Explore the historic Asakusa district, see the sights with a private guide at your side, and try your hand at making popular Japanese dishes in a traditional cooking class.

A shared shuttle bus will be waiting for you at the airport to whisk you in comfort to your hotel in the city. When you think of Tokyo you probably expect the neon lights of skyscapers and shopping districts, but we've chosen a more traditional neighbourhood for your first stay in the city: the Asakusa district. With Tokyo's oldest temple Senso-ji right on your doorstep and the modern, impressive SkyTree nearby, there's plenty to see on foot upon your arrival in the city.

On your first full day in the capital, you will have the services of a private English-speaking guide for the whole day. Whether there are sightseeing spots you want to tick off your list or you'd prefer to discover hidden gems known only to the locals, or you just want a bit of guidance on how to use the vast train network, your guide will be able to customize the day to suit your needs and maximize your time.

On the following morning, we will arrange for you to have a hands-on Japanese cooking class where you'll learn how to make an everyday Japanese dish that you can then replicate at home. After cooking up a storm, you will then have the rest of the day to explore the city at your leisure – if you have any specific requests of what you would like to do or so, be sure to let us know and we can help arrange it.

Overnight: Richmond Asakusa

Journey north on the shinkansen bullet train to Nagano, the gateway to the Japan Alps and the start of the Romantic Road.

Leaving Tokyo behind, today you will hop on the sleek bullet train for the 1 hour 45 minute journey north into the mountains around Nagano city.

Nagano has great access to the majestic Japanese Alps to the west, and hosted the Winter Olympics in 1998. The city itself is fairly compact, meaning it's easy to get around and see the sights which include one of the most important temples in the country: Zenko-ji. Established in the 7th century, it houses the first Buddhist statue to have been brought to Japan – the original statue is hidden from the public, but a copy of it is displayed to the public every six years.

While in Nagano, be sure to try out some of the local specialities, from juicy Shinshu beef to oyaki dumplings filled with everything from mountain vegetables to sweet pumpkin.

Overnight: Metropolitan Hotel

Head into the forests of Yudanaka Onsen to visit the hot spring bathing ‘snow monkeys', and start your driving adventure on the Romantic Road as you head east to the famous hot spring resort of Kusatsu Onsen.

Today you will pick up your rental car for use over the next five days as you make your way on the Romantic Road from Nagano to Utsunomiya in Tochigi Prefecture. The total route starts in Ueda city, a little further west of Nagano, and is 350km long but we have chosen the most scenic part for your driving adventure.

First you will travel into the hills outside Nagano to Yudanaka Onsen to see the famous ‘snow monkeys', hardy macaques that while away their time by bathing in the natural hot spring baths in Jigokudani valley. There's a small restaurant in the tiny village where you can fill up on a bowl of hearty noodles before setting off on the next stage of your journey.

The drive from Yudanaka Onsen to Kusatsu is 50km and will take around 1 hour 15 minutes without stops. The road winds up and around 2160m Mount Kusatsu-Shirane, one of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains and a fantastic hiking spot. The mountain is actually an active volcano so can sometimes be out of bounds due to volcanic activity, but the thermal energy provides the source of nearby Kusatsu Onsen's relaxing hot spring baths – a great way to end a day behind the wheel.

Kusatsu Onsen is famous throughout Japan as one of the best hot spring towns in the country, and is built around the Yubatake (hot water field) which feeds the onsen baths throughout the town, both public and private.

Your accommodation for the night will be a hot spring hotel which dates back to the early 20th century. From the futons spread out on the tatami mat flooring to the kaiseki course meals served in your room, it's a fantastic way to experience a traditional Japanese stay.

Overnight: Kusatsu Hotel

Take in the mountain scenery of Gunma Prefecture as you traverse the Kuresaka Pass en-route to Minakami, the adventure capital of the country, where a white water rafting adventure awaits.

The drive today from Kusatsu to Minakami is 74km and will take around 2 hours. There will be time to stop off at another hot spring town Shima Onsen if you wish, or you can continue on to Minakami, your destination for today.

Minakami is situated near the Tone River in view of Mount Tanigawa, another of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains. Minakami is where adventure lovers go for everything from canyoning to rafting, especially in spring when the waters are higher with snowmelt.

We will arrange for you to join a half day white water rafting trip; the course covers 12km and leads you on a high thrills journey through three breathtaking canyons. A fully-qualified English-speaking guide will be with you at all times and you'll even have time to do a bit of practice before hitting the rapids.

Tonight you will be staying at another ryokan-hotel with a variety of indoor and outdoor hot spring baths. Dinner will feature locally-grown Gunma specialities such as mountain vegetables and fresh beef.

Overnight: Minakamikan

Marvel at Fukiware Falls en-route to Chuzenji, Japan's highest lake, in the stunning landscape of Nikko National Park.

Today's drive of 88km will be the longest stretch you do on the Romantic Road. The route from Minakami to your destination, Lake Chuzenji, will lead you near Oigami Onsen town alongside the Katashina river, and past Fukiware-no-taki waterfalls just north of the town. The distinctively shaped falls are often nicknamed ‘Japan's Niagara' and while they cannot rival their North American counterpart in terms of height, they are still worth a stop to break up the drive.

The rest of your journey will lead you on the twisting roads past the lakes on the north side of Mount Shirane before dropping down to Lake Chuzenji. Just north of the lake is Senjogahara Marshland which we think has the best hiking in Nikko National Park, and Yumoto Onsen town where the hot spring water bubbles up to the surface in Yunodaira Marsh.

Your accommodation on the shores of Lake Chuzenji is a traditional ryokan inn where your meals, full of seasonal cuisine, will be served in a Japanese style dining room.

Overnight: Oku Nikko Shikisai

Visit the majestic Kegon Falls, experience the twists and turns of the spectacular Irohazaka road down to Nikko, and immerse yourself in history at the historic and ostentatious Toshogu Shrine with your knowledgeable guide.

The Irohazaka awaits you today. After stopping at the 97m high Kegon Falls, the route from Lake Chuzenji down to Nikko is an easy 18km, but is chock full of spectacular scenery. The Irohazaka is made up of two scenic roads which zigzag an incredible 48 times in dramatic hairpin bends as it wends its way down the mountainside to Nikko, offering you sweeping views of Nikko National Park on the way. ‘Iroha' refers to the first three syllables of the old Japanese alphabet, as the number of turns is the same as number of syllables in the alphabet, and ‘zaka' means ‘slope'. The trip is particularly stunning during the blazing reds and yellows of autumn, but can certainly be enjoyed year round.

In Nikko you will have the service of a private English-speaking guide to help you understand the cultural and historical importance of the World Heritage Site. The piece de resistance is undoubtedly the lavishly adorned Toshogu Shrine, which was built for one of Japan's most important historical figures Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate which ruled the country from the 17th to 19th centuries. The gold leaf adornments and elaborate carvings make the shrine complex unlike any other religious building in the country, and is simply fascinating to see.

Tonight you will be staying in a convenient location near Nikko Station.

Overnight: Nikko Station Classic

Round off your journey on the Romantic Road before hopping back on the bullet train south to the bright lights of Tokyo.

This morning your Romantic Road adventure will wind down with the last 45km section leading to Utsunomiya, a city famous for its gyoza dumplings in Tochigi Prefecture. In Utsunomiya you will then board the bullet train for the one hour ride south to Tokyo.

Your schedule in Tokyo for the rest of the day and all of the next is totally free, so you can finish off any last sightseeing, shopping, or eating that you wish. If there is something you would love to do or see on your final day in Tokyo, don't hesitate to get in touch with us so we can help make any arrangements.

On the final day you will return to the airport in another shared shuttle bus in plenty of time for your flight home. We hope you have a safe journey.

Overnight: JR Kyushu Blossom Shinjuku