Videos

Definitive Cultural Tour of Japan

Follow our Operations Manager, Harry Gray, as he immerses himself in Japanese culture and travels the country visiting historic castles, ancient temples, traditional villages and even snow monkeys on our Definitive Cultural Tour of Japan.

Harry's adventure begins under the bright lights of modern day Tokyo where he also finds pockets of traditional life juxtapositioned with the dazzling neon lights and skyscrapers. Heading north by bullet train into the scenic region of the Japanese Alps, Harry stops off at a museum dedicated to the iconic works of artist Hokusai Katsushika and then sees the famous snow monkeys bathing in the hot springs at Yudanaka. His journey continues to Kyoto where he walks beneath 5,000 red tori gates and then on to Mount Koya to spend the night at a temple, joining the monks in morning prayer, before visiting the historic white heron castle at Himeji.

A further ride on a bullet train takes Harry to Hiroshima for a sobering tour of the city, before ending his journey in the foodie capital of Osaka. Along the way, Harry introduces us to hot spring baths and delicious cuisine and celebrates the wonderful hospitality of the Japanese people that made his trip so memorable.

In addition to the places Harry visits, this in depth tour also travels to the picturesque post town of Narai, the imposing black-walled 'Crow Castle' of Matsumoto, and the sacred island of Miyajima. En route there is the chance to observe a tea ceremony hosted by an apprentice geisha, take a walk through Tokyo's sumo district and enjoy a day trip to see the white-topped cone of Mount Fuji - one of Japan's most iconic sights.