Departure from Ljubljana for Japan

In the evening, we will meet at Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport, check in for our flight and meet the rest of the group. At 19:40, we will depart for Japan. A connecting overnight flight and the beginning of our great journey to the Land of the Rising Sun await us.

Overnight: on board

Arrival in Osaka – our first evening in Japan

We will land at Kansai Airport at 18:55. After completing the arrival formalities, an organised transfer will take us to our hotel in Osaka. Following check-in and depending on the arrival time, we may take a short evening walk nearby and get our first taste of the atmosphere of a Japanese city.

Overnight: Osaka

Osaka – neighbourhoods, viewpoints and culinary energy

Our first full day will be dedicated to Osaka’s lively and slightly unconventional side. As we will visit an authentic Japanese castle in Himeji, our Osaka programme will instead focus on the neighbourhoods that best reveal the city’s character. We will begin at the unusual Namba Yasaka Shrine, with its enormous lion-head stage, continue through Kuromon Market and visit the retro Shinsekai district and Tsutenkaku Tower. Later, we will ascend to a city viewpoint before ending the day among the shops, restaurants and neon signs of Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori.

• Namba Yasaka Shrine
• Kuromon Market
• Shinsekai and Tsutenkaku
• Umeda or another panoramic viewpoint
• Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori

Overnight: Osaka

Hiroshima and magical Miyajima

In the morning, the famous Shinkansen will take us to Hiroshima. We will learn about the city’s history and visit the Peace Memorial Park area before continuing to the island of Miyajima. There, we will admire Itsukushima Shrine and its famous red torii gate, which appears to float on the water at high tide. We will return to Osaka in the evening.

• Journey by Shinkansen high-speed train
• Peace Memorial Park and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
• Ferry to Miyajima
• Itsukushima Shrine and the torii gate

Overnight: Osaka

Nara – sacred deer, the Great Buddha and the old town

We will travel by train to Nara, Japan’s first permanent capital. In its expansive park, we will meet the famous deer and visit the imposing Tōdai-ji Temple, home to the Great Bronze Buddha. We will continue towards Kasuga Taisha Shrine, known for its stone and bronze lanterns, before allowing some time for the traditional Naramachi district or independent exploration of the city.

• Nara Park and its deer
• Tōdai-ji Temple
• Kasuga Taisha Shrine
• Traditional Naramachi district

Overnight: Osaka

Himeji and Fushimi Inari – a castle and thousands of red gates

In the morning, we will travel by train to Himeji to visit Japan’s most famous and best-preserved castle. Thanks to its elegant white appearance, Himeji Castle is often known as the White Heron Castle. After exploring the interior and, if desired, the nearby Kōko-en Garden, we will continue by train to Kyoto.

In the late afternoon, we will visit Fushimi Inari Shrine. We will walk through long passages formed by thousands of red torii gates and experience the shrine as the daytime crowds gradually begin to disperse. We will return to Osaka by train in the evening.

• Train journey Osaka – Himeji – Kyoto – Osaka
• Himeji Castle, with the option to visit Kōko-en Garden
• Fushimi Inari Shrine
• Walk through the red torii gates

Overnight: Osaka

Kyoto by private minibus – from Arashiyama to Gion

We will explore the former imperial capital by private minibus, enabling us to travel more comfortably between its widely dispersed attractions. In the morning, we will visit Arashiyama and its bamboo grove, the Tenryū-ji Temple area and Togetsukyō Bridge. We will continue to the famous Golden Pavilion, Kinkaku-ji, before travelling to eastern Kyoto.

In the afternoon, we will visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple, walk through the traditional streets of Higashiyama and end the day in the Gion district and at Yasaka Shrine. As we will have visited Fushimi Inari by train the previous day, this day will be devoted to Kyoto’s other most beautiful sights.

• Arashiyama and the bamboo grove
• Kinkaku-ji – the Golden Pavilion
• Kiyomizu-dera and Higashiyama
• Gion and Yasaka Shrine

Overnight: Osaka

Osaka – Magome – Tsumago – Narai-juku – Matsumoto

Early in the morning, we will leave Osaka and head into the country’s interior by private minibus. In the Kiso Valley, we will visit the historic post towns of Magome and Tsumago, which once welcomed travellers along the old Nakasendō route between Kyoto and Edo. We will walk along a short section of the historic trail and continue to picturesque Narai-juku. In the evening, we will arrive in Matsumoto.

This will be a longer but exceptionally varied day, taking us from the bustle of the city into a world of wooden houses, stone-paved streets and mountain scenery.

Overnight: Matsumoto

Matsumoto, Azumino and the journey to Kawaguchiko

In the morning, we will visit the famous black Matsumoto Castle, one of Japan’s best-preserved castles. We will continue through the Azumino countryside, with a planned stop at a wasabi farm or another interesting local attraction selected according to the season. In the afternoon, we will travel towards the Fuji Five Lakes region.

We plan to stay in a ryokan or hotel with an onsen, giving us the opportunity to experience Japan’s traditional hot-spring bathing culture.

Overnight: Kawaguchiko / Mount Fuji area

Mount Fuji and arrival in Tokyo

Weather permitting, we will wake to views of Mount Fuji. We will visit the area’s finest viewpoints: Chureito Pagoda, the traditional village of Oshino Hakkai, the shore of Lake Kawaguchi and Oishi Park. In the late afternoon, we will continue to Tokyo and check in at our hotel.

Overnight: Tokyo

Traditional Tokyo – Asakusa, Ueno and Ameyoko

We will begin our first day in Tokyo in historic Asakusa, at Sensō-ji Temple and Nakamise Street. We will continue to Ueno to explore the park and the lively Ameyoko Market. Depending on the final schedule, we may also visit a viewpoint or take a walk along the Sumida River.

Overnight: Tokyo

Modern Tokyo – Meiji, Harajuku, Shibuya and Ginza

The day will be devoted to the capital’s modern face. From the peaceful Meiji Shrine, we will walk towards Harajuku before visiting the world-famous Shibuya Crossing. We will spend the afternoon and evening in elegant Ginza or at one of the city’s observation decks. We will also experience Tokyo after sunset, when the city is illuminated by neon lights.

Overnight: Tokyo

A final day in Tokyo and evening departure from Haneda

As our flight from Haneda Airport does not depart until 22:05, we will make the most of our final day. After breakfast, we will visit Tsukiji Outer Market, the Tokyo Station and Marunouchi area, and the surroundings of the Imperial Palace. Depending on the final itinerary and availability, there may also be time to visit Odaiba or teamLab Planets.

In the late afternoon, we will return to collect our luggage and take an organised transfer to Haneda Airport.

Departure: Haneda at 22:05

Return to Ljubljana

After our overnight flight, we will land at Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport at 08:15. Our journey will come to an end and we will say goodbye to the group, taking home countless memories of Japan’s cities, historic villages, the Japanese Alps and mighty Mount Fuji.

Arrival: Ljubljana at 08:15