Meet & Greet: Upon arrival in Tokyo you will be met by an assistant and welcomed to Japan. Your assistant will escort you to the shared shuttle bus into Tokyo. This journey is shared with other people and will take approximately 1 hour, depending on other stops (there will be a maximum of 3). Look out for some great views as you ride the elevated highways into town, before being dropped at your hotel door.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Richmond Asakusa Hotel (Sky Tree View Room)

Full day private tour of Tokyo: Today you will take a full day private tour of the city with a private English-speaking guide, travelling by public transport. Places of interest that can be visited include Tokyo's National Museum which houses displays of historic costumes including samurai armour and swords and fine kimonos, antique folding screens, tea ceremony utensils and Japanese paintings. The Sumida River cruise travels through the busy heart of the city and to the edge of Tokyo Bay where you will be able to see the reclaimed land islands and the large Rainbow Bridge that dominates the bay. Hamarikyu Garden is a tranquil oasis on the edge of the bay and flanked by the modern skyscrapers of the Shiodome district. The gardens reflect Japan's changing seasons. Enjoy Japanese tea with Japanese sweets in the wooden pavilion by the edge of the park's lake.

Tokyo Sky Tree Tickets: Today we will be providing you with tickets for Tokyo's newest iconic landmark: Tokyo Skytree. The 634m high tower is the hottest destination in town and the observation decks located at 350m and 450m offer unparalleled views over Tokyo.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Richmond Asakusa Hotel (Sky Tree View Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Self guided touring: Today is at leisure to explore more of Tokyo, or the nearby towns of Nikko & Kamakura using your Japan Rail Pass. Nikko is famous for its ornate religious architecture, some of the most important in all of Japan, in a beautiful woodland setting. Kamakura is a sleepy coastal town that served briefly as capital of Japan in the 1100s, leaving a rich cultural legacy.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Richmond Asakusa Hotel (Sky Tree View Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Train journey from Tokyo to Osaka: Today you will be travelling by train to Osaka using your Japan Rail Pass. For the journey between Tokyo and Osaka you will be travelling by Shinkansen. The Tokaido Shinkansen line was the first of Japan's famous 'Bullet' Train lines to open and traverses the 343 miles between Tokyo and Osaka. When the 00 series trains with their distinctive bullet-shaped noses first started running in October of 1964 (just in time for the Tokyo Olympics) journey time to Osaka was over 4 hours. Today the same trip can be done in just 2 hours 35 minutes! Keep a look out of the right hand windows of the train for Mt. Fuji.

Afternoon self-guided tour of Osaka: This afternoon is free to explore Osaka. The city has previously been voted one of the world's top cities for food by several British newspapers and it won't take you long to discover why. As well as several Michelin star restaurants, Osaka boasts fantastic and inexpensive street food. Down to earth Osakans are rightly proud of their earthy cuisine. Be sure to try takoyaki (octopus dumplings). Once you've had your fill of all the food Osaka has to offer you could make your way to the city's towering replica samurai castle and spend some time exploring its sprawling grounds. The castle building hosts a brilliant museum with a great introduction to Japan's feudal history, with a large amount of the exhibits in English. The top tower of the keep also affords you great views across the gardens and city.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Cross Hotel Osaka (Standard room)

Meals: Breakfast

Train journey from Osaka to Mt Koya: From Osaka Nanba station you will take the Nankai Line to Koya-san - it's a 2 hour journey through the suburbs of Osaka and then scenic countryside. The last 2 minutes are by cable car.

Afternoon on Mt Koya: This afternoon is at leisure to explore Mt Koya independently. Mount Koya (known as Koya-san in Japanese) is one of the holiest mountains in all of Japan and the plateau at the top is home to more than 100 temples and monasteries. Koya-san is the headquarters of the Shingon sect, an esoteric school of Buddhism which has over ten million members and 4,000 temples in Japan. There has been a religious community here since 816 when it was founded by a monk named Kukai after he returned from studying for two years in China. Koya is a very peaceful and beautiful wooded area and some great walking is also available. The atmosphere is truly magical, making this a lovely place to unwind and relax.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Fudo-in (Shinkan with Bathroom)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Train journey from Osaka to Mt Koya: From Osaka Nanba station you will take the Nankai Line to Koya-san - it's a 2 hour journey through the suburbs of Osaka and then scenic countryside. The last 2 minutes are by cable car.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Cross Hotel Osaka (Standard room)

Meals: Breakfast

Train journey from Osaka to Kii-Tanabe: From Shin-Osaka station it is a 2 hour journey by Ltd Express train half-way around the Kii peninsula to Kii-Tanabe station, access point for the Kumano Kodo.

Kumano Kodo Orientation: Welcome to Kumano Kodo! We will arrange for you to meet an English speaking member of staff at the fantastic tourist information centre next to Kii-Tanabe Station. The representative will be familiar with your itinerary and will talk you through the route to make sure you are confident about the walking ahead. You will also be given relevant maps and bus timetables, and up to date information regarding the weather and hiking conditions on the ground. This is a great opportunity to meet a knowledgeable local and ensure your hiking runs as smoothly and safely as possible. The orientation will last 20 to 30 minutes and afterwards you will have the chance to spend some time exploring the fishing town of Kii-Tanabe. There is some fantastic seafood here and we recommend grabbing lunch in one of the small restaurants in the Ajikoji district by the station. Staff at the tourist information centre will give you their recommendations.

Bus journey from Kii-Tanabe to Kawayu Onsen: From Kii-Tanabe Station you'll need to pay on the day for the bus to Kawayu Onsen in the heart of the Kumano Kodo where you will be staying tonight. On arrival, make your way to the Fujiya Ryokan using the instructions provided.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Fujiya Ryokan (Japanese room)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Shuttle bus from Kawayu Onsen to Hosshinmon-Oji: This morning, take a 30 minute bus to Hosshinmon-Oji. As one of the most important sacred gates on the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trails, this is a great place to start your walk today. The shrine gate at Hosshinmon-Oji is one of the most important landmarks on the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trails. It marks the outermost entrance into the sacred precincts of Kumano Hongu Taisha, the main shrine in the centre of this holy region. The name literally means ‘gate of spiritual awakening' and historically, passing under the stone shrine gate was an important ritual for pilgrims en-route to Kumano Hongu Taisha.

Walk from Hosshinmon-Oji to Kumano Hongu: The walk from Hosshinmon-Oji to Kumano Hongu Taisha is 7km and will take around 3 hours. After passing through the stone torii gate at Hosshinmon-Oji that marks the entrance to the holy central area of the Kumano Kodo, the route follows a road through Hosshinmon Village and on to Mizunomi-Oji. You'll pass little stalls and folksy wood carvings along the way. The trail then enters the forest at Mizunomi-Oji, the site of an old school house, and exits at the west end of the Fushiogami settlement, with its numerous tea plantations and terraced fields. At the ridge of Fushiogami-Oji you'll catch your first glimpse of the Grand Shrine in the valley below; this is where pilgrims would fall to their knees and prey. From here the trail descends through the forest past Sangen-jaya to the austere Kumano Hongu Taisha. At Fushiogami-Oji there is a covered rest area here where locals serve handmade snacks and coffee made with hot spring water.

Bus journey from Kumano Hongu to Yunomine Onsen: After exploring the Kumano Hongu Taisha area you can take a local bus on to your ryokan in Yunomine Onsen (about 20 minutes). Alternatively you might prefer to walk along the Dainichi-goe Trail to Yunomine Onsen, a 3.5km trail which will take around 90 minutes.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Adumaya Ryokan (Japanese room)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Bus and boat journey from Yunomine Onsen to Shingu: This morning take a local bus from Yunomine Onsen to the Hitari bus stop where you will meet your boat. The Kumano River, which runs from north to south bisecting the Kii Peninsula, has long played a vital role in the region as a transport link connecting mountain communities. Traditionally pilgrims travelled by boat between two of the three main shrines: Kumano Hongu Taisha and Kumano Hatayama Taisha at the river mouth.

Today we’ve arranged for you to join a 90 minute cruise along the most scenic stretch of the river from Hitari to Kumano Hatayama Taisha in the town on Shingu. You'll travel as the pilgrims did in a narrow open-topped boat, although these days the boats have a small motor attached! The cruise takes you through steep gorges and past several waterfalls. The boat will dock beside Kumano Hatayama Taisha and from there you can explore the shrine.

Bus from Shingu to Daimonzaka, via Nachi: After exploring Hatayama Shrine you'll need to take a public bus from Shingu on to Nachi. Nachi marks the end of one of the Kumano Kodo's pilgrimage routes. It is a mysterious place where spiritual lay lines, natural thermal springs and Japan's largest waterfall meet and are honoured by Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine. After time to explore Nachi, a short bus ride will take you to Daimonzaka Chushajo. This is the starting point for a lovely walk of around an hour to the third of the three main shrines in this region, Kumano Nachi Taisha. If you don't fancy the walk you could stay on the bus all the way to the shrine.

Walk from Daimonzaka to Nachi Taisha: The best approach to the third of the Kumano Kodo's three main shrines is on foot. The walk from the bus stop at Daimonzaka Chushajo to Nachi Taisha Shrine and the waterfall is 1.5km and will take around an hour. The walk begins with Daimonzaka, a cobblestone staircase. It's a bit of a climb but worth it for the views of Nachi from the top.

Bus journey from Nachi to Kii-Katsuura: After exploring Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine and the waterfall you will need to take a short bus ride to Kii-Katsuura where you will stay tonight.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Hotel Nakanoshima (Japanese room)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Train journey from Kii-Katsuura to Kyoto: Today, you will head on to Kyoto, the cultural heart of Japan. From Kii-Katsuura Station you'll use your Japan Rail Pass to take a limited express train around the coast to Shin-Osaka Station. From Osaka, hop on the Shinkansen for the 15 minute journey to Kyoto. Journey time is just over 4 hours.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Vista Premio Hotel (Superior room)

Meals: Breakfast

Full day private tour of Kyoto: Today you will take a full day private tour of the city with a private English speaking guide, travelling by public transport. Places of interest that can be visited include Kiyomizu Temple, perched on a hillside with good views towards central Kyoto. Dating from 1633, the main hall sits on hundreds of interconnecting wooden pillars above a sacred spring that is believed to have therapeutic qualities. Kinkakuji Temple, also known as the Golden Pavilion, is one of Japan's most famous sights. This glittering temple is covered entirely in gold leaf and set on a small lake amongst well-tended gardens. Ryoanji Temple belongs to the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism and was founded in 1450. The adjoining garden is an austere collection of 15 rocks adrift in a sea of sand. Nijo Castle was built in 1603 to demonstrate the power of the first Tokugawa Shogun Ieyusa. The design of this castle, built by the first Shogun of a united Japan, reflects an ambition to impress rather than anticipation of combat.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Vista Premio Hotel (Superior room)

Meals: Breakfast

Tea with a Geisha: It is hard to imagine a more traditional Japanese experience than attending a tea house and being entertained by a geisha (known as geiko in Kyoto). We have strong ties with a highly regarded traditional teahouse in the heart of geiko area of Gion in Kyoto and today will arrange a 45 minute private visit where you will be entertained by a geiko or a Maiko (apprentice). They will serve you a cup of tea and some Japanese snacks and perform a highly skilful traditional dance, after which you will be able to ask them questions about their life and take some photos with them. Be aware that a visit to such a special tea house is always subject to availability and we may not be able to confirm it for you until nearer to your trip.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Vista Premio Hotel (Superior room)

Meals: Breakfast

Train journey from Kyoto to Tokyo: From Kyoto you will use your Japan Rail Pass to take the Shinkansen to Tokyo and then a Yamanote line train to Shinjuku station. We recommend changing trains in Tokyo at Shinagawa station as it is a nice easy transfer. Total journey time is around 3 hours and 20 minutes.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku (Standard room)

Meals: Breakfast