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Tailor-made
Self-Guided Adventure
Japan Alps Discovery
from US$21763 (Per Family)
14 Nights Trip Code: FAM4
A family-friendly journey through Tokyo, Mount Fuji, the Japan Alps and Kyoto – blending hands-on experiences, epic scenery and time to explore together Read more >
Our Alps adventure is designed for travellers who want to experience Japan's big names and quieter corners in equal measure, without rushing from highlight to highlight. Over two weeks, you'll move from Tokyo's bustling streets to lakeside views beneath Mount Fuji, deep into the Japan Alps and on to Kyoto's cultural heritage - travelling by public transport, staying in carefully chosen accommodation, and building in time to properly explore each place.
Tokyo sets the tone, offering an energetic but manageable introduction to Japan. Rather than trying to see everything at once, you'll explore alongside a private guide who can help decode neighbourhoods, food culture and daily life, before diving into contemporary experiences like immersive digital art and pop-culture hotspots. Free time lets you follow your own interests - whether that's street food, shopping, temples or simply watching the city unfold.
From there, the pace slows as you head towards Mount Fuji and the Fuji Five Lakes. Staying by Lake Kawaguchi brings a strong sense of contrast: getting the view of the legendary Mt. Fuji framed by Lake Kawaguchi is the perfect way to see the mountain. Alongside scenic walks and hot spring baths, there's time for a full day at Fuji-Q Highland, where rides sit dramatically beneath Fuji's iconic silhouette.
The route continues into the Japanese Alps, where the landscape shapes daily life. Historic towns like Matsumoto and Takayama reveal a side of Japan rooted in craft traditions, local food and regional identity. You'll walk sections of an old samurai highway, explore castle towns at street level and cycle through rural villages where rice fields, canals and wooden houses still define the scenery. These moments offer insight into how Japan functions beyond its major cities, without sacrificing comfort or accessibility.
Kyoto rounds out the trip with hands-on cultural experiences that feel welcoming rather than formal. Staying in a traditional machiya townhouse gives you space and independence, while guided walks, food workshops and a tea ceremony provide context and depth. A free day allows you to branch out, whether that's to Osaka's food scene and theme parks or Nara's deer-filled parkland.
Balanced, flexible and designed with families and curious travellers in mind, this itinerary combines cities, countryside and shared experiences into a journey that feels varied, well-paced and thoughtfully put together. We want to make your Japan trip one that's as enjoyable to travel as it is to remember.
Pricing: We know that families come in all shapes and sizes. This itinerary has been priced based on a family of four, made up of two adults, one teenager, and one child aged 6-11. Speak to us and we can adjust everything to suit your family's situation and interests.
What's included
14 nights' accommodation (two nights Japanese style)
Breakfast in all hotels and three evening meals (self catered in apartment and town house style accommodation)
All transport between destinations
Airport transfers
Private guide services in Tokyo, Kyoto and Takayama
Fuji-Q Highland Passes
Countryside Cycling Tour
Ramen cooking class
Pocket WiFi device
Your personalised InsideJapan Tours Info-Pack
What's NOT included:
International flights
Local transport (buses, subways, taxis) at any destination unless otherwise specified
Any entrance fees including those for shrines, temples and museums
Baggage handling and luggage forwarding
Trip Highlights
- Experience the hustle and bustle of one of the world's largest cities - Tokyo!
- Cycle through rice paddies and countryside streets with a local guide
- Head into the Japanese Alps for some outdoor adventures on old Samurai trails
- Cook ramen and whisk up tea in Japan's cultural heart, Kyoto
Ready to plan your trip?
For more information email us: [email protected] or call: + 44 117 244 3470
What, where, when and how...
Japan Alps Discovery - 15 Days
Japan Alps Discovery - 15 Days - Day by Day
Japan Alps Discovery - 15 Days - Accommodation
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Day 1-4
Big-city energy, pop culture and neighbourhood discoveries
Your trip begins in Tokyo's historic Asakusa area, an easy introduction to the capital with local streets, riverside walks and excellent transport connections.
You can spend your first days getting to grips with the city alongside a private guide, with the chance to explore Tokyo through its contemporary culture – from crossing Shibuya's famous junction to browsing Harajuku's fashion streets and discovering anime and gaming hubs such as Akihabara. The pace is flexible, with time to dip into quieter spots like Meiji Shrine or simply follow your interests. Tokyo has something for everyone.
We set time aside to visit teamLab Borderless, an immersive digital art experience where installations shift and evolve around you. The rest of your time is free to explore neighbourhoods, shops and food spots at your own speed – whether that's ramen counters, modern city culture or watching the city glow after dark.Overnight: Mimaru Apartment Hotel
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Day 4-6
A room with a (Mt Fuji) view
Leave the city behind as you travel west to the Fuji Five Lakes, arriving in Kawaguchiko with Mount Fuji looming large on the horizon. This lakeside town offers a completely different rhythm – scenic walks, open skies and mountain air.
You'll have time to explore the area at your own pace, from lakeside viewpoints and ropeways to local museums and cafés. One day is set aside for Fuji-Q Highland, a headline attraction for families, with record-breaking rollercoasters, gentler rides and Fuji providing the backdrop throughout. Evenings are spent at a lakeside ryokan, where hot spring baths and seasonal meals round off days outdoors.Overnight: Konanso
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Day 6-8
Castles, craft traditions and alpine landscapes
Travelling deeper into the mountains, you arrive in Matsumoto, surrounded by the peaks of the Japan Alps. The city is compact and relaxed, centred around one of Japan's best original castles.
Explore Matsumoto Castle and its historic district, with time to wander old merchant streets, visit small museums or sample the region's famous soba noodles. There's also the option to head out into the Kiso Valley to walk a section of the Nakasendo Way, a former highway once used by travellers and samurai moving between Kyoto and Edo. The route between Magome and Tsumago is particularly rewarding, combining forest paths, villages and mountain scenery.Overnight: Buena Vista Hotel
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Day 8-11
Craft and cycling in the Alps
A scenic bus journey carries you across the Alps to Takayama, a beautifully preserved town known for its wooden streets, markets and strong sense of regional identity.
With a private guide, you'll explore the old town and morning markets, learning about local food, festivals and crafts. There's time to browse sake breweries, walk quiet shrine paths or visit the Hida Folk Village just outside town.
One day takes you to nearby Hida Furukawa for a guided cycling experience through rural landscapes – rice fields, canals and farming villages that give a glimpse of everyday life beyond the main tourist routes. It's an easy-paced ride, designed to be accessible and rewarding rather than strenuous.Overnight: Tokyu Stay Hida Takayama
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Day 11-14
Hands-on culture in Japan's old capital
Kyoto offers a change of pace again, where historic streets sit alongside modern neighbourhoods. Staying in a traditional machiya townhouse gives you space and independence in a beautiful setting, right in the heart of the city.
With a private guide, you'll get an introduction to Kyoto's temples, shrines and neighbourhoods, then dive into Japanese food culture with a ramen-making workshop and a tea ceremony led by an expert host. These experiences are relaxed and engaging, making them approachable for first-time visitors of all ages.
There's also a free day left in for you to branch out – perhaps to Osaka for street food and theme parks, or to Nara, where temples and roaming deer fill the town centre and parks!Overnight: Machiya Residence
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Day 14-15
A dazzling final night in the capital
After travelling back to Tokyo by bullet train, spend your final night in a lively local neighbourhood, well-connected for last-minute shopping, evening meals or simply soaking up the city one last time.
Overnight: OMO5 Tokyo Gotanda by Hoshino Resorts
-
Day 1-4
Big-city energy, pop culture and neighbourhood discoveries
Your trip begins in Tokyo's historic Asakusa area, an easy introduction to the capital with local streets, riverside walks and excellent transport connections.
You can spend your first days getting to grips with the city alongside a private guide, with the chance to explore Tokyo through its contemporary culture – from crossing Shibuya's famous junction to browsing Harajuku's fashion streets and discovering anime and gaming hubs such as Akihabara. The pace is flexible, with time to dip into quieter spots like Meiji Shrine or simply follow your interests. Tokyo has something for everyone.
We set time aside to visit teamLab Borderless, an immersive digital art experience where installations shift and evolve around you. The rest of your time is free to explore neighbourhoods, shops and food spots at your own speed – whether that's ramen counters, modern city culture or watching the city glow after dark.Overnight: Mimaru Apartment Hotel
-
Day 4-6
A room with a (Mt Fuji) view
Leave the city behind as you travel west to the Fuji Five Lakes, arriving in Kawaguchiko with Mount Fuji looming large on the horizon. This lakeside town offers a completely different rhythm – scenic walks, open skies and mountain air.
You'll have time to explore the area at your own pace, from lakeside viewpoints and ropeways to local museums and cafés. One day is set aside for Fuji-Q Highland, a headline attraction for families, with record-breaking rollercoasters, gentler rides and Fuji providing the backdrop throughout. Evenings are spent at a lakeside ryokan, where hot spring baths and seasonal meals round off days outdoors.Overnight: Konanso
-
Day 6-8
Castles, craft traditions and alpine landscapes
Travelling deeper into the mountains, you arrive in Matsumoto, surrounded by the peaks of the Japan Alps. The city is compact and relaxed, centred around one of Japan's best original castles.
Explore Matsumoto Castle and its historic district, with time to wander old merchant streets, visit small museums or sample the region's famous soba noodles. There's also the option to head out into the Kiso Valley to walk a section of the Nakasendo Way, a former highway once used by travellers and samurai moving between Kyoto and Edo. The route between Magome and Tsumago is particularly rewarding, combining forest paths, villages and mountain scenery.Overnight: Buena Vista Hotel
-
Day 8-11
Craft and cycling in the Alps
A scenic bus journey carries you across the Alps to Takayama, a beautifully preserved town known for its wooden streets, markets and strong sense of regional identity.
With a private guide, you'll explore the old town and morning markets, learning about local food, festivals and crafts. There's time to browse sake breweries, walk quiet shrine paths or visit the Hida Folk Village just outside town.
One day takes you to nearby Hida Furukawa for a guided cycling experience through rural landscapes – rice fields, canals and farming villages that give a glimpse of everyday life beyond the main tourist routes. It's an easy-paced ride, designed to be accessible and rewarding rather than strenuous.Overnight: Tokyu Stay Hida Takayama
-
Day 11-14
Hands-on culture in Japan's old capital
Kyoto offers a change of pace again, where historic streets sit alongside modern neighbourhoods. Staying in a traditional machiya townhouse gives you space and independence in a beautiful setting, right in the heart of the city.
With a private guide, you'll get an introduction to Kyoto's temples, shrines and neighbourhoods, then dive into Japanese food culture with a ramen-making workshop and a tea ceremony led by an expert host. These experiences are relaxed and engaging, making them approachable for first-time visitors of all ages.
There's also a free day left in for you to branch out – perhaps to Osaka for street food and theme parks, or to Nara, where temples and roaming deer fill the town centre and parks!Overnight: Machiya Residence
-
Day 14-15
A dazzling final night in the capital
After travelling back to Tokyo by bullet train, spend your final night in a lively local neighbourhood, well-connected for last-minute shopping, evening meals or simply soaking up the city one last time.
Overnight: OMO5 Tokyo Gotanda by Hoshino Resorts
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