower
Feature: The glamorous 52nd-floor New York Bar and Grill was the setting for much of blockbuster 'Lost in Translation'
Rooms: 177 rooms

MEAL BASIS

Breakfast

ITINERARY EXCURSIONS

Glamorous Tokyo

Full Day Tour

Experience the glamorous side of Tokyo on this fantastic full day tour by private car. First, visit the beautiful Koishikawa Korakuen garden, an area loved by locals but lesser known by tourists, flaunting stunning seasonal flowers. After a walk through the gardens, you will be whisked to the ritzy neighbourhood of Omotesando, often dubbed the Champs D'Elysees of Japan due to its flagship designer stores. Enjoy lunch at a popular teppanyaki restaurant here, before continuing to Shinjuku Gyoden Garden, an urban green space that is also loved by locals – you will likely spot them practicing instruments, playing sports or simply relaxing in their free time. Your final stop on the tour is the iconic Park Hyatt Tokyo, a hotel perhaps best known as the setting for part of Sofia Coppola's hit film ‘Lost in Translation’. Here, head to the glamorous New York Bar for a drink (one included) overlooking the Tokyo sunset.

Yamabe Winery Visit

Half Day Excursion

The Shinshu region of Japan is renowned for its fertile volcanic soil which makes it perfect for producing grapes. You will be picked up by private car for a visit to Yamabe Winery, that regularly collects accolades for its high-quality wine. Enjoy a tour of the facilities – including the fermentation room, wine cellar and bottling room – before an expertly led wine tasting. Then, head to the winery’s restaurant for a delicious lunch. We recommend local beef braised in the winery’s own Merlot, though other options are available if requested in advance.

Explore Kanazawa

Full Day Tour

Spend a day exploring the fascinating town of Kanazawa with a private local guide. During the Edo Period, Kanazawa served as the seat of the Maeda Clan, the second most powerful feudal clan, and now boasts many historical attractions, as well as more modern delights to explore. Highlights on your tour include the Kenroku-en garden, ranked one of the top three in Japan, as well as the adjacent Kanazawa Castle. After watching demonstrations of Yuzen silk painting techniques or trying on kimonos at Kagayuzen Kaikan centre, head to the Nagamachi Samurai district, where you can enter the Nomura Samurai House, showcasing a traditional tea ceremony room, interior courtyard garden and Edo-period artefacts. Your final area to visit is the Higashi Chaya geisha district. Here, visit a traditional shop selling gold leaf products, as well as the Shima teahouse for a cup of green tea to end your tour.

The Arashiyama District of Kyoto

Half Day Tour

Join a private guide and driver to explore the delights of the pleasant Arashiyama district on the outskirts of Kyoto. Highlights include the Tenryuji temple, ranked among Kyoto’s five great Zen temples and one of the city’s many UNESCO World Heritage Sites. After exploring the grounds and buildings, enjoy delicious tofu for lunch – the signature specialty of the region. Then, pay a visit to the Okochi Mountain Villa, the former villa of popular samurai film star Okochi Denjiro. Here, spend time to explore the beautiful gardens, living quarters, tea houses and Zen meditation hall. Finally, take a walk through Arashiyama’s world-famous bamboo groves, reaching the fabled Nonomiya Shinto shrine, said to have been stayed in by ancient princesses to purify themselves.

BEST TIME TO TRAVEL

March to May is spring, often the best time to visit thanks to warm temperatures, little rain and the bloom of the iconic cherry blossoms. Autumn is also a great time to visit, with beautiful orange colours and many music, sports and cultural events.

Best

12 NIGHTS - PRICES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST

Pricing based upon economy flights from London. Transfers, UK airport lounge passes and meals and excursions As specified.

Request Quote

ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS expand_more

Authentic Experience