A Sensory Journey to Japan

Find out what life is like for Japan’s heroic warriors, by tucking into lunch with a traditional sumo wrestler. You meal will be a typical sumo dish, so come armed with a gladiator appetite as you get under the skin of one of Japan’s biggest and most historical sports with a “gentleman of strength”

Enjoy a leisurely lie-in this morning and take it easy after sampling Tokyo’s bar scene last night. Go easy on the carbs at breakfast because your lunch today is fit for a sumo wrestler – literally. That’s right, today you’ll be lunching with a sumo. Tuck into a typical sumo meal, most likely a hearty Chanko Nabe Hot Pot, and get to know what life is like for a traditional Japanese wrestler.  The rest of the afternoon is then yours to do as you please in Tokyo. From cat cafes to Samurai museums, there are plenty of things to see and do in this magnetic city of contrasts. Or, for anyone feeling fragile after last night, there are plenty of peaceful parks to relax in. The spacious lawns and tranquil scenery of Shinjuku Gyoen could be just the cure for your hangover.

Immerse yourself in the beauty of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, with a day-long trek through the giant trees and waterfalls of the Old Hakone trail. Stop at an ancient teahouse en-route and glimpse the snow-capped Mount Fuji on the horizon, before unwinding in a traditional inn with an on-site onsen. Wallow in this age-old hot spring bathing rite, amid the splendour of the natural landscape

Today we’re hitting the mountains and heading to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, home to spectacular lakes, forestland and sweeping views across to the snow-capped peak of Mount Fuji. We’ll visit the historic Hakone Checkpoint that leads to the trail of Tokaido, an old highway that connected Tokyo to Kyoto during the renowned Edo period. We’ll be hiking our way along the trail, exploring serene woodland pathways and drinking in the peace and quiet after life in Tokyo. It will be a full-on day of trekking past towering cedar trees, waterfalls and up to panoramic viewpoints (click here to read about fitness levels on Flash Pack adventures), so get your lungs pumping and enjoy a pit stop at a charming 350-year-old teahouse along the way.  This evening you can soothe your tired muscles in our traditional Japanese ryokan (inn), with a steamy onsen. This is a traditional Japanese experience where you bathe in water from a hot spring, fully naked. It’s single sex, entirely optional and sadly anyone with tattoos can’t take part due to their association with the Japanese mafia (or cover small tats with a plaster). Onsens are an integral part of Japanese culture, so it’s completely normal to strip off and relax surrounded by mountain greenery. Afterwards, dig into a seasonal meal of fresh fish from the Pacific and vegetables from the Hakone mountains.

Take a morning hike through the sensational alpine landscape of the Hakone mountains, getting off the beaten track with hidden woodland paths and valley trails. The afternoon is free time, so you could explore Mount Hakone’s stalls and museums. Or, simply float away a few more happy hours in the hotel’s hot springs, with fresh alpine air all around

Wake up in your ryokan-style hotel room, filled with futons and tatami mats, amid the crisp air of the Hakone mountains. This morning, we’ll don our hiking shoes for a wander through this glorious alpine landscape. Providing the weather is on our side, we’ll marvel at panoramic views of Mount Fuji while meandering around the surrounding forest trails. With our guide leading the way, we’ll go off the beaten track and trek through dappled woodland, across rolling plains and up to vantage points that open out onto the spectacular natural terrain. The rest of the day is yours to do as you fancy. We recommend exploring the quaint towns and shops around Mount Hakone, and moseying around some of the local museums. Our favourites include the Open Air Museum with its quirky assortment of sculptures dotted along the side of the mountain, or the Museum of The Little Prince for the world’s only museum dedicated to the novel by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Come evening, head back to your traditional inn for dinner and another blissful dip in the hot springs of the onsen.

Experience the giddy delights of Japan’s super-efficient transport system, with a mountain train and bullet train to the ancient capital of Kyoto. Visit Kiyomizu Dera and wander the city’s lantern-lined alleys. Then, limber up for a ninja class with a sword-wielding master. Bring your warrior skills to the fore, as you learn this unique and graceful art of warfare

This morning we’ll make a beeline for the cultural capital of Kyoto. A true bucket-list city, no trip to Japan is complete without a visit to this ancient and beguiling hub. We’ll hop aboard a mountain train out of the national park, before jumping on a Japanese bullet train. Zoom along at 320km/h to reach Kyoto, where we’ll wander along its quaint streets to the 1200-year-old Buddhist temple, Kiyomizu Dera. In the afternoon, it’s time to don your robes and headbands, and embrace your inner ninja. Have your swords and blow-darts at the ready, as an expert instructor teaches you the time-honoured art of Japanese combat. Afterwards, stroll along the lantern-lined Pontocho Alley, in a quintessential Kyoto experience. Then spend your evening in an izakaya – Japan’s equivalent to a gastro-pub – where you can enjoy a steady stream of sake and flavour-packed local dishes.

Hike the alpine trails around the iconic Fushimi Inari Shrine and Mount Inari. Pass through the sacred red gates before heading off-piste, for four hours of trekking through peaceful wooded hills. Later, learn how sake is made and fuel up on some tastings at a sake museum. Finish the night with a jaunt through the karaoke bars of Kyoto, all drinks included

Wake up this morning ready to get back to nature, with a visit to the legendary Fushimi Inari Shrine. Here we’ll pass through thousands of majestic red gates, known as torii, that lead to beautiful walking trails along Mount Inari. After 30 minutes of hiking, we’ll leave the tourists far behind for a vast expanse of epic scenery. Then, after four hours’ trekking through the gentle-wooded hills, we’ll reach the mountain peak for uninterrupted views and incredible photo opportunities beneath the bold red arches of the shrine. All this walking is thirsty work, so we’re then heading to a sake museum for tastings of this potent tipple. Learn how the ancient spirit is made, whilst conveniently topping up your Dutch courage for this evening’s entertainment. Yep, get set to sing your heart out: we’re indulging in one of Japan’s favourite past-times, in the karaoke bars of Kyoto. With all your drinks included, this promises to be one hilarious night. Grab the mic and show ‘em what you’re made of.

Explore the Tenryu-Ji temple and its incredible bamboo forest, with sunlight cutting through a canopy of tall and delicate trees. Hop aboard a tranquil afternoon boat ride down the Hozugawa river, in the heart of the Japanese countryside. Look out for Mount Atago on the horizon

After singing the night away, this morning we’re heading west to Arashiyama, where you can channel your inner zen in the resplendent bamboo forest and Tenryu-Ji temple. Here, you’ll find 14^th century showstopper gardens that have remained pristine come wars, fires and other historical dramas. Temple-hop through the picturesque countryside, wandering past Buddhist shrines and enchanting dragon murals. From here, we’ll catch a train through the alluring forest to the Hozugawa river, where your boat awaits. We’ll step aboard a traditional riverboat for a leisurely two-hour ride through this rural wonderland, with birds flying overhead and boatmen steering the way with bamboo poles. Revel in this tantalising glimpse of rural life, as you float past scenic woodland, with an eye out for Mount Atago in the distance. Anyone for some river-side sake?

Join a morning meditation session and tea ceremony with a Buddhist monk, to find your inner zen. Then, cycle your way around the majestic temples and palaces of Kyoto. Take a bullet train to Hiroshima, for an evening feast of all-you-can-eat savoury pancakes

Rise and shine this morning and saddle up for a morning of cycling through Kyoto. Your first stop is the Daisen-In Temple for a meditation class with a Buddhist monk, who’ll guide you on a journey of inner contentment – followed by a traditional tea ceremony. Feeling calm and relaxed, hop back on your bikes to one of Kyoto’s most iconic sites. The Golden Pavilion at the Kinkaku-ji Zen Buddhist Temple is a mesmerising show of  intricate Japanese architecture, with its gold-leafed exterior reflected in the shimmering lake below. We’ll wander around the lake before cycling onwards to the Grounds of the Imperial Palace. Here, you can explore the palace’s landscaped gardens, pedalling over quaint bridges and around picturesque ponds. This afternoon, swap your bikes for the bullet train, as we zip our way into Hiroshima. Having been destroyed by the infamous atomic bomb of 1945, this resilient city has gradually rebuilt over time, and nowadays it’s home to an influx of modern and trendy bars. One such bar is ready and waiting to serve you a feast of all-you-can-eat savoury pancakes. Known as “okonomiyaki” (meaning “grilled as you like it”), these moreish delicacies come with a variety of fillings and there’s no better welcome to your new city base.

Visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum to understand the city’s devastating history. Then, travel to the small island of Miyajima, and kayak around the sacred shrine that “floats” in Hiroshima Bay. Savour oysters and Chablis on the island’s picturesque waterfront before retreating to a ryokan for a traditional Japanese meal

You can’t visit the revived city of Hiroshima without confronting its tragic past, so this morning we’re heading to the Peace Memorial Park and Museum. After this sombre yet expertly crafted reflection, we’ll move on to the scenic island of Miyajima. Home to picturesque shrines, beaches and waterfalls, there’s also friendly local deer here, and the striking Great Torii site is seen to be “floating” in Hiroshima Bay. You’ll soon be floating for yourself, as we take to the Miyajima waters on a host of kayaks. Paddle your way around the scenic island, as you savour a unique vantage point of its many shrines. Come evening, we’ll make the most of Miyajima’s serene waterfront, known for its winning combination of oysters and Chablis. Indulge in this delightful local delicacy and enjoy the picturesque view of the seafront, before we make our way to a traditional ryokan for the night. Drink in traditional Japanese hospitality at its finest at this authentic guesthouse, and sleep on futons rolled out over tatami mats. A traditional evening dinner completes the experience.

Take a bullet train to the ancient kingdom of Osaka, known as a beacon for food-lovers. Embrace its rich culinary reputation with a guided trip around the city’s best markets, street food stalls and hidden hot spots. Cheers your last night in Japan with a sumptuous dinner and evening bar crawl around Osaka’s pulsating nightscape

Wake up in your traditional Japanese guesthouse, fresh for a morning mosey through Miyajima’s scenic streets and waterfront. Then, catch a bullet train ride to Osaka, leaving behind this calm oasis behind for another dazzling city. Osaka is known as a city of “kuidaore” meaning “eat till you drop”. This afternoon, we’re taking this truism literally, with a food foray around a string of insider hot spots. Kick off with a visit to Kuromon Ichiba Market, where you can join the locals at a tachinomi (standing bar) for cheap and tasty kushikatsu (bamboo skewers of deep-fried meat and vegetables). With your guide leading the way, you’ll weave down secret back streets to discover hidden bars and restaurants that may look like apartments or office blocks from the outside, but are actually home to the tastiest food in town. Savour all sorts of delicious local delicacies, from okonomiyaki (pancakes filled with grilled squid or pork) to takoyaki (fired octopus dumplings) and the best kitsune udon in the whole of Japan. Then as the city kicks into gear at night, the adventure continues with an evening bar crawl after one final dinner. It’s your last night with your fellow Flashpackers, so embrace this buzzing city and toast your adventure in high-flying style.

It’s time to bid farewell on your dazzling 13-day adventure. Fly home on a high, having immersed yourself in all the unique delights that Japan has to offer – from sushi-making to ninja classes, mountain treks and beyond. Talk about a sensory overload…

Today marks the end of your riotous Japanese adventure. Armed with your trusty JR pass, you can either catch the three-hour bullet train back to Tokyo, or fly out from Osaka. Either way, jet home on a high from your vivid getaway to this exhilarating land of delights. You’ve left the tourist crowds far behind by cycling through the back streets of eastern Tokyo, and kayaking out on Hiroshima Bay. You’ve had lunch with a sumo wrestler and learnt the time-honoured art of ninja warfare in Kyoto, Japan’s cultural heartland. You’ve trekked to ancient temples and mountain shrines, wallowing in the hot springs of traditional Japanese onsen along the way. You’ve taken a sensory safari around the hidden food spots of Osaka, and revelled in sake and whisky-tasting classes. You’ve been dazzled by the neon landscapes of Japan’s leading cities, and recharged in the peace of a countryside boat trip. From sushi-making to serene bamboo forests and meditation classes with a monk, it’s been 13 days of extreme contrasts – and you’ve made the most of every last minute. All that, in the company of like-minded travellers; aka your new Flash Pack buddies. Who fancies rewinding and starting from the top?