Japan Highlights Family Holiday

Konnichiwa! Welcome to Japan. Your adventure begins in Tokyo with a welcome meeting at 5 pm tonight. Bursting with contemporary urban culture, there are many sides of Tokyo to explore including fascinating museums, world-class shopping centres and neighbourhood backstreets lined with hole-in-the-wall eateries and bars. If you arrive early, maybe wander through the Hama Rikyu Garden, visit the Sumida Hokusai Museum or explore Ueno Park. After your meeting, join your fellow travellers for dinner at a local restaurant.

Get ready for a day of fun as you head out to explore the Harajuku area – a district known for its colourful street art, youth fashion, vintage clothing shops and tasty treats. Visit Takeshita Street – the birthplace of kawaii culture. For an introduction to Japanese culture, you'll also visit Meiji Shrine and take part in a hands-on, heart pumping Taiko drumming class. Learn how to play these traditional instruments before having a go yourself. Later you'll have an opportunity to visit Shibuya, the well-known crossing between two of the busiest railway stations in the world before enjoying a free evening to find the perfect dinner spot.

This morning you'll head out on a walk through the weird and wonderful Akihabara Electric Town – this is the centre of Japanese otaku culture and a favourite for anyone who loves gaming, manga and anime. Stop for a drink at a social enterprise robot cafe, where people living with disabilities work as staff by remotely controlling robots from their homes or hospital beds. Learn how staff are able to interact with customers through the robots’ operating system and maybe have a go at operating one yourself! The rest of the day is free to explore at your own pace. Maybe head across town to Shinjuku or visit Asakusa.

Today travel to Oshino Hakkai Village – a small village in the Fuji Five Lake region, named after its eight crystal-clear spring-fed ponds. When you arrive, be greeted with a welcome ceremony, then head to your Minshuku accommodation (Japanese guesthouse). Later, walk to a nearby local temple for a Japanese Buddhism experience of meditation and calligraphy painting. For dinner, you and your family will learn how to cook Hoto noodles (a rustic noodle soup made with flat, wide wheat noodles simmered in a miso-based broth) and onigiri rice balls.

This morning, have breakfast at the Minshuku guesthouse then watch the Japanese countryside pass you by as you travel by bus and train to the vibrant city of Kyoto. If the weather is clear this morning, you’ll be able to see Mt Fuji. When you arrive, you'll have time to check into your hotel before heading out for a walk with your group through Gion – Kyoto's most famous geisha district. Listen to stories from the area as you pass temples and historic sites. Tonight is free for you to enjoy, you might like to head to a local restaurant for dinner or visit a show.

Visit the iconic Fushimi Inari this morning – the head shrine of the kami Inari with the classic red design. This afternoon is free for you to choose your own adventure. The kids might like to explore the International Manga Museum or become a samurai for a day and learn about the history of ninjas and samurai in Japan (while wearing some traditional garb and trying out some cool moves, of course) - your leader will have the best recommendations!

Osaka is Japan’s second-largest metropolitan area after Tokyo and is popular for its modern architecture, family-friendly activities and delicious street food. When you arrive, you'll have some free time in the afternoon to explore – maybe visit the Osaka Castle or pick up some souvenirs from the famous Shinsaibashi-Suji Shopping Street. Come together tonight with the other families for a traditional Osaka style dinner to celebrate new friendships and your Japanese whirlwind adventure.