Our tour begins today in Tokyo, Japan's ultra-modern capital. A sprawling metropolis, Tokyo is one of the world's most populous cities and a dazzling blend of traditional culture and all things new. For those arriving in time, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6.30pm for a welcome meeting, with the chance to go out for dinner afterwards. If some of the group are arriving on later flights, the main introductory briefing will take place on the morning of Day 2 with everybody present. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to arrive in Tokyo at any time. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your tour leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up. The Tour Leader will issue each client with a Suica transport card either today or tomorrow morning, that is pre-loaded to cover your included sightseeing public transport journeys. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Haneda Airport (HND) or Narita Airport (NRT). The city centre is around an hour away from Haneda Airport and an hour and a half from Narita. You'll be met in the arrivals hall and transferred to the hotel by public shuttle bus or private vehicle. The shuttle bus may stop at other hotels, before dropping you at our hotel. If we've booked a shuttle bus for you, it will be operated by a local company called Green Tomato. You'll be on their list of transfers and we will have sent you an electronic pdf voucher for the service. Please note, while our itinerary gives us three days and four nights in Japan's capital, there's a lot to pack in. If you really want to get to grips with Tokyo's sites, we recommend adding additional nights to your trip pre-tour. If you're planning a pre-tour day trip to Tokyo Disneyland we highly recommend pre-booking this as it's very popular. Additionally you may like to book a visit to Ghibli Museum. Please refer to the list of optional activities under more details, budgeting and packing. Japanese hotels have strict rules regarding check in and all customers are required to wait until 3pm for room access. You'll be able to store your luggage while waiting but if you require an early check in, you should request this at the time of booking. We do not guarantee this will be possible and depending on availability an extra fee will be charged.

This morning, we'll start exploring Tokyo. Our full-day tour blends history, local life and hands-on cultural experiences, and we'll be using the super-efficient local transport system alongside the locals, as well as covering a lot of distance on foot. Starting in Asakusa district, we'll discover Senso-ji Temple, the oldest temple in Tokyo and a site that deserves to be high on any explorer's list. We enter through the imposing Thunder Gate, flanked on either side by massive, fierce statues of the gods of wind and rain. Next up, we'll visit the Origami Museum where we'll learn about the Japanese art of paper folding and its significance in the local culture. We'll also have a go at making our own Origami artwork, led by skilled instructors. After some free time for lunch, we'll head to a local artisan workshop, where we'll learn about the history and techniques of lantern-making using kanji script. After choosing your kanji characters or message you'll draw them on your own lantern, with guidance from our instructor. The lanterns collapse down easily to fit into a container, so we can take them home as a souvenir. If the paper lantern workshop is not available (typically in January, May and September when the artisan is hired for the Tokyo sumo tournaments), we'll take part in a Amezaiku candy-craft workshop instead, learning to shape corn starch into figures using methods that date back to the Heian period. We cover a lot of ground on foot throughout this tour, so we recommend bringing comfortable footwear.

We have a slow start this morning, leaving our hotel at 10am. First up is a hands-on culinary experience, learning how to prepare some of Japan's most beloved foods – three types of sushi, tonjiru miso soup and a strawberry Daifuku for dessert. After tasting our creations for lunch, this afternoon, we'll immerse ourselves in the breath taking digital art installations at teamLab Planets. The interactive exhibits blur the boundaries between art, technology and nature. The remainder of the afternoon is free to relax or explore more of Tokyo at your own pace. Choose between visiting Tokyo Skytree and the adjacent Solamachi shopping complex, offering spectacular city views and a wide variety of shops and restaurants, or head to the lively Ueno district, where you can stroll through Ueno Park and browse the bustling Ameyoko Market, known for its street food, local specialties and vibrant atmosphere.

Today, we head into Shibuya and Harajuku to explore Tokyo's iconic pop culture and more of the capital's iconic sites. In Shibuya, we'll visit Pokémon Center Shibuya and Nintendo TOKYO, where children and gaming fans can enjoy exclusive merchandise and displays featuring beloved Japanese characters. In the local area, we'll also see the famous Hachikō Memorial Statue and experience the chaotic energy of the world-famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing. Shibuya is a hub of up-and-coming fashion, technology and design in Tokyo with a variety of shops, museums and galleries to explore. Next, we head to Harajuku, known for its colourful atmosphere and youth culture. We'll take a stroll along Takeshita Street, known for its trendy shops and popular sweets – giant cotton candy and rolled crepes are two favourites that you might want to look out for. Finally, we'll visit Meiji Jingu - an important Shinto shrine dedicated to the deified spirits of the first Emperor and Empress of modern Japan at the end of Japan's feudal era. Its forested grounds offer a peaceful haven in this densely built-up city.

We'll say 'sayonara' to the capital today, as we head out to explore Hakone National Park - home to the towering Mount Fuji. It's a two-and-a-half-hour drive (in our private bus) from Tokyo, so it's worth bringing some entertainment for the drive or just watch Japan go past through the bus windows. We'll use a variety of transportation as we make our way through the park, including bus, boat and cable car. First, we'll make our way to the sulphur springs of Owakudani – a dramatic geothermal area known for its steaming vents and sulfuric landscapes which were formed during the last eruption of Mount Hakone. From here, on a clear day, there are magnificent views of the mountain that's so synonymous with Japan. Whilst at the springs, you might like to join the locals in eating one of the famous black eggs boiled in the sulphur pools - said to bring good luck. Our next stop is Lake Ashi, a magnificent lake created from the eruption of the Hakone Volcano over 3,000 years ago. A short ride aboard a seemingly out-of-place pirate-style ship takes us to Moto Hakone where you're free to relax in one of the lakeside restaurants. After free time for lunch here, we'll continue to a woodworking shop followed by an easy walk through the forest along the old Hakone Road. This section of the Old Tokaido Road was a vital 17th-century highway, built during the Edo period to connect Edo (modern Tokyo) and Kyoto. Finally, we'll check into our hotel for the night. Dinner is included at our hotel this evening. Our luggage will be forwarded to Kyoto today, where we'll be reunited with it tomorrow. Your tour leader might request that you leave your bags in the hotel reception on the evening of day four – they'll let you know ahead of time. Please bring a day bag for the essentials you'll need for today and tonight. Refer to the Budgeting and packing; Luggage on tour section of the trip notes for more information.

We spend the morning travelling from Hakone to Kyoto aboard the Tokaido Shinkansen, Japan’s renowned high-speed bullet train. The comfortable journey is a relaxing way to travel across the country while enjoying views of the Japanese countryside and, on clear days, Mount Fuji. Upon arrival in Kyoto, after dropping any excess luggage off at the hotel and some free time for lunch, we'll use public transport to visit the Kyoto International Manga Museum, home to an extensive collection of Japanese manga dating back to the beginning of time. Here, we'll find manga in various languages, ranging from classic titles to modern favourites. The experience also includes a hands-on manga-making activity, where we'll learn about the creative process behind the art and have a go at drawing our own characters and designs. Kyoto was the imperial capital for more than 1,000 years and has more than 2,000 temples and shrines, many set in perfectly manicured, tranquil gardens. Thanks to its rich cultural heritage, the city was saved from being a target during the Second World War.

We have a fun morning planned as we pay a visit to the Samurai Ninja Museum, where we'll learn about the history and culture of Japan’s samurai and ninja traditions. The museum is especially fun for children and families, with interactive displays and hands-on activities. You'll be able to try on ninja and samurai outfits and learn about their weapons and techniques. Please note, this is a shared experience with other visitors. The afternoon is free to explore more at your own pace. There's so much to see and do in Kyoto – you might like to visit Nijo Castle to see the former residence of the Tokugawa shoguns. Alternatively, you could explore Nishiki Market, where you can try local specialties and get a taste for Kyoto's vibrant food culture, or venture out of town by train to Uji to visit the water park.

Back on the road in our charter bus today, we drive to Asuka, a rural area known as one of the birthplaces of ancient Japan. Our visit begins with a guided walking tour through Asuka Village, where quiet countryside landscapes, rice fields and historical relics offer a glimpse into Japan’s early cultural heritage. We continue with an immersive organic farming experience, learning about sustainable agriculture and seasonal produce. The experience concludes with an organic vegetable cooking session, where harvested ingredients are used to make simple, traditional dishes. After lunching on what is produced, we journey on to our final destination – Japan’s vibrant culinary and entertainment capital, Osaka. We'll reach our hotel, which is close to Shin Osaka railway station (and therefore outside of Osaka downtown), in the late afternoon. Our total driving time today is around two and a half hours.

We have one last treat in store this morning as we have a go at playing Japan's famous Taiko drums. We'll learn the fundamentals of this percussion style, which combines movement, rhythm and teamwork. Then, we'll head to the Umeda Sky Building, where we can catch a 360-degree panorama of this modern mega-city. The rest of the day is free for you to explore more or get in some last-minute shopping. On the basement floor of the Umeda Sky Building, you'll find a great option for lunch – Takimi-koji Gourmet Street, where the recreated retro streetscape evokes Osaka as it looked in the 1960s and 70s. Our tour leader will be able to suggest other options or give you directions to Osaka Castle. We'll finish up the day with a farewell dinner (included) and the chance to look back on our journey through Japan.

Our trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Osaka. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. Transfers to the airport will be by train or shared shuttle bus, your tour leader will provide tickets locally and advise on the best train or bus time to meet your flight. Please note, you'll travel unescorted. You'll need to walk a short distance from the hotel to the train station or bus collection point. If you'd like tickets for a transfer today, you'll need to depart from Kansai International Airport (KIX) which is approximately one hour by train, or Osaka International Airport (ITM) which takes around an hour by shuttle bus. For those interested, you may want to consider extending your stay post-tour to visit Osaka Universal Studios in your own time. Pre-booking well in advance is highly recommended. It features the wildly popular Super Nintendo World. Please see the optional excursions section for more details.