Japan Arts Trail

Discover the diversity of Tokyo's arts scene, from traditional ukiyo-e woodblock prints in the National Art Museum to the towering contemporary behemoth that is the Mori Art Gallery.

Today you will arrive in Tokyo and make your way to your hotel in the traditional Asakusa district of the capital. In such a modern city, Asakusa stands out as a little slice of old Japan with its lovely, laid-back atmosphere and narrow streets lined with traditional shops and restaurants.

Either spend the rest of the day here, head further afield to Akihabara's “electric town”, or stop at Shibuya for some world-class people-watching at the famous scramble crossing!

Join fellow InsideJapan Tours travellers for a full day tour of Tokyo with one of our Inside experts. Together you'll visit famous sites such as the Shibuya scramble, as well as historic, lesser visited traditional areas like Yanaka.

While in Tokyo you'll also have time to discover contemporary Japanese art at the Mori Gallery, traditional ukiyo-e woodblock prints in the Ota Memorial Museum, and the full sweep of art history in the National Museum.

There is no end to the attractions in Tokyo, but if you fancy a break from the fast pace of city life you could make the most of your Japan Rail Pass and make a day trip on day three of your itinerary.

Nikko is home to some of Japan's most elaborate religious architecture in a stunning forest setting, whilst the sleepy coastal town of Kamakura is a popular destination for its impressive giant Buddha statue. For those in need of a bit of countryside, sacred Mount Takao offers a break from the cityscapes with fantastic hiking opportunities and superb views.

Overnight: Asakusa Via Inn

Tour Fuji Five Lakes in the shadow of Japan's most famous landmark and wander amongst artworks in Hakone's outdoor sculpture park.

Today you will begin your adventures outside the capital, starting with the Fuji-Hakone National Park. From Tokyo you will take a Shinkansen bullet train to Odawara, where you will catch a train or bus into the mountains of the Park.

You will have the afternoon to start exploring the area using your included Hakone Free Pass, which covers a great variety of public transport in Hakone. Tonight you will experience your first stay at a Japanese style ryokan inn, where a sumptuous kaiseki dinner is included and relaxing hot spring baths await.

After a relaxing night at your ryokan you'll have a full day to discover the sights of Hakone. Take the cable car up to Owakudani crater, where eating the famous black eggs cooked in the hot spring water is rumoured to bring good health and happiness.

From here, head down to Lake Ashi where you can take a ride on a pirate ship and admire Mount Fuji's perfect cone (when the weather is clear). Your personalised Info-Pack will be full of fantastic suggestions for the day – don't miss the superb outdoor sculpture park in Gora!

Another fabulous kaiseki dinner will be included at your ryokan this evening.

Overnight: Ichinoyu Honkan

Visit one of Japan's finest collections of Tokugawa Era art in Nagoya, Japan's fourth-largest city.

Leaving the mountains behind, you will make the 282 km (175 mi) journey by bullet train to Nagoya, the home of our Japan office.

We recommend visiting the Tokugawa Art Museum this afternoon to see some of the Shogun Era's finest antiques. Your Info-Pack will be full of suggestions for dinner tonight.

On your next day in Nagoya you have a full day to explore. Toyota City's Municipal Art Museum, designed by Yoshio Taniguchi (who also renovated MoMA in New York City), makes an interesting half-day trip with its excellent collection of works by Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, Edvard Munch and a host of modern Japanese artists.

Your trip is sure to be augmented by a taste of Nagoya's local cuisine: miso katsu fried pork, kishimen noodles, and the irresistible tebasaki chicken wings!

Overnight: The B Nagoya

Sweep into Kyoto, Japan's cultural heart, for a tour of the city's highlights and an insight into the mysterious world of the geisha.

From Nagoya you will head to Kyoto, the cultural heart of the country and a must-visit destination for any art lover in Japan.

This afternoon you may decide to marvel at Kinkaku-ji's Golden Pavilion or stroll along the Philosopher's Path, before heading to Gion in the early evening for a group tour of Kyoto's geisha district. As you slowly make your way through the narrow lanes and hidden alleys, your guide will provide you with insights into the history and traditions of Kyoto that will help bring to life the secret world of the geiko and maiko entertainers who still work here to this day.

For your next day in Kyoto, you will have a full-day tour of the city with a private guide. Your guide will help you discover some of the more famous sights of the city as well as some of its lesser-known places of interest. With a knowledgeable local by your side you are sure to discover things that you might otherwise miss!

After your tour of the city, you will have another free day in which to either explore Kyoto independently or to make a day trip to one of the many great locations within easy reach of the Shinkansen.

The charming Arashiyama area just north of Kyoto offers boat rides down the river valley, picturesque bamboo groves and a monkey park. The ancient capital of Nara lies only 30 minutes away and is home to Todai-ji Temple's famous giant Buddha and park filled with sacred deer.

Buzzing Osaka city is also just a short distance away, and Hiroshima's Peace Park is only two hours by bullet train. Your Info-Pack will contain details on how to reach all of these places and more.

Overnight: Mitsui Garden Shijo

Discover Japan's “City of Water” as you travel to Matsue, home to one of the country's most impressive samurai castles and the outstanding Adachi Museum.

Your next stop will be the coastal town of Matsue, a four-hour scenic train journey from Kyoto. On the way, you might like to stop off in Okayama to visit the stunning Korakuen garden – one of the best gardens in Japan.

You will arrive in Matsue in the early afternoon with time to stroll around the traditional samurai quarter or take a sunset boat cruise on Lake Shinji. An elaborate kaiseki dinner will be included at your Japanese-style ryokan inn on both nights of your stay here.

Day 12 of your itinerary will be free for you to discover Matsue independently. We highly recommend visiting the Adachi Museum of Art in Yasugi, a short train ride away from the city.

The museum features approximately 1,300 masterpieces from modern Japanese painting circles, including the works of Yokoyama Taikan, and boasts an award-winning garden which has become almost more famous than the museum itself!

Matsue also boasts an impressive samurai castle that is well worth a visit during your stay here.

Overnight: Terazuya Ryokan

Explore Naoshima Island, world-renowned for its eclectic exhibitions and unconventional approach to art.

Today you will travel back to Okayama by train before heading across the huge Seto-Ohashi Bridge to Takamatsu, from whence you will take a ferry to the island of Naoshima.

Over the past decade, Naoshima has become world-renowned for its eclectic art collections and this is undoubtedly one of the highlights of Japan's modern arts scene.

You will be staying at a family-run Japanese inn tonight, only seven minutes walk from the Art House Projects on the east side of the island. This project has seen several local houses renovated and turned into exhibition spaces and we highly recommend exploring these this afternoon.

Your next day will be free for you to explore Naoshima under your own steam. Be sure to visit Yayoi Kusama's yellow pumpkin near the entrance to the excellent Benesse House, where you'll find works by Jasper Jones, David Hockney and Andy Warhol.

The Chichu Art Museum features permanent installations by Walter De Maria and James Turrell as well as a room dedicated to Monet's Water Lilies. Your personalised Info-Pack will include details of all these attractions and many more.

Overnight: Aoitori Guest House

Return to Tokyo for a final night amongst the neon-spangled skyscrapers of Shinjuku, the capital's entertainment hub.

Today you will take a ferry back to Takamatsu and return to Tokyo by bullet train. For you final night in the metropolis, you will be based in the entertainment and commercial district of Shinjuku with its neon-spangled skyscrapers offering an impressive contrast to your island stay!

Head out for some last-minute shopping or squeeze in a couple more gallery visits before making the most of the restaurants and bars on your doorstep this evening.

After your final night in the city you will take a Narita Express train from Shinjuku Station to Tokyo's Narita Airport in plenty of time for your departure flight. Have a safe journey home!

Overnight: Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku