Kyoto & Shimizu's Spring Blossoms, Mt. Fuji & Tokyo Stay, 12 March 2024 (19 nights)

Enjoy a day of taking in the different views of Mt. Fuji. First, you will travel to Lake Ashi for a relaxing boat trip. This lake, formed by a volcanic eruption 3,000 years ago, is set with Mt. Fuji as the backdrop. With most of the shores not particularly developed, you can enjoy some beautiful scenery and mountain views. Next you will travel to the Hakone Sky Gondola for a ride over the Owakudani Valley, where you will see sulphur fields, as well as views out to Lake Ashinoko and Mt. Fuji. This is followed by the Shinkansen (bullet train) back to Tokyo, where the tour completes at Odawara station. Here you are free to continue exploring, or travel back to the hotel if you wish.

Visitors to Tokyo have an almost endless array of shopping, entertainment, culture and food options to explore in a city where the past, present and future blend together like no other. The city's history can be found all around it, as well as other superb museums, historic temples and parks.

Your first stop is Kinkakuji, a zen temple. This temple is referred to as the "Golden Pavillion" and stands out due to the fact that the upper two levels are entirely coated in gold leaf. It's quite a site to behold. This was the old retirement residence of the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, located in a serene garden on the banks of a large pond. Only the Pavillion remains from the former retirement complex, but this too has burnt down multiple times. Next, visit Heian Shrine to viewin the 300 Cherry Blossom trees and if you are lucky they will be full of pink blossoms (sighting can never be guaranteed). The shrine itself was built in 1895 and is devoted to the ancestors of the city's first and last rulers.

Visit the stunning Himeji Castle where you will have free time to explore. Built in the 17th Century, it is one of Japan's most historic castles and is not only a Japanese national treasure, but also registered in the World Cultural Heritage listings. The castle is surrounded by the famous Cherry Blossom trees where you may be lucky enough to spot the blossoms in bloom (sighting can never be guaranteed).

First up is Nihondaira, a hilly area with stunning views across to Mt. Fuji (weather permitting) and over Suruga Bay. The area boasts in the region of 2,000 Cherry Blossom trees, so a great opportunity to try and spot the gorgeous blossoms (please note sighting can never be guaranteed). From here you will then take the ropeway over to Kunozan Toshogu Shrine - this is also an opportunity to enjoy an aerial view of the blossoms and Suruga Bay. Due to time restrictions, entry into the shrine will not be included. Before returning to the port, enjoy a local lunch with green tea.

Japan's tallest mountain at 3,776 metres high and nestled in the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, Mount Fuji is on everyone's bucket-list of Japan, whether that's to take in the view from the surrounding idyllic surrounding countryside, a Tokyo rooftop or your seat on the famous bullet train or even take up the challenging of hiking up yourself. Mount Fuji is an active volcano but last erupted in 1707, so you've got plenty of time to enjoy the hike, normally taking between 5-10 hours.

Visitors to Tokyo have an almost endless array of shopping, entertainment, culture and food options to explore in a city where the past, present and future blend together like no other. The city's history can be found all around it, as well as other superb museums, historic temples and parks.