Japan colors

Welcome to Japan: when you arrive at the airport, we will be waiting for you to take you to your hotel. Today you will have the opportunity to explore the extraordinary metropolis of Tokyo. Go where the neon lights seem brightest and you'll find some of the things that make Tokyo a truly world-class city.

Tsukiji Fish Market will tantalize your taste buds with a refreshing sushi breakfast. Hamarikyu Tien, once a duck hunting ground for an Edo lord, is now a park full of trees. Sail along the waters of the Sumida Gawa River to reach Asakusa, the city's oldest Geisha district. In the Shinjuku Gyoen Botanical Gardens, the perfect cherry blossoms delicately frame a fantastic landscape.

Japan's high-speed trains will soon take you to the mountains of Nikko National Park. Home to the Toshogu Shrine complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your guide will show you the charm and beauty of the temples and will give you valuable insight into the history and culture of Japanese Buddhism. When you're calm, head back to Tokyo to enjoy a little more of the madness of the big city on your last night.

Hakone feels like a different world from Tokyo. It is hidden in the mountains just 2 hours away. The lake is overshadowed by Mount Fuji, with hot springs dotted around the surrounding hills. Hop on a cable car to visit the springs, shrines, steaming rivers and sulfur pools, then sleep in a traditional ryokan (inn), complete with comfy futons and stunning views.

A ride on the Shinkansen high-speed train ends in Kanazawa, or Little Kyoto as it is known. This was Japan's center of wealth in the 17th century and today it remains a beautifully preserved castle town. The Museum of Contemporary Art here renounces the charms of architectural history in favor of modern design.

Kanazawa's 17th-century Kenroku-en Gardens are one of Japan's three "great gardens". In a country known for its love of gardening, this recognition is no easy task. Smell the aromas and admire the sights, then head to the imposing Kanazawa Castle, former residence of the mighty Maeda clan. The Omi-cho market is without a doubt the best sushi in the country. The old town of Higashi Chaya-gai is ideal for taking a souvenir before visiting the old Samurai district.

It's a short drive to Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO-listed historic silk-growing village, where Gassho-style thatched houses offer a real glimpse into time. Head to Takayama, where Old Town offers more old-world charm in its cluster of narrow streets lined with Edo-era business houses. Your overnight stay will be suitably traditional: an elegant ryokan inn, where you can end the night relaxing in an onsen.

Take an early morning stroll through the streets of Takayama to the Miyagawa Morning Market, where the colors of fresh produce, pickles and handicrafts from Japan paint a beautiful backdrop. Many of the heritage houses are open to the public, so take a look inside. It's time for a final train ride to Kyoto, Japan's cultural capital, for your last three nights.

Your private guide will show you the choice of Kyoto's 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Nijo Castle is the starting point, built by the founder of the Edo Shogunate and surrounded by stunning gardens. The Golden Pavilion of Kinkakuji gleams seductively and the Daitoku-ji Zen temple complex is home to the best Zen rock garden in the country. The views of Kyoto from Kiyomizu (Pure Water) Temple put all the historic sites in stride.

Today you will have a free day to relax or explore. Take a short journey to Nara. In the ancient capital, Todaiji Temple awaits you, the largest wooden building in the world and home to the largest Buddha in Japan. A rickshaw ride through Arashiyama's atmospheric bamboo forest is perfect in spring or autumn.

Savor your final moments in Kyoto. Maybe you still have some time to buy the latest souvenirs, like hair accessories for Geishas in the Gion district. Stroll one last time through the atmospheric streets. It's time to say sayonara to Japan as you head to the airport for your flight back home.