Japan by Rail

Day 1  Fukuoka  
Welcome to Japan. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy the rest of today at leisure.  

Day 2  Fukuoka  
Head to the train station and board the Limited Express service to Nagasaki on the western coast - a journey of approximately two hours. Upon arrival, enjoy a stroll through the Glover Garden, an open-air museum built for the Scottish merchant who contributed to the industrialisation of Japan. Visit the Oura Catholic Church and Atomic Bomb Museum before returning to Fukuoka by train.  

Day 3  Fukuoka to Hiroshima  
Bid farewell to Kyushu and board the bullet train (shinkansen) for a speedy 1h40-minute journey to Hiroshima, located on Japan’s largest island, Honshu. Upon arrival in Hiroshima, take the ferry across the Seto Inland Sea to the holy island of Miyajima. Here, visit the Itsukushima Shrine and enjoy a momiji manju-making experience, during which you will see how these local treats have been made for more than a hundred years. Later, return to Hiroshima for dinner.  

Day 4  Hiroshima  
Spend the day in Hiroshima. Begin with a visit to the Peace Memorial Park and Museum, where you will have the opportunity to pay homage to the victims of the 1945 atomic bomb. Please be aware that the museum may be confronting and upsetting for some group members and it is at your discretion if you wish to visit or enjoy time at leisure exploring the Peace Memorial Park.

Day 5  Hiroshima to Osaka  
Depart Hiroshima by bullet train. An hour's journey brings you to Himeji, where you will explore the magnificent 17th-century Himeji Castle and the neighbouring Koko-en Gardens. Later, take the Limited Express to Osaka, your home for the next two nights.

Day 6  Nara  
Begin with a visit to Osaka's Umeda Sky Building for panoramic views across the city. After lunch, drive approximately one hour to Nara, Japan’s former imperial capital, which is home to 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Sightseeing here will be about 3 hours on foot and may include a walk of up to 15 minutes from the coach parking area. Look out for the park's beautiful resident sika deer, who have learned to bow to visitors!  

Day 7  Osaka to Kyoto  
Drive approximately 90 minutes to Kyoto. This enchanting city was the capital of Japan for some thousand years and remains the epitome of traditional Japan. Upon arrival, stroll through the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and admire the towering thickets. Also visit Ryoan-ji, the Zen ‘temple of the peaceful dragon’, and the famous Golden Pavilion of Kinkaku-ji.  

Day 8  Kyoto  
The day begins with a visit to Kiyomizu-dera, one of the most visited temples in Kyoto. You will spend 1.5 hours on foot exploring the temple. Later, witness the age-old rituals of a tea ceremony before a Zen meditation experience. Afterwards, your immersive experience continues with a short fan painting class, where you will learn the technique of this highly refined and soughtafter visual art.

Day 9  Kyoto to Kanazawa  
This morning, travel approximately 2 hours by Limited Express train to Kanazawa. On arrival, head to Kenrokuen, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, and soak up its beauty before visiting the Nomura Samurai House and Kunani Pottery Factory. You will be required to remove your shoes.  

Day 10  Kanazawa to Takayama  
Drive from Kanazawa to Takayama, stopping en route at Inami and Shirakawa-go. In Inami, enjoy a sake wooden cup making experience and sake tasting. Afterwards, continue to the UNESCO-listed village of Shirakawago, famous for its traditional wooden gassho farmhouses. With their steep thatched roofs, these houses are some of the most charming sights in Japan.  

Day 11  Takayama  
Take a morning walking tour of Takayama. During the Edo period, this lovely mountain town was a hub for craftsmen, farmers and merchants from the surrounding mountains. Head to the Miyagawa Morning Market, where you can sample some of the delicious local fruits and vegetables (at your own expense). Later, take a leisurely stroll around the traditional houses of the area and visit Takayama Jinya. If local opening hours permit, you will also visit the Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall.  

Day 12  Takayama to Matsumoto  
Drive through the Japanese Alps, enjoying the mountain scenery en route to Matsumoto and Nagano. After lunch, head to Yudanaka in search of the snow monkeys (Japanese Macaques) at Jigokudani Yaen-Koen Monkey Park. Good shoes are required. Enjoy a gentle trek through the sloping valley (30-40 minutes each way) to reach the monkey pool and watch them bathe and play in the warm waters.  

Day 13  Matsumoto to Suwa  
Explore the formidable 16th century Matsumoto Castle, nicknamed ‘Crow Castle’ for its intense black exterior. Later, head to a miso house and learn about the process of making this famous Japanese seasoning before lunch. After lunch, drive approximately 1 hour to Narai-juku, one of the bestpreserved post towns on the Nakasendo Way, and soak up its historic atmosphere. Continue a further 1 hour by road to the Suwa region and check into your hotel.  

Day 14  Suwa to Tokyo  
Drive approximately 1 and a half hours by road to the spectacular Fuji region. The calm waters of the local lakes, formed by past volcanic eruptions, reflect Fuji’s pictureperfect cone. The 5th Station is occasionally closed due to inclement weather. If the centre is closed, or if your guide feels that visibility is too poor to make this visit worthwhile, your guide may take you to Fuji San World Heritage Centre instead (subject to local opening hours).  

Day 15  Tokyo  
A dazzling, high-tech metropolis, Japan’s capital has wonderfully traditional roots. Begin the day with a leisurely stroll through Hamarikyu Gardens. Next, take part in a relaxed sushi-making class and enjoy your own creations for lunch! Later, soak up the atmosphere at Sensoji Temple in the Asakausa District. Return to the hotel, driving past the Imperial Palace Plaza en route.  

Day 16  Tokyo  
Begin the day at the Tokyo Metropolitan Building and ascend to the observation deck for breathtaking views over the sprawling city. Next, visit the world-famous Shibuya crossing and soak up the atmosphere here. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon, with some time at leisure until dinner.

Day 17  Tokyo to Sendai  
Today, your journey turns toward northern Honshu. Board the bullet train for a 90-minute ride to Sendai, the largest city in Tohoku. Upon arrival, transfer by road to Matsushima and enjoy a cruise on lovely Matsushima Bay.

Day 18  Sendai to Hakodate  
Say goodbye to Honshu Island as you board the bullet train for a 3.5-hour journey to Hakodate on the coast of Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost major island. On arrival, visit the Goryokaku Tower, a star-shaped fortress, followed by some time at leisure. This evening, journey on the Hakodate Ropeway and enjoy the fabulous views of the city below (weather permitting).  

Day 19  Hakodate to Sapporo  
Board your last train of the tour - an express train from Hakodate to Sapporo. This journey will take 3 hours and 45 minutes. On arrival in Sapporo, head to the Clock Tower and Odori Park. This evening, stop by the Sapporo Beer Museum and enjoy a tasting or two, followed by a relaxed farewell dinner.

Day 20  Sapporo  
This morning is free at leisure before transferring to the airport for your journey home.