Head east to the charming post town of Magome to start your leisurely walk along the historic Nakansendo Way

Today you'll part with your tour leader and group in Kyoto before making your way by train to Nakatsugawa. We'll provide reserved seat train tickets for this journey. From Nakatsugawa it's another 30 minutes bus ride through the picturesque countryside to the little postal town of Magome, your first stop on the route. Magome has lots of traditional, local shops to have a look in and small restaurants where you can stop for lunch before starting your walk. The trail to Tsumago only takes 3 hours so you can enjoy a leisurely pace as you take in the peaceful scenery of rural life in Japan.

Daikichi, where you will spend the night in Tsumago, is an authentic family-run inn and it provides a wonderful contrast with the fast-paced life of Tokyo which you'll get a taste of the following day.

Overnight: Daikichi Minshuku

Leave rural life behind and journey east to the metropolis of Tokyo to explore the neon lights of the skyscrapers, the unexpected pockets of tranquility at temples and gardens, and the plethora of amazing restaurants. You might never want to leave!

Your journey on the Nakansendo Way isn't quite over yet; after breakfast at your inn you'll hike the last hour from Tsumago to Nagiso. It's possible to do this leg of the journey by taxi or bus, but if the weather is on your side it makes for a beautiful walk. From Nagiso you'll retrace your steps back to Nagoya, then onwards on the bullet train to Tokyo, passing the famously shy Mount Fuji on the way, so keep an eye out for a glimpse of it from the left side of the train.

No trip to Japan is complete without a stay in the capital. The hotel in Shinjuku which will be your base for the next three nights is in a fantastic location for getting out and about to see the sights. There is so much to do in Tokyo that it's hard to choose where to go first, so be sure to delve into your personalised Info-Pack on the first afternoon.

Your second day in Tokyo will be spent with a professional guide who knows all the best places and secret spots the locals love. Don't forget to ask your guide for some recommendations of what to do on the following day when you will have the whole day to do as you please. Shopping in glitzy Ginza, squeezing into cosy bars in Shinjuku's Golden Gai for a few drinks, visiting Asakusa to see Senso-ji Temple, the oldest temple in Tokyo, or simply walking through the beautiful Hamarikyu gardens - the choice is yours. Alternatively if you'd prefer to do a day trip, perhaps southwest to the seaside town of Kamakura, which was the political capital of Japan from the late 12th to 14th centuries, or north to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Nikko, we can help you make plans so please let us know.

On your final day we will arrange a shared shuttle bus service from your hotel to Narita Airport in plenty of time for your flight. If you'd prefer to fly out of Haneda Airport, don't hesitate to tell us and we can alter the arrangements to suit you.

Overnight: JR Kyushu Blossom Shinjuku