Theme parks & family fun in Japan

Use our free-time information for your first day of acclimatising to explore 'cool Tokyo', using Tokyo's excellent public transport. After lunch, head over to Nakano Broadway to try your hand at drawing the popular Japanese cartoon Manga.

Spend the day exploring Tokyo Disneyland, with tickets included. You may wish to change to DisneySea tickets instead which is a fun waterpark run by the company.

The world's largest tower stands are 634 m (2,000 ft) and offers fantastic views over the capital. From here you can head over the Sumida River to the older part of the city, Asakusa, where you can enjoy a rickshaw ride (included) around Tokyo's largest temple, Sensoji. Nearby to the tower is the old district of Asakusa where you will be taken on a rickshaw tour of the local area and bustling streets.

Head to a local home for a private sushi-making lesson. Where better for it than the sushi capital of the world? Afterwards take the monorail over rainbow bridge to the man-made island of Odaiba where you can ride the giant Ferris wheel for some incredible views of Tokyo bay and see some of the futuristic museums they have there.

Your first bullet train journey takes you up into the Japanese Alps and over to the small town of Yudanaka. It's here that you will enjoy your first stay at a traditional inn, or ryokan, with tatami rooms, futon and hot springs for those inclined, all part of this Japanese adventure! You will also get the chance to see the ubiquitous snow monkey (any time of the year but best when there's snow of course!)

From Yudanaka, take the local and bullet trains to the Japan's third largest and arguably its most lively town of Osaka and see the castle there. If in season and time allows, watching Japan's other national game, baseball, from the Hanshin Tigers stadium is a must for absolute Japanese modern entertainment.

Spend the day exploring the Universal Studios Theme Park (tickets included) with its fun rides and attractions to keep the whole family happy and tired!

Today you will travel to the cultural capital of Kyoto, only a short train ride away. During the day try making your very own Bento lunchbox. These uniquely Japanese works of food art are often created in the image of a popular cartoon character.

This morning is to head out and explore the city's famed temples, including the Golden Pavilion, the Zen gardens of Ryoanji and the unique 'nightingale' beams of Nijo castle that sound when walked on to alert of intruders in days gone by. In the afternoon, take part in a taiko drumming lesson with an expert. Taiko are synonymous with the festivals of Japan and a great way to experience an adrenaline hit.

In the morning, gain an insight to the fabled ninja who existed in the shadows of feudal Japan. An instructor will guide you how to throw shuriken (throwing stars) and become acquainted with a ninja's arsenal. This afternoon would be a good chance to check out the international manga museum in central Kyoto.

Take the final bullet train of your trip from Kyoto back to the capital for your final night here. After checking in, spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure around the west of Tokyo. What better way to end this fantastic trip than with a stretch of vocal cords and a wave of a tambourine at a karaoke box — how Japanese!

Today you will be transferred back to the airport in time for your return flight. Your return flight will arrive the same day.