Japan: Land of the Rising Sun

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

4.9 out of 5 based on 61 reviews submitted.
Explorer
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USD $4,544
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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 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 minshuku, 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 it in the ‘Accommodation’ section of the Essential Trip Information. For some departures, we may swap them with hotels or vice versa 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 2024 to 31 December 2024.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2023 - 31 December 2023

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 (8 nights), Japanese Inn ( 4 nights)

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) from - JPY1000
  • 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. 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.
4. 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 61 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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Gregory · Traveled November 2023
Our trip to Japan was amazing. It could not have been better. There was a packed itinerary and everything went so smoothly. The only decisions we had to make was what to eat. It was responsible tourism and with zero stress - exactly what you want from a holiday. Our tour leader Daisuke Okawa was outstanding and made the holiday special.
Review submitted 19 Nov 2023

Sara · Traveled October 2023
Disappointed by my last three Intrepid trips. Increasingly poor customer communication and pretrip information and detail. Having in total booked nine Intrepid trips over the years I think it unlikely I will book with Intrepid again.
Review submitted 11 Nov 2023

Damien · Traveled October 2023
The Land of the Rising Sun tour was an excellent way to see the rich culture of Japan, from big cities to small mountain towns travelling on the famous bullet trains. Our guide Benjamin was an excellent guide who organised things well and was very informative. You get to see a lot of Japan in 13 days. I would definitely recommend this tour
Review submitted 12 Nov 2023

Joan & John · Traveled October 2023
This trip was an excellent introduction to Japan for first timers. It encompassed a good range of experiences and locations outside of Tokyo. We were fortunate to have Michiko as our leader. Her knowledge, organisation skills and enthusiasm for her country all added to our experience.
Review submitted 12 Nov 2023

Mary · Traveled October 2023
Overall this trip was excellent covering more than we had anticipated and our guide, Asako Mitsugi, was excellent. However the trip was not as leisurely as the brochure suggested, especially for more elderly travellers. The shortening of the JR pass mid trip, without notice , and the time taken to resolve this issue, cast a shadow over the rest of the experience.
Review submitted 05 Nov 2023
Japan: Land of the Rising Sun
From
USD $4,544