Dates: 23 Apr (Thu) – 05 May (Tue) 2026 14 days

I love this time of year in Japan - a few cherry blossoms still, comfortable temperatures and an abundance of flowers everywhere. This trip is for 4-6 people who want to savour things at a gentle pace, have the convenience of a personal guide/translator, a home base and the freedom to decide our plans and the pace together.

We will be in Japan for ‘Golden Week’ which means the whole country is on holiday and there are loads of festivals happening. I’ve crafted our itinerary so we can mostly avoid the horrendous crowds. We will spend one day at the "Takatsuki Jazz Street Festival" a two-day extravaganza of live jazz featuring over 3,000 artists performing in 72 different locations in Takatsuki City, a 30 minute drive from home.

Depending on your interests, we can focus on Japanese fabrics, pottery, architecture, landscaping, crafts, calligraphy, ikebana (floral art), sake brewing, hiking, history, cooking, gardens, language, bargain hunting …

I promise to give you experiences and insights into Japan that goes far beyond a regular visit to a country.

Inclusions:

• Fully escorted by Lyn, a bilingual Australian with extensive knowledge of Japan

• All accommodation

• Almost all meals

• All transport within Japan – domestic flight, trains, bullet trains, cable car, monorail, bicycles, taxis

• Most sightseeing, activities and entrance fees

• Assistance with planning should you wish to extend your time in Japan.

Cost: AU$5,680 ** All guests must have travel insurance

Itinerary

Fri. 24 April, 2026 (B,L,D)

After breakfast together, we’ll take a morning walk around our quiet village and meet some local neighbours. In the afternoon, we will head 3km down the road to Banpaku Koen - site of the 1970 World Expo and then explore the expansive Japanese gardens. Late afternoon we will head across to a bridge to Expo Mall for a ride on Japan’s tallest ferris wheel and some time to explore the multitude of shops. There are so many great places to eat so Lyn will sort that too. *Eye glasses are good quality and much cheaper in Japan. We can include a visit to a glasses shop on this day and your new glasses will be ready a week later.

Sat. 25 April, 2026 (B,L,D)

Mid morning, we will take our first of many trains into downtown Osaka, the foodies capital of Japan and home to around 19 million people. As well as trying lots of delicious foods, we will try our hand at making fake food. This is really fun and you get to take home a parfait that will look great for years. We may take a boat ride on one of Osaka’s many canals, stop off for a coffee in a maid cafe, or go to a museum. I know Osaka better than most Japanese so I’ll adapt our plans to match your interests.

Sun. 26 April, 2026 (B,L,D)

After such a full day yesterday, we’ll enjoy things closer to home today. We could take a walk in the mountains, visit a large display home village, go to a bilingual Japanese church, go antique or Japanese fabric hunting, add to our LP collection from the second hand shop. Maybe some karaoke or a board game at home. We’ll decide our plans together over a leisurely breakfast and good coffee.

Mon. 27 April, 2026 (B,L,D)

Before the Golden Week crowds, I’m keen to take you to Nara where we can see the largest wooden building in the world, some very friendly deer and a giant Buddha.

Tue. 28 April, 2026 (B,L,D)

Wed. 29 April, 2026 (B,L,D)
This is the first day of Golden Week. The roads will be very busy as many Japanese head off on holiday so we will avoid going too far. You might like to go shopping at the local supermarkets, buy some new secateurs at the hardware store, go bargain hunting in op shops, relax at the hot spring resort 800 metres from home, playing 18 holes at the golf course just up the road, getting a ride to the top of nearby Mino Mountain and walking home. For dinner, Lyn and Ogawasan will show you how to cook Shabu Shabu.

Thu. 30 April, 2026 (B,L,D)

Kyoto was the capital of Japan for around 1,000 years and there are over 1,000 temples in this famous city. As the azaleas will be in bloom at Nagaoka Tenmangu Shrine, we will start here and then head into the centre of Kyoto. Nishiki Market, washi paper and Nishijin textiles will probably be part of our explorations today.

Fri. 01 May, 2026 (B,D)

Our home base - Toba Village - which is midway between Kyoto and Osaka, has some really interesting neighbours : an ikebana teacher, a landscape architect, a professional Japanese sweet maker, 5 star chefs, families whose ancestors have lived in the village for more than 40 generations, a kimono specialist and lots of very skillful vegetable growers. We will enjoy a day of various activities from the comfort of our home.

Sat. 02 May, 2026 (B,D)

We will spend most of today at Takatsuki Jazz Festival. You can sit back and chill out at a few performances or attempt to visit lots of the 70+ venues. Lyn & Will met and married in Takatsuki and our 93 year old “Japanese mum” still lives there. Hopefully you will meet our amazing “mum” who played volleyball until age 92 and lived through the horrors of World War II,.

Sun 03 May, 2026 (B,L,D)

Today will be a bit like last Sunday with some free time and Lyn helping you spend the day as you wish.

In the evening, you’ll learn how to make okonomiyaki and we’ll have a bit of a farewell party with some neighbours and friends.

Mon. 04 May 2026 (B,L,D)

While the south of Osaka is buzzing with pop culture and food, the north area around Osaka Station is the ultimate in modern chic with large green spaces, department stores and inspiring architecture. We will spend time exploring around Umeda and take those sky high escalators across these two towers for a fantastic view over this friendly city.

Tue. 05 May 2026 (B,L)

We have until 4 pm to tick off a few more things on your wish list - maybe some last minute shopping, a soak at the local onsen People can head in different directions and I will facilitate things.

As well as attending the Takatsuki Jazz Festival, we will have explored all sorts of places in Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Hyogo, Shiga and Okayama prefectures by train, monorail, boat, bullet train, taxi, ferris wheels and in Lyn’s little car.

I hope your time in Japan will fill you with happy memories, new friends and insights into how Japan really ticks.