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.

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

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

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Plan with an expert 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 A tailor-made itinerary just for you

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