Land in Tokyo! You arrive at your traditionally designed hostel in Tokyo in the Asakusa district and are greeted by your tour guide. Tonight you'll be invited to feast and get to know the rest of your group. After dinner, when the crowds have dispersed, we'll explore the iconic Senso-ji temple in Tokyo by night!

Accommodation: Shared room - Sakura Hostel Asakusa (or similar)

Activities: Welcome dinner, Senso-Ji Temple

Suggestions for leisure time: Tokyo Skytree

Meals: Dinner

We start the morning with an orientation briefing for Japan. You will learn simple Japanese customs and phrases to help you find your way around the country. We then head off to the birthplace of Japanese teen pop culture, Harajuku. We then head to Yoyogi Park, where the beautiful Meiji Shrine is located. Then we head to Akihabara - Tokyo's electric city - to be dazzled by all the neon lights and crazy shops. You can challenge each other in the arcades, visit the famous Maid Cafes or simply stroll around the neighbourhood.

Accommodation: Shared room - Sakura Hostel Asakusa (or similar)

Activities: Japan orientation, Tokyo neighbourhoods

Suggestions for leisure time: Maid Cafe

Meals: Breakfast

The first half of the day is at your leisure. Your tour guide will be on hand to help you plan your activities, but you can also take part in a sushi course*, visit the Imperial Palace or simply stroll through this enchanting city. Later in the evening, you will travel to Shinjuku, where you can enjoy an unrivalled view of the Tokyo skyline, explore the famous Omoide Yokocho alley and have dinner before watching the famous Shibuya pedestrian crossing.

* Must be booked 30 days before the start of the tour. Subject to availability.

Accommodation: Shared room (mixed) - Sakura Hostel Asakusa

Activities: Shibuya junction, city walks

Optional extras: Sushi course

Suggestions for leisure activities: TeamLab

Meals: Breakfast

Physical strain: Medium

Today we take the aptly named "Romance Car" to the breathtaking mountain town of Hakone. After checking into our hostel in the town of Hakone, we take the train further into the mountains. Why is Hakone so special? Well, not only is the food incredible, but you also get spectacular views of Mount Fuji (weather permitting). After a day of exploring and photographing Japan's most famous mountain, we return to our guesthouse accommodation before having a family style dinner with the crew.

Accommodation: Double/triple tatami mats - Gora Gaku Guesthouse (or similar)

Activities: Sightseeing of Mt Fuji, Romance Car

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

We bid farewell to the tranquillity of Hakone and set off on the high-speed train to the old capital of Japan: Kyoto. We check into our accommodation near the traditional neighbourhood and then set off to explore the area. In the evening, you'll be guided through Kyoto's Gion neighbourhood, famous for its geisha (Japan's traditional entertainment arts), and if you're lucky, you might even get to see one. After our walking tour, we'll take you to one of the best yakitori (grilled chicken sticks) for dinner.

Accommodation: Shared room - Piece Hostel Kyoto (or similar)

Activities: Walk through the Gion district

Suggestions for leisure time: Geisha show

Meals: Dinner at Torikizoku

We get up before sunrise and take the underground to Fushimi-Inari Shrine. We arrive early to avoid the crowds of tourists and work our way up the mountain, exploring the corridors with their endless red gates. We then head to Kiyomizu-dera Temple, one of the most famous temples in Japan. A breathtaking complex made of bamboo and wood, perched high in the mountains. The rest of the day is free for you to explore on your own. If you want to experience the traditional side of Japan, you can take part in a tea ceremony and rent a kimono.

Accommodation: Shared room - Piece Hostel Kyoto (or similar)

Activities: Kiyomizu-Dera, Fushimi-Inari Shrine

Suggestions for leisure activities: kimono hire, tea ceremony & Nishiki market

The day begins with a train journey to Arashiyama, a town surrounded by mountains and with a river flowing through it. The programme includes a visit to the bamboo forest, a climb up Monkey Mountain and an optional traditional Japanese boat trip through the valleys. The afternoon is free for you to explore on your own.

You have the rest of the day at your leisure.

Accommodation: Shared room - Piece Hostel Kyoto (or similar)

Activities: Arashiyama bamboo forest, monkey mountain

Suggestions for leisure: Traditional boat from Arashiyama

We make our way to the stunning Golden Pavilion, a beautiful golden building surrounded by a lake and a traditional Japanese garden. Then it's off to Daitoku-ji, a tranquil, leafy complex of ancient temples where you can reflect on your experiences so far. Then it's on to Osaka, where we explore the famous Dotonbori neighbourhood in the evening. You will experience the food, the people, the lights and the colours of the "cuisine of Japan". Your guide will take you to the best places for street food, and you will sample some of the delicacies that make Osaka such a famous foodie city. End the evening with a karaoke night and drinks!

Accommodation: Shared room - The Stay Shinsaibashi (or similar)

Activities: Golden Pavilion, visit to the Zen Garden, visit to the Imperial Palace, Osaka Food Tour, Karaoke

Suggestions for leisure time: Heian Shrine

Meals: Dinner

After sparing your head from the night's escapades, we thought it would be best to give you the morning off so you can explore Osaka on your own. You can choose to visit AmericaTown, where you can explore unique shops and cafés, or relax and unwind at Spa World, a sprawling complex with various baths and spa treatments with an international flavour. Alternatively, you can immerse yourself in Japan's culinary history at the Ramen Museum and try different regional variations of this popular dish. Or take part in the Osaka Backstreets Tour if you want to explore the dark side of Osaka with a local!

In the evening, you meet up again to visit the historic Osaka Castle, a magnificent building surrounded by beautiful gardens and moats. After watching the sunset, you continue to the vibrant Shinsekai district, the little brother of Dotonbori. Here you can enjoy a variety of local delicacies for dinner, explore the bustling streets full of neon lights and experience the lively atmosphere that makes this neighbourhood a must-see.

Accommodation: Shared room (mixed gender) - The Stay Shinsaibashi (or similar)

Activities: Osaka Castle Gardens, Shinsekai Tour

Leisure suggestions: Ramen Museum

Optional additional service: Osaka Backstreets Tour

Meals: Breakfast

Physical strain: Low/medium

Get an early start today as you leave the city and take the train to beautiful Nara in 45 minutes. As you leave the station and begin your walk towards the main park, keep your eyes peeled for the friendly locals along the way. Nara is famous for being a city that lives in symbiosis with deer and is historically significant as the former capital of ancient Japan.

You'll stroll through the tranquil park and stunning temples before returning to Osaka to explore more of the city.

Accommodation: Shared room (mixed gender) - The Stay Shinsaibashi (or similar)

Activities: Nara Park & Temple

Optional additional service: TeamLab Osaka

Meals: Breakfast

Physical strain: Medium

After a short break in the morning, you will continue to the famous city of Hiroshima. After checking into your accommodation, you will walk to the impressive Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and be guided through the area by our local guide to learn about the area's amazing past. Visit the Atomic Dome, ring the peace bell and say a prayer at the eternal flame. This important and historic city will stay with you for a long time.

Finally, you can find out about Hiroshima's devastating past in the museum before grabbing something to eat and rounding off the day.

Accommodation: Shared room (mixed gender) - Mange Tak Hiroshima (or similar)

Activities: Morning Danjo Garan Complex Tour, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Guided Tour

Physical strain: Low

Today you'll take the underground to the beautiful island of Miyajima, which is about an hour away from Hiroshima. After disembarking from the underground, you'll take a short ferry ride to the island, which is known for its stunning collection of forests and ancient temples. You'll take a leisurely stroll across the island and visit the incredible Great Torii Gate, located just off the coast. This famous giant, orange-coloured torii gate is partially submerged at high tide. Afterwards, you have the afternoon at leisure to explore the tranquillity of the rest of the island paradise. If you would like to immerse yourself even deeper in Japanese culture, you can book an optional traditional Japanese archery session. In the evening, you will set off as a group for the last time to spend your last evening together in Japan!

Accommodation: Shared room (mixed gender) - Mange Tak Hiroshima (or similar)

Activities: Miyajima Island, Itsukushima Shrine, Hall of 1000 Mats

Optional additional service: Traditional Japanese archery

Physical strain: Medium

It's time to say goodbye to the group and the new friends you've made on your tour. We hope you enjoyed your Japan experience!