If you’ve been meaning to “do” Japan for the first time, our luxury Japan itinerary is here for you. Aptly named Majestic Japan for its supreme majesty in all areas: iconic temples, fairytale lanscapes (seen from the windows of bullet trains), magical metropolises, luxury hotels (often with their own onsen or hot springs) and life-altering food, this is an 11-day luxury tour to Japan that will leave you thrillingly sated (and planning to come back for more).
Days 1-2: Osaka
Categorically not just a smaller Tokyo, Osaka is a singular city that sparkles with life. It has street food like nowhere else on earth, a cracking nightlife scene and daytime strolls that are not too arduous but dotted with delights. We kick off our tour of Japan in style at the Imperial Hotel Osaka, which has terrific, welcoming views of the skyline and the shimmering Okawa River (which is popular for cherry blossom cruising). Once everyone’s settled at the hotel (perhaps after a swim in the brilliant pool, with its epic views), our guests meet over tempura, sushi and sake. And we’re off…
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Day 3: Hiroshima
Kyoto and Osaka are about an hour from each other by car, and a mere 14-15 minutes by shinkansen, not even long enough to require a bento box picnic. On our luxury Japan itinerary, however, we slow things down by traveling via Hiroshima, so we have time to sit back and relax as we travel past small towns, rice fields and snow-capped mountains. In Hiroshima, the itinerary is as varied as this thriving, cosmopolitan community; we pause to reflect at the Peace Memorial Park and meet a survivor of the world’s first atomic-bomb attack. Later, we try okonomiyaki – one of many unmissable gastronomic experiences – before heading onward to one of the loveliest luxury hotels in Kyoto: The Thousands.
Day 4: Kyoto
There is much to see in Kyoto, and often visitors encounter a long distance between key sights, so we’ve carefully designed a fulfilling day taking in temples, bamboo groves, and the Gion district, which is famed for its geisha, as well as its teahouses and lantern-lit restaurants. Guests love our visit to the picture postcard Zen Buddhist temple Kinkaku-ji, a three-tiered pavilion covered with gold leaf, which reflects spectacularly in the pond beneath. Lunch is traditional Kyo-Kaiseki cuisine (multi-course, Kyoto cooking), with an unforgettable performance by a maiko – an apprentice geisha.
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Day 5: Mount Fuji
Is there a more iconic mountain in the world than Mount Fuji? Many visitors to Japan encounter it through the window on their way somewhere else, but on day five, we board the bullet train to Mishima, an oasis-like town built on the lava flow of Mount Fuji – for our close up. This is your luxury Japan itinerary, so you might choose to soak up the views on the Kachi-Kachi Ropeway cable car, or to visit the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum for an alternative dose of serenity (in the gardens), some spectacular architecture and a dazzling collection of kimonos. We head straight on to the Cerulean Tower Tokyo Hotel for a well-earned rest before a big day in the capital.
Day 6: Tokyo
Where to begin? Tokyo is a simply thrilling place to be, and you have some difficult choices to make. Will you join a local expert on a tour of the arty, fashion-forward Omotesando and Harajuku neighborhoods? Will you spend time crafting your own lunch with a master sushi chef? Will you prioritize the Tokyo National Museum or the Meiji-jingu Shrine? And what on earth will you eat first? We’ll help you work all this out and more, so that your day in Tokyo is everything you want it to be. But don’t panic – you’ll be back on day 10.
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Day 7: Sendai
Our luxury Japan itinerary is all about balance, so after the energy of Tokyo, we take the opportunity to revel in Japan’s soothing nature. On a private cruise of Matsushima Bay, we listen to the many haikus it has inspired, which describe it as a place of love and wonder. We eat fresh seafood in a local inn, and we embrace the nourishment and calm of a traditional tea ceremony.
Day 8: Tsugaru and Hirosaki Castle
This is a magical stop that makes a trip to Japan extra special. This wedding cake castle features fortified moats and castle gates, and is one of the country’s cherry blossom hotspots. In season, the blush pink petals fill the moat so it looks like a strawberry milkshake. We learn about the meticulous care and nurturing of the trees from a specialized cherry blossom doctor.
Day 9: Oirase
You are booked into the Hoshino Resorts Oirase Keiryu Hotel, a wildly serene mountain stream resort inside a National Park, surrounded by clear streams, mossy rocks, and a forest of deciduous broad-leaved trees. The hotel features hot springs and restaurants out in the thick of it, surrounded by a changing colour palette, depending on the season of your visit. While we’re in Oirase, we enjoy a rare opportunity to meet a sake brewmaster, Takeshi Miura, and share some of Japan’s sacred drink in stunning surroundings.
Day 10: Back to Tokyo
However you choose to spend your remaining time in Tokyo, we always toast to a successful trip to Japan with a celebratory dinner at Hoshinonaruki. It’s always an intensely atmospheric meal, showcasing Japanese culinary techniques and seasonal ingredients.
Day 11: Arigato Nihon!
Your private car takes you to Narita or Haneda International Airport. Unless, of course, you choose to stay awhile…
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