12 Days | Ancient culture, celebrated cuisine and stunning scenery come together in Japan





Experience Japan’s perfect harmony of ancient tradition and modern way of life on a 12-day Premium adventure through the cultural heart of the country. Tokyo’s soaring skyscrapers give way to Hakone’s mountainous hot springs, while Takayama delights with its Edo-era beauty and Shirakawa-go immerses you in charming countryside life. Discover the intriguing cultural diversity of Kyoto and a passion for peace in Hiroshima. Travel with a local leader who will share the rich variety of their country as you visit temples, castles, shrines and holy mountains while mixing with locals and experiencing the real Japan.
Trip overview

- 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
- CJPJ
Our best 4-star accommodation and the highest level of service
All must-see locations plus authentic experiences exclusive to Premium
Trips led by our most experienced and highest-rated local leaders
- Marvel at the city lights of Tokyo during a guided tour, visit the sobering Hiroshima Peace Park and trace the steps of the Geisha around the alleyways of Kyoto.
- Soak up Japan’s natural beauty in mountainous Hakone and catch a glimpse of Mt Fuji, stroll around the stunning island of Miyajima and be amazed by the Japanese alps in the ancient village of Shirakawa-go.
- There’s no better way to get around Japan than the country’s famous railway system. Be impressed by the efficiency and ultra-modernity as you zip from place to place with your included 7-day Japan Rail Pass.
- Enjoy unforgettable Exclusive Experiences, including a sushi making class with a family who have been making the beloved dish for generations, and a guided meditation session with a Zen Buddhist monk.
- Unwind among the beauty of nature at your Feature Stay accommodation, with mountain views, a traditional ryokan design, modern comforts and a private onsen (thermal pool) for each room.
- By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Eden Reforestation Projects. Donations help them provide local employment opportunities and tackle climate change one tree at a time as they restore forests across 10 different countries.
- 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 when we are travelling on the train. But please ensure you are still packing light for the trip. You will be expected to transport your luggage through the train stations.
Itinerary
Inclusions
11 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 4 dinners
Boat, Public Bus, Cable Car, Ferry, Metro, Bullet Train, Train
Hotel (10 nt), Hakone Feature Stay (1 nt)
- Arrival airport transfer
- Tipping for accommodation, activities and transport
- Luggage transfer
- Daily breakfast and signature local meal experiences
- 24/7 on-ground support
- Tokyo - Welcome dinner
- Tokyo - Sensoji Temple
- Tokyo - Shibuya walking tour
- Tokyo - Meiji Jingu Shrine
- Tokyo - Yoyogi Park
- Tokyo - Shibuya Sky with Drink
- Tokyo - Tsukiji Outer Market
- Tokyo - Sushi Making Class
- Hakone - Cable car/Ropeway
- Hakone - Lake Ashinoko boat cruise
- Takayama - Leader-led walking tour (with street food sampling)
- Takayama - Showa Museum
- Takayama - Shirakawago Village
- Takayama - Morning Market visit
- Hiroshima - Okonomiyaki dinner
- Hiroshima - Leader-led orientation walk
- Hiroshima - Miyajima Island day trip
- Miyajima - Itsukushima-jinja Shrine
- Hiroshima - Peace Park & A - Bomb Dome
- Hiroshima - Peace Museum
- Himeji - Himeji Castle
- Kyoto - Gion District walk
- Kyoto - Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
- Kyoto - Daitokuji Temple
- Kyoto - Zen Buddhism meditation session
- Kyoto - Fushimi Inari-Taisha
- Kyoto - Sake Brewery & tasting
- Kyoto - Final dinner
- Tokyo - Tokyo National Museum - JPY1000
- Hakone - Open-Air Museum - JPY1600
- Hakone – Karakuri Secret Box Museum - Free
- Miyajima - Mt Misen Cable Car - JPY2000
- Kyoto - Nara Tour - JPY10000
- Kyoto - Cooking Class from - JPY7150
- Kyoto - Kiyomizu-dera - JPY400
- Kyoto - Nijo Castle - JPY800
- Kyoto - Arashiyama Bamboo Forest - Free
- Kyoto - Tenryuji Temple - JPY600
Dates and availability
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 when we are 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 7-day Japan Rail Pass is included in the price of your trip (validated on Day 4). Currently, we are unable to offer an extension of this pass.
5. For 2023, we are unable to offer a complimentary arrival transfer in Tokyo. Our previous operator is no longer in business, and we haven’t been able to source a reliable alternative supplier. Already booked customers have been refunded, and the current trip price reflects the lack of arrival transfer. Please see the joining point instructions for information on how to get to your hotel.
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.
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