A Different Side to Japan




    Head Office

    EDEN Luxury Travel, The Steamill, Steamill Street, Chester, Cheshire CH3 5AN

    Telephone
    01244 567000 / 0207 1580997

    Opening Times
    Monday to Thursday 9.00am to 5.30pm
    Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm
    Saturday 9.30am -to 3.00pm

    Our Travel Boutique

    27 King Street, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 6DW

    Telephone
    01565 656000

    Opening Times
    Our travel boutique embraces a flexible work environment.
    Visit us in-person Tuesday to Thursday, 9:30am to 5:00pm.
    Our dedicated team also works remotely on Mondays and Fridays,
    ensuring seamless support throughout the week.

    Email

    [email protected]

    A Different Side to Japan

    TOKYO | TAKAYAMA | KANAZAWA | KURASHIKI | TAKAMATSU | IYA VALLEY

    Embark on a captivating journey through the heart of Japan, from the bustling metropolis of Tokyo to the serene beauty of the Iya Valley. Discover the traditional charm of Takayama, the cultural riches of Kanazawa, the historical allure of Kurashiki, and the stunning landscapes of Takamatsu along the way.

    FROM £12,290 PER PERSON

    GET IN TOUCH  01244 567000

    GET IN TOUCH

    01244 567000

    HIGHLIGHTS

    The Sanmachi Suji District in Takayama's old town boasts three scenic streets adorned with traditional houses, shops, eateries and sake breweries. For crowd-free photography, an early morning visit is recommended, offering a glimpse into Japan's ambiance from a century past.

    Kanazawa, the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture, is a must-visit destination filled with rich history and culture. It is recommended to explore its well-preserved historical sites, modern museums and particularly Kenrokuen, which is one of Japan's "three most beautiful landscape gardens" and considered by many to be the most exquisite.

    Exploring the charming former storehouses of Kurashiki, now repurposed into museums, boutiques and cafes, is highly recommended. Be sure to visit the Ohara Museum, home to an impressive collection of works by famous Western artists. Additionally, the picturesque canal area is a must-see.

    Visiting the Iya Valley is highly recommended for its extraordinary vine bridges. Originally 13, now only three survive: the renowned Iya-no-Kazurabashi in Nishi-Iya and the hidden, mystical Double Vine Bridges of Oku-Iya. As you cross, the sound of creaking vines and the sight of the Iya River's emerald waters rushing beneath will quicken your pulse.

    Tokyo

    One of the world’s largest cities and the capital of Japan, Tokyo is an intriguing metropolis of interconnected towns, leaping fast forward into the future yet still deeply rooted in the past. For this particular journey, we have selected a few city landmarks known for their connection to Tokyo’s past. Explore ancient shrines, temples and gardens, remnants of the former glory of Edo, as Tokyo was once called. Daytrips to Kamakura and Nikko will also complement your discovery of a bygone era, when Shoguns ruled the country.​​

    Stay 3 nights
    Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo

    Takayama

    Sometimes dubbed “little Kyoto”, Takayama is actually very different, due to its modest size and remote location in mountainous settings. Famous for the quality of its beef (Hida-gyu), sake and rice, ancient traditions and methods seems to prevail, as you will experience during your stay at a traditional yet luxurious Japanese Inn. The secluded mountain village of Shirakawago is home to the Gassho-zukuri farmhouses – traditional buildings with steeply sloped roofs in the form of two hands in prayer, and a World Heritage site since 1995.

    Stay 2 nights
    Wanosato Ryokan 

    Kanazawa

    One of the overlooked jewels of Japan, Kanazawa prospered for more than 300 years since Toshiie Maeda, a powerful feudal lord in the region, built a castle in the city. The feudal ambience can be felt vividly everywhere: in the heart of the city where the magnificent Kenroku-en Garden (one of the Three Most Famous Gardens in Japan) lies; in the Nagamachi Samurai District, in the Higashi Geisha District; and at Kanazawa Castle.​

    Stay 2 nights
    ANA Crown Plaza

    Kurashiki

    Kurashiki, a charming city in Japan’s Okayama Prefecture, offers a delightful blend of history, culture and natural beauty. Start your visit in the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, where you can stroll along picturesque canals lined with weeping willows and historic, white-walled buildings. Explore the Ohara Museum of Art, Japan’s first museum of Western art, showcasing works by Monet, Renoir and other masters. Visit the Ivy Square – a former textile-mill-turned-cultural-complex – and the Achi Shrine for panoramic city views. Don’t miss a visit to the Kurashiki Archaeological Museum or indulging in local delicacies at quaint cafés and restaurants.

    Stay 1 night
    Ryokan Kurashiki

    Takamatsu

    Takamatsu is Shikoku's second largest city, the prefectural capital of Kagawa, and home to Ritsurin Koen Park. Designed in 1625 by Ikoma Takatoshi, the feudal lord of the Province, it contains some 160 types of trees and flowers that change with the seasons like camellias, plum trees and more. Open to the public as a museum, the Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum is dedicated to the life and work of influential Japanese-American sculptor and designer, Isamu Noguchi, whose major works include bridges at the Hiroshima Peace Park, Moerenuma Park in Sapporo, the garden at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris and an influential line of modern furniture designs. Both his workshop and traditional Japanese residence have been carefully preserved just as they were when the artist was alive and can be seen on guided tours by prior appointment only. Another must see is one of the bonsai nurseries in Kinashi - a small neighbourhood in Takamatsu that's home to some 270 bonsai specialists who alone produce 80% of the country's bonsai pines.

    Stay 1 night
    JR Hotel Clement

    Iya Valley

    Iya Valley is one of the most isolated regions of Japan. Dotted with cottages, its slopes covered with maple forests, its gorges trapped between steep mountainsides and its ancient vine bridges spanning emerald-green torrents, the effect is very picturesque. Due to its inaccessibility, the valley provided a refuge for the survivors of the Taira clan after their defeat by the Minamoto at the Battle of Yashima in 1185. Swapping the sword for the hoe and scythe, the warriors became farmers and, today, many villagers can claim to be descended from ancestors who served at the court during the Heian era.

    Stay 1 night
    Hotel Iya Onsen

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    PRICING
    FROM £12,290 PER PERSON

    PRICING
    FROM £12,290 PER PERSON

    GET IN TOUCH