Japan Highlights

Experience the speed of Japan, fast and slow, from Tokyo to Osaka

Home of the sumo, geishas, sake, karaoke, onsen and izakaya – Japan is a feast for all your senses. This nine-day journey hits all the right spots, giving you a true appreciation for the land of the rising sun. Absorb the bustle of Tokyo before heading into the countryside for a homestay with fantastic home-cooked meals and take in the views of the iconic Mt Fuji. Travel on a futuristic bullet train to Kyoto and Hiroshima and step into this nation’s history before wrapping up your adventure in the foodie paradise of Osaka.

Trip code: CJSH

Start: Tokyo, Japan

End: Osaka, Japan


Duration
9 days
Group size
1 to 12
Minimum age
15 years old
Style

Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time

Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time

Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities

Premium: Our best accommodation, exclusive inclusions and our most experienced leaders

Original
Theme

Our themes categorise trips based on a common interest or activity, while showcasing the highlights of a destination.

Explorer, Rail
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


From
CHF  2,682

Why you'll love this trip

  • Explore some of the best parts of Japan in just over a week! This is a cultural and culinary whirlwind from the streets of Tokyo to the eats of Osaka.
  • Discover the peaceful rural life with a countryside home stay in Shizuoka prefecture, sitting with the backdrop of Mt Fuji. Learn about the region’s local produce and sit down to a farm-to-table feast with your hosts.
  • Visit the red torii gate standing in the sea in Miyajima, learn about the history of Hiroshima and treat your taste buds to a signature Okonomiyaki pancake and a tasting through Hiroshima's 'sake town'.
  • Ride the rails like the locals, from lightning-fast bullet trains to scenic mountain rails offering seasonal views of cherry blossoms and autumn leaves.
  • See the many sides of Shibuya in Tokyo, from busy intersections to the tranquility of the ancient Meiji Shrine and the quirky fashion of Harajuku.
This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2026 to 31 December 2026.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2025 - 31 December 2025

Itinerary

Map of Japan Highlights including Japan

Inclusions and activities

Destinations
Japan
Meals

1 breakfast, 3 dinners

Transport

Public Bus, Metro, Local Train, Bullet Train

Accommodation

Hotel (7 nights), Homestay (1 night)

Included activities
  • Tokyo - welcome meeting and orientation walk
  • Tokyo - Sensoji Temple
  • Tokyo - Meiji Jingu Shrine
  • Tokyo - Shibuya walking tour
  • Kawane/Gotemba - Homestay & Home-cooked Dinner
  • Kawane - Tea Farm Visit & Tea Brewing & Tasting (or Gotemba - Local farm and vegetable picking)
  • Kyoto - Gion District walk
  • Kyoto - Nishiki-Koji Market
  • Kyoto - Fushimi Inari-Taisha
  • Hiroshima - Okonomiyaki dinner
  • Hiroshima - Peace Museum
  • Hiroshima - Peace Park & A-Bomb Dome
  • Hiroshima - Miyajima Island
  • Hiroshima - Saijo Sake Brewery Street visit & tasting
  • Osaka - Dotombori and Kuromon Street Food Walking Tour

Optional activities
  • Tokyo - Shinjuku-gyoen - JPY500
  • Tokyo - Yoyogi Park - Free
  • Tokyo - Imperial Palace - Free
  • Kyoto - Gion Corner cultural centre - JPY5500
  • Kyoto - Imperial Palace - Free
  • Kyoto - Kyoto Tower - JPY900
  • Kyoto - Bike hire (per day) from - JPY1200
  • Kyoto - Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) - JPY500
  • Kyoto - Ryoanji Zen Garden - JPY600
  • Kyoto - Arashiyama Bamboo Forest - Free
  • Kyoto - Path of Philosophy (Tetsugaku-no-Michi) - Free
  • Miyajima - Itsukushima-jinja Shine - JPY300

This trip generates 38 kg of CO2-e per person per day

Learn more about our climate commitment.

When you travel with us, The Intrepid Foundation gives you more opportunities to support important causes in destinations you visit.

Is this trip right for you?

  • Japan is best explored on foot and by public transport. You’ll need to be fit enough to spend most of each day on your feet and able to handle your luggage as you navigate busy train stations. We recommend comfortable shoes and packing light.
  • Double rooms in Japanese hotels can be smaller than you may be used to (e.g. 20 sqm). 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.
  • The farm stay on Day 3 will be mostly in Kawane, with a visit to the local tea farm. As our host gets older, they cannot accommodate all our groups, so for some departures, you’ll experience a different homestay instead in Gotemba. In such cases, you'll not visit the tea farm, but your host will show you their wonderful vegetable gardens and you'll take part in helping them pick the veggies needed for a fantastic home-cooked dinner for the night.
  • Japan is best explored on foot and by public transport. You’ll need to be fit enough to spend most of each day on your feet and able to handle your luggage as you navigate busy train stations. We recommend comfortable shoes and packing light.
  • Double rooms in Japanese hotels can be smaller than you may be used to (e.g. 20 sqm). 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.
  • The farm stay on Day 3 will be mostly in Kawane, with a visit to the local tea farm. As our host gets older, they cannot accommodate all our groups, so for some departures, you’ll experience a different homestay instead in Gotemba. In such cases, you'll not visit the tea farm, but your host will show you their wonderful vegetable gardens and you'll take part in helping them pick the veggies needed for a fantastic home-cooked dinner for the night.

Dates and prices

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Important notes

1. We are currently unable to offer a single supplement, airport transfers or additional accommodation in Japan due to limited availability.
2. It is essential that you pack light and compact for rail travel in Japan. Luggage size restrictions apply. Please review the ‘Packing’ section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.

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.

Reviews

4.8 . 157 reviews
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Luke
Traveled September 2025
Joanne
Traveled September 2025
Andres
Traveled August 2025
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Traveled August 2025
Pam
Traveled August 2025
Japan Highlights
From
CHF  2,682