Hot Spring Heaven Japan

Duration
9 Days
Price from
£9,425 pp.
Location
Japan, Asia
Kayotei onsen Yamanaka Japan

Trip Highlights

  • Soak in Japan’s best onsens
  • Explore Kyoto’s cultural treasures
  • Discover Hakone’s mountain scenery

What's Included

  • 8 nights accommodation
  • Guided excursions
  • Onsen experiences

A luxurious way to experience traditional Japanese culture

This relaxation-focused itinerary immerses you in quintessential elements of Japanese culture across Japan's main island of Honshu.

We designed this trip for those who want to experience Japan at a slower pace — one that lets you soak in the country’s natural beauty, quiet rituals, and rich cultural heritage. For us, this itinerary is all about balance: one part iconic highlights, one part off-the-beaten-path serenity, and a generous helping of onsen bliss.

Nia, our Japan specialist says:

"I absolutely love this trip and would really recommend it to honeymooners—treat yourselves to a touch of luxury while exploring Japan at a relaxed pace. From meditating in Kyoto’s sacred temples to soaking in hot springs, all while enjoying delicious regional food, it truly is a special experience. Every detail has been thoughtfully designed to offer authenticity and ultimate comfort throughout."

Starting in Kyoto, we explore temple-lined streets and hidden tearooms with expert guides who help bring the city’s living traditions to life. From there, we venture to Yamanaka Onsen — a place we want to return to again and again for its peaceful atmosphere, exquisite ryokan hospitality, and healing hot springs! We love pairing this with a day in nearby Kanazawa, one of Japan’s most underrated cultural gems.

In Tokyo, we take time to discover both the fast and the slow — a mix of buzzing neighbourhoods and bonsai gardens, fish markets and sacred shrines. And we finish in Hakone, where the mountain air, volcanic landscapes, and open-air museums offer the perfect wind-down.

This is definitely our most rejuvenating journey through Japan — full of immersive, hands-on experiences, beautiful places to stay, and plenty of time to slow down and just take it all in.


Trip Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Kyoto

Sunset cruise in Kyoto with sakura Japan min

Upon arrival at Kansai International Airport, you're greeted by an assistant who will escort you to your transport into the city. A private driver will take you directly to the elegant Genji Kyoto, your home for the next three nights. Your room offers a private bath and a serene river view—perfect for relaxing after the flight. The evening is free to explore Kyoto at your own pace.

Day 2 Kyoto day tour

Kyoto Fushimi Inari Thousands of vermilion Torii Gates 4

After breakfast, meet your guide for a private day tour of Kyoto. You’ll explore cultural highlights including Kiyomizudera Temple, the charming Ninenzaka district, and the iconic Fushimi Inari Shrine with its endless vermilion torii gates. A private Zen meditation session offers a chance to slow down and experience Japan's spiritual traditions. You'll also take part in an exclusive tea ceremony at a secluded tearoom in Kodaiji Temple, open only to select guests. You’ll return to your hotel in the late afternoon, with the evening free to wander Kyoto’s enchanting streets.

Day 3 Bento-making and Bamboo forests

Day 4 To Yamanaka Onsen

Day 5 Kanazawa and Kenrokuen Gardens

Day 6 Bullet train to Tokyo

Day 7 Heading to Hakone

Day 8 Hakone Ropeway and Owakudani

Day 9 Okada Art Museum and Japan departure

Trips in Japan

Japan Trip Inspiration

Speak to a Japan expert today

and start planning your tailor-made holiday

Call 0203 111 1315
or
Nia pictures

Nia

Japan Expert

When to go to Japan

A month-by-month guide of when to visit Japan

  • Best
  • Good
  • Mixed
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

January

January is ideal for winter sports in Hokkaido and northern regions, with plenty of snow. Tokyo and Kyoto remain chilly but offer clear skies for sightseeing. Explore Sapporo's Snow Festival and soak in an onsen for the ultimate winter experience.

February

February is the best time for skiing and snowboarding in Nagano and Hokkaido. The Sapporo Snow Festival is a major attraction, featuring stunning ice sculptures. Other areas are generally cold and dry and good for sightseeing.

March

March marks the beginning of spring, with cherry blossoms starting to bloom in southern regions like Kyoto and Tokyo. Enjoy hanami picnics under the pink blossoms. It's a great time for hiking and outdoor adventures.

April

April is the peak of cherry blossom season. Witness Tokyo's Ueno Park and Kyoto's Maruyama Park come alive with vibrant sakura. Golden Week, late April to early May, offers festive parades and events.

May

May offers pleasant weather for outdoor activities and hiking. Explore Tokyo's International Food Festival and enjoy the comfortable climate for sightseeing in Kyoto.

June

June is the start of the rainy season, known as tsuyu, lasting until mid-July. Although it's wet, explore Kyoto's temples and gardens amid light crowds. Festivals like the Sanno Matsuri in Tokyo showcase Japanese traditions.

July

July continues the rainy season, but the Tanabata Star Festival brightens the skies. Hokkaido hosts the Lavender Festival with fields of purple blooms. Kyoto's Gion Matsuri features grand floats.

August

August offers festivals and fireworks. The Obon Festival celebrates ancestors with lanterns and dances. Enjoy the Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival in Tokyo. Hokkaido's summer flower festivals are perfect for nature enthusiasts.

September

September brings comfortable weather and the iconic Kunchi Festival in Nagasaki. Explore the Sapporo Autumn Festival in Hokkaido. It's a great time for sightseeing with fewer tourists.

October

October features stunning autumn foliage in Kyoto and Nikko. Visit Tokyo's Meiji Shrine during the Meiji Jingu Festival and enjoy Oktoberfest celebrations. Ideal for hiking and outdoor adventures.

November

November showcases autumn foliage, with Kyoto's temples and parks ablaze in red and orange. Yoyogi Park in Tokyo hosts the International Food Festival, and Kyushu's hot spring resorts offer relaxation.

December

December marks the onset of winter, with holiday illuminations in cities and festive lights. Explore Hokkaido's Sapporo Snow Festival with breathtaking ice sculptures. Ski resorts open for winter sports enthusiasts.

Shirley Newman

What can I say….my son and myself had the most wonderful time in Kenya thanks to the first-class itinerary that Ben and Louise put together for us. We spoke with Ben many times to ensure he ‘got it right’. This was our 2nd visit to Kenya, and it certainly lived up to our expectations and memories. We stayed in four locations, firstly at the wonderful El Karama Lodge, Laikipia Wildlife Conservancy, where we even had a visit from Ruth from Far and Wild! Then, for a return visit, to Saruni Samburu, which is absolutely stunning and still one of our favourite places in the world. Next came Basecamp Mara Camp, where we saw our first Cheetah, the only animal we didn’t see on our first visit. After that, onto the wonderful Leopards Hill in the Naiboisho Conservancy, what a way to spend the last four days of this trip. Here we finally spent many hours with a beautiful leopard. Throughout our time in Kenya, we saw many lions, giraffes, elephants, ostriches, hyenas, cheetahs, and leopards, to name just a few. Nothing was too much trouble for all the staff; we cannot have been looked after any better. Since our return again Ben phoned to see how it went in addition to emails. I would highly recommend Far and Wild; they are so knowledgeable and have personally visited the lodges and areas. We are already planning another visit, and we cannot wait.

16 Aug 2025
Elizabeth Spells

I have just returned from the most amazing trip to Tanzania, booked with Far & Wild. Everything went so smoothly from the first time I spoke with them. The planning was great, the itinerary was perfect for us, and the lodges were amazing. We spent 10 nights with an amazing guide, travelling through Northern Tanzania and even got to see the migration, which was a lifetime ambition of mine. This wasn't our first safari, so we were nervous as to how it would compare, but it was spot on. We're particularly grateful that she suggested a private 'bush lunch' in the Ngorongoro Crater as the public picnic spot was very busy! I will certainly be using them again to book our next trip....we're thinking of a relaxing beach stay next time to get over the excitement of safari!

17 Sept 2025
Orla Rhodes

Just back from another amazing F&W organised trip to Namibia with the family (8 adults). Having been there before, Alistair tailored our trip to include our favourite locations and added a new one for us, Okonjima Plains camp, which we loved.The quality of accommodation and guiding, activities, food and drinks was exceptional throughout. Although not inexpensive I felt it was good value for the level of luxury we had. Kwessi Dunes, Shipwreck lodge, Ongava, Okonjima with pit stops Windhoek (city tour recommended ), Swakopmund (Sandwich Harbour and Walvis Bay tour) and Grootberg lodge (best sundowner drive )

31 Jul 2024
Arnhild Schia

We had a wonderful trip to São Tomé and Príncipe - a small island nation in the Gulf of Guinea with paradise (almost empty) beaches and jungle forest. It was all well organised by Far and Wild and we stayed at Omali lodge at Sao Tome, then on Roca Sundy, and Sunday Praia at Principe - a great combination of different types of resorts/hotels. Omali is close to Sao Tome town with its colonial buildings, markets, hustle and bustle. Roca Sunday gives an old plantation experience and Sundy Praia a luxury beach experience. Very friendly (from time to time a bit slow) service, great fresh food, specifically if you like fish/seafood, vegetables and fruits (almost all sourced locally). Nice temperature between 23 and 30 degrees Celsius, nice swimming conditions. We really recommend this for those who want to experience a pristine destination with few other tourists and friendly and welcoming people. The islands also feel (and I believe are) very safe. At Principe, there are no dangerous animals, snakes or whatever, and it was great to be able to hike in the jungle without being very conscious of where to put your hands and feet. Go before everyone else does!

3 Jul 2024
Henri Papenfus

Back home again, basking in the joys of a superb safari. Every aspect you arranged for us, including linking up with Mack Air and Wild Horizons locally to transport us. The choice of camps, Camp Hwange in Zimbabwe and Muchenenje Safari Lodge in Botswana, was spot on and exactly what we had hoped for - ideally situated, comfortable, in good surroundings, and with excellent wildlife on the doorstep and throughout the wider country. The service staff in each looked after us very well, catering was excellent, and the game guides were professional, knowledgeable and helpful. The weather was, as usual for that part of the world, also good at the time of our visit. Blue skies and stunning sunsets. Warm but not too hot during the day, although quite cold at sunrise when viewing game. The viewing started. You made us happy, and we recommend you to similar safari enthusiasts with confidence.

28 Jun 2024
AC

Far and Wild went above and beyond to make sure my trip to Zambia was special. I would definitely recommend them and their services to anyone wanting to travel to Africa.

5 Jun 2024
Tiny

Lovely holiday at the amazing Almanara on Galu beach, a beach like no other. Far and Wild excelled themselves from beginning to end of our holiday in beautiful Kenya.... What a country!,

5 Jun 2024
Stodge

Wow! These guys are amazing. Can’t recommend them highly enough. Friendly AND efficient! Sorted out our trip (last minute and lots of different family member needs, sorry!) in record time and everything worked like clockwork. Trip of a lifetime to the Masai Mara. Will be back (and use F&W again!)!

5 Jun 2024
Fiona C

It was a dreamy holiday on the Kenyan Coast - Far and Wild, their efficiency and professionalism allowed us to relax and be the happiest family alive !! We cannot fault them, their care and understanding of what we wanted from a holiday ensured we had the most memorable trip. We will be booking with them again for sure!

5 Jun 2024

Plan with an expert

Have a look at our original experiences and then contact us with your questions, or call 0203 111 1315

A tailor-made itinerary just for you

Our experts will send you a detailed holiday itinerary specified to your desires. It's our service promise to you.

Value guarantee

Tailor-made doesn't mean expensive! Ask about our price promise and book with financial security.