Classic Japan for Families – 13 Days | From £4,000 pp

Meet your assistant at Haneda Airport and transfer to your hotel on a shared coach. Relax at the hotel before walking out for dinner at restaurants in the nearby area. Or perhaps you can choose our optional tour: Dinner on a cruise by the Sumida River.

Start the day with a visit to Tokyo sumo morning practice at a stable.  We will then visit the Sumo Museum, where a wide range of materials relating to the history of sumo wrestling are preserved. Journey to Tokyo Skytree for the city's panoramic view and stop by a nearby Hello Kitty Store, if time permits. In the afternoon, we will visit the magnificent Meiji Shrine, a Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji. The shrine is crowded on the first day of the year because of hatsumode (first prayers). For the rest of the year, if lucky, you may witness the solemn procession of Shinto weddings. Continue the journey to Harajuku and Omotesando. Omotesando tree-lined avenue features a multitude of dazzling architecturally ambitious buildings. Visit the Kawaii Monster café to embrace the renowned Harajuku atmosphere.

The very first Disney theme park outside of the United States - Tokyo Disneyland consists of seven themed lands, featuring seasonal adornments and flamboyant parades. We will organize for you a Disneyland day pass and transportation. Welcome to Disney World!

Today, we will organize you a ticket to the Ghibli Museum. This museum showcases the work of the world-famous Japanese animation studio - Studio Ghibli. Discover the magical world of My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away and Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea, etc. Afternoon, take a train to visit the Railway Museum at Saitama. The museum exhibits and researches a wide range of materials relating to railways both inside and outside Japan. A large collection of formerly used train cars is guaranteed to satisfy visitors, from children to railway entheusiasts.

November to March: We will travel to Nagano Station. Upon arrival, take a public bus, which takes about 45 mins followed by a gentle walk of 30 mins to arrive at Jigokudani Monkey Park. Enjoy the experience of seeing snow monkeys bathing in the park's natural hot spring. April to October: We will journey to Matsumoto and discover the imposing Matsumoto castle. The castle is one of four castles designated as 'National Treasures of Japan' and the oldest castle donjon remaining in Japan. If time permits, you will join in soba making experience.

Enjoy a delicious breakfast and head to Kanazawa. The town used to serve as the home of the second most powerful clan, Maeda Clan, during the Edo Period. Thereupon, Kanazawa has become the town of great cultural achievements, rivaling Tokyo and Kyoto. In the afternoon, journey to the nation's most celebrated garden Kenrokuen, followed by the slowly restored Kanazawa Castle. Afterward, travel to the largest one of three regional well-preserved chaya districts - Higashi Chaya. Chaya is an exclusive restaurant, where geishas perform songs and dance to entertain patrons. Another signature of Kanazawa is gold leaf handicrafts - from accessories to clothing, housewares, and even food.

Wake up to another yummy breakfast and join a craftsmanship experience: Make chopsticks with gold leaf. The remainder of the day is for sightseeing at Nagamachi, the former living district of samurai. The district exhibits a historic atmosphere with remaining samurai residences, earthen walls, entrance gates, narrow lanes, and water canals. Visit Nomura-ke, a samurai residence restored to the golden era of samurai precedence. There are a few other museums and restored structures that might interest you, and if time permits.

Travel to Kyoto, and upon arrival, participate in a calligraphy lesson for an insight into Japanese artistic writing. Later, wander around Gion District, where you may get a glimpse of Geisha, and admire beautifully preserved machiya houses along its side alleys. Dinner with Maiko is offered as an optional experience here.

Today starts with the sprawling, breathtaking Nijo Castle, followed by Ryoanji - the UNESCO World Heritage zen temple with a famous rock garden. This unique garden has no plants, apart from little patches of moss around the stones. Afterward, visit Kinkakuji, the shining pavilion completely covered by gold leaf that was originally built as a shogun's summer house. Enjoy this afternoon by joining in Kyoto bike tour or participating in our cooking class. Later, travel to Toei Kyoto Studio Park - the theme park and film set modeled after the Edo Period, where you can observe the filming of period dramas (jidaigeki films). The Park also has several other amusements for guests to experience including ninja performances, dressing up, and getting photographed in samurai, geisha, and ninja attires.

Enjoy today at your leisure. You can choose to visit the neighboring city, Nara. The city is second only to Kyoto as the richest collection of cultural sites in Japan. Meet the semi-wild deer at Nara Park, and admire the structure of Todaiji Temple, Kasuga-Taisha Shrine.

Embark on a bullet train to Osaka. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and leave your luggage, before heading out for lunch. In the afternoon, participate in the Ninja/Samurai experience, where martial arts and techniques that have been private for decades are taught.

We will organize you a day pass to Universal Studios Japan, the most visited amusement park in Japan. Visitors are able to enjoy many amusement rides, ranging from child-friendly carousels to thrilling roller coasters and simulators based on blockbuster movies, namely Jurassic Park, Spiderman, Back to the Future, and Terminator 2.

Enjoy a relaxed final morning before transferring to Kansai International Airport for your onward flight home.