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An onsen-soaking, sake-sipping, bullet train-zipping tour

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, plus an included Japan Rail Pass to get from A to B in style and comfort.

Start
Tokyo, Japan
Finish
Kyoto, Japan
Destination
Japan
Style
Original
Theme
Explorer
Code
CJST
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

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 with your included 14-day Rail Pass.

  • 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 ryokan, 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 ryokans in the ‘Accommodation’ section of the Essential Trip Information. For some departures, we may change the ryokan stay into hotels 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.

  • If you want to travel to Japan in winter, why not check out our Japan: Land of the Snow Monkeys tour? It’s a similar itinerary that operates during the quieter months. Enter code CJSS on the website for more.

  • Miyajima's floating torii gate has been under renovation since June 2019 and is covered by semi-transparent scaffolding. A bridge is being built on the left side of the gate to aid the renovation works. These works are ongoing with no set date for completion.

Map of Japan: Land of the Rising Sun including Japan
Japan, Kyoto, Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
Japan, Kyoto, Gion, Geisha, Street

Itinerary
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Konnichiwa! Welcome to Japan. Bursting with contemporary urban culture, there are many sides of Tokyo to explore, from fascinating museums and world-class shopping, to neighbourhood backstreets lined with hole in the wall eateries and bars. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. You can arrive at any time during the day, as there are no activities planned until this important meeting. Afterwards, join your new travel companions for an optional dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Tokyo - Hama Rikyu Garden - JPY300
  • Tokyo - Edo-Tokyo Museum - JPY600
  • Tokyo - Sumida Hokusai Museum - JPY1200
  • Tokyo - Tokyo National Museum - JPY650
  • Tokyo - Ueno Park - Free
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

As we depart Tokyo tomorrow, we highly recommend arriving a few days earlier to enjoy more of what this amazing city has to offer. 

Catch an express train today (approximately 1 hour) and then a local train (approximately 1 hour) to get from Tokyo to Nikko. Japanese trains are a quintessential experience and one of the best insights into culture (and efficiency!) of the country. Enjoy shopping for snacks at the train station or purchase a bento box on board.  Once you arrive in Nikko you’ll have free time for the rest of the day. Stay in a small inn tonight, known as a ryokan.
Accommodation
  • Ryokan (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
Your 14 day Japan Rail Pass will be validated today. If you are planning to travel longer after our tour ends, you might like to consider extending your Rail Pass to 21 days at time of booking your trip. Extensions or new Rail Passes are not available for purchase within Japan once on trip.

You have a full day to explore Nikko today, an ancient town overflowing with beautiful shrines and temples. You'll visit Toshugu Shrine, a resting place of a Tokugawa shogun who was one of the most powerful rulers of the country. The opulent shrine contrasts with the traditional minimalist style commonly used throughout Japan. Every corner of this monument is covered in intricate gold leaf, lacquer work, paintings and patterns. Here you can also visit the Museum of Art at the back of the temple complex. This 1920s mansion has one of the country’s most beautiful collections of sliding doors and screens decorated by the best Japanese painters of the day. In your free time, you can pay a visit to the red-lacquered Shin-kyō bridge, one of the town’s most famous landmarks, and the Buddhist temple of Rinnō-ji, home to fearsome statues and an elegant garden. Or you may prefer time exploring Nikko’s beautiful natural setting with a visit to Chuzenji Lake and Kegon Falls. Kanmangafuchi Abyss is another highly recommended spot in Nikko to visit where you'll see about 70 Jizo Buddhas looking out to the river. Stay in our ryokan again tonight.
Accommodation
  • Ryokan (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Nikko - Toshogu Shrine
Optional Activities
  • Nikko - Bus to Chuzenji Lake (return) - JPY2200
  • Nikko - Imperial Villa - JPY510
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Leaving Nikko, you'll have a long travel day today to our next destination - Hakone. Travel by local train followed by two shikansen bullet trains and finally a bus. Phew! Total travel time can vary depending on the connections, but we will usually arrive by mid afternoon.The journey is certainly worth it as Hakone is a scenic hot-springs resort in the foothills of Mt Fuji.  You’ll be staying at a family run ryokan tonight, with tatami-mat rooms, shared bathroom facilities and a lovely outdoor hot-spring onsen. 
Accommodation
  • Ryokan (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
As you travel on public transport for the next few days, we'll forward your big luggage to Takayama while you take a smaller bag with you to Hakone. 1 x piece of luggage is included in our luggage forwarding service. If you have extra luggage you'd like to be forwarded from Nikko to Takayama, the cost will be about 1800-2300 JPY depending on the size. Your Leader will be able to advise the exact amount whilst on your trip.

This morning, hop on a boat across Ashinoko Lake and then tride the Hakone ropeway cable car to the top of the surrounding mountains. The area around the lake offers plenty of stunning views, and you may even catch a glimpse of Mt Fuji in the distance if weather conditions are clear. The afternoon is free to further explore Hakone’s spectacular mountain scenery and volcanic sites. Perhaps visit the boiling sulphur springs of Owakudani, or Hakone Jinja Shrine with its red torii gate rising from the shore of Ashinoko Lake. Or go for a walk through the hills of the famed grassland ecosystem of Sengokuhara. There’s also a great collection of art at the Hakone Open-Air Museum and the Pola Museum of Art, an eclectic mix that includes work by the likes of Renoir, Monet, Picasso, Van Gogh, Cézanne and Gallé. Not what you would expect to find in a small Japanese town, right?
Accommodation
  • Ryokan (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Hakone - Cable car/Ropeway
  • Hakone - Lake Ashinoko boat cruise
Optional Activities
  • Hakone - Open-Air Museum - JPY1600
  • Hakone - Checkpoint Museum - JPY500
  • Hakone - Onsen (public hot spring bath) - JPY1200
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Travel by a local train first then a shikansen towards Takayama in alpine Gifu Prefecture today. You’ll reach speeds of 270 kilometres per hour and it will take around 4 hours to get there in total. Takayama is a charming Edo period town located in the Japanese alps, famous for its traditional inns, sake breweries and the Hida Folk Village. The latter is your first stop, an outdoor museum where the traditional thatched-roof architecture unique to the area has been relocated in a delightful mountain setting in an effort to preserve traditional Japanese culture. Discover the techniques used to build farmhouses that could withstand fierce winters and long periods of isolation due to snow-closed roads. The thick thatching kept in warmth and the roofs were angled so as to minimise snow build-up. Each house is like its own self-contained museum, with displays of personal items and traditional tools. We stay in another delightful ryokan tonight where you can experience traditional Japanese hospitality, sleeping on futon in tatami-mat rooms. Your included dinner tonight will give you the chance to taste some of Takayama’s famous signature dishes.
Accommodation
  • Ryokan (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Takayama - Hida Folk Village
Meals Included
  • Dinner
Special Information
During the Takayama Festival (14-15 April and 9-10 October), accommodation is in high demand and may differ from our usual ryokan. Depending on availability, we may need to change which travellers room together during this time and may be accommodated in a hotel instead of a ryokan.

Enjoy a typical local breakfast this morning at the ryokan before our visit to the morning market. Gifu prefecture is known to produce many fine high-altitude vegetables, and these markets have been held for over 600 years. Browse the stalls of seasonal vegetables brought in from the surrounding countryside, set up by local farm women from 6am every morning. Look out for the unique local style of pickles, the bags of miso wrapped in leaves, Genkotsu ame (soy bean candy), preserved fish, spices, and the delicious marshmallow treat of owara tamaten. The alpine climate and crystal clear mountain waters are perfect for creating sake, so you'll also visit a local brewery for a taste of the region's prized signature drop later today. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this delightful little town.Takayama is also very famous for Hida beef. Don't miss the opportunity to try some of the country’s best while you're in town for lunch or today.
Accommodation
  • Ryokan (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Takayama - Market visit
  • Takayama - Sake brewery tasting
Optional Activities
  • Takayama - Festival Float Museum - JPY1000
  • Takayama - Merchant House - JPY700
  • Takayama - Bike hire (per day) - JPY800
  • Takayama - Showa Museum - JPY800
  • Takayama - Takayama Jinya Building - JPY430
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Time to leave Takayama and travel by express train and shinkansen (approximately 5 hours) to Hiroshima. Depending on arrival times, we will either visit Hiroshima’s Peace Park this afternoon or tomorrow morning. The Genbaku (A-Bomb) Dome and Peace Memorial Museum stand testament to the fateful day in August 1945 when Hiroshima was chosen as target for the first ever wartime use of the atomic bomb. The dome was just metres from where the bomb detonated so it was able to retain its shape and the fact that it looks almost exactly as it did after the bombing has made it an enduring symbol of peace. The memorial park serves the same purpose, and has museums, memorials and monuments dedicated to the memory of victims. This evening, maybe try one of the city’s signature dishes for dinner – okonomiyaki, a savoury pancake of egg, cabbage, soba noodles, and meat or seafood. Our accommodation tonight will either be a simple ryokan or hotel.
Accommodation
  • Ryokan/Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Hiroshima - Peace Park & A - Bomb Dome
  • Hiroshima - Peace Museum
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Today you'll make your way to the nearby island of Miyajima with its famous 'floating' torii gate. You might like to further explore the island by climbing to the top of Mt Miyajima (or hopping on the cable car instead) for 360-degree views of the Inland Sea. Keep your eyes out for inquisitive and hungry deer that roam the streets. You have the rest of the day free to enjoy some of the other sites in this very welcoming and pleasant city. You could stop by the magnificent five-storied Hiroshima Castle, which originally dates from the 1590s. It was destroyed by the bomb but reconstructed in all its glory in the 1950s, and now holds an informative museum. The wonderful Shukkeien Garden, with its graceful teahouses and waterfalls, is also a perfect place to decompress on a break from sightseeing. For something a bit louder, there are local baseball and soccer teams (if the day is right), or endless shopping choices. Ask your leader for other tips and suggestions as there is plenty to see and do.
Accommodation
  • Ryokan/Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Hiroshima - Miyajima Island
Optional Activities
  • Miyajima - Itsukushima-jinja Shrine - JPY300
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Leave Hiroshima today and head to Japan’s most impressive samurai castle at Himeji by shinkansen (approximately 1 hour). The building, which has survived earthquakes and war since the mid-16th century, was restored to its full glory in 2015. The moats, baileys, towers and walled alleyways were ingeniously designed to trick attackers – perhaps so intimidatingly that they were never in fact tested. Explore the castle that was once home to over 10,000 samurai families and look out over the castle grounds and the city below from the seventh floor. Hop back on the shinkansen for the 1 hour train trip to Kyoto. Originally founded as Heian-kyo (literally “tranquillity and peace capital”) by Emperor Kammu in 794, Kyoto had its golden age during the imperial court's heyday from 794 to 1185. Kyoto was the capital of Japan for over 1,000 years (the name means “Capital City”) but the emperor and government are now located in Tokyo. With over 2,000 temples, shrines and gardens, Kyoto is a great place to get lost in. Your leader will take you on an orientation walk on arrival to get your bearings and you may like to spend some further time getting acquainted with Kyoto by wandering through its historical streets lined with traditional machiya houses. Stay in a ryokan or simple hotel during our time here.
Accommodation
  • Ryokan/Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Himeji - Himeji Castle
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

With its many cultural landmarks and historical sites, and the abundance of traditional arts and literature, Kyoto is regarded as the cultural heart of Japan. Your tour leader will take you to visit two of the best temples this morning. Afterwards, it's your free time to explore this charming ancient capital. You will have almost one and half free days here to exploreand there is a lot to see and experience here. Your tour leader will be able to help you with making the most out of your time. 

Fushimi Inari is definitely one of the most photographed shrines in Japan. For the more active, hiking up the mountain following the red torri gates is a great way to enjoy the expansive forest on the shrine’s grounds and views of the city below. Otherwise, maybe head off to Arashiyama to enjoy a wander through the Sagano bamboo forest, or cycle along the Kamo River. Another great stop is the architecturally impressive Higashi Honganji Temple and the almost surreal Sanjusangendo, home to 1,001 statues of Kannon, or the Nishiki food market. 

A gentle stroll through Kyoto's eastern hills along the ‘Path of Philosophy’ that links Ginkaku-ji, the Temple of the Silver Pavilion, with Nanzen-ji Temple is also recommended. This walk can be extended south through the well-preserved ‘old town’ areas to Kiyamizu-dera (Temple of Clear Water) with its famous viewing platform. Also recommended, for those visiting in spring, is a visit to the theatre for a presentation of Miyako Odori (Cherry Blossom Dance) performed by elaborately dressed maiko (apprentice geisha), or a visit to the extravagantly decorated Kinkakuji Temple, immortalised in Yukio Mishima’s novel “The Golden Pavilion”.

On one of the evenings, your leader will take you on a stroll through Gion, Kyoto's famous Geisha district. Even today you can observe the age-old tradition of geisha as they head out to perform dances and song for members of the wealthy elite in small teahouses tucked away in tiny back streets.
Accommodation
  • Ryokan/Hotel (2 nights)
Included Activities
  • Kyoto - Temple/Shrine entrance (2)
  • Kyoto - Gion District walk
Optional Activities
  • Kyoto - Bike hire (per day) - JPY800
  • 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
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.


There are no activities planned for the day and you’re free to depart the hotel at any time after check out at 10 am. If you are departing later, you can arrange luggage storage at the hotel.
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Meals

2 breakfasts, 2 dinners

Transport

Boat, Public bus, Cable Car, Ferry, Metro, Bullet Train, Train

Accommodation

Hotel (1 nt), Ryokan (11 nts)

Included activities

  • Nikko - Toshogu Shrine
  • 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

Dates & availability

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There are currently no scheduled departures on our Japan: Land of the Rising Sun trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Travel lightly with Intrepid. We’ve offset the main sources of carbon emissions from this trip on your behalf, including transport, accommodation & waste. Read more

Important notes

1. A 14-day Japan Rail Pass is included in the price of your trip (validated on Day 2). For those planning to stay longer in Japan, a Japan Rail Pass extension, valid for 21-days, is available for purchase. Japan Rail Passes are only available for purchase outside of Japan. It is therefore necessary to purchase them before the tour begins.
2. A Single Supplement is currently not available for this trip due to limited rooms at  our cosen accommodation.
3. Due to the rapid increase in tourism in Japan and the lead up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, it has been necessary to go outside our traditional sources tour leaders. As a result our passionate, professional and trained tour leaders may be local Japanese or long-term foreign residents in Japan. 
4. We are currently unable to book pre- or post-tour accommodation at our start and finish point hotels due to limited room availability. We recommend booking a hotel of your choice through your travel agent or an online booking engine if you are planning to stay longer in Japan.
5. If you are looking for departures during winter of a similar itinerary, see our Japan: Land of the Snow Monkeys tour by entering CJSS on our website.
6. It is essential you pack light and compact for rail travel in Japan. From May 2020 there will be size restrictions for luggage on Shinkansen trains. Luggage over 160–250 cm may require an additional USD 10  oversize luggage fee per train journey. Luggage over 251 cm will NOT be permitted on the Shinkansen trains at all. Please notify your tour leader at your welcome meeting if your luggage is over 160–250 cm so they can make the necessary arrangements.
7. Miyajima's floating torii gate has been under renovation since June 2019 and is covered by semi-transparent scaffolding. A bridge is being built on the left side of the gate to aid the renovation works. These works are ongoing with no set date for completion.

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.

View Essential Trip Information

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