Your in-depth exploration of Japan begins in Tokyo.

On arrival at Narita or Haneda Airport, take a shuttle bus transfer to your centrally located hotel, where you'll join your Travel Director and fellow guests for a welcome drink and local appetisers. Stay: New Otani Garden Tower

We launch our city tour in the old-time entertainment centre of Asakusa, where we'll encounter the Sensoji Buddhist Temple. One of Tokyo's most colourful and popular temples, Sensoji has been rebuilt countless times since it was founded in 628, making it Tokyo's oldest temple site. Strolling down Nakamise next, immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of shitamachi (downtown Tokyo), admiring the wooden dolls, colourful chiyogami (origami paper) and traditional Japanese sweets. Ascend Tokyo Skytree, the world's highest free-standing broadcasting tower for panoramic views of the city. (B)

Our first stop today is the Imperial Palace Plaza from where the two bridges that form the entrance to the inner grounds of the Imperial Palace can be viewed. We'll have the opportunity to explore the leafy Imperial Palace East Gardens before continuing our city tour. At the Tokyo National Museum browse collections of Japanese art, then continue to the Ginza district where you'll learn how to make sushi with a professional sushi chef. Venture to the Five Lakes District next, keeping a keen eye out for the UNESCO-listed Mt. Fuji which dominates the landscape. (B/L/D) Stay: Fuji Marriott Yamanakako

Admire the reflections of the sky and landscapes in the clear waters, then ascend Mt. Fuji by road to 2,300 metres at the 5th station. Ride up Mt. Tenjo on the Kachikachiyama Ropeway next, for jaw-dropping views (weather permitting) of Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchiko. Then, journey through the Japanese Alps to the beautiful hillside town of Takayama, before enjoying dinner at the hotel. Visit the Takayama Evening festival where you will see the spectacular sight of the floats decorated with lanterns. (B/D) Stay: Associa Takayama Resort

Immerse yourself in tradition as you walk through the Edo-style streets of Takayama's Old Town. Indulge in a lunch of Japanese Hida-gyu – beef from a black-haired Japanese cattle breed, renowned as one of the finest quality varieties of beef. After lunch, immerse yourself in the town's festive atmosphere. Admire the intricately carved yatai (floats) that date back to the 17th century and feature karakuri ningyo (marionettes) which move and dance as their strings are managed by the tsunakata (puppeteers).

Later, return to the hotel by coach. (B/L/D)

Journey back in time this morning during a visit to the peaceful UNESCO-listed Gokayama, a mountain village set amidst five valleys. Admire the unique construction of the local Gassho-zukuri wooden houses that have been built without the use of nails with steeply sloped thatched roofs to prevent snow from building up on them.

Later observe local artisans making washi paper and trying your hand at making your own. This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience contributes to the sustainability of this small business. Then, continue to Kanazawa and take a short walk through the Omicho market and enjoy an insider's view of everyday life in a busy coastal town. Next, visit the gardens of Kenroku-en, shaped over a hundred years before continuing with a visit to a Local Specialist to learn the secrets of painting gold leaf. Stay overnight in Kanazawa. (B) Stay: Kanazawa Tokyu

Board an Express train this morning to Kyoto, where you'll connect with locals at a traditional restaurant on your Be My Guest experience. You'll learn about local Japanese customs from your hosts. After lunch, visit the UNESCO-listed Kinkakuji Temple with its famous Kinkaku (Golden Pavilion), the proud symbol of Kyoto and a Zen temple, which has its origins as a 14th-century villa. (B/L) Stay: The Hotel Higashiyama

The blazing orange torii gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine guide your path through the forest, up into the mountains and to a sacred site that has heard prayers for prosperity and happiness since the 8th century. Continue to Sanjusangen-do Hall and admire the minute detail of each of its 1,001 “thousand-handed” goddesses of mercy statues, then enjoy a walking tour of the Gion area.

This evening, indulge in dinner with your Travel Director and fellow guests. (B/D)

Our encounter with Japan's age-old traditions and modern cityscapes at its end, we take a transfer by airport shuttle service to Kansai International Airport or Osaka Itami Airport for our onward flight. Alternatively, continue to Hiroshima by choosing the 13-day Splendours of Japan with Hiroshima itinerary. (B)

Your in-depth exploration of Japan begins in Tokyo. On arrival at Narita or Haneda Airport, take a shuttle bus transfer to your centrally located hotel, where you'll join your Travel Director and fellow guests for a drink and local appetisers. Stay: New Otani Garden Tower

Begin your city tour in Asakusa,Tokyo's historic entertainment district, where you'll encounter the Sensoji Buddhist Temple, one of the city's most colourful and popular temples. Founded in 628 and rebuilt many times over the centuries, Sensoji is Tokyo's oldest temple site. Next, stroll down Nakamise Street and immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of Shitamachi (downtown Tokyo), admiring the wooden dolls, colourful chiyogami(origami paper) and traditional Japanese sweets. Ascend Tokyo Skytree, the world's tallest free-standing broadcasting tower, for panoramic views of the city skyline. (B)

Your first stop today is the Imperial Palace Plaza, where you can view the two bridges that form the entrance to the inner grounds of the Imperial Palace. You'll have the opportunity to explore the leafy Imperial Palace East Gardens before continuing your city tour. At the Tokyo National Museum, browse collections of Japanese art, then continue to the Ginza district to learn the art of sushi-making with a professional sushi chef. Next, venture to the Five Lakes District, keeping a keen eye out for the UNESCO-listed Mt. Fuji, which dominates the landscape. (B/L/D) Stay: Fuji Marriott Yamanakako

Admire the reflections of the sky and landscapes in the clear waters, then ascend Mt. Fuji by road to the 5th station at 2,300 metres. Ride up Mt. Tenjo on the Kachikachiyama Ropeway next, for jaw-dropping views (weather permitting) of Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchiko. Then, journey through the Japanese Alps to the beautiful hillside town of Takayama, where you'll enjoy dinner at the hotel.

In the evening, visit the Takayama festival where you'll see the spectacular sight of floats decorated with glowing lanterns. (B/D) Stay: Associa Takayama Resort

Immerse yourself in tradition as you walk through the Edo-style streets of Takayama's Old Town. Enjoy a lunch of Japanese Hida-gyu – beef from a black-haired Japanese cattle breed, renowned as one of the finest quality varieties of beef. After lunch, soak up the town's festive atmosphere. Admire the intricately carved yatai (floats), some dating back to the 17th century, featuring karakuri ningyo (mechanical marionettes) that move and dance under the skilled control of tsunakata (puppeteers). Later, return to the hotel. (B/L/D)

Journey back in time this morning during a visit to the peaceful, UNESCO-listed village of Gokayama, nestled among five mountain valleys. Admire the unique construction of the local Gassho-zukuri wooden houses that have been built without the use of nails with steeply sloped thatched roofs to prevent snow from accumulating.

Later observe local artisans making washi paper and try your hand at crafting your own. This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience contributes to the sustainability of this small business. Then, continue to Kanazawa, take a short walk through the Omicho market and enjoy an insider's view of everyday life in a busy coastal town. Next, visit the gardens of Kenroku-en, shaped over a hundred years before meeting a Local Specialist to learn the secrets of gold leaf painting. (B) Stay: Kanazawa Tokyu

Board an express train this morning to Kyoto, where you'll connect with locals at a traditional restaurant on your Be My Guest experience. Learn about local Japanese customs from your hosts. After lunch, visit the UNESCO-listed Kinkakuji Temple, home to the famous Kinkaku (Golden Pavilion), the proud symbol of Kyoto and a Zen temple, which has its origins as a 14th-century villa. (B/L) Stay: Kyoto Tokyu

The blazing orange torii gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine guide your path through the forest, up into the mountains and to a sacred site that has heard prayers for prosperity and happiness since the 8th century. Continue to Sanjusangen-do Hall and admire the intricate detail of its 1,001 statues of the “thousand-handed” goddesses of mercy. Then, enjoy a walking tour through the Gion district, known for its traditional wooden machiya houses and geisha culture. This evening, indulge in dinner with your Travel Director and fellow travellers. (B/D)

Your encounter with Japan's age-old traditions and modern cityscapes comes to an end, take a transfer by airport shuttle service to Kansai International Airport or Osaka Itami Airport for our onward flight. (B)