Premium Highlights of Japan

9 Days | Learn samurai traditions, wander ancient temples and soak in a mountainside onsen

4.7 out of 5 based on 3 reviews submitted.
Explorer
From
CAD $5,984
View dates and book

If you want to experience a few (of the many) highlights of Japan, all while staying in comfortable accommodation with like-minded travellers, this Premium adventure from Tokyo to Kyoto is a must! You’ll spend nine days exploring world-class shopping neighbourhoods, geisha districts, hole-in-the-wall eateries, ancient temples and markets with some of the freshest seafood you’ll find. Learn about the history of samurai from a family of contemporary ninjas, feast on monjayaki and teppanyaki on a dinner cruise in Tokyo, try to find snow monkeys bathing in hot springs on the mountain in Yamanouchi, wander through a designated Place of Scenic Beauty in Arashiyama and Japan’s most celebrated landscape garden in Kanazawa and follow the trail at a sacred shrine in Kyoto.

Trip overview

Map of Premium Highlights Of Japan 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
Premium
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
CJPH
We’re in the process of figuring out how much CO2-e this trip generates. In the meantime, find out more about our climate commitments and carbon reduction target.
Premium accommodation

Our best 4-star accommodation and the highest level of service

Premium experiences

All must-see locations plus authentic experiences exclusive to Premium

Premium knowledge

Trips led by our most experienced and highest-rated local leaders


Why you'll love this trip
  • Experience a traditional Japanese Onsen (an area of natural hot springs surrounded by traditional inns and bathing facilities) at your Feature Stay and soak away a day of hiking to the Jigokudani Monkey Park.
  • See and touch some traditional samurai weaponry, try on some authentic attire and learn about the rich history of these warriors with an authentic samurai experience at a 400-year-old dojo run by contemporary ninjas in Tokyo.
  • Take a day trip to Kamakura, a coastal treasure known for its history, and see the sights on a traditional, person-led rickshaw, followed by a train ride on one of the oldest electric railways in the country.
  • Feast your way through Japan with an all-inclusive dinner cruise on a yakatabune in Tokyo, a market visit in Kanazawa where you can pick your ingredients for a lunchtime cooking class at a local’s home and a sweet-making class in Kyoto.
  • Explore Arashiyama – a nationally designated Historic Site and Place of Scenic Beauty in Kyoto. Walk through the bamboo grove and participate in ritual at the many temples and shrines in the area.

Is this trip right for you?
  • Japan is best to explore on foot. In fact, most travellers are surprised at how much distance they end up covering just exploring places on foot! Make sure your shoes are comfy and you are fit enough to spend most of each day on your feet.
  • This trip travels primarily on public transport, as it is so efficient and convenient in Japan. Fast trains are used to move between cities, as well as public buses and metro. In order to make the travel easy, we have included luggage transfer (one piece of luggage) between destinations on the following days:
  • DAY 4 - Tokyo to Kanazawa - we will tranfer your luggage and you will see it again on DAY 6. For your stay in Yudanaka you will take a overnight bag/backpack

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.

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

Map of Premium Highlights Of Japan including Japan

Inclusions

Meals

8 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 4 dinners

Transport

Train, Bus

Accommodation

Hotel (7 nights), Feature Stay (1 Night)

Premium Inclusions
  • Tipping for accommodation, activities and transport
  • Luggage transfer
  • Daily breakfast and signature local meal experiences
  • 24/7 on-ground support
Activities
  • Tokyo - Welcome dinner
  • Tokyo - Authentic Samurai Experience
  • Tokyo - Sensoji Temple
  • Tokyo - Monja Boat Dinner Cruise
  • Tokyo - Kamakura Day Trip
  • Kamakura - Enoden Ride
  • Kamakura - Rickshaw Ride
  • Kamakura - Kotoku-In temple
  • Yudanaka - Snow Monkey Park
  • Yudanaka - Onsen Experience
  • Kanazawa - Kenrokuen Garden
  • Kanazawa - Samurai District Walking Tour
  • Kanazawa - Higashi Chaya District walking tour
  • Kanazawa - Market Visit and Home Cooking Experience
  • Kyoto - Traditional Sweet Making Experience
  • Kyoto - Arashiyama Walking Tour
  • Kyoto - Gion Night walk
  • Kyoto - Fushimi Inari - Taisha
  • Kyoto - Nishiki market visit

Dates and availability

Loading trip dates and availabilities...

Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. It is essential you pack light and compact for rail travel in Japan. One piece of big luggage is included for transfer from destination to destination on this trip while travelling on the train. For any additional luggage to be transferred, additional charges will apply. There are size restrictions for luggage on Shinkansen trains if you plan to take them with you. Luggage over 160–250 cm may require an additional JPY1000 fee per train journey. Luggage over 251 cm will NOT be permitted on the Shinkansen trains. Please notify your group leader at the welcome meeting if your luggage is over 160–250 cm so they can help you make the necessary arrangements. Please review the Packing section of the ETIs for more details on luggage transfers.
3. We are not able to book airport shuttle service between Kyoto and Kansai Airport at the moment. Your leader will be able to advise on best ways of getting to Kansai Airport in Osaka.
4. A complimentary arrival transfer is not included on this trip.
5. Double rooms in Japanese hotel rooms can be smaller than you may be used to (e.g. 20 square meters). Every effort will be made to accommodate double room requests. However, during busy periods, there may be occasions when we are unable to offer a double room, so a twin room will be provided.

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

4.7 out of 5 based on 3 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.

Filter by rating

Peter · Traveled August 2024
Yuji was an excellent guide for our premium tour of Japan. It was a great experience and I would recommend it to anybody.
Review submitted 10 Aug 2024

Andrew · Traveled August 2024
We had an amazing time exploring Japan with our brilliant guide Yuji. If you’re planning a trip there then ask to go with Yuji! :)
Review submitted 11 Aug 2024

Samantha Sayuri · Traveled August 2024
Yuji, our tour leader, made our Premium Highlights of Japan tour unforgettable, with his kindness, enthusiasm, as well as exceptional historical and cultural knowledge. The trip was filled with incredible highlights: breathtaking and peaceful Japanese gardens and temples, a visit to the Geiko district , a trip to an onsen in the mountains including a feature stay at a Ryokan ( traditional Japanese guest house). The delicious food, throughout the journey was also a highlight and included aesthetically beautiful sushi and sweet making classes. Overall, it was a well-organised, diverse, immersive and fun tour, offering a fantastic way to experience Japan. I’m really looking forward to visiting Japan again in the future!
Review submitted 12 Aug 2024
Premium Highlights of Japan
From
CAD $5,984