Discover Japan – 2026

About this trip

Discover the best of beautiful Japan, from vibrant metropolises to serene rural regions bursting with culture. Among many highlights, a chance to see Japanese Macaques, enjoy a private dinner with a geisha or maiko, walk along the Nakasendo trail and savour spectacular cuisine along the way.

Take part in a Japanese calligraphy lesson, learning all about the nation’s three alphabets – kanji, hiragana and katakana – and trying your hand at writing your own characters under the guidance of an expert instructor.

Delight in a lunch and visit to Nadagiku Sake Brewery where you will see tools that were used until the late 1950’s. For an authentic taste of Japan, sample Sake and learn about the brewing tradition that has been passed down through the generations.

Enjoy a Sarubobo-making experience. An amulet particularly common in Takayama and the nearby Hida region, Sarubobo are red dolls with no facial features. Learn how to make the dolls and perhaps find some good luck yourself.

Explore the Sanmachi Suji district in Takayama, a beautifully preserved area with traditional Edo-period wooden buildings. Wander the quiet old streets lined with craft shops, sake breweries, and historic merchant house, sampling local tea and digging into local treats like wagyu sushi.