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Nakasendo lanterns Japan

Our Bite-Sized Japan Trips

Create your own ideal holiday

With a mesmerising blend of hyper-modern cities and ancient culture, Japan’s charm and vibrancy is unmatched. If you’re planning a holiday with a difference, get in touch with our Japan specialist team who will be able to design one just for you.

Pick from our bite-size trips below, if you’re sure where to start? No problem, take a look at our full itineraries or just get in touch and we’ll talk you through the options.

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Speak to our Japan specialist, Miles

“I love the retro-futuristic vibes of Tokyo, not to mention the tasty donburi! Staying in a traditional ryokan and bathing in the natural hot springs (onsen) are particular highlights for me.”

Miles travel specialist Japan waterfall

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Mainland Japan bite-sized trips

Japan Tokyo neon lights city

Let’s Go Tokyo!

Itinerary:
Tokyo
Duration:
3 days / 2 nights (flexible)
Price:
from £ 575.- per person (excluding flights)

One of the world’s truly great cities, and also one of the most surprising, Tokyo is a thrilling mix of the past and future. Amongst the sci-fi neon signs and cutting-edge architecture, you’ll find beautiful remnants of Japan’s shogun past waiting to be explored.

One of the world’s truly great cities, and also one of the most surprising, Tokyo is a thrilling mix of the past and future. Amongst the sci-fi neon signs and cutting-edge architecture, you’ll find beautiful remnants of Japan’s shogun past waiting to be explored.

Japan Tokyo neon lights city

Tori gate in Kyoto

Uncover the Heart of Kyoto

Itinerary:
Kyoto
Duration:
3 days / 2 nights (flexible)
Price:
from £ 545.- per person (excluding flights)

When you think of Japan, you might imagine picture perfect ancient temples, perfectly manicured zen gardens and time honoured tea ceremonies. Well, that’s Kyoto in a nutshell!

When you think of Japan, you might imagine picture perfect ancient temples, perfectly manicured zen gardens and time honoured tea ceremonies. Well, that’s Kyoto in a nutshell!

Tori gate in Kyoto

Woman in front of Mount Fuji in Japan

At the foot of Fuji

Itinerary:
Hakone/Mount Fuji
Duration:
3 days / 2 nights (flexible)
Price:
from £ 585.- per person (excluding flights)

Mount Fuji dominates the Tokyo skyline and is one of Japan’s most iconic images. During this trip you’ll stay in Hakone, located near the foot of the mountain and beside Ashino-ko Lake, providing a spectacular setting from which to take in the majesty of Fuji.

Mount Fuji dominates the Tokyo skyline and is one of Japan’s most iconic images. During this trip you’ll stay in Hakone, located near the foot of the mountain and beside Ashino-ko Lake, providing a spectacular setting from which to take in the majesty of Fuji.

Woman in front of Mount Fuji in Japan

hiroshima miyajima

Hiroshima: Peace & Paper Cranes

Itinerary:
Hiroshima
Duration:
3 days / 2 nights (flexible)
Price:
from £ 425.- per person (excluding flights)

Hiroshima will always be known for the events of 1945, but this once war-shattered city is now a place of love and prosperity. You’ll spend two nights here, and will find a welcoming atmosphere and thriving food scene.

Hiroshima will always be known for the events of 1945, but this once war-shattered city is now a place of love and prosperity. You’ll spend two nights here, and will find a welcoming atmosphere and thriving food scene.

hiroshima miyajima

local street

Strolling along the Nakasendo Trail

Itinerary:
Kiso-Fukushima
Duration:
3 days / 2 nights
Price:
from £ 985.- per person (excluding flights)

The Nakasendo Trail is an ancient walking trail of the Edo period that connects Tokyo with Kyoto. You’ll spend two nights in Kiso-Fukushima, exploring the historical and important checkpoint on the Nakasendo, before embarking on the famous hike from Magome to Tsumago.

The Nakasendo Trail is an ancient walking trail of the Edo period that connects Tokyo with Kyoto. You’ll spend two nights in Kiso-Fukushima, exploring the historical and important checkpoint on the Nakasendo, before embarking on the famous hike from Magome to Tsumago.

local street

Dazzling Lights of Osaka

Itinerary:
Osaka
Duration:
3 days / 2 nights (flexible)
Price:
from £ 520.- per person (excluding flights)

Osaka is known for its unique culinary delicacies, giant skyscrapers and Samurai past. During your two days here you’ll visit ancient temples, conquer steps to stunning views and bask in the neon lights of the central district’s bustling markets and arcades.

Osaka is known for its unique culinary delicacies, giant skyscrapers and Samurai past. During your two days here you’ll visit ancient temples, conquer steps to stunning views and bask in the neon lights of the central district’s bustling markets and arcades.

Sacred Temples of Koyasan

Itinerary:
Koyasan
Duration:
2 days / 1 night
Price:
from £ 260.- per person (excluding flights)

One of the most sacred regions in Japan, the atmospheric town of Koyasan is not to be missed. Ride the cable car, sleep in an ancient Buddhist temple, and explore the local region.

One of the most sacred regions in Japan, the atmospheric town of Koyasan is not to be missed. Ride the cable car, sleep in an ancient Buddhist temple, and explore the local region.

Japan - Takayama

Markets & Mountains of Takayama

Itinerary:
Takayama
Duration:
3 days / 2 nights (flexible)
Price:
from £ 430.- per person (excluding flights)

Take a trip back in time to Takayama. You’ll spend two nights in this atmospheric town, wandering the streets of the Sanmachi-suji district and getting lost in its culture and intangible charm.

Take a trip back in time to Takayama. You’ll spend two nights in this atmospheric town, wandering the streets of the Sanmachi-suji district and getting lost in its culture and intangible charm.

Japan - Takayama

Turrets & Temples of Kanazawa

Itinerary:
Kanazawa
Duration:
3 days / 2 nights (flexible)
Price:
from £ 340.- per person (excluding flights)

Spend a couple of days exploring Kanazawa on Japan’s western coast, an attractive city bursting with culture, history, and delicious seafood. Largely untouched by the war, the city boasts beautifully preserved Samurai and Geisha districts, as well as one of the country’s finest gardens, all centred around the impressive Kenroku-en Castle.

Spend a couple of days exploring Kanazawa on Japan’s western coast, an attractive city bursting with culture, history, and delicious seafood. Largely untouched by the war, the city boasts beautifully preserved Samurai and Geisha districts, as well as one of the country’s finest gardens, all centred around the impressive Kenroku-en Castle.

Castle in the Clouds

Itinerary:
Matsumoto
Duration:
3 days / 2 nights (flexible)
Price:
from £ 445.- per person (excluding flights)

Nestled amongst Japan’s beautiful Alpine mountains, you’ll find the cosmopolitan little city of Matsumoto – your tranquil base for the next couple of days. Flanked by imposing peaks to the east and west, Matsumoto is also home to a magnificent wooden castle at its heart, attractive Edo-period streets to stroll around at leisure, along with a vibrant and proud population.

Nestled amongst Japan’s beautiful Alpine mountains, you’ll find the cosmopolitan little city of Matsumoto – your tranquil base for the next couple of days. Flanked by imposing peaks to the east and west, Matsumoto is also home to a magnificent wooden castle at its heart, attractive Edo-period streets to stroll around at leisure, along with a vibrant and proud population.

temple next to waterfall

Kumano Kodo: the Path of the Samurai

Itinerary:
Kumano Kodo
Duration:
4 days / 3 nights
Price:
from £ 1,049.- per person (excluding flights)

Feel like a samurai walking the sacred path of Kumano Kodo, one of the only two pilgrimage routes in the world recognised by UNESCO. In the next few days you’ll hike through a network of ancient trails connecting significant shrines and temples. You’ll explore the most picturesque part of the Kii peninsula with its everchanging landscape as you walk through the forests, along the rivers and past the mountains and waterfalls. This is a walk to remember!

Feel like a samurai walking the sacred path of Kumano Kodo, one of the only two pilgrimage routes in the world recognised by UNESCO. In the next few days you’ll hike through a network of ancient trails connecting significant shrines and temples. You’ll explore the most picturesque part of the Kii peninsula with its everchanging landscape as you walk through the forests, along the rivers and past the mountains and waterfalls. This is a walk to remember!

temple next to waterfall

Shimanami Kaido in Japan

Cycling the Shimanami Kaido

Itinerary:
Onomichi - Shimanami Kaido - Imabari
Duration:
3 days / 2 nights
Price:
from £ 540.- per person (excluding flights)

For those that enjoy cycling, this adventure along the Shimanami Kaido is a perfect addition between Kyoto and Hiroshima. The Shimanami Kaido is a scenic toll road that connects the main island of Japan (Honshu) with the island of Shikoku.

For those that enjoy cycling, this adventure along the Shimanami Kaido is a perfect addition between Kyoto and Hiroshima. The Shimanami Kaido is a scenic toll road that connects the main island of Japan (Honshu) with the island of Shikoku.

Shimanami Kaido in Japan

Painting of an onsen in Japan

Splashing in an Onsen

Itinerary:
Kinosaki Onsen
Duration:
2 days / 1 night
Price:
from £ 295.- per person (excluding flights)

Kinosaki-Onsen is a perfect destination to immerse yourself in Japanese culture and relax. Known as the “Hot Spring Town,” it offers seven public bathhouses, each with unique features, for you to unwind in.

Kinosaki-Onsen is a perfect destination to immerse yourself in Japanese culture and relax. Known as the “Hot Spring Town,” it offers seven public bathhouses, each with unique features, for you to unwind in.

Painting of an onsen in Japan

Mount fuji in Japan

At home among the rice fields

Itinerary:
Gotemba
Duration:
2 days / 1 night
Price:
from £ 190.- per person (excluding flights)

Mount Fuji is one of Japan’s most iconic and awe-inspiring sights. To fully experience the grandeur of it all, on this trip you’ll be staying at the foot of the mountain near Lake Ashi (Ashino-ko) in the Hakone region.

Mount Fuji is one of Japan’s most iconic and awe-inspiring sights. To fully experience the grandeur of it all, on this trip you’ll be staying at the foot of the mountain near Lake Ashi (Ashino-ko) in the Hakone region.

Mount fuji in Japan

Naoshima art, Japan

Blow out on Art Island

Itinerary:
Naoshima Art Island
Duration:
2 days / 1 night
Price:
from £ 122.- per person (excluding flights)

The gentle island breeze and Yayoi Kusama’s iconic yellow pumpkin sculpture welcome you to the art island of Naoshima. Once a quiet fishing island, Naoshima has transformed into a celebrated hub for modern art and architecture.

The gentle island breeze and Yayoi Kusama’s iconic yellow pumpkin sculpture welcome you to the art island of Naoshima. Once a quiet fishing island, Naoshima has transformed into a celebrated hub for modern art and architecture.

Naoshima art, Japan