Day 1: Arrive Tokyo 

Welcome to Tokyo. Be met on arrival and transferred to your luxurious hotel. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers at a welcome dinner at your hotel, savouring Japanese flavours with a modern flair.

Stay: Three Nights, The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho 
Melas: Dinner

Day 2: Tokyo

Freedom of Choice
Explore Tokyo in depth on a tour of your choice. You can experience the incredible energy and efficiency of Tokyo’s vast underground metro – one of the most extensive rapid transit networks in in the world – as you delve into the buzzing districts of Shibuya and Harajuku, or perhaps discover the beauty of the Japanese gardens at Hama Rikyu and the Imperial Palace East Gardens, or you might like to learn more about the history of Japan at the Tokyo National Museum.

Following breakfast, set off with your Tour Director to Roppongi, where you’ll soak in the scenery at the observation deck at Mori Tower, which on a clear day provides outstanding panoramic views of Tokyo. Next up is Tokyo’s old town of Asakusa, which is home to the city’s oldest temple, Sensoji. Visit the iconic Buddhist temple and stroll through the Namikase shopping street indulging in snacks and souvenir shopping. Following lunch, embark on your exciting Freedom of Choice activity.

Meals: Breakfast & lunch

Day 3: Tokyo 

Signature Experience 
Take part in a sushi-making class and learn to prepare maki sushi (rolled sushi) and nigiri sushi (sushi rice topped with a slice of raw fish) before savouring your homemade delights for lunch.

Visit Meiji Shrine this morning, a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deified spirit of Emperor Meiji. Following your delectable Signature Experience, be guided to Ginza, Tokyo’s most famous upmarket shopping district. Marvel at the presentation and diversity of food at a local department store before experiencing the fascinating Kabukiza Gallery, dedicated to the traditional performance art of Kabuki. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Meals: Breakfast & lunch 

Day 4: Tokyo, Hakone

Depart for Hakone following breakfast and catch glimpses of iconic Mount Fuji if it’s a clear day. Your first stop is at Hakone Shrine, a beautiful, historic Shinto shrine nestled in the forest by the shores of Lake Ashi. Enjoy a cruise on the picturesque lake and arrive at Togendai before taking in the scenery on the way to the volcanic valley of Owakudani via the Hakone Ropeway. Follow the walking trails around the bubbling pools and steam vents and perhaps try one of the famous black eggs boiled in the area’s natural hot springs. Head to your luxury hotel, which boasts access to a naturally heated onsen, and delight in a kaiseki-style dinner, a traditional multi-course meal, this evening.

Stay: Hakone, Kowkien Tenyu
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 5: Hakone, Matsumoto, Takayama

Set out this morning for a Signature Experience. Following your lunch, continue to Matsumoto and embark on your chosen activity before being transferred to your new hotel in Takayama, where you’ll indulge in dinner tonight.

Signature Experience
Try your hand at creating some traditional cuisine today with a soba buckwheat noodle cooking lesson and relish your creations for lunch.

Freedom of Choice
In Matsumoto, you can choose to visit the spectacular Matsumoto Castle. One of Japan’s most complete original castles, the structure dates back to the 16th century, and you’ll have the chance to tour the castle and its pristine grounds. Alternatively, visit the Matsumoto City Museum of Art to admire fantastic works from artists born in the city or inspired by its surroundings, including iconic contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama.

Stay: Two Nights, Associa Takayama Resort
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 6: Takayama

Signature Experience
Enjoy a Sarubobo-making workshop. An amulet particularly common in Takayama and the nearby Hida region, Sarubobo are red dolls with no facial features. Learn how to make the dolls and discover why these amulets are believed to bring good luck.

Start off the day with a visit to the Miyagawa morning market, one of the largest in Japan. All the market’s traders are independent farmers and craftspeople from the region, so it’s the perfect opportunity to try some of the area’s best produce. You’ll also take a stroll through Takayama Jinya, a beautifully preserved 17th-century building built for a noble family and the Tokugawa shonugate. Following your Signature Experience, wander along the stunning streets of the city’s old town on the way to the Festival Floats Museum, where you’ll admire the ornamental floats of the Takayama Festival. For dinner, you’ll have the chance to try the region’s famous Hida beef at a local restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast & dinner

Day 7: Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Kanazawa 

Today you’ll visit the World Heritage-listed village of Shirakawa-go en route to Kanazawa. Some of the village’s famous gassho-zukuri farmhouses date back more than 250 years, and you’ll stop at Kanda House to gain a deeper insight into the traditional homes before strolling around the peaceful village. Continue to Kanazawa and the marvellous Kenroku-en garden, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. Later, stroll through the Nagamachi Samurai district and the traditional Nomura Samurai House. Enjoy your choice of restaurant for dinner this evening.

Freedom of Choice
Choose between Japanese at Benkay or European cuisine at La PLAGE, both within the hotel, for your delicious dinner this evening.

Stay: Hotel Nikko Kanazawa
Meals: Breakfast & dinner

Day 8: Kanazawa, Tsuruga, Kyoto

Start your day in the Higashi Chaya District, Kanazawa’s largest geisha district. Enjoy a special Signature Experience before visiting the traditional Shima tea house. Following lunch, be transferred to the train station to board a bullet train to Tsuruga, then change to a limited express train to Kyoto. Upon arrival, walk to your nearby accommodation and settle in before savouring a delicious dinner at the restaurant of your choice.

Signature Experience 
Relish a gold leaf-making experience, decorating a small lacquer plate with this fragile and precious product.

Freedom of Choice
For dinner, you can choose to dine on French cuisine at Le Un or savour local Japanese food at Chiriri. 

Stay: Four Nights, The Thousand Kyoto
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 9: Kyoto

An exciting day of sightseeing lies ahead. Set out for Arashiyama this morning, climbing aboard a rickshaw for a ride past the Nonomiya Shrine and the spectacular Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Following your rickshaw experience, stop off at the World Heritage-listed Tenryuji Temple, one of the Five Great Zen Temples of Kyoto, which was founded in 1339. After lunch at a local restaurant, head to the famous Kinkakuji temple, commonly known as the Golden Pavilion for its gold-leaf-covered upper floors. You’ll then visit historic Nijo Castle before returning to your hotel and spending the evening at your leisure.

Meals: Breakfast & lunch 

Day 10: Kyoto

Begin your day with a special Signature Experience. In the afternoon, head out on your chosen Freedom of Choice activity before returning to your hotel.

Signature Experience 
Delve into traditional Japanese culture with a special tea ceremony experience. Learn all about tea varieties and the importance and process of serving tea to guests in Japan. Enhance your experience by taking part in the ceremony wearing an exquisite kimono and gain a better understanding of the variety of kimonos worn at different occasions.

Freedom of Choice
This afternoon, choose one of three diverse tours around Kyoto. You can embark on a Nishiki Market and sake-tasting tour or take part in a sweets workshop learning how to make wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) before visiting the Kyoto Confectionary Museum. Alternatively, set out on an E-bike cycling tour, where you’ll ride through the Miyagawacho and Gion geisha districts, stop off at the Imperial Palace Park and cycle along the Shirakawa Canal and Kamogawa River.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 11: Kyoto, Nara

After breakfast, board a private coach for the nearby town of Nara, once the capital of Japan for 74 years in the eighth century. Visit the incredible Todaiji Temple, one of the world’s largest wooden structures and home to the country’s largest statue of Buddha. Stroll through the fascinating temple before exploring the surrounding Nara Park, which is freely roamed by a large population of friendly deer who will generally bow their heads for a treat. Next, see Nara’s most celebrated shrine, Kasuga Taisha, which was established in AD768. Return to the hotel with free time this afternoon before savouring a special Signature Experience for dinner.

Signature Experience
A special night of private entertainment with a maiko or geisha awaits. Enjoy a wonderful dinner and drinks and have the chance to learn more about geisha and their daily lives, all accompanied by music played on a shamisen, a traditional stringed instrument.

Meals: Breakfast & dinner

Day 12: Kyoto, Depart Osaka

Your journey comes to an end after breakfast this morning with a transfer to Osaka’s Kansai International Airport.

Meals: Breakfast

*Advertised price is based on 16 September 2025 departure and includes saving amount. Other departures available at seasonal surcharge. Prices and availability are subject to change. Please contact your RAC travel consultant for current pricing, departure dates and availability.

*Terms & Conditions apply. Advertised price is indicative and may not be available on all departure dates listed. Price is based on 02 September 2025 departure and includes saving amount. All prices are seasonal and are subject to change. Prices are per person, AUD, twin share and include saving amounts. For full terms and conditions please enquire with your RAC travel consultant. 

^Save up to $1400 per couple: Book by 31 May 2025 or until sold out. Save $1400 ($700 per person) when you book selected APT Asia tours up to 15 days in duration departing in 2025. Credit is not transferrable or redeemable for cash. A $1000 per person non-refundable deposit must be paid within seven days of booking. Discount is combinable with Travel with Friends Discount where applicable.
General Information & Conditions: Information and offers are correct as of 14 April 2025, but may fluctuate due to changes in availability, surcharges, fees, taxes or exchange rates. All pricing and amounts are in Australian dollars. A limited number of offers are available until sold out, are subject to availability and are only available on new bookings. Offers apply to selected holidays and categories. Offers cannot be redeemed for cash and may be withdrawn at any time. Earlybird Offers cannot be combined unless otherwise stated.
Travel with Friends Discount: Save $300 per couple ($150 per person) available when six or more friends are travelling together on the same cruise or tour, and book that cruise or tour at the same time. Discount is combinable with Save up to $1800 per couple* offer where applicable. Not combinable with any other group discount.

A further deposit of $165 per person applies. General RAC Travel terms and conditions apply.