Spirit of Honshu

Discover Tokyo's highlights and take a day trip to Nikko, resting place of Japan's most famous shogun.

Welcome to Japan! Upon arrival at Tokyo's Narita or Haneda Airport you will be met by your driver and escorted by private car to you hotel in the Asakusa district. Your tour leader will be waiting to welcome you in the lobby when you arrive.

Asakusa is Tokyo's most traditional quarter, full of lively market stalls and home to the city's oldest temple, Senso-ji. This is a great place to begin exploring the city on your first afternoon. Later this evening, your tour leader will give a full trip briefing over an included welcome drink, then take you out for a first-night meal with your group, where you'll get a great introduction to Japanese food and etiquette – as well as some exciting information about the days ahead!

On day two of your trip you will take a tour of Tokyo by private coach, giving you a chance to explore the city's highlights. You'll cruise down the Sumida River from Asakusa to the lovely Hamarikyu Gardens; visit Meiji Shrine, set in the midst of a wooded park; wander the neon skyscraper district of Shinjuku; and admire the view from the top of the Metropolitan Government Building.

The evening will be free for you to explore the city under your own steam – your tour leader will have plenty of suggestions on how best to spend your time.

On day three of your tour you'll take a day trip to Nikko: resting-place of Japan's most important shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu, and famous throughout Japan for its dazzlingly ornate architecture. Here you'll wander amongst elaborate shrines and temples set in a thickly forested national park, admire the carving of the “see-no-evil” monkeys and see the famous Shinkyo Bridge. Railway tickets, entrance fees and the services of an expert local guide will all be included in the tour today, and of course, your tour leader will be with you throughout.

Overnight: Asakusa View

Tour the Izu Peninsula: a beautiful, mountainous area with excellent views of Mount Fuji (weather permitting!)

Today you will hop aboard a private coach bound for the Izu Peninsula, a strip of lush, mountainous land about 100 km (60 miles) to the southwest of Tokyo.

We'll be stopping en route at the newly reopened MOA Museum of Art and taking in the dramatic scenery from the Jikkoku Pass, which on clear days offers views of Mount Fuji.

For your two nights on the peninsula you will be staying at a luxurious ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn set in a beautiful woodland grove. Here you'll sleep on comfortable futon mattresses laid out on tatami mats, and have the chance to take advantage of the ryokan's impressive selection of natural hot spring baths. A top-quality kaiseki dinner will be included on both nights of your stay.

On day five, your adventure continues as you further explore the stunning Jogasaki with visits to Mt. Omuro and the picturesque harbour-side town of Shimoda. Again travelling by private coach, we'll ensure an early enough return to the ryokan for you to enjoy some relaxing down-time in your beautiful rooms and the soothing baths, before a second night of exquisite kaiseki food.

Overnight: Hanafubuki

Visit Kyoto and Nara: two ancient imperial capitals packed with a dazzling array of shrines, temples and beautiful gardens.

On day six of your tour you will travel by private coach through hilly terrain to the port town of Shimizu at the northern end of the peninsula. On a clear day look out for Mount Fuji on the horizon.

From Shimizu you'll hop aboard the shinkansen bullet train and speed west at speeds of up to 320 kph (200 mph) to Kyoto, once Japan's imperial capital for over a millennium. Later your tour leader will take the group to one of their favourite local restaurants for an included dinner.

On day seven you'll have the services of a knowledgeable Kyoto local as well as your tour leader as you explore the ancient temples, shrines, gardens and teahouses of this magnificent city. Visit the stunning Golden Pavilion at Kinkaku-ji, have a Zen moment at Ryoan-ji's famous rock garden and explore the bamboo groves of Arashiyama – to name a few highlights.

Kyoto is well known as a centre of geisha culture, and this evening you will have an exclusive audience with a maiko (trainee geisha), during which you'll be able to ask questions, take photos and enjoy a rare window into a famously secretive and fascinating culture.

On day eight you will visit an even older capital city than Kyoto: nearby Nara. Nara is a well-preserved city with a small-town atmosphere and many historical treasures. Highlights today will include seeing the giant Buddha, housed in the largest wooden building in the world, and feeding shika senbei crackers to the vast herd of friendly deer that inhabit Nara Park.

Back in Kyoto you'll enjoy a farewell dinner with your group at one of the city's superb restaurants – a great chance to talk over your experiences and say goodbye to your companions and tour leader. The following morning you'll travel by shared taxi to Kansai Airport for your flight home.

Overnight: Okura Hotel Kyoto