JAPAN – TEMPLES, TOWERS & TOKYO LIGHTS

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Thursday 16th April 2026 – Flight
Flight from Heathrow departing @ 12:20 – T3 

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Fri 17th – Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo
Arriving at the airport you’ll be welcomed by our local English-speaking guide and transferred to your hotel by private coach. You can settle in and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure – a chance to rest after your flight or grab your first taste of this incredible city.

We will be staying at the four star Groove Shinjuku Hotel, located inside the dynamic Tokyu Kabukicho Tower. The Groove is a stylish urban hotel right in the heart of Shinjuku’s entertainment district. Expect bold interiors, skyline views, rooftop bars and easy access to some of Tokyo’s most exciting neighbourhoods.

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Sat 18th – Day 2: Shrines, Style & Street Culture
After breakfast, we begin the day with a walk through the Imperial Palace’s East Gardens – a peaceful green space with moats, ruins and beautifully kept grounds, once home to the Edo Castle. Then it’s on to Asakusa, Tokyo’s oldest temple district, where the grand Senso-ji Temple welcomes visitors through its famous Kaminarimon Gate and lively Nakamise shopping street.

This afternoon, we visit the Meiji Shrine – dedicated to Emperor Meiji and surrounded by over 100,000 trees. This peaceful forest setting is a calm contrast to the city outside. From here, you’ll head into the buzzing neighbourhoods of Harajuku and Omotesando. Harajuku is known for quirky street fashion and vintage boutiques, while Omotesando is home to flagship designer stores and cutting-edge architecture. We’ll wrap up with a photo stop at Shibuya Crossing – a Tokyo icon!

Lunch and dinner are included today. Enjoy a traditional Japanese lunch in a local eatery, followed by dinner in buzzing Prime 42 – a stylish venue with warm lighting and panoramic city views, offering a modern take on local cuisine.

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Sun 19th – Day 3: Mount Fuji & Kawaguchiko
Today we leave the city and head out to the lakeside town of Kawaguchiko – a peaceful spot with some of the best views of Mount Fuji (weather permitting). Our first stop is Oishi Park, where the lake and the mountain meet. Seasonal flowers bloom all along the promenade, creating an incredibly photogenic scene.

We continue to Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine, a site of spiritual and historical importance. It’s also one of the most iconic places to photograph Mount Fuji – the red pagoda and mountain backdrop are pure Japan.

After lunch, we visit Oshino Hakkai, a charming village known for its clear spring-fed ponds, created by melted snow filtered through Mount Fuji’s lava layers. Locals still collect drinking water here, and you can sample it straight from the source.

Finally, we’ll travel up to Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station, as close as you can get to the summit without hiking. At 2,300 meters, it offers sweeping views and a real sense of Mount Fuji’s scale.

After a full day in the mountains, we will return to Tokyo – your evening is at leisure.

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Mon 20th – Day 4: Nikko’s Shrines, Forest Trails & Waterfalls
Today’s escape to Nikko offers a completely different pace – think ancient shrines, forests and fresh mountain air. Our first visit is to Toshogu Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the lavish resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the shogun who unified Japan. Expect intricately carved wood, gold leaf, and centuries of stories.

We then walk the peaceful trail along the Kanmangafuchi Abyss, known for its line of stone Jizo statues – guardians of children and travelers – each with a red knitted cap and bib. It’s a peaceful and atmospheric spot, nestled by the river.

After lunch, we’ll drive up to Lake Chuzenji, formed by a volcanic eruption, and visit Kegon Falls – a dramatic 100m waterfall cascading from the lake. There’s a lift down to a lower viewing platform where you can feel the spray and hear the roar.

We return to Tokyo in the late afternoon. Your evening is at leisure.

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Tues 21st – Day 5: Tower Views & Tokyo at Your Pace
We start the day high up at Tokyo Tower, an iconic landmark inspired by the Eiffel Tower but painted bright red and white to meet aviation rules. From the observation deck, you’ll get a great perspective on this vast city. Next stop is Tsukiji Outer Market, a lively mix of fresh seafood stalls, street food stands and specialist kitchen shops. Lunch is included here – choose from sushi counters, noodle bars or traditional tempura joints.

Dinner is also included tonight. You’ll dine at Gonpachi in Tokyo’s Nishi-Azabu is a lively izakaya known for inspiring a scene in Kill Bill. With rustic interiors and classic Japanese dishes, it’s a popular spot for both locals and tourists.

The rest of the afternoon and evening is free. Whether you’re into museums, gardens, gadget shops or simply watching Tokyo go by – today’s your chance to make the city your own.

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Wed 22nd – Day 6: All Aboard the Bullet Train to Kyoto
Pack up and hop on the Shinkansen – Japan’s famous bullet train – as we glide south to Kyoto in under three hours. A freshly packed bento lunch is served onboard.

We start our Kyoto journey at Fushimi Inari Taisha, one of Japan’s most photographed shrines thanks to its endless tunnels of red torii gates leading up Mount Inari. It’s atmospheric and unforgettable.

We continue to Yasaka Shrine, set between the historic Gion and Higashiyama districts. You’ll have time to wander through the cobbled streets of Gion, keeping an eye out for traditionally dressed geiko (Kyoto’s geisha) and visiting small local shops. We finish the day with a walk down Pontocho Alley – Kyoto’s narrow dining lane filled with riverside restaurants and lanterns glowing after dark.

Dinner is included tonight – The Sodoh Higashiyama Kyoto is a stylish Italian fusion restaurant set in a historic 1929 villa with tranquil gardens and views of Yasaka Pagoda. It blends Kyoto’s seasonal ingredients with Italian flair, all in a beautifully setting.

We will be staying at the five star Thousand Kyoto Hotel, a calm, elegant base in central Kyoto with beautiful design, and excellent service – a quiet contrast to the city’s busy streets!

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Thurs 23rd – Day 7: Gold, Bamboo & Temple Views
Our first stop today is Kinkaku-ji, the famous Golden Pavilion, covered in gold leaf and surrounded by water and pine trees. It’s one of Kyoto’s most iconic sights and looks stunning in every season.

We then head west to Arashiyama, a traditional riverside district known for its bamboo grove. You’ll walk along quiet forest paths lined with towering green stalks – it feels otherworldly.

The afternoon takes us to Higashiyama, one of Kyoto’s best-preserved neighbourhoods. Here we’ll visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple, perched on a hill with wooden terraces looking out over the city. The surrounding lanes are perfect for picking up ceramics, sweets or handmade souvenirs.

Dinner is included tonight – and you’ll wear a kimono for the evening! Expect an elegant multi-course meal in a refined Kyoto-style setting, where presentation is just as important as flavour.

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Fri 24th – Day 8: Nara’s Temples & Free-Roaming Deer
Today we take a short drive to Nara, Japan’s first capital and still full of historic charm.

We’ll visit Todai-ji Temple, home to the Daibutsu – a 15-metre tall bronze Buddha – housed in the world’s largest wooden building. Just outside, you’ll meet the famous Nara deer, who bow politely in exchange for snacks (sold nearby – optional but fun!).

After lunch, we head to Kasuga Taisha, a peaceful forest shrine known for its hundreds of stone and bronze lanterns. Then we’ll stroll through Naramachi, an old merchant district now filled with cafés, galleries and little lifestyle shops.

Your evening is at leisure to enjoy the many restaurants.

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Sat 25th – Day 9: Osaka: Castles, Street Food & Neon Nights
A full-day trip to Osaka – known for its food, energy and friendly vibe. We’ll start with Osaka Castle, one of the city’s major landmarks, surrounded by stone walls and cherry trees.

From there, we head into Dotonbori, Osaka’s bright and busy canal-side entertainment district filled with giant signs and amazing street food. You’ll also explore Kuromon Market, try local bites, and walk through the retro Shinsekai area, a nostalgic window into old Osaka.

Dinner is included tonight – Fortune Garden Kyoto is a stylish French bistro set in a 1927 Art Deco building, offering seasonal dishes and natural wines in a serene garden setting.

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Sun 26th – Day 10: Homeward Bound
Homeward bound….after breakfast, we’ll transfer to Kansai International Airport for your flight home.

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If you have any questions please contact Sean Kingwell: sean@gowithglow.com or call 0845 308 8300

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Included 

• Heathrow Cathy Pacific flights via Hong Kong to Tokyo returning from Osaka via Hong Kong to Heathrow
• Assistance on arrival & departure at Japan airports
• 9 Nights in hotels (Tokyo – Groove Shinjuku Hotel & Kyoto – The Thousand Kyoto Hotel) with daily breakfast
• 5 Lunches included; Day 3 – Kawaguchiko, Day 4 – Nikko, Day 5 – Tsukiji, Day 6 – Bento lunch on bullet train, Day 8 – Nara
• 6 Dinners included; Day 2 – Prime 42 in Tokyo, Day 5 – Gonpachi Nishi Azabu, Tokyo, Day 6 – The Sodoh, Kyoto, Day 7 – Saami with kimono experience, Kyoto, Day 9 – Fortune Garden, Kyoto
• Dinner drinks included on Day 5, Day 6 and Day 9
• All transportation within Japan (private coach and bullet train)
• Entrance fees to all listed sites and experiences
• English-speaking local guide throughout
• Glow Host to support and guide throughout
• Bottled water on the coach each day
• All local taxes & service charges

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