Hidden Japan holiday
Please ask us for details.
Description of Hidden Japan holiday
If you're curious about the quieter, more traditional side of the country – from mountain temples to art islands and ryokan inns – Hidden Japan might just be your perfect tour. A decade in the making, Hidden Japan reveals the country’s lesser-travelled paths – where small communities offer big welcomes, and traditions thrive beyond the cities.
Trip Overview:
• Kyoto – In Gion, share tea and conversation with a trainee geisha (maiko) in a rare, Insider guide-arranged meeting.
• Mount Koya – Stay in temple lodgings, join morning prayers, and explore the Okunoin cemetery with 200,000 tombstones – the resting place of monks, shogun, and revered 8th century priest Kobo Daishi
• Tokushima – Witness (and join in with!) the exuberant Awa Odori festival dance and catch a bunraku puppet theatre show
• Takamatsu & Naoshima – Stroll Ritsurin Garden’s winding paths and take the ferry to Naoshima art island, home to world-class installations and striking architecture (it’s not just about those beach pumpkins)
• Kotohira – Climb 785 steps to Konpira-san Shrine, go beneath the boards of one of Japan’s oldest kabuki theatres, and relax in an open-air rotenburo bath, looking out over the mountainside.
• Iya Valley – Walk across vine bridges, cruise between the jagged cliffs of the Oboke Gorge, and explore the somewhat creepy, yet cute, Yokai Monster Museum
• Matsuyama – Visit one of 12 remaining original samurai castles and bathe at Dogo Onsen, the inspiration for Spirited Away
• Hiroshima & Miyajima – Reflect at the Peace Memorial Museum, taste local okonomiyaki, and visit Miyajima’s floating torii gate and roaming deer
Dietary requirements
We can cater for vegetarian diets on all of our Small Group Tours. Vegan diets can usually be accommodated, though options may be more limited on certain itineraries, particularly in remote areas where meals are provided by local accommodations. In these cases, vegan travellers should expect simpler meals than the standard offering, but we’ll always do our best to make it work.
Tour highlights
• Meet a maiko (geisha in training) in the historic district of Gion, for tea, games and a chance to ask questions
• Visit Naoshima art island
• Explore Iya Valley: cruise through the jagged cliffs of Oboke Gorge (you may spot a macaque monkey or two)
• Visit Hiroshima – learn about its tragic past, but also experience its modern, forward-looking energy and try their version of okonomiyaki (a delicious savoury pancake)
• Connect with the community of Joge through a kendo lesson and browsing family-owned stalls
• Stay on Mount Koya, the centre of Shingon Buddhism, in a traditional temple lodging. Rise early for morning prayers with the resident monk.
• Climb the 785 steps to Konpira-san Shrine, then soak in your own hot spring rotenburo bath in Kotohira
• See one of Japan's 12 surviving original samurai castles – Matsuyama Castle
• Meet the Miyajima island deer
Price information
Please ask us for details.
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Holiday information
Reviews
14 Reviews of Hidden Japan holiday
Reviewed on 23 Oct 2025 by Alison Down
It was one of the best holidays I've ever had. The group was very nice and our guide Patrick was just amazing. Always organised, friendly, good humoured and very funny. He was so helpful to everyone, we felt very well taken care of. Read full reviewReviewed on 16 Dec 2024 by Noreen Barnes
Excellent. The hotel locations were perfect… plus the standard of same. Our guide Van was very good and extremely knowledgeable. Read full reviewReviewed on 22 Nov 2024 by Cathy Samson
The art museums and the beautiful countryside... Brilliant. Read full reviewReviewed on 02 Oct 2024 by Liza Liddell
Fantastic. The suggestions from the operator were excellent. Their support was excellent. The experience was fantastic. Read full reviewReviewed on 19 Oct 2023 by Philip Darbyshire
Absolutely superb. Not a single quibble or criticism. We are ALREADY planning our next tour for next year with them. Read full reviewReviewed on 18 Jun 2023 by Alisoun Roberts
Extremely well organised and thought out. A wide range of interest, covering so many aspects of the area. We were extremely lucky to have a truly great guide, Kinga, who was unfailingly helpful, cheerful, knowledgeable and professional. She was the difference between a good and a great holiday. Read full reviewReviewed on 11 Oct 2022 by Theodore Baker
Conversation with Make was probably most memorable. Temples/shrines, gardens, castles all interesting... Read full reviewReviewed on 07 Dec 2019 by Aine O Ceallaigh
The most memorable part of the holiday was the buddhist temples in Miyajima. Read full reviewReviewed on 20 Nov 2018 by Jane Dunphy
Absolutely wonderful; probably the best we've ever had. Read full reviewReviewed on 08 Jul 2018 by Jean Burgess
It was an amazing experience; everything we hoped for and more...each day was different and a new fascinating experience. Read full reviewReviewed on 13 Jun 2018 by Lynda McCall
We had a fantastic time. The guide, Yuri, was great and the tour was varied and constantly enlightening. Read full reviewReviewed on 09 May 2016 by Susan White
Absolutely wonderful. Great to get away from the very big cities and engage with the people. Visiting Shikoku Island for over five days was brilliant. Our guide was excellent and the entire trip was hassle free. Read full reviewResponsible Travel
Planet
We’re extremely passionate about Japan and therefore try to reduce any potential negative environmental impact our holidays could have on this beautiful country.For most journeys during the tour, you’ll be using Japan's first-rate public transport system – travelling by the famous Shinkansen (bullet train), local trains, buses and even ferry.
People
Travel is as much about people as it is about place. Because it’s local knowledge, daily routines and sheer enthusiasm for culture that unlock a deeper level of meaning when you're visiting somewhere new. And on this tour, you’ll have a chance to connect with some truly interesting people.We visit Mt Koya, where we link up with a local Japanese guide who knows the area inside out. They’ll offer their own insight and angle on Buddhism, Japanese culture and history, answering any questions you may have.
Throughout your Shikoku journey, you’ll experience local art and traditions first-hand. In Tokushima, you’ll watch (and join in!) with the traditional, energetic and lively Awa Odori festival dancers. It’s a 400-year-old tradition that certainly hasn’t grown old.
In Takamatsu you’ll see authentic bunraku, a refined puppet theatre that counts as one of the big Japanese arts next to noh and kabuki. Attending these local performances will help keep these traditional arts alive, and pass this heritage on to future generations.
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