Delve Deep: Japan

Down your cup of matcha – we’re off to check out the Meiji Shrine this morning. Tokyo’s grandest Shinto shrine – take in all the spiritual vibes, make an offering and wander the blooming (or not) gardens. Next, we’re heading to the quirky Harajuku district (aka cosplay heaven) with our in-the-know Trip Leader. Expect kawaii culture galore: neon tutus, rainbow-coloured wigs, bubble tea and fairy floss. We’ll also swing by the legendary Shibuya Crossing – it’s all the crazy. Then: the afternoon’s yours to wander the futuristic streets of Shibuya. Add some slappin’ skills to your CV with an optional taiyaki making experience. A fish-shaped waffle cake never tasted so good. And tonight? It starts with a ‘K’ and ends with an ‘E’. Nope, not kale. K-A-R-A-O-K-E time!

It’s your last day in Tokyo – so, you do you. Been waiting for an opportunity to shamelessly wear Mickey Mouse headwear and fan-girl/boy over Cinderella? An optional trip to Tokyo Disneyland is calling. Book your tix in advance to high five allll your fave characters. This evening: quiz your Trip Leader on where to find the best ramen – and be prepared to order on a ticket machine with pictures of the dishes. It might be a lucky dip, but that’s what adventuring is all about.

Rise and shine – it’s an early start to get the iconic Shinkansen (bullet train FYI) to Takayama. Glue your face to the window as we zoom through the incredible Japanese Alps. Once we’ve pulled in, we'll check into our authentic AF accommodation: a traditional ryokan – complete with tatami-matted floors and sliding doors straight out of The Last Samurai. This afternoon, it’s time to visit a traditional Hida folk village for an insight into what mountain life was like back in the day. Tonight, an optional Hida beef dinner with the gang is on the menu – vegetarians look away now.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day – so we’ll kick things off traditional-style in the ryokan before visiting the bustling morning riverside markets. Then, strap on your Nikes to explore Takayama Jin'ya – the last remaining government outpost from the time of the Samurai and Shoguns. Round it all up with a sampling of the good stuff at a local sake brewery before jumping on the train to Hiroshima. And tonight? An included group dinner's on the cards, so get ready to show off your expert chopstick skills (or drop even more stuff down your T-shirt).

You’ve seen the photos. Read the book. Now it’s time to experience the history for yourself. Take a tour of Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park and Musuem – home of the A Bomb Dome. Then, it’s all aboard the ferry to the island of Miyajima. With an afternoon free to explore you just gotta visit the Itsukushima Shrine before settling in for sunset. The floating torii gate is pretty spectacular. Hankering for even MORE local culture? Back in Hiroshima, we’ve got a visit to a traditional onsen (aka hot springs) on offer too. Disclaimer: while the onsen is 100% optional, nudity is not – and all tattoos are strictly a NO-GO here. Soz. Later: use your free time wisely and put those fat pants to the test with a steaming bowl of Onomichi ramen – chased with a glass of the local sake. When in Japan, right?

And just when you thought your jeans couldn’t get any tighter – today we’re headed for Osaka: the foodie capital of Japan. Here, they even have a word for “scoff till you drop” – kuidaore. Dump your bags at tonight’s traditional Buddhist lodge. This arvo, we’ve got a walking tour with our Trip Leader. The main character? Umeda. Glittering skyscrapers. Endless shopping opportunities. And entertainment that’s wayyyyy better than scrolling for hours (and hours). We see you TikTok addicts. Tonight we’ll tuck into an included dinner, then get out there and explore Osaka-style!

Tuck into a traditional Buddhist breakfast before heading out to do your own thing. It’s your chance to uncover the real Osaka – so make every second count. Thrill-seeker? Jump aboard an optional day trip to Universal Studios (just make sure you book in advance). And tonight? The local experts are primed to show us the ins and outs of Osaka’s nightlife on an optional tour.

Ever wondered what life as a Buddhist monk was really like? Rise early and find out with a morning Buddhist ritual – complete with Goma Kito Fire Ceremony and a walk around the temple with a local monk. Then we’re hitting the tracks to Japan’s traditional capital, Kyoto. Home to over 2,000 temples and shrines, this place ticks all the spiritual boxes. We’ll visit the incredible Fushimi Inari Shrine – with plenty of time to hike to the top and explore the torii gates. Then, dinner is up to you. Go get it!

Time to explore this place properly with our expert Trip Leader. We’ll tick off the Zen Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion and Tenryu-ji Temple before moving on to the sprawling Arashiyama bamboo grove, where there’s free time to delve deeper into this fairytale forest. All the walking making you hangry? Grab some lunch before we stop by the Nishiki food market. Then get ready to say g’day to the geishas as we head to the Gion district. Afterwards: the evening’s yours for exploring.

PSA: this is your last day in Kyoto. Get moving! There's even the chance to dress up as a geisha or samurai (we told you it would get weird). Later, we’ll regroup and head to a local eatery for a send-off to remember. This has been one hell of a trip.

After breakfast it’s sayonara to the Land of the Rising Sun and our newfound family. Swap Snapchats and start planning that next adventure.