Colours of Japan

When you arrive at the airport in Tokyo, you will first clear passport control and collect your luggage before beginning your journey into the city, Japan’s vibrant capital. One of our English-speaking assistants will be there to greet you and provide guidance and support from the transfer from the airport to your hotel. You will be helped with the check-in process upon arrival. The transfer will be arranged by public transport. It will offer you a first glimpse into the efficiency of Tokyo’s network and may be shared with fellow travellers on the same tour.

Your room will be ready from 3:00 p.m. onward, ensuring a comfortable overnight stay. You will be spending the next 3 nights in Tokyo at the 4* Sunshine City Prince Hotel or Similar. One of their city twin rooms, type B, will be booked in your name on a Bed and Breakfast basis.

Sunshine City Prince Hotel

Sunshine City Prince Hotel is a chic 4-star high-rise nestled directly in the vibrant Sunshine City complex in Ikebukuro. Rising as a high-rise landmark, the property offers over 1,000 well-appointed rooms with panoramic city views. You will enjoy convenient access to shopping, dining, and attractions such as Sunshine Aquarium and Sky Circus. The hotel features multiple restaurants, banquet halls, and business facilities, making it ideal for both leisure and corporate travellers seeking comfort and connectivity in one vibrant urban destination.

After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, you will set out on a full-day guided exploration of Tokyo that reveals the city’s rich contrasts. You will begin the tour with a breathtaking panorama from the observatory of the Bunkyo Civic Centre, where the endless skyline stretches before you. A glimpse of the Imperial Palace grounds with the iconic Nijubashi Bridge will follow it. Step back in time at the Edo Fukagawa Museum, where life-size reconstructions immerse you in the everyday scenes of Tokyo’s past.

Your journey continues to the vibrant Asakusa district, home to the city’s oldest and most revered temple, Senso-ji, founded in the 7th century. Strolling along Nakamise-dori, you’ll be surrounded by the charm of traditional shops offering crafts and treats. A delightful lunch is included, making the experience even more memorable.

You will begin the day with a relaxed breakfast at the hotel before enjoying a full day at your own pace, with the option to join a guided excursion that reveals some of Japan’s most iconic sights. If you choose the tour, your journey first takes you to Kamakura, a historic coastal town rich in spiritual heritage. Here you will encounter the awe-inspiring Great Buddha, an immense bronze statue that has stood in quiet resilience beneath the open sky since the 15th century, after the temple that once sheltered it was swept away by a tsunami.

You will also step into the serene grounds of Hasedera Temple, known not only for its striking architecture but also for its lush seasonal gardens, where vivid hydrangeas and blossoms bring a sense of calm and beauty. In the afternoon, the tour continues to Hakone, a region celebrated for its breathtaking natural scenery. With luck, the clouds may part to reveal Mount Fuji in the distance.

You will also visit the revered Hakone Shrine, nestled in a mystical forest setting, and the dramatic Owakudani Valley, where volcanic activity creates steaming vents and bubbling pools, offering a striking contrast to the surrounding landscapes. Meals are not included, and the sequence of visits may vary depending on local conditions. This is going to be your last day in Tokyo on this trip.

Note: The guided tours of Kamakura and Hakone are optional and need to be booked in advance at an additional cost.

Your luggage will be sent ahead to Osaka by courier, so for this part of the journey, you will want to prepare a small overnight bag with all you will need for one night in Kaga Onsen. After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, your day begins with an English-speaking guide who will lead you through a full-day exploration. You are going to take a walk to Tokyo Station and board the famous Shinkansen bullet train, where reserved seats in second class ensure a smooth ride to Kanazawa.

This historic city invites you to step back into Japan’s feudal past, beginning with a stroll through Kenrokuen, celebrated as one of the country’s three most exquisite gardens. Then discover the Nomura Family house, a samurai residence that has preserved its heritage for over ten generations, before wandering through the atmospheric lanes of Higashi Chaya, once home to Kanazawa’s geisha culture. By evening, a private bus takes you to the hot-spring town of Kaga Onsen.

There you are going to settle into a traditional ryokan, where a soothing bath, a beautifully prepared Japanese dinner, and the chance to immerse yourself in the onsen tradition await before you rest for the night. Here, you will be staying in the city for a single night. Your accommodation will be the 4* APA Resort Kasuikyo or Similar, where one of their standard Japanese-Western room (Twin Beds) will be booked in your name. It will be on a half-board basis.

APA Resort Kasuikyo

APA Hotel & Resort Kaga Katayamazu Onsen Kasuikyo is a well-appointed 3-star resort nestled on the tranquil shores of Lake Shibayama in Kaga, Ishikawa Prefecture. The property offers both indoor and open-air hot-spring baths with stunning lake views, alongside facilities like an indoor pool, karaoke lounge, massages, and a sauna. You can stay in rooms blending traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern comforts, air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, en-suite bathrooms, fridges, and free Wi-Fi. When it comes to dining options, it includes sumptuous buffet breakfasts and multi-course dinners served in intimate private seating. Convenient amenities include a free shuttle to JR Kaga Onsen Station, bicycle rentals, a souvenir shop, and on-site bar and entertainment options.

Begin your morning with a traditional breakfast at the ryokan, savouring the unique flavours of Japanese hospitality. Afterwards, an English-speaking guide will accompany you on a full-day journey, starting with a private bus ride to the enchanting village of Shirakawago. Famous for its steep, thatched-roof farmhouses and recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this charming mountain village shares a cultural bond with Alberobello in Italy. Strolling through its picturesque lanes feels like stepping back in time. Later, you will board an express train bound for Osaka.

Once you are settled into your hotel, the evening is yours to explore, immerse yourself in the city’s lively streets, neon lights, and endless dining options before returning for an overnight stay. This again will be a single-night stay in the city, and you will be staying at the 4* Miyako City Osaka Hommachi or Similar. One of their superior twin rooms will be booked in your name on a bed and breakfast basis.

Miyako City Osaka Hommachi

Miyako City, Osaka Hommachi is a refined 4-star urban retreat that is steps from Sakaisuji Hommachi station in central Osaka. It features about 308 contemporary rooms with balconies, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and separate bathtubs and showers. While staying here, you can enjoy a buffet breakfast spanning Chinese, Western, and international dishes, plus a tranquil guest lounge offering complimentary coffee and soft drinks. It has always been praised for its cleanliness, convenient location, and friendly staff. The hotel offers a stylish escape in vibrant Osaka.

As your journey continues, your main luggage will be sent ahead to Kyoto, leaving you free to travel light, so be sure to keep a small overnight bag ready for your stay in Hiroshima. After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, you will set out on a full-day guided experience, led in English, that begins with a private bus ride to Himeji. Here, you will stroll through the serene landscapes of Koko-en Park before discovering one of Japan’s most iconic treasures, Himeji Castle. Rising proudly since the Sengoku period, this UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised in 1993, dazzles with its elegant white façade, earning it the affectionate name “White Heron Castle.” Its graceful beauty and impressive fortifications reflect centuries of history and artistry.

From Himeji, your journey continues by private bus to Hiroshima, where you will be welcomed into your hotel for check-in. The day concludes with a thoughtfully prepared dinner, offering you time to relax and reflect on the day’s rich cultural encounters. You are going to stay in Hiroshima for a single night. The stay will be at 4* RIHGA Royal Hotel Hiroshima or Similar. You will be accommodated in one of their economy twin rooms on a half-board basis.

RIHGA Royal Hotel Hiroshima

RIHGA Royal Hotel Hiroshima is a luxurious 4-star property located in the heart of Hiroshima. The property offers stunning city views and refined hospitality. The hotel features elegantly designed rooms and suites, blending comfort with modern amenities for all travellers. You can enjoy a variety of on-site dining options, from Japanese to international cuisine, along with a fitness centre, indoor pool, and spa facilities. Its prime location near Hiroshima Castle and Peace Memorial Park makes it a convenient choice.

You begin your day with breakfast at the hotel before setting out on a full-day guided tour in English. A private bus and ferry take you to the enchanting island of Miyajima, often described as the place where gods and people share the same space. Here, you’ll explore the breathtaking Itsukushima Shrine, a masterpiece of Shinto architecture built on stilts over the water, most famous for its striking vermilion torii gate that appears to float at high tide. For lunch, you get to indulge in Hiroshima’s most iconic dish, okonomiyaki, a savoury pancake cooked on a griddle and layered with delicious local flavours.

The afternoon is devoted to a moving visit to Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park and Museum, as well as the Atomic Bomb Dome, a haunting yet powerful reminder of history and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Later, you board the Shinkansen for Kyoto, where a short walk takes you to your hotel for the night. The last 3 nights of the trip will be spent in Kyoto while exploring the nearby places. For the final 3 nights, you will be staying in the 4* Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo or Similar. One of their regular twin rooms will be booked in your name on a bed and breakfast basis.

Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo

Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo is a 4-star property that is ideally located across from Kyoto Station. It offers convenience and comfort to all travellers. The hotel features spacious and modern rooms equipped with essential amenities, ensuring a relaxing stay. When you stay here, you can enjoy on-site dining with Japanese and international cuisine, along with easy access to Kyoto’s historic temples, shrines, and cultural landmarks. The property is known for its attentive service and excellent location. Over the years, this hotel has served as a perfect base for exploring the ancient capital.

After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, set out on a full-day journey through Kyoto and Nara, travelling comfortably by private bus with an English-speaking guide. In Kyoto, marvel at the Golden Pavilion of Kinkaku-ji, its shimmering reflection on the pond creating a picture of timeless beauty, before experiencing the serene Zen atmosphere of Ryoan-ji’s iconic rock garden. Afterwards, the bus takes you to Nara, where you will step inside the grand Todai-ji Temple to stand before the awe-inspiring Great Buddha, while friendly deer roam freely in the surrounding park. On your return, you’ll pause at the enchanting Fushimi Inari Taisha, famous for its endless path of crimson torii gates, before heading back to your hotel for the night.

Post breakfast, you can choose to spend the day at leisure or join an optional guided excursion to Kyoto and Arashiyama. In the morning, you will be accompanied by an Italian-speaking guide to discover Kiyomizu-dera, a temple with origins dating back to 798, though its current structures were rebuilt in 1633. You can take a stroll along the charming lanes of Ninen-zaka and Sannenzaka before experiencing the authentic atmosphere of the historic Gion district. In the afternoon, the tour takes you to Arashiyama, where you’ll admire the iconic Togetsu Bridge, visit the serene Tenryu-ji Zen Temple with its beautiful garden, and wander through the enchanting Bamboo Forest. Return to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Note: The guided tour of Kyoto and Arashiyama is optional and needs to be booked in advance at an additional cost.

As soon as you enjoy your morning at the hotel with breakfast included, simply check out by 10 a.m. From there, make your own way to Kansai Airport using public transport, with tickets provided for your convenience. Once you arrive, you will be boarding your flight home.