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Bright lights and big cities, relaxing countryside and tranquil onsens, and some of the best food in the world; a Japan travel package with us won’t disappoint!

Whether it’s your first or your fifth time visiting the country, if you’re wondering what to do in Japan, then our guided tour can help you to uncover all of the best sights to see. Starting off in Osaka, and travelling through Kyoto, Mishima, and Hakone, before ending in the capital of Tokyo, it’ll undoubtedly be one of the best holidays you ever go on.

So, read on to discover all of the best places to see in Japan on our package holidays; and if you fancy arriving there in style, why not find out more about our private jet charters? 

Day one: Osaka 

Once you’ve touched down at KIX airport, you’ll be met by an English-speaking local guide in the arrivals hall, who will drive you to your hotel, where you can check in, unpack, and unwind. Kick off your trip with an evening stroll around Dotonbori, which is reminiscent of New York’s Times Square, with its neon billboards, crowds of tourists, and a plethora of shops and restaurants.

The perfect place to get you geared up for discovering Japan’s beauty, dine on sushi or donburi, and see if you can find Glico Man, who is the unofficial mascot of the area, before strolling along the promenade by Dotonbori River

How long you decide to stay out is up to you, as the jetlag might be starting to hit, meaning you’ll need a good night’s sleep ahead of tomorrow’s adventure!

Day two: Osaka

It’s a full day of adventure ahead – once you’ve tucked into a delicious hotel breakfast, the first thing on your list is a visit to Osaka Castle. One of the most famous landmarks in all of Japan, construction initially began in the 1500s, but it’s been rebuilt over the years. Visit the turrets, towers, gates, and surrounding citadels, before enjoying a relaxing stroll around Nishinomaru Garden, which comes to life during Sakura season. If you’d like to visit specifically during this season, then you might want to book onto our cherry blossom tour!

Next on the agenda for day two is a trip to Kuromon Ichiba Market, which just so happens to be one of the best things to do in Japan. Primarily a fish market, sample grilled crab legs, oysters, and sushi; or visit some of the traditional confectionary stores, if you’re after something sweet.

End your second day in Japan with a visit to the top of Umeda Sky Building. Towering tall at 173 metres, you can enjoy the best views of Osaka from the top, with its glass window observatory, but also make the time to visit the floating garden observatory on the 39th floor, which connects the two towers within Umeda Sky Building together. 

There is a selection of restaurants in the basement if you want to dine here – or you can head back to your hotel for a meal there, before getting some much-needed shut-eye.

Day three: Osaka - Kyoto

Day three means a transfer to Kyoto by car, with the journey broken up by a stop-off at Fushimi Inari Shrine en route. One of the best things to see in Japan, the shrine is dedicated to Inari, the Shinto God of rice. 

There are several buildings to discover, including the main hall, and the ‘Senbon Torii’, which translates to ‘thousands of torii gates’, and leads through to a mountain trail. The hike to the top takes around three hours, but you can turn around and come back anytime you’d like.

The journey from Fushimi Inari Shrine to Kyoto takes around 20 minutes, and once you’ve checked into your hotel, you’ll have the evening free to discover the Gion district, which is the most famous geisha district in the city.

Head to an ‘ochaya’ (teahouse), where you can be entertained by a geisha, or visit the other shops and restaurants that line the streets, with Hanami-koji Street one of the busiest. A geisha experience typically includes them serving drinks, engaging in light conversation, and performing traditional dance – with it considered as one of the best things to do in Japan.

Alternatively, if you don’t want to do a geisha hosting experience, then you might be lucky to see a ‘geiko’ or ‘maiko’ (Kyoto words for ‘geisha’ and ‘geisha apprentice’) passing you in the street as they run errands, but make sure you’re respectful, and don’t take pictures of them.

Day four: Kyoto

Start the day off once again with breakfast at your hotel, before a full-day tour of Kyoto, to see some of the top things to do in Japan.

Kinkakuji Temple is first on the agenda, with its gold leaf-adorned top two floors giving it the affectionate nickname of ‘Golden Pavilion’. Overlooking a large pond, it’s the perfect place for taking pictures, and there’s also a tea garden on-site, where you can enjoy matcha tea.

From there, you’ll visit Arashiyama Bamboo Forest; where, as you stand amongst the rows and rows of looming bamboo, you’ll feel as if you’re in another world. Arashiyama Main Street is right around the corner, and can be busy with tourists, but rightly so. Togetsu-kyo Bridge is an iconic sight of Kyoto, which spans 155 metres, connecting both sides of the Katsura River, and is a highlight of the city.

Finally, head to Nijo Castle, which was once home to Tokugawa Ieyasu, who was the first shogun of the Edo period. You’ll get to visit all three areas of the castle: the main circle of defence, the secondary circle, and the surrounding gardens. Make sure you stop at Karamon Gate on the way, which is Chinese in style, and leads the way to Ninomaru Palace, which is within the secondary circle.

After all of that exploring, you’ll no doubt be hungry, so it’s time to find some dinner, before heading back to your hotel for a good night’s rest.

Day five: Kyoto – Mishima - Hakone

Day five is another day of travel, as you stop off at Mishima and Hakone, and you’ll want to have an overnight bag prepared for this. You’ll catch the express train from Kyoto to Mishima (with a second-class reserved seat on Kodama No. 708), which will take a couple of hours.

Once you’ve arrived, head to Mishima Skywalk, where you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking view of Mount Fuji in the distance, as you walk across the country’s largest pedestrian suspension bridge, which spans 400 metres. If that’s not enough to get your blood pumping, you could try the zip slide at Forest Adventure, where you’ll glide 70 metres high in the air. 

From there, you’ll head to Lake Ashi, which is one of the most picturesque places to see in Japan, where you’ll get to see more stunning views of Mount Fuji. Take a boat ride on the azure waters over to Hakone, which can take between 15-30 minutes to reach; and then enjoy a peaceful evening at your next stop.

Day six: Hakone - Tokyo

After breakfast, it’s time to transfer to Tokyo, and once you’ve checked in, you’ll have a few hours to explore the Roppongi district. Known for its nightlife and shopping, you’ll be in awe of the towering skyscrapers, luxury shopping centres, and Michelin-Star restaurants.

Once you’ve had your fill of food and shopping, why not check out the museums in the area? The Suntory Museum of Art is home to a selection of Japanese artwork and crafts, and Mori Art Museum can be found on the top floor of Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, and is famed for its collection of contemporary Asian art.

Day seven: Tokyo

For your final full day, be prepared to uncover more iconic attractions in Tokyo, and Japan; with Tokyo Skytree your first stop of the day. The tallest tower in the world, at a looming 634 metres, it goes without saying that the views you’ll have of Japan’s capital are unrivalled. There’s a café, restaurant, and shop here, if you’d like to buy some souvenirs, or take a break and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee.

From there, you’ll head to the Asakusa district, to explore Sensoji Temple and Nakamise Shopping Arcade. The former is Tokyo’s oldest temple, and has a five-storey pagoda that dates all the way back to 942, before being burnt down during the Great Tokyo Air Raid in 1945. The latter is the best place to shop in the district, and is home to traditional sweet and souvenir shops, and is the perfect place for picking up something to remember your time in Japan.

Meiji-jingu Shrine is another one of our favourite things to do in Japan, and is somewhere you’ll get to visit on your tour of Tokyo. Dedicated to Emperor Meiji, who was the country’s first modern emperor, you’ll enter through a torii gate, and wander through a tranquil forest, with the thousands of trees making you forget you’re in the capital.

Next up, it’s time to cross the busiest crossing in the world – Shibuya Crossing – before heading back for one final evening at your hotel.