Journey Across the Golden Route of Japan in 9 Nights

Tokyo’s effortless blend of Japan’s ancient past and it’s desire to fast-forward into the future is what makes this vivid and eclectic city so remarkable. 

There’s so many places to visit in Japan, but Tokyo’s iconic capital city offers so much to those who seek the perfect Japan holiday. Discover a city that’s home to more Michelin stars than any other but never boasts about it, a booming fashion capital, or simply be dazzled by the record number of people you can photograph passing through the bustling streets at Shibuya Crossing. If all of that isn’t enough, see it all in one go from the top of the Tokyo Skytree; the world’s tallest tower which stands at a colossal 634 metre height.

Old and new live side by side here. The city itself is home to 1000’s of breathtakingly beautiful Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, with many of them sitting quietly between Tokyo’s mammoth skyscrapers. Follow your sense of smell and you’ll soon find yourself wandering into a wooden ramen noodle bar that’s stood in the same spot for generations, and afterwards why not head over to one of the city’s many, beautiful parks and zen gardens.

Kyoto is Japan’s ancient capital; a charming city teeming with ancient shrines, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and traditional neighbourhoods that are still home to the ubiquitous  Geisha.

This mountain-flanked, picturesque city is the perfect compliment to the neon screens and robotic voices that characterise Tokyo. Kyoto is home to over 2000 Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples; some grand and majestic, others quiet and idyllic, making it the perfect destination for getting to know Japan’s vast history and getting up close with it’s stunning architecture. 

Along the outskirts of the city sits the neighbourhood of Arashiyama, a beautiful riverside destination that boasts a wide variety of both shrines and temples, as well as the world-famous Bamboo Forest and a mountain populated with monkeys! Venture a little further south and you’ll discover Fushimi Inari; a tunnel constructed from 10,000 vermillion torii gates which you may have seen in the movie ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’. Kyoto is also close to some other incredible and worthwhile destinations, including the beautiful city of Nara and Tokyo’s laid-back sibling Osaka. 

Japan's 2nd largest metropolitan city packs a punch full of flavourful foods, fun experiences and a completely different vibe compared to Tokyo. 

Osaka’s bright and bold city is much more laid-back than it’s noble cousin Kyoto and it’s aforementioned clean-cut sibling. This powerhouse destination is the dazzling jewel of the Kansai region, easily reachable by bullet train or airplane from Tokyo, and sits very close to the beautiful and picture-perfect city’s of Nara and Kyoto. Osaka is a known lovingly as ‘Japan’s Kitchen’, you’ll never go hungry on your Japan holiday when you’re in Osaka! While you're here why not take a day trip to see the deer that roam around the UNESCO sights of Nara, head to Universal Studios, indulge in delicious street foods and visit their incredible aquarium?