If you've already experienced years of solo, group, or fast-paced travel, this 'Friends and Family' journey in Japan might be just what you are looking for. Enjoy exploring the 'must-see' attractions while also savouring the charm of local, off the beaten path areas. With a small group of up to 6 people you will experience the flexibility that makes travel truly enjoyable. While our days are outlined with sightseeing and ideas, we embrace slow travel allowing us to move at a relaxed pace. Having visited Japan regularly since 1983 for both work and pleasure, I have many secrets to share - it always feels like home!
Japan can be extremely busy in some places but there are so many hidden gems, beautiful areas, arts and architecture to enjoy just a few steps off the beaten track. Japan is also a shopper’s paradise so if you are looking for that special something we will find it
Dinner arrangements are planned for each evening, however, this is entirely optional so please feel free to do your own thing
Japan-SAKURA🌸Cherry Blossom Itinerary 2026
Tokyo 4 nights
Day 1. Thursday 26 March 2026: Arrive in Tokyo together or meet at our Ginza hotel
Day 2: Explore Tsujiki fish market, Kabuki theatre, Ginza shopping, Nissan showroom and Ueno Park. Welcome dinner
Day 3: Explore Tokyo and see all the sights, Visit Harajuku, Shibuya, Meiji Jingumae shrine, Sensoji temple, Shinjuku Skyscraper district and Kabukicho night life
Day 4: Day trip out of Tokyo. Let’s plan the day together
(Day trip options include, Mt Fuji, Hakone, Nikko, Takahatfudo temple, Kichijoji and time permitting Team Labs)
Shiojiri and Kiso Valley 2 nights
Day 5 &6: Let’s leave Tokyo and head for the wine growing area of Shiojiri, Naraijuku the samurai post town, Matsumoto castle, and the art of Yayoi Kusama.
Enjoy the the small town atmosphere and local hospitality
Kanazawa 2 nights
Day 7&8: Travel to Kanazawa via Nagano. Kanazawa is a little Kyoto and has charming geisha areas, samurai village, Kenrokuen garden, 21st Century Art Museum, Dr Suzuki museum, Omicho market for fresh seafood
Kyoto 3 nights
Day 9,10,11, Train to Kyoto. There is so much to see and do in Kyoto, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Kimono forest, temples, Nishijin market, food tours, secret shops and alleys, walks and gardens.
Hiroshima 2 nights Day 12,13: Visit Miyajima Island, Peace Park, Shukkeien garden, Hiroshima castle
Hiroshima to Kyoto 1 night Day 14 exploring Fukuyama castle, Onomichi, Setoda on the way
Day 15: Check Out and our tour ends today in Kyoto
Check out and depart for Kansai airport or Shinkansen back to Tokyo for flight home
14 nights Single NZ$11,350 Share twin NZ$9450pp
Please note prices are subject to change until NZ$1500 deposit has been received
Maximum 6 people plus me
Includes: hotels, daily breakfast, welcome dinner, Railpass/trains, Metro card, luggage delivery
Not included - air fares, taxis, lunch, dinner (welcome dinner is included), insurance, optional activities eg cooking class and food tours (provided by locals)
Japan in May Itinerary 2026
ITINERARY
If you are joining the South Korea tour we will fly together from Seoul to Fukuoka
If joining in Japan. We will meet in Fukuoka at the airport on arrival and we all get together at the hotel.
Fukuoka - 4 nights
Sunday 17 May: Arrive Fukuoka (Auckland’s sister city) and transfer to hotel
Welcome to Japan dinner
Monday 18 May: Visit Nokonoshima Flower Island and Fukuoka City Walk
Tuesday 19 May: Day trip to Nagasaki
Wednesday 20 May: Half day trip to Dazaifu temple. Free afternoon to explore, shop and relax
Thursday 21 May Hiroshima
Afternoon visit Miyajima Island, the floating tori gate, the shrine and watch the sunset
Friday 22 May Hiroshima Peace Park, Hiroshima castle and Shukiein shrunken garden
Saturday 23 May Setoda/Onomichi
Sunday 24 May: Explore the art around the island, Hill of Hope, temple and enjoy local foods and coffee. Rental bikes available
Monday 25 May: Kyoto
Depart Setoda for Kyoto. Afternoon visit to Arashiyama bamboo forest and Taizoen garden, Toji temple in the evening
Tuesday 26 May: Day of highlights Kinkakuji, Nishiki market, Ginkakuji, Philosophers Path and Nanzenji temple
Wednesday 27 May: Kanazawa
Known as little Kyoto, arrive in the afternoon and explore the old samurai streets
Thursday 28 May: Kenrokuen Garden, 21st Century Art Museum, Omicho market, canal walk and geisha districts
Friday 29 May: Tokyo
Check into hotel and explore local streets around Ginza, Nakadori and Nihombashi
Saturday 30 May: Tsukiji market. Enjoy the sights of Tokyo
Sunday 31 May: Optional Day trip to Mt Fuji or similar. Or continue to explore Tokyo
Monday 1 June: Sayonnara
Our tour ends today. Are you ready to depart Japan or would you like to stay a few more days and visit Mt Fuji?
We are stepping off the golden route, plenty of free time, opportunities for photography, flexibility and making sure we do not miss a thing!
Includes
15 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast, Welcome dinner Fukuoka, Railpass and train tickets, airport transfer to hotel, Metro card with top up, large luggage delivery from Fukuoka to Tokyo,
Optional tours available eg food tours, cooking classes etc.
Single NZ11,250
Share Twin NZ$8950pp
Minimum 2 to go ahead. Maximum is 6 plus me
For full itinerary and and inquiries please contact me
JAPAN ITINERARY ON DEMAND - dates available on request. Perfect if you have your own group and want a private tour
Tokyo 4 nights
Day 1. Arrive in Tokyo and transfer to Ginza hotel
Day 2: Explore Tsujiki fish market, Kabuki theatre, Ginza shopping, Nissan showroom and Ueno Park. Welcome dinner
Day 3: Explore Tokyo and see all the sights, Visit Harajuku, Shibuya, Meiji Jingumae shrine, Sensoji temple, Shinjuku Skyscraper district and Kabukicho night life
Day 4: Day trip out of Tokyo. Let’s plan the day together
(Day trip options include, Mt Fuji, Hakone, Nikko, Takahatfudo temple, Kichijoji and time permitting Team Labs)
Shiojiri and Kiso Valley 2 nights
Day 5 &6: Let’s leave Tokyo and head for the wine growing area of Shiojiri, Naraijuku the samurai post town, Matsumoto castle, and the art of Yayoi Kusama.
Enjoy the the small town atmosphere and local hospitality
Kanazawa 2 nights
Day 7&8: Travel to Kanazawa via Nagano. Kanazawa is a little Kyoto and has charming geisha areas, samurai village, Kenrokuen garden, 21st Century Art Museum, Dr Suzuki museum, Omicho market for fresh seafood
Kyoto 4 nights
Day 9,10,11,12: Train to Kyoto. There is so much to see and do in Kyoto, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Kimono forest, temples, Nishijin market, food tours, secret shops and alleys, walks and gardens.
Hiroshima 2 nights Day 13,14: Visit Miyajima Island, Peace Park, Shukkeien garden, Hiroshima castle
Hiroshima to Osaka exploring Fukuyama castle, Onomichi, Setoda on the way
Osaka 2 nights Day 15,16: Make the most of our last couple of days in the ‘Kitchen of Japan’, Kuromon market, Dotonbori, Osaka Castle,USJ or take a day trip to the countryside
Check out and depart for Kansai airport or Shinkansen back to Tokyo for flight home
16 nights Single NZ$11,950 Share twin NZ$9650pp
Please note prices are subject to change until NZ$1500 deposit has been paid
Not included - air fares, taxis, lunch, dinner (welcome dinner is included), insurance
