Immerse yourself in the captivating tapestry of contrasts, where futuristic skylines coexist harmoniously with ancient ceremonies, shrines, and therapeutic hot springs. A journey through Japan promises an unforgettable adventure.
Prefer to take a cruise? Discover our Japan cruise here.

Japan is a fascinating land of contrasts, blending ancient traditions with buzzing modernity, beckoning explorers to discover its rich history and vibrant cities. Join this captivating 13-day journey to delve into the era of emperors and samurais and explore today's neon-lit metropolises.

You'll experience exhilarating rides on the famous high-speed train between Kyoto and Tokyo, marvel at the snowcapped Mount Fuji, and take part in a traditional tea ceremony in Kyoto and discover Nara, Japan's first capital with its incredible bronze Buddha and famous resident deer.

There's plenty of time to get to know Tokyo's diverse districts, from the shopping and entertainment mecca of Ginza to fashionable Harajuku.

Indulge in Japan's many culinary delights, from sushi to sake rice wines, as you travel around the country, staying in stylish, well-located four-star hotels throughout. This carefully curated trip offers a truly comprehensive introduction to Japan past and present.

Departure dates available from August 2024 - September 2025; please call for details.
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Price includes

  • 11 nights in four-star superior hotels: 4* RIHGA Royal Hotel, Hiroshima; 4* New Otani Hotel, Tokyo; 4* Kyoto Century Hotel, Kyoto; 4 * Excel Tokyu, Haneda Airport; 4* Hakone Hotel, Lake Ashi
  • Return flights and transfers
  • Programme of daily tours and visits
  • See the famous sights of Tokyo including the Meiji shrine, Omotesando Street, fashion-setting Harajuku and the Akihabara electronic town
  • View Mount Fuji from Lake Kawaguchi and the hot-spring, mountain spa resort of Hakone
  • Visit Hiroshima's Peace Park and museum
  • Explore Kyoto on a guided tour,
  • Experience a Japanese tea ceremony
  • Discover Nara, Japan's first capital with its huge bronze Buddha, on a guided tour
  • Travel on the famous high-speed bullet train
  • 11 breakfasts, two lunches and one dinner
  • Expert tour manager
  • Airport departure taxes and transfers
  • All local taxes and transfers
  • Hotel porterage

Availability

From
Tue, Tue, Oct 1, 2024
To
Tue, Tue, Sep 30, 2025
Duration
13 days
Price per person
£4,499*

* From price is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room subject to availability and based on 27 February 2025 departure date from London Heathrow airport. Various departure dates are available, please call for details. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement on request. Deposit £500pp. **Option not included; call reservations to find out how to book. Not suitable for those with mobility issues. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. Travel insurance is not included and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of TS Travel Ltd and Riviera Tours Limited.

Call now to book 0808 304 3934
Quote ref: RIVJAPAN
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Itinerary

  1. Day
    1
    Depart for Tokyo
    Tokyo, Japan

    Today you'll depart for Tokyo, flying overnight and arriving the following morning.

  2. Day
    2
    Arrive in Tokyo
    Tokyo, Japan

    On arrival in Japan's lively capital, you'll transfer to your hotel, the excellent four-star superior New Otani, where you'll be staying for the next three nights.

    Perfectly located in the heart of Tokyo, close to the Japanese parliament, the nearest metro stop is just a couple of minutes' walk allowing you to explore at ease. Spend some time settling in, getting to know your surroundings, and relaxing after your journey.

  3. Day
    3
    Tokyo
    Tokyo, Japan

    This morning you'll begin exploring Japan's capital and largest city.

    Your first stop is the famous Shinto Meiji shrine, dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken. Set in outstandingly lush parkland, this is a working religious site where you may be lucky enough to see a typical Japanese marriage underway.

    You'll then move on to some of Tokyo's most famous districts, including Omotesando Street, Tokyo's 'Rodeo Drive', full of luxury brand shops.

    Then there's the Harajuku area where teenagers seek out the latest outrageous fashions and the Akihabara electronic town, home to one of the first stores devoted to personal robots. You'll savour some delicious Japanese cuisine at lunchtime as you explore the city.

  4. Day
    4
    Tokyo
    Tokyo, Japan

    This morning, following breakfast at the hotel, you'll visit Tokyo's Asakusa district. Full of traditional small houses and shops, it's a unique insight into the Tokyo of a hundred years ago. You'll then transfer by boat down the Sumida River to Ginza, widely recognised as one of the world's most luxurious shopping destinations. It's brimming with ultra-modern department stores, boutiques, restaurants and coffee houses.

    Your afternoon is free to shop, explore, or perhaps indulge in some people-watching. Another option is to head to the Tokyo National Museum, just a few stops on the metro. Here you'll find the world's largest collection of Japanese art, with pottery, paintings and prints, textiles, fashion and antiquities.

  5. Day
    5
    Mount Fuji and Hakone
    Mount Fuji, Japan

    Leaving Tokyo this morning, you'll drive towards Mount Fuji, probably Japan's most instantly recognisable sight. Fringed by thick forests and a crescent-shaped ring of shimmering lakes, it's easy to see why this iconic mountain is considered one of the world's most spectacular views.

    You'll visit two of these beautiful lakes today, enjoying the stunning panorama from two different angles - and some amazing photo opportunities. Your first stop is at Lake Kawaguchi, well known to locals but as yet undiscovered by most visitors.

    Next, you'll head south to explore the peaceful mountain resort of Hakone. Descending to the smooth dark blue waters of Lake Ashi, you'll sail on a Japanese version of an early 19th-century pirate ship. From here, especially on a clear day, the views of Mount Fuji are jaw-dropping.

    Later, it's time to check in at the four-star Hakone Hotel, where you'll stay for one night with breakfast and dinner. The entire area here is geo-thermally active and provides the perfect opportunity to try one of Japan's unmissable experiences - bathing in an 'onsen', a hot spring at the hotel.

  6. Day
    6
    Bullet Train to Hiroshima
    Hiroshima, Japan

    This morning you'll travel to Hiroshima on Japan's iconic gleaming white bullet train. With reclining seats, plenty of legroom, air-conditioned comfort and speeds up to 189 mph, this is an incomparable way to travel. Arriving at lunchtime, you'll first get to appreciate one of the country's most distinctive views on the nearby small island of Miyajima. A huge red 'Torii' gate sits just offshore and at high tide it appears to float between the sea and sky.

    This popular little island is easy to explore by foot. It has a relaxed holiday atmosphere, lots of interesting shops and a covered market. Returning to Hiroshima, you'll check in at your new hotel, the four-star RIHGA Royal Hotel Hiroshima, where you'll stay for two nights.

  7. Day
    7
    Hiroshima
    Hiroshima, Japan

    Today you'll have a sobering reminder of the horrors of war as you visit Hiroshima's Peace Park and Museum, which displays the remains of the only building to survive the atomic bomb blast of August 1945.

    The city has been completely rebuilt and there are no signs left of the devastation of that fateful day. Yet you may notice a small digital counter indicating the number of days since the last atomic test - it's surprisingly recent.

    You'll have the afternoon free to explore this charming city, which is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Atomic Bomb Dome, Genbaku, and Itsukushima Shrine.

  8. Day
    8
    Kyoto
    Kyoto, Japan

    Leaving Hiroshima this morning by coach, you'll head towards the old imperial capital of Kyoto. En route there's time to visit the superb Korakuen garden at Okayama - built in 1700 and renowned as one of Japan's most exquisite gardens, with lawns, lakes, wooden bridges, shrines and teahouses.

    On arrival in Kyoto, you'll check in at the wonderful Century Hotel, where you'll be staying for the next four nights, giving you plenty of time to get to know this gem of a city.

  9. Day
    9
    Kyoto and tea ceremony
    Kyoto, Japan

    This morning is one of the real highlights of the tour, a guided visit to the imperial capital, Kyoto.

    First is the spectacular and beautiful Golden Pavilion, dating from the classical Muromachi age of Japanese temple design, overlooking its lake and garden, with upper floors covered in gold leaf. Nearby is the Ryoan-ji temple, or the Temple of the Dragon at Peace, home to Japan's most famous Zen garden, with its white gravel carefully raked by monks daily.

    You'll then move on to the amazing Arashiyama bamboo forest and enjoy the peaceful sight of daylight streaming through the tall green columns of bamboo, which are up to 30 feet high. The fascinating Nijo Castle is your next stop, famous for its wooden floors remarkably designed to creak like a nightingale's song, warning its occupants of any intruders.

    Finally, you'll enjoy a walking tour through Kyoto's Gion district. Here is the classic image of Japan; streets of wooden houses, bright, silk-clad geishas, cherry trees and a host of traditional restaurants. While here, you'll also enjoy a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony'.

  10. Day
    10
    Nara
    Nara, Japan

    Japan's original capital city, Nara is a joy to explore. Just a few miles south of Kyoto, you'll travel to this beautiful city today and visit one of the country's most iconic shrines, made from thousands of red Torii gates forming two extraordinary vermilion-coloured wooden tunnels up a hillside.

    Arriving at Nara you'll be greeted by the dozens of tame deer considered for centuries to be messengers of the Shinto gods.

    The main sight though is the amazing Todai-ji temple, one of the world's largest wooden structures. Housing a huge bronze Buddha, this is a truly inspiring monument and just one of Nara's several UNESCO World Heritage sites. You'll also get an insight into the traditional Japanese Sake drink, visiting a museum and enjoying a tasting.

  11. Day
    11
    Kyoto
    Kyoto, Japan

    You'll have an entire day free today to discover more of the delights and attractions of Kyoto. There are still more enchanting temples to see, like the 15th century Silver Pavilion and the even older Eikando temple. These marvels of architectural and garden design are within an easy walk of each other along the charming Philosopher's Path.

    Tonight, you also have the option of staying in a ryokan, a typical Japanese inn. You'll sleep on a rolled-out futon with tatami matting on the floor. You'll also enjoy a traditional 'kaiseki' multi-course dinner. Beautifully prepared and served, it's just as stunning to look at as it is to eat.**

  12. Day
    12
    Bullet Train to Tokyo
    Tokyo, Japan

    After a last free morning at leisure in Kyoto, you'll take the bullet train to Tokyo, where you'll stay overnight at the four-star Excel Tokyu near the airport.

  13. Day
    13
    Depart for the UK
    Tokyo, Japan

    It's time to say goodbye to Tokyo and start your journey home, as your Japanese adventure comes to an end.

Brought to you by

TS Tours as agent for Riviera Travel
This tour is operated solely by TS Tours
TS Tours is acting as agent for Riviera Travel. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Riviera Travel.

Established 35 years ago, Riviera Travel offers exceptional experiences at outstanding value for money. They were the highest-rated cruise operator in a 2017 survey by Which? magazine. Riviera is ABTA and ATOL-bonded.

TS Tours Ltd specialises in creating bespoke tours, cruises and rail journeys in the company of experts. Its exclusive trips combine unique experiences as well as access to inspirational people. All trips are ATOL-protected and financially bonded.

For information about TS Tours, click here.
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Availability

Call now to book 0808 304 3934
Quote ref: RIVJAPAN