Japan family adventure

Your guide will meet you today in the hotel lobby to run through your trip and offer any local advice to you so you can enjoy the country with confidence. To begin with, your guide will explain your itinerary in more detail and answer any questions you might have. Now feeling confident to explore, you'll head out with your guide to see some of the city's highlights. In the evening, head out with your guide again to sample some of the local Tokyo cuisine in the vibrant district of Meguro.

Odaiba is a man-made island out in Tokyo which is easily reached by monorail, a fun way to see the city from above. Once in Odaiba, there is everything for the whole family to enjoy — a trick museum, sci-fi architecture, driverless cars, a super 'Science of the Future' museum, fantastic shopping and even a giant 'Gundam' robot!

Today you'll have an opportunity to get to know Japan's world-famous pop culture. Explore Akihabara, a well-known place for fans of gaming, manga comics, collectables, J-pop, and much more. After lunch head over to Nakano Broadway to try your hand at drawing 'manga' — the popular Japanese graphic art.

Take the bullet train further west to the city of Hiroshima. Upon arrival, head out to see the atomic bomb memorial monument and peace museum, as well as explore the lively local food culture.

One of Hiroshima prefecture's highlights is the gate of Itsukushima Shrine, often referred to as Miyajima torii, particularly beautiful at high tide when it appears to 'float'. What better way to see it at this time than from a kayak? For half a day you will enjoy kayaking toward the gate and around it (weather permitting). Once finished here, head onto the island to enjoy the shrine itself and the tame deer that enjoy the attention of visitors. Take a fast ferry back to Hiroshima city and through the canals up to Peace Park.

Your second bullet train journey takes you back east to Kyoto, the city of temples and gardens. It's here you can enjoy a unique stay in a 'machiya' (townhouse) if you wish, right in the heart of the city with your own amenities, including a kitchen, washing machine and living area. You could explore the immediate area around your townhouse or head over to the impressive International Manga (Japanese comic) Museum for a few hours.

In the morning, gain an insight into the fabled ninja who existed in the shadows of feudal Japan. An instructor will guide you on how to throw shuriken (throwing stars) and become acquainted with a ninja's arsenal.

Have the chance to learn about traditional taiko drumming by watching a performance and then taking a lesson on the origins of this 6th-century art form. Try on a drummer's outfit, grab a pair of drumsticks, and have a go yourself.

Spend the morning in Kyoto. There are plenty of interesting museums in the city that work well for families. The International Manga Museum could be a good option. In the late afternoon, head out with one of our local geisha experts for an evening tour of the geisha district.

Spend a day exploring the Fushimi-Inari shrine to the southeast of Kyoto, famous for the thousands of red torii gates that spill out onto the hillside. Afterwards, visit the old capital of Nara to see the impressive giant Buddha and the expansive park roamed by wild deer.

Your final bullet train east will take you to Hakone National Park, famed for its numerous hot spring resorts, traditional inns and viewing points of Mount Fuji. Using your Hakone Free Pass (included), you will circle the park on the funicular train, cable car (or bus if you prefer), and boat on Lake Ashi. On the way, there are a number of open-air art museums which are great for the whole family. Check into your Japanese inn, or ryokan, for one night, including the use of hot spring bathing — a huge part of Japanese culture — and 'kaiseki' evening meal, lots and lots of little tapas-style Japanese dishes using local seasonal ingredients.

If time allows, head to Yunessun Spa Resort, a hugely fun and unique hot spring 'theme park' with baths that look like you're sitting in a noodle soup bowl, among others. This is very popular with kids and kids at heart. Afterwards, return to Tokyo for your final night in the capital. This is a good chance to see another part of the city or do any last-minute shopping before heading home.

You will be picked up and taken to the airport by shared transfer for your return flights home. Your return flight will arrive the same day.