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Arrive
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Day 1 Arrive in Tokyo
Arrive in Tokyo at any time, where you will be met at the airport and privately transferred to your hotel. You will be welcomed by a local Red Savannah representative who will provide an introduction to travel in Japan. They will also provide you with your bullet train tickets, a pre-paid local travel card, and a pocket WiFi router for you to use throughout your trip. This small gadget will permit you to connect up to 10 devices, allowing you to use maps on your phones and have an internet connection at all times, including on trains.
The rest of the day is free for you to relax and recover from your journey.
Overnight: Palace Hotel Tokyo
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Day 2 Sushi & Ninja
A fun and interactive day of activities designed to immerse you into Tokyo life awaits today. Your private local guide will first introduce you to Tokyo's celebrated Tsukiji Market, where rows of stalls showcase an extraordinary array of freshly caught seafood. You will then move on to a hands-on sushi-making class under the guidance of a professional chef, savouring the results for lunch. This is a hugely enjoyable experience for the whole family - fish lovers or not!
This afternoon, immerse yourself in Japan's martial heritage with a private Ninjutsu workshop. Led by members of an authentic Ninja clan whose lineage dates back to 1583, this action-packed workshop explores ancient techniques and weaponry, spiritual discipline. There will be opportunities for the whole family to get involved - in full costume!
Overnight: Palace Hotel Tokyo
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Day 3 Free time in Tokyo
Enjoy a full day exploring Tokyo as a family. There are endless things to see and do, but we highly recommend you start at teamLabs Planets. This incredible digital art installation allows you to step barefoot into shimmering pools and glowing rooms that come alive with light and sounds that react to your movements. We can arrange tickets in advance if this is of interest.
For your next stop you could visit the beautiful Meiji Jingu Shrine, surrounded by ancient forest, before diving into the colour and fun of Harajuku. Here you can wander past bright shopfronts, try sweet crepes, and spot the latest kawaii fashions. Round off the day in neon-lit Shibuya with a visit to multi-level gaming arcade, and watch Shibuya's famous pedestrian crossing swirl into action beneath the city lights.
Overnight: Palace Hotel Tokyo
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Day 4 Bullet train to Hiroshima
This morning you will be transferred to Tokyo Station and board the Shinkansen (bullet train) bound for Hiroshima. Race across Honshu at speeds of up to 200 mph in complete comfort.
On arrival, meet your local guide who will first introduce you to the Peace Memorial Park and the UNESCO World Heritage A-Bomb Dome. This was one of the few buildings to remain standing when the 'Little Boy' exploded above Hiroshima on 6 August 1945. Within the park, the Peace Memorial Museum recounts moving testimonies from the survivors. After your visit, there'll be time to stroll the tranquil Shukkei-en Gardens. Originally completely obliterated by the bomb, the gardens were lovingly replanted to their original state, and feature valleys, mountains and forests in miniature.
Overnight: Sheraton Grand Hotel Hiroshima
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Day 5 Natural beauty of Miyajima
This morning, meet your local guide and take the ferry across the bay to Miyajima. This peaceful island is the perfect spot to slow down and reconnect with nature after your time in Tokyo and Hiroshima.
Your private guide will introduce you to the highlights of this sacred island in a very accessible way. Together you'll explore centuries-old shrines and temples, as well as the iconic 'floating' torii gate. You may also encounter the wild deer that roam freely around the island. These deer are very tame and may even nuzzle you in search of a tasty snack. For lunch, you might like to try a delicious okonomiyaki layered pancake cooked in front of you on a hot teppan. This afternoon is then free for you to explore independently; you could take the cable car up Mount Misen, the island's highest peak, and enjoy the magnificent views from the summit. At the end of the afternoon, take the ferry back across the bay to Hiroshima and your hotel for the night.
Overnight: Sheraton Grand Hotel Hiroshima
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Day 6 Bullet train to Kyoto - castles & markets
This morning, board the Shinkansen for another high-speed journey to Kyoto, the country's cultural heart. Your local guide will meet you at the station and begin your introduction to the wonders of the city.
Begin your private tour at Nishiki Market - affectionately known as 'Kyoto's Kitchen' - where you can explore colourful stalls overflowing with tempting treats. Continue to the UNESCO acclaimed Nijo Castle, once home to the powerful Shogun. Its moats, impressive gates and beautifully painted doors capture the drama of feudal Japan, and children will love the 'nightingale floors' that chirp as you walk. These floors are thought to have been designed to alert guards to the presence of deadly assassins entering the castle. Complete your first day in Kyoto at a local textile centre to see skilled artisans hand-weaving kimono, a fascinating glimpse into one of Japan's oldest traditions.
Overnight: The Ritz Carlton Kyoto
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Day 7 Tea & Ramen in Kyoto
Discover Kyoto's northwest on an engaging full-day private tour designed for families. Begin at Kinkaku-ji, the dazzling Golden Pavilion built as a shogun's retreat, where gold-leaf reflections shimmer across the surrounding pond. Continue to Ryoan-ji to puzzle over its famous rock garden - said to reveal all fifteen stones only to those who look closely enough. You'll then be able to explore the peaceful paths of Ninna-ji, with its graceful temple halls and sculpted gardens. At a beautifully restored machiya townhouse, enjoy dressing in colourful kimono for a private tea ceremony and Kyoto-style lunch.
As evening approaches, roll up your sleeves for a hands-on ramen-making class, perfect for all ages. You'll then sit down to taste the noodles you've created together.
Overnight: The Ritz Carlton Kyoto
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Day 8 Free time in Kyoto
Enjoy a full day exploring Kyoto together at your own pace, with time to wander, pause, and discover as a family. Perhaps start with a stroll along the Philosopher's Path, where koi swim beneath stone bridges and the seasons unfold in colour. The trail links Ginkaku-ji and Nanzen-ji, two tranquil Zen temples surrounded by peaceful gardens where you can take some beautiful photos. Continue into the narrow lanes of Higashiyama, where wooden townhouses hide shops selling matcha ice cream, handmade toys, and local sweets. Meander through Gion's elegant streets before maybe following the gently sloping Sannenzaka up to Kiyomizu-dera, Kyoto's most iconic hillside temple, where sweeping city views reward your climb.
Overnight: The Ritz Carlton Kyoto
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Day 9 Osaka
Bid farewell to Kyoto this morning and take the 45-minute bullet train ride to neighbouring Osaka.
On arrival, spend a joyful half-day discovering the city's playful side with your guide. Begin at the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, where shimmering tanks reveal everything from graceful rays to mischievous otters. Step into Naniwa Kuishinbo Yokocho, a lively food street designed to look like Osaka in the 1960s, and taste local treats such as Osaka's version of okonomiyaki pancakes. Afterwards, take on the family challenge by summiting Japan's smallest mountain, the 4.5-metre-high Mt Tempo. Round off your adventure in Dotonbori Arcade, where dazzling lights, street entertainers, and tempting food stalls capture the city's infectious energy.
Overnight: Conrad Osaka
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Day 10 Universal Studios Japan
Spend the day at Universal Studios Japan, which delivers a thrilling adventure for the whole family. Eight imaginative zones bring favourite films and characters vividly to life. Super Nintendo World and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter are standout highlights, while younger visitors will love Universal Wonderland, where Hello Kitty, Snoopy and Sesame Street characters await. You can also glide across the Minion ice rink, soar through the galaxy on space-themed rides, or enjoy an exhilarating boat escape from a giant shark.
Overnight: Conrad Osaka
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Day 11 Return to Tokyo
Today you will take one final Shinkansen train ride and return to Tokyo for your final night in Japan.
After checking in to your hotel, perhaps spend the afternoon exploring the iconic streets of Asakusa. Here you can explore the paths around the oldest temple in Tokyo and discover an enticing mix of souvenir shops and traditional stores. You could then journey west to explore the intriguing shops of Kappabashi Street, and then whizz up to the top of the Tokyo Skytree, the world's tallest tower, to take in the panoramic views of the cityscape below.
Overnight: Palace Hotel Tokyo
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Day 12 Depart
Today it will be time to say sayonara to The Land of the Rising Sun. Your driver will meet you at your hotel and transfer you back to the airport in time for your flight home.
Overnight: Home
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Depart
