Highlights of Japan and beach holiday in Fiji

Itinerary in brief: 

• 3 nights Tokyo
• 2 nights Kiso Fukushima 
• 3 nights Kyoto 
• 1 night Nadi 
• 3 nights Nacula Island
• 3 nights Waya Island 

Day 1: Depart UK

Depart the UK from your chosen airport.

Included: International flight

Day 2: Arrive Tokyo

On arrival in Tokyo, you’ll be met at the airport and assisted with sorting your transport into the city by bus or train. When you reach the hotel, you’ll check in for three nights.

Included: 3* hotel, breakfast, meet & greet

Day 3: Tokyo

Today is yours to explore Tokyo at your own pace. Here are some of our ideas:

Why not start your day in Tsukiji Outer Market? This local is always full of life, as visitors and locals mingle to enjoy delicious food and buy exciting ingredients. It’s a great spot to grab a morning snack before heading over to the Zojoji Temple. Over 400 years old, the Zojoji Temple sits right next to the futuristic Tokyo Tower, demonstrating just how closely the old and new worlds coexist in Japan.

Next, you can enjoy a bowl of ramen for lunch before discovering the serene beauty of Hie Shrine, a quiet haven in the bustling district of Akasaka. Statues of mythical creatures guard the shrine, which sits at the top of several escalators (a modern addition!). Local believes that the 90 bright red torii gates of Hie Shrine divide the human world from the spirit world. It’s a very atmospheric place to visit, so we recommend that you take your time.

Included: 3* hotel, breakfast      

Day 4: Tokyo

After breakfast, you’ll set off on a tour to the area around Mount Fuji. However, this is no ordinary tour of the famous volcano.

First, you’ll make your own way by train to the small town of Fujinomiya, where you’ll start by exploring the local shotengai - traditional shopping streets. After some serious window shopping, you’ll join a class to try your hand at making yakisoba, a delicious stir-fried noodle dish.

Once you’ve whipped up a tasty meal and devouring your creation, you’ll be taken to a beautiful shrine to get fitted for a kimono. You’ll learn about the history of this iconic garment before exploring the shrine, with stunning views of Mount Fuji.

You’ll finish your day with a Japanese sweet-making workshop run by a local artisan. You’ll make wagashi, a small confectionary that is delicately shaped and coloured to reflect the changing seasons. Afterwards, you’ll head back to Tokyo by train.

Please note that Mt. Fuji is a very shy mountain, and it is visible when the weather is clear.

Included: 3* hotel, breakfast, touring    

Day 5: Travel to Fukushima

The morning is free, so you can keep exploring Tokyo. In the afternoon, you’ll take the bullet train to Nagoya, followed by a beautiful journey on the limited “Wide View” express train. On arrival, you’ll check into your accommodation for two nights. You’ll be staying in a traditional ryokan, with paper walls and beds on the floor. Dinner is included, and it’s guaranteed to be a feast of delicious Japanese food!

Included: Japanese style Ryokan accommodation, breakfast, train tickets, dinner            

Day 6: Kiso-Fukushima

Today is yours to explore this fantastic mountainous region. We recommend that you try hiking a section of the scenic Nakasendo Trail, starting in the town of Tsumago, famous for its architecture from the Endo period.

The section of the trail between Tsumago and Magome is particularly beautiful, and it takes around 3 hours to walk, including a couple of rest stops. As you hike, you’ll pass old traditional villages, fields where local farmers tend their crops and peaceful woodlands full of pine trees. When you reach Magome, you can hop on a bus back to Nagiso and catch the train back to Kiso-Fukushima.

Included: Japanese style Ryokan accommodation, breakfast, dinner       

Day 7: Travel to Kyoto

After an early breakfast, why not take a stroll around Kiso-Fukushima?

If you’re feeling energetic, you can even head to Yabharu and hike another portion of the Nakasendo trail. This time, the walk will finish in Narai, where you can enjoy a lunch of gohei-mochi (sticky-rice cakes) and soba (buckwheat noodles). From Narai, you can catch the train to Kyoto.

If you would rather skip the hike, you can hop on the direct train to Kyoto from Kiso-Fukushima. On arrival in Kyoto, you’ll check into your hotel for two nights and spend the evening at your leisure.

Included: Breakfast, 3* hotel, train tickets          

Day 8: Kyoto

Today is yours to enjoy Kyoto, a key cultural hub of Japan. Why not start with a visit to Nijo Castle, originally built in the 1600s as a private villa for a powerful lord? The intricate sliding doors and “chirping nightingale” floors are an incredible example of Momoyama architecture, making it a must-see when visiting Kyoto. Ryoan-ji Temple has a beautiful rock garden that is great to explore, while Kinkaku-ji Temple is home to a stunning golden pavilion covered in handmade gold leaves.

Included: Breakfast, 3* hotel     

Day 9: Kyoto or Nara

After breakfast, you can continue to enjoy Kyoto or take a day trip to Nara. For 74 years in the 8^th century, Nara was the capital of Japan, so it’s home to several shrines and temples of historical importance. Nara Park is the famous focal point of the town, with dozens of tame deer grazing the grassland. Nara is also home to the Todaiji Temple, a vast wooden building that houses Japan’s largest Buddha - Kasuga Taisha.

In the afternoon, you can head back to Kyoto and visit Fushimi Inari Taisha, where thousands of vermillion torii gates follow trails through the forests of Mount Inari. It’s a beautiful and unique hike up the mountain, with extraordinary photo opportunities next to the iconic gates. If you reach the top in the late afternoon, you’ll be able to watch the sunset over Kyoto and its surrounding hillsides.

Included: Breakfast, 3* hotel     

Day 10: Fly Japan to Fiji

After breakfast, you’ll hop on a shuttle transfer to Osaka Airport, where you’ll catch your flight to Fiji. On arrival in Fiji, you’ll be greeted with a tropical lei (flower garland) and taken by shared transfer to your hotel located in Nadi. The hotel is just a short drive from the airport. After you've checked in for a one-night stay, you can spend the rest of the day relaxing by the pool. 

Included: Breakfast, transfers, 4* hotel, international flight        

Day 11: Ferry to Nacula Island

After breakfast, you'll be collected from the hotel and taken to the marina, where you’ll catch a boat transfer out to the Yasawa Islands. The ferry journey takes around three hours, so you’ll have time to relax on the top deck, soak up some sunshine and enjoy the scenery. When you arrive at Nacula Island, you'll check in to the Blue Lagoon Resort for two nights.

Included: Breakfast, 3* hotel, ferry transfer                      

Days 12 and 13: Nacula Island

There’s plenty to keep you busy here, from paddle boarding and snorkelling to cultural activities, such as a visit to a local Fijian village. If you want to explore further afield, you can book a tour to the Sawa-i-lau Caves, steeped in Fijian legend? Evenings on Nacula Island offer oceanside dining and traditional Fijian dancing – it’s a great place to wind down after exploring Japan.

Included: 3* hotel, breakfast                     

Day 14: Nacula Island to Waya Island

Today, you'll make the short journey to Waya Island, a boutique hotel set in a marine reserve which offers some of the best snorkelling and diving in Fiji. When you arrive, you’ll check in for a three-night stay at Octopus Resort and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.              

Included: 3* hotel, breakfast, ferry transfer        

Days 15 and 16: Waya Island

Octopus has its very own PADI dive operation, so you can easily head out to one of the excellent dive sites. Under the waves, you can spot sharks, turtles, lobster and crabs, as well as an array of colourful coral. If you’d prefer to stay closer to the shore, you can grab a snorkel and spot the tropical fish living around the island straight from the beach. Alternatively, sit back, relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

Included: 3* hotel, breakfast                     

Day 17: Depart Fiji  

After breakfast this morning, you’ll head back to Nadi Airport on the mainland and catch your international flight back to the UK.

Included: breakfast, ferry transfer, land transfer, international flight     

Day 18: Arrive UK