Day 1-2: Hong Kong Arrival and Exploration
My journey began on a high note with an unexpected upgrade to business class on our flight from Auckland to Hong Kong—thank you Cathay Pacific! The spacious and comfortable cabin with excellent service made the experience feel truly special.
We arrived in Hong Kong later that night and checked into the stylish East Hotel, located in the bustling Quarry Bay district. The hotel is a perfect retreat, with outdoor pool, offering a peaceful atmosphere with easy access to shopping, dining, and local attractions. Though it’s set in the business district, it’s conveniently connected by train to Causeway Bay, Wanchai, Central Hong Kong, and the Star Ferry to Kowloon.
The next day, we enjoyed a scenic ride on the Peak Tram, offering spectacular views of Hong Kong’s natural beauty. At the top there are restaurants and a small mall, for those who want to spend some time. After a day of exploration, we were treated to sunset drinks at EAST Hotel’s trendy Sugar Rooftop Bar, where the sunset and panoramic views were breathtaking. Dinner followed in-house at 'Feast,' where the menu delivered a delightful mix of local and international flavours, a farm to table concept.
A quick tip for future travellers to Hong Kong - if you intend to take a taxi into the city (@ 45 mins) make sure to have some cash on hand on arrival, as taxis at Hong Kong Airport only accept cash! After a long flight we’d recommend having a pre-arranged private car transfer waiting for you. For the more adventurous or well-travelled, there is a train into the city, and Uber’s also pick up from a designated airport area (near The Regal Airport Hotel) and can be easily booked on the Uber app.
Day 3: From Hong Kong to Kyoto
We began the morning with breakfast at The Upper House Hotel's Salisterra Restaurant – a beautiful hotel in such a great location. The rooms at Upper House had stunning views of either the harbour or the mountains, were tranquil and had large bathrooms.
We then transferred to Hong Kong Airport where we were treated again to Cathay Pacific’s Business Class, which made the wait for our flight to Japan that much more enjoyable! Cathay Pacific have 3 business class lounges at HKG airport. ‘The Pier’ near gate 65 is the best, so if you have time, be sure to make your way there to relax and enjoy the numerous food and beverage selections, sleep stations and quiet areas. Upon landing in Osaka, we were met by our private guide and luxurious coach, and headed (1hr15min) straight to Kyoto, where we were checked in to The Thousand Hotel, a 2-minute walk from JR Kyoto Station Central. The hotel was a peaceful oasis in the heart of the city with minimalist design reminiscent of a Japanese teahouse. That, combined with friendly service and little robots delivering meals and other amenities, made this hotel stand out.
Day 4: Exploring Kyoto’s Timeless Beauty
Kyoto is a captivating blend of ancient tradition and modern elegance. Our day was filled with visits to some of its iconic UNESCO World Heritage sites, Buddhist temples and Shinto Shrines. Nijo Castle’s historic Momoyama architecture and well-manicured gardens, along with the majestic Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji), were remarkable. It was great to learn about the historic Shogun visits, his entourages, audiences, and the infamous “chirping” nightingale (security) floors.
For lunch we enjoyed a Ramen Noodle Cooking Experience at a Ramen Factory and got to eat our creations at the end. A light-hearted experience I’d recommend for anyone.
After lunch we got to visit Gion, Kyoto’s most famous geisha district, filled with traditional wooden merchant houses, shops, restaurants and ochaya (teahouses), where Geiko (geisha) and Maiko (geisha apprentices) live and entertain.
The day ended with dinner at the Hotel Okura Kyoto Okazaki Bettei. This was my personal favourite of the hotels we stayed at. Its serene, spacious atmosphere, beautiful surroundings, and wonderful staff left a lasting impression on me.
Day 5: Immersed in Kyoto’s Cultural Riches
The second day in Kyoto was packed with more stunning experiences. The peaceful Jingo-ji Buddhist Temple in the mountains was a perfect escape from the city, be mindful of the 200 stairs to the gates, and a riverside lunch at Momiji-ya Kawadoko restaurant was simply enchanting in the woods. This is a must do destination for anyone looking for the Autumn colours of Japan. That afternoon we learned all about Japan’s film history with a fun Japanese Hollywood Experience at the museum. A walk through Arashiyama town, followed by a stroll through its tranquil Bamboo Grove, is an absolute must.
The day concluded with a hotel inspection and superb degustation dinner at Hotel The Mitsui, an architectural marvel adjacent to Nijo Castle. The ambiance of the hotel captured the elegance and spirit of Kyoto.
Day 6: Journey to Komatsu (Ishikawa Prefecture)
The following morning we boarded the Thunderbird 11 train, journeying through Japan’s countryside to Tsuranga Station, to join the bullet train Tsurugi 12 to Komatsu. Upon arrival the half-day tour included lunch at Lago Bianco lakeside cafe (Kibagata Park lake is where some of the Kiwi rowing team trained for the Tokyo Olympics!). After lunch we visited Kinzangama Kiln, Takanado, where we learned about the intricate art of overglaze painting of Kutani ware pottery. This was followed by an enjoyable sake tasting at Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute and a visit to Natadera Temple, with beautiful and serene grounds.
We spent the night at the historic Awazu Onsen Notoya Ryokan, which was a real cultural immersion, not for the faint hearted. Tip: Make sure to source a 4–5-star Ryokan.
Day 7: Discovering Kanazawa
From Komatsu we toured experiencing a Samurai Experience at Shijimaya-honpo which was both educational and fun, having the chance to dress in traditional Samurai uniform, listen to stories, and hold the family swords of Samurai decendants, then continued on to Kanazawa for lunch.
Kanazawa, with its leafy, relaxed atmosphere, completely captivated me. Its rich cultural history made it one of my favourite stops. A quick visit to the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art offered a refreshing contrast with its modern exhibits, before lunch at the museum’s Fusion 21 cafe.
The final stop was a visit to beautiful Kenrokuen Gardens, one of Japan’s top three landscaped gardens, was truly special. I highly recommend setting aside time to explore these stunning gardens—the serene beauty and fascinating historic icons makes the gardens ideal for photographers.
The journey to Tokyo on the Shinkansen Bullet Train KAGYAKI 510 was made even more luxurious with Gran (Business) Class seating, a perfect combination of high-speed and comfort. Attendants give a full meal/drink service on the longer sectors like Kanazawa/ Tokyo.
Our stay at The Capitol Hotel Tokyu, with its timeless Japanese design, delicious restaurants, and great location, was a lovely way to wrap up this day. From the windows you can enjoy a panoramic view of Tokyo cityscape. The spacious rooms have a 5-star Japanese-modern minimalistic style, with shoji and fusuma screens, creating a relaxing atmosphere. Highly recommend Japanese dinner at Shunjun restaurant.
Day 8: Tokyo – Where Tradition Meets Modernity
Tokyo, a city that needs no introduction, offered an exciting mix of old and new. The city offers a seemingly unlimited choice of shopping, entertainment, culture and dining choices for all budgets. The modern and historic areas live next to each other in harmony. We got to drive-by famous Shibuya Crossing, then experience the mesmerizing digital art and light experiences at TeamLab Borderless, at Azabudai Hill– be sure to download the app for easy navigation of TeamLab to ensure you don’t miss anything! There are two TeamLab’s in Tokyo, both are worth a visit.
Every moment in Tokyo was a sensory overload in the best way possible. A highlight was the lunch and panoramic view from the Tokyo Skytree. At 634 meters the tower is the tallest in Japan, and 3rd tallest in the world. A robot was our guide to the lift! Musashi634 Sky Restaurant has stylish cuisine blending French technique and Japanese taste, otherwise there are limited snack counters up the tower.
Our day concluded with a visit to Shitamachi (old town) and Sensoji Temple (also known as Kannon Temple) one of Tokyo’s most colourful temples, then lastly an opportunity to visit Kappabashi Kitchen Street.
The Peninsula Tokyo, superbly located opposite the Imperial Palace and Hibiya Park is within walking distance of the shopping capital Ginza. The hotel is a perfect blend of traditional Japanese aesthetics and modern luxury, offering commanding views of the Japanese capital’s skyline. We enjoyed a fantastic, hosted degustation dinner.
Day 9: Leisure and Luxury Hotel Tours in Tokyo
After a leisurely morning exploring Tokyo, we had the opportunity to check out two exceptional hotels—Mesm Tokyo and The Tokyo Station Hotel—each offering distinct luxury experiences for discerning travellers, with different styles. The Tokyo Station Hotel exuded timeless elegance and historical charm, perfect for those who appreciate a more traditional atmosphere, and location for ease of train station access. It’s quite an expansive property, so be sure to request rooms near the breakfast restaurant, to eliminate a long walk for clients who are put at the other end of the property.
In contrast, Mesm Tokyo impressed me with its modern design, sweeping views of Hamarikyu Garden, and the quirky feature of having a piano in every room! This property can arrange a private water taxi (40mins) to Haneda Airport, a nice alternative to road or rail transport. Narita Airport is about an hour away, accessible by train or private car. We spent the last night at Mesm Tokyo, which was both fun and stylish, finishing the trip with a nightcap at Club Mesm on the 25th Floor, what a view! Its prime location near the Ginza area made it easy to explore Tokyo on foot, and easy subway access.
Day 10: Heading Home
A flight schedule change (expertly handled by Heather CX) had us departing Haneda Airport, instead of Narita, in Business Class to Hong Kong, with another layover at The Pier lounge, then on to Auckland with a chance to experience CX Premium Economy Class product.
As the trip came to an end, I reflected on the incredible experiences I had in both Hong Kong and Japan. From the ancient temples of Kyoto, leafy Kanazawa, to the cutting-edge modernity of Tokyo, Japan truly offers something for every type of traveller. I’m excited to return to Quay Travel with new inspiration for our clients. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Heather at Cathay Pacific, Zoe and Davina at World Journeys, a great team of lovely travel companions, and all our wonderful hosts for making this journey so unforgettable!
