This Signature Tour is designed and led by experienced tour leader Liam Chawdhary.

What better way to learn about this fascinating culture than to be part of it? With an incredible number of included experiences, this tour presents Japan through its crafts, sports, industry, music and, perhaps most notably, its food.

Tokyo and Kyoto are two contrasting, must-see cities and we'll be diving-in at the deep-end of both. We will experience the frenetic energy of Tokyo aboard our party boat as we eat, drink and sing along with the Tokyoite revelers down the Sumida River. We can match the beat of the city at our Taiko drumming lesson: allow your senses to be carried away by the hypnotic rhythm. A day at the Sumo tournament is an unforgettable experience: it is impossible not to get captivated by this sport of theatrical build-up and frenzied action. And where else in the world would be better than the famous Tsukiji Fish Market to enjoy what is likely to be the best sushi you've ever had?

The rarefied culture of Kyoto is better absorbed through the graceful art of the tea ceremony and kaiseki ryouri (Japanese fine-dining). We will be enjoying both with expert guidance to better appreciate the subtleties. And a tour of the renowned and richly charming Geisha district will cap the experience.

Of course, we will be paying a visit to one of Kyoto's fabulous shrines, a favourite being Fushimi Inari; an awe-inspiring complex of hill side paths entirely lined with orange torii gates. But it is not all high-culture in Kyoto: we will be spending one night in a space station-esque capsule hotel and Eigamura Movie Land will reproduce scenes from some of those old fashioned samurai epics, you won't be alone if you have the urge to grab a ninja sword and do a little dress-up.

Kyoto really does have limitless opportunities and we still have a couple of chances to get our hands dirty. Kyoto is also renowned for its textiles and is the home to traditional Rouketsu cloth dying. At the family run studio we'll have a chance to view some of the magnificent examples before producing our own cloth masterpiece to take home. And before we leave Japan's cultural capital behind your tour leader will teach you some basics of Japanese cookery prior to making your dinner: sure to be the most satisfying meal of the tour!

Between these two great cities we will be using the famous Shinkansen ('Bullet' trains) and local trains to make our way into Japan less travelled to get a glimpse of life not often seen by tourists.

We will aquaint ourselves with a traditional inn, a guest house and a farm lodge. Our hosts will put us to work on the farm, teach us how to make sushi and even dress us up in kimono.

We will discover beautiful mountain vistas, quaint watermills, a lord's striking black "crow" castle, groves with hidden Buddhist statues and even a wasabi farm where everything is horseradish flavoured, including the ice cream!

We will experience immeasurably soothing Japanese baths (onsen), making delicate paper and fragile soba noodles, sandblasting sake cups and even sharpening exquisite Japanese blades.

Accommodation on the tour will be mostly Japanese style (including one night in the most famous of Japanese style hotels: the capsule hotel) which gives us ample opportunity to enjoy one of the finest Japanese experiences, the hot spring bath. The elegant and stylish traditional Japanese style rooms with tatami mat flooring and sliding wooden doors combined with the customary yukata (Japanese robe) gives the resident a samurai-esque aura.

Please note that traditional Japanese accommodation will involve sleeping on futon mattress on the floor and occasionally using communal (single sex) bathing.


Liam's Comments

'Hands on Japan' explores a Japan that is very much alive; it is for those who want to engage with the locals and get involved with their way of life. Personally for me, the most significant part of the tour is the food. Anyone who believes that food can really connect oneself with a culture, or anyone who has just simply enjoyed experiencing cultural differences melt away as your hosts delight in your appreciation of their food, will especially enjoy the 'Hands On Japan' tour.

Read Liam's profile here