Japan Highlights

8 days4.894 reviews
Explorer
Rail
From
GBP £2,410

Travel from Tokyo to Kyoto, sampling all the sake in between

Home of the sumo, geishas, sake, karaoke, onsen and izakaya – Japan is a feast for all your senses. This eight-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 farm stay with local tea harvesters and a walk along a 400-m suspension bridge with spectacular views of iconic Mt Fuji. Travel on a futuristic bullet train to Kyoto and step into this nation’s history before wrapping up your adventure in the foodie paradise of Osaka. This is THE trip to take in Japan!

Map of Japan Highlights including Japan
Trip code: CJSH
Start
Tokyo, Japan
End
Osaka, Japan
Destinations
Japan
Meals
1 breakfast, 2 dinners
Transport
Public Bus, Metro, Local Train, Bullet Train
Accommodation
Hotel (6 nights), Farm Stay (1 night)
Days
8
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Ages
Min 15
Theme
Every trip caters to specific interests and activities, such as wildlife or family.
Explorer, Rail
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 38 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

Explore all the highlights of Japan in just over a week! This is a cultural and culinary whirlwind from the streets of Tokyo to the eats of Osaka.

Experience the many sides of Shibuya in Tokyo, from busy intersections to the tranquility of the ancient Meiji Shrine and the quirky fashion of Harajuku.

Visit a local tea farm and learn about harvesting tea leaves and making Japanese green tea, then settle into your farm stay, pick some fresh ingredients from the farm and prepare a home-cooked, farm-to-table feast with your hosts for the perfect blend of Japanese hospitality and country life.

Ride the rails like the locals, from lightning-fast bullet trains to scenic mountain rails offering seasonal views of cherry blossoms and autumn leaves.

Veer off the busy tourist track with a visit to Mishima – a small town built on the old lava flow of Mt Fuji – then head to the cultural heart of Kyoto, where you can dive into local history and traditions among shrines, geishas and a 300-year-old sake brewery.

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

Itinerary

Map of Japan Highlights including Japan

Inclusions and activities

Meals

1 breakfast, 2 dinners

Transport

Public Bus, Metro, Local Train, Bullet Train

Accommodation

Hotel (6 nights), Farm Stay (1 night)

Included activities
  • Tokyo - welcome meeting and orientation walk
  • Tokyo - Sensoji Temple
  • Tokyo - Meiji Jingu Shrine
  • Tokyo - Shibuya walking tour
  • Mishima - Mishima Skywalk
  • Kawane - Homestay & Home-cooked Dinner
  • Kawane - Tea Farm Visit & Tea Brewing & Tasting
  • Kawane - Scenic Train Ride
  • Kyoto - Gion District walk
  • Kyoto - Nishiki-Koji Market
  • Kawane - Home-cooked Japanese Breakfast
  • Kyoto - Fushimi Inari-Taisha
  • Kyoto - Sake Brewery Visit & Tasting
  • Osaka - Dotombori and Kuromon Street Food Walking Tour

Optional activities
  • Tokyo - Tsukiji Fish Market - Free
  • Tokyo - Shinjuku-gyoen - JPY500
  • Tokyo - Yoyogi Park - Free
  • Tokyo - Imperial Palace - Free
  • Mishima - Mishima Taisha Shrine - Free
  • Mishima - Rakujuen Park - JPY300
  • Mishima - Kakitagawa Park - Free
  • Kyoto - Gion Corner cultural centre - JPY5500
  • Kyoto - Imperial Palace - Free
  • 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

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.

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.

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

4.8 out of 5 based on 94 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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Ruth · Traveled November 2024
Review submitted 19 Nov 2024

Shanelle · Traveled November 2024
Review submitted 17 Nov 2024

Paul · Traveled November 2024
Review submitted 15 Nov 2024

Sarah · Traveled November 2024
Review submitted 14 Nov 2024

Eric · Traveled November 2024
Review submitted 18 Nov 2024
Japan Highlights
From
GBP £2,410