Gardens of Japan

Fly overnight to the dazzling metropolis of Tokyo, Japan's capital city. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture before this evening's welcome dinner.

Spend the day exploring Tokyo, beginning with a stroll through the beautifully landscaped Kiyosumi Gardens. Continue to historic Asakusa to visit Senso-ji, Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple, before taking in sweeping city views from the observation deck at Tokyo Skytree. Later, head to vibrant Shibuya and cross the world-famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing.

Travel to Yokohama for the 2027 International Horticultural Expo, where you can explore its spectacular celebration of flowers, gardens and horticulture. Discover a colourful world of ten million flowers and plants, alongside inspiring displays showcasing Japan's gardening traditions, innovative design and enduring connection with nature. Return to Tokyo late this afternoon.

Hop on the bullet train to Odawara, in the Mount Fuji region. Enjoy time exploring the beautiful surrounding countryside, then admire the huge collection of silk kimonos displayed at the Kubota Itchiku Art Museum. Take some time to explore the museum’s gardens, designed by Kubota Itchiku himself, which enjoy lovely views of Mount Fuji on a clear day.

Explore the 16th-century Matsumoto Castle, with its magnificent blue-black facade and fascinating second-floor weapon displays. This impressive castle stands in the heart of the Honmaru Gardens, with its koi-filled moat completing the scene. Stop at Ishii Miso House to learn about the process of making this famous Japanese seasoning. Drive through the Japanese Alps to reach the charming mountain town of Takayama, beloved for its historic Old Town and friendly, laid-back atmosphere.

Stroll along Takayama's charming riverfront, perhaps indulging in the fresh produce at the daily morning market, and admire the old town's lovely traditional houses, which evoke the air of the Edo period. Visit the Festival Floats Museum, where you can see the ornate parade floats used in the town's famous autumn festival. After lunch, visit the former magistrate's office at Takayama Jinya, then head to a local sake brewery for a tour and tasting of Japan's iconic rice wine. Later, enjoy some free time to shop in the lovely boutiques along Kamisannomachi Street, brimming with local sweets, crafts and souvenirs.

Uncover rural Japan at the UNESCO-listed village of Shirakawa-go, famed for its picturesque, thatched farmhouses with their incredibly steep roofs. After lunch, continue to the small, laid-back city of Kanazawa, known for its heritage of gold leaf production. Take part in a hands-on gold leaf workshop, learning to apply the gold leaf and personalising a small keepsake. Later, stroll through Kanazawa's traditional Higashi Chaya (Eastern Teahouse District), stopping to visit a former geisha house.

This morning, explore the beautiful Kenroku-en Garden, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. Developed by the powerful Maeda family over many generations, it is one of Japan's best examples of a strolling-style landscape garden. Explore the garden, accompanied by one of Kenroku-en's expert on-site guides. Later, drive to Kyoto, stopping en route to visit the fascinating Echizen Washi Paper Village. Try your hand at making washi paper, and admire the unique displays of paper bonsai models before continuing to Kyoto. Check into your hotel before dinner.

Start the day at Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, where towering bamboo groves create one of Kyoto's most distinctive landscapes. Continue to the famous Golden Pavilion of Kinkaku-ji, set over a large pond in a beautiful strolling garden, before visiting the bonsai displays and Zen rock garden at Daitoku-ji, an atmospheric temple complex off the beaten path. After lunch, enjoy an origami taster session before observing one of Kyoto’s most celebrated traditions: the age-old rituals of the tea ceremony, performed by an expert.

Visit Fushimi Inari, one of Kyoto's most famous shrines and photo spots. The shrine is renowned for its thousands of red torii gates, which frame a scenic path up the mountain's forested slopes. Travel to Nara, Japan's former imperial capital and home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Visit Todai-ji Temple and its magnificent 15-metre-tall bronze Buddha, before strolling through Nara Park. The free-roaming deer here have even learned to bow to visitors! Continue to the nearby Isui-en Garden, a beautiful example of 'shakkei' (borrowed scenery), where views of the surrounding hills are incorporated into the garden's design. Later, check into your hotel in Nara before dinner.

Travel south to Japan's most sacred mountain, Koyasan. Home to over 100 monasteries, Mount Koya is the heart of Shingon Buddhism and the resting place of Kobo Daishi, one of Japan's best-known Buddhist monks. Explore the temples here and soak up the atmosphere at Okunoin – a vast cemetery of 200,000 graves, sheltered by a forest of towering cedars and cypress trees. Continue to Osaka and check in to your hotel before dinner.

Start the day at the Umeda Sky Building, ascending to its spectacular rooftop observatory for panoramic views across Osaka. Later, enjoy an introductory ‘ikebana’ lesson, the traditional Japanese art of flower arranging. Learn how balance, form and simplicity are used to create beautiful floral displays with hidden meanings. Afterwards, experience a different side of the city with a stroll through lively Dotonbori, known for its neon lights, colourful signs and bustling street food scene. After lunch, the afternoon is at leisure to relax, shop or explore Osaka independently until dinner.

Take a day trip to Himeji to explore its magnificent White Heron Castle, considered one of the most beautiful castles in Japan. Later, visit the neighbouring Koko-en Garden – a series of nine beautiful walled gardens, designed in various styles of the Edo period. Return to Osaka ahead of this evening's farewell dinner.

Transfer to the airport for your flight home, arriving the same or following day.