The Award-Winning Tour Specialist
Our most extensive Japan tour includes all the classic sights and key cultural activities. Featuring modern cities, historical sights and beautiful landscapes, Japan Uncovered ensures you get the most out of your trip to this fascinating land.
If you've been wowed by Joanna Lumley's Japan on ITV, this tour is the closest itinerary you can get to following in Joanna's footsteps
Our Japan Uncovered tour will see you exploring the most iconic sites, delving into deep-rooted culture and dining on delicious cuisine. We pack all of tours to Japan with incredible things to do - here are just a few of the highlights.
Explore Kyoto's outstanding temples
Venture into the beautiful Japanese Alps
Ascend the slopes of Japan's iconic Mt Fuji
Watch an exhilirating Sumo Wrestling Tournament (on selected dates)
Our Japan Unconvered Tour has been thoughtfully designed and thoroughly researched to bring you a range of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, many of which are entirely exclusive to us. Experience the extraordinary on our award-winning Japan holidays
Arguably the world's most famous pedestrian crossing, seen in many a film and television show, witness the organised chaos and bright lights of Tokyo's Shibuya Crossing for yourself.
Admire the elaborately dyed silk creations of artist Kubota Itchiku at his eponymous art museum. Itchiku singlehandedly revived the traditional and beautiful technique of 'tsujigahana'.
Discover the traditional process of paper making before getting your hands dirty making 'washi' (Japanese paper) the age-old way.
Our most popular tour of Japan includes all the classic sights and key cultural activities. Featuring modern cities, historical sights and beautiful landscapes.
Fly overnight to the lively, fast-paced city of Osaka. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is at leisure to start soaking up the local culture.
Spend the morning in Nara, the small, history-filled city that was Japan's first capital. Stroll through Nara Park to Todai-ji Temple and admire the traditional Isui-en Garden. Look out for the park's beautiful free-roaming sika deer, who have learned to bow to visitors! Return to Osaka and visit the impressive Osaka Castle.
Depart Osaka for Hiroshima, stopping en route to explore the magnificent 17th Century Himeji Castle and the neighbouring Koko-en, a traditional-style garden.
Reflect on this seaside city's tragic past at the Peace Memorial Park and Museum, paying homage to the victims of the 1945 atomic bomb. Next, take the ferry to the holy island of Miyajima to see its 'floating' torii gate and enjoy some time at leisure.
Start the day with a journey by bullet train to Kyoto. Capital for 1,000 years, this enchanting city is the epitome of traditional Japan. Visit Ryoanji Temple, home to Japan's most famous zen garden and Kinkakuji Temple, also known as 'Golden Pavilion'.
Enjoy one of Kyoto's most delightful spots, Kiyomizu, a 17th-century Buddhist temple, before experiencing the age-old rituals of a traditional tea ceremony. After lunch, visit Fushimi Inari Shrine, renowned for its 10,000 vermilion torii gates.
Depart Kyoto and travel around 4 hours by coach to Kanazawa. After lunch in a local restaurant, wander through the beautiful Kenroku-en Garden before visiting a historic samurai house. Continue to your hotel and check in.
Drive to Gokayama, where you can enjoy a hands-on washi paper making workshop before lunch. Continue to Shirakawa-go, famous for its steep thatched roof houses. Continue to your hotel in Takayama, a beautiful, laidback town nestled in the western foothills of the Japanese Alps.
Take a morning walking tour of Takayama's old town, historically a hub for craftsmen, farmers and merchants from the surrounding mountains. Head to the Miyagawa Morning Market, where you can sample some of the delicious local fruits and vegetables (at your own expense). Later, take a leisurely stroll around the traditional streetd and visit Takayama Jinya. If local opening hours permit, you will also visit the Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall.
Travel to Matsumoto and explore the formidable 16th-century Matsumoto Castle, famous for its dramatic, dark wood exterior. Please note that the castle has very steep wooden steps inside; if you prefer, you can wait in the grounds and enjoy the view instead. Later, visit a miso house and learn about this staple Japanese seasoning. Continue to Nagano.
January - August 2025: Head to Jigokudani Monkey Park, where you'll take a gentle hike through the forested valley in search of the semi-wild Japanese snow monkeys, who love to bathe and play in the forest pools. Later, return to Nagano and visit the famous Zenko-ji Temple. - From September 2025: Enjoy some time at leisure to explore the charming town of Obuse, known for its chestnut and apple themed snacks. Later, head to Jigokudani Monkey Park, where you'll take a gentle hike through the forested valley in search of the semi-wild Japanese snow monkeys, who love to bathe and play in the forest pools. Return to Nagano.
The sacred peak of Mount Fuji has inspired artists, poets and pilgrims for centuries. Drive from Nagano to reach the Fuji region, where, weather permitting, you can enjoy dramatic views of Fuji and drive up to its 5th Station, the highest point on the mountain accessible by road. If the Station is closed due to inclement weather, you will instead visit the Fujisan World Heritage Centre. Spend the night in the wider Fuji area.
Begin the day with a cruise on the peaceful waters of Lake Ashi. Next, soar high on the Hakone Ropeway over the hilltops to the volcanic Owakudani Valley and discover the dramatic natural hot springs of Mount Hakone. Later, proceed to Tokyo.
A dazzling, high-tech metropolis, Japan's capital has wonderfully traditional roots. Start your explorations at the Imperial Palace East Garden, then stop by the famous Shibuya Crossing before some free time to enjoy Tokyo at leisure.
Stroll the vibrant Asakusa district and soak up the ambience of Senso-ji, Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple, and the adjacent Nakamise Shopping Street. Ascend to the observation deck of the 634-metre Skytree and enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. The afternoon is free until this evening's farewell dinner cruise aboard a traditional yakata boat.
Fly to the UK, arriving home the same or following day.
We draw from a wide range of hotels on our holidays, each one is chosen to suit the tour you are travelling on meaning your accommodation can range from a smart business hotel in one city to a family run guesthouse in a smaller town. Here are some examples of the type of hotel you can expect to find on this tour.
The best time to visit Japan is during spring (March to May) when the cherry blossoms are bursting into life and autumn (September to November) when the scenery is ablaze with colour.
Places Visited: UK - Osaka (2N) - Nara - Himeji - Hiroshima (2N) - Kyoto (2N) - Kanazawa (1N) - Shirakawago - Takayama (2N) - Matsumoto - Nagano (2N) - Yudanaka - Mt Fuji (1N) - Tokyo (3N) - UK
All of our tour departures include international flights and taxes in the price. If your tour departs in less than 30 days, please call our travel experts to book.
Fetching Price Information - please wait
Departures for Solo travellers only are available for this tour on selected
dates.
In addition to being for solos only these departures feature smaller group sizes, free
airport lounge access and complimentary cocktails on arrival.
There are no dedicated Solo departures for this year. You can enjoy any of our tours with no Single Supplement on our Happy to Share option or explore the solo departures in other years.
Rated 4.7 out of 5 based on 6113 reviews on 
Extend your holiday or break up your journey with one of our extensions and stopovers. Choose from city breaks or some beach time, or spend more time in your chosen destination.
Read our latest articles or travel inspiration, exciting news about our destinations and all things Wendy Wu Tours
More than 25 years expertise offering extraordinary tours
