Sample Itinerary 1

Kyoto is famous for its temples and adored for its gardens. Today’s itinerary will take in the best of each, our personal favorites, including the little-known home of a former silent movie star, the bamboo groves of Arashiyama, the moss temple of Saihoji and the Silver Temple.

The Regency Hyatt, Kyoto’s best hotel in terms of design, food and service, is a stylish base from which to explore the ancient city. The impressive Sanjusangendo temple of 1001 Buddhas is next door.

Lunch: hand made soba noodles with tempura at Arashiyama.

Dinner: The Pontocho district of narrow alleyways crammed with restaurants retains the ambiance of centuries past. Your first dinner will be teppanyaki – the finest fish, meat and vegetables, simply grilled.

Accommodation: Kyoto Regency Hyatt

This stunning museum designed by I.M. Pei is located in the mountains east of Kyoto and houses a permanent collection of artifacts from around the world, including mosaic from Rome and statues from ancient Egypt. There are also changing exhibits of Japanese art, such as a recent display of the collection of novelist Yasunari Kawabata.

Back in Kyoto, you’ll check into the Nishirokkaku-cho Machiya, a traditional townhouse restored and turned into a unique form of accommodation. It’s located a short walk from the Sanjo district, the best area for shopping.

Lunch: the museum’s own organic café.

Dinner: An elaborate Kyoto-style kaiseki meal at Yata in Gion Shimbashi, the most beautiful part of the geisha district.

Accommodation: Nishirokkaku-cho Machiya

We will bring a light breakfast to you in the morning at the Machiya. After that we’ll walk the short distance to Nishiki Food market, where a local expert will guide you through the unusual delicacies of Japanese cuisine, followed by lunch at Notoyo, a restaurant specializing in grilled eel.

After lunch we’ll be met by the driver/guide again to explore some of the outstanding must-see sites, including the Golden Temple and Kiyomizudera before boarding the Shinkansen “bullet train” bound for Fukuoka (travel time: 2.5 hours).

The hotel, With The Style, is the only world-class boutique hotel in Japan, and combines an elegant design with Japanese service and the city’s best Italian restaurant. Dinner: The hotel has excellent Italian and Japanese restaurants, and there are plenty of casual eateries nearby. There is also the option of visiting the yatai (open-air food stalls) of Tenjin for snacks and/or drinks.

Accommodation: With The Style

The morning is free for relaxation and enjoyment. Visit Fukuoka’s design stores and modern architecture, the nearby Luigans Spa, or simply taking it easy in the hotel.

After lunch, a car will collect you for the 2.5-hour drive up into the mountains of Kyushu to the hot spring resort of Kurokawa Onsen – one of Japan’s best kept secrets. The Sanga ryokan (traditional inn) is located in a picturesque valley beside the river a short distance outside of the town.

Your room at the Sanga has its own private hot-spring bath, and there are three other baths that you can reserve for private use. Dinner will be a meal of local delicacies served in your room. In the morning a Japanese breakfast is served in the main building.

Accommodation: Sanga Ryokan

After breakfast, the car will drive higher into the mountains, toward the Aso volcano. The scenery is simply stunning. Depending on your stamina, there is a cable car and/or hiking trail up to the volcano’s vast, verdant-green crater.

After visiting the mountain, you’ll take a late-afternoon flight to Tokyo from Kumamoto Airport, and check in to the Peninsula Hotel.

Dinner: Kanesaka is one of the city’s the finest sushi restaurants, whose chef (Kanesaka-san) is often flown to Paris to train the protégés of Alain Ducasse. Kanesaka is a brief drive from the hotel, and an easy stroll back afterwards.

Accommodation: Peninsula Hotel

Tokyo, with its vast population of 37 million, is a charming mix of neon-lit energy and timeless tranquility. Every day, there is something new to find: a hidden temple, a sparkling new office tower, a time-warp coffee shop, or a bizarre fashion trend.

Bespoke Tokyo’s Urban Safari will take you to experience all facets of this enigmatic creature, our own personal favorites from over a decade of delightful discovery.

Dinner: Bamboo Grassy is a casual teppanyaki grill restaurant serving the finest quality fish, meat and vegetables, simply prepared.

Accommodation: Peninsula Hotel

An early start is needed to visit the world-famous Tsukiji Fish Market, abuzz with activity all through the night in order to supply enough fresh fish to get Tokyo through the day. After exploring the market (and seeing the auction, if you can wake up at 04:30), there is the option of sushi or noodles for breakfast.

The food theme will continue throughout the day, including a visit to the exquisite food halls of Isetan Department Store, the Kappabashi cooks’ market, a light tempura lunch, and Japanese tea and sweets mid-afternoon.

Dinner: Tokyo is Michelin’s world capital of food, honored with twice as many stars as any other city on earth. Dinner will be at Mutsukari, an elegant Michelin-starred restaurant serving an elaborate meal of the finest Japanese cuisine.

Accommodation: Peninsula Hotel