Snow-capped Mount Fuji rising beyond wooded hills and the blue water of Lake Ashi in Hakone, Japan

10 nights · Otemachi, Tokyo to Gora, Hakone to Arashiyama, Kyoto

Tokyo, Hakone and Kyoto: ten nights by bullet train

About this journey

Four nights high above Tokyo, two in a ryokan in the Hakone hills with its own hot spring baths, then four on the river in Arashiyama for Kyoto. Your luggage goes ahead by courier, so every train is easy.

Length
10 nights
Best months
March to May, October and November
Route
Otemachi, Tokyo, Gora, Hakone and Arashiyama, Kyoto

What is included

  • Return economy flights from London Heathrow to Tokyo
  • Reserved Green Car seats on the shinkansen and local trains
  • Luggage forwarding between each hotel
  • Bed and breakfast at Aman Tokyo and Hoshinoya Kyoto
  • Half board with a kaiseki dinner each night at Gora Kadan
  • A private guide for one day in Tokyo and two days in Kyoto
  • Private transfers on arrival and departure

Not included

  • Travel insurance
  • Most lunches and dinners
  • Temple and garden entry fees on unguided days
  • Any entry authorisation fees, where required

Day by day

Open any day for the detail. Everything here can move: add a night, swap a hotel, change the order.

  1. Day 1 · Otemachi, TokyoArrive in Tokyo

    The overnight flight lands in the morning. A driver takes you to the hotel in Otemachi, above the gardens of the Imperial Palace, where the best cure for jet lag is a long bath and an early walk.

    Overnight: Aman Tokyo

  2. Days 2 to 4 · Asakusa, TokyoThree days in Tokyo

    A private guide for the first day, from the fish stalls and knife shops of Tsukiji outer market to Senso-ji in Asakusa. Then two free days for the Meiji Shrine, the design shops of Aoyama, and small bars in the lanes of Shinjuku.

    Overnight: Aman Tokyo

  3. Days 5 to 6 · Gora, HakoneHakone and the hot springs

    The train to Odawara and the small mountain railway up to Gora. Ride the ropeway over the steaming valley at Owakudani, cruise Lake Ashi for a view of Mount Fuji on a clear day, and come back for the baths and a long kaiseki dinner.

    Overnight: Gora Kadan

  4. Days 7 to 10 · Arashiyama, KyotoKyoto from the river

    The shinkansen west to Kyoto and a boat up the river to Arashiyama. A guide takes you to the temples and gardens early before the crowds, including the bamboo grove and Fushimi Inari, with a day trip to Nara for the great Buddha at Todai-ji.

    Overnight: Hoshinoya Kyoto

  5. Day 11 · Haneda Airport, TokyoFly home

    The shinkansen back to Tokyo, with the luggage already sent ahead, and a transfer to the airport for the flight home to London Heathrow.

1Otemachi, Tokyo2Asakusa, Tokyo3Gora, Hakone4Arashiyama, Kyoto5Haneda Airport, Tokyo

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, shown when you open the interactive map.

Where you stay

The properties this route is planned around. We can suggest alternatives at a different price point.

Ways to make it yours

  • Two nights on the Ise-Shima coast

    Add two nights at Amanemu above Ago Bay between Kyoto and home, with a visit to the Ise Grand Shrine.

  • A tea ceremony in Kyoto

    A private tea ceremony with a tea master in a Kyoto townhouse, arranged for one of your afternoons.

  • Business class flights

    Upgrade the long-haul flights to business class in both directions. We quote the fare at the time of booking.

Dates and seasons

Planned for March to May, October and November, when Japan is at its best. Outside those months it still works, with different trade-offs; ask us.

When to go to Japan

Ask about this journey

Tell us your dates and who is travelling, and your specialist will send a tailored version of this route.

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Or call 07460 326032

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