A GRAND TOUR OF JAPAN NORTH TO SOUTH - A 15 DAY AUTUMN ADVENTURE with Lits

Zen Gardens, Peace Pagodas, Sacred Shrines, Shoguns & SamuraiMONDAY 12th - WEDNESDAY 28th OCTOBER 2026This bespoke discovery tour of Japan is like no other: an adventure by road, rail, sea and air across the whole of the country from north to south in autumn time to capture its breathtaking array of seasonal colours.
Our itinerary will take us off-piste, away from classic, over-crowded tourist hot spots, to more undiscovered, lesser-known parts of the country: from the mountainous island of Hokkaido in the north, to the rather haunting city of Nagasaki and on to the Pacific paradise (blue zone!) islands of Okinawa in the south, whilst also embracing ‘not to be missed’ experiences in the famous cities of Tokyo and Kyoto

Making the most of the highly developed Japanese transport systems we will take internal domestic flights, whizz on a bullet train through picturesque countryside, cruise in small boats and ride in smart coaches to shuttle us to more tricky to-reach-to destinations; visiting Shogun castles, sanctuary islands, hot springs, lakes, mountains, folklore villages; learning about the cultures of Samurai, Sake Geishas & Teahouses along our way - our itinerary will cover it all!COST: £7,550.00 per person (single occupancy ensuite room)
INCLUDES INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS (JAPAN AIRLINES),
DOMESTIC FLIGHTS,VSINGLE SUPPLEMENT & practically everything else!Places limited to 14 peoplePRICE INCLUDES:
Return international flights, all domestic flights, coach, boat and rail travel, transfers, hotel accommodation and breakfasts, 7x lunches, 3x dinners, admission to all attractions listed, services of professional English speaking guides, and full services of Lits, an experienced 45NotGrumpy leader.NOT INCLUDED: Optional excursions, lunches and meals not listed, gratuities, items of a personal nature. Travel insurance.This tour is tailor-made in conjunction with our ABTA travel partner and tour operator ‘Windows on the Wild’.
A deposit of £1750 is required to secure your place on RSVP - please contact me directly: Lits: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / 07710 217902
Balance payment due: 12th AugustPlease find the outline itinerary below - please contact me directly for a more detailed itinerary.
Monday 12th October
JAL Flight LHR to Tokyo
JL0042 departing at 09.40 (arriving at 0715 the next day)
Tuesday 13th Oct
07.15 Arrival Tokyo
Transfer to city centre and sightseeing tour to include:
Meiji Jingu Shrine
Stroll around Harajuku & Omotesando
Art Aquarium
Check-in hotel and rest before dinner
Wednesday 14th Oct
A free day in Tokyo with city tour options or freedom to explore
Thursday 15th Oct
Transfer to Haneda airport after breakfast for flight to Hokkaido.
Visit to Okhotsk Ryu-hyo Museum
Transfer and check in to hotel
Friday 16th Oct
A day of sightseeing in Shiretoko National Park:
The Five Lakes, the Furepe waterfall
Lunch at a roadside station
Boat cruise around the coast
Saturday 17th Oct
Transfer to airport for flight to Sapporo
Transfer to Sapporo city centre
BBQ lunch at famous Sapporo beer garden
Visit TV Tower and Sapporo Oodori Park
Check in hotel
Sunday 18th Oct:
Early sightseeing tour and breakfast Sapporo market
Transfer to airport for flight to Kyoto
Afternoon arrival & transfer to hotel, Kyoto
Monday 19th Oct:
Sightseeing tour Kyoto to include:
Golden Pavillion
Ryoanji Temple
Lunch at local restaurant
Tea Ceremony Experience
Kiyomizu Temple
Gion Area
Transfer to Shabu Shabu restaurant for dinner together
Tuesday 20th Oct:
Sightseeing tour Kyoto to include:
Adashi no Nenbutsuji Temple
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Togetsukyo Bridge
Lunch at local restaurant
Sake brewery Tour-Fushimigura
Fushimiinari Shrine
Wednesday 21st Oct:
Transfer to Kyoto train station
Ride bullet train to Fukuoka Nozomo
Lunch at a local restaurant
Visit Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine
Stroll through Nakasu-Kawabata
Transfer and check in to hotel, Fukuoka Nozomo
Thursday 22nd Oct:
Transfer to Nagasaki
Visit Nagansaki Peace Memorial Park
Lunch at a local restaurant
Gunkan Island boat cruise
Friday 23rd Oct:
Transfer to Fukuoka airport
Domestic flight to Naha / transfer to hotel
Optional dinner – Ishigaki beef restaurant
Saturday 24th Oct:
Sightseeing tour Okinawa Island
Shuri Castle
Lunch at local restaurant
Okinawa World
Umikaji Terrace
Sunday 25th Oct:
Free day (beach?)
Optional tour:
Churaumi Aquarium
Kokusai Street shopping
Monday 26th Oct:
Transfer to Naha airport
Domestic flight to Tokyo
Transfer to hotel Tokyo
Tuesday 27th Oct:
Free day or optional sightseeing tour
Tsukiji Market
Yayoi Kusama Museum
Ginza
Farewell Kaiseki dinner together
Wednesday 28th Oct:
Transfer to Haneda airport
JAL flight departing at 0915 arriving at LHR 15.15 the same day
A deposit of £1750 is required to secure your place on RSVP - please contact me directly for payment details to 'Windows on the Wild'.
Lits: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / 07710 217902
Balance payment due: 12th August