Japan Highlights: Tokyo & Kyoto in Nine Days
Japan's two great cities and a night in the mountains — the essential journey
From
£3,195pp
About this tour
Nine days is sufficient to capture Japan's essential nature — the electric contrast of Tokyo and the ancient calm of Kyoto — if the itinerary is crafted with precision. This small-group tour, led by Kenji Watanabe (a Kyoto-born historian who has been guiding foreign visitors for fourteen years), delivers exactly that: three days in Tokyo, one overnight in the Japanese Alps, four days in Kyoto and a ryokan night in the Fuji region on the way back. Kenji's deep roots in Kyoto — his family has operated a traditional tea house in Gion for three generations — mean that some experiences available on this tour simply cannot be replicated elsewhere: a private tea ceremony in the family tea house, introductions to artisans who do not ordinarily receive visitors, and a depth of temple knowledge that goes far beyond the standard guide narrative.
“Kenji Watanabe's family has operated a Gion tea house for three generations. His fourteen years of guiding are underwritten by a lifetime of growing up within walking distance of Kyoto's greatest temples.”
Why this works for travellers over 50
- Small group of maximum 12 for personal attention and flexibility
- Kenji's family tea house provides a private ceremony impossible to replicate elsewhere
- Ryokan night in Hakone with private onsen bath — the perfect decompression mid-tour
- All bullet trains are first-class reserved seats
- Tokyo's accessibility (lifts everywhere, gentle pavements) is unmatched in Asia
- Kyoto's temple gardens are flat, peaceful and ideal for gentle independent wandering
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Price per person — based on two travelling together.
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Your journey
Day-by-day itinerary
1Arrival — Tokyo
Tokyo
ArrivalCerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel, Tokyo
Arrival — Tokyo
Tokyo
The group assembles at Narita or Haneda. Transfer to the Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel in Shibuya. Kenji's welcome dinner and briefing in the hotel's Japanese restaurant.
2Tokyo: Temples & Technology
Tokyo
GentleCerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel, Tokyo
Tokyo: Temples & Technology
Tokyo
Senso-ji temple in Asakusa, then the teamLab Planets digital art experience — the two faces of Tokyo's past and future in one day. Evening at Shibuya Crossing.
3Tokyo: Tsukiji & Imperial Palace
Tokyo
GentleCerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel, Tokyo
Tokyo: Tsukiji & Imperial Palace
Tokyo
Tsukiji outer market breakfast, the Imperial Palace East Gardens and an afternoon in Harajuku's Omotesando boutique avenue. Tea ceremony at a traditional tea house in Yanaka.
4Day Trip to Nikko
Tokyo
ModerateCerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel, Tokyo
Day Trip to Nikko
Tokyo
Train north to Nikko — the extravagantly ornate mausoleum of the first Tokugawa shogun, its gold and lacquer excess deliberately at odds with Zen austerity, surrounded by cedar forest. Return to Tokyo by early evening.
5Hakone Ryokan Night
Hakone
Easy travel and rest dayGora Kadan Ryokan, Hakone
Hakone Ryokan Night
Hakone
Romancecar train to Hakone, arriving at Gora Kadan for one night of ryokan perfection — private onsen, yukata, in-room kaiseki dinner and, on a clear morning, Mount Fuji above the mountain skyline.
6Bullet Train to Kyoto
Kyoto
EasyHyatt Regency Kyoto
Bullet Train to Kyoto
Kyoto
Morning onsen, Fuji views on the train, arrival in Kyoto and check-in to the Hyatt Regency Kyoto. Evening orientation walk through Higashiyama with Kenji.
7Kyoto: Fushimi Inari & Arashiyama
Kyoto
ModerateHyatt Regency Kyoto
Kyoto: Fushimi Inari & Arashiyama
Kyoto
Fushimi Inari at 7am, then Arashiyama bamboo grove and Tenryu-ji garden. Afternoon at the family tea house in Gion for a private ceremony.
8Kyoto: Kinkaku-ji, Nijo Castle & Nishiki
Kyoto
GentleHyatt Regency Kyoto
Kyoto: Kinkaku-ji, Nijo Castle & Nishiki
Kyoto
The Golden Pavilion, Nijo Castle's nightingale floors (designed to chirp under the weight of anyone approaching the shogun's private chambers) and the Nishiki covered market for a last culinary tour.
9Nara & Departure
Nara / Airport
Departure
Nara & Departure
Nara / Airport
Morning in Nara — deer, Todai-ji Buddha and the Kasuga Shrine — then transfer to Osaka Kansai Airport for evening international flights.
Like what you see?
Our specialists can tailor every day to your preferences.
Fitness & mobility
Pacing & accessibility
The essential Japan experience in nine comfortable days. All walking is on flat ground; the ryokan night involves no physical challenge beyond the pleasure of a hot-spring bath.
Walking
3–6km per day. All flat except Fushimi Inari lower trails (optional full ascent).
Transport
Group coach; first-class Shinkansen. Tokyo local trains with IC cards.
Altitude
Sea level mostly. Hakone at 700m — pleasant.
Heat / Climate
Oct–Nov and Mar–May optimal. Summer (Jun–Aug) is hot and humid — we do not run this tour July–August.
Accommodation
Your hotels
Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel
★★★★★Shibuya, Tokyo · 4 nights
A 40-floor tower in the heart of Shibuya with views over the famous crossing and across the Tokyo skyline. Well-run, comfortable and central with excellent transport connections.
- Shibuya central location
- City views
- Multiple restaurants
- Jazz bar
- Noh theatre
Gora Kadan
★★★★★Gora, Hakone · 1 night
Imperial retreat turned ryokan with private outdoor onsen, Mount Fuji views and mountain kaiseki cuisine.
- Imperial retreat conversion
- Private onsen
- Fuji views
- Mountain kaiseki
Hyatt Regency Kyoto
★★★★★Higashiyama, Kyoto · 3 nights
Set in the traditional Higashiyama district within walking distance of Kiyomizudera and the Gion nightlife strip, the Hyatt Regency Kyoto blends modern luxury with its location in Kyoto's most characterful neighbourhood.
- Higashiyama location
- Walking distance to key temples
- Excellent spa
- Touzan restaurant
- Tea lounge
Enhance your trip
Hiroshima & Miyajima Day Trip
+£195
Add a day trip to Hiroshima and the floating torii of Miyajima from Kyoto by Shinkansen — one of Japan's most moving and beautiful excursions.
per person
Pricing
Holiday pricing
All prices are per person, based on two people sharing. We arrange departures throughout the year to suit your preferred dates.
Starting from
£3,195
per person · 2 sharing
Solo traveller supplement: +£895 pp
Travelling solo?
Single supplement: +£895 pp · Solo traveller pricing on selected October and May departures.
Full details
What’s included & not included
Included in your price
- 8 nights in 5-star hotels and ryokan
- Group coach and bullet trains (first-class reserved)
- Kenji Watanabe as group specialist guide
- Private tea ceremony at family tea house
- Meals as specified (8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 5 dinners)
- All entrance fees
- IC transport cards
- Mineral water throughout
- Airport transfers (Tokyo and Osaka)
- ATOL-protected
Not included
- Travel insurance
- Single supplement
- Gratuities
- Personal spending
Your specialist
Who will plan your holiday
Kenji Watanabe
Kenji grew up in Kyoto's Gion district, his family's tea house a fixture of the neighbourhood for three generations. His fourteen years of guiding have been shaped by a lifelong immersion in the Kyoto cultural world.
Tailor-made
Like this tour but want it adapted?
Extra nights, alternative hotels, private transfers — our specialists will build your perfect itinerary from scratch.
What our guests say
Guest reviews
Japan exceeded every expectation and the group made it unforgettable
“Kenji's family tea house ceremony was the most memorable hour of the entire trip. Japan is the most extraordinary country — the combination of Tokyo's energy and Kyoto's ancient calm is something no other destination offers. The group were wonderful company. Already looking at the 14-day private tour.”
Richard & Helen Foster
Cheshire · 2025-03-28
Before you go
Practical information
Visa requirements
UK citizens: visa-free 90 days. Passport valid 6+ months.
Currency
JPY. Cash essential. 7-Eleven ATMs best for foreign cards. IC transport cards provided.
Tipping
No tipping in Japan. Ever. Kenji handles all gratuity situations.
Electricity
100V, Type A. UK adapter required.
Health & vaccinations
No vaccinations required. Excellent healthcare. Tap water safe. Bring medications in original packaging.
Flights
Fly into Tokyo (HND or NRT). Fly out of Osaka Kansai (KIX). Japan Airlines or British Airways from Heathrow.
Local transport
Group coach and first-class Shinkansen; IC cards for Tokyo local trains.
Travel with like-minded people
Join a Small Group Departure
Prefer to travel with a small group of fellow over-50s rather than as a couple or solo? Our fixed-departure group tours put you alongside eight to twelve like-minded travellers with a dedicated tour manager for the entire journey.
- Maximum 12 travellers — intimate by design
- Dedicated tour manager throughout
- Social dinners and shared discoveries
- Single supplement waived on selected departures
- Like-minded over-50s travellers
- No single friends needed — just arrive and enjoy
Register Your Interest
Tell us your preferred dates and travel companions — we’ll match you with the right departure and send full details.
Our team will respond within 1 working day.
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Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Is Japan accessible for those with mobility limitations?
Japan is possibly the most accessible country in Asia. The bullet trains have wide doors and assistance services. Major temples have smooth paved paths. Tokyo and Kyoto metro stations all have lifts. The only significant step-heavy experience on this tour is Fushimi Inari (an optional activity with flat alternative). Japan's universal design philosophy — applied across architecture, transport and public spaces since the 1990s — means most attractions are genuinely accessible.
What is the best season to visit Japan?
Cherry blossom (late March to mid-April) and autumn foliage (mid-November to early December) are Japan's two most celebrated seasons — both extraordinarily beautiful but both at peak popularity and price. Spring offers warmth and flowers; autumn offers rich colour and cooler temperatures. October, May and September are excellent alternatives with slightly fewer crowds. We avoid the hot, humid Japanese summer (July–August) for over-60s comfort.
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