Days:
13
Starts:
Tokyo
Finishes:
Kyoto
Meals:
9B 2L 2D
From:
$2799USD
Japan Adventure
Highlights
Ready to say Konnichiwa to Japan? Famed for futuristic cities, ancient traditions, drool worthy food and outstanding natural beauty, Japan is a country that will bring all your senses to life and send you home wanting more. Over 13 days visit Tokyo, Nagano, Hakone, Osaka, Koyasan and Kyoto, where you’ll learn to roll sushi, wield a sword like a Samurai, fall in love with enchanted castles and spend the night in the company of monks in a 1000 year old Buddhist temple. Oh, and did we mention you’ll be doing all this with a knowledgeable group leader and an instant crew of new mates? The trip of a lifetime just got even better…
What's Included
12 NIGHTS ACCOM
From high end ‘flashpacker’ hostels and futuristic hotels to a beautiful traditional Japanese ‘Ryokan’ surrounded & a 1000 year old temple!
Check it out here
13 DAYS OF EPIC ACTIVITIES
Visit ancient temples & shrines, explore the ultramodern cities, learn to wield a Samurai sword & more!
See the full list
ALL TRANSPORT INCLUDED
All transport during your adventure is sorted, including bullet trains, buses, subways, cable cars & more!
AWESOME GROUP LEADER
You'll get an awesome group leader from the moment you step off the plane to provide 24/7 support during & after your trip.
13 MEALS
9 Breakfasts, 2 Lunch & 2 Dinners
10 TREES PLANTED
We’ll plant 10 trees on your behalf when you make a booking.
Itinerary
TOKYO
Konnichiwa and welcome to Tokyo! Today you’ll arrive into one of the world’s buzziest, most forward thinking cities. Checking in to your hostel, you’ll then meet up with your travel crew and get excited for the adventures to come.
TOKYO
Today is all about discovering all that Tokyo has in store. First up, we’ll pay a visit to one of the country’s oldest temples, Senso-ji Temple, before checking out the Meiji Shrine. Colourful, eclectic and fashion forward Harajuku is up next, before we brave the iconic Shibuya Crossing, the world’s busiest intersection. After dinner this evening, we’ll then squeeze in to one of the hilariously tiny bars in the district of Shinjuku.
TOKYO
First up we're meeting with a sushi master to try our hand at the art of sushi rolling. Followed by some free time in Tokyo, before venturing over to the futuristic sights and sounds of Akihabara. Known locally as the ‘Electric City’, it's famous for its electronic shops, maid cafes, Japanese photo booths and all things modern.
NAGANO
Now’s your chance to experience Japan’s famous bullet train for real. Shooting out of Tokyo at over 200mph, we’ll reach Nagano just in time to try out the ancient art of Origami, followed by a relaxing dip in an Onsen, aka a volcanic hot spring. Tonight we’ll settle in to our Ryokan style hostel, where you’ll be sleeping on traditional tatami mats and Japanese style futon bedding.
NAGANO
This morning we'll learn how to make our own Soba noodles! We’ll then be venturing out into the mountains to spot the region’s famous snow monkeys, or Japanese Macaques. These red faced trouble makers play amongst the trees in the summer months & warm by bathing in the natural hot springs once winter hits. Enjoying the fresh mountain air, we’ll then take our time exploring the gorgeous lakes and forests of the Shiga Kogen National Park.
HAKONE
It’s back on board the bullet train this morning, this time bound for Hakone. Famed for hot springs, natural beauty and (of course) Mount Fuji, we’ll check in to our trendy hotel that comes complete with its very own onsen.
OSAKA
You might not be walking the plank, but you will be exploring Hakone by pirate ship (and cable car) this morning, keeping eyes peeled for views of snow capped Mount Fuji. We’ll then journey on to Osaka, and head straight out to explore the vibrant canal region of Dotonbori. Dinner will be on us, where we’ll fuel up for a night out, Osaka style.
OSAKA
This morning you’ll have time to yourself to chill and maybe squeeze in a spot of shopping, before we head out as a group to visit the 400 year old Osaka Castle. Looking like something straight out of a fairytale you’ll struggle not to get house envy as we explore the grounds and hear stories of Japanese history and legends, including the country’s most famous warriors, the Samurai.
KOYASAN
Ready for something extra special? Today we have just the thing - an overnight stay in a 1000 year old Buddhist temple. Leaving Osaka behind we’ll travel to the mountains for the town of Koyasan, where we’ll be welcomed into the temple by the monks who live there. They’ll teach us meditation, serve us their traditional foods, and lead us through a night time stroll of Japan’s largest cemetery.
KYOTO
It’s an early start today, but well worth it to watch the Buddhist monks perform their morning prayer ritual and fire ceremony. We’ll then be served breakfast before travelling on to our final destination, Kyoto. After checking in to our boutique hostel, you’ll have time to yourself to explore Japan’s ancient capital.
KYOTO
Green, lush and vibrant, the Insta famous Bamboo Forest of Arashiyama is our first stop today. Photos snapped, we’ll then head to the luxurious Golden Pavilion, so named for being covered entirely in gold, before finishing our day in the district of Gion, best known for being the home of Japan’s beautiful and mysterious Geishas.
KYOTO
Ending our trip on a high, today we’ll visit the famous Torii gates of Fushimi-Inari. One of Japan’s most iconic and photographed shrines, the orange gates stretch all the way up the mountainside. This afternoon, and maybe saving the best till last, you’ll then learn how to wield a traditional samurai sword under the watchful eye of a sensei, a descendant of the Samurai.
KYOTO
Your unforgettable 13 day adventure comes to an end today. Those flying home will make their way to the airport, or keep living the dream and extend your stay in Kyoto or Japan with our help and the new friends you’ve made.
#SmallChange
Making a positive difference to the amazing destinations we travel is at the core of what we do. Small Change is our own socially conscious initiative aimed at making the world that little bit better place to explore!
Check out the #SmallChange you'll be part of while doing this tour. Click here
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Lots of people on our trips are travelling solo. But by doing our trip you’ll instantly be part of a group, so it’s a great way to meet others and make friends! We will be sure to put you in a room with someone of the same gender.
You can start chatting to people in your group and other travellers before you leave. Just join our Japan Facebook group!
Travel insurance is compulsory for all our trips. Click here to organise a quote and policy for yourself.
Just let us know who you’re travelling with after you’ve booked and your relationship to them, and we’ll organise appropriate room shares for you. Our booking system takes one booking at a time, so if you’re booking for multiple people just complete a separate booking for each person. It’s super quick and easy!
No worries. Unless you tell us otherwise we’ll automatically book you into our accommodation from the day you arrive, and then you can just pay for your extra nights on arrival.
The Japanese call Japan ‘a country of four seasons’ which basically means it’s got four distinct seasons, all beautiful and amazing for different reasons. The winter months (Dec-Mar) are cold but bring stunning snow-capped mountains and a magical winter wonderland feel, not to mention being the best time to see the famous ‘Snow Monkeys’. Spring (Apr - Jun) is popular for its colourful beauty and famous cherry blossoms. Summer (Jun - Aug) is hot, humid and great for outdoor activities and is the peak festival season. Autumn (Sep – Nov) again brings stunning colourful scenery such as the ‘koyo’ or Japanese autumn foliage. So you’re sure to have an amazing time any month of year!
Japan is generally one of the more expensive countries in Asia. However all your activities, accommodation, transport and some meals are included, so you’ll just need money for any extra meals, drinks, shopping and any onward travel. We recommend you bring at least £600 / $1000 spending money.
All accommodations we stay at have free Wi-Fi available. Japans network quality is generally very good.
We always recommend travelling with a backpack and packing light! 10-20kgs of stuff should be plenty. We will be using mainly trains for transport so dragging around a huge suitcase is not much fun. Depending on your onward travel plans there is luggage storage at the airports or at some accommodations if needed.
Your destination or airline may have COVID-19 vaccination or testing requirements to enter. It is your responsibility to adhere to these requirements to ensure your arrival is not impacted and you can join your tour without issue.
Download our trip notes and our INTRO Travel app on the App Store or the Google Play Store for more info and FAQ's, or just contact us.
We are here to help throughout your whole holiday experience and ensure you have the trip of a lifetime!
13 DAYS
FROM
$2799
USD
secure your place now and pay later!
from
$400
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