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Konnichiwa! Welcome to Japan! Your adventure begins in the country’s lively capital, Tokyo. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm at your hotel. If you arrive early, there are many sides of Tokyo to explore – maybe visit a museum, check out the world-class shopping districts or stroll neighbourhood backstreets lined with hole-in-the-wall bars and eateries. After your meeting, join your new travel companions for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Tokyo’s food scene is undoubtedly one of the world’s best, and the city truly celebrates the art of eating well. Sample a range of regional and seasonal delights, including handmade soba noodles, crispy tempura and yakitori (chicken skewers). After dinner, you may like to experience Tokyo’s vibrant nightlife and head to a local izakaya (casual bar).

Today, head out on a walking tour of Tokyo with your leader. Bursting with contemporary urban culture and historic temples and shrines, Tokyo has so much to uncover. Begin in the Asakusa district, one of the older and more traditional parts of Tokyo, also known as the temple district. Here, you’ll stop by the city’s oldest temple – Senso-ji. This temple was built almost 1400 years ago when Tokyo was nothing more than a fishing village. Browse the many interesting stalls filled with tasty treats, crafts and souvenirs that line the shopping street of Nakamise Dori. Then, jump on the metro to explore the buzzing Shibuya district. Check out one of the busiest intersections in the world before heading into a depachika (underground food hall) for a tempting array of Japanese treats. Visit the Harajuku district – Japan’s home of quirky youth pop culture – then get a bird’s-eye view of Tokyo from the 634 m (2080 ft) Tokyo Skytree.

This morning, get ready for a delicious experience at the famous Tsukiji Outer Market, where fresh seafood from Tokyo’s largest wholesale fish market (recently relocated to a new site at Toyosu) is delivered and ready to sample daily. Your leader will provide insight into the underwater treasures that go into the local cuisine, then you’ll take a sushi-making class to learn about the art and history of this dish that’s loved across the world. Learn how to make nigiri sushi, hand-rolled sushi or temari sushi, then enjoy your fresh creations for lunch. After learning some valuable skills to take home with you, you can join your leader for a short walking tour in the Ginza area and then enjoy a free afternoon in the city. Maybe check out the Yayoi Kusama Museum for its exhibits by the avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama (advance reservations required), browse high-end shops in Ginza, watch a kabuki play or try karaoke.

Say sayonara to Tokyo this morning and board a train bound for the mountainous onsen (hot spring) town of Hakone. Away from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, Hakone offers relaxation set among stunning natural scenery. In the afternoon, take a cable car up the mountains to the sulphur vents of Owakudani, where on a clear day, you can catch a glimpse of Mt Fuji in the distance. Take a walk through the volcanic landscape and perhaps try the famous black eggs that are said to promise seven extra years of life. Later, check into the Susukinohara Ichinoyu – your Feature Stay accommodation for the evening. Here, you’ll experience the design and ambience of a traditional Japanese ryokan without sacrificing modern comforts. Each room comes with a private onsen, and there are also larger public indoor and outdoor onsens that overlook the surrounding greenery. Tonight, you’ll have dinner at the on-site restaurant, which serves up a feast of classic Japanese dishes. Then, spend a blissful evening relaxing in your onsen.

Today, travel to Takayama via shinkansen (bullet train), with a few changes along the way. Takayama is a charming Edo-period town located in the Japanese Alps. This riverside jewel of central Honshu is renowned for its traditional inns, sake breweries and tranquil atmosphere. When you arrive, head out on a walking tour with your leader, who will point out examples of traditional architecture as you explore the old part of town. Learn how the town’s isolated location caused it to develop a unique culinary scene. The area is particularly famous for Hida beef, a premium wagyu beef that comes from a black-haired Japanese cattle breed raised in Gifu Prefecture for at least 14 months. Make a stop during your walking tour to sample delicious Hida beef sushi or skewers. Then, visit Jinya, a Nationally Designated Historic Site, for a step back in time to the Edo period. You’ll see the rice granary, which stored the rice tax paid by villagers, the garden and the living quarters of provincial governors.

Start the day with a visit to the Takayama morning market. The Gifu region is known for its production of high-altitude vegetables. Your leader will guide you through the market stalls selling colourful pickles, bags of miso wrapped in leaves, genkotsu ame (soybean candy), preserved fish, spices and owara tamaten (a marshmallow-like sweet). After some time to peruse the local treats, hop on a public bus and head to the village of Shirakawa-go – home to charming thatched-roof cottages built in the gassho-zukuri style. Learn about ancient countryside life with your leader and explore this village set against a magnificent backdrop of the Japanese Alps. Return to Takayama in the afternoon and enjoy some free time. If you like, you could check out Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall, which has a collection of hand carved floats on display.

This morning, you’ll travel by train to Hiroshima – a cosmopolitan city with a tragic past. This city is full of distinctive cuisine, tightknit communities and a focus on promoting world peace. When you arrive, head out with your leader for an orientation walk to familiarise yourself with the city. After working up an appetite, head to a local restaurant for dinner and try some of Hiroshima’s signature dishes. The city is renowned for its fantastic oysters and okonomiyaki – a delicious savoury pancake made with egg, cabbage, soba noodles and meat or seafood.