Turning Japanese

For those inspired by BBC Four's 'Japan Season' which runs throughout March, here's a selection of holiday ideas in this far eastern country.

Enjoy walks in ancient and modern Japan taking in national parks, the Japanese Alps and great cities on a - new for 2009 - 14-day Imperial Japan guided walking holiday courtesy of specialist operator, HF Holidays.

Following a circular itinerary from Tokyo, highlights include walking the historic Nakasendo path over the Magome Pass, visiting the old post towns of Narai and Tsumago, Kyoto - with its beautiful palaces, shrines and gardens - Hakone National Park and Lake Kawaguchi-ko at the foot of Mount Fuji as well as enjoying the unique Japanese experience of staying in ryokans - traditional inns where futons are laid out in the evening.

Available with three departures - 5 April, 30 August and 11 October - the cost is £2380 per person (land-only) or £3045 inclusive of return scheduled flights and transfers. These twin-share prices also include 12 nights' full-board (except for one lunch) staying in hotels and ryokans, walks, sightseeing, entrance fees, travel by minibus or coach and the services of a local tour guides and an HF Holidays' leader.

For more information, log on to Hfholidays.co.uk.

Or, enjoy First Class (Green Car) journeys on the high-speed Bullet Trains together with a diversity of Japanese culture on a 13-day Discovering Japan escorted holiday by rail courtesy of specialist operator, Great Rail Journeys.

Highlights include visits to the cities of Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima and Tokyo as well as Miyajima Island and a stay in a Ryokan with a traditional style dinner, the town of Takayama with its well-preserved streets and wooden houses, Hakone National Park, plus a scenic journey on the Wide View Hida train through the 'Japan Alps' and a Lake Ashi cruise.

Available with three departures - 1 and 12 April, plus 9 October - the cost is from £3245 per person, twin-share, inclusive of return scheduled flights from London (outward to Osaka, returning from Tokyo), rail and ferry travel, 11 nights' accommodation (10 hotel, one ryokan), some meals, all excursions as per the itinerary, transfers and luggage handling in Japan, plus the services of a Tour Manager throughout.

For more information, log on to GreatRail.com.