Japan: Land of the Rising Sun

13 Days | An onsen-soaking, sake-sipping, bullet train-zipping tour

4.9 out of 5 based on 60 reviews submitted.
Explorer
From
CAD $6,052
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This 13-day tour of Japan will introduce you to the cultures – old and new – that define this small but influential archipelago. Beginning in tech-mecca Tokyo and finishing with three nights in Kyoto, this immersive tour will also introduce you to lesser-known cities through Japan’s centre and southern reaches. Discover scenic beauty on the Hakone ropeway, sip the best sake in Takayama, find out about the Hiroshima of today and wonder at the floating torii gate of Miyajima. You’ll have a local to guide you through these lesser-known destinations and reveal layers of culture and history.

Trip overview

Map of Japan: Land Of The Rising Sun including Japan
Start
Tokyo, Japan
Finish
Kyoto, Japan
Theme
Explorer
Destinations
Japan
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
CJST
This trip generates 56.06 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Soar high above Lake Ashi and (on a clear day) get a glimpse of glorious Mt Fuji on a ride on the Hakone ropeway.
  • Be impressed by the efficiency and ultra modernity of Japan’s bullet trains as you zip from place to place.
  • Explore traditional Japanese culture in Edo-period Takayama and visit a folk village, tour a 600-year-old market and a enjoy a sake brewery tasting.
  • Visit the Peace Park for moving insight into the devastation of the atomic bomb in Hiroshima, then cruise to peaceful Miyajima Island where wild deer roam the streets.
  • Finish your tour with three nights in Kyoto, Japan’s cultural capital and home to literally thousands of temples, the Gion District where Geisha entertain the wealthy elite and renowned Kyoto sushi.

Is this trip right for you?
  • We think Japan is best explored on foot, so this tour involves lots of walking. Please ensure you bring sturdy walking shoes and comfortable clothes. To make the most of the trip, it's best if you have at least a moderate level of fitness.
  • In some destinations you may be staying in a ryokan, which is a Japanese-style inn. It’s a great taste of tradition, however not everyone finds futon mattresses on the tatami-mat floor, small bathrooms and close proximity to other guests comfortable. Read more about ryokans in the ‘Accommodation’ section of the Essential Trip Information. For some departures, we may change the ryokan stay into hotels depending on seasonal availability. Please consult your booking agent if you need more details.
  • Be prepared to pack light and smart for this trip as you'll be required to carry your own luggage between train stations and to hotels, which can include going up and down multiple flights of stairs in crowded areas.

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2023.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024

Map of Japan: Land Of The Rising Sun including Japan

Inclusions

Meals

2 breakfasts, 2 dinners

Transport

Boat, Public Bus, Cable Car, Ferry, Metro, Bullet Train, Train

Accommodation

Hotel (1 nt), Ryokan (11 nts)

Activities
  • Nikko - Toshogu Shrine
  • Hakone - public onsen
  • Hakone - Cable car/Ropeway
  • Hakone - Lake Ashinoko boat cruise
  • Takayama - Hida Folk Village
  • Takayama - Market visit
  • Takayama - Sake brewery tasting
  • Hiroshima - Peace Park & A - Bomb Dome
  • Hiroshima - Peace Museum
  • Hiroshima - Miyajima Island
  • Himeji - Himeji Castle
  • Kyoto - Temple/Shrine entrance (2)
  • Kyoto - Gion District walk
Add on activities
  • Tokyo - Hama Rikyu Garden - JPY300
  • Tokyo - Edo-Tokyo Museum - JPY600
  • Tokyo - Sumida Hokusai Museum - JPY1200
  • Tokyo - Tokyo National Museum - JPY1000
  • Tokyo - Ueno Park - Free
  • Nikko - Bus to Chuzenji Lake (return) - JPY2200
  • Nikko - Imperial Villa - JPY510
  • Hakone - Open-Air Museum - JPY1600
  • Hakone - Checkpoint Museum - JPY500
  • Hakone - Onsen (public hot spring bath) - JPY1200
  • Takayama - Festival Float Museum - JPY1000
  • Takayama - Merchant House - JPY700
  • Takayama - Bike hire (per day) - JPY800
  • Takayama - Showa Museum - JPY800
  • Takayama - Takayama Jinya Building - JPY430
  • Miyajima - Itsukushima-jinja Shrine - JPY300
  • Kyoto - Bike hire (per day) - JPY800
  • Kyoto - Sanjusangendo Temple - JPY600
  • Kyoto - Obanzai cooking class - JPY6500
  • Kyoto - Kiyomizu-dera - JPY400
  • Kyoto - Tea Ceremony with Maiko - JPY4000
  • Kyoto - Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) - JPY500

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A Single Supplement is currently not available for this trip due to limited rooms at our chosen accommodation.
2. It is essential that you pack light and compact for rail travel in Japan. There are size restrictions for luggage on Shinkansen trains. Luggage from 160cm to 250cm may require an additional JPY1000 oversize luggage fee per train journey. Luggage over 251cm will NOT be permitted on the Shinkansen trains at all. Please notify your tour leader at your Welcome Meeting if your luggage is from 160cm to 250cm so they can make the necessary arrangements.
3. Renovation works on Miyajima's famous floating torii gate started in June 2019. During the renovation works, the torii gate is covered up under a partially transparent scaffolding. Furthermore, a bridge is being built on the left side of the gate (when viewed from the shrine) to aid the renovation works. A date for the completion of the renovation works has not been set yet.
4. We are currently unable to book pre or post trip accommodation at our start and finish point hotels due to limited room availability. We recommend booking a hotel of your choice through your booking agent.
5. We are not able to book airport shuttle service for Japan now. Japan has an extensive and efficient public transport system and the joining and finishing point instructions are listed in the Essential Trip Information.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 based on 60 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Emily · Traveled August 2023
This was a great tour offering a nice balance of city and country. We loved the opportunity to try many different food and drinks. Traveling by train was very nice and efficient and the accommodations offered a warm hospitality. Michiko was a wonderful tour leader.
Review submitted 09 Sep 2023

Andrea · Traveled August 2023
Fantastic, busy and wide-ranging supported interesting overview of this wonderful country. At 70 & 67, we had no trouble keeping up with our group, and loved the trip.
Review submitted 15 Sep 2023

Tom · Traveled July 2023
Review submitted 22 Aug 2023

Luis · Traveled July 2023
Great trip with an expert leader and fun itinerary.
Review submitted 17 Aug 2023

Brandon · Traveled July 2023
Our trip leader Seiji was fantastic. He went above and beyond to give us the best Japanese travel experience by recommending and taking us to additional restaurants and attractions more than what was expected of him. Truly a trip to remember! The group we travelled with started as strangers and left as friends!
Review submitted 18 Jul 2023
Japan: Land of the Rising Sun
From
CAD $6,052