Journey to Japan

Today is a day of leisure doing whatever you please in Tokyo. From cat cafes to Samurai museums, there are plenty of things to see and do in this unique city. Or, for anyone feeling fragile after last night, there’s plenty of peaceful parks to relax in. The spacious lawns and tranquil scenery of Shinjuku Gyoen could be just the cure for your hangover.

After embracing the city life of Tokyo, today we’re hitting the coast. The relaxing beach town of Kamakura is our destination, just an hour or two from Tokyo in distance but a world away in its laidback atmosphere. Here we’ll see the incredible Daibutsu, a giant Buddha statue that’s the centre piece of the Kotoku-In Temple. This afternoon we’ll be hiking into the hills of this ancient capital, stopping along the way to admire shrines and viewpoints over the bay. Back down at beach level you can relax on the sandy shore or rent surfboards for some wave riding fun.

From the city to the beach, next up – the mountains. We’re heading to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, home to beautiful scenery and views across to Mount Fuji. We’ll catch a series of cable cars and mountain railways through this scenic park, before stepping aboard an ornate ship to cross Ashi Lake. Back on dry land we’ll visit the historic Hakone Checkpoint where we’ll walk along the trail of Tokaido, an old highway that connected Tokyo to Kyoto during the renowned Edo period. This evening is your chance to stay in a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn, where there’s a steamy onsen onsite. 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 its completely normal here to strip off and relax. Then tuck into a traditional dinner to complete your authentic experience, have your best manners at the ready.

This morning we’ll be catching two trains to reach the cultural capital of Kyoto. Hop aboard a mountain train out of the national park before getting your first taste of 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 Kiyomizu Dera. This afternoon you’ll be donning robes and headbands, it’s time to embrace your inner NINJA. An expert instructor will be teaching you the ancient art of Japanese fighting, have your swords and blow-darts at the ready. Afterwards, enjoy the quintessentially Kyoto experience of wandering along the lantern lined Pontocho Alley. Then spend your evening in an izakaya, Japan’s equivalent to a gastro-pub, where you can enjoy a steady stream of sake and small local dishes.

After a week of Japanese adventure, this morning you deserve a well-earned lie-in. Enjoy a leisurely morning doing whatever you please, there’s plenty of majestic temples to see on the Philosopher’s path. This afternoon we’re heading to the famous Fushimi Inari Shrine where you’ll pass through thousands of bright red gates, known as torii, that lead to beautiful walking trails along Mount Inari. All this walking is thirsty work so we’re then heading to a sake museum for some sake sampling. Here you’ll learn how this ancient spirit is made, whilst conveniently topping up your Dutch courage for this evening’s entertainment. Get ready to sing your heart out doing one of Japan’s favourite past times, we’re hitting Kyoto’s karaoke bars. With all your drinks included, we suggest you grab the mic and show ‘em what you’re made of.

After singing the night away, this morning you can rest up and relax. Afterwards we’re heading to Arashiyama where we’ll be navigating though its lush bamboo forests. Walk along the striking pathways in this peaceful oasis before a 30 minute climb to the Arashiyama Monkey Park. Here you can feed its mischievous inhabitants and look out to panoramic views across Kyoto below. Then channel your inner Zen at the Tenryu-Ji temple with its 14^th century showstopper gardens that have remained pristine throughout wars and fires. For dinner we’ll huddle over steaming bowls of ramen, it’s considered polite to slurp the noodles here so sip back and enjoy.

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 Zen Buddhist monk who’ll take you on a journey of tranquil discovery. 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 sight of quintessential 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’re heading to Hiroshima. Arrive here for all you can eat savoury pancakes known as okonomiyaki, this is our kind of welcome.

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 experience, we’ll move on to the scenic island of Miyajima. Home to stunning shrines, beaches and waterfalls, there’s also friendly local deer and the striking Great Torii seen to be ‘floating’ in Hiroshima Bay. You’ll soon be floating for yourself in kayaks on the Miyajima waters, enjoy this unique view of the surrounding shrines. We’ll then make our way to another traditional ryokan for the night.

Wake up in your traditional Japanese guesthouse, fresh for a morning wander through its charming streets and sea views. Then descend back down to sea level for a bullet train ride to Osaka, leaving this calm oasis behind for a vibrant city once more. This afternoon we’ll explore Osaka’s castle before checking out a local food market, here we’ll try some local delicacies with Osaka fast becoming one of the foodie capitals of Japan. We’ll then explore the Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori Riverfront, a lively area of bustling shops, bars and flashing billboards. Here we’ll visit a 9 level arcade for a neon playground of games that is hugely popular in Japanese culture. The assault on your senses 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 end your adventure in style.

Today marks the end of your Japanese adventure. Armed with your trusty JR pass, you can either catch the 3 hour bullet train back to Tokyo or fly from Osaka. Either way, fly home safe in the knowledge that you have explored the dynamic streets of Tokyo, seen Robot shows, vibrant neon-lit culture, outrageous fashion, ancient temples, stunning shrines, giant Buddha’s, bamboo forests and Mount Fuji from afar. All whilst mastering the art of sushi-making, sake sampling, ninja fighting, Zen meditating and singing your heart out in the birthplace of karaoke. From kayaking around tranquil islands to partying the night away in the capital, it’s been 13 days of extreme contrasts and we bet you wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.