Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Japan - Indonesia - Kyoto - Fukuchi Onsen - Tokyo - Bawah Island
100% customisable for you
Your adventure to the faraway lands of East Asia begins today. Head to the airport, whizz though security and enjoy a glass of bubbly in the airport lounge as you await departure. Skip the queues with your priority passage tickets and take some time to settle into your home for the night before taking off. Most flights to Osaka take around 16 hours, including a short layover in a major Asian airport hub, so you’ll spend tonight on board and set foot on Japanese soil tomorrow.
Wake up to changing views across the Far East as you prepare to land in Osaka. A private concierge will be waiting for your arrival to guide you through airport formalities before privately driving you one hour to the magical city of Kyoto. Hang up your hat for two nights in an elegant Japanese-style hotel in the heart of the picturesque Higashiyama district.
After taking some time to settle in and freshen up, head out to take the pulse of your exciting new surroundings. From ancient temples to trendy eateries and Zen gardens to chic boutiques, Kyoto seamlessly blends its grand former imperialism with its cool contemporary culture. This cornucopia of culture is yours to discover at your own pace. Admire the traditional machiya (wooden townhouses) of the magnificent Gion district; browse for lacquerware, ceramics and fabrics in the many craft shops; stroll through the mineral gardens of Ryôan-ji temple; tuck into some typical soba (buckwheat noodles); climb the terrace of the impressive modern station or the admirable Kiyomizu-dera temple for panoramic views of the city; go for a bike ride in the surrounding countryside; or visit Katsura Villa, the former residence of the Emperor. Head back to the hotel this evening for a leisurely dinner followed by a tasting of local tea, sake or whiskey.
On today’s agenda: a private walking tour of the city followed by a traditional tea ceremony. After a delicious breakfast at your hotel, meet your local resident-guide and head back into the magical maze of Kyoto. The walk is relaxed and entirely tailored to you; whether you’re a gastronome, a history buff, an art obsessive, a shopaholic or a nature lover, this outing is a great opportunity to dive deeper into the parts of Kyoto’s culture that most pique your interest.
This afternoon, make your way to an enchanting tea house to experience Chanoyu (literally translated as ‘hot water for tea’), the traditional Japanese tea ceremony. The ancient ritual of preparing and drinking powdered green tea is said to have been inherited from Zen Buddhist practices. Chanoyu is more than simply drinking a soothing infusion, it’s about slowing down and sharing a moment of harmony and spiritual communion. Tea houses are also known to bring together other fundamental cultural elements, including ceramics, calligraphy and ikebana (arranging flowers). Spend one last evening enjoying the facilities at your hotel in Kyoto before departing for the mountains tomorrow.
Your adventure across Japan continues today with a three-hour train journey through the countryside to Matsumoto. Here, collect your comfortable hire car and drive a further hour-and-a-half to Fukuchi Onsen, a hot spring resort nestled at the foot of the Hida Mountains in Japan’s Northern Alps. Your home for the next two nights here is an elegant ryokan, a traditional Japanese guesthouse. Everything is exactly as you would imagine, from the tatami mats and floor tables to the sliding doors and peaceful garden. Spend the rest of your day kicking back in this new serene environment. Take a stroll through the gardens, tuck into some delicious regional dishes and wind down before bed with a natural spine water bath.
Fukuchi is among our favourite onsen in Japan for its calm atmosphere and scenic surroundings. The resort is home to just over ten ryokan, making it possible to enjoy this laid-back, luxuriant atmosphere in peace and quiet. Sit back, relax and enjoy the soothing properties of the bubbling waters while admiring the majestic mountains that surround the onsen. Lovers of the great outdoors may also wish to put the mountains to use with a gentle hike. We recommend starting from Kappa Bridge, where there is a clear view of Mount Oku Hotaka, then taking the path along the crystal clear waters of the Azusa River, between Taisho and Myojin ponds. This two to three-hour hike is seriously scenic, passing through luscious alpine landscapes framed by towering mountains. Along the way, keep your eyes out for local fauna; monkeys are known to make an appearance in these lands.
Fully rested and revitalised, it’s time to wave goodbye to the Alps, hit the road and see a little more of Japan. After fuelling up at breakfast this morning, drive an hour and a half back to Matsumoto and return your hire car. Before boarding your train to Tokyo, we recommend making the most of your stopover with a visit to the illustrious Matsumoto-jo, one of the most beautiful castles in the country. Built in the 16th century, during the time of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, this castle is one of the oldest five-tiered structures remaining in Japan.
This afternoon, head to the station to board a three-hour train to the nation’s intoxicating capital of Tokyo. Hang up your hat for two nights in an elegant hotel in the heart of the lively Shinjuku district. This slice of Tokyo encompasses the very best of the city, from its neon-lit skyscrapers and vibrant karaoke rooms to its swanky hotels and upscale boutiques. Head out and get a taste of the delightful chaos of this mega-city before heading back to the hotel for a delicious dinner and restful evening.
Capital of the East and a workshop of urban modernity, Tokyo is one of the world’s most innovative metropolises. Everything here is cutting-edge, from its fashion trends and gastronomy to its futuristic technology and interactive museums.
On today’s agenda: a guided walk with a clued-up ‘Tokyoite’. The walk is relaxed, spontaneous and a great way to see the city through the lens of a local. The itinerary is based entirely around you and what you wish to see here. A little eccentricity? Head to Harajuku, the country’s centre of youth culture. In the market for some new gadgets? The Akihabara district is full of giant stores. A drink in a traditional bar? The surviving alleyways of Golden Gai in Shinjuku host hundreds of bitesize eateries. Some peace and quiet? Tokyo residents find it in the parks of Rikugi-en and Koishikawa Kôraku-en. Original museums? Discover the exhibitions of the Daimyo Clock Museum, the Japan Toy Museum or the Tabi Museum. A taste of traditional Japan? Stroll through the old Yanaka district, admire the Shinto shrine of Meiji-jingû or grab some tickets for a kabuki theatre show, a noh dance performance or a sumô competition. In short, Tokyo really does have something in store for every traveller.
Spend the afternoon cashing in on your tickets to the TeamLab Planets exhibition, an art lab dedicated to immersive digital creations. Deployed over nearly 10,000 square meters are a succession of scenes that interact with spectators through sight, touch and sound. It is a one-of-a-kind art museum that reminds us just how advanced Japan is.
Spend one final day sightseeing in Tokyo before waving goodbye to the neon lights of Japan on an evening flight to Singapore. The journey takes around seven hours, so you’ll spend tonight onboard and touch down tomorrow morning. Those with extra holiday time to play with can take the opportunity to extend this Asian adventure with a few days soaking in the sights of Singapore.
Welcome to the exotic lands of Southeast Asia. On arrival, whisk through airport formalities with assistance and priority clearance before hopping on a short seaplane flight to Bawah Island. Located on a remote Indonesian archipelago, Bawah Reserve is the epitome of sustainable luxury. A collection of tropical eco-lodges, one of which is yours to call home for the next four nights, are bordered by luscious greenery and pristine white-sand beaches. After settling in and freshening up, follow the sand paths from your lodge down to the beach and take the rest of today to soak in your new paradisiacal surroundings. Head back to the hotel this evening for a delicious meal based on pan-Asian gastronomy. You could also take yourself off to the spa for some relaxing treatments after your day of travel.
Spend three days indulging in the pleasures that come with being on a luxurious private island. Everything here is geared towards rest, rejuvenation and a slice of adventure. Enjoy daily yoga, Pilates and meditation classes; explore the aquamarine waters by SUP, kayak or mask and snorkel; head out on foot to discover the flora and fauna of the reserve; make use of the island’s facilities, which include an outdoor cinema, artistic workshops and, of course, the spa; and in the evening, enjoy a sunset sailing trip before settling in for a session of stargazing. If you want to take the R&R to the next level, our team can arrange an exclusive massage on a secret part of the island.
Sadly the time has come to hang up your sunhat for the final time and embark on the return journey home. The first stage of the trip takes you back to Singapore by seaplane, where you can freshen up in the premium lounge before departure. Flight time back to the UK is around thirteen hours, so you’ll spend tonight on board and touch down on home turf tomorrow.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
