Japan Adventure

20 days52 reviews
From
USD $8,695

From Tokyo’s lights to Sapporo’s peaks, take an adventure through Japan’s highlights

Get to the heart of Japan on this 20-day adventure that blends vibrant cities with serene landscapes. Absorb the bustle of Tokyo before heading into the countryside for a homestay and take in the views of the iconic Mt Fuji. Travel on a futuristic bullet train to Kyoto and step into this nation’s history before heading to the foodie paradise of Osaka. Then, head north to Aomori’s ancient sites and Hokkaido’s hot springs, meet the Ainu people in Asahikawa and treat your tastebuds to traditional dumplings after a cooking demonstration.

Map of Japan Adventure including Japan
Trip code: CJSHC
Start
Tokyo, Japan
End
Sapporo, Japan
Destinations
Japan
Meals
8 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 6 dinners
Transport
Public Bus, Metro, Local Train, Bullet Train, Ropeway
Accommodation
Hotel (16 nights), Homestay (1 night), Ryokan Hotel (2 nights)
Days
20
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Ages
Min 15
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: 4+ star accommodation, exclusive premium inclusions, our most experienced leaders
Original
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
This trip generates 33 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

  • Visit the rural villages in Shizuoka and stay with a local family. Indulge in a heart home-cooked meal and learn a few tricks about Japanese cooking. Make sure to catch a glimpse of Mt. Fuji along the way!
  • Explore some of Japan’s northern natural wonders. See Hell Valley’s volcanic steam, Mt Asahi’s peaks and the serene waters of Lake Shikotsu and discover the culture of Ainu people – the first indigenous group in Hokkaido.
  • Treat your taste buds to a signature Okonomiyaki pancake in Hiroshima, sample Osaka's best street food and savour a signature Kaiseki dinner in a ryokan.
  • Ride the rails like the locals, from lightning-fast bullet trains to scenic mountain rails offering seasonal views of cherry blossoms and autumn leaves.
  • Stay in two local ryokan hotels and immerse yourself in the iconic Japanese onsens (relaxing natural hot springs).
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 Adventure including Japan

Inclusions and activities

Meals

8 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 6 dinners

Transport

Public Bus, Metro, Local Train, Bullet Train, Ropeway

Accommodation

Hotel (16 nights), Homestay (1 night), Ryokan Hotel (2 nights)

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
  • Aomori - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Hirosaki - Tsugaru Neputa Village
  • Hirosaki - Hirosaki Castle
  • Hakodate - City walking tour
  • Hakodate - Fort Goryokaku
  • Noboribetsu - Hell valley
  • Lake Shikotsu - Lake Canoe
  • Lake Shikotsu - Kaiseki dinner
  • Asahikawa - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Asakihawa - Kawamura Kaneto Ainu Museum
  • Asahikawa - Ainu dumpling making demonstration
  • Asahikawa - Mt. Asahi Ropeway
  • Asahikawa - Blue Pond (Aoike)
  • Furano - Tomita Farm
  • Sapporo - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Otaru - City walking tour
  • Sapporo - Genghis Khan lamb dinner

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

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.
  • Japanese train connections are typically centred around major cities, so travelling to smaller towns and cities often requires passing through these larger hubs.
  • This trip includes a canoeing activity which isn’t too demanding, but requires a good level of fitness to fully enjoy the experience.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Japanese train connections are typically centred around major cities, so travelling to smaller towns and cities often requires passing through these larger hubs.
  • This trip includes a canoeing activity which isn’t too demanding, but requires a good level of fitness to fully enjoy the experience.
  • 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.

Dates and availability

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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.
3. This trip is a combination of two trips. Please review the Itinerary for details of when your fellow travellers and leader will change.

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

5 .   2 reviews
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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Sergio
Traveled May 2025
Steven
Traveled March 2025
Japan Adventure
From
USD $8,695