Japan Highlights Holiday

FLY TO TOKYO

Fly from Auckland to Tokyo Narita with Air New Zealand.

On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel by private car.

TOKYO - FULL DAY TOUR

Enjoy an efficient, one-day tour of Tokyo accompanied by an English-speaking government-licensed guide. Your guide will introduce both modern and traditional aspects of Japan's dynamic capital.

Today's time with your guide can be tailored to suit you, so the itinerary outlined here is just a suggested one and can be altered to fit your interests. We will put you in touch with your guide well in advance of travel so you can liaise with the guide directly by email.

Begin your day at Senso-ji Temple, one of the most famous temples in Japan and an icon of the city. Senso-ji is 1,300 years old and is famous for its spectacular entrance gate called Kaminarimon. The oldest shopping street in Japan, Nakamise Dori leads to the temple and although is quite touristy, is a great place to try local snacks and for people watching.

From here, take the Ginza Line from Asakusa to Nihombashi (15 minutes) to explore the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, a garden attached to the Tokyo Imperial Palace, the primary residence of the Emperor of Japan. The East Gardens are where most administrative buildings are situated along with the remains of the former Edo Castle.

From here, you can walk down to Tokyo Station, itself a remarkable historic building. From the station, walk through the Ginza District, famous for its department stores and historic retail outlets.

From Ginza, walk down to Tsukiji Outer Market, the location of the former fish auction market which moved to Toyosu in 2018. It's a great spot for lunch at one of the local restaurants and there is plenty to choose from, not only seafood.

From the market you can walk to Hamarikyu Gardens nearby. The gardens were created on the site of a 17th century villa of the Shogun Tokugawa family. The main attraction of the gardens is the beautiful Shiori Pond and its teahouse where visitors can enjoy matcha and Japanese sweets served in tea-ceremony style.

From Hamarikyu you can walk to Shiodome Station and catch the Yurikamome Line across the Rainbow Bridge into Odaiba, a redeveloped area overlooking Tokyo Bay. It's a nice contrast here to the morning's sights.

Finally, head on to teamLab Planets, a very popular modern art museum with interactive walk-through exhibits.

TOKYO - SELF GUIDED EXCURSION

This is a suggested day of exploring based on using the Yamanote Line - the main JR Line which circles Tokyo. It makes navigation on this day easy and stops at many major sights in the city. It's a long day if you try to do everything, so perhaps pick and choose what you're interested in. Get your Suica Card ready and off you go!

We've suggested you kick off your day in Ueno, an older part of Tokyo. You can spend the morning exploring the museums and galleries in Ueno Park and pottering about on Ameyoko a historic shopping/market street near Ueno Station.

From Ueno head clockwise and hop off at Akihabara, a mecca for geeks and gamers. Get off at Hamamatsucho to see Tokyo Tower and Zojoji Temple.

Back on the Yamanote Line, jump off at Harajuku Station and pay a visit to the Meiji Shrine, just a short walk from Harajuku Station. It's one of the most important shrines in Japan. Yoyogi Park is great for strolling and people watching. The old Olympic Park is located here also.

From the Meiji Shrine, walk back to Harajuku where you can explore this shopping and fashion mecca. It's great for people watching, strolling down luxurious Omotesando, hunting for fashion bargains on Takeshita Street or browsing boutiques along Cat Street.

You could walk on and have lunch in Shibuya and spend some time in this area. Shibuya Parco is a great place for retail therapy. Shibuya Crossing is an icon of Tokyo - the busiest street crossing in the world. Grab a Starbucks, take a seat and admire the view. Cross over the street and visit the famous Hachiko Statue.

For amazing views over Tokyo, head up Shibuya Sky which is a bit more relaxed than Tokyo Skytree and is a great place to rest your feet and enjoy amazing city views. You'll need to book in advance for Shibuya Sky tickets.

Later you could head to Shinjuku and spend some time in lovely Gyoen National Garden for a bit of a change of pace from busy Harajuku and Shibuya. Shinjuku Gyoen is one of the largest parks in Tokyo and features three different garden styles: a traditional Japanese garden, French garden and English lawn garden.

Tokyo Metropolitan Building on the west side of Shinjuku Station has a free observation platform with great city views and is often illuminated outside.

There are so many places to eat in Shinjuku but for something traditional, head to Omoide Yokocho, a historic alley consisting of small Izakaya restaurants. Shinjuku comes to life in the evenings with the bright lights of the big city.

TRAVEL TO HAKONE

Today you will need to make your own way to Shinjuku Station in order to catch the Romance Car directly to Hakone-Yumoto Station. It's about 90 minutes. If you're lucky you'll be able to see Mount Fuji from the right side of the train on approach to Hakone.

Armed with your Hakone Free Pass you will be able to travel by Funicular Railway, Cable Car, Bus and even by Pirate Ship to explore this beautiful area of hot springs, pine clad hills and lakes in the shadow of Mount Fuji.

The Romance Car terminates at Hakone Yumoto. Hakone Yumoto is worth a little bit of an exploration. Sample some of the snacks on offer and cross the bridge over the river.

From Hakone Yumoto, get onto the Hakone Tozan Railway and head to Chokoku-no-Mori Station (OH56), about 15 minutes from Hakone Yumoto. It's just a short stroll from here to the Hakone Open-Air Museum which is highly acclaimed. You'll probably want to spend an hour or so here before jumping back on the train for one station to Gora.

At Gora, jump on the retro Cable Car which will transport you steeply uphill to the Hakone Ropeway which will in turn whisk you high over the trees to Owakudani, a volcanic area with venting steam and a sulphurous aroma. On a clear day as you crest the hill you'll be greated with views of Mount Fuji.

At Owakaduni you need to change to the second ropeway and you can visit the small Hakone Geo-museum. You can try the famous Kurotomago black eggs here also if you wish.

The second ropeway will take you down to beautiful Lake Ashi where you can board a 'pirate ship' for a sightseeing cruise across the lake to Motohakone-ko. It's a lovely peaceful 30-minute cruise and a highlight of the day. You'll cruise past Hakone-jinja Shrine near the end. From Motohakone-ko you can walk to the shrine if you want to see it close up. Part of the walk here is along the historic Tokaido route, which once connected Tokyo with Kyoto.

Back at the bus station in Motohakone-ko - where the boats dock, catch the Hakone Tozan bus from here to your accommodation. We;ll give you instructions about exactly how to get to your accommodation. 

This evening enjoy your traditional Ryokan style accommodation and dinner.

TRAVEL TO KYOTO

This morning, make your way to the Railway Station and on to Kyoto by Bullet Train.

On arrival in Kyoto make your own way to the hotel.

This evening, make your own way to Gion and meet your guide in front of Gion Omoide Museum (connected to the Izutsu Yatsuhashi pastry shop) for a walking tour of Gion.

Experience one of the most popular walking tours in Kyoto, joined by nearly 5,000 guests annually. This 100-minute guided walk is led by a licensed English-speaking guide and takes you through nighttime Gion.

The tour begins at Gion Omoide Museum, connected to a traditional pastry shop.

Walk down the classic cobblestoned streets next to the Shirakawa River, and admire the scenery that was featured in the book and film, Memoirs of a Geisha.

As you walk beside this beautiful stream, the guide will tell you about the history of geisha and give you a detailed explanation in regards to their kimono, hairstyle, traditional rules, and what their daily life is like.

Although it is not guaranteed, during the walking tour guests often encounter geisha walking along the street.

KYOTO - FULL DAY EXCURSION

Enjoy an efficient, one-day tour accompanied by an English-speaking  government-licensed guide. Your guide will introduce both modern and traditional aspects of Japan's cultural capital.

Today's time with your guide can be tailored to suit you, so the itinerary outlined here is just a suggested one and can be altered to fit your interests. We will put you in touch with your guide well in advance of travel so you can liaise with the guide directly by email.

Begin you day at Kiyomizu-dera Temple is a significant Buddhist temple in Eastern Kyoto and one of the highlights of Kyoto. Kiyomizudera is best known for its wooden stage that juts out from its main hall, 13 metres above the hillside. The stage affords nice views of the numerous cherry and maple trees below that erupt in a sea of colour in spring and fall, as well as of the city of Kyoto in the distance.

From Kiyomizu-Dera head to Yasaka Shrine, a famous shrine in Kyoto which was founded over 1350 years ago. Located between Gion District and Higashiyama District, the shrine is often visited by those walking between the two districts.

Long connected with the Kyoto Geisha community centered in the nearby Gion District, Yasaka-jinja Shrine is a bustling, colourful and pleasant downtown shrine that lies at the heart of much of Kyoto's festive tradition.

From here walk to Nijo Castle, a flatland castle in Kyoto built in 1603 as the residence of the Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. It's an unusual castle for Japan and is most famous for its Nightingale Floors.

From here, head to Sanjusangendo, the popular name for Rengeo-in, a temple in eastern Kyoto, famous for its 1001 statues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, as well as for being the longest wooden structure in Japan. It was founded in 1164 and was rebuilt a 100 years later, after being burnt down.

Nishiki Market is a great spot explore for lunch.

This afternoon you could take a stroll along the Philosopher's Path at the foot of the Higashiyama hills in Eastern Kyoto. You can being with a visit to Ginkaku-ji Temple and walk this lovely streamside path to Nanzen-ji at the southern end.

It's not far from here to Gion which is a great place for dinner.

KYOTO – ARASHIYAMA - SELF-GUIDED EXCURSION

Today is set aside for Kyoto’s leafy north-west, where the wide Katsura River wraps around Arashiyama’s temples, gardens and hillside views. It’s one of Kyoto’s most popular areas, so the secret is to start early, enjoy the classics, then slip into the quieter corners once the day-trippers arrive.

Arashiyama is easy to reach by rail. The simplest option is the JR Sagano Line to Saga-Arashiyama Station, or you can use the Hankyu Line to Arashiyama (handy from downtown Kyoto), then stroll over the river. If you want an even more old-school arrival, the Randen tram is slow but charming and drops you right into the neighbourhood.

Begin with Tenryu-ji Temple, one of Kyoto’s great Zen temples, best known for its calm garden framed by Arashiyama’s wooded hills. From here, it’s a short walk to the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, which is at its most atmospheric in the morning before the crowds build. Keep going beyond the main photo spot and you’ll often find the lanes noticeably quieter within minutes.

For a crowd-escape that still feels very “Kyoto”, continue to Okochi Sanso Villa and Garden, a beautiful hilltop garden with winding paths, borrowed scenery and a welcome sense of space. It’s a wonderful reset if the bamboo area feels busy, and it’s one of the easiest ways to get that tranquil Arashiyama feeling without needing a long hike.

Afterwards, wander back towards the river and cross Togetsukyo Bridge, the district’s iconic crossing with classic views upstream and down. The riverside is ideal for a slower pace, with snack stands and little cafés, and it’s a good moment to pause for something simple before your next climb. If you feel like a local-style lunch, Arashiyama is famous for tofu cuisine, soba, and easy set meals that are perfect before an active afternoon.

If everyone is up for a short but rewarding hike, head to Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama. The walk up is steady and involves stairs, but the payoff is superb panoramic views over Kyoto and the surrounding mountains. At the top, keep a respectful distance from the monkeys, follow the on-site rules, and make sure hats, sunglasses and snacks are tucked away.

From here, you can keep the rest of the afternoon flexible depending on energy levels. If you want a scenic “journey” rather than more walking, the Sagano Romantic Train is a lovely add-on, rolling through a forested valley for an easy, photogenic ride. It’s popular, so booking ahead is wise when possible, and it’s best treated as a single highlight rather than something to squeeze in at the end.

To return from the valley, you have two straightforward options. You can come back by regular JR train, which is simple and reliable, or you can choose the Hozugawa Riverboat for a memorable float back towards Arashiyama, weather and river conditions permitting. If you plan on the boat, allow plenty of time and keep your day uncluttered, as it can be affected by rain or high water.

If you still have energy and want to add one or two of Kyoto’s most famous sights, you can combine Arashiyama with Ryoan-ji Temple and its rock garden, then continue to Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion). This works best by taxi for efficiency, or by bus if you are happy to take it slowly, and it’s usually more enjoyable if you pick just one or two temples rather than trying to collect them all. These sites are popular, so going later in the afternoon can sometimes feel calmer than arriving at peak midday.

You can finish your day back in central Kyoto for dinner, or stay local for an early evening meal around Arashiyama before heading back. Either way, it’s a day that combines Kyoto’s headline scenery with a few quieter, more rewarding corners if you pace it well.
 

NARA - SELF GUIDED EXCURSION

Today you could make a visit to nearby Nara. From Nara Kintentsu Station, on the way to Nara park, stands a famous mochi shop called Nakatanidou, where crowds of visitors flock to daily.

Nakatanidou's pride and claim to fame is their dramatic mochi-pounding process, a tradition known as mochitsuki in Japanese. They perform high-speed mochitsuki every day at the shop, churning out hundreds of pieces of mochi, fresh and warm from the pounding.

Kofukuji Temple is an easy five-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station.

During the Heian period, Kofukuji was the temple of the most powerful family in Japan, the Fujiwara's. It was established in Nara in 710, at the same time as the capital. If you pay to enter only one of the buildings here, make it the Kofukuji Kofukuji National Treasure Museum which contains many extremely valuable documents and treasures from Nara 's history as the capital of Japan.

From here you could take a stroll to pretty Yoshikien Garden, with a pond, moss garden and tea ceremony garden which is free to visit. Neighbouring Isuien Garden is als great, but there is a fee to enter.

Next up, head on to Todai-ji Temple which houses the Great Buddha statue designated as a national treasure, and the world's largest wooden structure.

For a great view over Nara, hike up the stairs to Nigatsudo. At Mount Wakakusa you can pay to enter an enclosed deer park if you wish.

Nara's grandest shrine houses four main deities and many lucky gods Kasuga Taisha is considered one of the most sacred sites in all of Japan. As a place where numerous gods are enshrined, it attracts both devotees and tourists seeking an iconic Shinto experience. It is famous for its beautifully lit bronze lanterns.

There is another area of Nara you may want to explore at Nishinokyo, to the West of Nara Park. This is home to Yakushi-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site and Horyuji Temple.

FLY TO AUCKLAND

Spend the morning in Kyoto.

Make your own way to Kyoto Station and catch the bullet train to Shinagawa where you will connect on to the Narita Express to Narita Airport for your flight back to New Zealand.

Fly from Tokyo Narita to Auckland with Air New Zealand.

ARRIVE AUCKLAND

Arrive back in Auckland.