Japan Adventure

Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo – Welcome to Tokyo! Once you arrive and check in at the hostel you’ll then have plenty of time to recover from your flight and relax before you meet everyone in your group.

Day 2: Tokyo & Nightlife – First up is a visit to the Senso-ji Temple; Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple, before heading over to the Meiji Shrine. Next up we discover colourful Harajuku as well as the iconic Shibuya Crossing (the world’s busiest intersection!) Later we’ll experience some of Japan’s quirky restaurants and hilariously tiny bars in Shinjuku. Small Change: Discover Japan’s spiritual heritage with a guided visit to Tokyo’s largest Buddhist temple and a revered Shinto shrine.

Day 3: Sushi Class & Arcades - We are starting our day with full bellies, learning the art of sushi rolling by a sushu master. Next up, we'll be exploring Tokyo with a bit of free time, followed by the futuristic sounds of Akihabara. This 'Electric City' is famous for its arcades, maid cafes, Japanese photo booths and game centres.

Day 4: Bullet Train, Onsens & Origami – It’s time to experience the 200mph famous bullet train! We’ll reach Nagano just in time to try out the ancient art of origami, then take a chilled out dip in an Onsen (a volcanic hot spring)! This evening we’ll live like the locals and settle in to our traditional Japanese Ryokan, sleeping on tatami mats and comfy futon bedding. Small Change: Immerse yourself in Japanese culture in Nagano with origami and soba noodle-making classes, led by local artisans.

Day 5: Snow Monkeys – This morning we'll dive deeper into Japanese cuisine, by learning how to roll our own Soba noodles! We'll then venture out into the mountains, spotting the region's famous snow monkeys, or Japanese Macaques. These red-faced troublemakers play amongst the trees in summer & warm by bathing in the natural hot springs in Winter. We'll then take our time exploring the gorgeous lakes and forests of Shiga Kogen National Park (summer), enjoying the fresh mountain air.

Day 6: Nagano To Hakone – Today we’ll shoot off again by bullet train to the stunning Hakone, a spot famous in Japan for it’s jaw dropping views of Mount Fuji.

Day 7: Exploring Hakone – We’ll spend the morning exploring the stunning region of Hakone by pirate ship and cable car, where on a clear day you’ll have unrivalled views of Mount Fuji. Next up is Osaka, where we’ll head out for a BBQ dinner on us and fuel up for a night out, Osaka style. Get ready to bust out some karaoke classics!

Day 8: Osaka Castle – Spend the morning relaxing or exploring Osaka’s awesome shopping. Later we’ll visit the incredible Osaka Castle, first built over 400 years ago. Here we’ll learn about Japanese history and Japan’s ancient warriors, the Samurai. We'll finish up by heading over to Dotonburi, Osaka's famous canal region and home to some of the best food in the country!

Day 9: Buddhist Temple Stay – We head back to the mountains today for a once in a lifetime experience – staying overnight in a 1000 year old Buddhist temple in the fascinating town of Koyasan. Here we’ll be taught meditation by the monks and served their traditional cuisine. Later we'll have a night time stroll through Japan's largest cemetery. Small Change: Visit a traditional Buddhist Temple, discovering their traditions and culture that has been going for centuries.

Day 10: Koyasan & Kyoto – Today we wake up early for an unforgettable experience – watching the Buddhist monks perform their morning prayer service and fire ceremony. We will be served traditional breakfast by the monks before travelling to our last destination, Kyoto, Japan’s ancient capital. Tonight we get to learn about Japan's mysterious Geishas with a tour of Gion. Small Change: Explore Kyoto’s historic streets on our Geisha walking tour and step into the world of Japan’s iconic artists.

Day 11: Bamboo Forest & Golden Pavillion – Make sure your phone’s charged today! First up is the Instagram famous Bamboo Forest of Arashiyama, perfect for shots surrounded by the towering bamboo. We then head to the beautiful Golden Pavilion. Tonight's a free evening to hit up a sushi restaurant, find a bar, or challenge your mates to a round of bowling.

Day 12: Fushimi-Inari & Samurai Experience – Today the endless bright Torii gates of Fushimi-Inari await us! One of Japan’s most iconic shrines will blow you away as we explore the winding trails of the ancient mountain. In the afternoon, we will be taught how to wield a traditional sword by a Samurai master who's dedicated their life to the art of the sword. Experience the finesse of these weapons as you channel your inner warrior. Tonight we'll have our last dinner and drinks together to celebrate our time in Japan! Small Change: As part of our commitment to giving back, we invite groups to contribute to the Samurai House Fund at the end of your tour by donating loose change or any remaining yen, which will be directed towards the restoration and maintenance of the Samurai House building in Kyoto.

Day 13: Depart Kyoto or Continue Your Travels – Your amazing 13 day adventure comes to an end. You can either check out and make your way back home, stay on longer in Kyoto or continue your travels in Japan. Return to Tokyo options available.