InsideJapan's Manga & Anime

Stand in the shadow of a Gundam Wing suit in Odaiba or lunch like an otaku at an Akihabara maid café.

Welcome to Japan! On arrival you will take a train to your hotel in Akihabara, where the best of Tokyo's manga and anime shops are right on your doorstep. The famous Mandarake shop, packed with outrageous costumes, wigs, comics and collectors' models, is a short walk away, whilst Don Quijote, Liberty 8 and Gamerz just around the corner are all well worth exploring.

On your first full day in the capital we've included all the clues you'll need for our Tokyo Mystery Game! It's a scavenger hunt designed that starts in Ueno Park that will take you to some of Tokyo's secret corners - see if you can solve all the puzzles. Of course there's tons more to explore in Tokyo from the Odaiba area with its “life-sized” Gundam Wing suit and the futuristic Miraikan Museum, or the outlandish fashions on the streets of ultra-trendy Harajuku.

On your third day in Tokyo you will be free to further explore the city or make a day trip using the included Japan Rail Pass. You might consider visiting the giant stone Buddha and Zen temples of coastal Kamakura, heading north to Nikko's ornate temple complex, or perhaps a day of hiking at Mount Takao. Or why not have lunch at a maid café – famous haunt of Japan's otaku (geek) population? We can direct you to our favourite cafés. We can also arrange an optional three-hour workshop for you today at Tokyo's premier anime drawing school – just ask us for details.

Overnight: Dormy Inn Akihabara

Visit the International Manga Museum and wander through film sets at the Toei Movie Park in Kyoto.

The Shinkansen bullet train will whisk you on to Kyoto today, Japan's former Imperial capital and its permanent cultural heart. This afternoon will be free for you to explore the city – we recommend visiting the excellent Kyoto International Manga Museum before making the most of the city's nightlife.

Next you will have a half day in Kyoto with a private guide at your disposal. The itinerary is completely flexible and your guide will be full of fantastic suggestions as to how best to spend the day. Don't miss this opportunity to explore some of Japan's most beautiful temples, shrines and gardens – including the Golden Pavilion and Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

Your third day in Kyoto will be free for you to explore the city independently. Your Info-Pack will have lots of suggestions for things to see and do, and we'll also throw in tickets for the Toei Movie Village – where you can become a ninja for the afternoon and explore some real Japanese film sets!

Alternatively, you could use your Japan Rail Pass to pay a visit to the old capital city of Nara, or even head west as far as Hiroshima.

Overnight: Daiwa Roynet Kyoto Shijo Karasuma

Discover Osaka's larger-than-life Dotonbori district, visit the hometown of a manga grand master and be amazed by the eccentric exertions of the Takarazuka Revue.

Today you will make the short journey to Osaka, arguably Japan's most exciting and vibrant modern city. Famous for its food and for its colourful local dialect, Osaka is bold, brash and a great place to have fun.

We recommend wandering the Dotonbori area, packed with top-notch bars and restaurants, huge plastic models and even huger neon signs. The Umeda Sky Building is also worth a visit, with its space-age architecture and fantastic views of the city.

After a lively day of exploring, you may like to make use of your Japan Rail Pass to head to Takarazuka City, just outside Osaka where you can explore the Osamu Tezuka Manga Museum.

Overnight: Dotonbori Hotel

Round off your trip with a visit to the Studio Ghibli Museum for an insight into the work of one of Japan's finest animators.

Today you will hop on the Shinkansen bullet train once more and head back to Tokyo for a final two-night stay in the metropolis. This time your base will be the trendy Nakano area – great for shopping, people-watching and exploring the city. On your doorstep is Nakano Broadway, a suburban arcade that rivals Akihabara as a centre for manga and anime enthusiasts.

On your final full day in the country you will be visiting the nearby Studio Ghibli Museum. Founded by master animators Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, Studio Ghibli has produced some of the finest works of animation ever to come out of Japan.

When Miyazaki's Spirited Away scooped an Oscar for Best Animated Film in 2002, Studio Ghibli shot to international fame and millions of people across the globe were introduced to anime for the first time. Called “Let's get lost together”, the museum allows you to wander through Miyazaki's imagination to a world where anything is possible and the surreal and sublime are to be found around every corner.

Finally it is time for you to head home, and you will travel by bus to Tokyo's Narita Airport in plenty of time for your departure flight. Have a safe journey home.

Overnight: Nakano Sunplaza